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juliannewarren12's reviews
35 reviews
Down the Drain by Julia Fox
dark
fast-paced
4.0
This memoir has a chatty writing style that makes you feel like you are talking to Julia herself. It is a very dark story with lots of horrible things happening, both to Julia and by Julia. It is not as reflective as other memoirs, but it is a good look into her life.
I appreciate how she was able to describe just how dark situations were without getting too graphic. Instances of SA, DV, drug abuse, and death were all mentioned frequently, but never over-described to the point of making me uncomfortable. This books shows a rough upbringing and how she had just as rough an adulthood despite becoming famous. Julia is so candid and refreshingly honest in this book. I gained a lot more respect for her after reading this.
I appreciate how she was able to describe just how dark situations were without getting too graphic. Instances of SA, DV, drug abuse, and death were all mentioned frequently, but never over-described to the point of making me uncomfortable. This books shows a rough upbringing and how she had just as rough an adulthood despite becoming famous. Julia is so candid and refreshingly honest in this book. I gained a lot more respect for her after reading this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Suicide, Violence, Vomit, and Abortion
Cash Delgado Is Living the Dream by Tehlor Kay Mejia
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
2.5
This book was a very quick and easy read. I enjoyed reading something lighthearted and not complex, but it was slow for the first half of the story. It took a while to actually get into it and didn’t pick up until the last few chapters in my opinion. While the characters were all generally likable, there wasn’t much depth to them. This made it hard to feel for them or hate them like we are supposed to hate Chase. The romance in this book was lacking chemistry which I blame due to the characters being surface level.
This was a cute book with good representation, but it won’t be one I remember next month.
This was a cute book with good representation, but it won’t be one I remember next month.
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
I just can’t get into this at all… the conversations are all so awkward and drawn out. I had to force myself to read this even to get to 70 pages but just can’t get further. I DNFd Normal People too so I think I just don’t like Sally Rooney’s writing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I enjoyed the structure of the book. Having each chapter be a story of a different person in Eva’s life throughout different time periods was very uniquely done. However, I didn’t like most of the characters. Eva seemed nice but her character felt so impersonable the older she got as if we didnt really know much about her personality after she was 11. I enjoyed Lars the most but of course he dies right away. I hatedddd Barque but at the same time that chapter from her college days was my favorite. I felt like that was the only chapter that we truly learned about Eva.
There were a lot of loose ends that I wish were tied up better, especially with the ending of Pat Praeger’s chapter. This didn’t bother me too much because I think the ending did a good job giving closure for all of the main characters mentioned throughout.
Overall, this book didn’t make me feel emotional in any way but it was still a nice read. I would recommend this to others as i’m sure many others would enjoy it better than I did.
There were a lot of loose ends that I wish were tied up better, especially with the ending of Pat Praeger’s chapter. This didn’t bother me too much because I think the ending did a good job giving closure for all of the main characters mentioned throughout.
Overall, this book didn’t make me feel emotional in any way but it was still a nice read. I would recommend this to others as i’m sure many others would enjoy it better than I did.
The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister
emotional
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is a beautiful read. The stories of the characters are wonderfully intermixed and emotional. I felt so relaxed and reflective of my own life while reading this book. It’s one that can easily be reread and still hold the same emotion.
I loved every charactereven the ones who have done wrong things in the past (I’m looking at you Helen…)
It’s a story about food on the surface level but it so much deeper than that. It is truly about reflecting on life and the ability to connect with all kinds of people in this world.
I loved every character
It’s a story about food on the surface level but it so much deeper than that. It is truly about reflecting on life and the ability to connect with all kinds of people in this world.
Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You by A'ja Wilson
inspiring
fast-paced
3.75
As a gamecock, I of course have to read anything by A’ja Wilson. As a white woman, I am clearly not the target audience for this book… it was still an important read nonetheless. There are anecdotes and perspectives that everyone can learn from. It was a simple yet powerful book that I think is proven by this one (of many!) excerpts:
I wonder… When she was growing up, walking down these streets that were proudly named after prominent slaveholders, walking past those government buildings flying the Confederate flag, walking around the college campus that was strictly off-limits to Black Americans, did she imagine that one day her granddaughter would get to attend that same university— on a scholarship no less? Could she have ever in a million years dreamed there would be a statue of her granddaughter on those same grounds? … Did you have that much hope in your heart, Grandma?
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Being a spin-off of Knives Out and Ethan are the only two things that saved this book. While I enjoyed and didn’t expect the ending of the Inspector being the attempted murderer , the book lacked depth. The characters were all very shallow with no backstory. Every character except Ethan, Eleanor, James, and Maggie were all very annoying and unlikable to me. I felt that we didn’t learn enough about Maggie outside of her Ex husband and bff cheating. It was hard for me to like Maggie and Eleanor because their characters felt so rushed and undeveloped. I really liked how much they built up Ethan and would’ve loved to see that with the other main characters as well.
This book isn’t spicy at all and the romance stays pretty PG13. I did enjoy the flirtatiousness of Ethan and the protective side. I LOVED LOVED LOVEDthe emphasis on Maggie’s insecurities/trauma and how Ethan helped her move past them. That is the only part that made their romance enjoyable in my opinion. I do wish the Tucson event between them went in more detail because that felt rushed for being so important.
I wish there was more character and world building in the beginning. The second half really saved this book for me and made it enjoyable. I wouldn’t read this again but it was an easy and unique Christmas read.
This book isn’t spicy at all and the romance stays pretty PG13. I did enjoy the flirtatiousness of Ethan and the protective side. I LOVED LOVED LOVED
I wish there was more character and world building in the beginning. The second half really saved this book for me and made it enjoyable. I wouldn’t read this again but it was an easy and unique Christmas read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Infidelity, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
The Editor: How Publishing Legend Judith Jones Shaped Culture in America by Sara B. Franklin
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Wow I didn’t expect this book to be so interesting. It did start off slow, but The Editor quickly picked up. I didn’t know anything about Judith Jones but this book was recommended to me so I gave it a try. I’m so happy I did because this was a great first impression of Judith Jones that was truly inspiring. Im left wanting to learn more about her.
The only true critique I have is that there are soo many side characters that were hard to keep track of. I felt like I needed a graph on paper describing each character and their relationship to Judith. I think at points the author switches from calling characters by their first name to last name (but honestly it might’ve been a completely different person and I didn’t realize… that’s how hard it was to keep up with the names.)
I also wish this book would’ve covered more about her husband and adopted kids. I understand that this was more so about her career than home life, but it still felt a little lackluster when discussing the family. I respect the author’s decision to keep the family vague though because women are so often reduced to their husband and kids.
Overall I enjoyed reading this book and even gained a new role model. I can’t wait to learn more about Judith Jones.
The only true critique I have is that there are soo many side characters that were hard to keep track of. I felt like I needed a graph on paper describing each character and their relationship to Judith. I think at points the author switches from calling characters by their first name to last name (but honestly it might’ve been a completely different person and I didn’t realize… that’s how hard it was to keep up with the names.)
I also wish this book would’ve covered more about her husband and adopted kids. I understand that this was more so about her career than home life, but it still felt a little lackluster when discussing the family. I respect the author’s decision to keep the family vague though because women are so often reduced to their husband and kids.
Overall I enjoyed reading this book and even gained a new role model. I can’t wait to learn more about Judith Jones.
Animal Farm by George Orwell
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is a solid classic that can be interpreted all throughout different periods of history (and present day). I didn’t read this in school so I decided to read it as an adult. It was way more interesting that I expected.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Death
Moderate: Violence
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is my first Kristin Hannah book and I get the hype now… the story is so raw and well written that I couldn’t put it down. It was a little slow in the beginning but it quickly picked up and I couldn’t put the book down.
Cora was my favorite character by far. Cora’s story/journey felt so realistic (from my experiences)of her range of emotions and constantly going back to Ernt. Ernt hurting Leni being the final straw for Cora and even the scenes of them disposing the body felt exactly like a mother would react. I really enjoyed reading complicated, nuanced characters and I think she was one of the best written.
KH did a good job at painting the surroundings to where I felt like I was in Alaska with them. I genuinely could see the whole book in my head like a movie.
My only complaints that hold this back from being a 5 star read is:
- The lack of native inclusion. There are very little native representation in this book, despite Alaska having such a strong heritage. I would’ve loved to see more native characters. I think another woman like Large Marge would’ve been a great native character in how she was the maternal figure of the island.
-The ending wrapped up too quick. I would’ve liked to read more about Leni in jail (it just felt too quick when it should’ve been a big deal), Matthew and Leni reuniting (I would’ve loved a whole chapter on them discussing life since the cave incident), and being at her old cabin.
I think it would’ve been so cute if her grandparents moved to Alaska in the end!!
I LOVED:
-How KH wrote Cora and Ernst’s relationship.It was so toxic and damaged yet tight knit and that is so realistic with abusive relationships. Especially near the end of Ernst when he started isolating the family.
-Leni seeing Matthew at the rehab center. It was so ugly but raw and felt so powerful how she still loved him.
- The confession at the Homer police station. I, as the reader, even fell for it and was shocked when the cop arrested Leni.
- How MJ quickly accepted his dad. I thought that was beautiful and shows a kid’s resilience and how MJ wasn’t broken like them.
-The letter to the newspaper at the end. It was the perfect way to conclude this book in my opinion.
This is a book that I can see myself rereading more than once and still riding the emotional roller coaster.
Cora was my favorite character by far. Cora’s story/journey felt so realistic (from my experiences)
KH did a good job at painting the surroundings to where I felt like I was in Alaska with them. I genuinely could see the whole book in my head like a movie.
My only complaints that hold this back from being a 5 star read is:
- The lack of native inclusion. There are very little native representation in this book, despite Alaska having such a strong heritage. I would’ve loved to see more native characters. I think another woman like Large Marge would’ve been a great native character in how she was the maternal figure of the island.
-The ending wrapped up too quick.
I think it would’ve been so cute if her grandparents moved to Alaska in the end!!
I LOVED:
-How KH wrote Cora and Ernst’s relationship.
-Leni seeing Matthew at the rehab center. It was so ugly but raw and felt so powerful how she still loved him.
- The confession at the Homer police station. I, as the reader, even fell for it and was shocked when the cop arrested Leni.
- How MJ quickly accepted his dad. I thought that was beautiful and shows a kid’s resilience and how MJ wasn’t broken like them.
-The letter to the newspaper at the end. It was the perfect way to conclude this book in my opinion.
This is a book that I can see myself rereading more than once and still riding the emotional roller coaster.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Child abuse, Violence, Vomit, and Murder