brianreadsbooks's reviews
791 reviews

The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr.

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challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Heart in Exile by Rodney Garland, Adam De Hegedus

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hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-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

The Sea, the Sea by Iris Murdoch

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adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

If this were about 50% shorter it might have been an okay read. But it’s so repetitive and tedious. The plot was not compelling, even if it attempted to be shocking. There wasn’t a single particularly likeable character. And in the end I wonder why Murdoch wrote 450+ pages about a horrible, unlikeable misogynist.

Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Gorgeous. The premise (ok, the fax machine specifically) drew me to this book, but I hadn’t anticipated a beautiful deep dive into humanity.

The Glamour Boys. The Secret Story of the Rebels who Fought for Britain to Defeat Hitler by Chris Bryant

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informative lighthearted reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.0

The Plague of Doves by Louise Erdrich

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dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Amongst Our Weapons by Ben Aaronovitch

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adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

The lonely skier by Hammond Innes

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler

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challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

4:50 from Paddington by Agatha Christie

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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