tangiblereads's reviews
547 reviews

The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah

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challenging informative reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Coldest Winter Ever is about a spoiled self absorbed hood brat that I was rooting for something bad to happen to halfway through.  To say I dislike the little girl is an understatement.  But she is a product of her upbringing so I understand her misguided motivations.  However, I wanted some growth from her so so bad.  I never knew there were women like this until I spoke to a friend who also comes from Brooklyn that confirmed it.  In the end, it is what it is.  The book did seem careful to me to show hood life but not too much.  I loved SIster Souljah's comments on life throughout the book and the character studies in the back (I had the 25th anniversary addition).  And while the book was slow, it wasn't a snail's pace.  Overall a good read, like juvenile urban fiction, but I'm not vested enough to continue reading the sequels.
The Aunt Who Wouldn't Die by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay

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emotional funny informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

I enjoyed this story a lot. The culture, the acknowledgement of anticquainted traditions, the comedy, insults, unique quirky characters and fun plot. Behind every great man is a great woman that orchestrated the show. I loved how loyal Somlata was to her husband.  I was worried for her.  Overall a great story.  I wanted more pages when the book ended.
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw

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emotional informative reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies allows you to see women, flaws and all, faithful and not so faithful, desires on stage and those repressed.  I enjoyed seeing representation from adult to child, straight and lesbian, dark and light, educated and uneducated.  My favorite story is definitely Instructions for Married Christian Men.  "If your wife comes to my house, she will get her feelings hurt"
The Gilda Stories by Jewelle Gomez

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adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

I enjoyed The Gilda Stories but didn't love it as I expected.  It is very slow paced and is a coming of age, found family, what it means to be human type story versus action packed vampire lore.  Definitely not your typical vampire story.  That said, there are some interesting moments I found quite enjoyable.  I enjoyed the unique characters and the evolution of time.  I would have liked to see more historical context of Gilda's life during those times.  Overall, a good book club or buddy read story.  Glad I read it with a friend. 
Maeve Fly by CJ Leede

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emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Maeve Fly was so not what I was expecting.  First I loved the love letter to all things LA, which I didn't get a lot because I'm not from there but can appreciate it.  It is definitely a pretty crap show.  And I loved the female killer.  Now her obsession with the egg and other wierdo sicko things made me want to vomit.  Halloween will never be the same again. The ending was chef's kiss, and kinda sad.  I mean 2 is better than one. 
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Black Birds in the Sky: The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre by Brandy Colbert

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

Black Birds has honored the legacy of all victims and told their story. I definitely was not taught about this I'm school and that was in the 1990s.  I appreciate the dedication to telling Oklahoma's history in general, to include Native Americans. Very eye opening and sad. After all, they were the first slaves in the Americas.  This book hit on so many important topics relevant today, including how black people do build wealth and how that is threatening to white America and they will find any excuse to tear that down.  
Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom by Ilyon Woo

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 53%.
While topics are important, there are too many characters and details. It is a really good history lesson, but I keep tuning out.  I expected something different.  
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The Gems by M. C. Jeter

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

The Gems is a unique newer adult fantasy involving African ancestry, gems, magical abilities, family bonds, and the threat of world domination.  I love the plot, concept, diverse characters and their different abilities. Everyone was so different, showing the range of black people.  The romance component annoyed me too.  Come on now, so obvious.  I felt I was being strung along. While I do think the book was fleshed out well, I am still confused on how everyone can be siblings. Also I thought the entire middle of the book dragged.  It was more finding all the siblings and presentation of their abilities.  While interesting, it was definitely a slower pace.  Overall, a decent start to the trilogy.  It is a complete standalone, no cliffhanger.  
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Divine Mortals by Amanda M. Helander

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challenging dark emotional funny sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Divine Mortals was definitely not what I expected but was still a good time.  I expected something more lighthearted than this book provided.  The main character was young and immature and it showed, but she was still a strong character that I enjoyed.  I loved all the magic system, the communication with the gods, and the friendship between Bernadette and Mona.  This book definitely brings up good question of whether you can trust the gods you have spent your life worshiping if their idea of mercy is to destroy you without a second thought. 
The Refrigerator Monologues by Catherynne M. Valente

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

3.0

I enjoyed The Refrigerator Monologues, but didn't love it.  I think my enjoyment is skewed because I am not  aware of most of the superheroes referenced.  I did enjoy the unique stance from the women in comics you don't normally hear much about and I like the support group.  I wouldn't mind one of those myself.  I like the women were all so different so many different perspectives.  My favorite story was Paulie's and my least was the last one because it got so political and I got lost.  But overall a fun time.