mamaorgana80's reviews
1652 reviews

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

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adventurous dark lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.0

Fun!
Bones in the Begonias by Dale Mayer

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funny lighthearted 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? It's complicated

2.5

Loosely constructed fluff.
Cue the Sun!: The Invention of Reality TV by Emily Nussbaum

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informative fast-paced

5.0

I am the Venn diagram of people who live reality TV and people who love to read. This is an American story, good/bad/ugly. Fascinating!
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

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dark informative sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I read this one for book club, and I’m wrestling with how to rate it. It’s well-written, but the construction felt a little wonky? Given the accolades, I was expecting something altogether original, but it felt familiar instead. It was good. I didn’t feel invested in the story.
My One Hundred Adventures by Polly Horvath

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

This one was odd for me. Something rings true about this world populated by terribly flawed adults, but it felt chaotic.
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

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dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.5

I read this because I have so many romance readers in my life, and I thought maybe adding murder would make it better for me, but it turns out it made it worse. The combination of ruthless, cold murderer and does this boy like me was annoying , and I snorted at the sex scenes. I remain not a fan, even with the addition of people dying. I finished because I am not a quitter.
Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions Into Adulthood by Lisa Damour

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informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

Thoughtful and calming. Would recommend for all parents.
Deadly Editions by Paige Shelton

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lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Cozy, fun, and a little more complex than some of the other books I have been reading.
A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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? It's complicated

4.0

Read this sweet book because our whole school is reading it this spring. Lovely and unassuming and approachable. Excited to discuss with my own kids and with my students.
There Is No Ethan: How Three Women Caught America's Biggest Catfish by Anna Akbari

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dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

4.0

The fact that there are so many of these stories is such a sad commentary. I enjoyed this as much as you can enjoy someone’s story of desperation.