salam_'s reviews
599 reviews

The Patient by Jasper DeWitt

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I was hooked since the first time I listened to this book on Stephanie’s BAM podcast. It was such a great recommendation and kept me hooked the entire time! The ending is the reason why it’s not a 5 star. 
How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

From the first line I knew it’s going to be a 5 star read!! And despite the audiobook being 17 hours, I finished it in 3 days! 
Safiya’s words are magic! Now I’m ready to read everything written by her.
The way she told her story was mesmerizing and heartfelt! I teared up by the end of this memoir. 
 I learned a lot about Rastafari and it opened my eyes to so many thing I didn’t know! Safiya’s story was meant to be written by her.
Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier

Go to review page

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

3.5

Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman

Go to review page

challenging emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-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

I love this series, but this volume- unlike others- did not excite me enough to want to sit down and read it in one sitting. That intrigue was missing! That spark! 
However, Nick and Charlie are still my babes, and I agree with everything that was discussed in this book- regarding social and gender issues. It just fell flat for me, like it was the set-up for the next book, but doesn’t stand on its own. 
The Martian by Andy Weir

Go to review page

Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.
I watched the movie first, so it felt repetitive.
Big Swiss by Jen Beagin

Go to review page

2.5

The Vegetarian by Han Kang

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

The beginning had me hooked! I even started recommending it to my friends, then as the POVs shifted and it got more and more unhinged, it lost the plot for me. The story deviated so much from how it started and I was not along for the ride. The way it ended was also anticlimactic and lackluster. 
I am disappointed because I had high hopes that as crazy as this book is, judging from the beginning I thought it would be a 5 star read, when in fact I gave it 2.5 for the first half and 0 for the other half.
Care of the Soul, Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Ed: A Guide for Cultivating Depth and Sacredness in Everyday Life by Thomas Moore

Go to review page

informative reflective

3.5

Ballad for Sophie by Filipe Melo

Go to review page

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

5.0

Ariel was Right!! Chills!
The illustration, the depth of the story, the drama! Excellent!! 
Bright Red Fruit by Safia Elhillo

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? Yes

5.0

Safia makes me feel seen!