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amalas_bookstop's reviews
91 reviews
Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
Solid 4.5 stars.
Jesmyn Ward writes so descriptively. I could almost feel the swamp of Mississippi as I was reading this book. I could feel the resentment Leonie had towards her children, parents, and the grief of losing her brother. It made it easier to understand maybe why she was such a neglectful mother.
I enjoyed how she used the ghosts to showcase how our past can sometimes hold us back or make us stronger. As we read with Jojo and his sister Kayla.
She even explored the slave to prisoner pipeline at Parchman prison. A terrible penitentiary that is still being used to this day.
I am definitely going to keep her on my radar for future reading.
Jesmyn Ward writes so descriptively. I could almost feel the swamp of Mississippi as I was reading this book. I could feel the resentment Leonie had towards her children, parents, and the grief of losing her brother. It made it easier to understand maybe why she was such a neglectful mother.
I enjoyed how she used the ghosts to showcase how our past can sometimes hold us back or make us stronger. As we read with Jojo and his sister Kayla.
She even explored the slave to prisoner pipeline at Parchman prison. A terrible penitentiary that is still being used to this day.
I am definitely going to keep her on my radar for future reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Cancer, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Pregnancy
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wow! This is my first time reading anything by R. F. Kuang and she did not disappoint. This is an adult fantasy based on real Chinese history. I enjoyed this very much and I look forward to reading book two.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Rape, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Suicide
I Wonder as I Wander: An Autobiographical Journey by Langston Hughes
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
I really enjoyed getting a peak behind the curtain that Langston Hughes left for us. He so beautifully wrote this travel blog in the 30s.
I really enjoyed reading out loud to my mom what was then called Hampton Institute (her Alma Mater) and his time there as he traveled through the South reading his poems. Really living the dream, he stated multiple times his poems are by a black man for black people.
The reader is able to wonder with him as he moved through Japan, Mexico, USSR, Spain (during the Spanish civil war), etc. He met so many poets, writers, artists, a famous boxer, to many to count. While also explaining how in some countries during that time race did/or did not matter. Not to mention the way he was able to pick up different languages.
He traveled the way I would love to by getting in a country and totally immersing yourself in the culture. This was such a treat to read and an amazing insight in who was an amazing man.
I really enjoyed reading out loud to my mom what was then called Hampton Institute (her Alma Mater) and his time there as he traveled through the South reading his poems. Really living the dream, he stated multiple times his poems are by a black man for black people.
The reader is able to wonder with him as he moved through Japan, Mexico, USSR, Spain (during the Spanish civil war), etc. He met so many poets, writers, artists, a famous boxer, to many to count. While also explaining how in some countries during that time race did/or did not matter. Not to mention the way he was able to pick up different languages.
He traveled the way I would love to by getting in a country and totally immersing yourself in the culture. This was such a treat to read and an amazing insight in who was an amazing man.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Police brutality and War
Minor: Cancer
Native Son by Richard Wright
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Jordan Peele has nothing on the mind that is Richard Wright. I do not know if I was completely ready to read this black horror, but at the same time I am glad I did.
The way Richard Wright was able to write a character like Bigger, whose only accomplishment is becoming what the world thought of him is heartbreaking. There were no winners or losers in this story, it completely showed how we all fall short and the consequences that come from that.
Parts of this story had me holding my breath, and the panic and fear bigger felt throughout this whole story was so well written you could not help but feel it.
This book is a solid 4.5 stars. Very well done, but at the same time unfortunate that this needed to be written. A must read.
The way Richard Wright was able to write a character like Bigger, whose only accomplishment is becoming what the world thought of him is heartbreaking. There were no winners or losers in this story, it completely showed how we all fall short and the consequences that come from that.
Parts of this story had me holding my breath, and the panic and fear bigger felt throughout this whole story was so well written you could not help but feel it.
This book is a solid 4.5 stars. Very well done, but at the same time unfortunate that this needed to be written. A must read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Violence, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Fragile Neighborhoods: Repairing American Society, One Zip Code at a Time by Seth D. Kaplan
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
“Real community produces an ecosystem in which every member is deeply embedded, not a collection of relationships that can be picked up and moved if the owner desire it.”
I thought how this book explains fragile neighborhoods and how we as a collective can bring them to a state of flourishing was very well researched and explained.
I can also say that yes this book was a little dry. I definitely had to force myself to continue reading. I think the point was made way before the book ended, but I can understand that the author wanted to give us real life examples of organizations that are doing well. In my opinion I did not need such long chapters of each example.
This is definitely a read to inform not entertain.
I thought how this book explains fragile neighborhoods and how we as a collective can bring them to a state of flourishing was very well researched and explained.
I can also say that yes this book was a little dry. I definitely had to force myself to continue reading. I think the point was made way before the book ended, but I can understand that the author wanted to give us real life examples of organizations that are doing well. In my opinion I did not need such long chapters of each example.
This is definitely a read to inform not entertain.
Fragrant: The Secret Life of Scent by Mandy Aftel
informative
relaxing
slow-paced
4.0
It was a great foundation to scents for my candle making.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have to admit, I did not enjoy reading most of this book. It was not until the last 5 percent when I realized how the author was slowly unfolding the plot. I had to go back and read the first couple of chapters to realize what I first read as mundane chatter of the rich to be the set up for the end.
While certain parts of this book did not age well, especially as a black woman reading this book. I can understand why it is considered a classic. However one read was enough for me.
While certain parts of this book did not age well, especially as a black woman reading this book. I can understand why it is considered a classic. However one read was enough for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
Minor: Murder
The Kite Runner (Audiobook) by Khalid Hosseini
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5 stars! This book was gut wrenching! The book is narrated by and told through Amir. We get to see his journey as an extremely immature youth to the man he becomes.
Through this story we see tragedy, fleeing as a refugee, and confronting reality when he takes a visit back home. The author does an amazing job of taking the reader with Amir as a passenger. He writes the imagery so well, it is easy to visualize. The topics that this book explores and introduces the reader to will stay in my thoughts for awhile. I am si glad i took the time to read this one.
Through this story we see tragedy, fleeing as a refugee, and confronting reality when he takes a visit back home. The author does an amazing job of taking the reader with Amir as a passenger. He writes the imagery so well, it is easy to visualize. The topics that this book explores and introduces the reader to will stay in my thoughts for awhile. I am si glad i took the time to read this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Rape
Moderate: Gore, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Minor: War
Lone Women by Victor LaValle
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. I did not think I would enjoy a western historical fiction but boy was I wrong. The way the author slowly unfolds the secrets of both Adelaide and the trunk she carries was masterful. Each character had depth and the secrets they carried were complex and unpredictable. The plot was delicious and he even opened my eyes to the black women who went to tame the frontier. This book is a historical fiction, fantasy, and horror rolled all into one. This did not disappoint!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Racial slurs
Moderate: Transphobia
Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
1.0
This was my first Riley Sager and was a complete waste of time. This book was completely predictable. It was a bit of a slow burn which I think is it’s downfall. I completely guessed the plot and every move of Jules before she made it. I often found myself rolling my eyes and yelling duh, multiple times.
I don’t typically give out one stars but this book completely warranted it. I am glad I bought this from a used book store and didn’t pay full price. It is going right back in the donation pile.
I don’t typically give out one stars but this book completely warranted it. I am glad I bought this from a used book store and didn’t pay full price. It is going right back in the donation pile.