feliciaclark's reviews
720 reviews

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Ann Jacobs

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challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

5.0

“Slavery is terrible for men, but it is far more terrible for women.”

This is an autobiography written by Harriet Ann Jacobs documenting her life as a slave in Edenton, North Carolina, and how she attained her freedom. 

Jacobs bravely wrote her story to share the truth about the abuse in slavery. For the record: Black, enslaved women were not sexually aggressive, they were RAPED. Enslaved people did not enjoy being owned by other human beings. 

Notably, this book appealed to abolitionists at the time after its publication and release shortly before the Civil War.

BLESS HARRIET JACOBS! I cannot fathom the strength and courage it took for her to write and publish this in 1861 after all the deceit and abuse she’d been through. 

Also, Mia Ellis was a perfect narrator for this. 
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Where I Belong by Marcia Argueta Mickelson

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad 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? N/A

5.0

First generation, Guatemalan-American immigrant, Milagros “Millie” Vargas, always does what her family needs and puts what she wants on hold. She’s a star student who just learned she got a full-ride scholarship to Stanford. But it’s Spring 2018 in Corpus Christi, Texas, and the political climate is heating up. 

Millie must care for her siblings while her recently widowed mama takes a  full-time, nanny job for the rich, white Wheeler family. Mr. Wheeler is a Democratic U.S. Senator who, despite his good intentions, causes more trouble for the Vargas family after he shares their story in one of his campaign speeches. 

Together the families must battle against racist attacks but Millie isn’t convinced the Wheelers will ever understand or be able to help their situation.
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

What a mentally exhausting and creepy read. 

June Hayward (pen name: Juniper Song) is a failed author, unreliable character, anti-hero, and straight up sociopath. She is also unapologetically jealous of the success of her Asian author and friend, Athena Liu. So much so that when Juniper witnesses Athena die in a freak accident, she steals her friend’s manuscript and publishes it as her own. Now haunted by (what appears to be) Athena’s ghost, Juniper tries to desperately hide her secret from the nosey world of social media. Will she finally come to terms with her racism, cultural appropriation and narcissism? If you’re looking for a happy ending, find something else. I’m still reeling in recovery from this one. 

Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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emotional funny lighthearted sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

“Love is nothing.”
“Let this be enough.”

I didn’t expect to love a novel about a tennis champion but Taylor Jenkins Reid delivered, as always. Her beautiful storytelling is unlike any other, taking any mundane topic and putting heart and soul into it. Another beautiful book. 
Ander & Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

“I’m with you through happiness and destruction.”

Young love and heartache mixed with the added stress of the complicated and heartless immigration system of the USA.

Non-binary Ander falls for the new guy, undocumented immigrant Santi, who starts working for their parents’ restaurant. They fall in love and quickly have to mature their relationship as ICE raids turn their world upside down. 
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

5.0

Elizabeth Gilbert has returned to my life at the right moment with the right content yet again. Her inspirational and empowering book reminds creatives to focus on the curiosity, letting go of the suffering, trusting when an idea is yours to ignite, and how important creating is to our soul. Plus, these quotes nearly knocked the wind out of me…

“The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all. And then stands back to see if we can find them. Do you have the courage to bring forth this work? The treasures that are hidden inside you are hoping you will say yes.”

“Creative living is a path for the brave.”

“It has taken me years to learn this, but it does seem to be the case that if I am not actively creating something, then I am probably actively destroying something: myself, a relationship, or my own peace of mind. I firmly believe that we all need to find something to do in our lives that stops us from eating the couch.”

“Since when did creativity become a suffering contest?”
Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

“I‘ve never even had you and your body haunts mine.”

This is a follow-up to the Captain Brandon Taggart and Piper Bellinger story “It Happened One Summer.” I very much enjoyed this loving friendship and forbidden romantic relationship between Fox Thornton and Hannah Bellinger. Fox overcoming his internal battle was heartwarming to say the least. It was also spicy 🌶️ as only Tessa Bailey can deliver to her readers. 
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

This Christmas novel had some Russian Doll vibes and Groundhog Day energy with Maelyn Jones who is thrown back to Dec. 20 after asking the universe to show her what would make her most happy in this world. 
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense 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? N/A

5.0

I could listen to Angie Thomas novels all day long, especially when Bahni Turpin is the narrator!

Alongside the Black trauma scenes, there is also Black joy, resiliency and brilliancy weaved into this story. I loved living inside 16-year-old Bri’s world for 12 hours. Can’t wait to watch the film adaptation!
The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar

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funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

Sweet victory! What a refreshing young adult novel about a plus-sized, Bangladesh, lesbian named Shireen Malik, who is selected for a baking reality TV show. Each chapter title is a clever pun that perfectly pairs with the storyline.

The author’s note was such a special treat to tie everything together. She says she wrote what her teenage self would have wanted to read: Fat characters existing and living who they are with an uncomplicated relationship to food and their bodies, and supportive friends and family who love them unconditionally.