katietotallybooked's reviews
741 reviews

Emma McKenna, Full Out (the Kids in Mrs. Z's Class #1) by Kate Messner

• 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

The Happy Home: The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Home that Brings You Joy by Chelsea Foy

4.0

Christa Comes Out of Her Shell by Abbi Waxman

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

Worthy by Jada Pinkett Smith

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

4.5

This was a case of “right book right time”. I’ve been doing a lot of personal work related to self worth and feeling “worthy”, so I really connected with a lot of what Jada was sharing. 

I enjoyed the way her story was told and shared. I think it is also wonderful to have another example of a marriage/life partnership shared with the world. 

I captured many quotes and passages from the book that I’ll reflect on and carry with me. I enjoyed tandem reading the audio and physical book. The audio is narrated by the author Jada, which always positively impacts my rating and reading experience. 

A very important reading experience for me and I think this will stick with me. 😊

Funny Story by Emily Henry

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

5.0

This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

So, my rating reflects a “me” issue with this book. First of all, I felt like the pace of this book was so slow. I’m not sure if the pace was why it took me 2 weeks to read it, or if I took 2 weeks to read it because I am reading at a slower pace in this season. The story felt really long. I also had some issue with Soledad and her “self-partnering”. I am so glad the author brought this storyline and theme into the book, but a woman can “date herself” and still be in a relationship. She can still love yourself and be married. It felt like the author was taking the stance that you can’t practice self-love in a marriage and I just have issue with that because I don’t share that opinion. I am learning to date myself and show myself love because I am responsible for giving myself what  I need. But I also recognize that how I took it may not have been how the author intended this theme to come across. So, I didn’t love this book in the Skyland series as much as Before I Let Go. But that’s okay. I look forward to book #3!

Love the Home You Have: Simple Ways to…Embrace Your Style *Get Organized *Delight in Where You Are by Melissa Michaels

informative

3.0

The Q2 topic in an online community that I am a member of is Creating a Peaceful Home Environment and this was one of our suggested reads for the quarter. The author shared a lot of helpful and practical tips for creating an inspired home. She did make me think about how I can turn my home into a space that serves me and my family better. She encouraged me to start dreaming about my home, and to start thinking about what my dream home would be.

One key takeaway relating to not just interior design, but many other aspects of life is that “the grass is greener where you water it”. I have gleaned some tips that I am hope to implement in my home over the next couple months. 

The author empowers the reader to work with what they have and figure out ways to bring what you want into your space, regardless of the space you are starting with. I do genuinely feel a spark towards my home that I didn’t feel before reading this book, which is fun too.

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan

emotional informative inspiring relaxing sad tense 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

This book was comforting, warm, and a joy to read even though it dealt with heavier WWII themes. It actually didn’t feel heavy, it felt inspiring. Juliet, Katie, and Sofie are each strong female protagonists experiencing WWII in unique ways. I loved how the Underground Library brought them together. It showcased how a library is also a place of community, which aligns with my own values in librarianship. 

Jennifer Ryan is a new to me author. I picked this book up because of it’s library and librarian themes and it was a very pleasurable read. I will certainly keep her on my radar. The feeling I got while reading this book confirmed in my mind that historical fiction is my jam! It is hard to put the feeling into words, but its like a chord in my heart is vibrating, does that sense?

Favourite Quotes:

"Libraries aren't only about books; they're about people. They're about human life, how books can mend hearts, comfort wounds, and inspire us. But most of all, books can bring people together. Their ideas and thoughts make us realize that we are not alone, that we are all connected."

"To me, books are like old friends, telling us great truths, holding our hands through the difficulties, showing us light and joy at the end of every tunnel."

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer

informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

This book has been on my radar for a couple years now, I just shied away from it at first because I am not a Christian. But I felt called to pick it up recently because I have been struggling with feeling overwhelmed. I am determined to slow down and fight against hustle culture so this book was just what I needed. He really makes a great case for eliminating hurry from our lives and embracing slowness. It was filled with tangible action steps and personal stories and anecdotes. The idea of a Sabbath day and living all seven days differently, even though I am not a Christian, is a concept that is sticking with me. He also talks briefly about gamification of habits and checking emails / social media less. I think we can all embrace more rest in our lives and I hope to find more ways to let this in as I live this year and onward. I don’t think that I am comfortable with “rest” yet but I am working on it. Needless to say, I think I’ll be revisiting the key concepts of this book frequently on my growth journey. 

Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

This is one of my most disappointing reads of 2024 so far. I was so excited for a new Rebecca Serle book. I loved In Five Years and One Italian Summer so much! But Expiration Dates missed the mark for me. I didn’t connect with Daphne and her story at all. I felt it was predictable and flat and it didn’t really engage me. I do understand from the author’s note a bit about her writing process and the inspiration of the novel. I am thankful that she shared that with her readers and I can see where she was trying to go with this novel. However, in the end this book just didn’t connect with me. I am sad about it, but I know that the odds are that I won’t love every single book a favourite author writes and I’m okay with that.