helendipietro's reviews
204 reviews

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

Another 5* YA graphic novel! I’m so grateful to have discovered this genre and know I would have loved them as a young person! The colour scheme and artwork in this one is outstanding and felt really intentional, adding emotion to the story. For me personally, I would have preferred more dialogue to really connect with the characters and story more but I think re reading it will give me a lot more next time!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abortion and Toxic relationship

Minor: Adult/minor relationship

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

5.0

Been thinking about this one for a while so it had to be awarded 5*! I loved the characters/ story/ vibes and this book proved to me that I can enjoy fantasy! Looking forward to reading the next one in 2024! 🌟 

If You'll Have Me by Eunnie

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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

5.0

A 5* YA graphic novel which oozes cuteness! Loved the colour scheme and the characters 👌

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Untypical: How the World Isn't Built for Autistic People and What We Should All Do About it by Pete Wharmby

hopeful informative inspiring reflective

4.0

Gin and Phonics: My Journey Through Middle-Class Motherhood (via the Occasional Pub) by Clara Batten

lighthearted slow-paced

2.0

I really didn’t get on with this but persevered to finish it because I hate DNFing books! I thought it must get better but this one just didn’t do it for me! I had high hopes from the title and thought it was going to be hilarious. The comedy and writing style wasn’t for me.

Rental Person Who Does Nothing: a Memoir by Shoji Morimoto

reflective slow-paced

3.0

Written very matter of factly which fits the ‘do nothing’ approach, this book is a series of a tweets and short reflections from a ghost writer. The whole concept of a ‘Rental Person’ to be hired just to be there for free is such an interesting one and I just kept thinking how sad it really was that people needed it. It could solve a lot of  problems caused by loneliness. Rental person had some good yet short reflections on friendship, AI, introspection, Japanese culture, and money. It does feel very repetitive and basic as a reading experience though. 

A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.

Started on holiday but then forgot to carry on! Must revisit! 

Rich Woman: A Book on Investing for Women, Take Charge Of Your Money, Take Charge Of Your Life by Sharon L. Lechter, Kim Kiyosaki, Robert T. Kiyosaki
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.

Might come back to it?

The Skeleton Key by Erin Kelly

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense 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

4.0

A really clever and intriguing set up, developed characters and some unexpected twists! This was a great book but I found it too long/ drawn out to be 5*.