readingmaria's reviews
539 reviews

Alone: The Journeys of Three Young Refugees by Paul Tom

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad slow-paced

5.0

This heart wrenching graphic novel that brings attention to such an important issue was amazing. I also love that it’s an adaptation of a documentary, which I think is a unique hook. Definitely an important book to read that touches on courage, resilience, and finding a new home alone as a child.
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

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dark reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

My first RF Kuang book ever did not disappoint! This literary satire novel is just fabulous and everyone needs to read it!
The Puzzle Master by Danielle Trussoni

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adventurous challenging mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This mystery novel was so entertaining! Danielle Trussoni really knows how to build up an intricate and cool mystery. Its a long book though, so if you’re looking for a quick mystery this isn’t exactly it, but if you want something that’s more movie-quality, and really needs you to sit down with the novel and take your time reading as you try to unpack the ideas, situations, and characters, then this is the perfect book!
The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This book was so wonderful with all the magic of children’s literature wrapped up for adults. If you’re looking for a wonderful feel-good story that’s oddly nostalgic, pick this up now!
What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall

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dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • 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

Ok, giving this 4 stars purely for the fact that I was actually entertained the entire time. Was it the perfect thriller? No, it definitely had a couple of plot holes, forced scenes to move the plot along, and unrealistic at times. But yet I was entertained the entire time, go figure! For me this was the right book at the right time, and an easy one to read if you’re looking to read a thriller book for the first time.
Fire Monster by Pauline Conley, Anita Lahey

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adventurous dark reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

A beautifully produced graphic novel that’s bright and wonderful to read. I find it interesting that this book is classified as a poetic graphic novel. I think fiction suits it more, as it’s a fictional retelling of a 1976 fire in Main-à-Dieu, a town in Nova Scotia.

I love that I read Lahey’s poetry collection While Supplies Last before I read this - some of the poems were taken from that collection into Fire Monster, and it was so cool to see these poems (and finally understand them!) in this unique way, especially thanks to Pauline Conley’s wonderful illustrations.

If you’re looking for a unique read that sweeps you away, this is the book! Once you get used to who’s who and how they’re connected, this story becomes a wonderful tale of a town trying to move ahead after a disaster.
While Supplies Last by Anita Lahey

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slow-paced

4.0

Really great collection and introduction to Lahey’s work. I especially loved the Pandemic Traffic Reports section of this collection.
Stone Cold Fox by Rachel Koller Croft

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dark tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I really wanted to like this a lot more, but it just dragged on a little too much for me and the ending bit was a little too underwhelming. I did like the themes explored in the book though.
A History of Burning by Janika Oza

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad slow-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

Hands down one of the most stunning, beautiful, and heartbreaking books I’ve read this year. Absolutely no questions asked my favourite of 2023. A book that takes you through multiple generations of one family’s struggle to live in just one place, displaced for one reason or another. Whether family sagas rich with history are your thing or not, this is a must read.
Stay Awake by Megan Goldin

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dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Started off strong, but about halfway through Is where I got lost. Add in the fact that the ending was just too nicely put together, and a few forced things to get the plot moving, and you have yourself a mediocre book.

I will say though, this author really knows how to set a scene! I will definitely read her previous book to see if it’s better!