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katietotallybooked's reviews
741 reviews
Always Only You by Chloe Liese
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I read the first book in this series at the end of 2022, and I rated it 4.5 stars. Unfortunately that’s all I know because I didn’t write a review for it. 😝 Regardless, I was really looking forward to continuing the series. They are centered around siblings and sports, which are both themes I like. Always Only You is a hockey-focused office-type romance about Frankie and Bergman brother Ren. I liked these characters a lot. They had great banter together. Chloe Liese does well with representation and inclusivity by having characters that experience an autoimmune disease and arthritis.(Which I’d never read about in a young women). Plus, Frankie is autistic. I love this author for her inclusivity. So, the characters were great.
However, I found this book a bit underwelming. That might be because it was “friends to lovers” and I am more of an “enemies to lovers” girl? Or, it could be because I had high expectations going into it. Who knows for sure? I also felt the timeline was a bit jumpy and parts didn’t flow well into one another. The ending felt abrupt and when I put the book down, it was like “oh that’s it?”. So it was the writing and the romance trope that influenced my rating.
Anyways, I do plan to continue reading on in the series. They are great romances if you are into sports, sibling relationships, and #ownvoices diversity and representation. You don’t have to read them in order, but if you can, why wouldn’t you, you know?
Paris: The Memoir by Paris Hilton
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.0
Disclaimer: My rating/review of a memoir is based only on my enjoyment of the book, and not on the writing or content. I commend anyone who is willing to put their story on paper and publish it.
I remember watching The Simple Life when I was in high school and I think that was my first introduction to Paris Hilton. She really isn’t anyone who I have thought much about. However, as I was listening to her tell her story I remembered a lot of the tabloid focus that was on her. I remembered the “That’s hot” expression. I remember how thin she was and my slight envy as a awkward, plus size teenager. I remember the song “Stars are Blind”.
I was saddened to hear about Paris’ horrible experience at the “boarding schools” she was forced to attend. She also shares about her late ADHD diagnosis and all of the misconceptions about her and her family that exist. She really had a very troubling upbringing which was surprising and shocking to hear about.
This was a likeable audiobook and I’m glad I listened to it. However, it felt long-winded and had jumpy storytelling which impacted my reading experience. I also don’t know how memorable it will be going forward, and I don’t think it is one that I would recommend to non-celebrity memoir readers (or listeners). Basically, if you aren’t someone who genuinely wants to read it, I wouldn’t necessarily spend time with it.
I remember watching The Simple Life when I was in high school and I think that was my first introduction to Paris Hilton. She really isn’t anyone who I have thought much about. However, as I was listening to her tell her story I remembered a lot of the tabloid focus that was on her. I remembered the “That’s hot” expression. I remember how thin she was and my slight envy as a awkward, plus size teenager. I remember the song “Stars are Blind”.
I was saddened to hear about Paris’ horrible experience at the “boarding schools” she was forced to attend. She also shares about her late ADHD diagnosis and all of the misconceptions about her and her family that exist. She really had a very troubling upbringing which was surprising and shocking to hear about.
This was a likeable audiobook and I’m glad I listened to it. However, it felt long-winded and had jumpy storytelling which impacted my reading experience. I also don’t know how memorable it will be going forward, and I don’t think it is one that I would recommend to non-celebrity memoir readers (or listeners). Basically, if you aren’t someone who genuinely wants to read it, I wouldn’t necessarily spend time with it.
The Barren Grounds by David A. Robertson
adventurous
relaxing
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? No
3.0
I loved the characters of Morgan and Eli. I loved how the author shines a light on the Canadian foster care system. I think that if this book was realistic fiction, I would have enjoyed it more. I had trouble following the fantasy story-line and keeping track of the elements involved. Unfortunately I have never read nor had a personal interest in reading Narnia which this book is compared to, and that may have impacted my enjoyment of the book.
That all being said, I know I'm not the target audience for this book. I will still recommend this to middle-grade readers. I think it is an important series for Canadian youth. I think it is core Canadian middle grade fiction. I will check out more of David A. Robertson's books, but I just might not continue this series.
That all being said, I know I'm not the target audience for this book. I will still recommend this to middle-grade readers. I think it is an important series for Canadian youth. I think it is core Canadian middle grade fiction. I will check out more of David A. Robertson's books, but I just might not continue this series.
The Scarecrow Walks at Midnight (Classic Goosebumps #16) by R.L. Stine
4.0
The first (and probably only) Goosebumps book I've ever read. I read it for a new book to movie book club program I am starting up for teens at my library (called CineLit). Goosebumps and scary reads in general were not my cup of tea as a child, and horror still isn't a genre I would ever pick up unless I was forced.
I definitely understand the appeal of these for middle grade readers. They are short, succinct, and easy to digest. That being said, this book did not have great writing (and nor did I expect it to have). I mean, did R.L Stine even write all of these themselves, or is this a pen name used by many authors like most of our 90/s series books for young readers are?
That being said, the scarecrows certainly gave me chills, and I am not sure I'll ever look at or think about one the same way again!
I definitely understand the appeal of these for middle grade readers. They are short, succinct, and easy to digest. That being said, this book did not have great writing (and nor did I expect it to have). I mean, did R.L Stine even write all of these themselves, or is this a pen name used by many authors like most of our 90/s series books for young readers are?
That being said, the scarecrows certainly gave me chills, and I am not sure I'll ever look at or think about one the same way again!
None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
5.0
This book was extremely hard to put down. I wanted to inhale it in one sitting! Page after page I was intrigued by the characters, the story, and the storytelling. As a reader, you don't know who or what to believe. There are so many secrets and lies, it's just one after another.
The audiobook is fantastic as well! It has amazing sound production and a cast of narrators that bring the story to life. I highly recommend checking that version out if you can. In my opinion, this book was made for audio.
I am a bit conflicted about how I feel with the ending. It was a bit of a let down for me. But because I was so captivated by this book the entire way through I am still going to give it a 5 star rating.
I love Lisa Jewell and I will continue to read her thrillers. She is one of the top adult fiction authors that I will keep reading as my reading begins to more and more reflect my work with middle grade/ YA readers.
The audiobook is fantastic as well! It has amazing sound production and a cast of narrators that bring the story to life. I highly recommend checking that version out if you can. In my opinion, this book was made for audio.
I am a bit conflicted about how I feel with the ending. It was a bit of a let down for me. But because I was so captivated by this book the entire way through I am still going to give it a 5 star rating.
I love Lisa Jewell and I will continue to read her thrillers. She is one of the top adult fiction authors that I will keep reading as my reading begins to more and more reflect my work with middle grade/ YA readers.
Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
5.0
After knowing about this series for so long, hearing my middle-grade reading adult friends rave about it, and being intrigued by its comparison to Harry Potter, I can finally say I have read this book. A bonus is that it lives up to the hype! Sophie is a delightful, caring, compassionate smart and fun female protagonist. She is a joy to root for, and I loved getting to know all of the other characters in this new world especially Dex, Keefe, and Fitz. I like that the characters are teenagers - Sophie is 13 in this book because I think that helps with cross over appeal between older middle grade and younger YA readers.
I am surprised at how much I enjoyed this book because I am not typically a fantasy fan, and I don't even think I've ever read a book series with elves! Actually, I had no idea this was about elves but that didn't even throw me when I found it out because I was already so charmed by the story.
I will definitely recommend this to readers who are looking for a fun fantasy series. I have already placed a hold on Book #2 and I look forward to reading it next month.
I am surprised at how much I enjoyed this book because I am not typically a fantasy fan, and I don't even think I've ever read a book series with elves! Actually, I had no idea this was about elves but that didn't even throw me when I found it out because I was already so charmed by the story.
I will definitely recommend this to readers who are looking for a fun fantasy series. I have already placed a hold on Book #2 and I look forward to reading it next month.
All the Right Reasons by Bethany Mangle
2.0
At under 300 pages, this contemporary YA romance had an engaging premise which is why I was intrigued by it in the first place. Teenage Cara and her recently divorced mom are cast on a reality tv show after being recruited based on an accidental social media post of Cara's went viral. The tv show was a second-chance romance situation where Cara and her mom could be matched with other single parents and their kids and date until there is one pair left.
The tone of writing is very sarcastic and filled with teenage angst. I found this both entertaining and annoying as a reader. It is a high-drama novel, so it does keep a quicker pace which is great for a YA reader and the shorter length also makes it an approachable novel.
Overall I thought this book sounded fun, but it fell a bit flat for me. However, I would still recommend it to readers who have an interest in reality tv and are looking for a book that is light-hearted and realistic contemporary fiction. It is fluffy and it has a happy ending, so that's something to consider too.
Quote: "Everyone else gets ahead by colouring outside the lines. You have to fight for what you want in life".
The tone of writing is very sarcastic and filled with teenage angst. I found this both entertaining and annoying as a reader. It is a high-drama novel, so it does keep a quicker pace which is great for a YA reader and the shorter length also makes it an approachable novel.
Overall I thought this book sounded fun, but it fell a bit flat for me. However, I would still recommend it to readers who have an interest in reality tv and are looking for a book that is light-hearted and realistic contemporary fiction. It is fluffy and it has a happy ending, so that's something to consider too.
Quote: "Everyone else gets ahead by colouring outside the lines. You have to fight for what you want in life".
Blankets by Craig Thompson
3.0
It's so hard to review this book because I think I went into reading Blankets without knowing much about it and so I was caught off guard by both the heavy discourse about Christianity and religion, and the nudity in the illustrations. As a reader, I really appreciated the beautiful illustrations and the artwork in his storytelling. I loved how this edition also had some pages about the author's writing process at the end and he shared more about how Blankets came to be published. I found that info very insightful.
I found Craig and Raina's relationship to be based on infatuation and lust and codependency. I saw it as their escapism from their differing yet both troubling and tough family dynamics and household upbringings. I think this is relatable to a lot of youth as I can imagine there can often be family dysfunction at home. It truly was a coming of age romance.
The author is open about Blankets being autobiographical fiction. I appreciated how the author portrayed the connection between him and his brother being the first person he shared a bed with. From the additional notes at the end of this edition, he admitted that that was the starting premise for the entire book. I also love how drawing brought the brothers together and that even amidst the turmoil of their parents and strict Christian upbringing, they were able to connect and have each other.
It is refreshing for me to read a graphic novel every once in a while. I can see the value in this book and why it is revered, I just wasn't the right reader for it and that is why I am giving it a middle of the road 3 star rating.
I found Craig and Raina's relationship to be based on infatuation and lust and codependency. I saw it as their escapism from their differing yet both troubling and tough family dynamics and household upbringings. I think this is relatable to a lot of youth as I can imagine there can often be family dysfunction at home. It truly was a coming of age romance.
The author is open about Blankets being autobiographical fiction. I appreciated how the author portrayed the connection between him and his brother being the first person he shared a bed with. From the additional notes at the end of this edition, he admitted that that was the starting premise for the entire book. I also love how drawing brought the brothers together and that even amidst the turmoil of their parents and strict Christian upbringing, they were able to connect and have each other.
It is refreshing for me to read a graphic novel every once in a while. I can see the value in this book and why it is revered, I just wasn't the right reader for it and that is why I am giving it a middle of the road 3 star rating.