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bites_of_books's reviews
778 reviews
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A reflection of what we can learn from looking into the past. The interactions we could have had, information we missed, memories that fade and we can't help but want to hang on to them. This is a collection of intersecting characters that use a time travel mechanism to travel to the past and for the duration of a hot cup of coffee, try and see what they might have missed in the past. The stories are all connected and make up a beautiful picture of a community that supports each other and helps each other through the rough times while celebrating the happy times.
The only reason why I didn't give it the whole 5 stars is because it became a tad repetitive at times. Otherwise, a great book.
The only reason why I didn't give it the whole 5 stars is because it became a tad repetitive at times. Otherwise, a great book.
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
4.75
What a delight of a book! It's such a special story told via letters about the relationship between a woman in New York City and a bookseller in London. It's a great reminder of cherishing the relationships that matter to us, how some friendships may come and go but their impact could be long lasting.
I'd definitely recommend it to all.
I'd definitely recommend it to all.
Highland Hearts Holiday Bookshop by Tricia O'Malley
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
4.0
What a cute romance! It is a friends to lovers story. I liked that the characters had flaws that felt real and that they had to face those flaws and grow in order to really change for the better. The puffins are super cute, loved the puns hahaha!
I'll definitely read more of O'Malley's works! I recommend it to anyone who wants a lightly spicy romance set in Scotland!
I'll definitely read more of O'Malley's works! I recommend it to anyone who wants a lightly spicy romance set in Scotland!
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
This was a really sad book that was really effective at pushing my emotional buttons...until it did something that took me way out of the story. I understand that something was needed to make Danny seem like an unfit parent but the whole plot point about sexual assault from an underage girl felt truly unnecessary and written without nuance or care.
Overall I liked the story, even though at times I struggled to suspend my disbelief. I do like dogs and to me this dog didn't like himself very much, which seems completely against what dogs are like.
Overall I liked the story, even though at times I struggled to suspend my disbelief. I do like dogs and to me this dog didn't like himself very much, which seems completely against what dogs are like.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
Aftermath: On Marriage and Separation by Rachel Cusk
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.75
This was a pretty intense book, even though it was short, it took me a while to get through it. We get to go deep into the author's mind, her thinking process after her divorce, and what seems like slice of life stories that go way deeper and reflective than it appears at first. It felt like each chapter could be dissected and unraveled sentence by sentence so get a snapshot of a feeling, a thought, a deep emotion. It's not all fully explained on the page, but each section detonated a reflection for me.
There were definitely some parts where I couldn't connect with her experience and thoughts but her sentences were still deeply impactful.
There were definitely some parts where I couldn't connect with her experience and thoughts but her sentences were still deeply impactful.
Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology by Shane Hawk, Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was an impactful and incredible collection of short stories that felt like a treasure trove since it introduced me to plenty of authors that I want to read more of.
Some stories were mysterious and supernatural while others were raw and horrific. All the stories opened up new perspectives about indigenous beliefs, histories, and lives, from the absolute darkest to very hopeful ones.
I highly suggest looking at content warnings for some of the stories, read with care!
Some stories were mysterious and supernatural while others were raw and horrific. All the stories opened up new perspectives about indigenous beliefs, histories, and lives, from the absolute darkest to very hopeful ones.
I highly suggest looking at content warnings for some of the stories, read with care!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Colonisation
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? No
4.5
A heartwarming and wholesome story of being different and finding belonging and purpose in a world that is not made for you, simply wonderful! This might be my new comfort series <3
I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me by Jamison Shea
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
There is little space for expressing one's true self in the world of classical ballet, and that couldn't be more true for Laure. She is a black girl who has spent her whole life in devotion to ballet and it still isn't enough. Her devotion to ballet is obsessive and truly all she wants is acceptance and recognition, something that the French institution is not willing to give (especially to someone like her). Laure then finds a different way to belong, to give in to her basic instincts, she finds people who accept her truly for who she is and don't expect her to be perfect.
This is a book where we can see how, those who are seen as monsters/others/weird/unusual/etc in society are often the ones with the most empathy and humanity than society itself.
This is a book where we can see how, those who are seen as monsters/others/weird/unusual/etc in society are often the ones with the most empathy and humanity than society itself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Blood, Vomit, Gaslighting, and Classism
The Tournament of Heirs by Amilea Perez
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
First of all, thanks to the author for a copy of the book as part of the tour hosted by Hear our Voices!
The Tournament of Heirs is inspired by Mesoamerican mythology and features Metztli and her brother Acalan, heirs of the House of Life and champions who will fight to the death in a tournament that will decide who continues to lead the empire and grant a wish to the winner from the gods themselves.
This is a slow burn story with complex politics between the houses and secrets that are trying to come to light. For those who are fans of prophecies, love at first sight, and the enemies to lovers trope, you'll find them all within these pages.
If anything I wanted things to go faster so that we could see how the tournament would unfold. I adored Xuki, a dog who ends up in the mix of the tournament, and the way he became a key player for the siblings.
All in all, I do want to keep reading this series to see how it all unfolds after that massive cliff-hanger at the end of book one. And don't worry, things wrap up nicely, but it'll leave you wanting more!
The Tournament of Heirs is inspired by Mesoamerican mythology and features Metztli and her brother Acalan, heirs of the House of Life and champions who will fight to the death in a tournament that will decide who continues to lead the empire and grant a wish to the winner from the gods themselves.
This is a slow burn story with complex politics between the houses and secrets that are trying to come to light. For those who are fans of prophecies, love at first sight, and the enemies to lovers trope, you'll find them all within these pages.
If anything I wanted things to go faster so that we could see how the tournament would unfold. I adored Xuki, a dog who ends up in the mix of the tournament, and the way he became a key player for the siblings.
All in all, I do want to keep reading this series to see how it all unfolds after that massive cliff-hanger at the end of book one. And don't worry, things wrap up nicely, but it'll leave you wanting more!
One By One by Freida McFadden
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a really entertaining thriller. It had me really thinking about who could be this anonymous POV and, while I didn't empathize with any of the characters, I was really invested on what was happening overall.
I'm definitely interested in checking out another McFadden thriller.
I'm definitely interested in checking out another McFadden thriller.