anniefwrites's reviews
387 reviews

The Thing about Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin

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dark emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This one was a tough read. I loved where it ended up, but I did get a bit bogged down by the intense thoughts and negative memories throughout; I think I was looking for a few more moments of levity to break them up. It very much took me back to those preteen years of friendship troubles that made the world feel like it was crashing down, and I almost found it too much to bear at times. Still, Ali Benjamin did a great job of tapping into that tween psyche (and one that I interpreted as neurodivergent). It reminds me of books like The Line Tender and We Are Okay in its incisive capturing of grief. 
Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann

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dark reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Really glad I finally read this one. It’s very slow at first, but after that first Anne chapter, things really picked up. I fully believe that this was what show business was like in the ‘40s-‘60s, especially based on Jacqueline Susann’s own experiences, and I imagine it’s not that different today. Definitely an upsetting read
(absolutely fuck Lyon Burke)
, and there is some serious ableism and a LOT of fatphobia (which was probably accurate for the time but felt particularly egregious). An interesting glimpse into a world where self-destruction is nearly as easy as breathing. 
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I really, really enjoyed this! I am not usually a romance reader, but Emily Henry nailed the characters, dialogue, and friendship dynamic so well that I was sucked right in. It was super well-paced, and I think she handled the time jumps really well. I think the end got a little messy for me when we went back to two summers ago, but the END end was *chef’s kiss.* Would definitely read more from Emily Henry!
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

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emotional lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Hadn’t read this one in many years, but it still hit hard. Reliably sad and beautiful. It captures the wonder of childhood so well. The only thing I noticed as an adult that I didn’t as a child was the fatphobia that crops up throughout; it’s very of the time. But still a fave and one I look forward to sharing with my niece when she’s old enough. 
Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati

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adventurous dark sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This was my first myth retelling, and I don’t think the genre is for me. It’s so violent, and the characters are deeply entrenched in that violent culture, so they don’t feel relatable. The setting was beautifully described but not one I felt particularly engaged in. So I think it’s more of a mismatch for me—excellently written but I’m not the right reader. 
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

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dark emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
Jamie and Lynne Spears are truly the scum of the earth. They should be deeply ashamed for how they treated their own daughter. (Jamie Lynn should be ashamed, too.) So glad Britney is here to share her story. 
Mermaids: The Myths, Legends, & Lore by Skye Alexander

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informative lighthearted medium-paced
This was a mixed bag! I did really enjoy the connections across cultures of different folklore and mythology, but it felt pretty repetitive; I don’t think the first part or the afterword were necessary. I also think some of the language around race and gender was a bit outdated despite the book having been published in 2012, and I wish the illustrations were as diverse as the folktales’ locales. The research seemed a bit surface-level; the author didn’t seem to use many primary sources. But in general, it was a fun summer read that makes me want to watch Aquamarine ASAP.
Why You Should Read Children's Books, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise by Katherine Rundell

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informative lighthearted reflective fast-paced

5.0

What an absolute delight. This book distills something complex in the way only a children’s author could. Would love to mail this to every snobby writer who’s ever dissed kidlit! Please have a soul and go find some joy!

Update: reread and it’s still wonderful. A great companion to the Reading Rainbow documentary on Netflix!
Planning Perfect by Haley Neil

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emotional lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
Congrats to my former classmate, Haley, on her second YA novel! Such a fun read for my wedding-filled summer. 
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

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adventurous dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
Such a pacey, detailed puzzle of a book. The plot was so tight that it really carried the whole story for me, even though I didn’t find the characters particularly developed, I think because of the big cast. There were some aspects of the ending that confused me or weren’t quite as solid as I wanted them to be, but all in all, it’s a great start to the series. I might actually read more than Book 1, which is a rarity for me!