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idk_indigo's reviews
675 reviews
Soil: The Story of a Black Mother's Garden by Camille T. Dungy
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
I kept wanting to DNF this about 30-60% through, but I am glad I kept going. Reasons for the almost-DNF were: confusing chronology and the narration (which I think was more about me being used to romance audiobooks with an ultra-expressive narrator, whereas this was non-fiction with the author narrating; so more a matter of I wasn't used to it than genuine dislike, and I started to appreciate her narration as the book wore on).
As other reviews mention, the author's thoughts are very scattered; I could almost never tell when an event was taking place because it seemed like everything was happening at once, COVID and a huge fire and then a bunny dying. Which, btw, definitely definitely could've done without the almost hour-longdescription of the dead bunny, its body, what she did with it, how it looked, the way it smelled, what creatures were crawling over it, amongst other not-so-fun details . I loved the sentiment of handling heavy things like death with her child, as well as the implications for her personal garden. But that was... unnecessary.
I loved the focus on history, and I'm sort of wondering if the back-and-forth/non-chronological narrative is a pointer on how it repeats itself (?). I felt I learned a lot about civil rights, including black women starting gardens during the Jim Crow -era so they could access flowers, as well as contributions to community gardens/food supply, which was really interesting. I think her revelations of history were also very cool.
I loved her mentions of motherhood, but I also adored her numerous mentions of her husband, how much he's been involved with the gardening process. I loved how they picked up each others' slack, and how they together navigated various mishaps while also raising their daughter. They made mistakes, such as dealing with Callie's anxiety, but they learned and they grew and I thought it was a beautiful exploration of adulthood and parenthood and marriage.
This isn't typically what I would pick up (not a frequent picker-upper of nonfiction), but this was on the LAPL's recommendations list for Earth Day and I thought I would try it out and I'm very, very glad I did!
As other reviews mention, the author's thoughts are very scattered; I could almost never tell when an event was taking place because it seemed like everything was happening at once, COVID and a huge fire and then a bunny dying. Which, btw, definitely definitely could've done without the almost hour-long
I loved the focus on history, and I'm sort of wondering if the back-and-forth/non-chronological narrative is a pointer on how it repeats itself (?). I felt I learned a lot about civil rights, including black women starting gardens during the Jim Crow -era so they could access flowers, as well as contributions to community gardens/food supply, which was really interesting. I think her revelations of history were also very cool.
I loved her mentions of motherhood, but I also adored her numerous mentions of her husband, how much he's been involved with the gardening process. I loved how they picked up each others' slack, and how they together navigated various mishaps while also raising their daughter. They made mistakes, such as dealing with Callie's anxiety, but they learned and they grew and I thought it was a beautiful exploration of adulthood and parenthood and marriage.
This isn't typically what I would pick up (not a frequent picker-upper of nonfiction), but this was on the LAPL's recommendations list for Earth Day and I thought I would try it out and I'm very, very glad I did!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Violence and Mass/school shootings
The Duke Gets Desperate by Diana Quincy
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? No
4.0
Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
4.0
Pace-wise, the book definitely ebbed and flowed; I found myself almost bored at times because of how slow it was going. There is no real plot, there's not really a genuine beginning-middle-end with a conflict-resolution storyline, it's just vibes. I typically don't enjoy all vibes-no plot books, however, I did enjoy this.
The characters were very lovable, and it was definitely very focused on characters, I feel like hearing all of Juliet's internal monologue was really endearing and I loved her a lot! She was a really lovely character, and her little quirks, like her big boobs and her inhaler, came up often and it was lovely to see her grow and shift her perspective while sticking to her values the whole time.
It was overall a very sweet book! It picked up pace like 1/3 of the way through, and although there wasn't really a plot, it was easy going from there.
Side note, I think this book would have been a little inappropriate for a genuine YA audience because there is so much weed.
The characters were very lovable, and it was definitely very focused on characters, I feel like hearing all of Juliet's internal monologue was really endearing and I loved her a lot! She was a really lovely character, and her little quirks, like her big boobs and her inhaler, came up often and it was lovely to see her grow and shift her perspective while sticking to her values the whole time.
It was overall a very sweet book! It picked up pace like 1/3 of the way through, and although there wasn't really a plot, it was easy going from there.
Side note, I think this book would have been a little inappropriate for a genuine YA audience because there is so much weed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual assault, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Blood, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Classism
Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
4.0
It dragged on quite a bit in the middle, but past about the 65% mark, it picked up speed. I really loved the conclusion, and I love what their relationship turns into. And although Colin is insufferable at moments, I like his playful/youthful energy. But all the Bridgerton men are a bit obnoxious tbh, I actually think he's one of the better ones, book version at least, from what I've read. Him and Pen joke around a lot with each other, and it's lovely to see Pen's growth as she comes into herself and comes out as Lady Whistledown . Also as she becomes a writer and they eventually support each other's dreams, albeit Colin did so reluctantly at first. The 2nd epilogue was quite confusing, I kept thinking that Pen was pregnant but she wasn't (?).
The Midnight Witness by Sara Blaedel
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail by Ashley Herring Blake
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Such an adorable addition to the first book in the series, which I also loved!
I thought Meredith's character was a little caricature-y, she didn't really have a concrete personality, however, she wasn't a main character so it's understandable.
Astrid's story was way different from Claire and Delilah's! The pacing was difference and the focus was way more on the main couple. The "coven" as they are called (which is so adorable) were much more side characters than they were in #1, so I definitely think reading these books in order is a must so you can see the friendships in the coven. The first book did a really good job of building those relationships, whereas this book just shows you that yes, they are still friends.
I loved the interior design aspect of this book, too; hearing about the inn coming together and all its renovations, while a tiny bit confusing, was beautiful. I also think this portion could've taken a chapter from a fantasy book and included sketches! That would have been a very nice touch! I do wish I'd gotten to know Simon and especially Pru a bit more, it would've made Jordan a much more fleshed-out character. In the end she sort of started to feel a bit side-y.
On the whole, this book was lovely and I can't wait to read the third (which is sitting in a newly-arrived Amazon package on my front step as we speak)!!
I thought Meredith's character was a little caricature-y, she didn't really have a concrete personality, however, she wasn't a main character so it's understandable.
Astrid's story was way different from Claire and Delilah's! The pacing was difference and the focus was way more on the main couple. The "coven" as they are called (which is so adorable) were much more side characters than they were in #1, so I definitely think reading these books in order is a must so you can see the friendships in the coven. The first book did a really good job of building those relationships, whereas this book just shows you that yes, they are still friends.
I loved the interior design aspect of this book, too; hearing about the inn coming together and all its renovations, while a tiny bit confusing, was beautiful. I also think this portion could've taken a chapter from a fantasy book and included sketches! That would have been a very nice touch! I do wish I'd gotten to know Simon and especially Pru a bit more, it would've made Jordan a much more fleshed-out character. In the end she sort of started to feel a bit side-y.
On the whole, this book was lovely and I can't wait to read the third (which is sitting in a newly-arrived Amazon package on my front step as we speak)!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity
The Cemetery of Untold Stories by Julia Alvarez
mysterious
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
4.0
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
tense
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
4.0