I just try to ignore my instinct to give halfs and round up. I’m also guilty of just marking ‘read’ if it’s not at least 3 stars🫣 that old adage, “if you don’t have anything nice to say…”

Just a star rating (if you’re listening Goodreads Gods, please make it so you can give half stars!), then recommend any I really like. I try not to let other reviews impact whether I’ll give a book a try. Lots of incredible books don’t get the attention they deserve, so I make an effort to seek out books that don’t have many reviews, are newly released, indie published, etc.

Loved it. Finished it a few months ago and think of it as one of the best books I’ve ever read.

I think these kinds of stories are important. There’s definitely a place for light reads, but books that tackle difficult and real issues have such potential to help readers grow as compassionate human beings.

Others that I recommend if you can stomach challenging reads:

• All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood

• My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent

• All of the novels written by Corban Addison

• Less Than by A.D. Long