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atreegrowsinbooks's reviews
276 reviews
Masquerade by O.O. Sangoyomi
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-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
This was an enjoyable read that definitely benefits from listening as an audiobook. The narration was wonderful and helped to keep me engaged with the story.
Overall, I found this story to be very slow up until the last few chapters. I would have liked to have the pacing to be quicker throughout the entire story. At a few times, I was hesitant to keep listening because it was going so slow. But, I am glad that I finished the story.
The world building and imagery of the world of Pre-Colonial West Africa was top-notch. I know this was supposed to be a retelling of the myth of Persephone, but I don't really know that myth and found that it didn't matter to know what that story was because this story was interesting.
I think the only thing I was for more balanced pacing. I got sucked in at the last minute and felt more connected to the characters that mostly throughout the beginning/middle of the story. But, would recommend based on the world building and imagery.
Not really a spoiler since the book description tells that Òdòdó is kidnapped, but I found myself taken out of the story when she seems to fall in love with the man who kidnapped her. I understand that the act changed her status but I still had a difficult time believing that she could actually fall in love with the person who took her away
Overall, I found this story to be very slow up until the last few chapters. I would have liked to have the pacing to be quicker throughout the entire story. At a few times, I was hesitant to keep listening because it was going so slow. But, I am glad that I finished the story.
The world building and imagery of the world of Pre-Colonial West Africa was top-notch. I know this was supposed to be a retelling of the myth of Persephone, but I don't really know that myth and found that it didn't matter to know what that story was because this story was interesting.
I think the only thing I was for more balanced pacing. I got sucked in at the last minute and felt more connected to the characters that mostly throughout the beginning/middle of the story. But, would recommend based on the world building and imagery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Slavery, and War
Minor: Death, Rape, and Sexual assault
Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver by Mary Oliver
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Read a poem a day for all of August. But, my library loan was due, so I’m DNF’ing for now. Will likely go back to finish this at some point.
The Crown Ain't Worth Much by Hanif Abdurraqib
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
5.0
Hanif is such a talent. In awe of these poems, and of his voice.
From “When I Say that Loving Me Is Kind of Like Being a Chicago Bulls Fan”:
“you may ask why I allow my face to drown in less and less joy with each passing year and I will say I just woke up one day and I was a still photo in everyone else’s home but my own”
From “The Year My Brother Stopped Listening to Hip-Hop”:
“& two months later she fell in love with a coast
where my phone calls were no longer currency & I didn’t know how to define that kind of alone so that year I spent my tuition refund check on new headphones & turned the volume up on everything & slowly walked into the water”
From “When I Say that Loving Me Is Kind of Like Being a Chicago Bulls Fan”:
“you may ask why I allow my face to drown in less and less joy with each passing year and I will say I just woke up one day and I was a still photo in everyone else’s home but my own”
From “The Year My Brother Stopped Listening to Hip-Hop”:
“& two months later she fell in love with a coast
where my phone calls were no longer currency & I didn’t know how to define that kind of alone so that year I spent my tuition refund check on new headphones & turned the volume up on everything & slowly walked into the water”
The World Keeps Ending, and the World Goes on by Franny Choi
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Why did I wait so long to read this?! This was AMAZING! I so glad that I was able to listen to the audio version, because it's also narrated by Franny Choi, and it is one of my favorite things in this world to listen to poets read their own works.
I know I'm going to need a physical copy of this book, because there are so many lines and passages that I want to read again.
What a talent. Favorite poems:
- The World Keeps Ending, and the World Goes On
- Danez Says They Want to Lose Themselves in Bops They Can't Sing Along To
- Comfort Poem
- Protest Poem
As a note to this review: I have been reading more poetry this year, and I have realized just how connected the poets are that I have been enjoying. From Franny Choi, to Danez Smith, to Hanif Abdurraqib to Kavah Akbar. The connections grow as my love for poetry does.
I know I'm going to need a physical copy of this book, because there are so many lines and passages that I want to read again.
What a talent. Favorite poems:
- The World Keeps Ending, and the World Goes On
- Danez Says They Want to Lose Themselves in Bops They Can't Sing Along To
- Comfort Poem
- Protest Poem
As a note to this review: I have been reading more poetry this year, and I have realized just how connected the poets are that I have been enjoying. From Franny Choi, to Danez Smith, to Hanif Abdurraqib to Kavah Akbar. The connections grow as my love for poetry does.
Don't Call Us Dead: Poems by Danez Smith
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Danez Smith is a force and I’ll read anything they write. While I didn’t love this collection as much as Homie, I still thought this was an amazing collection.
Recommend 100%! The anger and eloquence for black safety, queerness, and life is remarkable. Smith is a poet I’ll keep reading because their words are incredible.
Recommend 100%! The anger and eloquence for black safety, queerness, and life is remarkable. Smith is a poet I’ll keep reading because their words are incredible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Police brutality
Moderate: Gun violence and Sexual content
Minor: Suicide
Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
Thought this was such a cute story. I loved the characters and felt drawn in immediately. It was fun to learn about women’s soccer too. I enjoyed that there was such a wonderful range of diverse characters, many being different queer folks.
I didn’t like how much miscommunication there was between phoebe and grace. Like they just couldn’t understand what the other was thinking but then didn’t ask or talk about it.
I could relate to the fact that grace got way into her head and over analyzed things because that’s what I do too. And sometimes phoebes pep kinda irked me. I had to remember that these characters were young and inexperienced with relationships and weren’t perfect. I didn’t like how phoebe called grace “baby girl”. Idk that phrase bothers me I think because I wouldn’t want to be called that but I guess anyone is allowed to like certain phrases.
I could relate to the fact that grace got way into her head and over analyzed things because that’s what I do too. And sometimes phoebes pep kinda irked me. I had to remember that these characters were young and inexperienced with relationships and weren’t perfect. I didn’t like how phoebe called grace “baby girl”. Idk that phrase bothers me I think because I wouldn’t want to be called that but I guess anyone is allowed to like certain phrases.
One thing that turned me off during the sex scenes was that phoebe would suck on graces undies. And eww, especially after wearing them all day that’s just gross.
Otherwise cute romance with queer at the forefront. Easy read that kept me wanting to keep reading. Would recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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 wanted to like this book more than I did. The pacing at first was very slow until around the 3/4 mark, and then it sped up. Maybe this book would be better suited for me if I had read it instead of listening to the audio.
Because the pacing was slow at first, I found myself not wanting to pick the book up but was into it more once it sped up.
I liked learning about SF history and picturing the areas that I knew. It was also very interesting to learn more about the racism and struggles that Asian Americans dealt with during this time. While that was secondary to the story, I would have liked more.
Because the pacing was slow at first, I found myself not wanting to pick the book up but was into it more once it sped up.
I liked learning about SF history and picturing the areas that I knew. It was also very interesting to learn more about the racism and struggles that Asian Americans dealt with during this time. While that was secondary to the story, I would have liked more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Racial slurs, Xenophobia, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Sexual content
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
adventurous
emotional
sad
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
4.75
Edited Review:
I had to come back to change my star rating from 4.75 to 5. It's been several days since I finished this book, and I find myself still thinking about the story and also wanting to do a reread. Since this book has been on my mind a lot, I think it's worth being 5 stars.
Original Review:
I went into this book not knowing much about Greek myths so I didn't know how I'd feel about this book. But, I got a rave book recommendation so figured I'd go for it. I am SO GLAD I DID.
I kept thinking about the story after I put the book down. The pacing was great and I enjoyed how the passage of time was portrayed. Definitely cried hard.
The characters were lovable and hatable. The relationship with Achilles and Patroclus was so complicated.
I had to come back to change my star rating from 4.75 to 5. It's been several days since I finished this book, and I find myself still thinking about the story and also wanting to do a reread. Since this book has been on my mind a lot, I think it's worth being 5 stars.
Original Review:
I went into this book not knowing much about Greek myths so I didn't know how I'd feel about this book. But, I got a rave book recommendation so figured I'd go for it. I am SO GLAD I DID.
I kept thinking about the story after I put the book down. The pacing was great and I enjoyed how the passage of time was portrayed. Definitely cried hard.
The characters were lovable and hatable. The relationship with Achilles and Patroclus was so complicated.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Rape, Sexual content, and Slavery
Minor: Animal death, Homophobia, and Sexual assault
Forest of Noise: Poems by Mosab Abu Toha
5.0
Devastating and beautifully written. I feel honored to be able to read Mosab Abu Toha’s works. This is my second poetry collection by Mosab and I am blown away.
Free free Palestine 🇵🇸 I’m very excited that this collection is going to be out in the world. Some of my favorite poems are:
- We Are Looking for Palestine
- Mothers and Mulberry Tree
- My Library
- Daughter
- What a Gazan Should Do During an Israeli Air Strike
- Forest of Noise
- Rescue Plane
- For a Moment
- Ash
- This Is Not a Poem
Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for a copy of this ARC.
Free free Palestine 🇵🇸 I’m very excited that this collection is going to be out in the world. Some of my favorite poems are:
- We Are Looking for Palestine
- Mothers and Mulberry Tree
- My Library
- Daughter
- What a Gazan Should Do During an Israeli Air Strike
- Forest of Noise
- Rescue Plane
- For a Moment
- Ash
- This Is Not a Poem
Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for a copy of this ARC.
Homie by Danez Smith
dark
emotional
reflective
5.0
Incredible and emotional. I felt the waves of emotion while listening and cried a few times while on my walk, as I had the audiobook going. Will for sure be reading more from Smith.
One of the lines hit me hard, from “white homies (that’s not the actual word but the word I will be using as a white person):
“if you come to my door thirsty, i'll turn the faucet & fill the glass. if i come to your stoop, don't shoot.”
One of the lines hit me hard, from “white homies (that’s not the actual word but the word I will be using as a white person):
“if you come to my door thirsty, i'll turn the faucet & fill the glass. if i come to your stoop, don't shoot.”