kking6's reviews
17 reviews

Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher

adventurous funny 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

2.75

I thought there would be a bit more substance to the romantic plot lines. Overall a decent read. 

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful 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? No

5.0

Bloom by Kevin Panetta

emotional funny hopeful 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

3.75

Was a bit slower in the beginning, but picked up speed towards the end. The artwork was BEAUTIFUL, and was a lot better than the dialogue / character development. 

The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen

adventurous emotional hopeful 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

4.0

A bit slow in the beginning but I really liked how things played out. I was also a bit confused at first with the back and forth between real life and the fairytales, but I think that was on me lol. 

I really liked the notes at the end of the book where the author gave a “behind the scenes” look at the story. 

Side note - I wish I read a paperback version of this book as opposed to on a kindle - I think I would have appreciated the artwork even more. 

The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe

adventurous dark hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.5

Don't Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban

emotional funny hopeful 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? No

4.0

Ending Parkinson's Disease: A Prescription for Action by Michael S. Okun, Todd Sherer, Ray Dorsey

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

Informative book about the underlying causes and treatment of Parkinson’s disease. I have some relatively minor issues with the book, though. 

I did find it interesting that the authors referenced Susan G. Komen For the Cure as an organization that has “their roots in broad, engaged, and sustained activism,” and compared that to PD organizations where “their impact and reach can all be increased.” 

While I agree with the statement that PD orgs can have their impact/reach increased, the Susan G. Komen org is not one - in my opinion - to aspire to. A lot of the money raised for that org doesn’t actually go to cancer research, there are arguments for pink washing, there was the Planned Parenthood scandal, etc. 

(Also, autism is not a disease.)

Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe

challenging dark informative reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Washington's Gay General: The Legends and Loves of Baron Von Steuben by Josh Trujillo

reflective medium-paced

2.0

The illustrations / graphics were SUPER well done. However, I was personally not a fan of the way the story was told - I wish there was a deeper dive on the general’s life. 

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

adventurous hopeful lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0