bertharochestergraduates_8's reviews
469 reviews

Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-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? No

4.25

 Finally, I nabbed a copy of this classic, and boy, or girl, did I enjoy it. Now, I'll admit that it slogged a bit in the beginning, but once she grew into an adolescent and so on, the book's pace quickened and the fun (or inhumanity) began.

It is worth reading as an exploration of attitudes from the past, and admittedly, still in the present, regarding sex, sexuality, gender, homophobia, race, and so forth. Biting and bittersweet in humor, this book deserves more discussion to see how far we've come and how far we've yet to go.

4.25/5 

When We Were Friends: A Short Story by Jane Green

emotional reflective fast-paced

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

3.0

 3/5

It's a good read, but no matter what, I can't buy a woman in her forties befriending a twenty-something so fast, despite her reasoning.

Spoiler...




Elle's a bit psycho.

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

medium-paced

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

2.0

Meh.

I Am Extraordinary by Stephen Curry

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? No

4.0

Evelyn del Rey Is Moving Away by Meg Medina

emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

Scooper and Dumper The Pumpkin Parade by Lindsay Ward

adventurous informative lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

3.5

Redwood Court by DéLana R.A. Dameron

emotional hopeful 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? No

4.0

 Finding your voice and capturing those memories and moments that will shape your future lies in the heart of this coming-of-age story. It's relatable in a time when so much was promised and so few promises were met.

Highly recommended.

One of the criticisms from some Goodreads readers is the story's use of many characters. I wholeheartedly disagree with the assertion. The story has a few characters but not so many that one would become lost. In the center of it all is Mika Tabor and her journey through observation and exploration.

4/5 

His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie

emotional hopeful 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? No

4.0

A Caribbean Heiress in Paris by Adriana Herrera
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.

Boring

American Royalty by Tracey Livesay

adventurous 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

3.0