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booksandbesitos's reviews
42 reviews
The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
4.0
I fell in love with Nina LaCour in high school, and I remember reading every book she had published at the time. I finally got to reread this book as an adult and I see why I loved her so much this book is everything younger me wanted in a story, semi talented teenagers taking on the world.
This book follows Colby and his best friends who are in a band. They go on tour during their final summer break before college and the real world.
In an adventure filled with music and motels the characters make memories in the western US.
This book follows Colby and his best friends who are in a band. They go on tour during their final summer break before college and the real world.
In an adventure filled with music and motels the characters make memories in the western US.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity
The Last Love Song by Kalie Holford
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
This heartwarming book follows Mia, a recent high school graduate, on a scavenger hunt left by her late mother, Tori Rose. Both Mia and her mother grew up with music in their blood. Despite sharing roots and music, Mia knows very little about her mother.
The book contains two timelines, showing the lives of both Mia and Tori.
It's an incredible debut novel. I’m excited to see what Kalie Holford creates next. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and highly recommend it to music lovers, those navigating mother-daughter relationships, and to anyone who want a queer story with beautiful writing.
Almost forgot my favorite detail- There was two grandmothers/mothers and I loved them so much!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Pumpkin Spice by Tagan Shepard
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Firstly, thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Okay, this book was a bit of a trip.
There were a lot of things I liked, and some that I didn’t really love.
Our main character is an almost 40-year-old woman living in a small Virginia town. Her life doesn’t involve much dating or socializing. Oh, and she has two niblings whom she adores.
Eventually, these two situations collide when she takes her niece to a pumpkin patch and falls for the very attractive farmer.
Their romance is filled with pumpkin spice lattes, autumn strolls, small-town shenanigans, and haunted houses. It’s pretty cute; I feel like fall romance isn’t written about often. Between summer loves and winter holiday romances, fall romance is an overlooked genre.
As sweet and promising as the premise was, there were some things that took me out of it while reading.
There were a lot of details in the writing. Normally, it’s not a bad thing, but in this instance, the author did a lot of telling and not enough showing. It felt kind of long and dull at some points.
Another thing I didn’t really like was how the main character seemed so confused about what she wanted. At one point, she’s on a date while acting self-deprecating and telling herself the other woman does not like her. It made it hard to root for the couple when it seemed like the main character couldn’t. Thankfully, the sister made the rooting a little easier.
Overall, it’s a good, short romance. Not too long or complicated. A cozy read for autumn lovers.
This Book Is Banned by Raj Haldar
adventurous
challenging
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
4.25
This is a fun book!
Even for kiddos who don’t quite understand the concept of book banning.
It has (not scary) monsters! Robots ! Dinosaurs! And AVOCADOS! And unicorns too. And wolfs (Only not for long)
It’s a little chaotic but oh so fun!
After trying to put everything in the book by the time it gets to the end, there is quite literally nothing.
And the writing is interactive and fun. It invites the kids turn pages and to voice opinions. And in the end they see why not everyone can be pleased. And that it’s okay for people to not like everything but it’s not okay to make others get rid of things you don’t like.
Even for kiddos who don’t quite understand the concept of book banning.
It has (not scary) monsters! Robots ! Dinosaurs! And AVOCADOS! And unicorns too. And wolfs (Only not for long)
It’s a little chaotic but oh so fun!
After trying to put everything in the book by the time it gets to the end, there is quite literally nothing.
And the writing is interactive and fun. It invites the kids turn pages and to voice opinions. And in the end they see why not everyone can be pleased. And that it’s okay for people to not like everything but it’s not okay to make others get rid of things you don’t like.
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It was sweet most of the time. I wish we’d gotten to explore the relationship between Felix and his dad a little more though. But it was a sweet YA book with a satisfying ending.
I was a little bit nervous to pick it up because I’ve been told that Felix is a little whiny sometimes but it Really wasn’t that bad, I mean what high school student isn’t a little whiny.
But overall fun cast of characters, cute pride scenes and I’m a sucker for artists in love . I wish my younger self would’ve read this.
I was a little bit nervous to pick it up because I’ve been told that Felix is a little whiny sometimes but it Really wasn’t that bad, I mean what high school student isn’t a little whiny.
But overall fun cast of characters, cute pride scenes and I’m a sucker for artists in love . I wish my younger self would’ve read this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Outing, and Abandonment
Sorry, Bro by Taleen Voskuni
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I picked this up because I really liked the title lol, but I didn’t really have any expectations going into it. It turned out to be coming of age but as an adult. And I really liked that. Our main character starts off as a reporter who is sort of engaged to a man with a couple friends. And by the end of the book she’s a journalist, with a girlfriend, and a few new friends.
I liked that the book showed that finding your self, and where you belong isn’t something that ends in high school and it’s some thing lifelong. I also really liked how our main character struggles between the sexuality and her culture. It’s something very real for a lot of us POC. I’m not Armenian but I’m Mexican and there was so many similarities between what I dealt with and what happened in the book. (I had tías instead of aunties but the writing still makes it oh so relatable)
The only thing keeping me from giving this five stars is that Nareh kept making really questionable decisions. Like girl please get a grip I’m begging.
But all in all, it was a really nice read, and a really good mix of emotional and heartfelt scenes and some that were pretty funny.
I liked that the book showed that finding your self, and where you belong isn’t something that ends in high school and it’s some thing lifelong. I also really liked how our main character struggles between the sexuality and her culture. It’s something very real for a lot of us POC. I’m not Armenian but I’m Mexican and there was so many similarities between what I dealt with and what happened in the book. (I had tías instead of aunties but the writing still makes it oh so relatable)
The only thing keeping me from giving this five stars is that Nareh kept making really questionable decisions. Like girl please get a grip I’m begging.
But all in all, it was a really nice read, and a really good mix of emotional and heartfelt scenes and some that were pretty funny.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Outing
Moderate: Misogyny and Death of parent
Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle by Nina LaCour
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book has been a favorite since we brought it home from Powell’s books.
I had moderate expectations for it. I’m a huge Nina LaCour fan and I was excited about her children’s book because I could finally share my favorite author with my nieces.
But I was blown away after the first read.
The book has so much emotion written in a way that’s easy for kids to feel and understand.
We see our main character’s go through a week in her life without her Mommy. Some things stay the same, like errands and her playgroup. But something’s are different. Like two cups instead of three and returned blueberries.
Her and her Mama try to make the best of it while waiting for Mommy to return. The video call mommy and watch movies.
And when she does return , it’s not the reunion they were expecting, and that’s okay. Her mommy doesn’t force hugs, they talk about it and wait until she’s ready.
Keylani Juanita did a wonderful job bring the words and feelings to life.
Every time we reread it there’s new details we notice. Like Chloe’s cat out at night. And baby pictures of the family on the walls. And fruit motifs throughout the story.
This book is perfect for anyone who is missing someone.
I had moderate expectations for it. I’m a huge Nina LaCour fan and I was excited about her children’s book because I could finally share my favorite author with my nieces.
But I was blown away after the first read.
The book has so much emotion written in a way that’s easy for kids to feel and understand.
We see our main character’s go through a week in her life without her Mommy. Some things stay the same, like errands and her playgroup. But something’s are different. Like two cups instead of three and returned blueberries.
Her and her Mama try to make the best of it while waiting for Mommy to return. The video call mommy and watch movies.
And when she does return , it’s not the reunion they were expecting, and that’s okay. Her mommy doesn’t force hugs, they talk about it and wait until she’s ready.
Keylani Juanita did a wonderful job bring the words and feelings to life.
Every time we reread it there’s new details we notice. Like Chloe’s cat out at night. And baby pictures of the family on the walls. And fruit motifs throughout the story.
This book is perfect for anyone who is missing someone.
Archie Celebrates an Indian Wedding by Mitali Banerjee Ruths
I was so lucky in getting to read this book early through Netgalley.
The book starts off with Archie and her family preparing for a wedding.
Archie is a lovable character and she helps plenty throughout the book. We see her helping her new cousin, Emma, learn about Indian wedding traditions. She watches over Krishna, her little brother. And even helps the bride fix her mehndi, in a touching bathroom scene. That scene is one of my favorites, there’s something magical about restrooms that brings women together.
In the end of the story, Archie and Emma dance and celebrate their auntie and uncles wedding. The girls are friends and cousins now.
It’s a perfect story to not only teach Indian wedding traditions, but also celebrate family and culture.
And of course, this is a picture book, and the illustrations were beautiful! I loved how happy and colorful they were. So much detail was put into it; Like the mehndi on the brides hands and the bangles and jewelry on many of the characters. I also liked the patterns on the clothes and even the bits of gray hair on some of the characters.
I can’t wait to read this book with my nieces.
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I was so lucky in getting to read this book early through Netgalley.
The book starts off with Archie and her family preparing for a wedding.
Archie is a lovable character and she helps plenty throughout the book. We see her helping her new cousin, Emma, learn about Indian wedding traditions. She watches over Krishna, her little brother. And even helps the bride fix her mehndi, in a touching bathroom scene. That scene is one of my favorites, there’s something magical about restrooms that brings women together.
In the end of the story, Archie and Emma dance and celebrate their auntie and uncles wedding. The girls are friends and cousins now.
It’s a perfect story to not only teach Indian wedding traditions, but also celebrate family and culture.
And of course, this is a picture book, and the illustrations were beautiful! I loved how happy and colorful they were. So much detail was put into it; Like the mehndi on the brides hands and the bangles and jewelry on many of the characters. I also liked the patterns on the clothes and even the bits of gray hair on some of the characters.
I can’t wait to read this book with my nieces.
The Flower Girl Wore Celery by Meryl G. Gordon
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
4.25
This is one of the cutest books I’ve ever read. I picked it up to kill time waiting for my niece in the children’s corner and I was happily surprised. It’s a Jewish lesbian wedding and a flower girl who is experiencing a wedding different than what she’d imagined. Super cute, pretty illustrations, might add it to my book shelf
You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour, David Levithan
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.75
This is a really sweet read. It’s been on my Tbr for years. And I regret not reading it a lot sooner I love how it has two points of view. and the opening chapter was so fun, I was immediately hooked. I was rooting so hard for both of the main characters, this book has such lovable characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship