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sara_berlin's reviews
274 reviews
Long Way Down: The Graphic Novel by Jason Reynolds
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
I found this one more vivid than Long Way Down in verse, and the art was really good and portrayed the text in a very attention-grabbing, suspenseful way. It's a really moving book and a great commentary on gun violence and the chain reactions that happen.
Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
I think this was the perfect companion novel/sequel, in that it gives more background on the world and helps understand the characters from the other book, while still being strong enough to stand on it's own. I also really enjoyed the commentary on the different kinds of people who are needed in a movement, how it's not just front line work, because I feel like that's something that often lacks in some progressive spaces. It was also just really emotional but entertaining to read. I'm very grateful to Akwaeke Emezi, I think they did a wonderful job.
Flamer by Mike Curato
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.5
I think it was a very accurate portrayal, at least from what I've heard from people who are in Boy Scouts, and it was interesting to show this perspective. There are a lot of community hallmarks that have caused queer people throughout the years many difficulties and suffering, including religion which also played a big part in the story, but Boy Scouts isn't one you see portrayed frequently.
American Street by Ibi Zoboi
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
This was such a fascinating and unique story. I rarely see representation of immigrants, much less from Haiti, in young adult novels but I think this one did a great job showing the experience of moving to a completely different place with a very small or nonexistent support system and how you try to survive. It was also a very emotional book, which was kind of what I expected, but some of the revelations surprised me anyhow. Either way, I think this is an important book that doesn’t get enough hype.
Friday I'm in Love by Camryn Garrett
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.5
Honestly, I was a bit disappointed. The concept was great, the execution was just… not the best. I had high hopes for this book, and it was just a little all over the place. The pacing confused me, it seemed like Mahalia’s perspective changed really quickly and kind of out of nowhere, and the book was a little too corny for me and just generally not really a realistic depiction of highschoolers, at least not from my experience. Some aspects were relatable, but some parts also made me cringe. But as people say, there should be room for mediocre queer black books too, not just the best of the best, because straight white books get plenty of attention and fanaticism, even when they’re mediocre. It just wasn’t my favorite, and reminded me a little too much of a like 2000s romcom where I would skip half the scenes because they make me uncomfortable. Just not really my thing.
The cover is gorgeous though, and I will say, I’m not super cultured when it comes to music, but I do know Friday I’m in Love and I thought that was a cute element. Also, I think Mahalia would love Love, Victor.
The cover is gorgeous though, and I will say, I’m not super cultured when it comes to music, but I do know Friday I’m in Love and I thought that was a cute element. Also, I think Mahalia would love Love, Victor.
This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
5.0
I feel like I've maybe been handing out my 5 star ratings too freely lately, but I was really entranced by this book so I'm sure it deserves it. Plant magic isn't the most unique magic system I've ever read about (that one might have to go to Margaret Rogerson's Sorcery of Thorns) but it's definitely not an extremely common one and still really interesting to read about, especially when it's a more magical realism-type story and is set in a modern setting with real life plants (both the normal ones and most of the poisonous ones). Kalynn Bayron said she was inspired by Little Shop of Horrors, which I unfortunately have not seen yet, but am intrigued by after reading this.
One thing that was a very pleasant surprise to me was the one scene that referenced House of Leaves! That was not something I expected to read in this book, or in any other to be honest, but you should've seen me when I read it. I was crying laughing at the randomness and kind of absurdity of that book, of any other horror novel that could've been mentioned, being brought up.
Another thing I really didn't expect, because of how overall uplifting (if a little mysterious at times) this story is, was how emotional it got after a certain point. I don't know what the deal with me or the books I've been reading lately has been but they've all made me at least tear up.
One thing that was a very pleasant surprise to me was the one scene that referenced House of Leaves! That was not something I expected to read in this book, or in any other to be honest, but you should've seen me when I read it. I was crying laughing at the randomness and kind of absurdity of that book, of any other horror novel that could've been mentioned, being brought up.
Another thing I really didn't expect, because of how overall uplifting (if a little mysterious at times) this story is, was how emotional it got after a certain point. I don't know what the deal with me or the books I've been reading lately has been but they've all made me at least tear up.
PET by Akwaeke Emezi
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
It feels wrong to rate a book like this, but alas, Emezi deserves good reviews too. This book made everything I believe about the world and everything I want to do come into clearer focus for me, but it also brought me to tears by the end. Incredibly powerful and moving is all I can say, I don't think any words would suffice to describe it. I had high hopes about the writing from the first chapter, and I wasn't disappointed. I think this book also perfectly demonstrates why it is important to write about the future and what could be, so we can both have hope but also see the flaws with that utopian idea.
The Book of Pride: LGBTQ Heroes Who Changed the World by Mason Funk
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
I liked how wide ranging and inclusive this book was; it really showed the diversity of opinions and perspectives in the LGBTQ+ community, but also the common values that vibe bind us together. The last part was especially highlighted by the book being split into sections. I learned a lot and I think it’s a great jumping off point to learn more about recent history and how we’ve gotten to this point (i.e the history of pride). I think it’s important to learn about previous activities so we don’t repeat their mistakes (e.g. respectability politics, lack of intersectionality, etc). If it didn’t work then, it’s not going to work now, and acknowledging this is key to a progressive movement. Thank you to Mason Funk and his supporters for creating such a wonderful collection of stories.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Biphobia, Deadnaming, Hate crime, Homophobia, Terminal illness, Transphobia, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, and Outing
Minor: Racism
Radio Silence by Alice Oseman
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
I loved this so much. As much as I love Tori, I’ve got to admit that this one is better than Solitaire. The tone is very different but I mostly prefer it because the story and characters are just better developed. Also, who else caught the reference to Solitaire in the last chapter? I love how it’s all connected and the more you read the more you learn about the people in this world. It’s kind of like sonder but in book form, realizing that all the characters have their own lives and they’re not just side characters in this one person’s story.
I can’t think of any flaws, everything is so wonderfully done and I enjoyed every second of it (even the parts that made me cry). Something I’ve really got to praise Alice Oseman for is that I absolutely *fly* through her books, it’s actually unbelievable. All of the ones I’ve read so far have taken me two days or less to read, it’s actually crazy.
Only thing I wish was explored more was Frances’ relationship to her heritage, which was mentioned kind of offhandedly one time, although I understand why Alice Oseman maybe didn’t want to get into that yet.
Anyway, I’ll definitely be rereading this whenever I feel despair about my future. Also, I feel like this one could really work with a sequel, maybe about Frances going to art school? We’ll see. Either way, I’m really excited to read I Was Born For This!
I can’t think of any flaws, everything is so wonderfully done and I enjoyed every second of it (even the parts that made me cry). Something I’ve really got to praise Alice Oseman for is that I absolutely *fly* through her books, it’s actually unbelievable. All of the ones I’ve read so far have taken me two days or less to read, it’s actually crazy.
Only thing I wish was explored more was Frances’ relationship to her heritage, which was mentioned kind of offhandedly one time, although I understand why Alice Oseman maybe didn’t want to get into that yet.
Anyway, I’ll definitely be rereading this whenever I feel despair about my future. Also, I feel like this one could really work with a sequel, maybe about Frances going to art school? We’ll see. Either way, I’m really excited to read I Was Born For This!
Solitaire by Alice Oseman
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.5
I only took off half a star because I think that the pace was a little too fast and we didn't have enough time to see Tori develop, and because the whole Solitaire thing didn't really make sense to me honestly. Maybe I just need more time to process the book since I was very tired when I read it.
Overall, I think it's a really good depiction of depression and just generally how a lot of teenagers nowadays feel. Personally, I related it to it a lot. Also, as someone who has read Catcher in the Rye and found it annoying and pointless, there are some similarities (age, disdain towards school and a certain kind of media, seeing everyone as fake, etc) but I think they're more surface level and this book is a lot more relevant nowadays and generally less pretentious; the points are clear and compelling.
I already loved Tori just from reading the Heartstopper comics, and getting to be inside her head the way this book is was a very interesting experience. I like her and I see a bit of myself in her, as I've always considered myself a bit of a habitual pessimist, so seeing her character arc had an impact on me. It just wasn't as big of an impact as I would've liked.
Also, one thing that I really appreciate about this book was it’s depiction of OCD. I think I’ve read a decent amount of books, by no means even scratching the surface of them all but still, and I’ve never even heard of a book that had representation of OCD. I’m personally not diagnosed with it, but I found the scenes with Charlie very moving and true to the experiences I’ve heard from people who are diagnosed with OCD.
Overall, I think it's a really good depiction of depression and just generally how a lot of teenagers nowadays feel. Personally, I related it to it a lot. Also, as someone who has read Catcher in the Rye and found it annoying and pointless, there are some similarities (age, disdain towards school and a certain kind of media, seeing everyone as fake, etc) but I think they're more surface level and this book is a lot more relevant nowadays and generally less pretentious; the points are clear and compelling.
I already loved Tori just from reading the Heartstopper comics, and getting to be inside her head the way this book is was a very interesting experience. I like her and I see a bit of myself in her, as I've always considered myself a bit of a habitual pessimist, so seeing her character arc had an impact on me. It just wasn't as big of an impact as I would've liked.
Also, one thing that I really appreciate about this book was it’s depiction of OCD. I think I’ve read a decent amount of books, by no means even scratching the surface of them all but still, and I’ve never even heard of a book that had representation of OCD. I’m personally not diagnosed with it, but I found the scenes with Charlie very moving and true to the experiences I’ve heard from people who are diagnosed with OCD.