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tayahmarie's reviews
91 reviews
Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really enjoyed Janie’s character and learning more about her life. It’s no secret that she went through so much turmoil and heartache throughout the story, but still tried her best to make lemonade out of lemons. Every single time I turned the page I was hoping she’d find happiness, solace, and a sense of self, and at times she did… though it wasn’t perfect by any means. But it was hers and that’s what mattered at the end of the day.
As for the writing, I loved it! Hurston’s prose is beautiful and deeply thought-provoking, but I also appreciated the raw southern dialect/AAVE that she included - it was critical IMO. Oftentimes, folks who don’t understand the nuances and cues of AAVE either mock it, don’t take it seriously, or simply use it in the wrong context 🙄 - I was able to follow along pretty well and actually laughed out loud at many of the things the characters said. Even in the face of despair, Black humor still finds a way to shine.
Final Thoughts: Overall, I 100% recommend! If you find yourself struggling with the dialect, then I’d recommend finding an audiobook, but other than that I thought this was a poignant and reflective read, and I’m glad Janie’s happiness was exactly that, HERS, no matter if it fit the readers idea of it or not.
Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
This might be one of, if not the, most difficult book that I’ve ever read; not because of the writing style or because I didn’t enjoy it (obviously) but; because of learning the hell that Iris had to endure day in and day out at the hands of an absolute monster: i've never gotten super connected to a character like Iris, so fast and rooting for them, their safety, and overall well-being every step of the way.
I was deeply invested in every emotion, every thought, every inner dialogue that Iris had, and I STILL wanted to learn more about her! She was such a fascinating, strong (in every sense of the word) and compelling MC, and I loved her as if she was real, ok?! Ryan’s ability to flesh out characters cannot be understated, man. I also appreciated the rich culture that was woven throughout the story. Iris’ Louisana/Creole roots and the way she talked about her identity/how it’s everything to her felt like it was its own character; it was beautiful!
Lastly, the romance between Iris and August was EVERYTHING. August was such a sweetheart and I couldn’t wait for him and Iris to get their much-deserved happy ending.
Final Thoughts: Overall, I 100% recommend it! Though this story has so many difficult topics (please look up trigger warnings!), there’s no denying how important it is. From the commentary on domestic violence and remaining strong in the face of adversity, to taking a step back and giving yourself time to heal before you open up your heart again to someone, there are a lot of lessons to be learned here.
Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
Here’s another book that’s added to my favorites of 2022 list! I can’t believe it took me this long to read this gem of a story, but I’m finally glad I did.
When it comes to the characters, Izumi has become one of the most compelling, down-to-earth, and hilarious female MCs I’ve read about. I was legit cracking up at specific chapters and scenes because Izumi’s sense of humor and her relationships with her best friends/mother is so relatable. I enjoyed the moments when Izumi would reflect on her sense of identity and not feel like she fit in anywhere. I think this is how a lot of marginalized groups feel, so I felt seen in that regard. Jean’s writing style was witty and sharp, and it felt like I was listening to a friend tell her crazy life story which made for a more immersive and engaging reading experience.
As for the overall plot, I’m obsessed! Similar to a lot of folks, I loved The Princess Diaries franchise and everything that came along with it - something about discovering that you’re a long lost princess with a country waiting for your return does something to me and is one of my favorite tropes but it was nice to see elements from that movie make its way into the story. This had a different and refreshing take on the trope; learning about Japan and its culture/traditions was so fascinating you could tell that this was a love letter to the country, the culture, and its people, and it was absolutely beautiful; the descriptions/atmosphere were phenomenal!
Final Thoughts: I 100% recommend it! The important themes regarding identity/culture, trying to fit in, discovering yourself, etc., are explored nicely, and the stunning romance between Izumi and Akio was a sweet touch!
The Club by Ellery Lloyd
dark
mysterious
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
Well, another book that I can officially cross off my Most Anticipated Reads list, and unfortunately this one just wasn’t for me! I even debated about posting this, because I don’t typically post my lower rated books, but this should be a place for honest discussion and healthy debate so here we go, lol.
Starting with the things I did enjoy, I did like the very last half of the book where all of the action took place. You could tell that everyone was on a collision course inching closer and closer to crescendo. I also liked the multiple POVS (especially Jess and her storyline!), how everyone on the island had secrets, and how the body count was actually piling up; there were so many twists and turns that I was hooked.
I think what stopped this from working for me was the fact that a good chunk of the book focuses too much on the details surrounding the Island Home Group (The Club) and how ultra luxurious it is. I understand that the IHG itself is an integral part of the story, but I don’t think we needed to spend all this time on it. And if we were, I would’ve liked if it was less telling and more showing, as well as played into the atmosphere of it all. The IHG is situated on a remote Island, but I didn’t really get any of those vibes, except for how isolated it was and how there’s truly only one way on and off the island. Which was pretty scary I’m not going to lie, lol.
Final Thoughts: I really did want to love this one. But because of how excruciatingly slow burn it is, and the fact that the real action doesn’t happen until the very end, it didn’t feel like a huge payoff to me.
Will by Will Smith, Mark Manson
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This has easily become one of my favorite memoirs of all time! Just like on-screen, Will’s charisma, honest sense of humor, and charming personality flow throughout the pages of this book or in my case, the audiobook. His narration and captivating storytelling are another prime examples of why he’s one of the highest-grossing actors of our time, and he deserves it all!
I appreciated how raw, real, and uncut he was. He truly embodies the age-old saying “you can take a person out of their neighborhood, but you can’t take the neighborhood out of the person.” You could tell he was still the same guy from West Philly and I ate it up 😂 At certain points, this felt like a love letter to Philly and I often found myself smiling, laughing, and getting hype over the different landmarks (he lived in the same area as my aunt, where I’ve spent a decent amount of my childhood/early teen years 😂) he pointed out, as well as the one of a kind Philly lingo incorporated throughout. He does a phenomenal job at making the reader feel like they’re having an actual conversation with him about his life, success, and everything in between.
I need to note that his grandmother, Gigi, was a good woman and I loved the chapters where Will would reflect on his conversations with her! Also, I was already a big Jada Pinkett fan, but this book made me adore her even more. The first words that ever came out of her mouth to Will still have me cracking up because she’s an east coast girl through and through!
Final Thoughts: Overall, I definitely recommend the audiobook since Will raps, voice acts and includes music. His narration style will keep you hooked!
I appreciated how raw, real, and uncut he was. He truly embodies the age-old saying “you can take a person out of their neighborhood, but you can’t take the neighborhood out of the person.” You could tell he was still the same guy from West Philly and I ate it up 😂 At certain points, this felt like a love letter to Philly and I often found myself smiling, laughing, and getting hype over the different landmarks (he lived in the same area as my aunt, where I’ve spent a decent amount of my childhood/early teen years 😂) he pointed out, as well as the one of a kind Philly lingo incorporated throughout. He does a phenomenal job at making the reader feel like they’re having an actual conversation with him about his life, success, and everything in between.
I need to note that his grandmother, Gigi, was a good woman and I loved the chapters where Will would reflect on his conversations with her! Also, I was already a big Jada Pinkett fan, but this book made me adore her even more. The first words that ever came out of her mouth to Will still have me cracking up because she’s an east coast girl through and through!
Final Thoughts: Overall, I definitely recommend the audiobook since Will raps, voice acts and includes music. His narration style will keep you hooked!
The Score by Elle Kennedy
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Night Shift by Alex Finlay
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Well, I can officially cross off another book that was on my most anticipated reads of 2022 list! Unfortunately, this wasn’t my favorite or one of the most memorable Thriller I’ve read.
While I liked the overall plot and enjoyed bouncing around from different characters’ POVs, I felt like there was too much going on with the story for me. However, I think Finlay did a good job at tying up everything together in the end and I always appreciate getting to the core of how everyone’s lives and storylines truly intertwine. I think out of all the characters, I liked reading from Ella and Agent Keller’s POV the most. But, I would’ve liked if Ella’s past and trauma were explored a bit more though, it feels like we only scratched the surface which is odd considering she was a therapist, lol.
As for the writing, it was meh. Idk. Some of the dialogue felt a bit cringe and since the marketing for this book seems to heavily rely on the fact that it’s on the cusp of Y2K and the new millennium, it would’ve been nice if the writing was more atmospheric and played into it. Like yes, we were told the events that played out were during that time period, but I didn’t get a lot of those vibes in the beginning or during Ella’s flashbacks.
Final Thoughts: My one piece of advice is to just suspend any and all disbelief because you’ll have to 😂 - especially with Agent Keller being 8 months pregnant and the ending taking an absolute insane twist and turn.
While I liked the overall plot and enjoyed bouncing around from different characters’ POVs, I felt like there was too much going on with the story for me. However, I think Finlay did a good job at tying up everything together in the end and I always appreciate getting to the core of how everyone’s lives and storylines truly intertwine. I think out of all the characters, I liked reading from Ella and Agent Keller’s POV the most. But, I would’ve liked if Ella’s past and trauma were explored a bit more though, it feels like we only scratched the surface which is odd considering she was a therapist, lol.
As for the writing, it was meh. Idk. Some of the dialogue felt a bit cringe and since the marketing for this book seems to heavily rely on the fact that it’s on the cusp of Y2K and the new millennium, it would’ve been nice if the writing was more atmospheric and played into it. Like yes, we were told the events that played out were during that time period, but I didn’t get a lot of those vibes in the beginning or during Ella’s flashbacks.
Final Thoughts: My one piece of advice is to just suspend any and all disbelief because you’ll have to 😂 - especially with Agent Keller being 8 months pregnant and the ending taking an absolute insane twist and turn.
Cherish Farrah by Bethany C. Morrow
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Where do I even start with this one? LOL. This was yet another odd, unsettling, and fever dream-esque type of story, but I did enjoy it!
When it comes to the characters, Farrah was by far one of the most fascinating and compelling ones I’ve ever read about. I know a lot of folks don’t like unreliable narrators, but I always have, and Farrah did not disappoint. I was just as entertained by trying to figure out what’s real and what’s not, just as much as the outlandish plot. As for Cherish, I didn’t feel as connected to her character, but I recognized her significance and role, so I still found her interesting to a degree.
I also wanted to note that even though Farrah and Cherish’s friendship is very complex, odd, and essentially toxic, I appreciated Morrow’s analysis of their bond and enjoyed peeling back the layers of the true nature of their dynamic.
Moving onto the thing(s) I loved and didn’t - I loved Morrow’s writing style. This story and the characters are extremely unsettling, and that feeling stayed with me from Chapter one until the end. And if I’m reading a Thriller/Horror, that’s one of the things I look for; how does it make me feel? Am I thrilled? Scared? Unsettled? I can imagine that this isn’t an easy feat for authors to execute, so kudos!
The main things that stopped this from being a 5-star read were the ambiguous ending/plot holes and the fact that this story had the potential to really go there and get dark. I mean really dark, especially when you figure out the larger meaning behind the gift that Cherish’s mom gave to Farrah.
Final Thoughts: Overall, I enjoyed this and still recommend it. I think this was a fresh and unique take on social horror. You never really know people’s true intentions or who’s really in control.
When it comes to the characters, Farrah was by far one of the most fascinating and compelling ones I’ve ever read about. I know a lot of folks don’t like unreliable narrators, but I always have, and Farrah did not disappoint. I was just as entertained by trying to figure out what’s real and what’s not, just as much as the outlandish plot. As for Cherish, I didn’t feel as connected to her character, but I recognized her significance and role, so I still found her interesting to a degree.
I also wanted to note that even though Farrah and Cherish’s friendship is very complex, odd, and essentially toxic, I appreciated Morrow’s analysis of their bond and enjoyed peeling back the layers of the true nature of their dynamic.
Moving onto the thing(s) I loved and didn’t - I loved Morrow’s writing style. This story and the characters are extremely unsettling, and that feeling stayed with me from Chapter one until the end. And if I’m reading a Thriller/Horror, that’s one of the things I look for; how does it make me feel? Am I thrilled? Scared? Unsettled? I can imagine that this isn’t an easy feat for authors to execute, so kudos!
The main things that stopped this from being a 5-star read were the ambiguous ending/plot holes and the fact that this story had the potential to really go there and get dark. I mean really dark, especially when you figure out the larger meaning behind the gift that Cherish’s mom gave to Farrah.
Final Thoughts: Overall, I enjoyed this and still recommend it. I think this was a fresh and unique take on social horror. You never really know people’s true intentions or who’s really in control.
Black Girls Must Die Exhausted by Jayne Allen
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book has resonated with me in a lot of ways, where do I even begin?
I’ll start out by saying that this book captures the many feelings, emotions (positive/negative), and thoughts that plague a wide array of Black women and our experiences. We are not a monolith, yes, but I still think Allen did a fantastic job at giving the reader a glimpse into how Black women have to move through the world - and as the title states, it is f*cking exhausting most of the time.
Moving onto Tabby, I thought she served as an interesting MC. I liked her enough, but she definitely did and said things that I didn’t personally agree with and/or couldn’t wrap my head around. However, her friendships with Laila and Alexis were a highlight of the story for me at times. It was almost as if an episode of the iconic show ‘Girlfriends’ was written into this book, especially when they would get into arguments (lmao) or crack jokes with each other and just dish out their days. As for her relationship with her family, wow; I love complicated family dynamics in my books and this did not disappoint! I was glad that Tabby had her grandmother and the legendary Ms. Gigi as a constant support system. Their bond was absolutely adorable and I couldn’t get enough of it.
The male characters on the other hand, 🙄, I couldn’t stand any of ‘em, lmao. That’s what stopped this from being a full 5-star because everyone and I mean EVERYONE deserved better and didn’t seem to realize it 🤦🏾♀️. But, I think this leads to an important discussion about settling in relationships and the idea of ‘struggle love’, which is something that many people, but specifically Black women, can relate to.
Final Thoughts: Overall, I recommend it! The topics of race, gender, microaggressions, filling a diversity quota, police encounters, motherhood/infertility issues, and so much more are explored nicely here. I’m excited to read Black Girls Must Be Magic next ✨
I’ll start out by saying that this book captures the many feelings, emotions (positive/negative), and thoughts that plague a wide array of Black women and our experiences. We are not a monolith, yes, but I still think Allen did a fantastic job at giving the reader a glimpse into how Black women have to move through the world - and as the title states, it is f*cking exhausting most of the time.
Moving onto Tabby, I thought she served as an interesting MC. I liked her enough, but she definitely did and said things that I didn’t personally agree with and/or couldn’t wrap my head around. However, her friendships with Laila and Alexis were a highlight of the story for me at times. It was almost as if an episode of the iconic show ‘Girlfriends’ was written into this book, especially when they would get into arguments (lmao) or crack jokes with each other and just dish out their days. As for her relationship with her family, wow; I love complicated family dynamics in my books and this did not disappoint! I was glad that Tabby had her grandmother and the legendary Ms. Gigi as a constant support system. Their bond was absolutely adorable and I couldn’t get enough of it.
The male characters on the other hand, 🙄, I couldn’t stand any of ‘em, lmao. That’s what stopped this from being a full 5-star because everyone and I mean EVERYONE deserved better and didn’t seem to realize it 🤦🏾♀️. But, I think this leads to an important discussion about settling in relationships and the idea of ‘struggle love’, which is something that many people, but specifically Black women, can relate to.
Final Thoughts: Overall, I recommend it! The topics of race, gender, microaggressions, filling a diversity quota, police encounters, motherhood/infertility issues, and so much more are explored nicely here. I’m excited to read Black Girls Must Be Magic next ✨
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, and Suicide attempt