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117 reviews
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
"Are you sure you're not a cat?"
This novel follows the life events of Lale, a Slovakian Jew, during the years he was persecuted at Auschwitz-Birkenau. The author uses the stories, told by the real-life Lale, to show just a glimpse of the horrors of the Nazi regime.
Lale is a survivor. His story is far from what the ordinary man could endure. Lale throughout is stuck between working a high-ranking prison job and the guilt the privilege of this position provides while so many others are literally burning.
Lale offsets this privileged position by smuggling the extra rations to his fellow prisoners and is quickly regarded as a kind man. In this kindness, he falls in love with a fellow prisoner, Gita. He no longer is only surviving for himself, but helping the woman who captures his heart.
I enjoyed the audiobook very much. The narrator, Armitage, does a wonderful job differentiating the characters' voices and tones and was easy to follow along.
This dramatic romance is beautifully written. The emotions bled through the pages. I did need to keep reminding myself that although this tale was based on fact, it is still historical fiction. The romantic themes did overshadow the tragic reality of what was happening around Lale.
This novel follows the life events of Lale, a Slovakian Jew, during the years he was persecuted at Auschwitz-Birkenau. The author uses the stories, told by the real-life Lale, to show just a glimpse of the horrors of the Nazi regime.
Lale is a survivor. His story is far from what the ordinary man could endure. Lale throughout is stuck between working a high-ranking prison job and the guilt the privilege of this position provides while so many others are literally burning.
Lale offsets this privileged position by smuggling the extra rations to his fellow prisoners and is quickly regarded as a kind man. In this kindness, he falls in love with a fellow prisoner, Gita. He no longer is only surviving for himself, but helping the woman who captures his heart.
I enjoyed the audiobook very much. The narrator, Armitage, does a wonderful job differentiating the characters' voices and tones and was easy to follow along.
This dramatic romance is beautifully written. The emotions bled through the pages. I did need to keep reminding myself that although this tale was based on fact, it is still historical fiction. The romantic themes did overshadow the tragic reality of what was happening around Lale.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Sexual violence, and Forced institutionalization
The Thirteenth Cat by Mary Downing Hahn
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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
3.25
Zoey goes to Bexhill, Vermont, for the summer to visit her Aunt Alice. Her mom felt it was safer than staying in their Brooklyn apartment while she worked, but she could not have imagined what was lurking in the small town of Bexhill.
My 11-year-old recommended this to me based on its witchy vibes. This book is well suited for the middle-grade audience. The writing was easy to follow and even had some twists I was not expecting.
By the end, I knew what the conclusion would be. However, it was still interesting to find out how.
My 11-year-old recommended this to me based on its witchy vibes. This book is well suited for the middle-grade audience. The writing was easy to follow and even had some twists I was not expecting.
By the end, I knew what the conclusion would be. However, it was still interesting to find out how.
Content Warnings
Minor: Kidnapping
Written In Bone: Hidden stories in what we leave behind by Sue Black
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Sue Black does a wonderful job teaching the importance of forensic anthropology from head to toe. As a long-time crime drama fan, I was fascinated by the way Black was able to use her fruitful career as a catalyst to introduce or explain the human anatomy. The information was dumbed down enough for most people to understand what part of the anatomy was being described and was easy enough to follow along with very little medical background. I would recommend this for any aspiring forensic investigator or, like me, the average crime enthusiast.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault
The Premonition by Banana Yoshimoto
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This short story Yoshimoto has conjured was thought provoking. The main character finds herself in a happy family, but often runs away for reflection and has missing memories she is trying to restore. Overall I interpreted a sense of coming of age and trauma healing from the premise.
The parts of the story I was not impressed by were the romanti relationships. I felt they may have been added for shock value rather than to add any real growth of the characters. These taboo relationships do however make a person reflect on what trauma may do to our decision making.
I wouldn't necessarily recommend this short story, but it did keep me engrossed to try to see the outcome.
The parts of the story I was not impressed by were the romanti relationships. I felt they may have been added for shock value rather than to add any real growth of the characters. These taboo relationships do however make a person reflect on what trauma may do to our decision making.
I wouldn't necessarily recommend this short story, but it did keep me engrossed to try to see the outcome.
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, and Abortion
Mother Hunger: A Path for Daughters to Reclaim Lost Maternal Love by Kelly McDaniel
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Mother Hunger introduces the idea of how maternal generational traumas are perpetuated in daughters and cause unhealthy attachments.
Listening to the audiobook, Kelly was able to provide a more accurate view of why I still see myself as the black sheep and have distanced myself from the unnamed feelings of being around my family. This roughly eight hour therapy session was triggering from the very beginning, which I personally found healing. Some may find it too uncomfortable, however McDaniel does warn the readers before the worst of it.
This book has a very specific demographic. It is for daughters of mothers who were emotionally unavailable. There are even degrees of harm that McDaniel covers. Finding most of the knowledge insightful, some of the more severe traumas did not resonate with me, thankfully. These lessons are set up so we can take what we need and learn from what we do not.
For years, I have not been able to put into context why I have little emotion most times, then large breakdowns. This audio has set me on a path to do more research and continue on my healing journey.
Listening to the audiobook, Kelly was able to provide a more accurate view of why I still see myself as the black sheep and have distanced myself from the unnamed feelings of being around my family. This roughly eight hour therapy session was triggering from the very beginning, which I personally found healing. Some may find it too uncomfortable, however McDaniel does warn the readers before the worst of it.
This book has a very specific demographic. It is for daughters of mothers who were emotionally unavailable. There are even degrees of harm that McDaniel covers. Finding most of the knowledge insightful, some of the more severe traumas did not resonate with me, thankfully. These lessons are set up so we can take what we need and learn from what we do not.
For years, I have not been able to put into context why I have little emotion most times, then large breakdowns. This audio has set me on a path to do more research and continue on my healing journey.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual assault
Ghosts of Honolulu by Mark Harmon
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
I had trouble paying attention to this audiobook. Mark Harmons narration and the written timeline is monotonous, and unfortunately I am unable to remember most of the facts.
Fourth Wing Bonus Chapters by Rebecca Yarros
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I liked reading Xadens POV more, and though it his side did not add much to the overall story, it was better written.
Sudden Onset by Tom Dardick, Chris Dardick
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
3.5
This edition was gifted in return for an honest review.
Sudden Onset is a science fiction novel set in modern America. We follow our FMC, microbiologist Mira, as she is brought in by the American government to help identify a new threat on domestic soil.
I enjoyed the diverse cast and found myself invested in the characters' journeys of discovery. Mira is introduced to many people who help her take a deeper look into her life and the possibilities of science and religion.
Being a science fiction novel, with one of the authors being a microbiologist, I can appreciate the need to make the science make sense. However, I was, at times, overwhelmed with much of the technical terms and scientific journaling. As someone who likes to escape in books, I felt the need to skim the more in-depth science explanations to get to the plot.
Overall, I liked this book. The cast of characters and the plot were well integrated. I would easily pick up the sequel to continue following Mira's story.
Sudden Onset is a science fiction novel set in modern America. We follow our FMC, microbiologist Mira, as she is brought in by the American government to help identify a new threat on domestic soil.
I enjoyed the diverse cast and found myself invested in the characters' journeys of discovery. Mira is introduced to many people who help her take a deeper look into her life and the possibilities of science and religion.
Being a science fiction novel, with one of the authors being a microbiologist, I can appreciate the need to make the science make sense. However, I was, at times, overwhelmed with much of the technical terms and scientific journaling. As someone who likes to escape in books, I felt the need to skim the more in-depth science explanations to get to the plot.
Overall, I liked this book. The cast of characters and the plot were well integrated. I would easily pick up the sequel to continue following Mira's story.
Richard Matheson's I Am Legend by Steve Niles
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The graphic novel is an adaptation from the novel by Rochard Matheson. I knew going in that the movie starring Will Smith was loosely based on the novel as well.
I was expecting more than a drunk vampire hunter. The MC primarily sits and drinks and waits for a good day to go hunting. Eventually, the MC tries to find a cure. However, it becomes a moot subject by the end.
I felt let down by the plot and wondered if the novel itself had more depth.
I felt let down by the plot and wondered if the novel itself had more depth.
The Awakening (The Immortal Wizards, Book 1) by Andreas Suchanek
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
3.25
The Awakening is the first book in the series The Immortal Wizards. The story changes multiple points of view, following a core group of young wizards on their missions, Jen, Clara, Max, Mark, Chris, Kevin and Chloe. We also follow some of the Immortal Wizards stories, which I found the premise of famous people from history being all knowing wizards to be fascinating. I did like the writing as it was able to capture my attention quickly. There is a lot of action in this book and I enjoyed the fast pace. This edition of The Awakening was translated from German to English, and unfortunately there were quite a few grammatical and spelling errors along the way. It was difficult to determine if the author repeated information or if it was translated incorrectly.
Overall I liked the first book of this series. There is a good mix of plot and character growth and has LBGTQ+ representation.
Overall I liked the first book of this series. There is a good mix of plot and character growth and has LBGTQ+ representation.