katietotallybooked's Reviews (785)

Queenie is a character that I just couldn't love. I wanted to give her head a shake. I wanted her to snap out of her funk. I wanted her to grow up. Did she learn about herself by the end of the novel? Will her behaviour change going forward? I just am not confident that she has or that it will.

What I did enjoy about this book was the writing, and the mixed media format. It's been so long since I read a book that included emails and texts and it was a fun breath of fresh air in my reading life! I also listened to the audio while reading the physical book, which I enjoyed as well. I really love reading this way when the characters have accents different from my own. I personally love the sound of a Bristish accent, and Queen is Jamacian-British so being able to pick up on the dialect while reading just added to the reading experience.

Overall, I didn't love or dislike this book. It was a fast contemporary read and I am glad that I read it after hearing Emily talk about it on her channel @LittleWriterEm.

Very enjoyable as an audiobook, I just wanted more! However, I understand that Trebek's reasoning for doing writing the book was to provide the interested readers with snippets of his life story, rather than long detailed passages.

I wish he would have read the whole book though, but I still liked the narration by Ken Jennings. Even though I haven't watched Jeopardy faithfully, I still have fond memories of watching it during or after dinner with my parents growing up.
I appreciate the author's outlook on life and I pray that he lives his remainings years with a smile and family at his side.

I was completely enthralled by this book. It was so so good! Jodi Picoult did an excellent job yet again capturing the many sides and perspectives of a controversial topic. She always makes me think about my own beliefs and where they may fall for whatever issue or societal controversy she tackles.

I feel removed from the issue of abortion in my everyday life as it not something I have had to deal with myself, and I haven’t known anyone close to me to deal with it either. I didn’t realize that abortion is still so frowned upon in Mississippi, with only one abortion clinic in the entire state! Nor did I know that these clinics are a known target for violence, and that there is still ongoing anti-abortion protests that happen right outside their doors. So, thank you Jodi Picoult for opening my eyes to this.

The writing style is different from any book I can recall, where the novel unwinds backwards in time over the course of the day. There is an intense hostage situation that unfolds, and I found I was drawn to many of the characters portrayed. Most importantly I found the book hard to put down as I was anxious to see what precursors led to the events at the beginning of the novel unfolding. It’s a riveting and eye-opening novel, and I haven’t felt this captured by a book since Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone which I read very early this year.

A very short book and a quick read. I feel like the seriousness of the issues at hand (racism, street violence, relationships and grief) were not given the depth and detail that they warrant because of the shortness of the novel. I wasn’t overly thrilled with the book even though it’s a powerful and relevant topic. I was reminded a bit of The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas because of the gun violence and injustice and discrimination that takes place. But the novels are quite different other than those common themes. I just think the book could have had more.

It was an excellent read. After learning it was voted as winner of the Silver Birch award this year by kids, and witnessing Alex Lyttle in action at #olafestivaloftrees, I knew I wanted to experience this story myself.
I can’t believe that a novel so heartbreaking, endearing, tragic and moving was voted for by so many children, yet I can because I can understand how relatable the novel must be to them. It covers themes of Cancer, grief, friendships, parent relationships, family dynamics, bullying, being the new kid, and personal guilt. The writing is top notch. It’s a quality read for children in the 9 and up category, but it’s really a novel I’d recommend to adults too. Plus anyone who was a kid in the 90s (like me) will relate to Cal, Aleta, and Sammy’s love for the Goosebump book series.
Also it takes place near London ON #mycity and the author grew up here!
I highly recommend this book because it’s honest and beautiful. In a way it reminds me of Bridge to Terabithia, because it’s just a wonderful book that stays with the reader after it’s closed.

Truly adored this book and I have fallen in love with Renee Watson's writing!

The name 'Ryan' means king and fourth-grade Ryan Hart is determined to be the leader her parents named her to be, whether that's when she's in the kitchen practicing her cooking skills or with her friends and schoolmates. This spunky young girl is a black voice for the next generation of readers. If you love the Ramona Quimby books, give this one a try. It's got the same heart and realness to it, and you can't help but fall in love with Ryan's charming personality.

I have fallen in love with Marie Kondo and her methods. Since starting this method of decluttering, I have felt a weight lift off my shoulders. Who knew that reducing your belongings and decluttering could help you fall even more in love with your home?!

As we speak, my partner is starting the process in his own closet and drawers!

I loved the Netflix Series too, and I look forward to continuing to use the method in my home.

Incredible. How an author can convey such a powerful story in so few words is spectacular to me. And I am quickly falling in love with novels-in-verse after reading Poet X by Elizabeth Acevado and Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson. Give me more.

Such a story. Karen returns to her family home after the passing of her mother to care for her sister Kelli, who was born with a developmental disability. Karen hasn't been regularly in Kelli's life in years, so when she meets Trevor, a man who has insinuated himself into their home, Trevor doesn't know what to believe or who to trust.

It's the first time that I can recall reading a book with this premise, including adults as caregivers. I was drawn to the relationship with the sisters and Karen's journey with grief. I appreciated the mystery element as Karen gleamed more and more information about Trevor. This is what kept me turning the pages as I wanted to know his history.

I enjoyed the writing style and this book was good. But it also isn't much more memorable to me than that and it's only been a few weeks since I read it.