katietotallybooked's reviews
763 reviews

The Phoenix Crown by Janie Chang, Kate Quinn

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challenging mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.75

It took me 40% of the book to get hooked.
I'm typically not a fan of either author - I've actually DNF'd books by each of them before. So I would not have picked this up despite loving historical fiction if it was not a Book Club pick. 

I was at first confused by the time jump in the novel. And, this book is forgettable as it's been 3 days since I finished it and things are already foggy.

What I did Like: 
- female friendship and loyalty 
- empowered women 

From Novelist:
Identities: Asian
Characterization: Well-developed characters
Mood: Action-packed
Jennie's Boy: A Newfoundland Childhood by Wayne Johnston

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funny lighthearted sad

2.0

 How do you review a book that just didn’t click for you? 🤔

This was my second Canada Reads 2025 shortlist pick, and while I can see why some readers would enjoy it, it didn’t quite work for me. I found it a bit of a slog—even with the audiobook to help me along. Maybe it was the writing style? Maybe it was hearing the narrator voice 7-year-old Wayne? Either way, it just didn’t resonate.

I’m curious to see how it holds up in the Canada Reads debates in March! With Linwood Barclay championing it, I wonder if it will be the first to go. I don’t see it having broad appeal, and for a book meant to “change the narrative,” it didn’t shift much for me.
A Two-Spirit Journey: The Autobiography of a Lesbian Ojibwa-Cree Elder by Ma-Nee Chacaby

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challenging dark informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

3.5

🌟 Wow, just wow. This book was HEAVY. Please make sure to check the trigger warnings before diving in! It offers a fascinating and deeply moving look at the life of an Indigenous lesbian woman, Ma-Nee Chacaby, who overcame obstacle after obstacle. She endured more hardships than I can even begin to imagine, and her resilience is truly inspiring. 💔✨

While Ma-Nee’s story kept me hooked, I have to admit the writing itself felt a bit dry—more like a textbook than narrative nonfiction. Thankfully, listening to the audiobook helped me stick with it! 🎧 I also appreciated the inclusion of photos, maps, and the Afterword, which explained the writing process and gave me a better understanding of the book’s style.

At just over 230 pages, this is the shortest book on the Canada Reads shortlist, but it certainly packs a punch. I can see why it’s described as a book that can “change the narrative.” After reading, I feel a deeper sense of empathy and understanding for Ma-Nee and the experiences of Indigenous women in Canada. Co-author Mary Louisa Plummer puts it perfectly: “[Chacaby’s] rare, first-person perspective provides insight into how racism, homophobia, violence, substance abuse, and poverty have shaped Indigenous women’s experiences in Canada.” Powerful words for a powerful story. 📖💡 
After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

 Another Taylor Jenkins Reid backlist read complete!" 🎉
As someone who’s been in a relationship for over 9 years, I really connected with Lauren and Ryan. Their struggles felt so relatable, and I loved how TJR explored marriage conflicts in such a thoughtful and unique way.
The familial relationships—Lauren’s bond with her siblings, mom, and grandma—were another highlight for me. So many moving, intertwining pieces made this story inspiring and emotional.
Plus, the audiobook flowed beautifully, and switching formats was seamless, which is always a bonus!
 
From Novelist:
Genre: Love stories; Relationship fiction
Mood: Moving; Inspiring
Style: Candid; Leisurely paced 

Favourite Quotes

 “Just because you can live without someone doesn’t mean you want to.” 

 “I've come to realize that resentment is malignant. That it starts small and festers. That it grows wild and unfettered inside of you until it's so expansive that it has worked its way into the furthest, deepest parts of you and holds on for dear life.” 

 “Here is what I can tell you. All that matters in this life is that you try. All that matters is that you open your heart, give everything you have, and keep trying.” 
All It Takes Is a Goal: The 3-Step Plan to Ditch Regret and Tap Into Your Massive Potential by Jon Acuff

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informative fast-paced

5.0

What better way to start the year than by diving into a book that’s all about setting and achieving meaningful goals? Jon Acuff writes in such a tangible and approachable way. His practical, kind advice on goal-setting focuses on creating a clear vision for your future and then building from “easy goals” to “middle goals” to “guaranteed goals.”

One of the biggest takeaways for me: the “easy goals” matter more than we think. They’re the stepping stones that help you build momentum toward your bigger dreams. ✨


 
Gin, Turpentine, Pennyroyal, Rue by Christine Higdon

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emotional sad tense slow-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

4.25

Will Gin, Turpentine, Pennyroyal, Rue win the award for the most surprising star rating in 2025?

Honestly, I didn’t expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. It reminded me of Little Women and Hamilton—two favorites of mine—but it took me over 30% of the book to really get into the story and sort out the characters. However, as the story progressed, the characters grew on me, and the pacing picked up, which made it much more engaging. I flew through the last 25% in just two sittings. Ultimately, I ended up thoroughly enjoying it.

The writing is beautiful, and the audiobook is wonderfully narrated—a bonus for a tandem reader like me. That said, the lengthy chapters made switching between the audio and physical versions a bit challenging.

Even so, this book was a hit for me, and it’s currently my top pick for OLA’s Forest of Reading Evergreen Award for adult fiction and non-fiction.

Quote:
A quiet rage rose in me as Llewellyn stood, the kind of rage that promises that if you can just remain calm for thirty seconds, things will end well, you will not embarrass yourself or ruin the evening; but if you can't, well, then it will not be held responsible for whatever you say. p. 302
 
We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-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

4.0

This was very well written and told in an engaging way. I think I felt a bit confused at times when reading (Which just happens to me as a reader in this season). Parts of it were soooooo emotional and they really tugged on my heart. I fell for Duchess and Robin, and came to care about their well-being greatly.

I will definitely read more by this author in the future!

From Novelist:
Storyline: Intricately plotted
Characterization: Complex
Mood: Emotionally intense; Suspenseful
Style: Character-driven 
The Unplugged Hours: Cultivating a Life of Presence in a Digitally Connected World by Hannah Brencher

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inspiring reflective fast-paced

3.75

The Secret History of Audrey James by Heather Marshall

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emotional informative 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

From Novelist:
Genre: Canadian fiction; Historical fiction
Themes: Chosen family; Inspired by real events
Storyline: Parallel narratives
Mood: Moving
Style: Character-driven; Atmospheric 

What a woman wore was always important, no matter how skilled-or inept-she might be. The right outfit had a way of validating a woman. Whether that fact was fair or not was irrelevant. Anyone who denied it was a fool. p.18

In Germany, there were plenty of times I thought I was about to die at any moment. Had I known I was going to make it out alive, I wouldn't have had the sense of imperativeness that I did. There's a lot to be said for the power of raw nerve, of adrenaline, in pushing a person to the verge of her ability. p. 133

Raising Securely Attached Kids: Using Connection-Focused Parenting to Create Confidence, Empathy, and Resilience by Eli Harwood

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informative

5.0

This is by far the most impactful parenting book that I have read to date. It as taught me SO MUCH about attachment and attachment theory that I never knew before. 

Attachment truly is a cornerstone for how our children turn out. It also has played a big role in how I am as a parent and in my own relationships. I have so many tabbed pages and I know I will come back to this one as my daughter grows.