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booksandbesitos's reviews
54 reviews
The House of My Mother by Shari Franke
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0
As a daughter of a mother who was a constant Facebook user (not to ruby’s extent but definitely a frequent sharenter) who often made me repeat scripts and take pictures and videos, this book made me feel very seen. I liked the way it written. Shari told her story while also allowing a space for readers to reflect and connect with their own experiences.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Minor: Miscarriage and Forced institutionalization
The Eloise Audio Collection: Four Complete Eloise Tales: Eloise , Eloise in Paris, Eloise at Christmas Time and Eloise in Moscow by Kay Thompson
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was so cute!!! I remember loving Eloise as a child even though I hadn’t read the original books. I think it was about time to check them out (from the library!) I got this audio version because the hold time was shorter. I was immediately impressed by the use of music and sound effects that accompanied the narration.
The narration its self was really well done too . Bernadette Peters Did a wonderful job. The voice for Eloise was perfect. The accent captured what I imagined when I think of a little girl who lives in New York and speaks French and is raised by a British nanny.
The actual stories were also fun. I was a bit nervous as to how a book from the 1950’s was going to hold up, and while a few parts were a bit ‘side eye’ it generally held up alright.
Eloise is fun character, and similar to Junie B Jones, I can see why some parents would have problems with her, but I personally, as a childless 22 year old, think she’s an It Girl✨
I also really think it works in this case. I mean her mom is a socialite, she lives in a penthouse suite, and there’s no other children in her life (seemingly, I haven’t read the other books yet) so yeah she might be a little extravagant and silly. She’s a caviar girlie and not a grilled cheese girlie and that’s okay.
The narration its self was really well done too . Bernadette Peters Did a wonderful job. The voice for Eloise was perfect. The accent captured what I imagined when I think of a little girl who lives in New York and speaks French and is raised by a British nanny.
The actual stories were also fun. I was a bit nervous as to how a book from the 1950’s was going to hold up, and while a few parts were a bit ‘side eye’ it generally held up alright.
Eloise is fun character, and similar to Junie B Jones, I can see why some parents would have problems with her, but I personally, as a childless 22 year old, think she’s an It Girl✨
I also really think it works in this case. I mean her mom is a socialite, she lives in a penthouse suite, and there’s no other children in her life (seemingly, I haven’t read the other books yet) so yeah she might be a little extravagant and silly. She’s a caviar girlie and not a grilled cheese girlie and that’s okay.
Content Warnings
Minor: Medical content and Alcohol
Nanny and Eloise get shots before traveling. In another part champagne and other alcoholic drinks are mentioned
Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
This is one of the books I’m gonna reread immediately after finishing. Wow it was really good, it’s a memoir but also incorporates stories from the Quran. It was really interesting and the narration was lovely. 100/10
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Xenophobia, and Islamophobia
Moderate: Alcohol
Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I love a Christmas book!! I love cheesy cliches and sappy stories. This book had those while also exploring friendship and friendship troubles, mommy issues, and career disappointments. I really liked it. I liked the relationship between the two characters. I loved the friendships. And I liked the way music played a role in the story.
Interesting Facts about Space by Emily Austin
sad
tense
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
Celestial Monsters by Aiden Thomas
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I Love You Like Yellow by Andrea Beaty
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
4.75
A perfect bedtime story. Relaxing and full of all the ways to love. Vashiti Harrison nailed it with the illustrations like always, I wish I could buy prints of some of these pages, they’re so lovely.
Big by Vashti Harrison
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
I really liked this book. The artwork is beautiful, and the message is clear. The only thing I wish for is for more of this story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Bullying
The Apartment House on Poppy Hill by Nina LaCour
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
I didn’t have any expectations for this one. I’m not a big middle grade reader but I really like Nina LaCour’s writing and this audiobook was only about an hour long and had no wait times on Libby so I figured why not give it a go. The book is three separate acts. each with its own little plot. The first one was cute, and a sweet introduction to the building and characters. As Ella gave Cleo and Leo a tour, the reader also gets one. The second one was so well done. It reminded me a bit about growing up in my grandmother’s apartment complex, where all the neighbors knew each other and the kids were raised communally. It made a bit emotional as I thought back to my own Matilda. I also liked the way Ella’s character struggles with being patient as she waits to have her tea party. The last act was the one that really shone for me. The wedding, the neighbors coming together and something about Ella, the littlest one in the building and the Robinson’s, the eldest in the building , befriending each other just made me emotional. I wasn’t expecting to tear up while folding my laundry but the part where they used their rose bushes for the wedding really got me. Overall a lovely book with a lovely setting and main character I’m sure curious and excited young readers will both relate to and love
In the Event of Love by Courtney Kae
Did not finish book. Stopped at 66%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 66%.
I feel like I just wasn’t the target audience for this. I loved the premise and the characters and mostly picked it up because I am a sucker for sapphic holiday novels. but I don’t know something about this just didn’t click for me. The main characters were fine, but I just wish the relationship had developed a little bit more instead of having like two conversations and then them immediately forgiving each other and starting over again. there’s also sometimes when the writing just seemed kind of off for me?? I don’t really know how to pinpoint what I didn’t love but there was just an essence of something. I might pick it up again next holiday season because I really want to know how it’ll end but pushing through the last 30% is just not happening for me this year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Alcohol
Moderate: Alcoholism and Death of parent
Minor: Vomit