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Rated: 13+ · Book · Opinion · #2353546

This is a collection of all the book reviews I’ve written/will write

*Bookshelf2* For all the book Reviews I will write
February 4, 2026 at 8:31am
February 4, 2026 at 8:31am
#1107521
The Color Purple is a famous novel by Alice Walker, published in 1982. It tells the life story of a poor, uneducated Black woman named Celie, living in the rural American South in the early 1900s. The book follows Celie from her teenage years into adulthood as she survives abuse, finds her voice, and discovers her own strength and happiness.

How is the Story Told?
The entire book is written as letters. At first, Celie writes only to God because she has no one else to talk to. She is lonely and scared. Later, she writes to her sister, Nettie, who was forced to leave home. This style makes the story feel very personal, like reading someone's private diary. You see the world through Celie's eyes and her simple, powerful way of speaking.

Who Are the Main Characters?

Celie: The main character. She starts off very quiet and broken, treated badly by almost everyone. Her journey is about learning to love herself and stand up for herself.
Mister (Albert): Celie's abusive husband. He is cruel and sees her as a servant. The book also shows how he is a flawed, unhappy man.
Shug Avery: A glamorous blues singer who becomes Celie's best friend and first true love. Shug teaches Celie about love, beauty, and her own self-worth. Shug is a free spirit who changes everyone around her.
Nettie: Celie's smart, beloved sister. Her letters from Africa tell a parallel story about faith, colonialism, and family.
Sofia: A strong, defiant woman married to Mister's son. Sofia shows Celie what it means to fight back, even when the world tries to crush your spirit.
What Are the Main Themes (Big Ideas)?

Finding Your Voice: The book shows how important it is to speak up for yourself. Celie is silent for years, but writing letters and learning from strong women helps her finally tell her own story.
The Power of Female Friendship and Love: The men in Celie's early life hurt her. Her healing comes from her relationships with women—Shug, Sofia, and Nettie. These relationships provide love, support, and the courage to change.
Overcoming Abuse and Trauma: The book doesn't hide the horrible things Celie goes through. But its main message is about survival and recovery. It shows that even after great pain, a person can heal and find joy.
The Meaning of God and Spirituality: Celie starts with a strict, fear-based idea of God. Through her experiences, she develops a new belief in a God that is in everything—in nature, in love, in the color purple in a field. It's a God of beauty and connection, not punishment.

The beginning is very sad, heavy, and hard to read because of the abuse Celie suffers. However, the book is ultimately hopeful and uplifting. It is a story about triumph. As Celie grows, the story gets lighter, funnier, and more joyful. It proves that people can change and that love can win.

This book is for you if you:

Love character-driven stories about personal growth.
Appreciate stories about resilience and the human spirit.
Are interested in American history, Black history, or women's stories.
Don't mind difficult topics in pursuit of a powerful, positive message.
In Simple Summary:
The Color Purple is a tough but beautiful book. It’s about a woman who has a very hard life but, with the help of other strong women, learns to see her own beauty and strength. It’s written in letters, which makes it feel real and personal. While it deals with painful topics like abuse and racism, its main message is one of hope, love, and the incredible power we have to heal and change our own lives. It’s a classic for a reason—it stays with you long after you finish it.


another gift from kiya
January 31, 2026 at 8:25am
January 31, 2026 at 8:25am
#1107182
It Ends With Us is a book that makes you feel a lot of things. It’s a story about love, but not the simple, easy kind you see in fairy tales. It’s about a love that is sometimes very beautiful and sometimes very painful. Colleen Hoover writes in a way that is very easy to read and understand, even when the story deals with difficult topics.

What Is the Book About?

The story is about a young woman named Lily Bloom. As the book starts, she is sitting on a rooftop in Boston, feeling very sad because her father’s funeral was that day. There, she meets a handsome and smart doctor named Ryle Kincaid. They have a funny and intense conversation. Lily feels a strong connection to him right away.

But Ryle says he doesn’t want a serious relationship. He is focused only on his career as a surgeon. Lily, who has just moved to Boston to start her own flower business, decides to focus on her life, too.

The story moves forward. By chance, Lily and Ryle keep meeting. Their attraction grows stronger, and despite Ryle’s rule about not dating, they fall deeply in love. Ryle is charming, successful, and seems to adore Lily. For a while, everything feels perfect. Lily thinks she has found her "happily ever after."

But mixed with Lily’s present-day story are letters she wrote as a teenager. These letters are addressed to Ellen DeGeneres (a famous TV host Lily admired), but they are really about a homeless boy named Atlas Corrigan. Atlas was Lily’s first love. He was kind and broken, and they helped each other survive a difficult time. When Atlas suddenly disappears from her life, Lily is heartbroken.

Just as Lily’s life with Ryle seems perfect, Atlas comes back into her life. His return makes Lily remember her past and question her present. At the same time, small cracks begin to show in her relationship with Ryle. He has moments of anger that are scary. One moment, he is the perfect boyfriend; the next, he pushes her or hurts her. Then he is incredibly sorry, promising it will never happen again.

Lily is confused and scared. She loves Ryle, but she is starting to see a side of him that frightens her. It reminds her of her own childhood, watching her father abuse her mother. Lily always hated her father for that and promised she would never be in that situation. Now, she finds herself making excuses for Ryle, just like her mother did for her father.

The heart of the book is Lily’s difficult choice: Does she stay with the man she loves, hoping he will change? Or does she end the cycle of hurt, even if it breaks her heart?

What Makes This Book Special?

1. Easy to Read: Colleen Hoover’s writing is like talking to a friend. The sentences are clear, and the story moves quickly. You can easily read it in a few days.

2. It Makes You Think: This is not just a simple romance. It makes you think about very real problems. What is love supposed to feel like? When does a mistake become a pattern? How hard is it to leave someone you love, even when they hurt you?

3. The Characters Feel Real: Lily is not a perfect heroine. She is strong because she starts her own business, but she is also vulnerable and confused. You feel her love for Ryle, and you also feel her fear. Ryle is not a simple "bad guy." He is a complicated person who can be very loving and very dangerous. This makes the story more powerful and sad.

4. It Talks About a Hard Truth: The book talks about domestic violence (when a partner in a relationship uses physical force or control). Hoover does not show this in a simple way. She shows how confusing it can be. The abuser is often sorry and loving afterward. The victim often still loves them and hopes for change. This cycle is very hard to break. The author’s note at the end explains that she wrote this story thinking of her own mother’s experience, which makes it feel very honest.

5. The Title Has a Big Meaning: The title, "It Ends With Us," is the most important part of the book. It means that the cycle of hurt and violence can end with the person who decides to say, "No more." Lily has to decide if she will let the pattern from her parents’ relationship continue, or if she will be the one to stop it.

Things That Might Be Difficult

This book deals with heavy topics like abuse and violence. Some scenes might be upsetting or triggering for some readers. It is an emotional book, so be ready to feel sad, angry, and hopeful.

Also, some people feel the story is a bit dramatic or that things happen too perfectly (like meeting Atlas again). But for most readers, the emotions feel true, even if the situations are dramatic.

Who Would Like This Book?

If you like stories about relationships that feel real and messy, you will probably like this book. It’s perfect for people who want more from a love story than just a cute meet-up and a happy ending. It’s for readers who want to feel strong emotions and think about big questions. You don’t need to be an expert reader to enjoy it; the easy writing style makes it good for everyone.

Final Thoughts

It Ends With Us is a powerful and emotional story. It stays with you long after you finish the last page. It’s a book about finding the strength to choose yourself, even when it’s the hardest choice to make. It shows that sometimes, the bravest thing a person can do is to walk away from a love that hurts, to build a better future.

Colleen Hoover doesn’t give you easy answers. Instead, she tells a story that helps you understand why there are no easy answers. It’s a book that starts a conversation—with your friends, with yourself—about what love really means.

In simple terms: It’s a beautiful, heart-breaking, and very important book. Just be ready with some tissues.


another gift from kiya
January 26, 2026 at 10:09am
January 26, 2026 at 10:09am
#1106846

A Review of Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

Black Beauty is not just a story about a horse. It is a powerful lesson in kindness, told from a perspective no one had seriously considered before: the animal’s own. Written in 1877 by Anna Sewell, it became one of the best-selling books of all time. Its simple, clear English and emotional depth have touched readers for nearly 150 years. More than a children’s classic, it is a groundbreaking novel that changed how many people think about animals.

The Story in Simple Terms

The book is the “autobiography” of a beautiful, well-bred black horse with a white star on his forehead. We follow his life from his happy early days on an English farm, through many different owners—some kind, some cruel—and finally to a peaceful retirement. The story is told in a series of episodes, like memories, where Beauty describes his experiences and the people he meets.

His first home is loving. His mother teaches him the simple rule: “Do your best with a good spirit.” His owner, Farmer Grey, is gentle. This perfect start makes the hardships he later faces even more painful.

As a young horse, Beauty is sold to Squire Gordon at Birtwick Park. This is the happiest time of his life. He has a good stable, a kind groom named John Manly, and makes friends with other horses like the spirited Ginger and the steady Merrylegs. Here, Beauty learns about trust and partnership. But this happiness does not last. Due to his owner’s ill health, Beauty is sold, and his life takes a difficult turn.

He then experiences the wide range of human nature. He has a good owner in London who uses him as a cab horse, but the work is hard. He later suffers under bad owners: a lazy businessman who does not take care of him, and a cruel cab driver who overworks him and uses painful equipment. Beauty’s health breaks down, and he becomes a worn-out, sick horse, sold for little money.

Just when things seem hopeless, Beauty is bought by a kind farmer and his grandson, who nurse him back to health. In a wonderful twist of fate, he is finally sold to some gentle ladies, and it turns out one of their old grooms is none other than Joe Green, the young boy from Birtwick Park who once made a mistake that made Beauty sick. Joe recognizes him, and Beauty spends his final years in comfort and love, his difficult journey finally over.

Themes and Lessons: More Than a Horse Story

The genius of the book is that Anna Sewell never preaches or shouts. She lets the horse tell the truth. Through Beauty’s eyes, we learn powerful lessons:

Kindness and Cruelty: This is the main theme. Sewell shows that cruelty is often not about evil people, but about ignorance, laziness, and fashion. The painful “bearing rein,” which forces a horse’s head up high for looks, is shown as a torture device that hurts the horse’s neck and lungs. Beauty explains how heavy, ill-fitting saddles cause sores, and how yelling and whipping only cause fear, not obedience. The book argues that kindness is practical; a well-treated, happy horse will work better and live longer.
Empathy: By making us see the world through Beauty’s thoughts and feelings, Sewell creates deep empathy. We feel his panic when he’s overworked, his confusion when he’s punished for something he doesn’t understand, his loyalty to a good rider, and his fear of the unknown. The book asks the reader: “How would you feel if this were you?”
The Power of Story: The stories of other horses, especially Ginger, are heartbreaking. Ginger, who was mistreated as a young horse, becomes angry and defensive. Her tragic story shows that an animal’s bad behavior is usually the result of human cruelty. Her fate is one of the saddest parts of the book and leaves a lasting impression about the consequences of abuse.
Social Commentary: The book is a window into Victorian England. It shows the hard life of cab drivers, who were paid little and had to work long hours even when sick, which then hurt their horses. It shows the vanity of the rich, the carelessness of the ignorant, and the quiet goodness of responsible people. It was a strong argument for animal welfare at a time when such ideas were just starting to grow.
Why the Writing Style Works

Anna Sewell wrote the book in “easy English” on purpose. She wanted it to be read by everyone, including stable boys and grooms—the people who worked directly with horses. The language is clear, direct, and honest, just like Beauty’s character. This simplicity makes the emotions stronger. When Beauty says, “It was all force, no kindness,” or describes his fear as his legs tremble, the meaning is powerful because it is so plain.

The first-person narrative is what makes the book so special. Phrases like “we horses” or “I must tell you about my stable” make the reader a friend to whom Beauty is telling his secrets. We are on his side completely.

A Book That Changed the World

Black Beauty’s impact cannot be overstated. It was published just a few months before Anna Sewell’s death, but she lived to see its first success. The book shocked the public and became a tool for animal rights campaigners. It is widely believed that the novel helped change people’s attitudes, leading to the banning of the cruel bearing rein and better laws for the treatment of horses and other animals. It started a whole new genre of stories told from an animal’s point of view.

Is It Still Relevant Today?

Absolutely. While we may see fewer horse-drawn carriages, the core messages of Black Beauty are timeless.

It teaches responsibility toward anyone (or any animal) in our care.
It asks us to consider the perspective of those who cannot speak for themselves.
It stands against fashion or tradition that causes suffering.
It shows that every creature deserves dignity.
In a modern world, we can apply its lessons to our treatment of pets, wildlife, farm animals, and even to how we treat each other. The call for empathy is always needed.

Conclusion: A Gentle Giant of Literature

Black Beauty is a gentle book with a strong heart. It is sometimes sad, often moving, and finally hopeful. It does not have a complicated plot or fancy words, but its emotional power is immense. It reminds us that every living being has a story, feels pain and joy, and deserves kindness.

Anna Sewell wrote one book, and that one book made the world a little kinder. It is a story of survival, a plea for compassion, and a friend to generations of readers. In easy English, it carries a message that is deep and important: “Treat all living things as you would like to be treated.” As simple as that. As beautiful as that.


another gift from kiya
January 24, 2026 at 7:41am
January 24, 2026 at 7:41am
#1106654

A Review of Nicholas Sparks’ “The Return”

Nicholas Sparks is famous for writing emotional love stories. His book, The Return, is another story like this. But this time, the book focuses more on coming home and healing from past pain. It is a calm, sweet story about starting over.

The main character is Trevor Benson. He is a doctor who worked for the Navy. After getting hurt in Afghanistan, he must leave his job. He has a hurt hand and bad memories that give him nightmares. He goes to a small town in North Carolina called New Bern. He is there to deal with his grandfather’s old house, which he has just inherited. Trevor is lost and does not know what to do next. He is a man used to fixing other people, but now he needs to fix himself.

The town of New Bern is very important to the story. It is a quiet, slow place by the water. This is very different from Trevor’s busy, stressful life as a doctor. He gets his grandfather’s old cabin and his bee hives. Taking care of the bees becomes a peaceful job for him. The slow life in the town helps Trevor slow down his own thoughts and begin to heal.

In the town, Trevor meets two people who change his life. The first is Natalie. She is a police officer in the town. She is kind and patient. She and Trevor become close slowly and carefully. Their love story is gentle. She helps Trevor feel safe and shows him that a new future is possible.

The second person is a teenage girl named Callie. Trevor finds her living in a small shed on his property. She is very quiet and seems scared. Trevor wants to help her. As he tries to understand her secrets and protect her, he starts to forget about his own problems for a while. Helping Callie gives him a new purpose. In helping her, he actually helps himself heal. This is the most interesting part of the book.

The writing in the book is simple and easy to read. The descriptions of the town and the nature are pretty and peaceful. However, the story is not very surprising. If you have read other books like this, you might guess what will happen. The side characters are not very deep—they are just nice people in a small town. The story moves slowly, like a calm river. It is not a book with lots of action or big twists.

The best part of the book is how it talks about pain and getting better. Trevor’s bad dreams and fear are shown realistically. The book tells us that getting better is hard work. It does not happen all at once. Trevor goes to a therapist, which is good to see. He also finds healing in his new work with the bees, in the quiet town, and in his new friendships. Love is part of his healing, but it is not a magic fix. This makes the story feel more real and respectful.

In the end, The Return is exactly what you expect from a Nicholas Sparks book. It is a kind, romantic story about good people healing from their pain. It is set in a beautiful place. It does not try to be a new or different kind of story. It is a comfortable, familiar read.

If you want a book that is exciting or very surprising, this might not be for you. But if you want a book that feels like a warm, comforting blanket—a story about hope, second chances, and gentle love—then you will probably enjoy The Return. It is a simple reminder that sometimes, going back to a quiet place and being kind to others can help you find your way again.




another gift from kiya


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