anniefwrites's reviews
387 reviews

One in a Millennial: On Friendship, Feelings, Fangirls, and Fitting In by Kate Kennedy

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hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced
Mixed feelings about this one! As the youngest millennial, I found I started off heavily relating to the book but related less as it went on. I really appreciate the attention she gave to her girlhood and the cultural influences on it (I had a newsletter/blog that tackled similar subjects) and tying that to her current self. I’m not sure the writing style was for me; I think the audiobook may be the way to go. I think the best parts were when she engaged with the specificity of her own experiences, less so than when she applied them more widely. All in all, I’m happy this kind of book exists and I’m always curious to read a book with a CD on the cover 💿
The PLAIN Janes by Cecil Castellucci, Jim Rugg

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hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
I can imagine my younger self being really inspired by this. I think these days I seek out more character-driven graphic novels, though. The art style wasn’t my favorite, but that’s a matter of opinion. I hope this book inspires more young artists to think outside the box!
Wash Day Diaries by Jamila Rowser

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funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
A great visual display of Black womanhood and friendship. I really liked the watercolor-inspired art style and felt like the vignettes stood really well on their own. Such fun characters and a vibrant world. 
Freshman Year by Sarah Mai

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emotional reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This book showed another side of college life which I really appreciated—not knowing what you’re doing and not feeling like it’s “the best years of your life” despite what everyone says. I didn’t have the best college experience in some ways, and I was surprised by how specifically Mai reflected the emotions and thoughts I had at that time back at me. It really is a time of just starting to assess yourself: who you are, what you need to work through, who you want to be, and that was captured very well. It was a bit of a stressful read, but ultimately a good one. The only thing I’ll add is that I didn’t think the epilogue was necessary; the reader is smart enough to pick up on those takeaways themselves. 
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

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emotional reflective sad tense slow-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

A really immersive read—I often found myself thinking about the world Zevin built when I wasn’t reading it, and now after I’ve finished. The characters were flawed, difficult, real. I’m not a gamer, but the video game elements added layers to the story that only enriched it. Some parts were devastating, others frustrating, and others hopeful. I love that a book about a complicated decades-long friendship has become so popular; it just goes to show that there’s an appetite for friendship stories that I’ve had since I became a reader in the first place. 
Roaming by Jillian Tamaki, Mariko Tamaki

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emotional reflective fast-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

I just love everything the Tamaki cousins make together. They capture a specific moment in time and culture and age so well. I love the art style and color palette and the complex relationships between the characters. Will always read more graphic novels from them!
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced
I mean, what is there to say other than this should be required reading for every American? It amazes me that Frederick Douglass wrote this book (with some trepidation) at my exact age (between 27 and 28) and the impact was so immense. It’s a tough read, of course, but emotionally, not intellectually. It is such a readable classic and one that speaks to the chaos of today’s world so much that it can be upsetting. He was one of the most gifted writers of his time, and our country owes so much to him and his legacy. 
The Four Tendencies: The Indispensable Personality Profiles That Reveal How to Make Your Life Better by Gretchen Rubin

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informative reflective medium-paced
I read this on the recommendation of my therapist and definitely found some useful info in it. In particular, I like the information-consequences-choice framework for appealing to a wide audience. I think there are a lot of things that affect tendency that she doesn’t address like race, gender, socialization, and mental health—the last of which I noticed in particular, since I think I was much more of an obliger before I was treated for anxiety, and now I am firmly an upholder. I don’t know if this measure of personality is quite as dramatically impactful as presented, but I think it can be useful to consider, especially in a work setting. 

Also, Attention Self Help Writers: Stop Being Fatphobic!!!!! Just truly stop!!!! Take every mention of weight in your books and throw it in the trash!!!!
Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain

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adventurous dark funny informative reflective tense fast-paced
I’m by no means a foodie, but the pure passion for and enjoyment of food that Bourdain had makes me want to be one. This book is stressful in the watching-The-Bear way, and informative in an undercover-spy way. Bourdain’s voice was singular—leaping off the page and ringing in your ears. He feels at once like an insider and an outsider. I’d argue there’s no way this would be published today (there’s a lot of  dated stuff about women in particular), but I imagine it was very accurate for the day, though hopefully not as much anymore. No matter what, Bourdain’s offbeat charm and provocative voice are sorely missed. 
If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson

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emotional reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

What can I say? I’m devastated. Jacqueline Woodson is an absolute genius—one of the best naturalistic writers there is. Exquisite yet simple details, crystal clear atmosphere, expert weaving of big questions and little moments, characters you know and love immediately. It was so poignant and so heartbreaking and I think I’m gonna be sad about this for a while.