clairefrances_8's reviews
133 reviews

Eastbound by Maylis de Kerangal

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challenging emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

The Long Game by Elena Armas

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emotional funny lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.5

Loved the banter in this book! So many moments had me laughing out loud. Strong independent characters that develop together organically. Would recommend this cozy read to anyone looking to enjoy some small town meet cute romance.
Everyone Here Is Lying by Shari Lapena

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Unsteady by Peyton Corinne

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective tense 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? It's complicated

4.5

A surprising amount of emotional depth and complexity. Very open about mental health - would read again.
The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

I Have the Right to Destroy Myself by Young-Ha Kim

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dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I’m struggling with how to rate this book - at times it reads like a cutting and concise critique of artist’s turmoil and other times too fast paced or too clinically narrated for moments of death, tension, or emotion.

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Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

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challenging emotional funny inspiring reflective 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

4.75

Laughed so hard I cried at times. A truly thoughtful and cared for story about grief and what comes next. 
Wicked is the Reaper by Nisha J. Tuli

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adventurous dark lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Brief and fast paced. Was expecting some more detail and world building after reading other books by the author. This focuses solely on the dynamic between the storm princess and the big bad Wicked. Light and easy quick read
Barbie's Queer Accessories by Erica Rand

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funny informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

Interesting cultural studies approach to consumption and social adaptability of iconic Barbie with queer & gender studies. 

Started in tandem with Barbie movie coming out last July. While there are some dated (language) terms, the approach holds up. Authors humor and voice finds its way into multiple areas of the book. Some chapters could work well for an intro to cultural studies class as case study examples of product to audience implications 
Isle of The Immortal by S.M. Estrada

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adventurous emotional lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5