krissyronan's reviews
1017 reviews

America Redux: Visual Stories from Our Dynamic History, by Ariel Aberg-Riger

challenging informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

Visual storytelling about  parts of US history that aren’t often shared. Many specific stories, highlighting perspectives of marginalized people, connecting to larger themes. Absolutely fantastic in every aspect. Highly recommend for teens and adults. 

Poverty, by America, by Matthew Desmond

challenging informative medium-paced

4.0

Helpful for understanding the myriad systems and policies that keep many Americans in poverty. Infuriating to learn about the walls we’ve built. 

Thank you to Libro.fm and Penguin Random House Audio for the book. 

Warrior Girl Unearthed, by Angeline Boulley

challenging emotional inspiring mysterious tense 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? No

5.0

Terrific. Loved this as much as The Firekeeper's Daughter. Recommended for teens and adults. 

Thank you to Libro.fm and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook. 

The Life and Death of a Minke Whale in the Amazon: And Other Stories of the Brazilian Rainforest, by Fábio Zuker

informative slow-paced

3.5

Interesting topics, but the writing didn’t grab me the way I had hoped it might. Also distracted by some big life things so that is absolutely a factor. 

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, by Jesse Q. Sutanto

funny lighthearted mysterious 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

4.5

Incredibly charming and heart warming for a murder book. Would read every book if this were a series. 

Thank you to Penguin Random House Audio and Libro.fm for the audiobook. 

Everything You Wanted to Know about Indians But Were Afraid to Ask: Young Readers Edition, by Anton Treuer

informative inspiring slow-paced

4.5

Lots to learn from this book, and beyond. I appreciated the author’s kind and open tone that is also firm in prioritizing Native people and ideas. Highly recommend for anyone. 

Family Lore, by Elizabeth Acevedo

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? No

5.0

This book comes out in August and you should preorder it. Gorgeously written, phenomenal story, characters I feel like I now know in real life (and wish I actually did). Definitely an adult book!

Thank you to both NetGalley and Edelweiss for the advance copy. 

Enter the Body, by Joy McCullough

emotional inspiring medium-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

4.0

Loved hearing this retelling for some Shakespearean women who really deserved more complexity. 

Thank you to Libro.fm and Penguin Random House Audio for the book. 

Dear Medusa, by Olivia A. Cole

challenging dark emotional sad tense 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

4.25

Powerful, especially told in verse. Recommended for teens. 

Thank you to Libro.fm and Penguin Random House Audio for the book. 

All Rise: The Story of Ketanji Brown Jackson, by Carole Boston Weatherford

hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced

4.0

Great intro to this trailblazer. Recommended for early elementary and older. 

Thank you to Penguin Random House Audio and Libro.fm for the book.