lit_vibrations's Reviews (365)

First let me say you cannot judge a book by its cover. I briefly skimmed the synopsis and jumped right into it. With that said I enjoyed reading this way more than expected. 

Hera “the gullible mistress” was such a character. There were a few laughable moments in this one and other times I questioned her judgement. First questionable moment was her attraction to Arthur cause boo why? She was a lesbian so he had to really be a snack to catch her eye right? Hera was young, their office fling was a secret, and being involved with an older man probably seemed exciting. But that didn’t give her a pass to continue dealing with him once she found out about his wife. 

Somebody should’ve told her rule #1 never believe a man if he says he’ll leave his wife for you. Him cheating on his wife is your red flag 🚩 to run. Arthur lying like he’s gonna leave his wife she was supposed to ABORT MISSION. Hera’s friends tried to warn her but a hard head makes a soft ass so she learned the hard way. I found it hilarious whenever Hera spoke of Arthur it gave “My man is my man, is your man

heard it's her man too.” 😂 The excuses she kept telling HERSELF for him were crazy. Then the BABY and the name . . . . Arthur was trifling‼️

Overall, I enjoyed the book but it was a slow burn for about 40% of it and I almost gave up but I’m glad I pushed through. The character development was fair and the plot was well put together but I didn’t really get the ending. If you’re into workplace romances with dark humor you might enjoy this one. Special thanks to the author and @henryholtbooks for my gifted copy.‼️

I finished this a day after it published and I’ve sat on my review to really gather my thoughts because they were really up and down most of the book. The novel follows Jade a young lawyer who’s been sexually assaulted but has no recollection of the night and is now trying to navigate life thereafter. 

The novel is broken down into three sections which I feel we’re given three different sides of Jade. Part one we have successful lawyer Jade with the perfect boyfriend, caring family, great friends, white picket fence all the good stuff up until that tragic night. 

Part two we journey through life with broken Jade. The young woman now unsure of herself and is lost in the world because she can’t cope with what she’s experienced and is afraid to speak up about it. This is silent Jade, depressed Jade, confused and traumatized Jade. 

Then part three we experience healing Jade. She went from the young woman who had it all together and life mapped out to just simply Jade. Picking up the pieces of a shattered life at no fault of her own we get to see courageous Jade. Jade who will and can now stand on her own two feet because she knows her worth and refuses to accept anything less than what she deserves JUSTICE‼️

Overall this was a decent debut but the pacing was really slow. I ended up using audio to finish which made reading a little better. The beginning was overly descriptive and it took a few chapters to circle back around to what really happened that night. Josh’s reaction to that night pissed me off and Kit’s inconsiderate behavior toward Jade was unacceptable. I have no words for her parents maybe it’s their culture. We all need friends like Adele loved her. HR was only there to protect the company not Jade. Special thanks to the author, @simonbooks, @bookclubfavorites for my gifted copy‼️

I’ve read some really good poem collections this month here’s another to add to the list. This was such an enthralling poetry collection centered around the black girl experience. From a young black girl to a black woman each poem was a vivid portrait of many of our lives. These poetic stories felt relatable and empower us not to forget our origin story and what makes us US‼️ When I say I Love Us was the perfect poem explaining what I mean by that. 

Favorite Poems:

Where I’m From

Resurrection 

At•las | \ ‘at-les \: From Merriam-Webster Dictionary 

That Girl

When I Say I Love Us 

Underbelly

How to Survive Your Teen Years

An Etheree for Moving On

Knock,Knock: For Renisha McBride

Phenomenon 

I was pleased to receive a ALC of this gem but will definitely purchase a physical copy. I heard the illustrations inside were amazing. The target audience was YA/Teens so younger me would’ve loved this but it’s still a collection for all to read. It’s overflowing with nostalgia, self-reflection, black culture, and personal life experiences. 

If you’re into poetry or looking to get into the genre this would be a great start. Special thanks to the author @librofm @penguinteen @kokilabooks for my ALC‼️

Okay I’m gonna keep this one short and simple. This book . . . . . this boooooook . . . The Turner family‼️ I’ve never read anything so traumatizing and gut-wrenching in my life like I don’t know where to begin. The writing was very descriptive and the dialogue was raw love Latoya Watkins but the way she wove this book together it’s not for the faint hearted man. It was sooooo heartbreaking not even a happy ending. PERISH is the right title because that’s exactly the energy it gave. It was so hard to love any of the characters if anything I felt bad for them all. 

So, much generational trauma and everyone turned a blind eye to what was happening. Was it outta fear or complete denial? Helen Jean failed her children and grandchildren because someone failed her. I kept thinking when will this end because it was all so horrific. I do applaud Watkins for touching on such a tough subject because let’s be honest this was very common back in the day I just wasn’t ready for it. I can’t even tell you how many times I stopped in between reading this. 

Overall, the book was okay just traumatic asf and tough to read at times. I’m not gonna say I recommend but if you want your heart ripped out of your chest then read it but be prepared‼️

I love poetry and this was truly a captivating piece of work filled with so many amazing poets‼️ Kwame Alexander curates a collection of contemporary anthems at turns tender and piercing and deeply inspiring throughout. This Is the Honey is a rich and abundant offering of language from the poets giving voice to generations of resilient joy, “each incantation,” as Mahogany L. Browne puts it in her titular poem, is “a jubilee of a people dreaming wildly.”

Honey can symbolize many things from pleasure, sweetness, truth and knowledge. The title of this book fits perfectly because each poem was smooth, rich, and flowed like honey. Some poems were sweet, some a little sticky cause they definitely stuck with me, and the others will feed your soul. I was not only moved but I found so much substance within these words even a little humor. 

Within this anthology we discover poets from our current time all adding a different flavor into the honey pot. Divided into six sections the collection addresses love, family, friendship, joy, culture, heritage, and so much more. Alexander refers to This Is The Honey as the in-between or a gathering space for Black poets to honor and celebrate. 

Overall, loved this anthology highly recommended cause it was a must I purchase a physical copy. Whether you’re just getting into poetry, seeking a comfort read, or looking for new poems or poets This Is The Honey has something to offer everyone. Special thanks to the author & @littlebrown for my gifted copy‼️

This was an interesting collection of 14 short stories following a slew of characters delving deep into the day-to-day perils of Jim Crow racism. Each story was perfectly layered and varied with its own uniqueness. The reader never really knows how much the author is going to give before bringing the story to a close. We get themes surrounding trauma, racism, the day-to-day reality of growing up black in America, and heart-breaking revelations of being a parent in this era. 

Of the 14 stories the last two Our Trip To The Nature Museum and Spiders Cry Without Tears were the longest and most in-depth but none of the stories felt incomplete or rushed. There were a couple that did leave me wanting more so I see that as a good thing. 

With any collection there are always a few that stand out among the rest. But each story written highlights characters being placed in unconventional situations.

Neighbors- follows a family as they prepare for their son Tommy to attend a desegregated school.

The Closet On The Top Floor- follows Winifred (Chicken)  attending college as the only black student where her presence is immediately recognized.

Health Service- We follow Libby a mother of many children which she can’t seem to handle on her own as she takes them to the clinic only to never receive care. 

Mint Juleps Not Served Here- Mr. & Mrs. Mack lost their first son Alvin 3 days after being born; when their son Rabbit was born they vowed to do whatever it took to protect him even commit murder. Miss Langley a rude case worker looking into the family ended up being a victim. 

Key To The City- Nora was headed off to school and her family packed up to go with her. When they arrived in the new city her father was supposed to pick them up from the terminal but never came. 

The Visitor- Katie arrived in town from school in Memphis. After only being there a few days Katie packs her things to return home. Alice who was married to her father didn’t want Katie in the picture anyway. 

Frozen Voices: Jenny had to prove that men needed her and that she didn’t need a man; and Gab had to prove that women needed him, that he didn’t need a woman. 

Overall, this was a pretty good collection definitely something I’d recommend. Special thanks to the author & #GroveAtlantic publishing for my gifted copy‼️

When I say this book was A-W-E-S-O-M-E I mean it‼️ Jumata did such an amazing job and left no crumbs cause I could NOT put this book down literally finished it within a day. If you’ve read his previous work then you understand where I’m coming from with this. The first chapter really set the tone of the book and already had me on edge.

It follows two brothers Amir and Marcel as they come together to solve the murder of a popular girl in school Chloe. What makes matters worse Amir was last seen fleeing the scene of her death and Chloe just so happened to be Marcel’s best friend.

What kept me engaged:

* Two brothers with the same father and different mothers never really got along but this situation forces them to work together and eventually reconcile their differences.
* Marcel’s mother angered me so bad with how she treated Amir and spoke down on him. His father sat back in silence when she did 😒 but this murder changed all of their relationships with each other.
* Amir’s mom and her animosity towards his dad is what really ruin their father- son relationship.
* Knowing Amir didn’t kill Chloe but getting to the bottom of who did was such a wild ride. 
* The shocking secrets that were uncovered especially the game‼️

Overall, y’all know I recommend this book right? The author  truly delivered the perfect YA whodunnit murder mystery/thriller combined with a little family drama. If you have the book read it if you don’t buy it. Special thanks to the author & @delacortepress for my gifted copy‼️

This short story was a easy 5 ⭐️ read Sadeqa took it from 0 to 100 real quick‼️At this point if she’s writing it I’m buying and reading it. 

When Bubbles escaped with her baby she had one goal in mind reuniting with the father of her child. Little did Bubbles know he harbored a secret and was living a double life. Offered shelter by a friend or so she thought and a dream of making it big. 

Bubbles and her new friend would be well on their way to California if things work out . . . but they didn’t. Bubbles soon learns her friend was a FOE and her father is a hypocrite. The night she saw her father at that club my mouth dropped but when Bubbles showed up at that church MIC DROP‼️ I wish we could’ve gotten more to this cause this tidbit was amazing. If you haven’t read Fallen Grace what are you waiting for? 

OMG this book was absolutely the cutest‼️ I love a good friends to lovers trope and the author had me sold from the first chapter. It kind of reminds me of a movie I’ve seen before. Woman makes a wish/casts a spell that goes wrong and wakes up in an alternate reality but remembers nothing from that time period. I really loved the direction the author went with it. 

Gemma and Dax were perfect together even as friends. But you could always tell there could’ve been something more between them especially with how Dax was about her. Before Gemma casted the spell on her ex, Dax had been in love with her from afar just playing his role as the guy bestfriend. Anytime Gemma went through a heartbreak with another guy he was there to listen and pick up the pieces. 

It took Gemma being transported through time and losing everything she had been accustomed to in her “world.” To truly see the beauty and opportunities she already had right in front of her, Dax. In the alternate timeline I loved that Gemma basically had to win Dax’s heart and a true kiss to seal the deal and get back to the correct timeline. All the things she never saw in him became the things she loved most and swooned over. 

The character development was so so. Gemma was a likeable yet unlikeable character with an apparent drinking problem that got her into trouble on occasion. Waking up in a strangers bed after a night out drinking was so reckless but a norm for Gemma. I loved Dax’s character a lot he was perfect and definitely a charmer‼️ 

Overall, the book was great with a unique premise that was perfectly executed. If you love the friends-to-lovers trope or books with a hint of magic you’ll definitely enjoy reading this. Special thanks to the author & @thedialpress for my gifted copy‼️ 

First time reading anything by this author and I was not disappointed. Can’t wait to check out more of her work cause this book did it for me. It was a gripping, twisted, whodunnit tale with so many twists and turns you won’t see coming. I love how the book begins with us being placed right in the center of what’s already happened allowing the author to take us back through what lead up to everything. 

While reading this I kept thinking of the movie The Craft because Margot and Lucy gave me vibes of Nancy and Sarah minus the witchcraft. Lucy was giving weird ass vibes the entire time like she always had something up her sleeve and it wasn’t good. Margot came off like this innocent gullible character but please don’t be fooled. 

The way the author played the characters against each other was golden. The deeper you get into the novel the more twisted things become. You might think you know who’s behind what but trust when I say you’re wrong. When the truth gets exposed I was left in awe because you wouldn’t have seen that coming. My only downside was the reasoning behind most of the madness I won’t spoil it but definitely was expecting something a little more dramatic. 

Overall, loved the book it was definitely my kind of thriller‼️ If you like movies like The Craft or The Roommate then you’ll vibe with this book. The character development was excellent, the writing was vivid and descriptive, and of course the premise was well executed not to mention the fast pacing. I finished reading this book within a day or so that’s how good it was to me. Special thanks to the author & @minotaur_books for my gifted copy‼️