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ddnreads's reviews
391 reviews
The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
*inhale*
AAAAAAAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH
HUFT
😡🥺😫😫😫😫😭😭
"Did we make it?"
*insert smile through the pain meme*
The Stationary Shop is a romance laced with historical fiction set in Iran. Told through non-linear timeline, it revolved around the political condition at that time, young once-in-a-lifetime lovers, and difficult condition of one's family.
The story traced back the tangled love background history of a mother who affect the young lovers' path to the future.
I have my suspicion, but how it turned out still enraged me :((( I hate miscommunication trope. And I think they deserve better. At least the closure gave it justice 🥺
If you're into historical fiction romance with complicated family dynamic, the love of a mother and the lost of children, pick this book up and suffer with me.
AAAAAAAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH
HUFT
😡🥺😫😫😫😫😭😭
*insert smile through the pain meme*
The Stationary Shop is a romance laced with historical fiction set in Iran. Told through non-linear timeline, it revolved around the political condition at that time, young once-in-a-lifetime lovers, and difficult condition of one's family.
The story traced back the tangled love background history of a mother who affect the young lovers' path to the future.
I have my suspicion, but how it turned out still enraged me :((( I hate miscommunication trope. And I think they deserve better. At least the closure gave it justice 🥺
If you're into historical fiction romance with complicated family dynamic, the love of a mother and the lost of children, pick this book up and suffer with me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Classism
Minor: Gun violence
Winnie Zeng Unleashes a Legend by Katie Zhao
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0
My friend said reading this book is like it's really written by a middle grader which is a good thing and I felt that!!!
Atmospheric and fast pace, Winnie Zeng is an enjoyable, and light reading. It started off very funny on how Winnie explained middle school through her eyes. It infused with academic rival dynamic turned team mate, turn friends, and dealing with Chinese legend spirit who roamed the earth and the cause of the troubles recently. Finding that she is a shaman, Winnie fought her away against evil spirits using MOON CAKES!!! and a COOKBOOK!!!
It also dwells in how her family of Chinese American strive. Straight As, piano lessons, feeling never good enough and being compared to, and facing the bully when she brought Chinese food for lunch. It's reflective in a way. Whether to prioritize saving a lot of people, or prove yourself to make the people closest to you proud.
All and all, the only reason I didn't give it a 5⭐ is bcs some sentences were repetitive and don't have to be emphasized that much. Other that that, It's a great great middle grade book!!!!
Pssst It's also an English beginner friendly book 😍😍
Atmospheric and fast pace, Winnie Zeng is an enjoyable, and light reading. It started off very funny on how Winnie explained middle school through her eyes. It infused with academic rival dynamic turned team mate, turn friends, and dealing with Chinese legend spirit who roamed the earth and the cause of the troubles recently. Finding that she is a shaman, Winnie fought her away against evil spirits using MOON CAKES!!! and a COOKBOOK!!!
It also dwells in how her family of Chinese American strive. Straight As, piano lessons, feeling never good enough and being compared to, and facing the bully when she brought Chinese food for lunch. It's reflective in a way. Whether to prioritize saving a lot of people, or prove yourself to make the people closest to you proud.
All and all, the only reason I didn't give it a 5⭐ is bcs some sentences were repetitive and don't have to be emphasized that much. Other that that, It's a great great middle grade book!!!!
Pssst It's also an English beginner friendly book 😍😍
Gender Is Really Strange by Teddy G. Goetz
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
A beginner friendly guide to understand gender. Definition, brief history, distinction from other terms, THE TERMS used, along with biological & social factors.
Attractively informative, Gender is Really Strange is a highly recommended read 💙❤️💚💛💜
Attractively informative, Gender is Really Strange is a highly recommended read 💙❤️💚💛💜
The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan
adventurous
challenging
funny
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
5.0
My first rereading!!!! Really ppl shouldn't sleep on this series. It's just as funny and the audacity of Apollo is beyond comprehension 😭🤣🤣🤣🤣
This is where TSaTS takes me~ bcs I can't get enough of just one book
This is where TSaTS takes me~ bcs I can't get enough of just one book
Rebel Girls Level Up: 25 Tales of Women in Gaming and Tech by Rebel Girls
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
3.5
Debunking that gaming world is for men only or video games default is men's interest.
These 25 tales were inspirational. It literally starts from what you love. You can make a world out of playing game. How more interesting could it be?!!!
I love how Rebel girls keep it diverse. Wide range of age, background, positions. You may see yourself in one or two of them 🫶🏽
I read the illustration note and a bit sad to find out the use of AI illustration. The "people creativity behind" is the arts stolen from artists all over the world to be put as references without their consent. Please keep using talented illustrators. Would love to not see any AI illustrations anymore 🥺
These 25 tales were inspirational. It literally starts from what you love. You can make a world out of playing game. How more interesting could it be?!!!
I love how Rebel girls keep it diverse. Wide range of age, background, positions. You may see yourself in one or two of them 🫶🏽
I read the illustration note and a bit sad to find out the use of AI illustration. The "people creativity behind" is the arts stolen from artists all over the world to be put as references without their consent. Please keep using talented illustrators. Would love to not see any AI illustrations anymore 🥺
Notes to Share: Inspiring Tear-Out Messages for Every Bag, Backpack, and Lunchbox by Rebel Girls
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
A heartwarming notes to pass on accompanied by interesting fun facts, cool quotes, and giggling pun jokes.
You're given space to write your own ideas!!!! This is a nice friendship starter pack (◍•ᴗ•◍)❤
You're given space to write your own ideas!!!! This is a nice friendship starter pack (◍•ᴗ•◍)❤
Boundless: Twenty Voices Celebrating Multicultural and Multiracial Identities by Ismée Williams, Rebecca Balcárcel
I feel this on a personal level. I live in a very diverse, very rich with cultures and ethnicites country where it's common for us to be a halfie. I may not get those racism or out of place at times but I understand deeply how it feels.
To be decent enough for both but never mastering them. Learning different local languages. Not Javanese enough, not Bugis enough. Having to explain to people my family background. It's confusing and often meddled with unpleasant stretotyping.
This book opened a lot of struggles experienced by children of multicultural background. Mostly, they don't have it easy. As heartwarming as it could be, there are tries, and hopes here. And I guess lessons for everyone to remember.
I enjoy this beautiful work. My top 3 stories goes to:
- Hispanics Jewish Bingo by Goldy Moldavsky
(I WAS SO HOOKED WITH THE STORY. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT'LL HAPPEN NEXT TO JAVIER AND AMALIA'S LIFE.)
- Irish Soda Bread by Eric Smith (I got so hooked bcs the plot went so smoothly. And I'm a teacher. So yeah)
- CONFESSION by Erin Entrada Kelly
(We love a badass who punch someone in the face for being a bully, and a racist)
Honourable mention:
- A halfie's Guide to Mexican Restaurant
- Invisibility
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
"...halving something could make it more intead of less." - From Effing Nico by Randy Ribay
I feel this on a personal level. I live in a very diverse, very rich with cultures and ethnicites country where it's common for us to be a halfie. I may not get those racism or out of place at times but I understand deeply how it feels.
To be decent enough for both but never mastering them. Learning different local languages. Not Javanese enough, not Bugis enough. Having to explain to people my family background. It's confusing and often meddled with unpleasant stretotyping.
This book opened a lot of struggles experienced by children of multicultural background. Mostly, they don't have it easy. As heartwarming as it could be, there are tries, and hopes here. And I guess lessons for everyone to remember.
I enjoy this beautiful work. My top 3 stories goes to:
- Hispanics Jewish Bingo by Goldy Moldavsky
(I WAS SO HOOKED WITH THE STORY. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT'LL HAPPEN NEXT TO JAVIER AND AMALIA'S LIFE.)
- Irish Soda Bread by Eric Smith (I got so hooked bcs the plot went so smoothly. And I'm a teacher. So yeah)
- CONFESSION by Erin Entrada Kelly
(We love a badass who punch someone in the face for being a bully, and a racist)
Honourable mention:
- A halfie's Guide to Mexican Restaurant
- Invisibility
"You’re not a mash-up or a crash-up or a mix-up. You’re not parts. You’re a whole. Not a spark, but a fire . You’re not a piece of perfection, but the whole dang enchilada. You are one molten glow, girl, light indivisible."
On an Ebbing Seafoam Tide by Alannah Radburn
A beautiful poetry exploring loves, feelings, heartbreak, mother nature, and tidbits of social cause. I enjoy this. It's perfect for one relax sitting on the beach 😌
The illustration is SO SOOOO EYE PLEASING 😭🫶🏽
One minor inconvenient for me is the lack of capital letter. I know poetry format might differ but the lack of them for the whole book? I found it weird 😭🙏
Another favorite lines to encourage you to read this book:
Girls love is love 🫶🏽
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
3.5
leaving isn’t easy, but rather
a necessary, drenching gift.
when was the last time you gifted yourself freedom?
A beautiful poetry exploring loves, feelings, heartbreak, mother nature, and tidbits of social cause. I enjoy this. It's perfect for one relax sitting on the beach 😌
The illustration is SO SOOOO EYE PLEASING 😭🫶🏽
One minor inconvenient for me is the lack of capital letter. I know poetry format might differ but the lack of them for the whole book? I found it weird 😭🙏
Another favorite lines to encourage you to read this book:
your touch was rendered empty as the eyes
that once wandered out the window,
wordless no more
"you’re the whole damn sky."
"to know her mundane is to be gifted her intimacy."
Girls love is love 🫶🏽
The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
tense
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
Idk it's the PMS or not but I got all teary at the end 😭
Reyna was given blessings by two goddesses. The seven fought giants with their parents and patrons. Reyna and Nico. Nico and Will. JASON
Trials of Apollo will ruin me (again)
Reyna was given blessings by two goddesses. The seven fought giants with their parents and patrons. Reyna and Nico. Nico and Will. JASON
Trials of Apollo will ruin me (again)
Rebel Girls Celebrate Pride by Rebel Girls
I love how this book simplified the terms and definitions, e.g. non-binary, gay, or lesbian, as not to make the girls confuse. At the end of the book, you can also find the difference between gender identity, sexual orientation, and gender expression.
I like how diverse the occupations and backgrounds shown in this book. It's effectiy representing the idea of queer from any field and any part of the world. An inspiring enjoyable read.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.5
"Pride is not about being accepted; it's about accepting yourself regardless of other people's opinion."- Sherenté
"I'm not being brave, I'm just being me." - Molly Pinta
I found this book very comforting. If anyone struggles to find justice, friends, or acceptance, this book is a very good companion.
25 inspiring tales to celebrate pride, talk about being yourself, accepting who you are, and make sure that you're not in this alone. Never alone. The fight might be long and hard, but preserve bcs the queer community got your back.
25 inspiring tales to celebrate pride, talk about being yourself, accepting who you are, and make sure that you're not in this alone. Never alone. The fight might be long and hard, but preserve bcs the queer community got your back.
"If you want gay rights, you're going to fight for it. And you're going to have to fight until you win."- Slyvia
I love how this book simplified the terms and definitions, e.g. non-binary, gay, or lesbian, as not to make the girls confuse. At the end of the book, you can also find the difference between gender identity, sexual orientation, and gender expression.
I like how diverse the occupations and backgrounds shown in this book. It's effectiy representing the idea of queer from any field and any part of the world. An inspiring enjoyable read.
"Fight for your life before it's somebody else's job."- X González