ybarrajune's reviews
38 reviews

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

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reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.

White people with first world problems, adults dealing with teenage level personal conflicts

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

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emotional reflective sad 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

5.0

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

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emotional 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

4.0

Winter in Sokcho by Elisa Shua Dusapin

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reflective relaxing fast-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

3.75

A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi

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emotional hopeful reflective 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

Squire by Sara Alfageeh, Nadia Shammas

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adventurous hopeful inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

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emotional funny lighthearted 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

2.5

Cryptids, Creatures & Critters: A Manual of Monster Mythos by Rachel Quinney

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funny informative fast-paced

5.0

[NetGalley ARC]
Amazing book on cryptids and creatures from folklore and mythology ALL OVER THE WORLD by a queer author and a diverse cast of talented contributing illustrators. You would want a colour e-reader for this. My only critique is I wish the notes were presented as footnotes for an easier reading experience instead of separate pages in the appendix section.

I would definitely buy the physical book for my humble home library.

Content Warnings

Celestina's House by Clarissa Trinidad Gonzalez

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 31%.

Read as an ARC on NetGalley without content warnings. I'm a Filipino who no longer lives in the Philippines and the story displays a lot of things about the Philippines that justify why I left the country. The reality is that despite the beautiful nature we have, the predominant traditions, culture and beliefs in the country are regressive and dehumanising.

Content Warnings