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megan_bbender's reviews
88 reviews
Wildfire by Carrie Mac
However, one thing that I noticed towards the end was that Annie's reflections of Pete were things from her own life. I know they were really close, but I wish we got to see as much of Pete as we did Annie. I wish Pete had his own talisman's.
If you enjoyed this book, I highly recommend Mosquitoland by David Arnold.
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
4.0
I really liked this story, it was super easy to get in to and I couldn't stop reading. I finished this book in about one sitting. The writing is super simple, but I didn't mind it at all. I thought that the plot was good and there was never a boring moment. I love books that bring out emotion, this book had me sitting on the edge of my seat and crying towards the end.
"Just don't let go. don't let go of life."
"See you later, Unicorn Pete. I love you."
"By doing the worst thing, I will save the best thing."
If you enjoyed this book, I highly recommend Mosquitoland by David Arnold.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Addiction, Kidnapping, and Car accident
Minor: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
They: A Sequence of Unease by Kay Dick
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
This is a good book for a super quick and easy read. It was a bit disturbing at some parts but nothing goes into detail. To be honest, I never really understood what was going on because the writing is so simple. This concept is super interesting but I feel like there definitely could have been more done, I don't feel anything towards the plot or characters due to the lack of world-building.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Domestic abuse
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Amelia Nagoski, Emily Nagoski
informative
reflective
slow-paced
2.5
I really appreciate the effort that went in to creating this book. However, it just wasn't for me. I found it to be really slow and repetitive. There were certain parts when I didn't even know what I was reading about, or the point of it. When I was finished reading, I really didn't feel like I had learned anything. With that being said, I think this could potentially be a great tool for others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Misogyny, and Sexism
Bless the Daughter Raised by a Voice in Her Head by Warsan Shire
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Although I cannot relate first hand to some of the topics spoken about in this book, Warsan Shire has given me a new perspective and new knowledge about many different important issues.
I really enjoyed going through these poems. Every single one of them was thought-provoking. My personal favourite out of the poems in this book is Midnight In The Foreign Food Aisle. It is obvious that Warsan Shire writes from the heart.
Many of these poems were so deep and held so much meaning that I didn't even have thoughts about them, I just sat with them after reading them.
I really enjoyed going through these poems. Every single one of them was thought-provoking. My personal favourite out of the poems in this book is Midnight In The Foreign Food Aisle. It is obvious that Warsan Shire writes from the heart.
Many of these poems were so deep and held so much meaning that I didn't even have thoughts about them, I just sat with them after reading them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Blood, and War
Moderate: Slavery, Grief, and Deportation
Minor: Cursing
Animal Farm by George Orwell
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
As of today, this has been one of the only classic's that I have really enjoyed. I thought that the story and writing was great. This book is able to teach a lot and has a great message.
I read this book in one sitting, I definitely recommend it to others because it is a quick and easy read that can provide some insight and perspective.
I read this book in one sitting, I definitely recommend it to others because it is a quick and easy read that can provide some insight and perspective.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Violence and Classism
Minor: Slavery and War
As Close As Sisters by Colleen Faulkner
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book was on the blind date with a book shelf, when I unwrapped it I can unfortunately say that I judged this book by its cover. The cover looks like a typical, cheesy, high school, identity discovering, friend group but it is so much more than that.
I was not prepared for how much I would love the characters and for how many emotions I would feel while reading this book. I laughed with them, felt angry with them, cried with them, and celebrated with them. Colleen Faulkner did a great job at creating a picture perfect friend group but not forgetting to portray the ups and downs as well.
When I first started reading, I got stuck on page 5, when I finally pushed past I dove into this book so quickly that I could not stop reading it. It was on my mind 24/7. It is such an easy read and I really enjoyed the writing. The writing style just felt so natural and real, like a genuine conversation. I always felt like I was there with the characters.
There were definitely parts in this book that were repetitive but I enjoyed nonetheless. I feel like I enjoyed this book so much because parts of it reminds me of my own life. I definitely recommend this book to others. There is a character that everyone can relate to and a story that everyone can enjoy.
I was not prepared for how much I would love the characters and for how many emotions I would feel while reading this book. I laughed with them, felt angry with them, cried with them, and celebrated with them. Colleen Faulkner did a great job at creating a picture perfect friend group but not forgetting to portray the ups and downs as well.
When I first started reading, I got stuck on page 5, when I finally pushed past I dove into this book so quickly that I could not stop reading it. It was on my mind 24/7. It is such an easy read and I really enjoyed the writing. The writing style just felt so natural and real, like a genuine conversation. I always felt like I was there with the characters.
There were definitely parts in this book that were repetitive but I enjoyed nonetheless. I feel like I enjoyed this book so much because parts of it reminds me of my own life. I definitely recommend this book to others. There is a character that everyone can relate to and a story that everyone can enjoy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism and Death of parent
Minor: Infertility, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
The First Day of Spring by Nancy Tucker
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
Before anything else, I cannot believe that this book was Nancy Tucker's first fiction novel. The writing was flawless, it always flowed so well. I was always so intrigued and wondered what could happen next. There was never a dull moment and I was always on the edge of my seat. This book was always on my mind while I was reading it, I never wanted to put it down.
Chrissie is absolutely terrifying inside and out. She's nightmare-fuelling, even as an adult. I always felt tense when Chrissie was doing something, like an accident just waiting to happen all of the time. It's hard to see a young child as scary or as a villain, Nancy Tucker created an amazing portrayal of young evil.
This book loves to toys with your emotions and morals, I found myself warming up to Chrissie towards the end which disturbed me just as much as the book.
I one hundred percent recommend this book to anyone who is considering reading it and I will definitely be keeping up with Nancy Tucker and her other books.
Chrissie is absolutely terrifying inside and out. She's nightmare-fuelling, even as an adult. I always felt tense when Chrissie was doing something, like an accident just waiting to happen all of the time. It's hard to see a young child as scary or as a villain, Nancy Tucker created an amazing portrayal of young evil.
This book loves to toys with your emotions and morals, I found myself warming up to Chrissie towards the end which disturbed me just as much as the book.
I one hundred percent recommend this book to anyone who is considering reading it and I will definitely be keeping up with Nancy Tucker and her other books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Blood, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death and Infertility
What You Never Knew by Jessica Hamilton
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I saw this book after Jessica Hamilton had posted a TikTok about it in 2021. I spent ages looking for this book. I could never find it online, bookstores had copies but I wouldn't be able to find them in the store. I looked everywhere, even making sure to stop at a store hours away because they had a copy, of course it wasn't there when I got there. I finally found a copy of this book months later, got home, and began reading it instantly.
This book is everything I thought it would be. I like to rate books based on how well they make me feel things. This book gave me goosebumps, gave me chills, made me feel relief, sadness, happiness, and so much more. Jessica Hamilton did an amazing job at making the emotions shine through the pages.
Each time there was a twist I became even more invested. I simply couldn't put this book down and read it all within 2 days. I normally don't like books with extreme amounts of details but I wanted to know everything, and more, so I found that Jessica Hamilton did it really well and the writing was really beautiful.
This book is everything I thought it would be. I like to rate books based on how well they make me feel things. This book gave me goosebumps, gave me chills, made me feel relief, sadness, happiness, and so much more. Jessica Hamilton did an amazing job at making the emotions shine through the pages.
Each time there was a twist I became even more invested. I simply couldn't put this book down and read it all within 2 days. I normally don't like books with extreme amounts of details but I wanted to know everything, and more, so I found that Jessica Hamilton did it really well and the writing was really beautiful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Eating disorder, Stalking, and Abandonment
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Beginning: 2 stars
Middle: 4.5 stars
End: 2 stars
I can't really decide how to rate this book. I feel like I really enjoyed it for the most part however I feel like 2 stars is to low but 4 stars is to high. There were parts of the book that were definitely more enjoyable than others. I really started enjoying it around 50% but started enjoying it less again around 80%. It was a super slow start but a super easy read overall.
I really liked how the author described the marsh and I loved Kya's character. The writing felt very abrupt, almost anyone could have written it. I also found it was very predictable but with that being said I loved how everything unfolded.
There was a main plot, but I felt like it never went anywhere. There was a certain point in the book where everything just came to a stop and slowly moved forward. The ending was very, very rushed.
Middle: 4.5 stars
End: 2 stars
I can't really decide how to rate this book. I feel like I really enjoyed it for the most part however I feel like 2 stars is to low but 4 stars is to high. There were parts of the book that were definitely more enjoyable than others. I really started enjoying it around 50% but started enjoying it less again around 80%. It was a super slow start but a super easy read overall.
I really liked how the author described the marsh and I loved Kya's character. The writing felt very abrupt, almost anyone could have written it. I also found it was very predictable but with that being said I loved how everything unfolded.
There was a main plot, but I felt like it never went anywhere. There was a certain point in the book where everything just came to a stop and slowly moved forward. The ending was very, very rushed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death of parent
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I almost always rate my books on how well they make me feel things. While I can't say I enjoyed what this book was about, Agustina Bazterrica definitely made me feel a lot of emotions. There was so much uncomfortableness, sadness, empathy, pity, and so many more emotions that just kept me wanting to read more.
Even though this book was very disturbing, it was intriguing and I wanted to see what Agustina Bazterrica was going to do next. Overall, the book was not underwhelming. I had heard many reviews saying how disturbing and gory it was so I decided to give it a try. As someone who leans towards horror and disturbing things, this book did a great job at leaving me feeling nauseous, there was no room for forgiveness.
This book was so much more than what I was expecting.
Even though this book was very disturbing, it was intriguing and I wanted to see what Agustina Bazterrica was going to do next. Overall, the book was not underwhelming. I had heard many reviews saying how disturbing and gory it was so I decided to give it a try. As someone who leans towards horror and disturbing things, this book did a great job at leaving me feeling nauseous, there was no room for forgiveness.
This book was so much more than what I was expecting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug use, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Dementia, Trafficking, Grief, Cannibalism, Car accident, Murder, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Classism