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angieoverbooked's reviews
504 reviews
Ghosted by Rosie Walsh
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.75
My Sister's Big Fat Indian Wedding by Sajni Patel
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Bellies by Nicola Dinan
emotional
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
5.0
Boy meets boy.
They have:
~ an instant connection that leads to long term love
~ a sometimes messy but fiercely loyal friend circle
~ families who each love their son’s chosen partner
What happens when one comes out as transgender?
This is BELLIES by Nicola Dinan. The story of Ming and Tom. A story about queer love, coming-of-age, family, friendship and transitioning. A transgender story written by a transgender woman. A story that has my whole heart.
I was deeply moved by the way Dinan illustrates Ming’s transition as well as Tom’s experience of witnessing his partner transition. I read books to enter worlds that are different from my own and I’m grateful to have entered theirs.
Dinan also really nails writing about transitions in general- graduating from college, starting new jobs, facing changes in friendships and families, coping with loss, breakups, moving to a new city. The universal feelings of heartache, hope, fear and fervor one can experience all at once during periods of change in our lives.
This is an easy fave of the year for me.
.
.
No spoilers but a note about the ending: In a year of several books that I’ve mostly loved while reading but then it dropped at the end (I’m looking at you, Rootless), I just have to acknowledge how much I appreciated the ending of Bellies. Possibly the most perfectly written closing lines I’ve read all year.
None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood by Maureen Ryan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 56%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 56%.
Okay- the Lost and Sleepy Hollow chapters are so good! And in general, I started off very into this.
I’m just losing interest with the second half and don’t feel like forcing it.
Hollywood is toxic, abusive, racist, sexist, etc. Change is definitely needed and I don’t need to finish to know that.
I’m just losing interest with the second half and don’t feel like forcing it.
Hollywood is toxic, abusive, racist, sexist, etc. Change is definitely needed and I don’t need to finish to know that.
The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi
emotional
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Between Each Line of Pain and Glory: My Life Story by Gladys Knight
informative
medium-paced
Gladys is an icon to me- my dad’s favorite singer and I was definitely raised on her music. Loved learning more about her.