KJK Reads

Rating: 5 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, LGBTQ+, Mini Biographies Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I absolutely loved this book. It provides insights into the lives and achievements of many different LGBTQIA+ people across the 20th and 21st century with people from different identities. I liked that the book not only portrayed commonly known people like Alan Turing, Harvey Milk, Marsha P. Johnson, and Peter Tatchell but also less well known people who deserve just as much admiration. The illustrations were also cool with a combination between abstract art and accurately portraying the characters. 

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Short Story, Horror, Middle Grade Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great and somewhat thought provoking short horror. Susan has to confront her fears which many of us experienced at her age and maybe even still do with. I also love how she developed personally throughout and how different she was by the end, though this was somewhat foreshadowed in the first sentence of the book. Favourite Quote: "I’m unsure how old I was when I discovered the book. Probably about thirteen or fourteen. It left its mark and I was forever changed after that."

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Short Stories, Christmas, Romance Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.  This is a great collection of festive short stories with something for pretty much everyone with differing levels of spice and different forms of romance between the 5 stories. Each story/romance was well thought through but each beginning with a dream and living it out somewhat threw me off at first. Favourite Quote: "I miss my kids. They’re with their father and his new wife, doing things we used to do as a family. I don’t miss him; I don’t want to get back together, but being without the kids at the holidays is hard."

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Self-Help, Psychology, Memoir Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great short book to help people feel less alone in their negative thoughts and suffering the readers may go through in life. The fable is a great way to explain psychological concepts without the jargon and help the general public get their heads around it. The second half of the book helps contextualise what we learnt in the fable and especially the parts on disordered eating help many people feel less alone in the common but isolating struggle. The Q&A at the end was a great addition to the book and the bonus material is amazing  for Rourke to really support her readers and makes it feel more like she really cares for us personally. Favourite Quote: "If thoughts and feelings were truth, we would call them facts. Yet many of us consistently treat our thoughts and feelings as truth, even when they tell us w...

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Short Story, Fantasy, Romance, LGBTQ+ Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.  Firstly, I read this as a stand alone, which I was informed it can be, not part of the series. This is a sweet short read. The ghost story was light-hearted but still detailed and other elements like the karaoke and christmas provided some comedic relief throughout. By the final chapter pretty much everything was wrapped up which makes it great for a stand alone and the photo at the ending was such a sweet touch.  Favourite Quote: "All anyone wants for Christmas is to know you’ve thought about them. The thought itself will leave a calling card. If you can find a way to turn the calling card into a thing to hold when the years fade the memory, then you - my dear Mave - have reached the sun."

Rating: DNF Themes: Romance, Contemporary, Western Romance, Adult Thoughts: I was conflicted with this book, some elements were sweet and almost heartwarming such as the moments with Henry and after a few chapters I had high hopes for it. However, after over half the book it didn’t feel to me like the plot was moving along enough and focused more on sexting and fantasies than the two characters actually becoming more connected. I also felt somehow weird about the texting as Travis knew who he was texting but Maggie had no clue and he almost used it to mess with her at times. Favourite Quote: "This was another small-town phenomenon. Folks dropping everything to help out."

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Children's Book, Picture Book, Non-Fiction Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is such a great book teaching the importance of kindness while also making it into a game/race. The images were detailed and complement the text on each page perfectly. I really liked the way in which the term kind was broken down to show kids different ways they can be kind to others, like inclusion which is extremely important but can be overlooked.  Favourite Quote: "Nothing is too small to make a big mark. Those small acts of kindness will still light a spark."

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book is filled with so many inspirational girls and women. Despite it being aimed younger girls to show them other women doing amazing things, I as a woman in my 20’s loved reading it and learning about these people too. I appreciated the way in which it was written to inspire but doesn’t chastise people who don’t do such things, especially when mentioning disabled people as it can be such a varying spectrum. This can enable young disabled people to feel inspired without feeling disheartened if their condition prevents them from such achievements.  Favourite Quote: "Sara always had to defend her right to do her job. Sometimes she wondered how much more she could have done if she didn’t have to fight all the time. She stands up for everyone’s right to have the career they want. Being a woman or being from Iran shouldn’t stop them. Just like it did...

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Children's Books Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great book to teach young children how to handle big, confusing emotions with characters they can relate to without judgement.  Favourite Quote: "Don’t be angry so easily, anger will not help you live a goodlife. You’re quick to point out what your sister has done wrong, but, you need to also look at the bad things you have done too. So, take a deep breath and pick up your things."

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Short Stories, Thriller, Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Crime Thoughts: This is a great short story, I knew from the off there was something off with Stuart’s behaviours but I couldn’t predict the extent of his abuse. I was so glad Emily was able to break free of him. I couldn’t predict that the killer would have been who it was but it definitely all makes sense with the general theme of the story.  Favourites Quote: "Everything is Stuart’s. I have nothing, which is the way he liked it. He wanted me to rely on him for everything. But now I’m free of him. Because I don't want to be like Andrew Burton’s wife. Caroline or Carolyn. Abused and controlled by a  misogynistic bully until I’m the one who finally flips and plunges a knife into his chest.  I need to get out now. While I still can."

Rating:  4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Poems, Satire, Social Commentary Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a social commentary/satire that speaks to me. I have to be honest, when I came to read this it was after requesting and I had forgotten what it was about so reading the title I was mentally preparing myself to cope with a self-help book that made me feel like shit for being unable to work (as like in my favourite quote below some see me as less than for not being physically able to work) but I was pleasantly surprised. Many of these sections spoke to me and made me feel in different ways such as the one on a boyfriend and the on on serving/served personnel. This is the second collection by Anastasia Helena Fenald I have read and I am coming to really like and appreciate her style.  Favourite Quote: "as if our integrity in society is only worth questioning when we produce nothing - as if our unemployment m...

Rating: 5 Stars Themes: Children's Books Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great book to read to young girls as they grow up, teaching them that they can do anything that they want to but also the importance of their voices. The illustrations were great and I was happy with the diversity demonstrated with varying races, disabilities, dress style and even hairstyles/headdresses). I also loved the message to all the girls of the world at the end. Favourite Quote: "It's time to be heard by the world through our voices. Speak up for ourselves and express our choices."

Rating: 3 Stars Themes:  Children's Book Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a lovely book for children who love cars/race cars. I enjoyed learning more about the first African American NASCAR driver and thought it was extra special having it written by his grandson. The images were great to keep children’s attention and text was all in child friendly tone, even addressing the racism of Wendell not being able to buy car parts. I also appreciated the mini factfile and website provided at the back.

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Children's Books Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great book for little girls. Showing a character they can relate to doing things like affirmations and enjoying school helps reinforce positive behaviors in them. I really appreciated the way in which all types jobs were included/valued and not just the ‘highly skilled/educated’ jobs such as having doctor, plumber, lawyer, electrician, teacher, farmer, musician, hairdresser, architect and president all represented as no one should be belittled for a job and even the president can’t work with no lights or water working so why should those jobs be valued less. I thought asking the reader at the end of all Kofo’s ideas to bring it back to the child’s dreams was a nice idea and loved the dedication at the beginning to all parents tirelessly nurturing the dreams of their children was such a sweet touch. Favourite Quote: "I want every gir...

Rating: 3 Stars  Themes:  Children's Fiction  Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great way to introduce a new culture to many young children or even as a product to help explain the families culture to young children in their own tone. I liked the details in the illustrations and ‘flaps’, especially the presence of symbolism and the explanations of its importance throughout. I also think including a hunt for Shentuand and Yulein was a great touch and can help to keep children engaged so that they retain more information. Favourite Quote: "Even though we don’t see them, our ancestors spirits are always here and looking after us. We think about them a lot at this special time of year."

Rating: 4 Stars Themes:  Children's Fiction Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great book, it introduces a critical concept such as homelessness to children in an age appropriate way while still making sure they are aware that anyone can become homeless, even children as Zion notes, which can also be seen through the illustrations of the homeless people with a variety of races, genders, ages, ability/disabilities portrayed. I appreciated that while the writer had a religious message as well as the homeless cause they mentioned it in a way which got their message across without becoming too preachy since I generally believe children shouldn’t be overly forced until they are able to properly understand. I found the dedication heartwarming but the statistics in the note from the author important but heartbreaking that this is reality in this day and age. Favourite Quote: "But everyone matters - whether they ha...

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Children's Fiction Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book has such an important message, especially when so many adults make young children say sorry without any clue why or what it means and I genuinely believe that actions do have consequences and we should all take accountability more often. I also liked that this was tied in at the end with the message for parents and educators about promoting accountability without blame. Favourite Quote: "Accidents happen to everyone, but what we do affects others - even when it’s something we don’t do on purpose."

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Children's Book Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is an amazing book to help children identify and handle their big feelings. I think the techniques advised to Dawson in the book are great for young children and the depictions of the big emotions are beautiful. I also appreciated the downloadable pages offered at the beginning, tips for parents, educators and caregivers at the end and absolutely love that there is a Squishy available to buy for children to do the same as the character for big emotions.  Favourite Quote: "It’s ok to have big emotions, but if they get too big, they try to boss you around."

Rating: 5 Stars Themes: Poetry, History, African American, Survival, Culture  Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is such a powerful and emotive collection of poems that tell a journey, and some of the poems created vivid images for me. The return was such a powerful message for me, uniting the now with the history told throughout the book was almost breathtaking. I liked how the poems were separated into almost chapters, staggering the journey of African Americans from their native lands through to the struggles of today, chartering important moments throughout time such as the Harlem Revival and Juneteenth. Favourite Quote: "They learned colour was worth more than any gold. Racism became a profitable investment."

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Children's Book, Social Skills, Empowerment, Picture Book Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book is a great way to introduce big and complex emotions to small children and using the character of something children look up to such as a Viking is a great way to keep their attention throughout. The illustrations are beautifully detailed and add another layer to the book. I loved the for adults section at the end that explains the difficult emotions that were addressed in the book, and reminding them to check in with their child to see if they have experienced these ame feelings now they know more about them and encourage their safety with the adults.  Favourite Quote: "He now knows it is ok to have feelings. If he ignores them, they will grow. It is good to share and talk about how he is feeling."

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Children's Book, LGBTQ+ Thoughts:  I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great way to introduce diverse families to children in an age appropriate way while still supporting the parent. The flags behind the parents/adults throughout the book is a great way to introduce children to the flags they may see throughout pride month and helps to address bisexual and single erasure before it takes root by showing them in all different kinds of relationships. It is also an inclusive and diverse book with having different races and disabilities as well as LGBTQ+ diverse illustrations. I also think the notes for adults and space for notes at the end are a great touch and make the book just that little bit different from the (very limited) others available.  Favourite Quote: "It's really important to remember that all families are different and there’s no right or wrong way for a family to l...

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Children's Books, Picture Books Thoughts: Thoughts I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Mika is such a little personality, and this book demonstrates children’s outlooks on life and adventures that can make the children reading it feel seen and help the parents understand the behaviours their children may display. I thought that the map of the house at the beginning of the book was an awesome touch, making it like the action/fantasy books parents read.