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racheyohh's reviews
100 reviews
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.25
Damn. Everytime you thought it couldn’t get worse it took a turn. So glad she’s doing better now and was able to process things, heal, and pursue a career that she actually enjoys. So sad that she had to endure this and several abusive relationships, worst of all her mother. Really makes you feel grateful to have good parents and a healthy relationship with food.
The audio book was great to hear her read it and I enjoyed the style of her writing.
I thought it was great build up for most of the book but the ending felt a little rushed. Would have enjoyed hearing a little more actually.
The audio book was great to hear her read it and I enjoyed the style of her writing.
I thought it was great build up for most of the book but the ending felt a little rushed. Would have enjoyed hearing a little more actually.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Child abuse
The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
This book hooked me initially but then lagged a bit later in. It’s light and informative but not as good as the previous two books in the series. It’s got some romance and history but it’s quite cheesy and a bit cringy at times. I enjoyed the twists though and honestly did not expect that to be Tom or that John was the brother
It’s short so a fun easy read but nothing all that exciting.
It’s short so a fun easy read but nothing all that exciting.
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Finally got around to reading this book my mom gave me from her shelf at home! It took me awhile to get through and unclear if it was because I was so distracted this past month or the book itself, probably a mix of both.
I only realized after finishing that this is the source material for the Fried Green Tomatoes movie and am now curious to see that. The story might actually do better in that medium because sometimes in the book I was confused on who was who (my reading slowly didn’t help) so having the visual aids and watching in one sit down might be more cohesive.
Overall the story was cute but it took me a minute to get into it and attached to the characters with it jumping all over the place. Also some of the writing felt very dated. One thing that did not though was the LGBT storyline, which was sweet.
It’s got a little romance, a few little mysteries, and some touching mother figures. And I liked the short chapters and newspaper additions.
I only realized after finishing that this is the source material for the Fried Green Tomatoes movie and am now curious to see that. The story might actually do better in that medium because sometimes in the book I was confused on who was who (my reading slowly didn’t help) so having the visual aids and watching in one sit down might be more cohesive.
Overall the story was cute but it took me a minute to get into it and attached to the characters with it jumping all over the place. Also some of the writing felt very dated. One thing that did not though was the LGBT storyline, which was sweet.
It’s got a little romance, a few little mysteries, and some touching mother figures. And I liked the short chapters and newspaper additions.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
emotional
informative
slow-paced
3.75
This story is insane and I’m so glad to have learned about it. So many things I didn’t know and so much tragedy that poor family has gone through. Thankfully in recent years after the book they were FINALLY financially compensated The book doesn’t really give you a satisfying ending but I guess that’s real life ha.
The book is probably medium pace for a non fiction book, slow pace for book in general. I can see why the author chose to jump all around in time throughout the book but it kept you from getting as engaged and it was interesting that she was such a big character of it. She tries to tell the story of Henrietta’s past, her decedents, and all the medical advances and debates that her cells have resulted in. I’m sure this brought so much more visibility about this story and issue.
Regarding the moral debate this is the conclusion I’ve come to: donating cells and other items are invaluable to science and medical progress and needs to happen but people should know that it’s going on with their cells. Healthcare should not be a for profit industry in the first place but if people are making money off someone’s cells they should MOST DEFINITELY be getting a cut of it. To quote someone from the book “it’s pretty weird to say everybody gets money except people providing the raw materials”. If people are making money give the donors (or family) a percentage and free healthcare PLEASE, especially if they’re as important as hers were.
Fuck Myriad Genetics
The book is probably medium pace for a non fiction book, slow pace for book in general. I can see why the author chose to jump all around in time throughout the book but it kept you from getting as engaged and it was interesting that she was such a big character of it. She tries to tell the story of Henrietta’s past, her decedents, and all the medical advances and debates that her cells have resulted in. I’m sure this brought so much more visibility about this story and issue.
Regarding the moral debate this is the conclusion I’ve come to: donating cells and other items are invaluable to science and medical progress and needs to happen but people should know that it’s going on with their cells. Healthcare should not be a for profit industry in the first place but if people are making money off someone’s cells they should MOST DEFINITELY be getting a cut of it. To quote someone from the book “it’s pretty weird to say everybody gets money except people providing the raw materials”. If people are making money give the donors (or family) a percentage and free healthcare PLEASE, especially if they’re as important as hers were.
Fuck Myriad Genetics
Falling in Love at the Movies: The Impact of Rom Coms from the Screwball Era to Today by Esther Zuckerman
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.5
It’s hard for me to rate a non narrative book of this type but here goes. I was very excited to get this for Christmas and enjoyed reading a chapter a day at breakfast. Too often film history books ignore the RomCom genre so I was thrilled to have something that gives it the attention it deserves.
I enjoyed that the author agreed with me about several of my favorite rom coms, recommended others, and analyzed specific aspects that I hadn’t thought of. I was expecting more of an organization that was diving deeply movie by movie but this format was quite interesting. Would have been nice to have a list of recommended movies still but oh well, I jotted down the ones mentioned as I went.
I especially liked the sections about director styles at the beginning, the famous leads and pairs, and the rom coms set within the history of the world. The fantasy and lgbt chapters were also quite informative regarding things I wasn’t super aware of. She does mention race throughout but I thought that could have used a whole chapter, as well as foreign rom coms.
Overall it reads like an exciting research paper and anyone interested in RomCom film history should enjoy. Love the respect she gives to the genre!
I enjoyed that the author agreed with me about several of my favorite rom coms, recommended others, and analyzed specific aspects that I hadn’t thought of. I was expecting more of an organization that was diving deeply movie by movie but this format was quite interesting. Would have been nice to have a list of recommended movies still but oh well, I jotted down the ones mentioned as I went.
I especially liked the sections about director styles at the beginning, the famous leads and pairs, and the rom coms set within the history of the world. The fantasy and lgbt chapters were also quite informative regarding things I wasn’t super aware of. She does mention race throughout but I thought that could have used a whole chapter, as well as foreign rom coms.
Overall it reads like an exciting research paper and anyone interested in RomCom film history should enjoy. Love the respect she gives to the genre!
The Maid by Nita Prose
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
This book grabbed me immediately and I was very excited to continue. The premise was cool (as was reading it at a hotel) and her misunderstanding things that we could see clearly gave Amelia Bedelia vibes of my childhood. Plus with a vigilante, found family type of vibe.
A little past the middle and on it was feeling more cheesy but still enjoyable. Love anepilogue twist but I don’t know if it totally made sense. Rodney framed her even though he didn’t do it? Just due to the drug crimes? And she was a better liar than I would have expected, especially to her friends in her time of need?
Idk why but I originally read Juan Manuel to be older so when it was clear what direction that was going it seemed odd but I guess that must have been my misunderstanding
I like the happy ending but the scene detailing Grans death was super sad
Also I thought her mom was young if they’re mistaken for sisters so the math wasn’t making sense hearing Gran had her at 16/17 and lived past 75
Also are defense attorneys also prosecutors in Canada? 🤔
A little past the middle and on it was feeling more cheesy but still enjoyable. Love an
Also are defense attorneys also prosecutors in Canada? 🤔
Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.5
The books in this series are always pretty light but this one seemed even more so than the previous two. Max was a little too perfect and the conflict didn’t seem like a big enough of a conflict for me. The issues made sense but it was just like all is well for the majority of the book and then it feels sort of sudden near the end.
I enjoyed the characters being in their late 30s and perfect Max was a nice fantasy. So was Olivia as a “you can have it all” inspiration. I loved all the LA discussion and Silver Lake shout out! The end was quite sweet and the political aspect was interesting too.
I waffled about rating it lower but I did enjoy reading it quickly and stacked against other things I’ve rated this amount it seemed fair. The 3rd in this series is my fav though.
I enjoyed the characters being in their late 30s and perfect Max was a nice fantasy. So was Olivia as a “you can have it all” inspiration. I loved all the LA discussion and Silver Lake shout out! The end was quite sweet and the political aspect was interesting too.
I waffled about rating it lower but I did enjoy reading it quickly and stacked against other things I’ve rated this amount it seemed fair. The 3rd in this series is my fav though.
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I love Sally Rooney but I had mixed feelings on this book. It took me a lot longer to read than usual, partially just from being busy but partially I think due to the writing. I didn’t realize until others pointed out that Ivan’s chapters were easier but still the lack of quotation marks and breaks throughout continued to annoy me more than in her past books.
She does a great job at building complex characters and analyzing unconventional view points. It made me reevaluate some of my preconceptions and there were a few passages that hit so hard in ways not usually expressed by mainstream authors.I was so glad Ivan and Peter were able to reconcile (in a realistic way) at the end! And that Ivan and Margaret were making it work. I really enjoyed each brother meeting the other’s girlfriends as well. And that things are looking good for the dog 🐶 🥹
However Peter frustrated me so much for a lot of this. I understand that that was the point as he struggled with his grief over his dad and his unresolved grief over the accident and the stress of their family situation, but still was hard for me to like him for most of it while he kept being mean to others. Sylvia also bothered mebecause she was so unwilling to give their relationship a chance and kept projecting things on Peter when I think he would have been down to try it and possibly very happy with her! Maybe the non monogamy will work for them but I can’t help but think that this a compromise on Naomi’s part, that may be good short term but longer she deserves someone else who can emotionally prioritize her.
Also 36 is not middle aged! Maybe that was just their insecurities or maybe it’s Ireland but come on people.I’m glad Peter thought Margaret was attractive and he was still so attracted to Sylvia even though they’re “old”
She does a great job at building complex characters and analyzing unconventional view points. It made me reevaluate some of my preconceptions and there were a few passages that hit so hard in ways not usually expressed by mainstream authors.
However Peter frustrated me so much for a lot of this. I understand that that was the point as he struggled with his grief over his dad and his unresolved grief over the accident and the stress of their family situation, but still was hard for me to like him for most of it while he kept being mean to others. Sylvia also bothered me
Also 36 is not middle aged! Maybe that was just their insecurities or maybe it’s Ireland but come on people.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.0
It took me a minute to really get into it but I think you have to understand Ove first to really appreciate him. Parvaneh was definitely annoyingly entitled at times too.
I was expecting Ove to be kind of like the lead in The House In The Cerulean Sea but he was more like the lead character from The Holdovers, and this book overall had similarities with that. It showed the pain of loss and what that can do to a person.
It had lots of heart warming moments too though! I loved the cat and his new friends. I felt bad about all the tragedy he experiencedand that he only lived til his mid 60s! I wanted them to give him longer to enjoy life and his “granddad” status but no😢
I also thought Swedish government was supposed to be pretty good but this depiction of it is having me doubt that.
Overall a nice bittersweet story
I was expecting Ove to be kind of like the lead in The House In The Cerulean Sea but he was more like the lead character from The Holdovers, and this book overall had similarities with that. It showed the pain of loss and what that can do to a person.
It had lots of heart warming moments too though! I loved the cat and his new friends. I felt bad about all the tragedy he experienced
I also thought Swedish government was supposed to be pretty good but this depiction of it is having me doubt that.
Overall a nice bittersweet story
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
The ending was so depressing my god. We’re supposed to be glad she finally got the courage to die for what she believed in and THAT’S what makes her a worthwhile person?! She was courageous and admirable the whole time and her tragic death was just heart breaking and pointless. I think her kids in retrospect might have preferred her to live…
That rant aside, I found this interesting and educational about the struggles during this time and the journey people took. I didn’t realize all the prejudice they experienced coming to CA but it does seem very believable. The Great Depression was even worse than I imagined.
I didn’t love the beginning, her early interactions were Rafe were cringy and her family was ridiculous. Also the constant emphasis on attractiveness throughout the book seems strange (especially in the midst of everything).I am glad she gained her confidence in every way throughout the journey and I appreciated the brief romance. Others may have felt it was too contrived but I felt it made it more human and she deserved that brief joy.
Loreda was sooo bratty at points but I liked the journey her character went on and was pleased with the person she ended up to be. I loved Ant and his innocence.Very curious whatever happened to Rafe. Also I adored the relationship with her and her in-laws ❤️
Ultimately not bad but I’d rank it 3rd of the 4 Kristen Hannah books I’ve read so far.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
That rant aside, I found this interesting and educational about the struggles during this time and the journey people took. I didn’t realize all the prejudice they experienced coming to CA but it does seem very believable. The Great Depression was even worse than I imagined.
I didn’t love the beginning, her early interactions were Rafe were cringy and her family was ridiculous. Also the constant emphasis on attractiveness throughout the book seems strange (especially in the midst of everything).
Loreda was sooo bratty at points but I liked the journey her character went on and was pleased with the person she ended up to be. I loved Ant and his innocence.
Ultimately not bad but I’d rank it 3rd of the 4 Kristen Hannah books I’ve read so far.