prishukla's reviews
83 reviews

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk

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informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

I really appreciated this overview of Dr.  van der Kolk's professional experience supporting people with their trauma, including strategies for coping with it. It's very approachable/ readable (not super jargon-y) & compassionate. Just be prepared for there to be several examples of some pretty grizzly trauma. I definitely spaced out my reading of this, as a result.
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The Kingdom of Gods by N.K. Jemisin

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adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective 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? Yes

4.5

Really enjoyed this as a finale to the series & really love this novel from my favorite character's perspective (Sieh) and their growth journey. Really loved this series overall & the short story at the end!
That Time I Got Drunk And Yeeted A Love Potion At A Werewolf by Kimberly Lemming

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

3.5

Quick & enoyable read. The 🌶️ scenes were not my favorite (those in the first book were more up my alley), though I enjoyed the tug-of-war situation created by the love potion & the action sequence near the end of the book. A character appears in the back half of the book that might be my favorite one so far in this series.
Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America by Ijeoma Oluo

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challenging dark informative fast-paced

4.0

This book is really well-written, but also an intense read. I ended up skimming it because I wasn't in a place to sit with the heaviness of the threats & hold that white name supremacy/entitlement have over our society. 
The Broken Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin

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

4.0

I really enjoyed this sequel placed in the same world but several years later. More beautiful world-building from the perspective of a blind protagonist who is also an artist. Really incredible & can't wait to see where the third and final installment takes us.
That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A deeply enjoyable (and spicy!) magical romance. It's funny, it's silly, and it's also easy to read!
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-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? No

4.0

I really enjoyed this beautiful and dark fantasy. It was a universe that was easy to get wrapped up in (the world building is incredible) and the plot was not predictable. I am thrilled that this is a trilogy that gives me more time to immerse myself.
The Witch Collector by Charissa Weaks

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
I read the first 60 pages and just couldn't get into it. Even though the stakes are laid out up front, I think this just isn't my kind of fantasy / magic book.
Advika and the Hollywood Wives by Kirthana Ramisetti

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emotional funny hopeful mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

This was a very easy-to-read (and enjoyable!) book about someone experiencing grief and learning about themselves / growing in the process. It's also a sort of mystery/mellow thriller. 
Radiant Sin by Katee Robert

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adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I read Katee Roberts for the 🌶️ & parallels to Greek mythology. The storytelling isn't necessarily strong, but the intimacy is extremely well-written / well-employed for plot advancement.