teemariereads's reviews
737 reviews

Thick with Trouble by Amber McBride

dark informative reflective fast-paced

4.0

The Perfect Find by Tia Williams

funny hopeful 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? No

5.0

This Cursed House by Del Sandeen

dark tense 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? No

4.0

Donald Writes No More: A Biography of Donald Goines by Eddie Stone

informative sad medium-paced

3.0

I was first introduced to the name Donald Goines, by reading urban fiction books in middle school that would page homage to him in the foreword of a few novels. I also saw my mom and Aunt passing books of his back and forth in my youth. Throughout my lifetime ive heard his name over and over again from Tupac and some other rapper's.  But when I say the title's alone of his books have always intrigued me, though I've never really taken the time until now to actually get to learn about the author himself.
 
Until now, the 50th year edition of the Donald Goines story is being released and when I say this generation has been missing out on a legend. After hearing his story I am very much compelled to start reading through his catalog. Donald was born from humble beginnings. His family wasn't rich by any means but they tried to provide him with better opportunities in life than the dangers the streets of Detroit, Michigan had to offer a young black man in the 1950's. Like so many before him, Donald became a product of his environment and even serving in the Korean couldn't save him. It was there he became a life long heroin addict. Donald was a Pimp, a theif, an addict, an author, a husband and a father. He was known for being a good man but couldn't stay out of trouble or get that monkey "heroin" off his back. He was an addicted who wrote about his actual experiences in life which truly blows my mind. He was so talented and the literary world lost a great one at such a young age due to Donald's relentless dependence on heroin.
 I very much captivated by Donald's story though the audiobook seems to get a little redundant towards the 70% mark. Very detailed of his life from beginning to the end. I felt like some of it could've been shorted as it didn't need to be so drawn out.

Thank you to Tantor Audio and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a review of the audiobook.

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

dark emotional informative reflective tense 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

Shock 😲!!!! This book told a story that needed to be told. SOCIAL ENGENICS!!! Never heard of it until now, the term but the story man it hit hard. This story pissed me off and made me so angry. Not because it was badly written, no way. The author did her thing!!! She wrote an amazing story and I loved it. Hard to truly explain my feelings here. So like Denzel in Training Day, he did a phenomenal job in that role that it was Oscar worthy. But he played it so amazingly that I truly despised his character and I never have to watch it again. Ace of Spades told the story so well that it deserves all the awards and accolades. It just pissed me off because baby she captured all my emotions through the story. I hated Jamie, the teachers and that school by the time it was all said and done. Everybody in the end got what they deserved for what they tried to do to those innocent babies, who only wanted the best for their lives. Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, you have a new fan for life and you are now an auto buy author for me!!!!!!

The Great Hippopotamus Hotel by Alexander McCall Smith

adventurous mysterious 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? No

4.0

I really enjoyed this book for the cozy, interesting, entertaining and diverse characters. The wisdom and views of Mma Makutsi and Mma Ramotswe we're very on point and sometimes had me chuckling. They know how to read men very well. So if you need or like a good cozy mystery I'd get this one.

The Champions by Kara Thomas

mysterious fast-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? No

4.5

Don't Eat the Pie by Monique Asher

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

This book was creepy yet enjoyable. Gave Rosemary's Baby vibes but on a remote island. The relationship between the mother-daughter duo was sometimes erratic, but the daughter wouldn't give up on her mom no matter what. Enjoyed the ride, though the ending could've been better, hence why it's not 5 stars.

Never Planned on You by Lindsay Hameroff

funny inspiring 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? No

5.0

  This was an amazing quirky, laugh out loud read!!!! Chefs kiss!!!! Ali finds herself trying to find her herself and along her journey she get's a second chance to be with a one night stand from years prior. But is it kismet? Only to find out she's hired to assist with planning his wedding!!!! This was one heck of a roller-coaster ride full of laughter and up's and down's in relationships. A journey of self discovery in one's own true happiness even if it may hurt the people we love.
  My favorite character was Bubbie the grandmother she was truly a joy and a hoot. Grahams the MMC was so swoon worthy and lovable. Even if he was to loyal to a fault. I really enjoyed Ali's zest for life and how she wasn't afraid to go after what she wanted despite what her family thought. People have to sometimes try, try again until they get things just right. This book had me enjoying each page from beginning to end and I look forward to reading more from this author. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Mary: An Awakening of Terror by Nat Cassidy

funny slow-paced

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

2.5

OMG!!! I truly don't know what to say. I don't even know what I read. Honestly the foreword and afterwords we're the best part's. Nadine though was HILARIOUS to me!!!! She truly was a hoot!! I have NEVER taken soooo long to finish an audiobook in my life. I wanted to DNF so bad but 1. I wanted to finish for my first book in this book club and 2. I wanted to know how it ended. Mary was all over the place. The storyline was a clusterf!!!cluster!!!! I don't mind gorge at all, I've read some unhinged things but they made since. Mary was not weird (don't like that description normally) but she was was completely unhinged just like the pace and writing of this story. Thus was my first Nat Cassidy book and I will give another one a try, but this was a IDK 🤷🏾‍♀️