samantita's reviews
166 reviews

Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

dark sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Oye by Melissa Mogollon

emotional funny hopeful reflective tense 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

5.0

True Biz by Sara Nović

emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

This was an eye-opening read on the unique stories that deaf teenagers and CODAs face. From not having the resources necessary to thrive in mainstream schools, to deaf schools being shut down, to the debate on whether or not cochlear implants are the solution to allowing deaf people to hear or if all they do is eradicate ASL and deaf culture and create more medical issues. These are not issues that hearing people such as myself have ever had to think about, and I'm grateful to learn about it them in such compelling narrative. 

While the ending was satisfying, it felt a bit quick. However, I could overlook that as my overall reading experience with this novel was enjoyable. I liked that Headmistress Waters' deaf culture lessons and the community ASL lessons were interspersed throughout the book. I thought that was a neat way to incorporate that information in a way that coincided with the narrative.

The way this author revealed her characters through such tiny moments in their lives was so clever and meaningful. I really appreciated the writing.

This is one of those stories that will stay with me.

Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

It was cute to follow around an American teenager experiencing Florence for the first time. Too predictable and cheesy for me, though.

The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner

adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted 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? Yes

3.75

This was a quick fun read that has some romance elements to it, but I also appreciate the character growth outside of the romance. I've been getting annoyed at books that switch POVs too much lately, but I did appreciate getting to read some the other characters' POVs in this one.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming

Minor: Alcoholism, Abortion, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Women Talking by Miriam Toews

dark sad slow-paced

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

3.5

Though this story was a fictional retelling, the fact that it's based off a true story is incredibly devastating. One might read about a situation like this and think the characters seemed to be debating over such trivial matters. If they were being abused, especially their children, why not just leave? I think the way that their debate about whether to stay or leave is told through meeting minutes was powerful because it shows that leaving isn't that simple. These are adult women who don't even know how to read and have been manipulated their entire lives by the men who essentially rule over them. They needed to figure out how they were going to survive in the world outside of their own. 

I can't really say that this was an "enjoyable" read given the themes, but I'm glad I read it.
 

New Nigeria County by Clare Brown

funny reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

Day One by Abigail Dean

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

This book was a slow journey through the aftermath of the Stonesmere school shooting which seemingly takes from conspiracy theories that form after real school shootings have taken place. It was a bit difficult to follow as the POV and timeline switched back and forth so many times, but I guess it wasn't meant to focus on how this event affected just one person.

I liked that each chapter was short. It made for a quicker read even given the nature of the topic. And the last chapter just about brought me to tears. I was a bit confused at how Ava's POV could be included. But I'm grateful that it was there.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mass/school shootings

The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer

emotional reflective sad 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

3.5

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

dark tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I was in the mood for a summer camp thriller and while I wouldn't classify this as a thriller, it fit the bill of what I love the most about novels: a delicate balance between plot that builds tension and characters that reveal themselves in response to that tension. 

I was absolutely enamored by this story. I felt for many of the characters who were the victims of what money and power can do to people and their livelihoods, including Alice. We were given just enough information about each of the characters and their backgrounds to learn why they made the choices they made. I liked the short chapters and felt that the tension built in each of them was a big part of what kept me reading. 

I read Long, Bright River and really did not enjoy it. I found the main character unlikeable and just couldn't connect with her, and I'm the daughter of a police officer. I'm really glad I gave this author another chance because this may very well be the read of the year for me.