Bite Size Reviews: Week of 7/18

Can you believe that this week is over already? It both felt like a long week and a short week to me. The joys of coming back from a week off. Anyway! Since it’s Saturday, that means it’s time for my weekly wrap of reviews for the week of 7/18. Despite feeling like I had a million things to do, I still got a lot of reading done! Just 1.5 books more and I made it to seven for the week.

My online classes will also be done after this week, so expect a bit more reading. I reached my Goodreads goal of 150, but I’m going to see how close to 300 I can get before the end of the year!

Funnily enough, I read more books this week than last week. I guess you never know what the week will bring!

Bite Size Reviews: Week of 7/18

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang (7/19)

This was one of my entries for Book Riot’s Read Harder challenges for the month: romance featuring a single parent. Khai’s mom sets him up with Esme, a girl from Vietnam, for the summer. However Khai, who has autism, isn’t very happy about it. Esme is looking for new opportunities for herself, but doesn’t expect to fall in love. This was such a heart-melting romance, and now I think I need to read Hoang’s other book. It sounds lovely as well! (4 stars)

Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram (7/20)

Darius and his family are going to visit Iran for the first time. Which includes meeting a lot of family that he’s never seen face-to-face. The trip itself is overwhelming, especially since Darius suffers from clinical depression. But meeting Sohrab changes all of that. This is a book about a teen struggling to figure out how he fits in, all the while trying to cope with depression. Darius’s struggles feel real and relatable, all the while representing a culture severely lacking in the YA genre. The sequel comes out soon and I can’t wait to pick it up! (4 stars)

Renegades by Marissa Meyer (7/21)

Admittedly, I’ve had this book since it first came out. But I’m just getting around to read it now. At least there’s the bonus of all the books being out now! This book is about a future society run by superheroes, after emerging victorious from the Age of Anarchy. Nova is on a mission for vengeance. Adrian is just trying to prove himself. As someone who loves superheroes, this was such a great take on the classic story. All of the characters were complex, even the villains we see throughout. And that cliffhanger! Can’t wait to get the next audiobook from the library (4 stars).

The Stars and the Blackness Between Them by Junauda Petrus (7/21)

Audre is forced to leave Trinidad after her mom finds her with her secret girlfriend. In the US, she meets Mabel, and the two instantly form a connection. But Mabel has been feeling sick all summer, and when she finds out she has cancer, the two have less time than they thought. The most beautiful thing about this book is the language. Petrus has created a unique voice for both of these characters, and they almost sing off the page. There were parts that moved a bit slowly, but overall, this was a beautifully lyrical novel (4 stars).

Witchy by Ariel Slamet Ries (7/22)

In the kingdom of Hyalin, the length of your hair determines how much magic you have. The best are chosen for the Witch Guard, but if your hair gets too long, you are pronounced an enemy of the kingdom and burned. This is what happened to Nyneve’s father, and if she’s not careful, it might happen to her. The only downfall of this graphic novel was that it was too short. Ries does an excellent job creating this atmospheric world, filled with complex characters. Seriously, I want to be in this world more! (4 stars)

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson (7/22)

Dr. Montague brings together a group of people to study the supposedly haunted Hill House. At first, their visit is just filled with spooky encounters. But by the end, the house works powers all of its own. I noticed that this book got a lot of negative reviews on Goodreads because it wasn’t scary enough. Which I get! This book more feels atmospheric to me, drawing on the ideas of being addicted to being scared. Jackson is definitely a master of character and dialogue (4 stars).

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews (7/23)

After Rachel’s diagnosed with leukemia, Greg’s mom forces him to rekindle his friendship with her. So, Greg and his friend Earl decide to make a film for her, which turns into the worst film ever. But it’s a turning point for both Greg and Earl. There were parts of this that made me cringe and parts of it that were funny. Overall, it was entertaining, but likely not something I’ll return to again (3 stars).