katietotallybooked's reviews
765 reviews

After knowing about this series for so long, hearing my middle-grade reading adult friends rave about it, and being intrigued by its comparison to Harry Potter, I can finally say I have read this book. A bonus is that it lives up to the hype! Sophie is a delightful, caring, compassionate smart and fun female protagonist. She is a joy to root for, and I loved getting to know all of the other characters in this new world especially Dex, Keefe, and Fitz. I like that the characters are teenagers - Sophie is 13 in this book because I think that helps with cross over appeal between older middle grade and younger YA readers. 

I am surprised at how much I enjoyed this book because I am not typically a fantasy fan, and I don't even think I've ever read a book series with elves! Actually, I had no idea this was about elves but that didn't even throw me when I found it out because I was already so charmed by the story. 

I will definitely recommend this to readers who are looking for a fun fantasy series. I have already placed a hold on Book #2 and I look forward to reading it next month.

At under 300 pages, this contemporary YA romance had an engaging premise which is why I was intrigued by it in the first place. Teenage Cara and her recently divorced mom are cast on a reality tv show after being recruited based on an accidental social media post of Cara's went viral. The tv show was a second-chance romance situation where Cara and her mom could be matched with other single parents and their kids and date until there is one pair left.

The tone of writing is very sarcastic and filled with teenage angst. I found this both entertaining and annoying as a reader. It is a high-drama novel, so it does keep a quicker pace which is great for a YA reader and the shorter length also makes it an approachable novel.

Overall I thought this book sounded fun, but it fell a bit flat for me. However, I would still recommend it to readers who have an interest in reality tv and are looking for a book that is light-hearted and realistic contemporary fiction. It is fluffy and it has a happy ending, so that's something to consider too.

Quote: "Everyone else gets ahead by colouring outside the lines. You have to fight for what you want in life".

It's so hard to review this book because I think I went into reading Blankets without knowing much about it and so I was caught off guard by both the heavy discourse about Christianity and religion, and the nudity in the illustrations. As a reader, I really appreciated the beautiful illustrations and the artwork in his storytelling. I loved how this edition also had some pages about the author's writing process at the end and he shared more about how Blankets came to be published. I found that info very insightful.

I found Craig and Raina's relationship to be based on infatuation and lust and codependency. I saw it as their escapism from their differing yet both troubling and tough family dynamics and household upbringings. I think this is relatable to a lot of youth as I can imagine there can often be family dysfunction at home. It truly was a coming of age romance.

The author is open about Blankets being autobiographical fiction. I appreciated how the author portrayed the connection between him and his brother being the first person he shared a bed with. From the additional notes at the end of this edition, he admitted that that was the starting premise for the entire book. I also love how drawing brought the brothers together and that even amidst the turmoil of their parents and strict Christian upbringing, they were able to connect and have each other.

It is refreshing for me to read a graphic novel every once in a while. I can see the value in this book and why it is revered, I just wasn't the right reader for it and that is why I am giving it a middle of the road 3 star rating.

After meeting David A Robertson in December 2023 at an Author event my library hosted, I was anxious to read his catalogue of works. I started with Black Water because I wanted to knowabout him and his history. 

 

This was an enjoyable and intriguing audiobook to listen to. David A narrates it himself, which is always a bonus when listening to an audiobook. I learned more about indigenous culture and Cree history and how his upbringing without an emphasis on this part of his identity impacted him. 

 

This is an important and valuable book to visit in print or via audiobook for any Canadian reader. You will learn something new about Indigenous culture and history and you will be impacted by David A’s story and the story of his parents and grandparents. 

I was intrigued to pick this up because of the musical theme. As a child and teenager, I played piano and violin. I was involved in music clubs and orchestras at school, and I took private piano lessons. It was a daydream to attend a music school or have this be a larger part of my education. 

While reading my first book by Susan Currie I was captivated by Iz as a female protagonist. She is strong-willed and good intentioned. I was rooting her from Chapter 6 onwards as I could feel how badly she wanted to attend the Metier School and her natural talent translated well off the page. 

I think the author did a great job of bringing the challenges of growing up in the foster care system to light. Other main themes included found family, and also abuse, anxiety, panic, mental illness, trauma, PTSD (which weren’t addressed in a heavy way in my opinion - rather lightly touched on and included).

My critique of this book is that it would be very hard for a reader who has no musical background to grasp a lot of the terminology and concepts presented by the theme. I don’t think I could recommend this book to a wide range of YA readers because of that. However, it would be an enjoyable read with a soft romance and a demonstration of varying family and friend relationships for a YA reader interested in music.

There is not a single doubt in my mind about saying that Karma Brown is on my list of favourite authors because I enjoyed this book so much.

I loved the dual timeline. I loved how Karma wove the story of Eddie Calloway into Rowan’s present day. I enjoyed the writing. It was vivid, yet simplistic and it flowed so well. She brought the setting to life with her words and I could picture the breathtaking scenery of the Adirondack mountains. 

I think anyone who enjoys stories about women, especially strong ones, would enjoy this. It’s a bonus if you are a historical fiction fan too. 

I savoured my reading experience with this one and I can’t wait to see what Karma Brown writes next.

Only This Beautiful Moment is a beautiful story from start to finish. I learned so much about Iranian culture and history, including that of the queer Iranian community. 

This intergenerational story set in both Tehran and Los Angeles follows Moud, Moud’s father Saeed, and Moud’s grandfather Bobby (three men in the same Iranian family) at the age of 17/18 when each character is coming of age and gaining an understanding of their family’s history and culture, and of themselves. 

The writing is authentic and transportive. I was completely moved by this character-driven, multiple perspective story. It is an ode to family history and the bonds that connect us, the secrets that impact us, and all of the moments that make someone who they are.