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mformato's reviews
190 reviews
How It All Blew Up by Arvin Ahmadi
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A very charming coming of age/coming out story. Read it in just a few hours as it kept me invested the whole time wondering how the twists and turns of the story was going to go. I liked the format of the story, though I wish Amir's family's interviews were explored a bit more (but I understand this was his story so it makes sense why it focused mainly on him). I didn't give it five stars because everything seemed a bit too perfect with how nicely all the events unfolded for Amir and how all the loose ends wrapped up; but in my limited knowledge of LBGT+ books I am aware that most of them aren't as nice and fluffy so I can understand wanting a story that just ends positively.
Would recommend this story to anyone who wants an exciting coming of age story.
Would recommend this story to anyone who wants an exciting coming of age story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
Elevation by Stephen King
mysterious
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? It's complicated
1.75
Finished this book in two hours trying to find something that would help me fall asleep and with how boring it was it nearly did the trick.
Despite being such a short book there was plenty of unnecessary information while also having really nothing going on. The build up was anticlimactic, the characters were uninteresting, and the main issue of the story just fell flat.
Also, we get it King, you have political opinions. You don't have to be a showboat; you could make the conflicts between different types of people actually interesting instead of predictable.
Two stars for the power of friendship but honestly wouldn't recommend this one.
Despite being such a short book there was plenty of unnecessary information while also having really nothing going on. The build up was anticlimactic, the characters were uninteresting, and the main issue of the story just fell flat.
Also, we get it King, you have political opinions. You don't have to be a showboat; you could make the conflicts between different types of people actually interesting instead of predictable.
Two stars for the power of friendship but honestly wouldn't recommend this one.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
The Dawn of Yangchen by F.C. Yee
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Read this back in the fall but forget to review.
I love that the Avatar series is continuing and getting more of an insight of what life was like pre-AG.
I thoroughly enjoyed Kavik's story as well as seeing Yangchen in action. Plus seeing the origins of the Combustion firebenders was awesome, definitely hope that is developed more in the second book.
I love that the Avatar series is continuing and getting more of an insight of what life was like pre-AG.
I thoroughly enjoyed Kavik's story as well as seeing Yangchen in action. Plus seeing the origins of the Combustion firebenders was awesome, definitely hope that is developed more in the second book.
Decoding Your Dog: The Ultimate Experts Explain Common Dog Behaviors and Reveal How to Prevent or Change Unwanted Ones by John Ciribassi, Debra Horwitz, Steve Dale
informative
relaxing
slow-paced
5.0
This book is an excellent addition to any dog owner or dog professional's library. So much rich and detailed information condensed in an easily digestible way. While most of what I read wasn't new to me after training dogs for two years now, it was a great refresher resource. I would recommend this book to anyone affiliated with a dog.
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0
It's heartbreaking to read Jennette be completely stripped of her innocence and independence time and time again throughout the book. The end of the book initially had me wanting more, to see her full recovery, to see her happy ending; but after taking a few minutes to process it I realized she owes us nothing more than what she gave, this is her life and not a piece of fiction that has to end in a neat and tiny bow; maybe she is still going through the steps of recovery, maybe that was too personal to share, it's none of our business to know the full extent. Alls we know is she has survived thus far and, based on her reflections to her past, she will continue to survive and thrive.
Overall definitely a book worth reading if you can get your hands on it. The writing is easily accessible and the story is a whirlwind. Even if you weren't a fan of her or a fan of reading, it's easy to pick up and get sucked it for snippets at a time.
Overall definitely a book worth reading if you can get your hands on it. The writing is easily accessible and the story is a whirlwind. Even if you weren't a fan of her or a fan of reading, it's easy to pick up and get sucked it for snippets at a time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Dysphoria
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Definitely one of the better YA books I've read in a while, which gives me hope that I haven't been completely turned off from the medium. Though it still had parts I wasn't a huge fan of.
I enjoyed that each character had their own distinct voice but I hated that they all withheld information from the reader. I understand that building up to a big reveal helps create tension but it felt unnecessary for all of them except Emilia. She was definitely the one with the most intriguing arc and I wish we had more depth with her.
I found myself skipping over most of Alfred's imaginary letters cause I just couldn't stand him and it really added nothing to the story. Even his big secret was muddied by his disillusion and not that monumental.
I adored the relationship between Klaus and the Shoe Poet; such a wholesome and tragic bond of two people in a time of war and I almost wish there was a novella from the Shoe Poet's perspective starting from right before he joined the group to how events played out in the novel.
Joana and Florian felt like generic YA characters to me. Not the worst, not the best. Just okay.
Overall I would recommend this book to others who enjoy YA and/or historical fiction. I am impressed with the amount of research Septeys does for her books; she truly cares about creating a historically accurate story with her own voice and I am definitely interested in more of her work.
I enjoyed that each character had their own distinct voice but I hated that they all withheld information from the reader. I understand that building up to a big reveal helps create tension but it felt unnecessary for all of them except Emilia. She was definitely the one with the most intriguing arc and I wish we had more depth with her.
I found myself skipping over most of Alfred's imaginary letters cause I just couldn't stand him and it really added nothing to the story. Even his big secret was muddied by his disillusion and not that monumental.
I adored the relationship between Klaus and the Shoe Poet; such a wholesome and tragic bond of two people in a time of war and I almost wish there was a novella from the Shoe Poet's perspective starting from right before he joined the group to how events played out in the novel.
Joana and Florian felt like generic YA characters to me. Not the worst, not the best. Just okay.
Overall I would recommend this book to others who enjoy YA and/or historical fiction. I am impressed with the amount of research Septeys does for her books; she truly cares about creating a historically accurate story with her own voice and I am definitely interested in more of her work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Racism, Sexual assault, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and War
1984 by George Orwell
challenging
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I am not big brain enough to understand this book. Not the subtle takeaways and themes that the story was alluding to nor the big picture thoughts that were hammered into the pages. I am unable to read a book and find its meaning. I like plot and that is what I am judging the book on.
Holy shit is this dystopia terrifying. The lack of freedom and the total control The Party has on its people is scary shit. I really enjoyed the third act of the book-- I've found that stories that prove hope is hopeless are my favorites and this book gave you no hope for Winston. Very glad I finally read this.
Holy shit is this dystopia terrifying. The lack of freedom and the total control The Party has on its people is scary shit. I really enjoyed the third act of the book-- I've found that stories that prove hope is hopeless are my favorites and this book gave you no hope for Winston. Very glad I finally read this.
The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It was really cool to read a science fiction book written 123 years ago to see both the similarities and differences of humanity across the time. Obviously much of the actual science in the book is outdated but it was neat to step back into a time where they were as advanced as they could expect to be. It was also interesting to see how the mass hysteria felt realistic and like how things would go down today if a murdererous alien species came to earth. I really liked how it was different than what you would expect a book following the same story written now would be; there was no political discourse, no people being evil just to be evil despite there being a bigger issue at hand, and (as far as I could interpret) no attempt to try to find a deep meaning behind everything. It was just the story of a survivor written as objectively as possible. I really enjoyed this read and I think other sci-fi fans would as well.
Here and Gone by Haylen Beck
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.25
I feel like a cheap comment on the front cover of half the books at a bookstore, but this story was honestly a gripping page-turner. I had no idea if the story would actually end in a satisfying way or not and I could not read fast enough to get to the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Police brutality, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Pedophilia, Racism, Suicide, Trafficking, and Kidnapping
Minor: Animal death
Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre by Max Brooks
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Definitely a thrilling read. It's not too often horror books can have actual "oh shit" moments that you can get on screen but this book had a few. I really like these man vs nature and nature is most likely gonna win type stories. I didn't give it five stars though because at some points the pacing dragged, the characters were just all right, and the ending was a little too good-feeling after all that happened prior. But overall it was a good story that I would recommend to any fans of cryptids, monster horror movies, or just horror stories in general where people actually have some semblance of a brain.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Blood, and Vomit