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mirandalikesbooks's reviews
33 reviews
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
This is my second Emily Henry read of the year, and I'm positive I'll tear through everything she's ever written very soon.
Like the other novel I read by her, the dialouge is just so witty and wonderful. I love how well rounded and complex Nora and Charlie are. I was fully part of their world. They made me want to write books that they could tear apart and curate to perfection with their incredibly capable hands.
Making the city girl, the career woman, the ice queen bitch who exercises when anxious (if only 😮💨) the main character of a romance is a fun twist for a genre where twists are kinda hard to produce. And making this boss of a woman so relatable and likeable is truly one of Henry's many talents.
It's so good go read it!!!!
Like the other novel I read by her, the dialouge is just so witty and wonderful. I love how well rounded and complex Nora and Charlie are. I was fully part of their world. They made me want to write books that they could tear apart and curate to perfection with their incredibly capable hands.
Making the city girl, the career woman, the ice queen bitch who exercises when anxious (if only 😮💨) the main character of a romance is a fun twist for a genre where twists are kinda hard to produce. And making this boss of a woman so relatable and likeable is truly one of Henry's many talents.
It's so good go read it!!!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The topic of climate change and the fact that we as a species are irrevocably harming the earth and other species is something that already feeds my existential dread. So this book was a tough read for me.
That being said I found myself rooting for Franny even with all her self destructive behavior. The impulse to be wildly free and to ignore problems and to grapple with internal guilt are all very relatable feelings for me.
In some ways I feel like this book was speaking directly to me.
I'd recommend it if you like a book with a journey and a slew of complicated characters.
That being said I found myself rooting for Franny even with all her self destructive behavior. The impulse to be wildly free and to ignore problems and to grapple with internal guilt are all very relatable feelings for me.
In some ways I feel like this book was speaking directly to me.
I'd recommend it if you like a book with a journey and a slew of complicated characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Animal death, Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Paladin's Grace by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A wonderful, funny, sweet start to the series. I loved both of the main characters. Stephen has a sturdy practicality that was laced with genuine kindness. And Grace is so unique and intelligent and caring. The vulnerability of both characters made you love them. The thread of their romance - aka the main point of the novel - was my favorite part of the book. And the fact that both characters were in their 30s was refreshing! I love a book that shows that life isn't over when you leave your 20s.
The things that kept this from a 4 star read for me are just some simple style choices. The inner monologue, while oftentimes funny, sometimes was a bit too much talking to themselves. Also the poisoning plot and the beheading plot together felt like a lot going on.
Kingfisher drops lots of breadcrumbs for the rest of the series, and I'm excited to get to it.
The things that kept this from a 4 star read for me are just some simple style choices. The inner monologue, while oftentimes funny, sometimes was a bit too much talking to themselves. Also the poisoning plot and the beheading plot together felt like a lot going on.
Kingfisher drops lots of breadcrumbs for the rest of the series, and I'm excited to get to it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Grief, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
How We Fight For Our Lives by Saeed Jones
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
3.5
I've never read a memoir of someone who isn't a well-known public figure. It was interesting learning his story at this personal level of introspection.
I would read this if you're interested in the impact your family has on your identity; the intersectionality of being gay, black, and poor; or the struggle of figuring out how to act when the world is telling you to be someone else.
I guess I finished the book hoping for more resolution - why did his mom act cagey when he came out? How will he approach his relationship with his grandma? Will he learn how to be happy with himself and live authentically instead of approaching life the selfish and guarded way he approached his college years?
Overall a decent read!
I would read this if you're interested in the impact your family has on your identity; the intersectionality of being gay, black, and poor; or the struggle of figuring out how to act when the world is telling you to be someone else.
I guess I finished the book hoping for more resolution - why did his mom act cagey when he came out? How will he approach his relationship with his grandma? Will he learn how to be happy with himself and live authentically instead of approaching life the selfish and guarded way he approached his college years?
Overall a decent read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Hate crime, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Drug use, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-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
3.75
Already looking forward to reading the others after i get over the devastation .
The world and magic system built here is really clever and extremely vivid. I'm not sure if I've ever read a book that described fighting and body horror in so much detail. It was a fun change of pace!
The "whodunit" portion of the plot kept me guessing too! I love a book that can do that.
And who can't love Gideon as a character??? She was easy to root for. Her jokes, especially in comparison to the sometimes dense text, really moved the story in an enjoyable way.
Misses four stars for me because I couldn't get hooked at first. I wasn't able to really sink my teeth in until around the 4th try picking it up. Once I was hooked though, it had me! (Also side picky note - the naming schema for the adepts mirroring their house number was a bit on the nose for me.)
The world and magic system built here is really clever and extremely vivid. I'm not sure if I've ever read a book that described fighting and body horror in so much detail. It was a fun change of pace!
The "whodunit" portion of the plot kept me guessing too! I love a book that can do that.
And who can't love Gideon as a character??? She was easy to root for. Her jokes, especially in comparison to the sometimes dense text, really moved the story in an enjoyable way.
Misses four stars for me because I couldn't get hooked at first. I wasn't able to really sink my teeth in until around the 4th try picking it up. Once I was hooked though, it had me! (Also side picky note - the naming schema for the adepts mirroring their house number was a bit on the nose for me.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Mental illness, Grief, and Death of parent
I didn't think cannibalism was explicit enough in this to add that as a trigger warning. But if that is a big no for you, I maybe wouldn't go for this.
Happy Place by Emily Henry
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was such a loveable book. Harriet had so much growth throughout the course of this book. Her struggles of succeeding for approval, being defined by her career, and wanting to make sure everyone is happy were very relatable. I think how her relationship with Wyn matured and defined itself was beautiful too. But it was the individual character growth that did it for me.
I know romances aren't for everyone, but this is a no brainer grab if it is for you. The witty dialouge and the exploration in to relationships of all kinds (the self, friends, family, relationships) keep you invested more than just a straight up romance would.
I know romances aren't for everyone, but this is a no brainer grab if it is for you. The witty dialouge and the exploration in to relationships of all kinds (the self, friends, family, relationships) keep you invested more than just a straight up romance would.
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
My favorite part of this book is that every character is the main character. I was invested in every one. I don't understand how Gyasi was able to construct the life motivations of each character so perfectly with only giving each character like 20 pages. Seeing some of the characters age throught the generations is such a gift. Because so many wonderful characters had their life cut short as a product of white violence.
It is awe inspiring and heart breaking how many generations were and still are affected by slavery. How slavery has direct ties to the oppression and cyclical struggles of black people in America and in Africa. White oppression has killed generations of black joy.
This story demonstrates the struggle of being a woman so brilliantly too. How many generations of woman went undefined until a man defined her.
I learned so much through the course of this book. The birth of our modern prison industrial complex being born of the enslavement of African and Black men is something that makes perfect sense. But it was laid out so clearly here. Some of the violence was so vividly painted that I keep retracing those scenes in my mind. Some of the heartbreak too.
Absolute must read. We have been privileged to not know these stories for long enough. And we are privileged now to see these stories through the perspective of each of these characters.
It is awe inspiring and heart breaking how many generations were and still are affected by slavery. How slavery has direct ties to the oppression and cyclical struggles of black people in America and in Africa. White oppression has killed generations of black joy.
This story demonstrates the struggle of being a woman so brilliantly too. How many generations of woman went undefined until a man defined her.
I learned so much through the course of this book. The birth of our modern prison industrial complex being born of the enslavement of African and Black men is something that makes perfect sense. But it was laid out so clearly here. Some of the violence was so vividly painted that I keep retracing those scenes in my mind. Some of the heartbreak too.
Absolute must read. We have been privileged to not know these stories for long enough. And we are privileged now to see these stories through the perspective of each of these characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Trafficking, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Vomit, Kidnapping, Abandonment, and War
Minor: Gun violence, Sexual content, Suicide, and Police brutality
Normal People by Sally Rooney
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I felt like I was rooting for Connell and Marianne while at the same time not really knowing what I was rooting for. This discussion of power dynamics was really beautifully done.
But i have never read a book that ended so abruptly and i think i love it?
Honestly I did struggle with the dialogue not being in quotation marks...but I did adjust!!!
But
Honestly I did struggle with the dialogue not being in quotation marks...but I did adjust!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Classism
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
The Night in Lisbon by Erich Maria Remarque
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Really glad I read this one. Came on recommendation from a friend, so I went into it pretty blind. First I'll say that the writing was really approachable considering this was written in the 60s. I didn't realize it was until after I finished it, in fact.
Both Schwarz and Helen have complex motivations for their actions in a way that really engages you while you read. I felt as if the author gave me a lot of space to read the story at face value while also leaving room for my interpretation.
The other refugee in the story, the man with no name who is being told Schwarz's story and is also our first-person character, also added an interesting dynamic to the novel. His occasional interjection or answer to the questions Schwarz posed sometimes confirmed Schwarz's opinions and sometimes challenged them in a way that really gave life to his character. You could feel this man's tension as he was listening - listening because he had no other option for his freedom.
Also, more broadly, this offered a perspective on the ramifications of Hitler's terrorism that I haven't read before. The refugee experience of people fleeing Germany pre-WW2 is a topic I previously never considered. I didn't know that the French held refugees prisoner while they were fighting German occupation.
All that to say: this is the type of book that will stun you with simple yet heartbreaking statements. I wanted to start it from the beginning after I finished it.
Misses the 5 because I did find the story within a story format kind of hard to follow at first. I definitely recommend the audiobook if you get into it and also find it confusing!
Both Schwarz and Helen have complex motivations for their actions in a way that really engages you while you read. I felt as if the author gave me a lot of space to read the story at face value while also leaving room for my interpretation.
The other refugee in the story, the man with no name who is being told Schwarz's story and is also our first-person character, also added an interesting dynamic to the novel. His occasional interjection or answer to the questions Schwarz posed sometimes confirmed Schwarz's opinions and sometimes challenged them in a way that really gave life to his character. You could feel this man's tension as he was listening - listening because he had no other option for his freedom.
Also, more broadly, this offered a perspective on the ramifications of Hitler's terrorism that I haven't read before. The refugee experience of people fleeing Germany pre-WW2 is a topic I previously never considered. I didn't know that the French held refugees prisoner while they were fighting German occupation.
All that to say: this is the type of book that will stun you with simple yet heartbreaking statements. I wanted to start it from the beginning after I finished it.
Misses the 5 because I did find the story within a story format kind of hard to follow at first. I definitely recommend the audiobook if you get into it and also find it confusing!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, and Murder
Moderate: Cancer, Suicide, Terminal illness, and Antisemitism
Minor: Infidelity
Iris Kelly Doesn't Date by Ashley Herring Blake
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was my favorite of the series! I genuinely cared about both Iris and Stevie. Fake dating is one of my favorite romance tropes and I think the author crafted a scenario where fake dating actually made sense. I liked Stevie's growth the best - the way her confidence grew throughout the book as she learned who she was beyond a small-stage actor in a somewhat controlling relationship was a fun character arc to root for.
Misses a 4 for me because some of the writing choices felt a little unnatural to me. Like instead of saying Stevie has anxiety the book specifically said several times that she has Generalized Anxiety Disorder which, for me, felt a little more clinical and stilted than the text required. Also some of Iris' decisions felt a little forced. Was her dating history really bad enough for her to swear off dating and make her question whether people would accept her as she is? I wasn't fully convinced.
Misses a 4 for me because some of the writing choices felt a little unnatural to me. Like instead of saying Stevie has anxiety the book specifically said several times that she has Generalized Anxiety Disorder which, for me, felt a little more clinical and stilted than the text required.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content