hopper's reviews
19 reviews

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-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

4.0

i did not expect this to be a book for me. a black sheep among my shelf, yet a welcome one. each character is utterly unique, all touting their own voice. the plot is second to the focus and progression of the characters, and it works incredibly well. above all, the emotion ties to the words is both heart-filling and -breaking at the same time. i picked this up to be a casual read whenever i had time, but i finished it in one setting. a powerful tale of love and loss and life. 

Jane of Battery Park by Jaye Viner

dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious sad tense fast-paced

1.25

this book was very entertaining. there were many moments i could not put it down, however, i found a lot of personal disagreements within it. the blend of genres (romance, thriller, mystery, sort of horror) would work well in a larger book, and that is probably my biggest complaint. so much happens in 240 pages, this books is fast paced start to finish with numerous characters introduced, plot points utilized, and genres changed. i think more pages to flesh out each would have done great things for it. the characters were enjoyable, but i found their personalities to be adjusted for plot progression. i found a lot of choices to be very unrealistic, taking me out of the read. overall, this book was an enjoyable story, but it’s burdened by a short length and plot progression that takes precedent of character rules and foundations. 

The Immense Journey by Loren Eiseley

challenging emotional informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

this book is not perfect. i’m fact, for over half of it i could hardly keep focused. i found the blend of scientific term and exploration mixed with creative nonfiction to be extremely unbalanced. however, the creative nonfiction was simply the greatest i have ever read. no other piece of work has brought to me a level of reflection as this. no work ever has made me drop a tear, until this. it was incredibly hard to get through, but on the other side, it is simply life changing. 

A Question of Freedom: A Memoir of Learning, Survival, and Coming of Age in Prison by Reginald Dwayne Betts

challenging dark inspiring fast-paced

3.25

one of my first memoirs. a must read. a world within our own - something i wasn’t even aware that existed. phenomenal detail, deep emotion, occasional haziness. 

Felon: Poems by Reginald Dwayne Betts

dark emotional fast-paced

2.75

this collection contains certain poems that stands out as being worthy of the term “creative”. it offered challenging and engaging pieces that left the reader with not only a great understanding of our justice system, but a great questioning of it and a yearning for change. at other times, the poems could become repetitive - slow. 

O Pioneers! by Willa Cather

emotional reflective sad 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

4.0

an unexpected diamond from my survey of classic american literature. phenomenal characters, setting, and themes. i was unaware my home produced something so beautiful. 

Your Crib, My Qibla by Saddiq Dzukogi

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.25

a beautiful exploration of loss, grief, and life of the living after our loved ones have moved on. beautiful use of the text and spacing. a must for all poetry-connoisseurs 

Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett

dark emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

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

3.25

a very short play of both hope and despair. two characters finding solace in themselves while at the same time waiting to be approved by another, by Godot. a good read, funny at times, dark in others. left me above all else, reflective. 

Billy Summers by Stephen King

adventurous dark hopeful tense slow-paced

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

4.75

from start to finish, this story was entertaining. it captures you immediately and never lets you go. the complexity and duality of the characters present really gives you a different and deeper perspective into them. the plot took its time, not afraid to hash out all the necessary details. i was about ready to give it a 4.5 out of 5, but the ending launched it not only into one of my favorite books of 2021, but to one of my favorite King books. 

the twist he presents by initially giving you alice’s written ending and then giving you the true one was jaw dropping. the lessons alice reflects on in the final pages resonate with the reader long after the story ends, and they’re ones i’ll keep for years to come.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence and Sexual violence

Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined by Stephenie Meyer

dark emotional sad fast-paced

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

2.25

this story has a lot of heart. the dynamic between the two protagonists through the story is extremely strong and well done. each has numerous layers to them that are explored throughout the book. aside from them, things only got weaker. the first is the dialogue. there were times where the characters spoke so intricately, and others where it felt like a last minute addition with no thought behind it. all of the side characters were brushed over in numerous ways that made them difficult to love like the protagonist. the story was good, but rather rushed. i’d say this book focused on the relationship and struggles of the two main characters while everything else fell secondary and tertiary.