jolynne's reviews
567 reviews

Liliana's Invincible Summer: A Sister's Search for Justice by Cristina Rivera Garza

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emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

4.75

Such beautiful writing in honor of a sister. This was sad, angry, and so full of truth to lives that many women are faced with.
The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich

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emotional informative reflective
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Life, love, tragedy in a small farming community. Great story.
Looking for Smoke by K.A. Cobell

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emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Contemporary Cree teenagers come to life in this book focusing and bringing attention to missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Daughters of Shandong by Eve J. Chung

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emotional hopeful informative 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

5.0

Such a lovely tribute to a mother and grandmother. Strength and perseverance at its best.
The Theory of Crows by David A. Robertson

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hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

The first two thirds were a bit slow but the final third made it worth finishing. A Cree family is falling apart, the father and daughter take a journey into the wilderness and family history takes them to where they need to be both physically and spiritually. 
The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore

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funny hopeful lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

A feel good book but predictable. A good story to relax to.
The Moon Represents My Heart by Pim Wangtechawat

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I loved the story and the writing but I cannot come to a conclusion on the ending.
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

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emotional informative reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I always love a book that tells the truth of American History. I loved the humanity, and goodness of many characters in this story. 
Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology by Shane Hawk, Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.

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  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

As in all short stories the vary in quality, at least for me. This group offers up history, lessons to be learned, revenge, shape shifting, social commentary, the presence of ghosts, and of course horror. Horror not being my favorite genre but still excellent writing from all authors. 
Bear by Julia Phillips

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emotional medium-paced
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Very good and vivid storytelling.