mballen528's reviews
182 reviews

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

Minor: Sexual content, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and War

The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Abortion, and Alcohol

Minor: Infertility, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Stalking, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail

Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

I didn't love it but I didn't hate it. I appreciated that the author tried numerous writing styles and techniques throughout the book. I was slightly bored in some sections, and then breezed through other sections. Definitely a mixed bag kind of book. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Car accident

Minor: Cancer, Death, Sexual assault, Trafficking, Grief, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail

I'm No Philosopher, But I Got Thoughts: Mini-Meditations for Saints, Sinners, and the Rest of Us by Kristin Chenoweth

emotional funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

3.25

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Content Warnings

Minor: Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Confident Women: Swindlers, Grifters, and Shapeshifters of the Feminine Persuasion by Tori Telfer

fast-paced

4.0

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

challenging dark emotional funny inspiring sad fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Eating disorder, and Vomit

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

5.0

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

4.0

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

1.0

Night by Elie Wiesel

1.0