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anjarama's reviews
388 reviews
50 Things about Us: What We Really Need to Know about Britain by Mark Thomas
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
What a glorious way to dive into the murky history of Britain and all it’s iterations. Pulling apart the Empire and exposing the rights of people, pin pointing the hypocrisy held on high. Could be on the school syllabus imho. Preferably with Thomas as a guest inspiring generations to come.
The Book That No One Wanted to Read by Richard Ayoade
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Perfectly silly and entirely bookish. Outside the box illustrations to match the philosophical conundrums that Ayoade implodes with great aplomb.
Reasons to Be Cheerful by Nina Stibbe
funny
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Stibbe has created a wonderfully awkward young woman coming of age in all it’s confusing glory. With the smoke stained awfulness of the early 1980’s, the possible biases of the NHS tucked into the folds of the story and a joyous optimism as our protagonist muddles through life.
The depth of the characters and the nuance of struggles topped with a resounding humour is compelling. Especially given the continuous theme of dentistry…
A delight to immerse myself into.
The depth of the characters and the nuance of struggles topped with a resounding humour is compelling. Especially given the continuous theme of dentistry…
A delight to immerse myself into.
Only Dull People Are Brilliant at Breakfast by Oscar Wilde
challenging
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
Forgotten Voices of the Great War: Told by Those Who Were There by Max Arthur
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
It wouldn’t be possible to score less than a 5. These are the voices of some of the few survivors of the Great War. From school children in Britain and Fermany, to the soldiers of the UK, France, USA and Germany. An extraordinary curation that enables an understanding of the conditions people were under and in that I have not gained from other sources.
I found the graphic descriptions of lice and filth hit me more than the death - on reflection I believe that the portrayal of war in films and other programmes desensitises us to the horrors.
A tough book but it feels like we are able to honour those who had to fight, whatever one’s beliefs about war.
I found the graphic descriptions of lice and filth hit me more than the death - on reflection I believe that the portrayal of war in films and other programmes desensitises us to the horrors.
A tough book but it feels like we are able to honour those who had to fight, whatever one’s beliefs about war.
A Murder of Crows by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett
Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.
Language not flowing for me.
Death at the Auction by E.C. Bateman
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
Clunky sentance construction stopped the flow.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
With a little bit of grumbling about the womansplaining feminism that is central to the book, I became thoroughly invested. The characters are ‘full fat’ vivid and enjoyable. The plot perfect for a TV series, which I understand is in the making, with perfect for the role Brie from Desperate Housewives.
What I particularly enjoyed was the feeling of connection to women that surges up near the end of the story. Which, for me personally, meant the author hit the mark.
What I particularly enjoyed was the feeling of connection to women that surges up near the end of the story. Which, for me personally, meant the author hit the mark.
Death of an Avid Reader by Frances Brody
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The joy of every few lines being deliciously humorous. A treat to romp through.