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bookdragon217's reviews
591 reviews
Untethered by Angela Jackson-Brown
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
Untethered by Angela Jackson-Brown has my entire heart. This was such an emotional read, and it resonated with me on a personal level. Katia is a caregiver in every aspect of her life at the detriment to herself, and I relate to this so much. I felt so seen as a social worker, a daughter, mother, friend, and wife. Black women have to be so strong all the time, but when do they get to be happy and just experience all that life has to give? My heart ached for Katia because she was so used to being everything for everyone that when the opportunities presented for her to accept help and support, she just wouldn't allow herself too. She was always worried about how to show up for others. I just wanted her to get to the place where a soft life was waiting for her.
If you've read Jackson-Brown before, then you know her historical fiction hits every single time. Her writing style is engaging and emotional and her characters stay with you long after her stories are done. Peewee and Chad gripped me from the beginning, and I grew so protective of them. No children should ever have to experience all that they had to endure at their age. I also appreciated how this story was so different from the author's previous work. It was still at its core historical fiction but it focused more on the themes than history. It was a deep dive into the failures of foster care system, PTSD in veterans, addiction and trauma, internalized anti-blackness, especially when it pertains to natural hair, the strong Black woman trope, faith and motherhood.
Some of my favorite quotes were:
• "Children belong in safe places."
• "Integration didn't equal fair treatment."
• "I understood more and more why the two of them had bonded. Pain recognized pain."
• "He needs to tell his story to you and his sister. That is how we heal. Silence is what kills us slowly."
If you love stories with incredible writing and a plot that will take you on an emotional roller coaster, then grab a copy for yourself and a bookish friend. Thank you to @harpermuse @hearourvoicestours for the gifted copy and tour opportunity.
If you've read Jackson-Brown before, then you know her historical fiction hits every single time. Her writing style is engaging and emotional and her characters stay with you long after her stories are done. Peewee and Chad gripped me from the beginning, and I grew so protective of them. No children should ever have to experience all that they had to endure at their age. I also appreciated how this story was so different from the author's previous work. It was still at its core historical fiction but it focused more on the themes than history. It was a deep dive into the failures of foster care system, PTSD in veterans, addiction and trauma, internalized anti-blackness, especially when it pertains to natural hair, the strong Black woman trope, faith and motherhood.
Some of my favorite quotes were:
• "Children belong in safe places."
• "Integration didn't equal fair treatment."
• "I understood more and more why the two of them had bonded. Pain recognized pain."
• "He needs to tell his story to you and his sister. That is how we heal. Silence is what kills us slowly."
If you love stories with incredible writing and a plot that will take you on an emotional roller coaster, then grab a copy for yourself and a bookish friend. Thank you to @harpermuse @hearourvoicestours for the gifted copy and tour opportunity.
I Might Be in Trouble by Daniel Aleman
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
I Might Be in Trouble by Daniel Aleman was so much fun to read. I haven't been able to read much all year, but this one was good it reinvigorated me. I thought it was going to be a queer thriller that I would just breeze through but the captivating writing and endearing protagonist had me hooked and locked in until the end. There were so many moments I laughed at the ridiculous things that kept happening but by the end I was in literal tears. I couldnt help but fall in love with David and hes a character I won't easily forget.
I really vibed with Aleman's writing style and found myself pausing at some really beautiful and introspective prose. Wrapped up in the fast-paced mystery were some interesting themes of queer, dating/hook up culture, grief, parental death, father-son relationships, racist stepparents, imposter syndrome and behind the scenes of the publishing world. My heart broke every time David had to interact with his father and stepmother. I really just wanted him to win because people treated him so poorly at times. Aleman did a great job balancing the laugh out loud moments with pulling at the heartstrings emotional scenes. Overall, this was such a great read and left me wanting to read more from Aleman.
Here are some of my favorite quotes:
▪︎ "Fiction is fiction, David....."Except that it isn’t. Fiction contains truth and everyone knows that."
▪︎ "Isn't it a privilege, really? To want and be wanted back? To have loved and lost—not once, not twice, but five times?"
▪︎ "Different people draw the line at different places."
▪︎ "I'll never understand why everyone is so quick to judge people with daddy issues but not the fathers who are responsible for causing those issues in the first place."
▪︎ "What I find funny, though, is that people talk about dreams coming true as if it were a point of arrival—a final destination, and once you've reached it, there should be no going back."
▪︎ "I guess grief can do that to you—it erases your memory, erases parts of you that you never even knew you were losing until one day you look back and realize that they're gone."
Thank you to @grandcentralpub @hearourvoicesbt for the gifted copy and tour opportunity.
I really vibed with Aleman's writing style and found myself pausing at some really beautiful and introspective prose. Wrapped up in the fast-paced mystery were some interesting themes of queer, dating/hook up culture, grief, parental death, father-son relationships, racist stepparents, imposter syndrome and behind the scenes of the publishing world. My heart broke every time David had to interact with his father and stepmother. I really just wanted him to win because people treated him so poorly at times. Aleman did a great job balancing the laugh out loud moments with pulling at the heartstrings emotional scenes. Overall, this was such a great read and left me wanting to read more from Aleman.
Here are some of my favorite quotes:
▪︎ "Fiction is fiction, David....."Except that it isn’t. Fiction contains truth and everyone knows that."
▪︎ "Isn't it a privilege, really? To want and be wanted back? To have loved and lost—not once, not twice, but five times?"
▪︎ "Different people draw the line at different places."
▪︎ "I'll never understand why everyone is so quick to judge people with daddy issues but not the fathers who are responsible for causing those issues in the first place."
▪︎ "What I find funny, though, is that people talk about dreams coming true as if it were a point of arrival—a final destination, and once you've reached it, there should be no going back."
▪︎ "I guess grief can do that to you—it erases your memory, erases parts of you that you never even knew you were losing until one day you look back and realize that they're gone."
Thank you to @grandcentralpub @hearourvoicesbt for the gifted copy and tour opportunity.
Eagle Rock by Ian K. Smith
mysterious
reflective
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? No
4.25
If you really know me, you know that I love a great thriller or mystery. Eagle Rock by Ian K. Smith had me in a chokehold from the first sentence. It is fast, paced suspense story with interesting characters and a murder mystery that unravels bit by bit in real time. I felt like I was right there with the detective team and I was actively putting the pieces together as new clues were revealed. I couldn't get enough of Ashe Cayne, the bad*ss protagonist and his sidekick Mechanic. In reality, all of the side characters in Cayne's world were great. I can't wait to dive into the first three books in this series because Eagle Rock, Ashe Cayne's 4th novel was fantastic.
Eagle Rock is a mystery full of quality storytelling. Not only is the narrative captivating, but the author manages to weave in compelling social commentary on power and class, sex trafficking, toxic masculinity, myths about BDSM and the secrets lives led by the wealthy. I loved that this one takes place in Chicago, one of my favorite cities. The Chicago streets come alive in this one and it was so much fun hearing all the familiar names of streets and neighborhoods.
The writing and dialogue made this one an automatic hit for me. I caught myself flying through the pages because I was so hooked on the mystery and the characters had so much depth and great development. These are some of favorite quotes:
▪︎ "I'm laughing at how different things are for the rich," I said. "You say that as if it's a new concept," my father said. "Always been like that. Always will be. They play by a different set of rules. Held to a different standard."
▪︎ "There isn't any singular type. These depraved and craven men came from all walks of life and every corner of society."
▪︎ "Rich families have strange dynamics. They relate to each other differently. There's this coldness to it all."
▪︎ "Sometimes the time spent chasing money isn't worth the time lost with family."
A big thank you to my lovely #partners @amistadbooks and @hearourvoicestours for the gifted copy and another tour opportunity.
Eagle Rock is a mystery full of quality storytelling. Not only is the narrative captivating, but the author manages to weave in compelling social commentary on power and class, sex trafficking, toxic masculinity, myths about BDSM and the secrets lives led by the wealthy. I loved that this one takes place in Chicago, one of my favorite cities. The Chicago streets come alive in this one and it was so much fun hearing all the familiar names of streets and neighborhoods.
The writing and dialogue made this one an automatic hit for me. I caught myself flying through the pages because I was so hooked on the mystery and the characters had so much depth and great development. These are some of favorite quotes:
▪︎ "I'm laughing at how different things are for the rich," I said. "You say that as if it's a new concept," my father said. "Always been like that. Always will be. They play by a different set of rules. Held to a different standard."
▪︎ "There isn't any singular type. These depraved and craven men came from all walks of life and every corner of society."
▪︎ "Rich families have strange dynamics. They relate to each other differently. There's this coldness to it all."
▪︎ "Sometimes the time spent chasing money isn't worth the time lost with family."
A big thank you to my lovely #partners @amistadbooks and @hearourvoicestours for the gifted copy and another tour opportunity.
Murder on the Red River by Marcie R. Rendon
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Alcohol
Lola Reyes Is So Not Worried by Cindy L. Rodriguez
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
5.0
"Whatever the reason, Mama holds it in. So I do, too. We're like soda bottles, all shook-up and fizzing, praying the cap holds so we don't explode."
Lola Reyes Is So Not Worried by Cindy L. Rodriguez was such a delight to read. Lola recently lost her father and is dealing with her own feelings of grief, while navigating her mother's sadness and dealing with changes in her friendship with her best friend. Her anxiety is getting the best of her, and the one person who she can be her most authentic self with is her grandmother in Guatemala. She brings home her father's worry dolls to the U.S. after his life celebration and the adventures begin.
The writing really captured my attention from the beginning. Rodriguez does a great job of exploring grief through both a child's and spouse/parent's POV. I liked being in Lola's head as she examines how her mom is dealing with her grief and what mixed messaging she is receiving about ways to grieve. On the one hand, Lola is looking for something tied to her culture to give her relief with her anxiety and on the other she values science and logic and just wants to talk about her feelings with someone. Bringing back the worry dolls was her way of holding on to something of her dad's and at the same time trying to find out how they helped him deal with big emotions when he was a kid. Grief books always get me in my feelings, and I loved how this one balanced the heaviness with so many moments of laughter. It was a great reminder that it is OK to find moments of joy even when you're grieving.
Read this one for: Guatemalan culture and rep, exploring grief and anxiety, friendships, and girls who love science. Thanks to @harperkids @hearourvoicestours for the gifted copy and tour opportunity.
Some book recs that would pair perfectly with this one are:
📚 Iveliz Explains It All- Andrea Beatriz Arango
📚 Grow Up, Luchy Zapata- Alexandra Alessandri
Lola Reyes Is So Not Worried by Cindy L. Rodriguez was such a delight to read. Lola recently lost her father and is dealing with her own feelings of grief, while navigating her mother's sadness and dealing with changes in her friendship with her best friend. Her anxiety is getting the best of her, and the one person who she can be her most authentic self with is her grandmother in Guatemala. She brings home her father's worry dolls to the U.S. after his life celebration and the adventures begin.
The writing really captured my attention from the beginning. Rodriguez does a great job of exploring grief through both a child's and spouse/parent's POV. I liked being in Lola's head as she examines how her mom is dealing with her grief and what mixed messaging she is receiving about ways to grieve. On the one hand, Lola is looking for something tied to her culture to give her relief with her anxiety and on the other she values science and logic and just wants to talk about her feelings with someone. Bringing back the worry dolls was her way of holding on to something of her dad's and at the same time trying to find out how they helped him deal with big emotions when he was a kid. Grief books always get me in my feelings, and I loved how this one balanced the heaviness with so many moments of laughter. It was a great reminder that it is OK to find moments of joy even when you're grieving.
Read this one for: Guatemalan culture and rep, exploring grief and anxiety, friendships, and girls who love science. Thanks to @harperkids @hearourvoicestours for the gifted copy and tour opportunity.
Some book recs that would pair perfectly with this one are:
📚 Iveliz Explains It All- Andrea Beatriz Arango
📚 Grow Up, Luchy Zapata- Alexandra Alessandri
Gabi, a Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
"Well, what is a Mexican supposed to look like? Am I supposed to be brown and short? Carry a leaf blower on my back? Speak with a thick accent? Say things like 'I no spik ingles?' Should I have dark hair and dark eyes, like my mother and grandmother?"
I adored Gabi A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero. I wish it existed when I was in high school because I related to it so much. Even though Gabi is Mexican, I felt so seen in so many of the chapters. Quintero captured the teen mindset and Mexican Spanglish/slang so well it created a really authentic reading experience. The format of the book also made it more enjoyable. I really vibe with books that include mixed media and this one had diary entries, poems and even a zine. Gabi is a protagonist that I will never forget. She's nerdy, quirky, observant, snarky, loving, loyal, with a solid moral compass and flexible.
Quintero tackled so many relevant themes from the Mexican perspective that will resonate with many other Latine folx. There was fatphobia (internalized & societal), religion, sex and abstinence messaging, addiction (meth), teen pregnancy, racism, colorism, being first generation heading to college, queerness and misogyny. As I was reading, I could see this book in conversation with others such as:
📚 Poet X- Elizabeth Acevedo
📚 Fat Chance Charlie Vega- Crystal Maldonado
📚 I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter- Erika Sanchez
📚 Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass- Meg Medina
A big thank you to @leeandlow @hearourvoicestours for the gifted copy and tour opportunity. There is a reason this book is an award winner. If you are in the mood for a nostalgic read with authentic Mexican/Latine representation, give this one a try.
I adored Gabi A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero. I wish it existed when I was in high school because I related to it so much. Even though Gabi is Mexican, I felt so seen in so many of the chapters. Quintero captured the teen mindset and Mexican Spanglish/slang so well it created a really authentic reading experience. The format of the book also made it more enjoyable. I really vibe with books that include mixed media and this one had diary entries, poems and even a zine. Gabi is a protagonist that I will never forget. She's nerdy, quirky, observant, snarky, loving, loyal, with a solid moral compass and flexible.
Quintero tackled so many relevant themes from the Mexican perspective that will resonate with many other Latine folx. There was fatphobia (internalized & societal), religion, sex and abstinence messaging, addiction (meth), teen pregnancy, racism, colorism, being first generation heading to college, queerness and misogyny. As I was reading, I could see this book in conversation with others such as:
📚 Poet X- Elizabeth Acevedo
📚 Fat Chance Charlie Vega- Crystal Maldonado
📚 I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter- Erika Sanchez
📚 Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass- Meg Medina
A big thank you to @leeandlow @hearourvoicestours for the gifted copy and tour opportunity. There is a reason this book is an award winner. If you are in the mood for a nostalgic read with authentic Mexican/Latine representation, give this one a try.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia and Pregnancy
Minor: Addiction, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual assault, Abortion, and Death of parent
Chooch Helped by Andrea L Rogers
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
"Chooch learns by watching. You're one of his most important teachers."
Chooch Helped by Andrea L. Rogers was such a cute, heartwarming read. I thought it was going to be about an annoying little brother, but it turned out to be so much more. One of the main themes was about the importance of family and community and preserving Indigenous ways. It was also about the importance of supporting curiosity and exploration in young children. My biggest takeaway was that it is important for children to practice their culture as young as possible so that they can learn to have pride in their communities and carry the traditions forward. I loved the sweet moments towards the end between the siblings, and they made me smile so much. I loved the Cherokee words and representation in the illustrations. The details of the book are absolutely gorgeous. Thanks to @levinequerido @hearourvoicestours for the gifted copy and another tour opportunity.
Here are some book recommendations that have some similar themes:
🍁 Circle of Love by Monique Gray Smith
🍁 Rock Your Mocs by Laurel Goodluck
🍁 You Are Sacred by Sarah-Anne Tourond
🍁 Tanna's Owl by Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley
🍁 When We Were Alone by David Roberston
Chooch Helped by Andrea L. Rogers was such a cute, heartwarming read. I thought it was going to be about an annoying little brother, but it turned out to be so much more. One of the main themes was about the importance of family and community and preserving Indigenous ways. It was also about the importance of supporting curiosity and exploration in young children. My biggest takeaway was that it is important for children to practice their culture as young as possible so that they can learn to have pride in their communities and carry the traditions forward. I loved the sweet moments towards the end between the siblings, and they made me smile so much. I loved the Cherokee words and representation in the illustrations. The details of the book are absolutely gorgeous. Thanks to @levinequerido @hearourvoicestours for the gifted copy and another tour opportunity.
Here are some book recommendations that have some similar themes:
🍁 Circle of Love by Monique Gray Smith
🍁 Rock Your Mocs by Laurel Goodluck
🍁 You Are Sacred by Sarah-Anne Tourond
🍁 Tanna's Owl by Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley
🍁 When We Were Alone by David Roberston
This Book Kills by Ravena Kaur Guron
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Imagine writing a murder story and someone kills a person you didn't particularly like exactly like your story? That's the premise of this YA thriller.
This Book Kills by Ravena Guron is just what I've needed recently to get out of a reading funk. I enjoyed the author's writing style and her ability to keep me reading despite there being so many characters to hate. But that's exactly the point she was trying to make especially since this one takes place in a private boarding school and our protagonist is a poor brown girl of Indian descent. I loved how the author didn't shy away from showing the realities of the climate in rich, white schools and how easy it is for BIPOC students to get blamed for crimes while dealing with racism and microagressions daily. Guron also shines a spotlight on misogyny and the idea that "girls are so emotional".
I love books that are told from a very interior viewpoint of a main character and Guron does this seamlessly. The personalities of the side characters were realistic to the setting and they helped to shape the themes Guron was trying to point out throughout the story. I kept reading because I wanted to know the whole truth, despite wanting to tell some of these characters off. I appreciated Guron's storytelling and I can't wait to read more of her books especially since I couldn't figure out the killer early on. Thanks to @sourcebooksfire @coloredpagesbt for the gifted copy and tour opportunity. Pick this one up of you enjoy YA thrillers that are heavier on the mystery than scary.
This Book Kills by Ravena Guron is just what I've needed recently to get out of a reading funk. I enjoyed the author's writing style and her ability to keep me reading despite there being so many characters to hate. But that's exactly the point she was trying to make especially since this one takes place in a private boarding school and our protagonist is a poor brown girl of Indian descent. I loved how the author didn't shy away from showing the realities of the climate in rich, white schools and how easy it is for BIPOC students to get blamed for crimes while dealing with racism and microagressions daily. Guron also shines a spotlight on misogyny and the idea that "girls are so emotional".
I love books that are told from a very interior viewpoint of a main character and Guron does this seamlessly. The personalities of the side characters were realistic to the setting and they helped to shape the themes Guron was trying to point out throughout the story. I kept reading because I wanted to know the whole truth, despite wanting to tell some of these characters off. I appreciated Guron's storytelling and I can't wait to read more of her books especially since I couldn't figure out the killer early on. Thanks to @sourcebooksfire @coloredpagesbt for the gifted copy and tour opportunity. Pick this one up of you enjoy YA thrillers that are heavier on the mystery than scary.
It Waits in the Woods by Josh Malerman
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
They Thought They Buried Us by NoNieqa Ramos
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Classism
Minor: Murder