oceanwriter's reviews
719 reviews

The Giver by Lois Lowry

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

4.75

I’ve been intrigued by The Giver since I was a kid but for some reason I’ve always been intimidated by it. When I saw this graphic novel, I thought this would be the perfect way to dip my toes into the quartet. I enjoyed it so much, and while I definitely wouldn’t have taken to it well when I was younger, I have an appreciation for it as an adult. I'm looking forward to reading Lois Lowry’s original novels! 
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The Echo from Dealey Plaza: The True Story of the First African American on the White House Secret Service Detail and His Quest for Justice After by Abraham Bolden

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challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

4.0

I’ve heard Abraham Bolden mentioned in a couple of books I’ve read about JFK (one of them even recommended this book which is where I learned of the title). Now that I’ve finally read it, I wonder even more why this man isn’t widely discussed (aside from certain reasons that can be assumed by many). 
 
Abraham Bolden was asked by John F. Kennedy Personally to join his Secret Service team. Unfortunately, despite the president’s efforts for Civil Rights, many others on staff did not share similar views. Not only did Abraham endure racism, but he was set up and jailed when he dared to question negligence in Kennedy’s Secret Service detail after his assassination in 1963. Abraham was wrongly jailed and subject to even more mistreatment in prison. 
 
I felt sick reading this book. Not only from the blatant racism discussed but also the entire judicial system and neglect of people in various powerful positions. When I read books like this, I don’t have to wonder why things are so disordered in America presently. It’s devastating all around. I was inspired by Abraham's faith and strength throughout. I’m so grateful that Abraham Bolden shared his story and that he received a full pardon in 2022. 
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The Three Ordinary Voices of God by Matthew Kelly

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hopeful informative inspiring relaxing fast-paced

5.0

As always, this was a wonderful and inspiring book from Matthew Kelly! The first third of the book in particular stood out to me. 
California Golden by Melanie Benjamin

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

3.0

One glance at this book and I was sold on the summer vibes. The vibes delivered. As for the story itself, I was left with mixed feelings. 
 
California sisters Mindy and Ginger are more or less left to raise themselves. Their father leaves them at a young age with their mother, who, up until then, had spent years floating in and out of their lives. 
 
Mindy and Ginger’s lives are unconventional, practically living in their swimsuits and eventually joining their mother on the beach and learning to surf. Mindy embraces this lifestyle for a while. Ginger, on the other hand, never felt she belonged. 
 
I loved the mother/daughter themes of the book and I liked how character-driven it all was, but it felt like it was trying to fit as many 1960s cliches in as possible with a plot woven around those. It felt choppy with little direction. A lot was enjoyable, I just felt like I was fumbling along. 
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The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I’m always excited to see which female in history Marie Benedict decides to write about. This time around, she’s writing about a group of women, namely Dorothy Sayers, Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham, Ngaio Marsh, and Emma Orczy. 
 
When a young woman (May Daniels) is found dead, this team of five authors find themselves investigating her case, using their skills as mystery writers to track down her killer. 
 
This book felt different from other Marie Benedict novels I’ve read and I enjoyed it. I might have enjoyed it a bit more with fewer main characters (though the emphasis is on Dorothy Sayers), but it felt like a nice homage to these ‘Queens of Crime’. I also enjoyed the camaraderie between these female writers who had to band together in a male-dominated industry. 
 
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital ARC of the book! 
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The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien by John Hendrix

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emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

I’m more familiar with C.S. Lewis than Tolkien but I never realized that the two of them were friends until I saw this book. I was immediately intrigued. 
 
The graphic novel is a dual biography of the lives of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Though it doesn't delve too deeply into the details of their lives, it's a good overview. However, the main focus is their friendship/colleagueship. 
 
I enjoyed the narration style of the book (being told to the reader by a lion and a wizard) and felt like I learned a lot. Reading this made me want to try reading The Lord of the Rings series. 
 
Thanks to ABRAMS Kids|Fanfare and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free digital ARC of the book! 
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Inside Out by Disney Press

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

3.0

I've never actually watched Inside Out (because I am too scared of feeling the feelings...) but this is one of my best friend's favorite Disney movies so she encouraged me to at least read the novelization. I'm glad I did! I feel like I am definitely missing the whole picture not being familiar with the movie, but it gave me a taste. 
The Well-Read Life by Colleen Hutt, Marcie Stokman

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informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

3.75

When life gets busy, reading tends to be one of the first things people give up. 'Well-Read Mom' founders Marcie Stokman and Colleen Hutt discuss the importance of reading and why it should be among our top priorities. What's more, they discuss the impact of taking the time to read a good book (namely literature) and the impact it can have on your life as a Catholic.

I was excited to see a book like this as I don't often hear people discussing the correlation between reading (fiction) and spirituality. Although as I read on it became evident that I'm not entirely the target reader (the book being geared toward busy mothers whereas I'm a single/childless twenty-something), I still feel like I gained insight. There are also some great resources here such as reading journal prompts and scattered book recommendations.

While there was a lot I liked about the book, I did find myself struggling through the last quarter of it. It began to feel more like an advertisement for 'Well-Read Mom' book clubs than a reading guide. I'll also say that the audience feels too limited, not only in demographic, but also the scope of books and types of readers. The goal of this book is to encourage people to take time and read thoughtfully, but at times dismisses mediums apart from physical editions of books.

Thanks to Ave Maria Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free digital ARC of the book!
Again and Again by Jonathan Evison

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Lost me at ‘Jesus of Nazareth is a cat somewhere’. I’m not liking the reincarnation themes or where the story is going. Other reviews are confirming my fears that this is a book written for the sake of being depressing. 
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The Other Side of Tomorrow by Tina Cho

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense 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? No

5.0

Yunho and Myunghee are kids living in North Korea. Every day is a fight for survival, be it avoiding soldiers, bartering and scavenging for food, etc. They know their only hope for their futures is to sneak across the border to China, but even there they run the risk of being captured. Still, a chance at freedom outweighs the risks involved. The kids start off on different paths but are reunited after a chance meeting at the beginning of their escape.

I knew this was going to be a difficult read going in. It's hard to grasp that the events in this book aren't far off history or works of dystopian fiction. The book is set in 2013, but the situation is still relevant. The story and the illustrations portray this in a heartbreaking yet beautiful way. Despite the horrific things the characters face, this is a story filled with hope.

Thanks to HarperCollins/HarperAlley and NetGalley for providing a free digital ARC of the book!
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