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697 reviews
One Story, One Song by Richard Wagamese
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
I enjoy a solid collection of essays and this, as anything written by Richard Wagamese, was well written and explored important issues with imagery and careful diction. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did an excellent job.
Spílexm: A Weaving of Recovery, Resilience, and Resurgence by Nicola I. Campbell
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Review: Spílexm: A Weaving of Recovery, Resilience, and Resurgence by Nicola I. Campbell
This text is an autobiographical account that is part narrative essays and poetry. Beginning in her childhood, Campbell recounts her experience as a child of residential school survivors and a young adult dealing with the deaths of loved ones. Her writing starts when she does, in difficult internal and external struggles, and develops into moments of teaching, reconnection, and resurgence. The poetry is beautiful and poignant. I found the poem at the end of the narrative essay “Learning to Heal” especially moving.
Spílexm is a beautiful journey and weaving of experience. I recommend taking your time to sit in the various stages and listen to Campbell’s story.
This text is an autobiographical account that is part narrative essays and poetry. Beginning in her childhood, Campbell recounts her experience as a child of residential school survivors and a young adult dealing with the deaths of loved ones. Her writing starts when she does, in difficult internal and external struggles, and develops into moments of teaching, reconnection, and resurgence. The poetry is beautiful and poignant. I found the poem at the end of the narrative essay “Learning to Heal” especially moving.
Spílexm is a beautiful journey and weaving of experience. I recommend taking your time to sit in the various stages and listen to Campbell’s story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
Also deals with depression and anxiety
Truth Telling: Seven Conversations about Indigenous Life in Canada by Michelle Good
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Review: Truth Telling: Seven Conversations about Indigenous Life in Canada by Michelle Good
A passionate treatise with elements of autobiography, Michelle Good’s Truth Telling exposes, with devastating detail, the ongoing impacts of colonisation and the residential school system on Indigenous people and communities.
These essays are an opportunity to hear the passionate heart of the author of Five Little Indians, but also to join Good in an important conversation about Indigenous issues in Canada by listening to her experience as well as detailed research of the harm perpetuated by colonial ideas and ongoing misrepresentation of Indigenous identity. Each essay stands on its own, but as a collection, the essays thoroughly explore the frustration Good and Indigenous communities have with Canadian policy to undermine and undervalue Indigenous voices and claims.
This important text is available for purchase as a preorder now and will be in stores on May 30. Thank you to HarperCollins Publishers and NetGalley for the advanced copy. This is my honest opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual assault
You Have a Match by Emma Lord
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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
3.0
Rubi Ramos's Recipe for Success by Jessica Parra
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
📖Review: Rubi Ramos’s Rules for Success by Jessica Parra
This deliciously delightful coming of age story is sure to warm your heart and tempt your tastebuds.
Rubi Ramos loves to bake, but her mom, nicknamed the boss, has instituted a ban on baking until Rubi can fulfill the Recipe for Success: get into Alma and become a lawyer. Despite the ban, Rubi is always doodling Cuban inspired recipes in the margins of her school notes. She secretly applies and participates in an opportunity to bake in the Orange County Bake-Off. Bending the ban, and being waitlisted at Alma, begins an avalanche of secrets, while she figures out how to navigate her parents’ plan for her life and her own.
Cheering on Rubi as she navigates her coming of age story is as easy as pie. She is a spunky, passionate protagonist, who stole my heart immediately with her smart remarks, love of her family, and smooth LOTR, Star Wars, and other pop culture references.
Her external struggle as a second generation immigrant to America from Cuba and her parents’ expectations for her future as well as prep school prejudice, are developed with care and highlight Rubi’s intricate identity and the struggles that she faces.
The secondary characters in the story are lovable and quirky. Her best friend Devon, her “boyftu” Ryan, and the staff at the bakery, bring depth to the story and highlight Rubi’s amazing community of supporters.
Finally, the bake-off is intense with quirky elements that made me laugh - baking puns and Rubi’s smart retorts. I always love when cooking or baking is used in stories to demonstrate passion and character development. This is no exception and perfectly advances the plot causing me to constantly be cheering and hoping Rubi as I read.
Rubi Ramos’s Recipe for Success comes out on May 16, and is a wonderful YA coming-of-age story that makes me look forward to Jessica Parra’s future novels.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Publishing for the digital ARC as well as the ALC in return for an honest review. The opinions expressed are my own - I read it twice, which is pretty positive ❤️
Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
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
3.0
Gigi, Listening by Chantel Guertin
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
📖Review: Two for the Road by Chantel Guertin
Two for the Road is a delectable travel romance that will drive away the winter blues one sun-soaked British destination at a time!
Gigi loves love stories. So much so that she owns a romance-only bookstore. For her thirtieth birthday, Gigi’s friends get her a tour of Britain where the tour guide is Zane, her favourite audiobook narrator of the book that brought her parents together. However, Zane isn’t there at first, but Taj is, and heartwarming hilarity ensues.
You’ll love it if you like:
📚Books about book lovers
❤️Romance (with adorable banter)
🏘️Community building
⭐️Quirky characters
📖Books like Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting, The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, or Last Chance Library.
I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful novel. It had all of the fabulously heartwarming characteristics of romance as well as community building. The quirky cast of characters is going to be one I turn to again and again. There’s also so many amazing references to literature that any book lover will be able to relate to Gigi’s voracious reading and the connections to her favourite novels in England.
Thank you to @netgalley and @kensingtonbooks for this digital ARC in return for an honest review.
Let's Get Quizzical by Kelly Ohlert
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
2.0
Review: Let’s Get Quizzical by Kelly Ohlert
Let’s Get Quizzical attempts to be equal parts heartwarming enemies to lovers romance, a shocking mystery, and a lighthearted romp. Unfortunately, for me, it fell flat.
The story felt needlessly complicated, and I did not find myself wrapped up in the romance. The enemies turned to lovers much too quickly (I enjoy banter and slow burn), and the mystery felt out of place. I think it could have been either the romance or the mystery, but I didn’t enjoy it as both. I also, personally, prefer closed door romance and found the scenes a bit much.
All that to say, Let’s Get Quizzical may not be the right fit for me, but it may be for you! If you like enemies to lovers, quirky facts, and open door romance, this might be the right fit for a quick, light read.
Let’s Get Quizzical will be available on October 17.
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for this ARC. The review is my honest opinion.
The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
I was having difficulty getting into it. Probably bad timing. I’ll try it as an audiobook sometime.
VenCo by Cherie Dimaline
adventurous
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
3.0
📖Review: VenCo by Chérie Dimaline
First, I’d like to highlight that April is halfway to Halloween month making it the perfect time to embrace some witchy reads.
VenCo was an exciting adventure with Lucky St. James and the other fantastic witches. It gave me The Witches of Moonshyne Manor vibes and kept me intrigued until the end.
One thing I will say is that the villain, Jay Christos, is abominable, and I found myself skimming over his horrible exploitation. As always, be sure to check the content warnings before diving in.
So, if you’re looking for an intriguing witchy read with feminist and anti-colonial themes, as well as a kick-butt team of women, this is it. It’s also set in April, so what are you waiting for?
First, I’d like to highlight that April is halfway to Halloween month making it the perfect time to embrace some witchy reads.
VenCo was an exciting adventure with Lucky St. James and the other fantastic witches. It gave me The Witches of Moonshyne Manor vibes and kept me intrigued until the end.
One thing I will say is that the villain, Jay Christos, is abominable, and I found myself skimming over his horrible exploitation. As always, be sure to check the content warnings before diving in.
So, if you’re looking for an intriguing witchy read with feminist and anti-colonial themes, as well as a kick-butt team of women, this is it. It’s also set in April, so what are you waiting for?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Colonisation