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katietotallybooked's reviews
741 reviews
How Are You, Really? Living Your Truth One Answer at a Time by Jenna Kutcher
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I read this book as part of Jessica Massey's Hustle Sanely BFF Membership Q2 topic "Get Out of Your Own Way: Reframing limiting beliefs and creating a healthy mindset."
I definitely enjoyed this book. It would never have been on my radar without the membership. I picked up a lot of helpful takeaways about mindset and perspective and how to go after your dreams and goals. I appreciated how much Jenna Kutcher shared about her own life and her own journey, especially her struggles with miscarriage and starting a family.
Asking "How are you really?" invites individuals to get vulnerable. It invites you to open up and break down your own walls and barriers. It encourages you to get out of your own way and go after what you want.
I appreciated this book and what it had to offer. I would recommend it to any woman who wants to sit down and reflect on their life. If you want to think about where you are at and ask yourself some tough questions as you pivot or change directions to go after what you want, this book can help. If you want encouraging and vulnerability and relatability, Jenna Kutcher can help.
I definitely enjoyed this book. It would never have been on my radar without the membership. I picked up a lot of helpful takeaways about mindset and perspective and how to go after your dreams and goals. I appreciated how much Jenna Kutcher shared about her own life and her own journey, especially her struggles with miscarriage and starting a family.
Asking "How are you really?" invites individuals to get vulnerable. It invites you to open up and break down your own walls and barriers. It encourages you to get out of your own way and go after what you want.
I appreciated this book and what it had to offer. I would recommend it to any woman who wants to sit down and reflect on their life. If you want to think about where you are at and ask yourself some tough questions as you pivot or change directions to go after what you want, this book can help. If you want encouraging and vulnerability and relatability, Jenna Kutcher can help.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage
Five Little Indians by Michelle Good
Liked Least:
Themes/Topics:
Would Recommend To:
The audio is well done too!
Quotes:
“…she told me she was sorry about my mom. I didn't know, but she didn't need to say more. I had so many dreams at the Indian School about going home to her. Dreams about sleeping safe in my own room, playing on the beach at ease and without fear, and cooking with her. What I so desperately needed was to be standing on that stool by the stove, carefully stirring under her watchful eye like when I was little. To be little again, living without fear and brutality-no one gets that back. All that's left is a craving, insatiable empty place.”
“Kenny walked along the meandering creek, enjoying the sound of it when it narrowed and quickened, the peace of it when it widened and slowed, deeper and quieter, the rusty-coloured stones casting a sparkling copper tone on the crystalline water. There was a bitter sweetness in seeing his old friend. He was happy to share their tricky survival memories; it was the other ones, the ones that slipped in through the silences, that he was relieved to lose in his usual solitude.”
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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
I am happy that I can finally say I've read this book. I also understand why it won the Canada Reads competition in 2022. I do believe it is a must read for Canadian readers.
Liked Most:
Liked Most:
- How each of the character's storylines intertwined, even when it wasn't obvious that would happen from the beginning.
- How different each character's story was. Their experiences were varied and how they handled their traumas varied. I think this helps make the book more representative (while still fictionalized) of the many shared histories of our Indigenous community.
Liked Least:
- The timeline of the story felt unclear while I was reading, and I found it hard to follow at times because there was so many characters to keep track off.
Themes/Topics:
- Residential Schools
- Indigenous History
- Child Abuse (Physical, Sexual, Emotional)
- Grief
- Loss of Innocence
- Suicide
Would Recommend To:
- All Canadian adult fiction readers
- Those interested in Indigenous lives, experiences, and histories
The audio is well done too!
Quotes:
“…she told me she was sorry about my mom. I didn't know, but she didn't need to say more. I had so many dreams at the Indian School about going home to her. Dreams about sleeping safe in my own room, playing on the beach at ease and without fear, and cooking with her. What I so desperately needed was to be standing on that stool by the stove, carefully stirring under her watchful eye like when I was little. To be little again, living without fear and brutality-no one gets that back. All that's left is a craving, insatiable empty place.”
“Kenny walked along the meandering creek, enjoying the sound of it when it narrowed and quickened, the peace of it when it widened and slowed, deeper and quieter, the rusty-coloured stones casting a sparkling copper tone on the crystalline water. There was a bitter sweetness in seeing his old friend. He was happy to share their tricky survival memories; it was the other ones, the ones that slipped in through the silences, that he was relieved to lose in his usual solitude.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Suicide
Moderate: Grief
When You Were Everything by Ashley Woodfolk
This is definitely a book about friendship that I will share as a recommendation with YA readers. I also plan on reading more by Ashley Woodfolk.
emotional
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
This YA book focuses on female friendships, and more specifically, female friendship breakups, and that is just one relationship experience that I don't think gets enough representation in fiction. Plus, it was really enjoyable and well written. The audio narrator was great too. As I'm just getting back into reading YA, I appreciated this as a nice YA contemporary to get in to. It also does feature a romantic relationship, but I am so impressed by the backseat that relationship took. I think that was an intentional choice by the author and I commend them for it. And, the book doesn't end with Cleo & Layla becoming friends again, which I also appreciated because sometimes friendships do end and both parties move on. .
This is definitely a book about friendship that I will share as a recommendation with YA readers. I also plan on reading more by Ashley Woodfolk.
Themes & Representation:
- Grief
- Parental Divorce
- Bullying & Rumour Spreading
- Father-Daughter Relationships
- Bangladeshi / Islamic culture
- LGBTQIA+
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Love, Pamela by Pamela Anderson
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
3.0
This was an enjoyable audiobook listen, and a quick one at less than 6 hours. Given that, Pamela didn't go into much detail about her experiences but what she did share was her up and down experiences growing up with abuse, her rocky entry into show business and acting, and her highly publicized relationships.
I always commend individuals who show their strength by continuing to get back up and push forward after being knocked down. Pamela Anderson showcases herself as a strong, talented, not just "a pretty face" woman by sharing her story.
If you know who Pamela Anderson is and you enjoy audiobooks, give this one a listen.
I always commend individuals who show their strength by continuing to get back up and push forward after being knocked down. Pamela Anderson showcases herself as a strong, talented, not just "a pretty face" woman by sharing her story.
If you know who Pamela Anderson is and you enjoy audiobooks, give this one a listen.
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
This book hit hard! It was such an emotional read, especially with the audiobook. The narrators did a phenomenal job on bringing the story to life. It wouldn't have been half as impactful to me as a reader without the audiobook to listen along with.
It's hard to imagine that Salama is only 18 years old, but Syrian youth do face such a hard reality. I can't even fathom having to live in a country that is being torn apart by war like it is. There are so many unsettling circumstances that the characters endure. Salama is an excellent example of a strong female protagonist, and a woman of science with her interest in pharmacology. Plus, her relationship that blossoms quickly with Kenan is so wonderful and beautiful to witness. I was rooting for them!
The story is really well told, and there were plot twists that I didn't see coming.
But while this is an emotional read, it is also inspiring and optimistic. It showcases the fight and faith of Syrian individuals. I would definitely recommend this book to teen readers. In the author's note, Zoulfa Katouh mentions how her book offers representation to reader that is rare, and I would have to agree. This book is unlike anything else I've ever read.
It's hard to imagine that Salama is only 18 years old, but Syrian youth do face such a hard reality. I can't even fathom having to live in a country that is being torn apart by war like it is. There are so many unsettling circumstances that the characters endure. Salama is an excellent example of a strong female protagonist, and a woman of science with her interest in pharmacology. Plus, her relationship that blossoms quickly with Kenan is so wonderful and beautiful to witness. I was rooting for them!
The story is really well told, and there were plot twists that I didn't see coming.
But while this is an emotional read, it is also inspiring and optimistic. It showcases the fight and faith of Syrian individuals. I would definitely recommend this book to teen readers. In the author's note, Zoulfa Katouh mentions how her book offers representation to reader that is rare, and I would have to agree. This book is unlike anything else I've ever read.
It reminds me that as long as the lemon trees grow, hope will never die.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, and War
Live Wire: Long-Winded Short Stories by Kelly Ripa
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
So, listening to this audiobook reminded me of why I never really enjoyed watching Live growing up. While I found some parts interesting and enjoyable, I also found her to be somewhat annoying, and actually not that funny.
The enjoyable parts were about her kids, as I remember them as young children when they would make tiny appearances on Live. Plus I typically enjoy hearing about experiences in motherhood.
Ultimately, I don't find I have much to say about this book though. If you know who Kelly Ripa is, and like her, I think you'll pick up this book and get something from it. Otherwise, it's not a must read.
The enjoyable parts were about her kids, as I remember them as young children when they would make tiny appearances on Live. Plus I typically enjoy hearing about experiences in motherhood.
Ultimately, I don't find I have much to say about this book though. If you know who Kelly Ripa is, and like her, I think you'll pick up this book and get something from it. Otherwise, it's not a must read.
Building a Second Brain: A Proven Method to Organize Your Digital Life and Unlock Your Creative Potential by Tiago Forte
informative
fast-paced
5.0
This book is a great resource if you are looking for helpful guidance in organizing your life digitally. I can't wait to implement the Second Brain system that I have been taught. I know I will be referring back to this book time and time again. A must read for anyone who is interested in productivity and organization.
Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
3.5
At its heart, Leaving Time is an emotional story about mothers and daughters. So that automatically makes it an enjoyable book for me.
While I can truly appreciate all of the research that must have gone into writing this book, there was SO SO MUCH about elephants. Too much, in my opinion, and that took away from my overall enjoyment of the book. Some parts were so rich in detail and science that I found them boring and a slog to get through.
But just like Mad Honey, I was captivated by the mystery of the story and I loved how it all unraveled by the end. I certainly couldn’t have guessed the ending from the beginning.
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy Jodi Picoult (and not just her novels featuring a court case), and who enjoy emotional mother-daughter stories. Or, if you love elephants.
While I can truly appreciate all of the research that must have gone into writing this book, there was SO SO MUCH about elephants. Too much, in my opinion, and that took away from my overall enjoyment of the book. Some parts were so rich in detail and science that I found them boring and a slog to get through.
But just like Mad Honey, I was captivated by the mystery of the story and I loved how it all unraveled by the end. I certainly couldn’t have guessed the ending from the beginning.
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy Jodi Picoult (and not just her novels featuring a court case), and who enjoy emotional mother-daughter stories. Or, if you love elephants.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Mental illness
Moderate: Suicide
Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
I finally understand the hype! Nick and Charlie are the cutest, and this was the perfect read at the perfect time for me. My only regret is not borrowing all the volumes at once from the library because now I have to wait for book 2!
I appreciate everything about this YA LGBTQ+ romance. Nick and Charlie are characters to root for. They stand up for themselves and they are assertive. I appreciate the lessons about sexuality and stereotyping and not being able to tell if someone is gay or straight just by looking at them - thanks Miss. Singh!
I will definitely recommend this series to YA readers and I can't wait to read Vol. 2!
I appreciate everything about this YA LGBTQ+ romance. Nick and Charlie are characters to root for. They stand up for themselves and they are assertive. I appreciate the lessons about sexuality and stereotyping and not being able to tell if someone is gay or straight just by looking at them - thanks Miss. Singh!
I will definitely recommend this series to YA readers and I can't wait to read Vol. 2!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse
Out of the Corner by Jennifer Grey
I also truly enjoyed the stories from behind the scenes of Dirty Dancing - one of my favourite movies!
Yes, she grew up privileged and yes, her story is a different one to tell, but aren't all of ours?
If you are a fan of Jennifer Grey, if you have seen Dirty Dancing, and if you appreciate honest memoirs, I would recommend this book to you.
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I finished this book two days ago and it's still at the forefront of my mind. Jennifer Grey shares her candid story in a way that I really connected with. While some might be thrown by the focus on plastic surgery and her botched nose job in the first chapter, I found that it set the stage for the entire memoir.
Jennifer shares how she lost her entire sense of self after that experience. She was no longer recognizable to others, and therefore no longer recognizable to herself. She opens up about her self-esteem and body image issues growing up as an aspiring actor with a famous actor father. She shares about her toxic relationships, both with partners and herself. I appreciate her honesty and vulnerability in sharing her story, and the fact that she wrote the memoir herself. There were even a couple snippets that were laugh-out-loud funny (like her idea for Johnny Depp's tattoo)!
I resonated most with the parts about her journey into motherhood. Especially this passage on pg. 327:
Jennifer shares how she lost her entire sense of self after that experience. She was no longer recognizable to others, and therefore no longer recognizable to herself. She opens up about her self-esteem and body image issues growing up as an aspiring actor with a famous actor father. She shares about her toxic relationships, both with partners and herself. I appreciate her honesty and vulnerability in sharing her story, and the fact that she wrote the memoir herself. There were even a couple snippets that were laugh-out-loud funny (like her idea for Johnny Depp's tattoo)!
I resonated most with the parts about her journey into motherhood. Especially this passage on pg. 327:
I'm struck by how many married women I know intimately, especially mothers of small children, are right now feeling hopelessly stuck in their lives. They don't dare let themselves consider what they might wish for or what they would want their lives to look like if they could make a change. And there it is! "If they could." Well, of course they could! I'm talking about a kind of paralysis that comes from feeling disconnected from your very own independent life, your own oxygen source, as if your inherent value is now on a kind of sliding scale.
As if a woman's value instantly depreciates after motherhood, like a car's sticker price that plummets the moment it's driven off the lot.
I also truly enjoyed the stories from behind the scenes of Dirty Dancing - one of my favourite movies!
Yes, she grew up privileged and yes, her story is a different one to tell, but aren't all of ours?
If you are a fan of Jennifer Grey, if you have seen Dirty Dancing, and if you appreciate honest memoirs, I would recommend this book to you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Toxic relationship, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault and Pregnancy
Minor: Child death and Suicide attempt