missy_reading's reviews
924 reviews

Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman

emotional informative inspiring 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

5.0

Visitations by Corey Egbert

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced

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

5.0

This is the story of a teen who has to navigate the difficult world of his parents divorce and a journey through this young man's journey with his faith while struggling with hard things. 
I will say that this was hard to read as a mother because all I want to do as a mother is keep my kids safe, but there is a point if one is not taking care of themselves mentally and physically that a mother's protection can become hurtful to her kids. 
I thought that the discussion around faith was done well because as a parent raising kids within a belief system I know personally that I want my kids to be able to question their faith so that they can choose the faith themselves. This story does a great job of exploring the devotion that our main character has for his mother and his religion and how that got them into some sticky situations. 
While this book discusses some hard topics like homelessness, child abuse, and sexual assault I do believe that it was done in an age appropriate way. 
I want to thank NetGalley and  Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) for the opportunity to experience this story early so that I can share with others how impactful this book was for me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Kidnapping, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Child abuse

House of Beating Wings by Olivia Wildenstein
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.

Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

funny inspiring lighthearted 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

The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore

funny lighthearted reflective medium-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? It's complicated

3.5

Pumpkin Spice and Poltergeist by Ali K. Mulford, K. Elle Morrison

emotional funny lighthearted reflective 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

4.0

Here Lies a Vengeful Bitch by Codie Crowley

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Just wasn't a book for me, unfortunately, but the campy vibes were on point. 

One Killer Problem by Justine Pucella Winans

dark funny mysterious 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

4.5

Why did we not have a mystery club when I was in high school? I thought that this was a fun book. One of the things that I enjoyed was that our main character's parents were involved in their lives. The representation in this book was also fantastic. I cannot wait for some of my teen patrons to pick this book up!

Misery by Stephen King

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.5

Dead and Gondola by Ann Claire
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.