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bookish_ghost_girl's reviews
105 reviews
The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks by Shauna Robinson
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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? N/A
4.5
The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
2.5
Although I don't say this very often about what I've read or am reading, I did struggle a bit with getting through reading this. I think part of why I struggled with getting through with reading is due to the fact that I had recently read two other books on similar topics. Nevertheless I thought that it was still an informative book with some new information that I really hadn't heard before while still discussing topics that I am familiar with.
The Situationship by Abby Jimenez
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Where the Library Hides by Isabel Ibañez
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
This is another case of I loved this one more than the first book!
Once I started reading I didn't want to put the book down. It's not often that I say that either. Though when I got closer to the ending, I wasn't sure how it was going to be wrapped up by then. But once I reached the end, I like how it was wrapped up and how the story ended on a good note.
Once I started reading I didn't want to put the book down. It's not often that I say that either. Though when I got closer to the ending, I wasn't sure how it was going to be wrapped up by then. But once I reached the end, I like how it was wrapped up and how the story ended on a good note.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Violence, and Murder
Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes by Sunita Sah
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
"Defiance isn't about emulating anyone else. It's about acting in alignment with your own values."
While reading through this book, I appreciated how different stories were shared of how people showed defiance in different ways. How by saying no, we can cause a ripple in the status quo. Although 'Defy' seems like a strong word to use, it can be reframed and used as a vital tool for our personal growth as well as social change.
By using and following through with the word 'Defy', we can change our understanding about true consent and create a real yes and a real no. We can use this word as a way to grow stronger in our own values and beliefs while working on making the world a better place.
While reading through this book, I appreciated how different stories were shared of how people showed defiance in different ways. How by saying no, we can cause a ripple in the status quo. Although 'Defy' seems like a strong word to use, it can be reframed and used as a vital tool for our personal growth as well as social change.
By using and following through with the word 'Defy', we can change our understanding about true consent and create a real yes and a real no. We can use this word as a way to grow stronger in our own values and beliefs while working on making the world a better place.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Violence
Befriending Your Inner Child: A Catholic Approach to Healing and Wholeness by Brya Hanan
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
Change can be incredibly scary. Healing is a part of change and can be scary! But it doesn't have to be scary or frightening.
This was a rather informative book in regards to re-connecting with our inner child, which is often pushed to the back burner. As we reconnect with our inner child, it is something that can help with breaking the generational cycles of trauma, toxic shame, dysfunction and sin. What that looks like is going to vary from person to person.
One thing that I liked about this book is that while the author gives us ways to help us work on healing our inner child, it doesn't feel like a workbook of any sort. While I didn't utilize them at this time, I plan on going back and working through it again.
This was a rather informative book in regards to re-connecting with our inner child, which is often pushed to the back burner. As we reconnect with our inner child, it is something that can help with breaking the generational cycles of trauma, toxic shame, dysfunction and sin. What that looks like is going to vary from person to person.
One thing that I liked about this book is that while the author gives us ways to help us work on healing our inner child, it doesn't feel like a workbook of any sort. While I didn't utilize them at this time, I plan on going back and working through it again.
The Lost Letters of Aisling by Cynthia Ellingsen
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'm always down for a historical fiction that is mixed in with a modern/present day timeline. Especially when it involves a country that I want to visit and learn more about. While it did feel a tad rushed at the end, it was wrapped up nicely. I don't say this very often when it comes to books, but the ending made me want to start crying.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Given the small amount of knowledge that I have of Egypt and it's history, I did enjoy getting a peak, while fictional, into the archaeologist aspect of the story. The story did feel a bit slow at the beginning, but it did pick up as I continued reading. I'm also a sucker for a good cliff hanger and plot twist as well.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence and War
The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
An African History of Africa: From the Dawn of Civilization to Independence by Zeinab Badawi
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
"You cannot enslave a mind that knows itself, that understands itself, that values itself." -- Wangari Maathai
"History is not only about the past; it also informs our present and shapes our future."
Like many parts of history, there was a lot of African History that I didn't know or learn during or outside of school until I read this book. While there was a lot of information to take in, I appreciated the fact that it wasn't sanitized or white washed.
"History is not only about the past; it also informs our present and shapes our future."
Like many parts of history, there was a lot of African History that I didn't know or learn during or outside of school until I read this book. While there was a lot of information to take in, I appreciated the fact that it wasn't sanitized or white washed.