alwaysatthebookshop's reviews
28 reviews

We Are the Light by Matthew Quick

emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Grief, and Mass/school shootings

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Self harm and Forced institutionalization

Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy

challenging emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

McConaghy holds two seemingly opposing ideas against each other: tenderness and rage. But together, these forces are fierce and powerful; they are women and wolves. She has splayed open what it means to be wild among forces desperate to bend toward tameness. In a word: exquisite.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

If you're looking for a romance with a plausible premise, look elsewhere. If you're looking for a well-told story with a fantastic cast of characters and a few perfectly executed one-liners, read this. Perfect escapist reading that still manages to feel important and relevant.

Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller

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

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Content Warnings

Minor: Bullying, Gun violence, Grief, and Death of parent

The Hummingbirds' Gift: Wonder, Beauty, and Renewal on Wings by Sy Montgomery

hopeful informative medium-paced

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

Why Fish Don't Exist: A Story of Loss, Love, and the Hidden Order of Life by Lulu Miller

hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

Caul Baby by Morgan Jerkins

challenging emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue

challenging emotional reflective 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

What Comes After by JoAnne Tompkins

challenging emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, Suicide, and Murder

Moderate: Animal death, Death, and Blood

Minor: Infidelity and Pedophilia