Reviews
I cannot claim to be a writer without also being a reader. Here is a collection of reader reviews of the books I’ve binged. To stay even more up-to-date with what I’m currently reading, add me on Goodreads.
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“Raybearer” by Jordan Ifueko • Book Review
“Your heart is not your friend unless you know who you truly are.”
★★★★★ (5 / 5 stars) Raybearer is a masterpiece of young adult fantasy. Not an inch of story is wasted, as Ifueko weaves elegant foreshadowing and thematic symbolism in every beat of the griot's drums, every whisper of the ehru's commands, every memory gifted or stolen, shared or abandoned.
With a delightfully disastrous Catch-22 premise and a richly developed magical world, Raybearer is a booming drum of a story that demands to be devoured.
“The Ship We Built” by Lexie Bean • Book Review
“I hope someone celebrates me when I change.”
★★★★ (4 / 5 stars) The Ship We Built is a beautiful story told beautifully. I would strongly recommend this read for any young person who chooses silence over speech, who buries their nose in a book to avoid conversation, who seems to drift miles away while only inches from you. It is equal parts powerful and hopeful and the book I wish a 10-year-old me had had to read when I felt alone and lost and misunderstood.
“Launching While Female” by Susanne Althoff • Book Review
★★★★ (3.5 / 5 stars) Everything about this book, from the cover to the title to even the subtitle, led me to believe this would be an actionable guidebook for aspiring and active women entrepreneurs. That was simply not the case.
I came away with a lot of information and not a lot of guidance on what to DO with that information other than digest it. If anything, this book has served as a guide to women entrepreneur role models, prominently featuring the women who made it despite the hurdles they faced.
“Written in the Stars” by Alexandria Bellefleur • Book Review
“Elle was hopeless when it came to Darcy. Hopeless in that there was no cure for how she felt.”
★★★ (3 / 5 stars) Written in the Stars is a sapphic romantic comedy set during the holidays with an astrology edge. I love the dichotomy between the two characters and think the story is cute overall, but I wasn’t a huge fan of the writing style (too drawn-out, in my opinion). Regardless, you might want to pick this up if you like fake-dating tropes, Thanksgiving family blowups, and believing in soul mates.
“#EntryLevelBoss” by Alexa Shoen • Book Review
“There are pretty much only two reasons you’re going to get hired: you can either help save somebody some time or help make somebody some money.”
★★★★★ (5 / 5 stars) I absolutely adored this book. It has all the wonderful makings of a great self-help, with clear, actionable steps and personal stories & examples. But more than that, the book is such a refreshing, modern take on the typical job-search advice.
“Aurora Rising” by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff • Book Review
“But they have not seen their sun die. Their people burn. Their world end. And they do not know, yet, that there are some breaks that cannot be fixed.”
★★★★ (4 / 5 stars) What a journey! This book is like the YA version of “Star Trek”/”Guardians of the Galaxy” with a motley crew of teens who were clearly fated to be on this path together.
I loved so much about this novel. The squad is fantastic, their personalities are on point, and the narrator cast is amazing. The storyline is mysterious, action-packed, and intriguing.
I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard with a sci-fi read, and I can’t wait for more.
“My Favorite Half-Night Stand” by Christina Lauren • Book Review
“I thought about getting a cat today. That’s a solid step into the commitment zone.”
★★★★★ (5 / 5 stars) When I first read this book, it was an automatic five-star read. I was instantly obsessed with Millie and Reid and the way the story focused on more than just their relationship. Millie had a lot to deal with, and the authors dive headfirst into those issues and capture them so authentically.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It's "You've Got Mail" with a nerdy twist, and I loved everything about it.
“Fangirl” by Rainbow Rowell • Book Review
“Sometimes writing is running downhill, your fingers jerking behind you on the keyboard the way your legs do when they can’t quite keep up with gravity.”
★★★★ (3.5 / 5 stars) For me, Rainbow Rowell’s books and I have a slow-burn relationship. In the beginning, I’m curious and not instantly in love with the writing style. But by the end, my heart has grown three sizes and I’m just keeping myself from collapsing into a puddle of tears.
Overall, I would recommend this book! Not as lighthearted as I’d hoped, but love the literature integration. It’s a rich story and extremely enjoyable.