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emmacb's reviews
176 reviews
Animal Farm by George Orwell
challenging
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Reread since I read it for the first time when I was about 12 and didn't know what communism was yet!
It's such an interesting read and one day I like to think I'll read it again with even deeper knowledge to get even more out of it!
It's such an interesting read and one day I like to think I'll read it again with even deeper knowledge to get even more out of it!
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
Enjoyed this. Slow getting started as I wasn't really giving it my full attention and kept checking out for weeks at a time, but then summer holidays hit, so I read so much more when not at work!
It's a really interesting story and I was fully glued to it but a lot of it went over my head I think!
I was too afraid to Google references while reading in case they would lead to spoilers but in hindsight I kind of wish I had. Might reread in the future so I can get into the details of it a bit more, since I won't have to worry about potential spoilers then!
It's a really interesting story and I was fully glued to it but a lot of it went over my head I think!
I was too afraid to Google references while reading in case they would lead to spoilers but in hindsight I kind of wish I had. Might reread in the future so I can get into the details of it a bit more, since I won't have to worry about potential spoilers then!
Lanny by Max Porter
Implied adult/child relationship at one point, but never actually happened
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I love Max Porter. His writing style is one that often doesn't do it for me, but something about the way he writes often leaves me thinking about his books Long after I finish reading them.
I loved the gossip sections, and the short character segments for narration. The scrambly way they were structured made me sort of slowly build up my own piecemeal image of the characters, and changing that image when new gossip or information came up was an interesting way to challenge some of my own preconceptions.
A part of me wants to know MORE on the lore of dead Papa toothwort, but I guess that's not really the point, and if I had been told more I probably wouldn't still be thinking about the story!
I loved the gossip sections, and the short character segments for narration. The scrambly way they were structured made me sort of slowly build up my own piecemeal image of the characters, and changing that image when new gossip or information came up was an interesting way to challenge some of my own preconceptions.
A part of me wants to know MORE on the lore of dead Papa toothwort, but I guess that's not really the point, and if I had been told more I probably wouldn't still be thinking about the story!
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity, Racism, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
The Secret Barrister: Stories of the Law and How It's Broken by The Secret Barrister
challenging
slow-paced
3.0
Interesting in a lot of ways, but to be honest I did have to drag myself to the end!
While You Were Reading: the perfect summer read for book-lovers! by Ali Berg, Michelle Kalus
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
I swung between being annoyed with this book and enjoying it, and I'm still not sure where I landed.
The overarching plot is fairly obvious right from the start, but it still managed to surprise me in a couple of places. Alright as an easy reader but not one I'll be jumping to recommend.
The overarching plot is fairly obvious right from the start, but it still managed to surprise me in a couple of places. Alright as an easy reader but not one I'll be jumping to recommend.
The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.5
I enjoyed this and got through it fairly quickly. Its a little confusing though in the way it jumps between timelines without fully making it clear when is when! I liked Geralt, and want to know more about him so I do plan to read the second in the series, but think I would need to look up a summary or something to help me out with keeping things straight.
Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow by Benjamin Dean
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Read this as a possible class reading book. While I might use it in future, I won't be this time but it was a sweet story.
Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging by Afua Hirsch
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Really interesting take on growing up black in Britain, and how it intersects with class. I loved the reflectiveness of the author and how clearly she communicated her thoughts on a whole bunch of factors.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Classism
The Wife Between Us by Sarah Pekkanen, Greer Hendricks
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Took me a LONG time to get into. Like, I read the first 50 pages and then didn't pick it up for another 2 weeks! Once I got going again though, I did enjoy it. First twist was great - I did not see the 'nellie and Vanessa are the same person' thing coming but it totally made sense when it came. But the twists with the 'therapist' also being an ex partner, Emma almost sticking with Richard, and whatever the heck was going on with the sister not so much - they were fine, but not the same 'wow' moment for me... And the final thing with who Emma was just felt unnecessary, and honestly kind of left a sour taste at the end of the book for me. Twists can be good, but this ended up feeling a bit like overkill.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Stalking, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Abortion
The Comfort Book by Matt Haig
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
4.0
Basically lots of nice little think-pieces on hope and finding your way out of dark times/accepting those dark times for what they are and moving more peacefully through them. Well written, with some nice analogies. I do feel like this is a book I would return to at a time when I felt a need for comfort.