mrs_smuttersworth's reviews
124 reviews

James by Percival Everett

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” was one of the first books I remember reading and being assigned to read it with a critical, literary eye. I couldn’t understand why we needed to “read critically” but I was also a 16 year old who didn’t really read anything but her mom’s contraband romance novels, so. I now understand why putting a critical eye to what you read is important, and “James” was the other side of this story I remember wanting in high school. 

We follow Jim, who we learn prefers James, and his escape from slavery. His main goal is to make enough money to purchase his wife and children so he can take them to freedom. We see what happens when Huck isn’t in the picture, and we are given harsh glimpses of life for a runaway slave who is desperate to hide his education and evade capture. 

This should be required reading when reading Huck Finn, in order to see the juxtaposition between the privilege Huck enjoys, and the bravery it takes James to fight for his life and family. 
Babymoon or Bust by Ava Hunter

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I thought this was a cute “strangers to co-parents to more” and really enjoyed the dynamic of the two main characters. The end was a little intense and I didn’t think to check trigger warnings for birth trauma, but that’s on me. 
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Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I can’t believe I waited this long to read my first Abby Jimenez book. I couldn’t put it down! I love the complex relationships that are presented from navigating leaving an abusive partner, to finding love after abuse, and how to advocate for yourself when you’ve been conditioned for one goal your whole life. Abby really gets the complex relationship dynamics and while I was stressed there for a minute, the HEA was worth the worry and heartache. 
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Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond

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informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

I believe this should be required reading for anyone over the age of 16 in the United States. The statistics are presented in a narrative way, and historical examples are given throughout the book that back up each statistic and economic impact. Seeing this information presented in the narrative format, instead of in say a news article, helped the information sink in and really brought to light the stark economic disparities that are present in the United States. It’s hard to fathom when you don’t visually see it every day, but this book really helps put it into perspective how poverty can affect literally everyone, and how the systems in place make it difficult to rise out of poverty. Not only does it touch on the economic impact of poverty, not just on the poor but on the communities surrounding each pocket, but it touches on the health and education impacts as well. 
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

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challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I don’t know why I waited so long to read this book. I think I was intimidated by the hype and was so afraid it would let me down. I was so so wrong. This book was incredible from the first page, and I found myself putting it down so I could savor it and think about it instead of just powering through it. 

I love how Elizabeth Zot’s flaws are presented to us, the reader, as things that get in her way, but are the reasons she’s successful. I love that we’re shown chemistry though her job, and her work, but also in her relationships with the people around her. She surrounds herself with people who don’t love her despite her quirks, but love who she is, period. The love story between Calvin and Elizabeth was achingly sweet, and equally heart wrenching. 

At the risk of babbling on, I really enjoyed this book so so much, and hope others enjoy it as well. 
The Wedding Witch by Erin Sterling

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book was just as engaging as the first two, and a perfectly fluffy rom-com with a mystery to add to the tension. I love the dynamic between Bowen and Tamsyn, but who doesn’t love a brooding grump and the cutie who pretends she doesn’t like him! When they find themselves trapped back in time, and trying to put things to rights, they throw caution to the wind and allow themselves to really open up. I loved this book and the ending had me in happy tears! 
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This is my second Katherine Center book, and I found it just as delightful as “Hello Stranger”. We follow personal protection agent Hannah as she embarks on life after the death of her mother and a breakup with her boyfriend/coworker. Shes given an assignment to watch a movie star she definitely doesn’t not have a little crush on. And when his mom buys their fake dating scheme a little too well, they have to just get through it, or do they?

This was fluffy, and light hearted, with a touch of drama and just the perfect thing to read to clear away some winter blues.
Our Wicked Histories by Amy Goldsmith

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma

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dark emotional tense medium-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 honestly don’t know how to adequately describe how much I loved this book. The magic system with vampires was so unique and kept me interested the whole time. Each twist and turn was exquisitely done. Full of feminine rage, and willing to act on it, Kidan was a morally gray heroine I could really get behind. An immortal who loves life and a human girl who literally doesn’t care about her own, but is on a mission to find her missing sister, is such a toxically frustrating duo, but an even more compelling story to read. When I got towards the end my jaw was on the floor! I was enthralled from the beginning to the end and can’t wait to read the next book!