spongebobbiii's reviews
661 reviews

The Anxious Generation: How The Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt

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4.5

As a therapist, this is absolutely a must read, especially since I work with Gen Z and younger.
You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

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5.0

This was such a surprising 5-star read!

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty completely caught me off guard. Considering it had elements I typically avoid spice (not my thing!) and an age gap between the love interests i’m shocked I ended up rating it so highly. But wow, the writing was exceptional, and the commentary on grief was absolutely stunning.

The story was heart-wrenching and, honestly, a bit of a train wreck in the best way. You couldn’t help but keep reading. Despite the chaos, the romance felt so compelling—like their souls found refuge in one another. You know it shouldn’t have worked, yet it did.

My two-word summary for this book? Soul refuge.

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.
Just not for me. Maybe a bit too sci fi for my liking.
All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

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4.0

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

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3.25

The Wedding People by Alison Espach was an enjoyable read, though not one that left me in awe. It’s the kind of book I’m glad I picked up after all the hype last year, but it’s definitely a one-time deal for me—not something I’d re-read.

What stood out was the author’s ability to take serious topics, like suicidal thoughts and infertility, and weave them into a story so absurd that it brings much-needed comedic relief. Espach strikes a balance between addressing heavy themes and lightening the tone with humor, which is no easy feat.

While it didn’t blow me away, it was still a solid, entertaining read, and I can see why it resonated with so many people.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

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3.5

Uncultured by Daniella Mestyanek Young

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dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister

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medium-paced

1.5

Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi

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emotional reflective 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

4.75

Has your life ever been changed by a chance meeting?

Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi beautifully explores how a single encounter with the right person at the right time can completely change the course of your life.

Alka Joshi, author of The Henna Artist, takes readers to 1930s Bombay, India, with a vivid and immersive narrative. The story centers on Sona, a 23-year-old biracial nurse (British and Indian), whose life intertwines with Mira Novak, a renowned biracial painter famous for depicting Indian women. Their meeting sparks a transformative journey for Sona, filled with emotional growth and self-discovery.

What I Loved:
  • Sona’s character: I adored her growth arc, especially her evolving relationship with her mother. Joshi writes such multidimensional characters that they feel like real people you’d want to know.
  • Historical depth: Joshi brilliantly captures the political tension between India and Britain in the 1930s. Her research shines through, and the author’s note adds even more depth—Joshi traveled to every country featured in the book to ensure accuracy.
  • Mira Novak’s inspiration: Mira is based on Amrita Sher-Gil, a Hungarian-Indian painter and pioneer of modern Indian art. Her richly colored paintings, many of which were self-portraits, are legendary. Joshi says, “Amrita Sher-Gil is my inspiration for this novel, and it’s important to me that she and her work are not forgotten.”
  • SCU connection: As an alum of Santa Clara University, I loved seeing a shout-out to an SCU history professor in Joshi’s author’s note!
  • The ending: Wow, just wow. It kept me on my toes and completely surprised me.

What I Struggled With:
  • The pacing: The first half of the book felt a bit slow. While I was never bored—thanks to Joshi’s stunning writing and well-developed characters—it did take some time for the main plot to fully unfold.

Themes:
  • Trial and error of emotional growth: After meeting Mira, Sona embarks on a journey of emotional self-discovery.
  • Courage to live the life you want: Sona learns to step into her dreams, even when it means doing so with fear in her heart.

Six Days in Bombay is another gem from Alka Joshi, blending history, art, and deeply personal journeys in a way that’s unforgettable.

I was provided a copy via the publisher through NetGalley, but all thoughts are my own.
Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours

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mysterious fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

What I liked: 
Sariyah, the main character, is the heart of this book. Her ability to intuitively know what others need is  woven into the story in a way that feels believable and grounded, rather than over-the-top or distracting. The representation of disabilities and mental health is another strong point. Desamours includes conditions like Sickle Cell Anemia, depression, and ADHD. The book’s exploration of racial disparities—especially in how missing persons cases are handled depending on race—was impactful and discussed an important message to readers.

What is disliked:
The twist, while functional, didn’t leave much of an impression. It wasn’t bad, but it lacked the impact.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for ALC. These thoughts are my own.