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madsmacmath's reviews
218 reviews
Maame by Jessica George
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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
3.5
This is a relatively harsh rating, given that it is a a truly beautiful book. The audiobook is narrated by the author and has so much emotion in it.
The issue is that I’m not contemporary fiction’s biggest fan. This is relatable, funny, and an important coming-of-age narrative. It’s just not entirely my cup of literary tea.
But if you’re a fan of Collected Regrets of Clover or The Husbands, in terms of writing, and introspection like Sex Lives of African Women and Everything I Know About Love, this is 100% the book for you.
The issue is that I’m not contemporary fiction’s biggest fan. This is relatable, funny, and an important coming-of-age narrative. It’s just not entirely my cup of literary tea.
But if you’re a fan of Collected Regrets of Clover or The Husbands, in terms of writing, and introspection like Sex Lives of African Women and Everything I Know About Love, this is 100% the book for you.
The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
Go into this expecting four reflection essays on the power of words for humanity and systemic injustice. I didn’t read the dust jacket and it took me a second of orientation to Coates’ way of storytelling. Specifically storytelling about storytelling.
I don’t know that everyone needs to read this book per say (although maybe that’s true of the last essay on Palestine), but everyone needs to read Coates. It has a James Baldwin-esq weight to it; a crucial, poetic, resounding voice in the fight for racial equality and exposing revisionist history.
I don’t know that everyone needs to read this book per say (although maybe that’s true of the last essay on Palestine), but everyone needs to read Coates. It has a James Baldwin-esq weight to it; a crucial, poetic, resounding voice in the fight for racial equality and exposing revisionist history.
Sugar by Mia Ballard
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It’s like if instead of being depressed, the narrator from My Year of Rest and Relaxation was a manic psychopath.
It lost a bit of rating because the writing felt overdone, but I would recommend it as a very fun, unhinged book.
It lost a bit of rating because the writing felt overdone, but I would recommend it as a very fun, unhinged book.
The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.0
I liked the beginning, but I put it down over a holiday break and no part of me cared to pick it back up.
It got an extra boost because there were some thoughtful quotes, otherwise it probably would’ve been under 3 stars for me.
It got an extra boost because there were some thoughtful quotes, otherwise it probably would’ve been under 3 stars for me.
The Girl Who Became a Rabbit by Emilie Menzel
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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
5.0
I’m in awe; I want to inject these words into my bloodstream.
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Did not finish book. Stopped at 73%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 73%.
Not finishing has nothing to do with the genius that is Morrison and this book. Or maybe it does, because the book really is so good that you can’t read more than a few pages at a time and that, ultimately, was crushing my desire to read.
Definitely will be picking it up again.
Definitely will be picking it up again.
The Clue in the Diary by Carolyn Keene
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Sweet childhood. And the story where we meet Ned.
Also, for a book written for kids in 1932, it’s very girl power-y.
Also, for a book written for kids in 1932, it’s very girl power-y.
The Songbird & the Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
What I loved about the first Crown of Nyaxia book is how unpredictable it felt in a genre that is inherently predictable. You know that the giant, troubled man with the secret heart of gold is going to fall in love with the fierce, tiny warrior woman. There will be war and everyone will almost die and then everyone will actually survive. Someone is probably secretly royal or immortal or magic. Duh.
This one was, however, painfully predictable. Obviously I will read the next one but I am in no way holding my breath for it.
This one was, however, painfully predictable. Obviously I will read the next one but I am in no way holding my breath for it.
The Hundred Years' War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi
challenging
informative
sad
slow-paced
3.75
This is a really important, thorough, and well researched book. Everyone who was taught revisionist history should read this.
That being said, it’s written pretty academically. Very date and name heavy. Lots of content, not a lot of stories.
I’m not saying that is a bad thing, but it’s a thing that makes it arguably less easy to read, as far as books go.
That being said, it’s written pretty academically. Very date and name heavy. Lots of content, not a lot of stories.
I’m not saying that is a bad thing, but it’s a thing that makes it arguably less easy to read, as far as books go.