whatchareadingheather's reviews
708 reviews

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

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challenging emotional sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

Definitely one that probably would have been better to read in a visual format, but definitely glad that I was finally able to read this since I’ve previously seen the original movie. Now I just need to watch the musical adaptation.
One Little Mistake by Lucinda Berry

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mysterious tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.5

Considering this is a short story, Lucinda Berry 1000% sucks you into the story and the lives of her characters. I do understand the reasoning for the abrupt ending and I hope there's a sequel on the way for this one.
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

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

4.25

So crazy to think about how much HASN'T changed regarding toxic masculinity and the threats upon the LGBTQ+ community considering this was published in the FIFTIES. A bit slow moving, but definitely still a relevant piece of literature.
A Touch of Jen by Beth Morgan

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

3.0

Holy whiplash! Honestly, I feel like I got 2 completely different books and actually enjoyed the more grounded aspects in the first half of the book as opposed to the supernatural-y elements of the second half of the book. If this was just the first half of the book with an actual ending this would have gotten 5 stars from me.
Ghost Roast by Shawnelle Gibbs, Shawneé Gibbs

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious 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

This was such a fun read! The story and characters were fully fleshed out and incorporates history in an entertaining way for all ages. I would absolutely love to see this adapted into a movie someday!
Crimes of Passion by Jack Harbon

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funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

Equal parts lighthearted and thought-provoking (in terms of the nature of our main characters' podcasts).  
Bacchanal by Veronica G. Henry

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.
Initially tried reading a hard copy of this and switched to audiobook thinking it might be more entertaining. While the narrator was great, the book itself is very slow (even for myself who generally tends to enjoy slow-burn books), and I didn't care much for the characters and overall worldbuilding.
We Are the Water People by Troy Onyango

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

2.5

Absolutely needed to be a full-length book purely because the overall lore of the water people needed to be fleshed out more than it was (clearly due to timing for this particular story). I did really like the narration and I will be seeking out more works about the water people in the future.
Zaddy by Sarah Ramos

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

4.5

Honestly, if this were a full-length book this would have gotten a perfect rating. I think this  accomplished everything that needed to happen character development-wise and for the overall plot itself given the length it had. This definitely kept me on my toes and the narration was very cinematic. Maybe a movie adaptation in the future?
Social Intelligence: The New Science of Human Relationships by Daniel Goleman

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informative medium-paced

4.5

I really hope that this is required reading in psychology classes because this was very informative on many different social dynamics in an easily digestible way. Great and realistic examples paired with the necessary science-y verbiage, but wasn't intimidating.