atreegrowsinbooks's reviews
320 reviews

I have loved all of the Huda books so far, and this one didn't disappoint. I really appreciated the approach this book took to talk about mental health, seeking a therapist, and grieving over your own parents divorcing.

As always, Huda is so dramatic and I can't help but crack up at her antics. I love how she deals with the big emotions that she feels surrounding the divorce. This is a great book for kids (and adults) to read, especially for ones who could be dealing with a similar divorce or other big life event that is causing some grief. And, I love that there is talks about going to therapy and talking to someone who has the skills to help navigate those feelings. There is even a resource in the back of the book with numbers to call in case the reader needs someone to speak to. I am all for talking about therapy and am so glad to see this in a kids book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dial Books for a copy of this ARC, all opinions are my own!.

Thoroughly enjoyed this graphic novel. Went into it not knowing what to expect and was blown away by the illustrations. 

I loved learning about the lion dancers! A cute story about finding love and self acceptance. Would 100% recommend!

Loved this! Was a great distraction and oh so cute! I really enjoyed that we got POVs from both Bradley and Celine. I especially liked reading Bradley’s thoughts. 

Insanely cute, and each character was written with such care. I found Bradley’s OCD was handled so well as was the discussions about going to therapy. I also so appreciated that these characters were smart kids. Both main characters had some self realizations which were so wonderful to see. Also this premise was so cool, a camping trip/expedition to win a scholarship! 

Just wonderful overall, would like to read more from Hibbert. 

This was such an interesting book! I loved learning about nature, and the queerness of it. I learned a lot about animals that I didn’t know about as well learned a lot about mushrooms which I didn’t know much about at all. 

This book reads more like a memoir mixed with a nature journal, and that’s not what I was expecting from reading the synopsis. However, it was still very interesting to read about the authors life and own queer journey. Would definitely recommend for those wanting to learn more about the wonderful queerness of nature. 

Love triangle isn’t my favorite trope, but thoroughly enjoyed this book! And while romance was the major theme, there is also a great message that it’s so helpful to talk to the people in your life, letting people in and telling your troubles can really help take the weight off your shoulders. 

Loved the back and forth POV. Such a great story about love and bodies and being oneself. Loved listening to this in audio form. 

Incredible, heartbreaking, loved loved loved. Wonderful narration by the author!

5 stars for the handling of this story, as Erdrich does so well. I wasn’t pulled into the story as much as I have been with some of her other works,  it I didn’t also take a few weeks off from reading which could have contributed. 

Incredible writing, tough content but handled so well with remarkable characters. To be in Joe’s shoes…

Should definitely be read and discussed. Honestly just can’t get enough of Erdrich. She writes so well. 

This book hit hard. I loved the characters and relationships so much. It felt like a real family dealing with so many complicated things. I loved the daily look into their lives, the struggles, the hope, the love. I loved how it opened with Jack Jr. waking up and everything that came after. It was a little strange to read about covid, but I enjoyed that while it was a part of the story it wasn't the entire story.

The huge lesson from this book is of how life is short and we really shouldn’t be sad for long. It’s not worth it to be sad. I’m happy about the conversations that happened with the family. To me, I saw parts of my family reflected back, as I am sure others will. The disfunction and miscommunication, but also the effort being put forth to work on those things with each other. Also Emil 😭. Also so refreshing to not have the queer relationship be the reason that the family is dysfunctional.

The writing was so enveloping and sucked me in right from the first page. I felt different while reading this book, it just felt so real to me. Like I could walk down to my local sushi place and find them all there. Just the slowness made me want to savor life, savor this book. Savor being awake and happy, and living. This book is a hug when you need it, a warm cup of tea when you’re looking for it, and the conversation you’ve felt like you’re missing right now. Instantly loved.  I have never read a book about the main character waking up from a coma, but this was way more than I ever expected. I just want to read this again. I want to cry and smile all over.


Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for a copy of this ARC, my opinions are my own.