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queendbw's reviews
1226 reviews
You're Invited by Amanda Jayatissa
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
Book #4 of 2023 - You’re Invited by Amanda Jayatissa.
This is a juicy who-did-what-and-why tale - and the ending was quite unexpected.
Amaya receives an email inviting her to the wedding of her ex-best friend (Kaavi) to her ex-boyfriend(Spencer). She decides to go home to Sri Lanka to participate in the wedding festivities, but NOTHING goes according to plan - hers, Kaavi’s or Spencer’s.
The author does a great job of giving just enough of the story to keep you guessing and the juicy background gossip is delicious! I could totally see this adapted to film! Great story, characters and ending! 4/5 stars
#readsof2023 #audiobookreader #literacy #readingisfundamental
This is a juicy who-did-what-and-why tale - and the ending was quite unexpected.
Amaya receives an email inviting her to the wedding of her ex-best friend (Kaavi) to her ex-boyfriend(Spencer). She decides to go home to Sri Lanka to participate in the wedding festivities, but NOTHING goes according to plan - hers, Kaavi’s or Spencer’s.
The author does a great job of giving just enough of the story to keep you guessing and the juicy background gossip is delicious! I could totally see this adapted to film! Great story, characters and ending! 4/5 stars
#readsof2023 #audiobookreader #literacy #readingisfundamental
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
Book #3 of 2023. The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline.
This story touched me. Set in the not-too-distant future we follow Frenchie through his dystopian struggle. Climate change has destroyed much of the earth’s resources and people lose the ability to dream. However, a “cure” is discovered in the marrow of the Indigenous - who do not lose their ability to dream. What follows is horrific: Native people groups (the story is set in Canada) are rounded up and placed in residential “schools” where they’re used to save the world.
Frenchie and his brother go on the run to escape the “recruiters” in charge of gathering people for the schools. Weaved into n among all this ugliness is a beautiful story of strength, love, family and perseverance. I cannot wait to read the sequel. My rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
#readsof2023 #audiobookreader #literacy #readingisfundamental
This story touched me. Set in the not-too-distant future we follow Frenchie through his dystopian struggle. Climate change has destroyed much of the earth’s resources and people lose the ability to dream. However, a “cure” is discovered in the marrow of the Indigenous - who do not lose their ability to dream. What follows is horrific: Native people groups (the story is set in Canada) are rounded up and placed in residential “schools” where they’re used to save the world.
Frenchie and his brother go on the run to escape the “recruiters” in charge of gathering people for the schools. Weaved into n among all this ugliness is a beautiful story of strength, love, family and perseverance. I cannot wait to read the sequel. My rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
#readsof2023 #audiobookreader #literacy #readingisfundamental
The Awkward Black Man by Walter Mosley
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- 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 is book #2 of 2023. The Awkward Black Man by Walter Mosley.
This is a collection of short stories where the protagonist is…… an awkward black man. They range from a young man with autism to a mad scientist to a young man finding his true paternity.
I really enjoyed all of the stories, but I feel that “Pet Fly”, “The Black Woman in the Chinese Hat” and “Reply to a Dead Man” resonated with me the most.
I do recommend and wonder which takes you liked best. 3.5/5
#readsof2023 #literacy #audiobookreader #readingisfundamental
This is a collection of short stories where the protagonist is…… an awkward black man. They range from a young man with autism to a mad scientist to a young man finding his true paternity.
I really enjoyed all of the stories, but I feel that “Pet Fly”, “The Black Woman in the Chinese Hat” and “Reply to a Dead Man” resonated with me the most.
I do recommend and wonder which takes you liked best. 3.5/5
#readsof2023 #literacy #audiobookreader #readingisfundamental
The Best of Everything by Kimberla Lawson Roby
emotional
medium-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
3.0
Just finished book #1 of 2023 - The Best of Everything by Kimberla Lawson Roby. This is book 6 of the Curtis Black series. The story centers around Curtis’ eldest daughter, Alicia. Alicia has finished school and gotten married, but is still a spoiled brat at heart. Her father spoiled her and enabled her shopping addiction all her life. Her hubby, Philip is adamant that she does better. Alicia responds by acting out.
This was a slow-moving train wreck - it kept my interest but was not outrageous. The ending seems a little too pat to me, but this was a solid read. 3/5 stars.
#ReadingIsFUNdamental #audiobookreader #literacy #ReadsOf2023
This was a slow-moving train wreck - it kept my interest but was not outrageous. The ending seems a little too pat to me, but this was a solid read. 3/5 stars.
#ReadingIsFUNdamental #audiobookreader #literacy #ReadsOf2023
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
3.75
Book #2 of 2022
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner.
I found myself completely caught up in this story! The story bounces between 18th century and modern London. In the past, Nella was the child of, and heir to, an apothecary. When she had her heart broken, she started to use her knowledge to help other hurt women.
In the present, Caroline has discovered her husbands infidelity - just before they were supposed to take their 10th anniversary trip to London. She goes alone and stumbled across an object that leads her on a search for truth. The truth about the past, herself and her life.
I really enjoyed this story (I finished in about two days) and the ending was totally satisfying. I would love to read something else by Ms. Penner.
#readsof2022 #bookworm #readingisfundamental
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner.
I found myself completely caught up in this story! The story bounces between 18th century and modern London. In the past, Nella was the child of, and heir to, an apothecary. When she had her heart broken, she started to use her knowledge to help other hurt women.
In the present, Caroline has discovered her husbands infidelity - just before they were supposed to take their 10th anniversary trip to London. She goes alone and stumbled across an object that leads her on a search for truth. The truth about the past, herself and her life.
I really enjoyed this story (I finished in about two days) and the ending was totally satisfying. I would love to read something else by Ms. Penner.
#readsof2022 #bookworm #readingisfundamental
My Monticello by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.75
Book #1 of 2022.
My Monticello by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson.
This is the author’s first publication and I’m so excited to see what she produces next. The book is a collection of 5 short stories and the title novella (which Netflix is set to film). I enjoyed each story, but I found that “Control Negro” and “My Monticello” really resonated with me.
Lavar Burton narrated “Control Negro” and his voice along with the story had me captivated. While it was a complete story, I still wanted to know more (always a good sign to me).
“My Monticello” had me hooked from the start. Da’Naisha’s neighborhood is overrun by white supremacists and she leads a group of escapees to safety in a bus. They end up sheltering at Monticello (yes, THAT one). We also find out that Da’Naisha is a descendant of Sally Hemings. I won’t give anything away, but I literally had to just sit and breathe for a minute at the end of this one.
#ReadsOf2022 #ReadingIsFundamental #bookworm
My Monticello by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson.
This is the author’s first publication and I’m so excited to see what she produces next. The book is a collection of 5 short stories and the title novella (which Netflix is set to film). I enjoyed each story, but I found that “Control Negro” and “My Monticello” really resonated with me.
Lavar Burton narrated “Control Negro” and his voice along with the story had me captivated. While it was a complete story, I still wanted to know more (always a good sign to me).
“My Monticello” had me hooked from the start. Da’Naisha’s neighborhood is overrun by white supremacists and she leads a group of escapees to safety in a bus. They end up sheltering at Monticello (yes, THAT one). We also find out that Da’Naisha is a descendant of Sally Hemings. I won’t give anything away, but I literally had to just sit and breathe for a minute at the end of this one.
#ReadsOf2022 #ReadingIsFundamental #bookworm
Sometimes I Trip On How Happy We Could Be by Nichole Perkins
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
medium-paced
4.5
Book #82 of 2021.
In a series of essays, the author examines the impact of pop culture on her life. From the music of Prince to the tv show Frasier she examines every aspect of her life including education, crushes, sexuality and depression. I really enjoy her writing!
#readsof2021 #readingisfundamental #bookworm
In a series of essays, the author examines the impact of pop culture on her life. From the music of Prince to the tv show Frasier she examines every aspect of her life including education, crushes, sexuality and depression. I really enjoy her writing!
#readsof2021 #readingisfundamental #bookworm
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
slow-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? Yes
3.0
Book #81 of 2021.
Poppy and Alex have been best friends since college. Every summer, they go on vacation together until two summers ago in Croatia. What happened to fracture their relationship and can they re-build their friendship?
#readsof2021 #readingisfundamental #bookworm
Poppy and Alex have been best friends since college. Every summer, they go on vacation together until two summers ago in Croatia. What happened to fracture their relationship and can they re-build their friendship?
#readsof2021 #readingisfundamental #bookworm
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
challenging
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.25
Book #80 of 2021.
The Riva siblings are throwing their annual end of summer party but this year it is quite different. All four siblings are at a crossroad in their lives and the next 24 hours has the ability to change everything - how they view themselves and their lives; how they see each other; and what the future holds.
#readsof2021 #readingisfundamental #bookworm
The Riva siblings are throwing their annual end of summer party but this year it is quite different. All four siblings are at a crossroad in their lives and the next 24 hours has the ability to change everything - how they view themselves and their lives; how they see each other; and what the future holds.
#readsof2021 #readingisfundamental #bookworm
Reborn by C.C. Hunter
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Book #79 of 2021.
Della thought her life was perfect - she had her family and a boyfriend she loved. Then she was turned. Once she became a vampire she lost all that she held dear and took refuge at Shadow Falls - a camp for paranormal teens. She has to learn to accept her new life and how to continue to be true to herself.
#readsof2021 #readingisfundamental #bookworm
Della thought her life was perfect - she had her family and a boyfriend she loved. Then she was turned. Once she became a vampire she lost all that she held dear and took refuge at Shadow Falls - a camp for paranormal teens. She has to learn to accept her new life and how to continue to be true to herself.
#readsof2021 #readingisfundamental #bookworm