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quirkybibliophile's reviews
612 reviews
Lola Reyes Is So Not Worried by Cindy L. Rodriguez
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.75
Lola Reyes is so not Worried follows Lola as she has just returned from Guatemala after burying half of her dad’s ashes in her grandmother’s yard. While she was there, she stumbled across some of her dad’s worry dolls that came with a warning that they were cursed but she chose to ignore that warning. Now that she is back home strange things start happening and that warning may have been right. Lola now has to wrangle these worry dolls before anyone finds out that she brought them home with her and ignored her dad’s warning on the box. What is Lola going to do?
What I liked: When I saw the cover of this book and read the description I was instantly intrigued as I wanted to know what this take on worry dolls would be. This book begins with Lola in Guatemala with her family celebrating her father’s life and takes you a bit through her grieving him. I appreciate the way the author handles this sensitive topic and how we see individuals grieving in various manners.
I love the minute the worry dolls have escaped, and the hunt is on for them. Once this moment happens it was difficult to put the book down as I wanted to find out what would happen and if Lola would be able to keep this operation under wraps. I loved reading as Lola and Chance chased after these dolls all over town and their school and the moments in which they were so close to catching them. I appreciated getting the chance to see the worries of others that caused the dolls to grow and the solutions that everyone worked together on to cause the dolls to shrink. This book shows children that they are also allowed to have worries and concerns of their own and no worry is too small yet that they have people around who can help when worries get too big.
I love how the author incorporates Lola and Chance’s competition throughout the adventure that they are on. These moments of bickering between the two of them or them one upping each other add humor into a tense story. I appreciate how their friendship develops over this and how they can remain competitive and still support each other through things that they aren’t in competition for.
Final verdict: Lola Reyes is so not worried is a fun, silly read for children ages 9 and up. While there are a lot of funny moments in this book this book also tackles some serious topics such as grief, financial challenges, friendship, family, and more. This is one that you will be laughing out loud while reading and won’t be able to put down as you wonder what each of these dolls are up to and if Lola will be able to catch them all.
What I liked: When I saw the cover of this book and read the description I was instantly intrigued as I wanted to know what this take on worry dolls would be. This book begins with Lola in Guatemala with her family celebrating her father’s life and takes you a bit through her grieving him. I appreciate the way the author handles this sensitive topic and how we see individuals grieving in various manners.
I love the minute the worry dolls have escaped, and the hunt is on for them. Once this moment happens it was difficult to put the book down as I wanted to find out what would happen and if Lola would be able to keep this operation under wraps. I loved reading as Lola and Chance chased after these dolls all over town and their school and the moments in which they were so close to catching them. I appreciated getting the chance to see the worries of others that caused the dolls to grow and the solutions that everyone worked together on to cause the dolls to shrink. This book shows children that they are also allowed to have worries and concerns of their own and no worry is too small yet that they have people around who can help when worries get too big.
I love how the author incorporates Lola and Chance’s competition throughout the adventure that they are on. These moments of bickering between the two of them or them one upping each other add humor into a tense story. I appreciate how their friendship develops over this and how they can remain competitive and still support each other through things that they aren’t in competition for.
Final verdict: Lola Reyes is so not worried is a fun, silly read for children ages 9 and up. While there are a lot of funny moments in this book this book also tackles some serious topics such as grief, financial challenges, friendship, family, and more. This is one that you will be laughing out loud while reading and won’t be able to put down as you wonder what each of these dolls are up to and if Lola will be able to catch them all.
The Tournament of Heirs by Amilea Perez
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
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
4.25
The Tournament of Heirs is a story told in dual perspectives following Acalan and Metzli Amos as they compete in a tournament. This tournament has six houses and twelve heirs but only two blood bound tributes can come out alive. Acalan is due to inherit the empire and has a duty to keep as his house is currently in charge. Metzli's job is to keep her brother alive long enough to ensure his ruling. How will this all ends? Who comes out alive?
What I liked: I will admit that when I heard how long this book is I was quite intimidated, even after setting a reading schedule of 50 pages a day it still felt daunting. This all changed once I opened the book as it was hard to put down. While the days during the tournament aren't as filled with action as I was expecting, I appreciated that we got a glimpse into what this setting was and how the teams were navigating the terrain. I loved reading as we encountered new places and creatures in the Pyramid of Tributes.
I'm also worried when reading fantasy because of the amount of time it takes to build a world. I was so pleased with the way this book was set up and how much time it took before we were able to actually watch people compete in the tournament. I enjoyed getting to learn a lot about Metzli and Acalan before they were thrown into the tournament since this makes it, so you have a relationship to these two.
Due to the buildup in this book and getting to know our main characters, along with the other heirs briefly, as things happen in the tournament, you can't help but be heart broken. I don't want to reveal too much but there were several moments in this book in which my heart was torn in two. One of those being the first deaths that occur in this book, the other being one of the last deaths that occurs. While there were moments of heartbreaking there were also moments that warmed my heart.
What I liked: I will admit that when I heard how long this book is I was quite intimidated, even after setting a reading schedule of 50 pages a day it still felt daunting. This all changed once I opened the book as it was hard to put down. While the days during the tournament aren't as filled with action as I was expecting, I appreciated that we got a glimpse into what this setting was and how the teams were navigating the terrain. I loved reading as we encountered new places and creatures in the Pyramid of Tributes.
I'm also worried when reading fantasy because of the amount of time it takes to build a world. I was so pleased with the way this book was set up and how much time it took before we were able to actually watch people compete in the tournament. I enjoyed getting to learn a lot about Metzli and Acalan before they were thrown into the tournament since this makes it, so you have a relationship to these two.
Due to the buildup in this book and getting to know our main characters, along with the other heirs briefly, as things happen in the tournament, you can't help but be heart broken. I don't want to reveal too much but there were several moments in this book in which my heart was torn in two. One of those being the first deaths that occur in this book, the other being one of the last deaths that occurs. While there were moments of heartbreaking there were also moments that warmed my heart.
The Hero Twins and the Magic of Song: by David Bowles
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
What I liked: When I noticed that Tales of the Feathered Serpent: The Hero Twins and the Magic of Song was the second book I was a bit worried as I hadn't had a chance to read the first book. As I started reading, I quickly realized that this wasn't going to be an issue though and this book could be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed getting a chance to learn about our characters through this book and will definitely go back and read the first book even if it has different characters.
From seeing the cover of this book I really enjoyed the art style and character designs. I enjoyed seeing the two different areas we traveled in throughout this book. I appreciated the contrast between Xibalba and Earth and liked seeing this version of Xibalba. I always enjoy seeing the different takes that people have on Xibalba and how the lore remains the same but how someone depicts this changes.
I appreciate the humor that the author includes throughout this book. I especially enjoyed the trick the twins play on their half-brothers near the end of the book. This was a funny moment and I like how their mother and grandmother respond to this trick. I like the lesson that is taught through this trick that is played due to the treatment the twins were receiving from their grandmother and half-brothers.
From seeing the cover of this book I really enjoyed the art style and character designs. I enjoyed seeing the two different areas we traveled in throughout this book. I appreciated the contrast between Xibalba and Earth and liked seeing this version of Xibalba. I always enjoy seeing the different takes that people have on Xibalba and how the lore remains the same but how someone depicts this changes.
I appreciate the humor that the author includes throughout this book. I especially enjoyed the trick the twins play on their half-brothers near the end of the book. This was a funny moment and I like how their mother and grandmother respond to this trick. I like the lesson that is taught through this trick that is played due to the treatment the twins were receiving from their grandmother and half-brothers.
An Appetite for Miracles by Laekan Zea Kemp
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thoughts and Themes: This book was one that I had a hard time putting down and when I finished it I wanted to read it again. I have loved each and every one of Laekan Zea Kemp’s books so I was so happy to get to read this one and talk to you all about it.
There were so many moments in this book that I was highlighting both in yellow because they stood out to me and in blue to figure out how to capture those words in an image for the mood board. The poetry in this book was captivating and there were so many lines that spoke to me.
Characters: In this book, you get to meet Danna and Raul, along with a few of the people that are in their lives. You get to meet Danna’s mom, dad, and grandfather, along with Raul’s uncle and mom. I really enjoyed each of the characters that you meet throughout this book along with the relationships that they have and develop with each other.
I loved the relationship that Danna has with her grandfather and how she explains why he is so important to her. I love that she explains how it’s all about the way he sees her and this portion of the book spoke to me especially as we see how Danna views herself based on her mother’s ideas of her.
I really liked the relationship that develops between Danna and Raul and how worried she is that he will like her cousin over her. I love how he points out often that she is the prettiest girl to him even if he doesn’t directly say this to her. I just thought their relationship was just so pure and honest, and I liked how genuine they were with each other.
Writing Style: This book is written in first person going back and forth from Danna and Raul’s perspectives. I really enjoyed that this book gave you both of their perspectives because you get a chance to see how both of their lives are going apart from each other. I also like that through both their perspectives you get to see what brings them together and how they slowly are starting to understand one another.
There were so many moments in this book that I was highlighting both in yellow because they stood out to me and in blue to figure out how to capture those words in an image for the mood board. The poetry in this book was captivating and there were so many lines that spoke to me.
Characters: In this book, you get to meet Danna and Raul, along with a few of the people that are in their lives. You get to meet Danna’s mom, dad, and grandfather, along with Raul’s uncle and mom. I really enjoyed each of the characters that you meet throughout this book along with the relationships that they have and develop with each other.
I loved the relationship that Danna has with her grandfather and how she explains why he is so important to her. I love that she explains how it’s all about the way he sees her and this portion of the book spoke to me especially as we see how Danna views herself based on her mother’s ideas of her.
I really liked the relationship that develops between Danna and Raul and how worried she is that he will like her cousin over her. I love how he points out often that she is the prettiest girl to him even if he doesn’t directly say this to her. I just thought their relationship was just so pure and honest, and I liked how genuine they were with each other.
Writing Style: This book is written in first person going back and forth from Danna and Raul’s perspectives. I really enjoyed that this book gave you both of their perspectives because you get a chance to see how both of their lives are going apart from each other. I also like that through both their perspectives you get to see what brings them together and how they slowly are starting to understand one another.
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
First things first, let me mention that there is an HP mention in the first chapter of the book and that was quite disappointing. I haven’t seen anyone bring this up and for me, this is a big thing because I would rather that book not be mentioned in any of the things I read.
Thoughts and Themes: I was a bit skeptical going into this book because I had seen people dislike it. I wound up listening to this one on audio because that was how I read The Love Hypothesis so I figured this would be good on audio as well. I did enjoy the narrator of this book and the voices given to both Bee and Levi.
I didn’t love this one as much as The Love Hypothesis but there were definitely portions of this book that I enjoyed. Something that I did enjoy was the awkwardness of all of our characters and how this reminded me of people in STEM that I have interacted with. I also really liked
Someone else mentioned the kiss and the sex scenes and I really should’ve listened to their review and skipped that. The kiss already was just so uncomfortable to listen to that I should’ve just fast-forwarded through any other intimate moments.
Something else that I do like about this book was the relationship that we see between Bee and her sister, as well as her research assistant. I actually liked both of these characters and what they add to the story. I liked how supportive these people are in Bee’s life and how it doesn’t seem like these are forced relationships.
Characters: In this book, you get to meet a few characters through their interactions with our main characters, Bee and Levi. You get to meet their research assistant, Bee’s ex-fiancee and ex-best friend, and a few others briefly.
I was not a big fan of our main character, there were so many moments in which she annoyed me which made it hard to continue listening. There were just so many moments in which she was having a pity party for herself or just way too clueless for an adult her age.
Okay, so our love interest…I really wanted to love Levi as much as I loved Adam but there was just something about him that I was just eh about. I think a lot of it has to do with how the heck he like Bee and how that makes him an awkward mess. What I do like about Levi is his persistence even when Bee keeps insisting that he hates her. I also like the moments in which we get to see Levi with his cat and when Levi talks about Penny and her family. I like getting to see these moments in which Levi is vulnerable and we learn more about him.
This all being said, I was not sold on the relationship between Bee and Levi. I didn’t care about them as a couple and preferred them both as individuals or friends. I actually liked them when they were friends and how supportive Levi was as Bee was dealing with seeing her ex-fiancee and ex-best friend. I liked those small moments of their friendship developing but I think it should’ve stopped there rather than turned into a romance.
Writing Style: This book is written in the first person from the perspective of Bee. This was quite frustrating because it felt like I was reading her journal entries that hadn’t been filtered. If this was going to be the case then it should’ve been written as we stumbled across Bee’s diary because so much of her internal thoughts are just annoying. There were so many times in which I was yelling at her to just speak to people.
The book also includes Twitter posts as well as some Twitter conversations. This part is kind of annoying though as I keep thinking about how Bee and Levi do not know they are talking to each other. I like seeing things through this perspective though but I do think that they should’ve figured things out a lot sooner.
Thoughts and Themes: I was a bit skeptical going into this book because I had seen people dislike it. I wound up listening to this one on audio because that was how I read The Love Hypothesis so I figured this would be good on audio as well. I did enjoy the narrator of this book and the voices given to both Bee and Levi.
I didn’t love this one as much as The Love Hypothesis but there were definitely portions of this book that I enjoyed. Something that I did enjoy was the awkwardness of all of our characters and how this reminded me of people in STEM that I have interacted with. I also really liked
Someone else mentioned the kiss and the sex scenes and I really should’ve listened to their review and skipped that. The kiss already was just so uncomfortable to listen to that I should’ve just fast-forwarded through any other intimate moments.
Something else that I do like about this book was the relationship that we see between Bee and her sister, as well as her research assistant. I actually liked both of these characters and what they add to the story. I liked how supportive these people are in Bee’s life and how it doesn’t seem like these are forced relationships.
Characters: In this book, you get to meet a few characters through their interactions with our main characters, Bee and Levi. You get to meet their research assistant, Bee’s ex-fiancee and ex-best friend, and a few others briefly.
I was not a big fan of our main character, there were so many moments in which she annoyed me which made it hard to continue listening. There were just so many moments in which she was having a pity party for herself or just way too clueless for an adult her age.
Okay, so our love interest…I really wanted to love Levi as much as I loved Adam but there was just something about him that I was just eh about. I think a lot of it has to do with how the heck he like Bee and how that makes him an awkward mess. What I do like about Levi is his persistence even when Bee keeps insisting that he hates her. I also like the moments in which we get to see Levi with his cat and when Levi talks about Penny and her family. I like getting to see these moments in which Levi is vulnerable and we learn more about him.
This all being said, I was not sold on the relationship between Bee and Levi. I didn’t care about them as a couple and preferred them both as individuals or friends. I actually liked them when they were friends and how supportive Levi was as Bee was dealing with seeing her ex-fiancee and ex-best friend. I liked those small moments of their friendship developing but I think it should’ve stopped there rather than turned into a romance.
Writing Style: This book is written in the first person from the perspective of Bee. This was quite frustrating because it felt like I was reading her journal entries that hadn’t been filtered. If this was going to be the case then it should’ve been written as we stumbled across Bee’s diary because so much of her internal thoughts are just annoying. There were so many times in which I was yelling at her to just speak to people.
The book also includes Twitter posts as well as some Twitter conversations. This part is kind of annoying though as I keep thinking about how Bee and Levi do not know they are talking to each other. I like seeing things through this perspective though but I do think that they should’ve figured things out a lot sooner.
I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Small Town Pride by Phil Stamper
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Thoughts and Themes: After having enjoyed two of Phil Stamper’s books when I saw this middle-grade book of his on Netgalley I knew I had to read it. I love that there are options for LGBTQ+ youth now because when I was in middle school I remember there were 3 books I read on repeat. I remember being in middle school and knowing something was different about me but not having the terminology or knowing girls could be queer, and books only had gay males in them.
I like that this book isn’t all happy for our main character regardless of the support that he does have from family and friends. I like that we see the reality of what it can be for someone to be queer in a small town. I also really like that we get a glimpse of how Jake’s online world is 100% accepting in the way he had hoped it would be. I think it was great to see that no where is 100% safe for LGBTQ+ people and how we navigate spaces that we might not be safe in.
Something else that I really enjoyed about this book was the talk that Brett has with Jake about anxiety. I love how he brings up reading books to figure out his sexuality and how much that helped him. I really liked how they talk about Brett going to therapy to help with his anxiety and how it just is a regular conversation between two friends.
Characters: In this book, you meet several characters through their interactions with our main character, Jake. You get to meet his parents, his best friend, and the guy he is crushing on, Brett. I really enjoyed all of the characters you get to meet throughout this book and Jake’s relationships with everyone.
I loved the relationship between Brett and Jake and how innocent their relationship is. I also really enjoyed how Jake just accepts that Brett isn’t out and understands what being out could mean for him. I like that he just takes Brett’s lead and while it does confuse him at times he does listen to others.
I also liked how Jake has many supportive people in his life, like his best friend and his parents. I loved seeing how supportive Jake’s parents are and I liked that Jake felt comfortable enough to tell his dad that he outed him before he was ready.
Writing Style: This book is told in the first person through the perspective of our main character, Jake. I really enjoyed getting the chance to read this story from his perspective because the main character read his age. I liked getting to be in Jake’s head and see how he feels about everything. I also thought it was great to see how the reaction to having a crush and what it is like to be his age and be out.