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xangemtheelibrarian's reviews
987 reviews
Hounded by Kevin Hearne
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was SO funny. Atticus and Oberon have absolutely wonderful quips and senses of humor. The friend who recc'd this book to me thoroughly enjoyed my "live tweet" style Snaps documenting my reaction to plot twists and stuff.
Besides the humor, I actually learned quite a bit about Celtic deities and lore! Something that seemed sort of inaccessible to me to was suddenly and vibrantly brought to life. I think what I found most irritating... Maybe refreshing? Was how the Tuatha Dé Danann don't pretend to be pious. They're just... people but ✨Strong.✨ Each of them have their own motivations for deigning to help Atticus or fighting against him. And unlike other deities I am familiar with, they don't pretend that they are acting for the good of all humanity. They're just doing what they want whole staying within the boundaries of the roles that govern them.
Overall, I'm so glad I bought the first three because I'm starting book 2 ASAP.
Besides the humor, I actually learned quite a bit about Celtic deities and lore! Something that seemed sort of inaccessible to me to was suddenly and vibrantly brought to life. I think what I found most irritating... Maybe refreshing? Was how the Tuatha Dé Danann don't pretend to be pious. They're just... people but ✨Strong.✨ Each of them have their own motivations for deigning to help Atticus or fighting against him. And unlike other deities I am familiar with, they don't pretend that they are acting for the good of all humanity. They're just doing what they want whole staying within the boundaries of the roles that govern them.
Overall, I'm so glad I bought the first three because I'm starting book 2 ASAP.
Bright Red Fruit by Safia Elhillo
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Samira was frustrating as HELL. Ohmigawd. Elhillo created a teenager that I wasn't to literally shake some sense into. I can't help but wonder what reading this book would feel like as a teen, because as an adult, I see through Horus and every classic manipulative trick he played on Samira. There were several moments in this four hour audiobook, where I myself had also closed my eyes, begging silently "please, please, please" and then had the misfortune of listening to Samira pick the worst choice in nearly every decision she made.
But in the end, I feel so much sympathy for this girl. Because she is a girl. Samira is a girl who never stood a chance against an adult like Horus because she is so accustomed to keeping secrets. Samira's desire to present as fully herself clashed wildly with her mother's desire to protect her by making her conform to the standards of their community. It also just wasn't fair that Samira's mother defaulted to believing rumors as opposed to her own daughter. Of course Horus swept Samira away. She was the perfect target.
The ending though.. That was satisfying. I'm so glad everything resolved the way that it did. Reading through this was so hard, but that HEA was so worth it.
But in the end, I feel so much sympathy for this girl. Because she is a girl. Samira is a girl who never stood a chance against an adult like Horus because she is so accustomed to keeping secrets. Samira's desire to present as fully herself clashed wildly with her mother's desire to protect her by making her conform to the standards of their community. It also just wasn't fair that Samira's mother defaulted to believing rumors as opposed to her own daughter. Of course Horus swept Samira away. She was the perfect target.
The ending though.. That was satisfying. I'm so glad everything resolved the way that it did. Reading through this was so hard, but that HEA was so worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Misogyny
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
Pearl: A Graphic Novel by Sherri L. Smith
challenging
sad
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? No
4.0
That poor girl, Amy, had so much happen to her and her family. I have always struggled with justifying the bombing of Hiroshima and the subsequent treatment of Japanese Americans. And honestly, I don't think anyone should justify it. It was wrong.
This graphic novel shows just another aspect of WWII and the impact it had on normal people. Japan was not innocent, but the US was not justified. War is one of the ugliest sides of humanity. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.
This graphic novel shows just another aspect of WWII and the impact it had on normal people. Japan was not innocent, but the US was not justified. War is one of the ugliest sides of humanity. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.
The Harrowing by Kristen Kiesling
challenging
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.0
This graphic novel was a very fast exploration on the ethics of imprisoning someone BEFORE they commit a crime.
Overall, I saw through Rosewood fairly easily. The way they just absolutely latched onto Rowan's trauma and exploited it to get her on their side was honestly sickening to watch. I like Sam. I think she's my favorite character in all of this. The mystery itself, especially that aspect with Benson, felt a little flimsy to me. We were presented with one idea of Benson, get to catch a glimpse of him with Simon, and then suddenly we get a full explanation at the end. It felt... too easy. I liked the idea of the book, but I just wish it hadn't been resolved so quickly.
Overall, I saw through Rosewood fairly easily. The way they just absolutely latched onto Rowan's trauma and exploited it to get her on their side was honestly sickening to watch. I like Sam. I think she's my favorite character in all of this. The mystery itself, especially that aspect with Benson, felt a little flimsy to me. We were presented with one idea of Benson, get to catch a glimpse of him with Simon, and then suddenly we get a full explanation at the end. It felt... too easy. I liked the idea of the book, but I just wish it hadn't been resolved so quickly.
Hearts Still Beating by Brooke Archer
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
All I needed to know about this book to want to read it was that it was a "Post-Apocalyptic Sapphic YA Zombie Romance." At least, that's how I've been describing it to anyone who will listen. Rory and Mara's journey from Pining Besties, to Mortal- and Undead- Enemies, to Lovers is *chef's kiss,* but there's so much more to this story than their romance.
This YA romance is a survival story with a side of bunker-politics. I would call it a mystery, but it really isn't. It's less about the "whodunits" and more about "we know exactly who did this and why but no one around here will believe us and everyone is trying to kill us because we became a threat to a very powerful, charismatic person." It's after the world ended! Of course we have your usual militant, power-hungry people bickering over territories, resources, people, and power!
Overall, I enjoyed the novel. It gave me Warm Bodies vibes and I had also really liked that story as well. YA is notorious for monster romances, so I'm happy to have zombies join the ranks of vampires, werewolves, mermaids, and the various kinds of powerful immortals that have already entranced us.
This YA romance is a survival story with a side of bunker-politics. I would call it a mystery, but it really isn't. It's less about the "whodunits" and more about "we know exactly who did this and why but no one around here will believe us and everyone is trying to kill us because we became a threat to a very powerful, charismatic person." It's after the world ended! Of course we have your usual militant, power-hungry people bickering over territories, resources, people, and power!
Overall, I enjoyed the novel. It gave me Warm Bodies vibes and I had also really liked that story as well. YA is notorious for monster romances, so I'm happy to have zombies join the ranks of vampires, werewolves, mermaids, and the various kinds of powerful immortals that have already entranced us.
Wild Dreamers by Margarita Engle
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I won't lie. It had been a HOT minute since I had read the blurb for this book. It'd intrigued me for a while. I knew it was primarily a romance and that both teens were interested in wildlife conservation. I didn't remember ANYTHING else about the book. So, when I realized it was only a two hour audiobook, I decided, "Why not? I'll listen to it."
Y'all. The "WHAT" that I shouted out LOUD when I discovered that Ana's father was on the FBI's most wanted list. That was a WILD reveal for someone who forgot what the book was about! And the singing dog that comes straight out of folklore?? I wasn't expecting the infusion of magic in this story at all, but I was so here for it!
There's a lot of emotion and story packed into this two hour audiobook. The romance, the anxiety, struggling with homelessness and a criminal father, the fight to save that puma... So much happens, but it all resolves beautifully and it didn't feel like the author was throwing in too much.
Y'all. The "WHAT" that I shouted out LOUD when I discovered that Ana's father was on the FBI's most wanted list. That was a WILD reveal for someone who forgot what the book was about! And the singing dog that comes straight out of folklore?? I wasn't expecting the infusion of magic in this story at all, but I was so here for it!
There's a lot of emotion and story packed into this two hour audiobook. The romance, the anxiety, struggling with homelessness and a criminal father, the fight to save that puma... So much happens, but it all resolves beautifully and it didn't feel like the author was throwing in too much.
Girls Like Her by Melanie Sumrow
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This story left me with so many complicated feelings. I thought it had resolved beautifully, until I came to the very last entry in the book, right before the acknowledgments. (I hesitate to call it the "last chapter" because this book isn't exactly formatted by chapters, but rather by letters, court transcripts, and sparse narration.) If I hadn't've read that very last entry that explained all the ripped fragments of paper we see scattered throughout the book, I would have been totally sold, completely sympathetic towards Ruby.
What hurts the most about this story is the veracity behind it. I used to work for Tarrant County Jail, once upon a time. And while this story is set in the neighboring Dallas County Jail, there's two things I remember so clearly. The first is that, as much as we were intentionally spiteful and difficult to visitors and inmates, we were always thanked for being "so much nicer" than the Dallas County jail system. I honestly believe that the author was not exaggerating Ruby's experience in jail in the slightest. Because I know firsthand how the "nice" Tarrant County Jail employees acted.
Overall, this book is incredibly well-written. I love the format. It's so unique and made reading a breeze on my eyes. I enjoyed the frequent breaks in the text. This isn't the kind of book you enjoy. This is the kind of story that makes you want to cry or throw up. I'm in such a huge book hangover, I'm not even sure what to read next, but I'm definitely giving myself time to recover from this book first.
Warning to potential readers, this review might get slightly spoiler-y from this point forward, but I will do my best to keep it at a minimum. Read at your own risk.
To call this story complicated honestly feels like an understatement to me. Part of me wonders if teens are the right audience for this book. But maybe I'm underestimating teens too, because look at Ellen Hopkins and Laurie Anderson. Look at people who have written stories for teens about sexual assault, teenage pregnancy, and drug use. Teens experience these things just as much as adults do, and most of the time, they simply do not talk about it with their parents. Sometimes a book is the only outlet they have to feel seen. Ruby's story is absolutely raw and unflinching. It doesn't hold back.
It's common knowledge but never acknowledged that inmates are treated as less than human. As something to be used and thrown away. The food isn't good (they serve that nastiness to both inmate and employee alike), the cells are crowded, and the guards take advantage of inmates where they can. This is a dangerous place for a teenager to be placed. And it shows in Ruby's stress and reactiveness as the story progresses.
As far as Ruby's trial went, I hated seeing the State Attorney motivated by politics instead of seeing a fifteen year old girl who has lived a life of being taken advantage of. Every inch won for Ruby in her case felt like a milestone. Every little crack the DA managed to form in the prosecutor's case made me cheer. And every damning piece of evidence the prosecutor brought up made me sick with worry. I don't know what it is, whether it's the fact that I live in DFW or have experience in jails, but I read Ruby's story like it was personal. And side note: the fact that I couldn't separate myself from the people I saw brought into jail every day was the biggest reason that I could not work in the jail for very long. It was killing me.
Ruby is incredibly lucky. So, so very lucky. Her DA, Tate, legitimately cared about her. So did her social worker, Cadence. But I have strong reservations about Cadence after reading the entirety of the book. I also have mixed feelings about Ruby. Cadence got too close, too personal. But if she hadn't, she would've immediately written Ruby off as undeserving of a second chance. Cadence wouldn't have fought as hard as she did, nor would she have taken the questionable actions that she had if she didn't see herself in Ruby. And I think where I keep getting hung up is in how Cadence decided to help Ruby.
I just honestly wish I had never read the very last entry. But there is no world in which I wouldn't have read it, unless it had simply never been written at all. Anyways, thanks for reading a semi-cohesive, wine-fueled rant about a book that makes me unsure how to feel about it.
What hurts the most about this story is the veracity behind it. I used to work for Tarrant County Jail, once upon a time. And while this story is set in the neighboring Dallas County Jail, there's two things I remember so clearly. The first is that, as much as we were intentionally spiteful and difficult to visitors and inmates, we were always thanked for being "so much nicer" than the Dallas County jail system. I honestly believe that the author was not exaggerating Ruby's experience in jail in the slightest. Because I know firsthand how the "nice" Tarrant County Jail employees acted.
Overall, this book is incredibly well-written. I love the format. It's so unique and made reading a breeze on my eyes. I enjoyed the frequent breaks in the text. This isn't the kind of book you enjoy. This is the kind of story that makes you want to cry or throw up. I'm in such a huge book hangover, I'm not even sure what to read next, but I'm definitely giving myself time to recover from this book first.
Warning to potential readers, this review might get slightly spoiler-y from this point forward, but I will do my best to keep it at a minimum. Read at your own risk.
To call this story complicated honestly feels like an understatement to me. Part of me wonders if teens are the right audience for this book. But maybe I'm underestimating teens too, because look at Ellen Hopkins and Laurie Anderson. Look at people who have written stories for teens about sexual assault, teenage pregnancy, and drug use. Teens experience these things just as much as adults do, and most of the time, they simply do not talk about it with their parents. Sometimes a book is the only outlet they have to feel seen. Ruby's story is absolutely raw and unflinching. It doesn't hold back.
It's common knowledge but never acknowledged that inmates are treated as less than human. As something to be used and thrown away. The food isn't good (they serve that nastiness to both inmate and employee alike), the cells are crowded, and the guards take advantage of inmates where they can. This is a dangerous place for a teenager to be placed. And it shows in Ruby's stress and reactiveness as the story progresses.
Ruby is incredibly lucky. So, so very lucky. Her DA, Tate, legitimately cared about her. So did her social worker, Cadence. But I have strong reservations about Cadence after reading the entirety of the book. I also have mixed feelings about Ruby. Cadence got too close, too personal. But if she hadn't, she would've immediately written Ruby off as undeserving of a second chance. Cadence wouldn't have fought as hard as she did, nor would she have taken the questionable actions that she had if she didn't see herself in Ruby. And I think where I keep getting hung up is in how Cadence decided to help Ruby.
I just honestly wish I had never read the very last entry. But there is no world in which I wouldn't have read it, unless it had simply never been written at all. Anyways, thanks for reading a semi-cohesive, wine-fueled rant about a book that makes me unsure how to feel about it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Body shaming, Drug abuse, Gun violence, and Alcohol
Minor: Abortion
Ariel Crashes a Train by Olivia A. Cole
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
It took me a couple tries to start this book. I just wasn't connecting with Ariel when I was physically reading it, but I desperately wanted to read this story. I gave it a final chance through audio, and I'm so glad I did.
Cole's narration of her own story brought Ariel to life for me. The way she reads the intrusive thoughts, the quiet, rapid-fire way they zip through Ariel's mind versus how she narrates what's happening outside of Ariel's head. The way Cole gives each character their own unique voice. I was completely engrossed from beginning to end. I think I ended up finishing the book in two days give or take?
I liked this book even more than Dear Medusa. Between her two books, I can see how she pays close attention to how race, societal gender roles, and identity play into mental health struggles. I felt for Ariel because I know women who slouch because they want to be small. Women who curl in on themselves so much their shoulders and upper back are rounded like a hump because they've been told they're too broad and masculine. I know women who developed eating disorders because they were told they were too fat or too skinny. I was one of the women who hated my own body and the number on a scale.
Ariel isn't just dealing with body issues and struggling to determine if she's a boy or a girl or somewhere in between, but she also struggles with her OCD. Her intrusive thoughts have her convinced she is fundamentally wrong somehow. She believes she's a serial killer thanks to all the bloody images her brain bombardes her with. And the things she imagines is rightfully terrifying. But I adore the way Ruby helps her: calling Ariel back, telling her to stay present instead of falling into her swampy mindscape, shouting out her own intrusive thoughts to help Ariel feel more normal... I love the genuine show of friendship and care for Ariel.
And as if it couldn't get more complicated, Ariel is having to cope on her own, without therapy, because her parents don't believe in therapy. There is something so ugly about the phrases "Well you just aren't believing hard enough," "You just didn't pray hard enough," or "Well I guess that means God told you no, didn't He?" And while my feelings toward religion are obviously biased, I appreciated the conclusion Ariel came to about religion.
There's just so much going on all at once in this point in Ariel's life. But that's just how life tends to happen anyways, isn't it? Everything crashes down all at once, and we either grow from it, like the seeds scattered by wildfires, or we collapse like a building set for demolition. And I think the biggest factor that contributed to Ariel's conclusion was the support she found when she allowed herself to open up to her sister and friends.
Cole's narration of her own story brought Ariel to life for me. The way she reads the intrusive thoughts, the quiet, rapid-fire way they zip through Ariel's mind versus how she narrates what's happening outside of Ariel's head. The way Cole gives each character their own unique voice. I was completely engrossed from beginning to end. I think I ended up finishing the book in two days give or take?
I liked this book even more than Dear Medusa. Between her two books, I can see how she pays close attention to how race, societal gender roles, and identity play into mental health struggles. I felt for Ariel because I know women who slouch because they want to be small. Women who curl in on themselves so much their shoulders and upper back are rounded like a hump because they've been told they're too broad and masculine. I know women who developed eating disorders because they were told they were too fat or too skinny. I was one of the women who hated my own body and the number on a scale.
Ariel isn't just dealing with body issues and struggling to determine if she's a boy or a girl or somewhere in between, but she also struggles with her OCD. Her intrusive thoughts have her convinced she is fundamentally wrong somehow. She believes she's a serial killer thanks to all the bloody images her brain bombardes her with. And the things she imagines is rightfully terrifying. But I adore the way Ruby helps her: calling Ariel back, telling her to stay present instead of falling into her swampy mindscape, shouting out her own intrusive thoughts to help Ariel feel more normal... I love the genuine show of friendship and care for Ariel.
And as if it couldn't get more complicated, Ariel is having to cope on her own, without therapy, because her parents don't believe in therapy. There is something so ugly about the phrases "Well you just aren't believing hard enough," "You just didn't pray hard enough," or "Well I guess that means God told you no, didn't He?" And while my feelings toward religion are obviously biased, I appreciated the conclusion Ariel came to about religion.
There's just so much going on all at once in this point in Ariel's life. But that's just how life tends to happen anyways, isn't it? Everything crashes down all at once, and we either grow from it, like the seeds scattered by wildfires, or we collapse like a building set for demolition. And I think the biggest factor that contributed to Ariel's conclusion was the support she found when she allowed herself to open up to her sister and friends.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
The Forbidden Book by Sacha Lamb
Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.
I think I need an audiobook version for this. I love the concept. I love the author. It's just not the right time for me to read this yet.
Song of Freedom, Song of Dreams by Shari Green
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I will readily admit WWII era historical fiction is NOT my cup of tea. But the premise was so interesting I wanted to give it a chance. The writing felt so dry to me, but I couldn't find it in me to put down Helene's story. I'm glad I finished this one. I was expecting Helene to run away; to try and escape the GDR like all her friends had. I didn't expect her to want to stay. I adored this turn of events where the main character chooses to demand change by staying.
It made me consider that there was no one-size-fits-all correct way of dealing with the Berlin Wall and East Germany cutting itself off from the rest of the world. What was right for Helene's friend was not right for Helene or her family. And I love that.
It made me consider that there was no one-size-fits-all correct way of dealing with the Berlin Wall and East Germany cutting itself off from the rest of the world. What was right for Helene's friend was not right for Helene or her family. And I love that.