Take a photo of a barcode or cover
lydialovestoread's reviews
482 reviews
Wayward: A Memoir of Spiritual Warfare and Sexual Purity by Alice Greczyn
reflective
slow-paced
2.0
This is an LA actor’s self-published religious trauma memoir.
Her parents were fanatical Christians who voluntarily became homeless because “God called them”. They tent camped, lived with friends and family, and lived off the good graces of other people for years.
Alice graduated from home school at the age of 16 when she get her GED, and through a series of chance meetings ended up in LA modeling.
Eventually she becomes an actress, leaves her faith, and jumps into LA’s party scene while treading mental health issues.
It was sloooooooow!!! It could have been half the length and better edited to make an easier read. Reminded me a lot of my own religious experiences and was interesting for that reason primarily.
Her parents were fanatical Christians who voluntarily became homeless because “God called them”. They tent camped, lived with friends and family, and lived off the good graces of other people for years.
Alice graduated from home school at the age of 16 when she get her GED, and through a series of chance meetings ended up in LA modeling.
Eventually she becomes an actress, leaves her faith, and jumps into LA’s party scene while treading mental health issues.
It was sloooooooow!!! It could have been half the length and better edited to make an easier read. Reminded me a lot of my own religious experiences and was interesting for that reason primarily.
What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
It wasn’t until I got to the author’s note that I realized this book was mostly autobiographical.
The main character Eve has 5 kids, is a successful writer, and finds out she has a stage 4 glioblastoma. This book is her journey through treatment, rehab, forgetfulness, and the awful fact of cancer.
It was only 144 pages long and I finished it in an afternoon. While working. It felt…light somehow, like she didn’t get to the depths I imagined. She uses humor to defect, often avoiding hard topics by making jokes. It was just fine.
The main character Eve has 5 kids, is a successful writer, and finds out she has a stage 4 glioblastoma. This book is her journey through treatment, rehab, forgetfulness, and the awful fact of cancer.
It was only 144 pages long and I finished it in an afternoon. While working. It felt…light somehow, like she didn’t get to the depths I imagined. She uses humor to defect, often avoiding hard topics by making jokes. It was just fine.
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
“The job of a rom-com…is to give you a simulated feeling of falling in love. A rom-com should give you a swoony, hopeful, delicious, rising feeling of anticipation as you look forward to the moment when the two leads, who are clearly mad for each other, finally overcome all their obstacles, both internal and external, and get together.”
That’s this book- two screen writers who wrestle through heath crisis, distance, rejection, writer’s block, and imposter syndrome to finally end up together.
It wasn’t my favorite- there were too many moments where the lead learned information through eaves dropping, and not enough sexual tension, but it was a good distraction, a light, silly, happy book. Arguably the best part was the author’s note where she gets on her soap box about why romantic fiction is a hopeful, socially necessary, and inspiring genre that should be taken more seriously.
That’s this book- two screen writers who wrestle through heath crisis, distance, rejection, writer’s block, and imposter syndrome to finally end up together.
It wasn’t my favorite- there were too many moments where the lead learned information through eaves dropping, and not enough sexual tension, but it was a good distraction, a light, silly, happy book. Arguably the best part was the author’s note where she gets on her soap box about why romantic fiction is a hopeful, socially necessary, and inspiring genre that should be taken more seriously.
Connie: A Memoir by Connie Chung
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
3.0
This book was mostly informative. Starting out slow Connie describes her parent’s immigration from China to the US.
Her career achievements were the main part of this book full of name dropping, coanchor drama, and celebrity interviews she landed. I learned how much of a dick Dan Rather was and the prejudice she faced as an Asian woman in a White male profession.
Overall it was an interesting read, but just okay.
Her career achievements were the main part of this book full of name dropping, coanchor drama, and celebrity interviews she landed. I learned how much of a dick Dan Rather was and the prejudice she faced as an Asian woman in a White male profession.
Overall it was an interesting read, but just okay.
James by Percival Everett
adventurous
dark
inspiring
reflective
tense
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? Yes
5.0
This is a rewriting of Huckleberry Finn from Jim’s perspective. When Jim finds out he’s about to be sold, he runs. At the same time, Huck fakes his own death and also runs away after his abusive father returns. They meet up along the Mississippi River, setting out on their historic adventure.
In James, Jim is an intelligent, literate black man. He has a heart, a conscience, and a will to live. Ruminating on the morality of owning people and what the color of skin really means, Jim encounters Voltaire and Locke in his dreams, asking questions that leave the readers pondering. Throughout the tales of adventure we see both Jim as an endearing character and the problematic views of racial hierarchy.
I loved this book. It was deep. It made my heart ache with injustice. It was moving and perplexing, witty and intelligent, a true literary genius of a book! Everyone should read it, discuss it, and sit with the tension it brings to light.
Daughter of Mine by Megan Miranda
adventurous
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Hazel and her mom melded into the Holt family when she was young. Perry Holt was the main detective who kept his small town functioning. A strait-laced, honest-to-goodness, salt of the earth, GOOD man who claimed Hazel as his own daughter. But was he?
Her mother disappeared when she was young, a criminal known for disappearing in a cloud, leaving a wake of criminal activity. After her father’s death, Hazel returns to town. The lake she grew up on has evaporated from drought and a submerged car is found in its depths. Along with its discovery are more questions than answers and Hazel questions the facts she’s been fed. Who can she trust? Who is sneaking around the house at night? What was her dad trying to tell her? And what actually happened to her mom?
I devoured this book. There was potential for romantic development that I think would have elevated the story, but it kept me engaged at every turn.
Her mother disappeared when she was young, a criminal known for disappearing in a cloud, leaving a wake of criminal activity. After her father’s death, Hazel returns to town. The lake she grew up on has evaporated from drought and a submerged car is found in its depths. Along with its discovery are more questions than answers and Hazel questions the facts she’s been fed. Who can she trust? Who is sneaking around the house at night? What was her dad trying to tell her? And what actually happened to her mom?
I devoured this book. There was potential for romantic development that I think would have elevated the story, but it kept me engaged at every turn.
Piece of Work by Staci Hart
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
AI suggested this book to me. It was wrong.
He is chiseled and mysterious, broody, rich, powerful and surly. She is awkward and nerdy until her makeover. Suddenly she’s a 6’ tall Asian goddess that he can’t stop thinking about. He is the owners son, she is an intern. Before they even know each other he kisses her and touches her without consent in a back closet. He’s impulsive and an asshole but she can’t refuse. The condensed version of my review is: RED FLAGS!!!
He is chiseled and mysterious, broody, rich, powerful and surly. She is awkward and nerdy until her makeover. Suddenly she’s a 6’ tall Asian goddess that he can’t stop thinking about. He is the owners son, she is an intern. Before they even know each other he kisses her and touches her without consent in a back closet. He’s impulsive and an asshole but she can’t refuse. The condensed version of my review is: RED FLAGS!!!
The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
I couldn't get through it and quit at 44%. Rachel, who lives in Ireland is immature, pouty, and quite frankly annoying. She and her best friend, a not-quite-out-of-the-closet gay man both have a crush on the same man. Her friend has an affair with her crush and she is eat-a-box-of-cookies depressed every time this older man comes over. Bleh. I gave up.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
fast-paced
5.0
This was my second time through. The first was years ago and I reread it after my 13 year old got obsessed.
It holds up. Fast paced, emotion, love, grief, you find it all. On to book #2.
It holds up. Fast paced, emotion, love, grief, you find it all. On to book #2.
A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy by Tia Levings
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0