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carrot2025's reviews
16 reviews
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
This is a great book that really digs into what it was like for young children during this time. I remember reading this as a child when first learning and world war 2 and it's stayed in my mind for good reason even a decade later.
I highly recommend this book for everyone, especially those that need a reminder of what the past was like.
I highly recommend this book for everyone, especially those that need a reminder of what the past was like.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I often hear that no retelling can beat a classic. And while I tend to agree, I think it completely misses the point of a retelling, especially with Greek mythology. Greek mythology is already confusing with a million different ways to tell the same story, and in my opinion, a retelling is no different than how the Greeks changed their own stories from word of mouth.
And honestly, what better retelling is there? Madeline Miller is a queen of retellings. She manages to bring so much realism into a world of gods. And the emotions that come out. It truly is beautiful. A lush and beautiful written story that depicts Achilles and Patroclus as realistic as possible. Their chemistry together is just beautiful. And I love a story written from a new perspective. It's so fun to imagine what a character is thinking and trying to make sense of their moves. And I think Madeline perfectly captured what had to be going through Patroclus head, even in his death.
And honestly, what better retelling is there? Madeline Miller is a queen of retellings. She manages to bring so much realism into a world of gods. And the emotions that come out. It truly is beautiful. A lush and beautiful written story that depicts Achilles and Patroclus as realistic as possible. Their chemistry together is just beautiful. And I love a story written from a new perspective. It's so fun to imagine what a character is thinking and trying to make sense of their moves. And I think Madeline perfectly captured what had to be going through Patroclus head, even in his death.
The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I will admit, I'm a sucker for a good historical book. Especially historical fiction. And this book certainly knocks it out of the park. I really do feel like I was there. I knew bits and pieces of world war 2 Britain but this book gives such good insight, especially for the children. So often I feel books certain on soldiers or their spouses. I really enjoy a book that gives children not only the center stage, but their voice. And the main character, Ada, is such a perfectly written child. Her and her brother act exactly as you'd imagine a child who's been through abuse may act. Even when surrounded by love and safety, their fear turns into anger in an effort to protect themselves. These are some of the best child characters I've ever seen.
If you're a history buff like me, I'd really recommend it. It may be considered children's literature, but it's incredibly realistic and doesn't shy away from anything.
If you're a history buff like me, I'd really recommend it. It may be considered children's literature, but it's incredibly realistic and doesn't shy away from anything.
Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhhà Lại
emotional
informative
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
5.0
I've been eyeing this book for a while now. It released in 2011 and yet for some reason I never saw it until recently. I've always found this cover beautiful and the story inside was even better.
I've always found stories of war and the effects of war from the perspective of children to be the best way to tell them. It truly is hard to imagine leaving the home you lived in for your entire life, especially when you're missing a family member. Thanhha Lai does a wonderful job in showing casing reality through the eyes of a child. And reading through her authors notes of experiencing many of the situations herself, it made me choke up even more. I truly think this book is one every should read. The poets throughout are so beautiful and I really feel like I'm watching Hà go through everything. The imaginary of everything.
Books based on history will forever be one of my favorite. And I feel like a story about Vietnam War is especially important because it often feels like the only war in Americas history that we pretend never happened. I desperately want more of these stories to be told so we can never forget the ripple effect these wars cause. Because while history may never truly repeat, it rhymes far too often. And the only way to try to prevent it, is by never letting stories like this die
I've always found stories of war and the effects of war from the perspective of children to be the best way to tell them. It truly is hard to imagine leaving the home you lived in for your entire life, especially when you're missing a family member. Thanhha Lai does a wonderful job in showing casing reality through the eyes of a child. And reading through her authors notes of experiencing many of the situations herself, it made me choke up even more. I truly think this book is one every should read. The poets throughout are so beautiful and I really feel like I'm watching Hà go through everything. The imaginary of everything.
Books based on history will forever be one of my favorite. And I feel like a story about Vietnam War is especially important because it often feels like the only war in Americas history that we pretend never happened. I desperately want more of these stories to be told so we can never forget the ripple effect these wars cause. Because while history may never truly repeat, it rhymes far too often. And the only way to try to prevent it, is by never letting stories like this die
The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
I'm not normally one for novels in verse but when I say I could not put this book down, I mean it. This book is so perfectly written in every way that I struggle to find any fault in it.
The pacing is absolutely perfect. Getting the chance to really get to know Kofis every day and see him just be a child, living every day experiences that span time, country, religion, etc (family difficulties, crushes, difficult teachers, etc) only to then be slapped with the reality this boy has to now face was done in a way that left me on the edge of my seat. Everything felt like I was right there. I could hear the drums, I could smell the cooked yams, I could taste the boiled plantains. I could feel the dread and fear of being taken, abused, and sent on the unknown journey.
Kwame Alexander is a beautiful author. A beautiful poet. And this story is one that needs to be told and understood. He handles everything with such delicacy without shying away from the reality. And it's why this book is so perfect.
I highly recommend this book to everyone and look forward to reading the sequel, Black Star.
The pacing is absolutely perfect. Getting the chance to really get to know Kofis every day and see him just be a child, living every day experiences that span time, country, religion, etc (family difficulties, crushes, difficult teachers, etc) only to then be slapped with the reality this boy has to now face was done in a way that left me on the edge of my seat. Everything felt like I was right there. I could hear the drums, I could smell the cooked yams, I could taste the boiled plantains. I could feel the dread and fear of being taken, abused, and sent on the unknown journey.
Kwame Alexander is a beautiful author. A beautiful poet. And this story is one that needs to be told and understood. He handles everything with such delicacy without shying away from the reality. And it's why this book is so perfect.
I highly recommend this book to everyone and look forward to reading the sequel, Black Star.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Torture, Kidnapping, Grief, and Colonisation
Moderate: Sexual assault and Slavery
The topics handled in this book are in the second half. However, they're handled in a very respectful way without shying away from the reality of a boy taken from his home and sold to the slave trade . While the topics are heavy and mostly very detailed, I think everyone should read this book. Just be mindful and be in the right state of mind.
The Wild Card: 7 Steps to an Educator's Creative Breakthrough by Wade King, Hope King
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
This was a great book that every teacher should read! I had to read it for one of my classes and I'm so happy. It was honestly a great read and I can't wait to use the lessons in my own classrooms.
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Not much can be said by to express how much I loved Crying in Hmart.
This book managed to capture everything so vividly that I felt like I was there. It forced memories out that I had tried so hard to forget. Of my grandparents battles with cancer. Of the moments of grief that even now make my heart ache as I think of all that I will never be able to enjoy with them. Or moments they never got to see me grow in to. And most of all it brought forth that ever present fear that lingers constantly in the back of my mind of losing my own mother the same way. I had watched my mother be her parents caretaker and the fear of something similar happening to me fills me with dread that I break into a cold sweat.
Michelles memoir could not be more perfectly and profoundly done. I can not imagine the moments of sitting and writing it down. The emotions are so clear on the page. It feels like I'm watching a movie, the way everything is described in such detail. I swear the pages of making kimchi made it feel like I could taste each piece of the dish on my tongue.
Truly a beautiful and inspiring story of grief and moving forward. I thank you Michelle for your effort to put into words how so many feel and have experienced.
This book managed to capture everything so vividly that I felt like I was there. It forced memories out that I had tried so hard to forget. Of my grandparents battles with cancer. Of the moments of grief that even now make my heart ache as I think of all that I will never be able to enjoy with them. Or moments they never got to see me grow in to. And most of all it brought forth that ever present fear that lingers constantly in the back of my mind of losing my own mother the same way. I had watched my mother be her parents caretaker and the fear of something similar happening to me fills me with dread that I break into a cold sweat.
Michelles memoir could not be more perfectly and profoundly done. I can not imagine the moments of sitting and writing it down. The emotions are so clear on the page. It feels like I'm watching a movie, the way everything is described in such detail. I swear the pages of making kimchi made it feel like I could taste each piece of the dish on my tongue.
Truly a beautiful and inspiring story of grief and moving forward. I thank you Michelle for your effort to put into words how so many feel and have experienced.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Car accident
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
The books entire plot starts with the main character attempting to take their own life.
I believe the topic is handled in a very tasteful way with an understanding of how important it is to not make this seem the option that will fix everything. The minor mentions are honestly usually one sentence and outside of death of a parent, don't have a major impact on the story. And the death of a parent is not spoken about outside of minor mentions of them passing.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.75
This book was so beautiful poetic. I think it handled a beautiful balance between the desire of wanting something new and also being unable to imagine anything better. I loved how it really tackled how easy it is to feel like you want different choices. Or that the life you're living is a failure and that if you had only changed one thing, made one different choice, then you'd be happier. For some, that may be the case. But for many, our problem isn't going to be fixed by running away. Instead, we should focus on the present. Find joy in things around us. Learn from our regrets to take more chances and try new things. Sure everything isn't going to magically be perfect. But even a perfect life has cracks. That's the human nature.
I feel this books is great for everyone. For those who struggle with their mental health, it's a great eye-opener and really allows you time to reflect. And for anyone else, it really helps paint the picture of what those struggling are going through.
I feel this books is great for everyone. For those who struggle with their mental health, it's a great eye-opener and really allows you time to reflect. And for anyone else, it really helps paint the picture of what those struggling are going through.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Alcoholism and Death of parent
Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
This was a really great read. I really enjoyed the writing as it was incredibly detailed and didn't shy away from sharing the horrors of the apocalyptic world. I usually don't read end of the world style books so I don't have much to compare it to, but this certainly opened my eyes to just how good that genre can be.
And can we talk representation! I have never read a book that uses neo pronouns and I really loved it. Andrew did such a wonderful job showing the real world with every character being very different and having a unique trait that really fleshed out the world. I also appreciate how despite this being the end of the world, there is still major prejudice. I feel a lot of authors can lose that idea as it seems like such a small thing to many. But hatred for those different will always run deeply, especially in a book that handles religion and specifically the Evangelical white Christian nationalist.
I think the book handles religion very well. In my opinion it doesn't really say any form of religion is bad. Instead it does a wonderful job pointing out hypocrisy within the Evangelical Christian movement and shows how harmful it is to allow hatred to be the guiding force in life.
I also feel it balanced different viewpoints very well. There will always be people who cling to things, whether out of fear, a desire for power, or simple because they don't want to grow. And you see that all within this book very well.
I think my only real complaint is that I would love just one more chapter to see how Benji and Nick move on but thankfully we have the lovely world of fanfic for that.
I highly recommend this book to anyone. The amazing representation aside, right now I think many people need to read this book just to get an eye opener into how harmful it is to hate people for simply being different.
And can we talk representation! I have never read a book that uses neo pronouns and I really loved it. Andrew did such a wonderful job showing the real world with every character being very different and having a unique trait that really fleshed out the world. I also appreciate how despite this being the end of the world, there is still major prejudice. I feel a lot of authors can lose that idea as it seems like such a small thing to many. But hatred for those different will always run deeply, especially in a book that handles religion and specifically the Evangelical white Christian nationalist.
I think the book handles religion very well. In my opinion it doesn't really say any form of religion is bad. Instead it does a wonderful job pointing out hypocrisy within the Evangelical Christian movement and shows how harmful it is to allow hatred to be the guiding force in life.
I also feel it balanced different viewpoints very well. There will always be people who cling to things, whether out of fear, a desire for power, or simple because they don't want to grow. And you see that all within this book very well.
I think my only real complaint is that I would love just one more chapter to see how Benji and Nick move on but thankfully we have the lovely world of fanfic for that.
I highly recommend this book to anyone. The amazing representation aside, right now I think many people need to read this book just to get an eye opener into how harmful it is to hate people for simply being different.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Deadnaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Homophobia, Transphobia, Religious bigotry, Murder, Gaslighting, and War
Moderate: Misogyny, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Dysphoria
The books themes on religion are pretty clear and it really focuses heavy on white Christian nationalism and it isn't scared to put the abuse many face at its hands front and center
We Are Not Free by Traci Chee
emotional
informative
inspiring
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
5.0
This book is so well written and the topic is incredibly important. It's nothing shocking to see how much of US history is left out in schools. I think this book handles teaching the truth of what the US did during WW2 to it's own Japanese Citizens is beyond perfect. It isn't scared to shy away from the truth and Traci Chee writing makes the book feel even more impactful and thought out.
I'm normally not a fan of books written from multiple perspectives like this because I have a hard time keeping things straight. But this book handles it so well and keeps everything very organized. I think my favorite character has to be Tommy as watching his character struggle with his desires, his parents expectations and demands, all while the country he's lived his entire life in, hates him for simply existing, is one of the most impactful. I also loved how his chapter was written in a way to resemble poems.
I'm normally not a fan of books written from multiple perspectives like this because I have a hard time keeping things straight. But this book handles it so well and keeps everything very organized. I think my favorite character has to be Tommy as watching his character struggle with his desires, his parents expectations and demands, all while the country he's lived his entire life in, hates him for simply existing, is one of the most impactful. I also loved how his chapter was written in a way to resemble poems.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, and Grief
Moderate: War
Minor: Cursing
It's fairly obviously what this book is about but it certainly doesn't shy away from the topics. Everything is handled in a very delicate matter and the author even explains her use of racial slurs to help show the importance of never forgetting what happened.