paperbackparker's reviews
446 reviews

Chunky by Yehudi Mercado

Go to review page

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

3.5

This was a joy to read. I’m very glad I picked it up! As someone who’s been fat her entire life, I could definitely relate to this story. I’m happy this exists for kids nowadays. 🥺
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Borders by Thomas King

Go to review page

funny hopeful informative inspiring tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Wow, what an illuminating read. As a white Canadian, I’ve admittedly never given much thought to how Indigenous people may identify as citizens of this country. I’m so glad I read this, and am aware of such a perspective. The unlearning of our engrained colonialism and white supremacy never stops.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Bunny by Mona Awad

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious sad tense 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

4.0

This was a wild ride. I don’t think my lil brain fully understood the story, but I definitely enjoyed it.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Saga: Chapter Fifty-Five by Fiona Staples, Brian K. Vaughan

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny lighthearted tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

OH IT FEELS SO GOOD TO BE BACK IN THIS WORLD 🥰
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
On Blank Pages by Giuliano Enciso

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

This was incredible! Truly one of the best poetry collections I’ve read. I deeply appreciate how it was organized and split up into its different parts. I don’t find that a lot of collections start with heaviness, but this one did, and it felt good to experience some of the tears right away. “Bargaining” and “Lost” were two of my absolute faves, but I dogeared multiple pages from this and I know I’ll be flipping through it again in the future. I highly recommend for any poetry lover to pick this up! Such a hidden gem!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Normal People by Sally Rooney

Go to review page

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense 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

3.0

I definitely don’t understand the hype surrounding this book. I thought it was decent, but overall, quite mediocre and unremarkable. I did think it was a nice reflection of human connection and how some people orbit each other throughout their lives. But beyond that, I don’t think it was anything spectacular. The characters were somewhat insufferable, the plot became quite predictable, and the graphic content was actually too much for me.

A big “good for you” to anyone who loves this book w their entire being, but I just do not understand.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Muted by Tami Charles

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Oh my god, this book!!!! I was on the edge of my seat for the whole thing and that twist at the end literally broke my heart. I really didn’t expect to love this as much as I did, but wow - I’ll never forget this story. Dali and Denver deserved so much better. 🥺
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Yearbook by Seth Rogen

Go to review page

adventurous funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.0

I was sure this was going to be a 5-star read, but the second half was mostly stories about famous people and Hollywood and I didn’t find it as funny as Seth’s personal anecdotes from his childhood. I still really loved it though, and definitely one of the funniest books I’ve read. He’s not a perfect dude but I think he’s a good guy, and I’m glad I picked this up.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The structure of this book became increasingly frustrating to me, but damn, did that ending ever make me cry.

Really don’t understand why descriptions of animal cruelty had to pop up so often though.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Tell Me How You Really Feel by Aminah Mae Safi

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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 AM SO GLAD I FINALLY READ THIS BOOK! It was an absolute delight, once you get past one of the main characters being totally insufferable for the first quarter. This book gave me lots of warm, fuzzy feelings, and I am 100% in love with Sana Khan. I’m excited to pick up more from this author!

Side note: this book wins for possibly the cutest cover I’ve ever seen. Despite the model for Sana’s awful contour application, I will always smile and ~squeeee~ when seeing these two cuties being touchy and flirty on this YA cover!!!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings