gaylandtoo's reviews
112 reviews

Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan

Go to review page

funny reflective 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

4.0

me and all my homies HATE julian
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Go to review page

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

3.5

let me preface with this statement: i knew (some) about the plot of the book going in; arguably, the biggest plot twist. had i not known this plot twist, i believe this would be a 4.5-5 star read for me. however, if you are like me, and you have heard about the gone girl film, the first 200 pages of this book will likely be a drag for you. 

after i had gotten past the first 200 pages where nick didn't know amy was framing him, i found this novel difficult to put down. it was enthralling; however; it took me ages to get past the first section. nick dunne is the most annoying, bland male main character i have ever read. i don't care if he is complex, i am annoyed at his complexities. i believe i'm supposed to be. i detest the ways in which he pretends he is above amy despite him being just as manipulative as she is; i believe he's jealous that he doesn't have the brains to pull it off.

amy, on the other hand, is capricious and charming, manipulative and ingenious. she is realistic in the most absurd ways, and i'm a little addicted to her. she redefines adaptability throughout the novel; i could not believe how thoroughly she thinks though every plan she cooks up. i love hot woman psychopaths who are too smart for their annoying, mediocre husbands.
The Prospects by KT Hoffman

Go to review page

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? No

4.75

pending 5 star rating until i get more sleep
All Men Want to Know by Nina Bouraoui

Go to review page

informative inspiring reflective sad slow-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

3.75

i think some of this book quite literally got lost in translation; at times, it had a tendency towards sanctimoniousness. i still found the writing to be beautiful, and i thought it provided an excellent intersectional understanding of queerness in cultures i'm unfamiliar with. 
Cherry Beach by Laura McPhee-Browne

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner

Go to review page

challenging dark reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

there were some parts of this book i thoroughly enjoyed, but i found that some storylines were distracting from the main one: romy's story of her time in prison and her motherhood. i also found the ordering of events to be deterring from the purpose of the novel; i often found myself wondering why i was learning about this character. i loved romy and her love for her son, and i believe her story is powerful. unfortunately for me, the execution of this novel falls flat.
If Tomorrow Doesn't Come by Jen St. Jude

Go to review page

emotional hopeful reflective tense 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? Yes

3.5

Mrs. S by K. Patrick

Go to review page

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

3.5

vibes, pining, and that's all, folks!
Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield

Go to review page

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

5.0

i can't even answer the questions i'm too devastated

update: i answered the questions now but i am still utterly devastated do NOT finish this book in public
The Lucky List by Rachael Lippincott

Go to review page

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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? Yes

2.5

i loved blake, but emily, the main character, was very 2D to me. she didn't really have a personality outside of grieving her mom, and i found it to be redundant. cute plot & story.