djreads's reviews
542 reviews

Didn't Nobody Give a Shit What Happened to Carlotta by James Hannaham

dark reflective sad slow-paced

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

This book felt very much like the fake book Monk wrote in American Fiction 🤦🏽‍♀️ 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Deadnaming, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Transphobia

You Truly Assumed by Laila Sabreen

hopeful informative 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Islamophobia

Moderate: Racism

The Grim Reaper's Lawyer by Mea Monique

dark funny mysterious 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

A Good Cry: What We Learn From Tears and Laughter by Nikki Giovanni

hopeful informative inspiring reflective

Betwixt by Darynda Jones

funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

emotional funny mysterious reflective sad 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

3.5

It’s a sweet story. I found Ricki to be a bit irksome. Would’ve loved more time with Ms. Della. Overall, good, but I’m definitely not the target audience for this book so it feels wrong to rate it. 

A Song of Salvation by Alechia Dow

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring mysterious tense 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

4.0

A very sweet story while still being quite engaging and creative. Loved it. 

Late Bloomers by Deepa Varadarajan

funny reflective medium-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? Yes

3.0

This is a good story about a family of very flawed people who have terrible communication skills. It’s a decent drama  if you’re not put off by the characters’ unlikeability at times. 

King of Hearts by Christina C. Jones

emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

4.25

Velvet Diaries: Million Dollar Hoe by Shay J’Naye

dark tense fast-paced

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