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teeclecticreads's reviews
277 reviews
Shatila Stories by Samih Mahmoud, Nashwa Gowanlock, Fatima Omar Ghazawi, Hiba Mareb, Omar Abdellatif Alndaf, Nibal Alalo, Safiya Badran, Omar Khaled Ahmad, Rayan Mohamad Sukkar, Safa Khaled Algharbawi
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What a beautiful collection of stories depicting human suffering and triumph. This is my first time a reading a translated book and I think the audiobook added to the impact of the stories. Even though these people are fictional, the stories are based on real people and real experiences, and I’m grateful to have gotten this mere glimpse into the lives of the Syrian refugees.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Trafficking, Grief, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, and War
Die Hot with a Vengeance: Essays on Vanity by Sable Yong
funny
informative
reflective
5.0
It’s such a skill for an author to balance information and entertainment and Sable did just that. She’s funny, but she also makes you ponder on sentiments you may have shared or never even considered when it comes to beauty and its many facets. I’ve highlighted so much and that’s a tell-tale sign that this is a book I’m going to want to come back to and pull quotes from.
Disability Intimacy: Essays on Love, Care, and Desire by Alice Wong
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
5.0
I’m always a sucker for audiobooks that are read by those who wrote the book and I especially appreciate getting to hear diverse experiences from disabled authors. It was interesting and touching. The only qualm was I personally had to skip the sex discussions because I’m asexual.
The Next Best Fling by Gabriella Gamez
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I wanted to like this so badly but I just couldn’t. It was decent in the beginning until things started getting complicated because for some reason she didn’t feel like she could trust Theo with the reason why she went along with their rebound arrangement. I found the miscommunication to be unreasonable and a little petty. Also it bothered me that they seemed to solve their issues with sex. Just not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Abandonment
Sounds Like A Plan by Pamela Samuels-Young, Dwayne Alexander Smith
adventurous
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this advanced reader’s copy. I was enjoying the first half of the book and the way the plot was unfolding, but I honestly got confused and lost interest towards the second half. I hated the sexist and misogynistic comments that Jackson kept making about Mackenzie. Also, as the story began to climax things got chaotic and unrealistic for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Ableism, Eating disorder, Gore, Torture, and Medical content
Under Your Spell by Laura Wood
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
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
Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Laura Wood for a copy of this ARC. This is my own, honest, review.
This was a really great story showing the different and complicated ways relationships can exist in the entertainment industry. I thought the plot was very well-developed with elements of humour and raw sadness sprinkled throughout the romance. The sisterhood was so beautiful between the three women and I loved how close they were despite having different moms, as well as how they maintained their youth even as 30-somethings. It’s a perfect second chance, forced proximity rockstar romance.
This was a really great story showing the different and complicated ways relationships can exist in the entertainment industry. I thought the plot was very well-developed with elements of humour and raw sadness sprinkled throughout the romance. The sisterhood was so beautiful between the three women and I loved how close they were despite having different moms, as well as how they maintained their youth even as 30-somethings. It’s a perfect second chance, forced proximity rockstar romance.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting and Abandonment
Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
This was a spectacularly written opposites attract love story. I loved the juxtaposition of faith versus choice when it came onto Rooney and Jack, because in the beginning they defended their own stance but they both saw the value in the other person’s belief at the end of the novel. The pacing was great and I found myself kicking my feet like a schoolgirl and giggling whenever something romantic happened between them.
All the supporting characters were likeable and they were so funny which helped with the overall story. Also getting to learn a little bit more about Chinese culture was so fun and I can tell that Lauren did her research when it came onto the NASA and space facts and those kept the novel interesting without being boring. It’s really just a feel good romance that I think anybody would enjoy.
All the supporting characters were likeable and they were so funny which helped with the overall story. Also getting to learn a little bit more about Chinese culture was so fun and I can tell that Lauren did her research when it came onto the NASA and space facts and those kept the novel interesting without being boring. It’s really just a feel good romance that I think anybody would enjoy.