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katietotallybooked's Reviews (785)
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
From the Author’s Note:
“I wrote this book for women like Georgia Mae, my grandmother Yvonne Clair, my great-grandmother Addie Murray and every woman who was forced to surrender her child either because of race, age, sexual abuse, shame or coer-cion. You are not alone. The House of Eve is for you.”
I picked this book up because it was an in person book club pick. I knew little about it going in, and honestly I did not expect to love it so much!
Positives:
“I wrote this book for women like Georgia Mae, my grandmother Yvonne Clair, my great-grandmother Addie Murray and every woman who was forced to surrender her child either because of race, age, sexual abuse, shame or coer-cion. You are not alone. The House of Eve is for you.”
I picked this book up because it was an in person book club pick. I knew little about it going in, and honestly I did not expect to love it so much!
Positives:
- Engaging writing
- Dual perspective, with dual audio narration!
- Based on experiences from real women
- An emotional read with some gut wrenching parts
- I was hooked early on and I wanted to keep turning the pages to see how it would all turn out for Ruby and Eleanor
Negatives:
- that it took until the ending to make it a five star read (but at least it got there!) The author's note and the epilogue actually sealed the deal for me.
Topics/Themes:
- Motherhood
- Black History
- Pregnancy
- Racism
- Classism
I'd Recommend To:
- Book Clubs
- Historical fiction readers, especially those interest in Black and/or women's history
- Audiobook listeners (the narration is fantastic!)
Quotes:
"I hope the man she [Georgia Mae] worked for wouldn't touch her again, but I also knew that hope had never gotten any of us very far. " p.324
"I hope the man she [Georgia Mae] worked for wouldn't touch her again, but I also knew that hope had never gotten any of us very far. " p.324
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Racism, Rape, Pregnancy, Classism
Minor: Body shaming
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book came across my desk when it was added to our Teen graphic novel collection recently. It caught my eye because it was translated and had f/f LGBTQ+ representation in it.
Positives:
Positives:
- a very sweet and charming story with funny bits that had me smiling and chuckling to myself (like the Titanic commentary)
- enjoyable to read in the moment
Negatives:
- not an especially memorable or impactful story
Themes/Topics
- LGBTQ+ (f-f representation)
- high school romance
- set in school
- divorced parents
- friendship
- Identity/Self-Acceptance
I'd Recommend To:
- contemporary YA graphic novel readers who want to explore translated books or books from around the world (set in Portugal)
Quotes:
“[Irregular verbs] - You’re not supposed to understand them. You just have to learn them by heart. “
“You’re an irregular verb. One to learn by heart.”
“[Irregular verbs] - You’re not supposed to understand them. You just have to learn them by heart. “
“You’re an irregular verb. One to learn by heart.”
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved Angie Thomas' YA books The Hate You Give and On The Come Up. Unfortunately, this middle grade fantasy missed the mark for me. I understand I'm not the target audience. But as someone who reads middle grade & YA to recommend them to young readers, I wasn't very engaged in this one. In my opinion, I think there are better written middle grade fantasies out there. This won't be a top one that I recommend, especially not to Canadian readers. It felt very American in terms of the social commentary that Angie Thomas was weaving in to the story.
Positives:
Positives:
- The audiobook narration is excellent. It is performed well.
- Angie Thomas made a strong effort to weave current events for the Black community as well as the stories of important figures in Black History into her storyline.
- The characters felt realistic and authentic.
Negatives:
- The flow of the author's writing was not smooth. There were passages that felt disjointed. There was a lot more telling the reader about plot points than showing the reader.
- I felt confused at the beginning of the book. I found the world building parts hard to follow and understand. I was not engaged from the very start.
Themes/Topics:
- Black Lives Matter social commentary
- Black History
- Friendship
- Sibling Relationships
- Parent-Child Relationships
- Identity
I'd Recommend To:
- Readers looking for #ownvoices fantasy
- Fantasy readers who are wanting a new series to start
- Readers interested in BLM social commentary
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
This was a great audiobook to listen to as a childhood Spice Girls fan. I remember how much my friends and I were into them - pretending to be them during recess, performing airbands of their songs at school assemblies, collecting trading cards, dolls, and photos. It was a fandom for sure!
I learned so much about Mel C and the Spice Girls and her experiences before, during, and after this era of her life. Mel C shared so openly about her struggles with an eating disorder, depression and mental health. I am so glad she decided to speak candidly and share her story.
My only criticism is that the book felt long and slow at times. It really dragged out, but in a positive way, it gave me so much detailed information as a reader (and listener). I highly recommend the audiobook. I can't wait to dive into Mel B's (Scary Spice) memoir soon!
I learned so much about Mel C and the Spice Girls and her experiences before, during, and after this era of her life. Mel C shared so openly about her struggles with an eating disorder, depression and mental health. I am so glad she decided to speak candidly and share her story.
My only criticism is that the book felt long and slow at times. It really dragged out, but in a positive way, it gave me so much detailed information as a reader (and listener). I highly recommend the audiobook. I can't wait to dive into Mel B's (Scary Spice) memoir soon!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Mental illness
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I read this book as part of Jessica Massey's Hustle Sanely BFF Membership Q2 topic "Get Out of Your Own Way: Reframing limiting beliefs and creating a healthy mindset."
I definitely enjoyed this book. It would never have been on my radar without the membership. I picked up a lot of helpful takeaways about mindset and perspective and how to go after your dreams and goals. I appreciated how much Jenna Kutcher shared about her own life and her own journey, especially her struggles with miscarriage and starting a family.
Asking "How are you really?" invites individuals to get vulnerable. It invites you to open up and break down your own walls and barriers. It encourages you to get out of your own way and go after what you want.
I appreciated this book and what it had to offer. I would recommend it to any woman who wants to sit down and reflect on their life. If you want to think about where you are at and ask yourself some tough questions as you pivot or change directions to go after what you want, this book can help. If you want encouraging and vulnerability and relatability, Jenna Kutcher can help.
I definitely enjoyed this book. It would never have been on my radar without the membership. I picked up a lot of helpful takeaways about mindset and perspective and how to go after your dreams and goals. I appreciated how much Jenna Kutcher shared about her own life and her own journey, especially her struggles with miscarriage and starting a family.
Asking "How are you really?" invites individuals to get vulnerable. It invites you to open up and break down your own walls and barriers. It encourages you to get out of your own way and go after what you want.
I appreciated this book and what it had to offer. I would recommend it to any woman who wants to sit down and reflect on their life. If you want to think about where you are at and ask yourself some tough questions as you pivot or change directions to go after what you want, this book can help. If you want encouraging and vulnerability and relatability, Jenna Kutcher can help.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am happy that I can finally say I've read this book. I also understand why it won the Canada Reads competition in 2022. I do believe it is a must read for Canadian readers.
Liked Most:
Liked Most:
- How each of the character's storylines intertwined, even when it wasn't obvious that would happen from the beginning.
- How different each character's story was. Their experiences were varied and how they handled their traumas varied. I think this helps make the book more representative (while still fictionalized) of the many shared histories of our Indigenous community.
Liked Least:
- The timeline of the story felt unclear while I was reading, and I found it hard to follow at times because there was so many characters to keep track off.
Themes/Topics:
- Residential Schools
- Indigenous History
- Child Abuse (Physical, Sexual, Emotional)
- Grief
- Loss of Innocence
- Suicide
Would Recommend To:
- All Canadian adult fiction readers
- Those interested in Indigenous lives, experiences, and histories
The audio is well done too!
Quotes:
“…she told me she was sorry about my mom. I didn't know, but she didn't need to say more. I had so many dreams at the Indian School about going home to her. Dreams about sleeping safe in my own room, playing on the beach at ease and without fear, and cooking with her. What I so desperately needed was to be standing on that stool by the stove, carefully stirring under her watchful eye like when I was little. To be little again, living without fear and brutality-no one gets that back. All that's left is a craving, insatiable empty place.”
“Kenny walked along the meandering creek, enjoying the sound of it when it narrowed and quickened, the peace of it when it widened and slowed, deeper and quieter, the rusty-coloured stones casting a sparkling copper tone on the crystalline water. There was a bitter sweetness in seeing his old friend. He was happy to share their tricky survival memories; it was the other ones, the ones that slipped in through the silences, that he was relieved to lose in his usual solitude.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide
Moderate: Grief
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This YA book focuses on female friendships, and more specifically, female friendship breakups, and that is just one relationship experience that I don't think gets enough representation in fiction. Plus, it was really enjoyable and well written. The audio narrator was great too. As I'm just getting back into reading YA, I appreciated this as a nice YA contemporary to get in to. It also does feature a romantic relationship, but I am so impressed by the backseat that relationship took. I think that was an intentional choice by the author and I commend them for it. And, the book doesn't end with Cleo & Layla becoming friends again, which I also appreciated because sometimes friendships do end and both parties move on. .
This is definitely a book about friendship that I will share as a recommendation with YA readers. I also plan on reading more by Ashley Woodfolk.
Themes & Representation:
- Grief
- Parental Divorce
- Bullying & Rumour Spreading
- Father-Daughter Relationships
- Bangladeshi / Islamic culture
- LGBTQIA+
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
This was an enjoyable audiobook listen, and a quick one at less than 6 hours. Given that, Pamela didn't go into much detail about her experiences but what she did share was her up and down experiences growing up with abuse, her rocky entry into show business and acting, and her highly publicized relationships.
I always commend individuals who show their strength by continuing to get back up and push forward after being knocked down. Pamela Anderson showcases herself as a strong, talented, not just "a pretty face" woman by sharing her story.
If you know who Pamela Anderson is and you enjoy audiobooks, give this one a listen.
I always commend individuals who show their strength by continuing to get back up and push forward after being knocked down. Pamela Anderson showcases herself as a strong, talented, not just "a pretty face" woman by sharing her story.
If you know who Pamela Anderson is and you enjoy audiobooks, give this one a listen.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book hit hard! It was such an emotional read, especially with the audiobook. The narrators did a phenomenal job on bringing the story to life. It wouldn't have been half as impactful to me as a reader without the audiobook to listen along with.
It's hard to imagine that Salama is only 18 years old, but Syrian youth do face such a hard reality. I can't even fathom having to live in a country that is being torn apart by war like it is. There are so many unsettling circumstances that the characters endure. Salama is an excellent example of a strong female protagonist, and a woman of science with her interest in pharmacology. Plus, her relationship that blossoms quickly with Kenan is so wonderful and beautiful to witness. I was rooting for them!
The story is really well told, and there were plot twists that I didn't see coming.
But while this is an emotional read, it is also inspiring and optimistic. It showcases the fight and faith of Syrian individuals. I would definitely recommend this book to teen readers. In the author's note, Zoulfa Katouh mentions how her book offers representation to reader that is rare, and I would have to agree. This book is unlike anything else I've ever read.
It's hard to imagine that Salama is only 18 years old, but Syrian youth do face such a hard reality. I can't even fathom having to live in a country that is being torn apart by war like it is. There are so many unsettling circumstances that the characters endure. Salama is an excellent example of a strong female protagonist, and a woman of science with her interest in pharmacology. Plus, her relationship that blossoms quickly with Kenan is so wonderful and beautiful to witness. I was rooting for them!
The story is really well told, and there were plot twists that I didn't see coming.
But while this is an emotional read, it is also inspiring and optimistic. It showcases the fight and faith of Syrian individuals. I would definitely recommend this book to teen readers. In the author's note, Zoulfa Katouh mentions how her book offers representation to reader that is rare, and I would have to agree. This book is unlike anything else I've ever read.
It reminds me that as long as the lemon trees grow, hope will never die.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, War
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
So, listening to this audiobook reminded me of why I never really enjoyed watching Live growing up. While I found some parts interesting and enjoyable, I also found her to be somewhat annoying, and actually not that funny.
The enjoyable parts were about her kids, as I remember them as young children when they would make tiny appearances on Live. Plus I typically enjoy hearing about experiences in motherhood.
Ultimately, I don't find I have much to say about this book though. If you know who Kelly Ripa is, and like her, I think you'll pick up this book and get something from it. Otherwise, it's not a must read.
The enjoyable parts were about her kids, as I remember them as young children when they would make tiny appearances on Live. Plus I typically enjoy hearing about experiences in motherhood.
Ultimately, I don't find I have much to say about this book though. If you know who Kelly Ripa is, and like her, I think you'll pick up this book and get something from it. Otherwise, it's not a must read.