sometimes_samantha_reads's reviews
186 reviews
To Sleep in a Sea of Stars, by Christopher Paolini
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
This book was a beast. It took a long time to finish but it was worth every second! This is the best sci-fi I've read in years and I'm happy to know that a second book is in the works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Body horror, War, Torture, Medical content, Blood, Injury/injury detail, Grief, Gore, and Death
Let It Snow: Three Holiday Romances, by John Green, Maureen Johnson, Lauren Myracle
lighthearted
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
3.0
Cute! I liked how the stories were all interconnected. The first one by Maureen Johnson was my favorite. The characterization of the girl characters was dated since it was published in 2008, which was a bit of an annoyance to me personally but overall I liked it!
Have a Jolly Collie Christmas, by Rosie A. Point
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This out of the trilogy was the best, but it still wasn't my cup of tea. The main character just never had many redeeming qualities. All characters were either flat and lacking personality or they were too saccharine or too cartoonishly motivated toward the crime. The romance was forced and the main characters relationship with her dog was odd. Not because people can't love their dogs but because her dog was really her only friend? I like the concept of cozy mysteries overall but this trilogy was just not the series for me.
Out of the Dust, by Karen Hesse
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
3.75
I read this to my 5th graders for our historical fiction unit. They liked it well enough. It was a harder book to read aloud sometimes due to the book being written in verse and some incredibly long sentences. But I read it myself as a 5th graders and was happy to pass on some of those first experiences with a sad book (lol). My class had really great and animated discussions while reading this together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/injury detail, Medical trauma, Grief, Child death, Death, and Medical content
Owl Be Home for Christmas, by Rosie A. Point
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I'll give a similar review to book one of this trilogy. It was no my cup of tea but I wanted to read it anyway since I got it on a holiday sale and I wanted to try and give it the benefit of the doubt. Holly, the main character is oblivious to major details of the crime often. It's my understanding is that the timeline is just a week or so. I'm curious as to why she forgets important characters so frequently in such a short span of time. The townsfolk are not relatable but I'm lso annoyed with Holly's judgemental view on them too. She's no better in that regard. Holly's sisters are both not my favorite. Victoria is cold and ridiculous for giving Holly crap about beakng up with her ex even though he CHEATED on her! And Jamie is just a seemingly mindless character. These books are very short so there is not a whole lot of time for solid character expression or development. It was overall not clicking with any of the characters. I also think the "love interest", Harry (Detective Stokes) is two dimensional and it the energy seems weird and forced. I'd rather Holly just find happiness on her own than end up with her old high school bully turned police officer.
Regardless, I will be reading book threw just to see how the trilogy winds up. Though it's not shaping up to be MY cup of tea, it may be yours. You'd have to read and see.
Regardless, I will be reading book threw just to see how the trilogy winds up. Though it's not shaping up to be MY cup of tea, it may be yours. You'd have to read and see.
Dachshund Through the Snow, by Rosie A. Point
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Cute! I bought the box set as a deal for black Friday and decided to read it. I'm not super familiar with the cozy mysteries genre but I felt it was an ok introduction. I'm not a bug fan of animal-centered books but wanted to give it a try. Not really my cup of tea but it may be yours. I am still going to read the other two books in the digital box set.
Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto, by Tricia Hersey
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
Not a fan of the writing style.
Knot Bad Amigurumi: Learn Crochet Stitches and Techniques to Create Cute Creatures with 25 Easy Patterns, by Vincent Green-Hite
informative
fast-paced
4.5
Easy to follow pictures for beginners! I have been struggling with crochet books because the pictures aren't clear but this one was super helpful. My only wish is that there were more patterns in this book!
Jim Trelease's Read-Aloud Handbook: Eighth Edition, by Jim Trelease, Cyndi Giorgis
informative
fast-paced
5.0
I was reading this as a new teacher (it's my 2nd year!)and I wanted a refresher on picking read alouds, because I'll admit, I've had some flops! This book had a decent chunk dedicated to parents and families, and while I don't have children of my own, I found these sections great as a reference to use when parents ask me what they can do at home (and it's all research backed).
The teacher and librarian parts were helpful refreshers. I didn't necessarily learn anything new but it has now reminded me what I've let slip between college classes and now teaching. I was able to set three goals for myself to try as this year continues.
The read aloud treasury at the end of the book is extremely helpful as a new teacher trying to build a library in the classroom. I'm grateful for it.
The teacher and librarian parts were helpful refreshers. I didn't necessarily learn anything new but it has now reminded me what I've let slip between college classes and now teaching. I was able to set three goals for myself to try as this year continues.
The read aloud treasury at the end of the book is extremely helpful as a new teacher trying to build a library in the classroom. I'm grateful for it.
Home of the Brave, by K.A. (Katherine) Applegate
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
We read this for our realistic fiction unit in my 5th grade class and it was very good! My students were begging to read it every day and were so involved in Kek's story. They were such diligent note takers with this story because they didn't want to miss a thing!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/injury detail and War