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lauraleafromthelibrary's reviews
169 reviews
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Absolute perfection. I’ve never wanted to help a random stranger more in my life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Grief, and Death of parent
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
AND — I have been lucky enough to own a dog for many years, and sadly been there for his death. Anyone that tells me I didn’t mourn him like he was a family member is wrong. He stole a piece of my heart and I will always remember him. Smh. *Sookie when her cat dies*
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
“The death of a pet is naturally not in the same category as the death of a family member, I chided myself, but it didn’t seem to affect my misery.” (230)
Why True Blood (the tv show) is better than the Sookie Stackhouse book series (book one comparison):
Why True Blood (the tv show) is better than the Sookie Stackhouse book series (book one comparison):
- Tara — why the fuck is Tara not in book one??? Her friendship with Sookie is one of the best parts of this whole series. There is no Sookie without Tara.
- Lafayette — he has like 2 or 3 lines in this whole first book? I’m so confused. Again, one of the best side characters in the show and desperately missed in this first book.
- Jason — is so misogynistic and cruel towards Sookie in this book. True Blood Jason loves his sister and actually likes spending time with her. I don’t know why he’s such an asshole in this book — way better on screen.
- Racism — this book is overtly racist and doesn’t even try to incorporate any inclusivity; True Blood does a much better version of this Deep South confederate story. I did not feel comfortable with the disgusting lack of race equality in this book. Charlaine Harris is a white woman, I understand that — but ANY attempt by her to include Black Americans in this story was completely ignored (other than Lafayette’s quick appearance).
AND — I have been lucky enough to own a dog for many years, and sadly been there for his death. Anyone that tells me I didn’t mourn him like he was a family member is wrong. He stole a piece of my heart and I will always remember him. Smh. *Sookie when her cat dies*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Gore, Racism, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, Rape, and Death of parent
After Hours on Milagro Street by Angelina M. Lopez
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Enemies-to-lovers at its finest. This is one spicy meatball.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Elizabeth & Darcy locked in a dark closet was it for me — worth every page. I loved this retelling so much. I’m not sure I loved-loved the ending but it was still very good.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Misogyny, Violence, and Kidnapping
Classic reimagining with modern sensibilities.
Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
slow-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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content, Grief, and Religious bigotry
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Lore Olympus: Volume Two by Rachel Smythe
dark
emotional
funny
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? No
5.0
Lore Olympus: Volume One by Rachel Smythe
dark
emotional
funny
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? No
5.0
I love this series so much — it’s honestly even better on screen. This was meant to be read digitally and I think it loses some of its magnificence on the physical page. Her artwork is absolutely stunning regardless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Gaslighting
Tunnel of Bones by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? No
4.0
Enjoyed this so much more than book one — I thought the setting was much creepier (spooky vibes for the win). I also loved the poltergeist, Thomas. His story was unique and original; fit perfectly.
Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson
The CONS:
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The PROS:
- It is set in a publishing house.
- It mentions librarians.
The CONS:
- The miscommunication trope should be shot and thrown out back — & disallowed from this point forward.
- This ‘meet cute/slow burn’ romance is really a boring fiction novel in disguise.
- A heinous self-destructive family portrait — this sister/sister relationship is so bad, I wanted to poke my eyeballs out (and my ears).
- So, you’re not a size two but being a size four is still not good enough — talk about horrendous body image issues.
- This audiobook is 8hrs long — the main ‘couple’ kisses at 7hrs and 38mins (face palm). I mean wtf? They hold hands like good children too.
- Not only is this book fat-phobic but deals with an obsessive compulsive desire to be pretty (and white) at all times — including a daily step count which is mentioned five thousand times, and drilled into our heads.
- No mention of any explicit content — she was unwilling to even use the phrase ‘bat SHIT crazy’ in a moment that so needed it.
- The romance side of the book had absolutely no banter, no sexual tension, and no physical contact. Even Jane Austen would be insulted.
- OH — features a he-left-me-for-my-younger-sister relationship, which is disgusting and wrong.
- How did I NOT DNF this???
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Toxic relationship