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669 reviews by:
mikaelaandherbooks
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
A short book filled to the brim with an important message on and practical actions towards reaching racial and social justice. Also great biblical knowledge applied to the topic of discussion!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Death, Slavery
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
When No One Is Watching has a very interesting plot filled with social justice themes around racism, gentrification, and redlining. While it is a good story, I wouldn't qualify it as a thriller overall - it is more so a story centered around drama and suspense, with the final few chapters filled with thriller qualities. It would have been nice if those thriller qualities had come in earlier into the story, as I believe the story would not have been so slow-paced with that change.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual content, Murder
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Drug use
dark
mysterious
tense
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
Fredrik Backman does it again! His writing hooks you from the beginning and through the use of short chapters and multiple character perspectives is able to respectfully delve into the small town reality of handling really horrible situations.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault
Moderate: Child death, Death, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Xenophobia
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
The Truths We Hold provides a good balance between learning about Kamala Harris and how she rose to become senator alongside the multiple policies and societal issues that she faced during her career. While the explanation of the latter was very informative and provided understanding on the tough decisions she had to make, it would have been great to learn more about her and her family.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Rape, Murder
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, Sexual assault
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It is a fun retelling of the Disney version for Beauty and the Beast - in this retelling, we get to hear more about Belle's parents, the town she's from, and the curse that the Beast is under. While it is clever and the ultimate reveal/ending was surprising, the beginning was rather slow and didn't pick up pace until Part II of the book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Toxic relationship, Murder
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Midnight Library is beautifully written to explore the idea of regrets we have in life, in a fun and interesting way. Nora is lovable and relatable as we see her explore the regrets she has and tackle a question most of us have asked ourselves, "what if I had done that differently?"
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The collection of "supernatural" short stories is an easy read that comes with a mix of stories: fast paced and slow paced; some are darker than others. Overall, it is a good read with the best short stories (in my opinion) being S.O.S.; The Fourth Man; and Philomel Cottage.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Suicide
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
The Body Keeps the Score is incredibly informative on how a variety of traumas can impact both the body and mind through the balance use of actual case stories with the science and history of trauma research.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Murder