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ali1311's reviews
191 reviews
How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This play is good but a very harrowing read and i imagine an even more harrowing watch. A topic that needs to be discussed, but damn if it won't make your skin crawl
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Incest
I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
Loved the hot gay mean girl representation in this book. The mystery didn't last the whole book, which I found interesting and honestly I could've used more of it in the second half. But I loved the drama of it all and all the characters were so fun. It was a bit slow at times, but still engaging.
An Arrow to the Moon by Emily X.R. Pan
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Too slow for me and I needed more of the romance or more drama or something!
The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen
adventurous
emotional
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 book made me stay up past my bedtime! It was actually perfect. The art was jaw droppingly stunning, and the storytelling was next level. I kind of can't wait to read this again, and I'm convinced I won't be able to stop myself from buying it then next time I go into a bookstore. This book was just perfect, and it had me gasping and crying the whole way through. The world is a better place because of this book, like truly.
She Gets the Girl by Alyson Derrick, Rachael Lippincott
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
4.75
I've been wanting to read this book for so long and for good reason!! This book was so sweet and fun the whole way through! Even though the romance didn't ramp up until the end, I loved getting to watch these characters fall in friend love before romantic love. Them not knowing they liked each other was honestly so fun. This book also carries heavy themes without making the book overwhelming or ruining the cutesy romance. I found myself liking all the characters and seeing the necessity of all of them. Also the fact that this is based on the authors' love story truly improves the reading experience and makes it that much more fun. This is peak YA lit!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism
Moderate: Racism
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-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? Yes
3.0
I liked Take A Hint, Dani Brown more than this one and can't wait to read Eve Brown next! I thought this book was fun and entertaining, but I just didn't jive with the characters as much as I wanted to. Sweet plot line and love the Brown family lore!
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse
Nick and Charlie by Alice Oseman
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I love heartstopper, I’ll eat it up every time. Also this book was so tender and i love these lil guys
Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Probably my least favorite of Sally Rooney’s books so far. I liked the conflict we got at the end, and I think I would’ve liked this book a bit more if that (or at least some sort of more abrasive conflict) had been elongated throughout the rest of the book.
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
Unclear on if I’m dumb or this book was just so nondescript that i never felt like i knew what was going on. Either way, i was kinda disappointed by this read, and it’s probably because i don’t like fantasy that much, but that’s because i hate not knowing what’s going on. Which is usually resolved in fantasy eventually—not this book though :(
The Tragedy of Heterosexuality by Jane Ward
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
This book was a great look into something that’s quite interesting and not discussed much outside of queer circles. I loved the integration of case studies, ethnography, surveys/personal opinions, and queer theory. This book is definitely going to stick with me; it gave me a lot to think about and reflect upon. I appreciated the pacing of this book as well. At first, it was a bit slow, but as I continued reading, I found myself eager to know what would be said next, which in my opinion, is harder to achieve in a nonfiction book. I wished I’d known about this book when I was in college—I would’ve used it for a lot of my research and research papers. Overall, I found this book to be engaging and interesting, while providing me with insight and theories I was unfamiliar with. I learned a lot and got my perspective shifted many times throughout the book.