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booksoversecondbreakfast's reviews
68 reviews
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A really great book! I'm normally not very into poetry, but I really got into this book. Drag is a world I don't have a lot of familiarity with so it was great getting to peer into the scene via this book. I felt so proud of Mike by the end of the book, and it really left me smiling.
I read this as a part of Book Riot's Read Harder prompt and I'm glad I did. It's a bit out of my usual comfort zone for books, but I all-around enjoyed the book!
I read this as a part of Book Riot's Read Harder prompt and I'm glad I did. It's a bit out of my usual comfort zone for books, but I all-around enjoyed the book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Drug use, Racism, Transphobia, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Slavery, Suicide, and Cultural appropriation
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
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? Yes
4.25
I loved how close I started with feel with Theo in this book! The author helped us reader's to develop a deep understanding of Theo and to care a lot for him as the book progresses. As Theo encountered hardship after hardship throughout the book, my care towards him grew and my acceptance and understandingness of his malidaptive behaviors grew as well, which was something I found quite interesting to observe in myself towards a literary character who did as many bad things as he did.
The book lasted so long and and was so slow at times, but it captured the ins and outs and the full complexity of Theo's life, spanning a surprisingly long time frame. I enjoyed the thematic links between Theo and the painting, and I liked how it all ended with Theo teaching us what he had learned since that initial childhood tragedy took place in his life.
I rank this less than a 5 because while it was great, it didn't quite thrill me enough for me to want to go back and reread it someday. I definitely recommend reading this at least once, however. I read this via the audiobook and I highly recommend any interested read it that way if they're intimidated by the book's length.
The book lasted so long and and was so slow at times, but it captured the ins and outs and the full complexity of Theo's life, spanning a surprisingly long time frame. I enjoyed the thematic links between Theo and the painting, and I liked how it all ended with Theo teaching us what he had learned since that initial childhood tragedy took place in his life.
I rank this less than a 5 because while it was great, it didn't quite thrill me enough for me to want to go back and reread it someday. I definitely recommend reading this at least once, however. I read this via the audiobook and I highly recommend any interested read it that way if they're intimidated by the book's length.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Suicide, Vomit, and Stalking
Minor: Child death, Racial slurs, and Racism
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
This is such an important book of a beloved series, so I can't rate this too low, but this is one a rare book where I feel the movie is better than the book.
Compared to the rest of the books in this series, this one kind of drags on in the middle, presents Hermione too one-dimensionally (I'm so tired of the one-dimensional bookworm trope... give her some more complexity!), and gets painfully cheesy during the 'big reveal' section of the book (I huffed whenSnape popped out from under the invisibility cloak in the Shrieking Shack .)
I do really enjoy the big twist at the end and about the use of thetime turner during the book's climax, however. All in all, this book is not my favorite of the HP series, but the series is iconic that I strongly feel that anyone should give this book at least one read-through in their lifetime.
Compared to the rest of the books in this series, this one kind of drags on in the middle, presents Hermione too one-dimensionally (I'm so tired of the one-dimensional bookworm trope... give her some more complexity!), and gets painfully cheesy during the 'big reveal' section of the book (I huffed when
I do really enjoy the big twist at the end and about the use of the
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Animal death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
Minor: Forced institutionalization
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? No
3.0
Reading this book was like reading a classic story of old. It read similarly to 1001 Arabian Nights, Old Testament Biblical scripture, and Aesop's fables. It was very fantastical and felt like something I'd enjoy reading to a child as a bedtime story. I listened to the audiobook, and it reminded me of watching A Princess Bride for the first time. It's a comforting kind of story - the kind that makes you dream of what could be. It truly is a more modern-day fable, and in that regard, I can see why people love this book.
The philosophical ideas taught in this book ranged from gnosticism to prosperity gospel to humanism - none of which align with my personal beliefs, so at times I really felt conflicted about this book. I've heard that some people classify this book as a self-help book, and that honestly kind of surprised me. I have trouble seeing past this book being a fictional magical-realism story, but I can see how people sharing philosophical beliefs with those in this book might see it more as a self-help book. I gave this book a shot and really enjoyed it for the first two-thirds of the book, but towards the end, it just felt more and more like a pipedream, and the story felt less and less grounded.
All in all, I didn't mind the read, but I also didn't love it. It was overall fairly enjoyable, but I just don't think the story was for me. 3/5 stars.
The philosophical ideas taught in this book ranged from gnosticism to prosperity gospel to humanism - none of which align with my personal beliefs, so at times I really felt conflicted about this book. I've heard that some people classify this book as a self-help book, and that honestly kind of surprised me. I have trouble seeing past this book being a fictional magical-realism story, but I can see how people sharing philosophical beliefs with those in this book might see it more as a self-help book. I gave this book a shot and really enjoyed it for the first two-thirds of the book, but towards the end, it just felt more and more like a pipedream, and the story felt less and less grounded.
All in all, I didn't mind the read, but I also didn't love it. It was overall fairly enjoyable, but I just don't think the story was for me. 3/5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia and War
Moderate: Drug use, Gun violence, Racial slurs, and Racism
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel
challenging
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.5
For the most part, I really enjoyed this book, but there were some aspects of it that I didn't vibe with.
On the positive side, I really enjoyed how the writer communicated in the comic panes versus outside of the panes to communicate differnt but related information. I enjoyed the back-and-forth nature of balancing narration with commentary of the events. I also liked how the author's autobiography was told within the context of events taking place in queer U.S. history. I feel like this added a lot of depth to the story and helped me to understand the context of what went on, plus it taught me a bit too!
Furthermore, the thematic parallels drawn between the father's life, the author's life, and the stories were extremely intelligent and well thought out. I was very impressed by the author's way of capturing her relationship. She revealed her father's hurtful ane abusive sides, but also shared the aspects of him that left her feeling a great sense of gratitude towards him. I too have a father who was a bad man, but who passed along some characteristics that I'm grateful for, and the author elegantly captured the complexity that comes with this complicated experience, and I really treasured that about this book.
On the other hand, I felt like the book was just too intellectual and too smart for me. So many of the literary references went over my head, so I feel like I missed out on it potential depth. This is more of a me-problem than a problem with the book, however, so I can't be too critical of it. Still, this was a big way in which this book was just not 100% idea for me. Besides that, I wish I has more of a heads up that there were explicit sexual images in here. To each their own, but it's not my cup of tea and it just caught me off guard how much there was, so I wanted to give others a heads in case that's something they also want to avoid.
Overall, it was a really great, thought provoking book, and I enjoyed the read.
On the positive side, I really enjoyed how the writer communicated in the comic panes versus outside of the panes to communicate differnt but related information. I enjoyed the back-and-forth nature of balancing narration with commentary of the events. I also liked how the author's autobiography was told within the context of events taking place in queer U.S. history. I feel like this added a lot of depth to the story and helped me to understand the context of what went on, plus it taught me a bit too!
Furthermore, the thematic parallels drawn between the father's life, the author's life, and the stories were extremely intelligent and well thought out. I was very impressed by the author's way of capturing her relationship. She revealed her father's hurtful ane abusive sides, but also shared the aspects of him that left her feeling a great sense of gratitude towards him. I too have a father who was a bad man, but who passed along some characteristics that I'm grateful for, and the author elegantly captured the complexity that comes with this complicated experience, and I really treasured that about this book.
On the other hand, I felt like the book was just too intellectual and too smart for me. So many of the literary references went over my head, so I feel like I missed out on it potential depth. This is more of a me-problem than a problem with the book, however, so I can't be too critical of it. Still, this was a big way in which this book was just not 100% idea for me. Besides that, I wish I has more of a heads up that there were explicit sexual images in here. To each their own, but it's not my cup of tea and it just caught me off guard how much there was, so I wanted to give others a heads in case that's something they also want to avoid.
Overall, it was a really great, thought provoking book, and I enjoyed the read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Death of parent
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This was a quick, thrilling, and heartwarming read that had me grasping to know what happens next throughout the book. It's a story of a strong-hearted girl and that ways in which her people's peaceful culture and innovative spirit bring great peace and unity to a horrific situation. Binti is truly and inspiring character, and I look forward to reading more books featuring this character.
The world-building of this book was also wonderful. I'm not usually a sci-fi reader, so this was my first Africanfuturism and solarpunk book, and I totally loved it. I loved that it gave a hopeful view of the future and had so much technological innovation. I subtract a quarter star only because the book kind of confused me in how it talked about math and equations, so I wish that aspect had been fleshed out a bit more, but overall, I still really loved this book! A highly recommended read!
The world-building of this book was also wonderful. I'm not usually a sci-fi reader, so this was my first Africanfuturism and solarpunk book, and I totally loved it. I loved that it gave a hopeful view of the future and had so much technological innovation. I subtract a quarter star only because the book kind of confused me in how it talked about math and equations, so I wish that aspect had been fleshed out a bit more, but overall, I still really loved this book! A highly recommended read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, and War
Moderate: Death, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
The ​Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
I just didn't feel motivated to read it. Maybe I'll finish it some other time.
Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-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
3.75
As a bi woman who also overlooked her queerness until adulthood, this book was so relatable, and it quite frankly got me pretty emotional at times. I really enjoyed the book, and it was a cute story.
I really enjoyed the romance that blossomed throughout the book and the positive self-discovery. I definitely feel like I aged out of the intended audience for this book though.
The book offered a lot of food for thought, but I sometimes had a kind of hard time getting around the fact that the author wrote this book with the intent of capturing her own experience in Imogen's. The book was clearly intended to be fiction, but it had a lot of extra commentary added in that felt more like essay-writing unnaturally written into the characters' dialog. I still agreed with the author's stance though so it didn't bother me too much.
Something else that bothered me was how okay Imogen ended up being with being proactively outed by her friend. I can't imagine being okay with it, and it felt like an underdeveloped plot point. Also, the book sometimes bordered on feeling too tense for my tastes, especially with how painful Gretchen could come off, but also I know that was kind of the point.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, even though I had some problems with it. I can definitely imagine myself reading this again because it's so relatable.
I really enjoyed the romance that blossomed throughout the book and the positive self-discovery. I definitely feel like I aged out of the intended audience for this book though.
The book offered a lot of food for thought, but I sometimes had a kind of hard time getting around the fact that the author wrote this book with the intent of capturing her own experience in Imogen's. The book was clearly intended to be fiction, but it had a lot of extra commentary added in that felt more like essay-writing unnaturally written into the characters' dialog. I still agreed with the author's stance though so it didn't bother me too much.
Something else that bothered me was how okay Imogen ended up being with being proactively outed by her friend. I can't imagine being okay with it, and it felt like an underdeveloped plot point. Also, the book sometimes bordered on feeling too tense for my tastes, especially with how painful Gretchen could come off, but also I know that was kind of the point.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, even though I had some problems with it. I can definitely imagine myself reading this again because it's so relatable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Outing, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Homophobia
A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I love the plot of this book, the characters, the romance, and the world building, but there is a lot to the book that just doesn't sit quite right with me. Would I recommend it to someone else, or will I plan to reread this book? Probably not. But it's overall still a pretty good book, so I can't rate it too low, plus I will plan to keep reading the series. That cliffhanger at the end is just too good and I need to learn what happens!
There are just several things about this story that give me the ick. For example, it bothers me how Poppy keeps referring to Casteel's dimples over and over. And it bothers me that their relationship can be kinda toxic and Casteel gets away with all of his lies. And it still bothers me that the story uses the 'man teaches woman about intimacy' trope, and then not only that, but then Poppy goes andmarries the dude. The book frustrates me, but the plot just draws me as I seek to understand the mysteries of Poppy's powers and as I root for Poppy, the wolven, and the Atlantians (btw, what's with the names being so close to real-world names?) to have success against the Ascended. The world building with the gods, and the scenery of Atlantia really draw me in. It's definitely an entertaining book, but it's also no where near a masterpiece, so I feel like it's fitting of a 3-star rating.
There are just several things about this story that give me the ick. For example, it bothers me how Poppy keeps referring to Casteel's dimples over and over. And it bothers me that their relationship can be kinda toxic and Casteel gets away with all of his lies. And it still bothers me that the story uses the 'man teaches woman about intimacy' trope, and then not only that, but then Poppy goes and
There There by Tommy Orange
challenging
informative
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
This was such a heart wrenching book and an all around literary masterpiece. I will definitely be purchasing my own copy (I borrowed it from the library) and rereading this over and over.
This is the kind of multiple-POV book where a bunch of stories start out seeming kind of disjointed, and then they all come together and intertwine in a satisfying way that you get to uncover throughout your read. Each chapter is told by one of several characters, where each has their own voice that is unique to them and that helps the reader really empathize and connect with them.
The book reveals fairly early on what traumatic event will take place at its climax, so it has a slow-burn thriller feel to it as the story progresses. This, plus the fact that you've built such deep connections with the characters make the read feel even more exhilarating as you start to see events unfold towards the climax and you wonder if the characters you've come to know and care about progressing towards that event.
I really loved that that author included some non-fiction chapters in the story, and I thought that the self-insert character, Dene, was written really tastefully yet in a way that singled to the reader what he was aiming for with the book. This books also teaches a lot about different Native American experiences, and I really enjoyed that about it.
The writing was so beautiful and full of symbolism that one could spend hours pondering, and this is all around a book that will stick with me. It's so heart wrenching and so sad, but only in the way that some of the best books are. 10/10
This is the kind of multiple-POV book where a bunch of stories start out seeming kind of disjointed, and then they all come together and intertwine in a satisfying way that you get to uncover throughout your read. Each chapter is told by one of several characters, where each has their own voice that is unique to them and that helps the reader really empathize and connect with them.
The book reveals fairly early on what traumatic event will take place at its climax, so it has a slow-burn thriller feel to it as the story progresses. This, plus the fact that you've built such deep connections with the characters make the read feel even more exhilarating as you start to see events unfold towards the climax and you wonder if the characters you've come to know and care about progressing towards that event.
I really loved that that author included some non-fiction chapters in the story, and I thought that the self-insert character, Dene, was written really tastefully yet in a way that singled to the reader what he was aiming for with the book. This books also teaches a lot about different Native American experiences, and I really enjoyed that about it.
The writing was so beautiful and full of symbolism that one could spend hours pondering, and this is all around a book that will stick with me. It's so heart wrenching and so sad, but only in the way that some of the best books are. 10/10
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, and Colonisation
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Gore, Rape, Suicide, Blood, Car accident, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Abortion