jakeewin's reviews
71 reviews

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

emotional inspiring reflective 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 really enjoyed this book a lot, though didn’t expect it to be QUITE so sad. I really loved the message about never truly knowing what will come next in life and learning to accept that. It also challenged perception on planning, and how even when you think you have the perfect plan, things can and will change. 

Don't Believe It by Charlie Donlea

mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I really enjoyed this book. It was full of twists and turns and I thought I knew where it was going but it took a totally different direction! It kept me fascinated the whole time.

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

dark mysterious slow-paced

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

3.0

I didn’t love this book. It felt so unfinished and I really wanted some sort of more concrete ending. It was so short that it just felt like such a sudden end and we never really got a ton to begin with. Some of the descriptive writing was good!!

Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir. Of course it tackled an experience that I am not familiar with, but coupled with discussion of queerness and identity, I found a lot to relate to. The storytelling was so fascinating as well in that it used stories of the Quran to make parallels to the authors own life. Would definitely recommend!

Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.

Too many characters and I just found it hard to follow. I loved the concept but we were introducing new characters every chapter and I ended up just getting frustrated.

The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

4.75

I just love this series. It’s fun and lighthearted and a perfect summer read. I love the entire cast of characters and find myself both laughing out loud and welling up at emotional moments. I love that mixture, and at the end of the day, it’s all about accepting yourself and understanding the most important part of life are the people around you.

A Very Typical Family by Sierra Godfrey

emotional 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

2.75

I almost abandoned this book because it just felt like it was taking it’s sweet time. It was also branded as a beach read which I didn’t feel at all. There were elements of the story I really liked, and I enjoyed like the last 50 pages a lot, but overall it wasn’t my favorite. 

Countries of Origin by Javier Fuentes

emotional inspiring reflective 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

4.5

I really loved this book. I thought it felt dreamy and imaginative and beautifully descriptive despite the fact that there are some darker and sadder parts. Demetrio, the main character, was occasionally frustrating in his decision making, but ultimately was trying his best. It just felt like a warm, heartbreaking and beautiful summer romance novel.

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

adventurous emotional tense medium-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

3.25

I really enjoyed this book overall. If I were a big Shakespeare fan I think I would’ve connected with it even more, but I thought it moved fast and kept me entertained and engaged! 

Babel by R.F. Kuang

adventurous challenging 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

I really enjoyed this book though it was so long and took me forever to read. It was like nothing I’ve ever read before, and I love the fantastical nature of the magic and how it comes from translation. I definitely wouldn’t have minded if it were shorter, but the world building in the book was so incredible and I was engaged the entire time I read.