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breedawnwriter's reviews
220 reviews
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
This was a challenging, but beautiful story.
The poetry in this book was stunning, and I was continuously impressed with Acevedo's ability to paint such a vivid world and compelling story with so few words.
I particularly love Father Sean and his inclusion because he shows that not every religious figure is a self-serving, power-hungry hypocrite. His encouragement of Xiomara exploring and asking questions was so refreshing in a world that oftentimes leans far too hard into stereotypes for these types of people.
I also love that the story avoids making Mami a pure villain. Yes, she does horrid things that no mother should ever do. But she has reasons for her actions, and those reasons (along with her background) prevent her from being viewed only--and strictly--as a villain.
The poetry in this book was stunning, and I was continuously impressed with Acevedo's ability to paint such a vivid world and compelling story with so few words.
I particularly love Father Sean and his inclusion because he shows that not every religious figure is a self-serving, power-hungry hypocrite. His encouragement of Xiomara exploring and asking questions was so refreshing in a world that oftentimes leans far too hard into stereotypes for these types of people.
I also love that the story avoids making Mami a pure villain. Yes, she does horrid things that no mother should ever do. But she has reasons for her actions, and those reasons (along with her background) prevent her from being viewed only--and strictly--as a villain.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Drug use, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
One of the character's is gay and has a secret M/M relationship.
Everybody Writes: Your New and Improved Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content by Ann Handley
challenging
informative
4.0
This was a really solid book about content writing and marketing. It's filled with tons of practical advice that I think makes content writing feel very approachable instead of this scary beast that you should be terrified of facing.
It's also immensely funny, so that was a huge bonus for me.
It's also immensely funny, so that was a huge bonus for me.
The Nightmare Virus by Nadine Brandes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I love this book.
The pacing was a bit slow in the beginning so it took me a bit to really get into it, but oh my goodness, this book is so good.
The writing is excellent, the worldbuilding is spectacular, the characters are complex and nuanced, the plot twists surprised me and made so much sense, and the themes are actually my favorite thing ever.
The pacing was a bit slow in the beginning so it took me a bit to really get into it, but oh my goodness, this book is so good.
The writing is excellent, the worldbuilding is spectacular, the characters are complex and nuanced, the plot twists surprised me and made so much sense, and the themes are actually my favorite thing ever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Physical abuse, Torture, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Minor: Gun violence, Death of parent, and Abandonment
A character implies that he killed himself (but it was with the intent of waking up in the real world).
Piper by Jessica Freeburg, Jay Asher
3.5
I enjoyed this. The illustrations were beautiful, the story was compelling, and the character development made sense. Overall, a solid graphic novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Bullying, and Death
Moderate: Sexual content and Kidnapping
Minor: Death of parent
Sixteen Minutes by K.J. Reilly
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
RTC closer to release day!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence, Infidelity, Blood, and Death of parent
Lost at Sea by Bryan Lee O’Malley
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
4.0
My friend recommended this to me years ago, and I can’t believe it took me this long to finally read it.
This is a beautiful little graphic novel about how confusing and uncertain life is when you’re a teenager. It’s a poignant reflection on love and friendship and the complexity of being eighteen years old and thinking you’re insane when maybe you are and maybe you aren’t.
I don’t think this graphic novel is for everyone. I can completely understand why some people didn’t like it. But to me this is a beautiful and compelling glimpse of just how existential everything feels at this age.
This is a beautiful little graphic novel about how confusing and uncertain life is when you’re a teenager. It’s a poignant reflection on love and friendship and the complexity of being eighteen years old and thinking you’re insane when maybe you are and maybe you aren’t.
I don’t think this graphic novel is for everyone. I can completely understand why some people didn’t like it. But to me this is a beautiful and compelling glimpse of just how existential everything feels at this age.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Mental illness
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, and Grief
Minor: Sexual content
Building a Non-Anxious Life by John Delony
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
4.0
I’m really bad at writing reviews for nonfiction, but this is a great book. It was a scary read for me because I didn’t want to face the choices this book presents, but once I dove in anyway, I found it was really helpful and inspiring.
We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han
4.0
Well that was a traumatic rollercoaster that somehow ended exactly as it should.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Infidelity, Sexual content, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
Once I Knew by Victoria Lynn
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I’m always hesitant about reading Christian fiction. It’s easy for me to fall into the belief that it’s all preachy, cookie-cutter, and formulaic with no real substance. But, I’m happy to report that this book isn’t any of those things.
If I wasn’t in this particular season of life where I needed to read this book, I don’t know if I would’ve rated it so highly. There are some things I didn’t love about this book (explained below), but for me, this book was everything I needed right now. I needed someone to tell me that I am worthy. That I am whole in Him. That I can be brave and do the hard things even when I’m scared. That my past does not define me.
Yes, the writing style was difficult for me to get into and there were some moments that leaned too heavily into telling instead of showing. But . . . God still used this story to heal a part of me that I didn’t know how to heal. God still used this book, despite its flaws, to touch my heart with what He knew I needed to hear.
Violet’s struggle to stand firm in her faith resonated with me. When I watched her try to carry every burden on her own, I saw myself. Obed’s struggle to let go of who he was and step into who God has called him to be felt so much like my own rebellious heart. His guilt over his past felt like it could’ve been penned by my own heart.
Their journey reflected so much of my own, which made it impossible for me to rate it anything less than four stars.
That being said, I won’t say this is a perfect book. It has some flaws that made it difficult for me to keep reading. But, I also know that God used this book to do extraordinary things in my heart and for my soul. So, for me, it was a much needed and healing read.
Full review coming June 12th.
If I wasn’t in this particular season of life where I needed to read this book, I don’t know if I would’ve rated it so highly. There are some things I didn’t love about this book (explained below), but for me, this book was everything I needed right now. I needed someone to tell me that I am worthy. That I am whole in Him. That I can be brave and do the hard things even when I’m scared. That my past does not define me.
Yes, the writing style was difficult for me to get into and there were some moments that leaned too heavily into telling instead of showing. But . . . God still used this story to heal a part of me that I didn’t know how to heal. God still used this book, despite its flaws, to touch my heart with what He knew I needed to hear.
Their journey reflected so much of my own, which made it impossible for me to rate it anything less than four stars.
That being said, I won’t say this is a perfect book. It has some flaws that made it difficult for me to keep reading. But, I also know that God used this book to do extraordinary things in my heart and for my soul. So, for me, it was a much needed and healing read.
Full review coming June 12th.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han
medium-paced
4.0
I actually enjoyed this one a lot more than the first book in the trilogy. It had more of an external plot that balanced really nicely against the internal conflict.
I also loved the way that the dad was more of the "villain" than their aunt. The switch made sense for the show, but this version feels more true for the books.
I also loved the way that the dad was more of the "villain" than their aunt. The switch made sense for the show, but this version feels more true for the books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Vomit, and Toxic friendship