readingmaria's reviews
539 reviews

adventurous challenging dark reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Wow! The perfect magical realism book I didn’t know I needed until now. I really enjoyed this book right from the start, with its mystery elements and dystopian setting.

It was great how everything tied together in the end with how characters were connected, and the main message of climate change is very relevant to today.

Highly recommend!

Superfan: How Pop Culture Broke My Heart by Jen Sookfong Lee

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funny hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.5

Thank you to the publishers and Libro fm for the advanced listening copy (and for M&S for sending me a physical copy!)

These essays are phenomenal and dive deep Jen’s life and some pivotal/important parts in her life against the backdrop of pop culture moments (so Rihanna, Sia’s Chandelier, Justin Bieber’s Seasons, Princess Diana, and more). A wonderful look at what it’s like being Asian and a woman in a white Canadian world.

I may or may not have ordered her novels, because Jen sounds so badass and I’m kicking myself for never having read her before.

The audio was amazing, and read by the author, and easy to follow along and pay attention to for any rare audiobook listeners out there like me!

All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

Such a good book! It definitely does not suffer from the curse of the sophomore novel. It’s even better than her debut! I can see how her writing has improved since A Flicker in the Dark.

I was on the edge of my seat since page 1. If you’re looking for a quick, thrilling ride that focuses on motherhood, mental health, and makes you question literally everything until the very end - pick this up immediately !

The Bliss House by Jim Bartley

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adventurous dark funny tense medium-paced

5.0

Such a fun and entertaining read, full of adventure, murder, and rural Ontario scenery.

Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband? by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted slow-paced