5 stars Genre: Contemporary fiction/women's fiction The Kindest Lie I really appreciated this book by Nancy Johnson, which is a story about motherhood, secrets, and more. It was fascinating to see the plot take shape through the dual perspectives of Ruth and Midnight. Having the different points of view really allows for a deeper take on things. I’m grateful for this entertaining journey of one woman’s discovery of her past—and herself. There are a lot of key points about race … [Read more...]
#BookReview: The Satapur Moonstone
November 25, 2019 2 Comments
5 stars Genre: Mystery (historical) https://www.amazon.com/Satapur-Moonstone-Mystery-1920s-India-ebook/dp/B07CWF5BQF Pros: Excellent historical insight and world-building Unique and well-drawn protagonistA solid mystery Cons: Pacing may be slow for some in the first few chapters This is a historical gem of a book. It took me a few chapters to get into the pacing of the novel, but after that, I was sucked into Perveen's world. I really love the idea of her being … [Read more...]
#BookReview: The Astonishing Color of After
May 13, 2019 Leave a Comment
The Astonishing Color of After 5 stars Genre: YA magical realism Pros: Addresses the complexities of griefProvides multiple cultural referencesUses sensory poetic language Cons: Repeats color themes that may be distracting What an amazing and heart-wrenching book! I'm really glad I picked it up. It ties in cultural significance with the accuracy of feeling like an in-between girl straddling two worlds. I love how real the novel gets about grief and the ways we … [Read more...]
#BookReview: Every Soul a Star
January 22, 2018 Leave a Comment
“You will live a long, prosperous life.” Every Soul a Star 5 stars Pros: Science made interesting Different perspectives True teen voices Cons: May be too sweet for some I really enjoyed Every Soul a Star. Since I recently saw the solar eclipse, I had to check out this read. I love how Mass incorporated scientific facts in this book. Every Soul is a slow, thoughtful read. Some people might find fault with that (see my con above), but I found it refreshing. The voices … [Read more...]
#BookReview: The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane
November 6, 2017 2 Comments
"Rarely do great beauty and virtue dwell together as they do in you." The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See 4 stars Pros: Immersive historical details Exploration of Akha and adoptee culture Complex and rich mother-daughter relationships Cons: Authorial voice present Switching of perspectives The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane is another great historical fiction book done by Lisa See. She is a master at capturing times past with vivid details. Her new novel is a … [Read more...]
#BookReview: Starswept
September 25, 2017 2 Comments
"Romance will come your way soon." Starswept by Mary Fan 4.5 stars Pros: An invented language! Unique world-building Focus on the arts Cons: Too much mystery in the beginning Starswept is a wonderful book. I love the premise of the situation, where the arts are adored by an alien race. There are also interesting underlying themes of prejudice, xenophobia, and the value of human lives in the novel. I’m able to really identify with the main character, Iris. I love how … [Read more...]
#BookReview: Under the Feet of Jesus
May 15, 2017 2 Comments
“You have an accurate and professional mind.” Under the Feet of Jesus by Helena Maria Viramontes 3.5 stars Pros: Clear snapshot of farming life Complex characters Cons: Not plot-paced, a slower read Less about the teen protagonists (though they serve as main characters) 3.5 stars. I really liked the picture Viramontes gives us of field workers. It's a fascinating and heartbreaking world that I didn't have much exposure to. The words in the novel are all beautiful, … [Read more...]
Publishers Weekly Review
July 20, 2015 4 Comments
"You will be rewarded for your efforts." Publishers Weekly is a trade magazine for the book industry and was established in 1872. Nowadays, people trust the publication for its reviews. If you look at any big press novel, you'll find an editorial review from PW. For a small press, it's difficult to get a shot at this system. However, PW recently implemented BookLife. By registering your work on their site, indie and self-published authors get a chance to have their book reviewed (for free, … [Read more...]
