Scan barcode
readingwithannaa's reviews
71 reviews
Heavy Vinyl: Riot on the Radio by Nina Vakueva, Carly Usdin
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Women Don't Owe You Pretty by Florence Given
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
insightful and dark, the reluctant fundamentalist subtly criticises the imperfections in american society, and the dangers of ignoring these flaws. the protagonist, a well-educated and experienced man, is a victim of romanticising america and being naïve to the inevitability of his rejection from such a great country (at least in his eyes). the writer uses an abundance of metaphors and analogies to craft an image of america being a beast attempting to sneak up on changez and destroy him, while he hangs onto the hope that he will one day achieve the "american dream" he sees his colleagues and friends hold. a key character in the book is erica. erica is a fundamental part of changez's storyline, a seemingly innocent, mysterious and enticing part of the "american dream" that he can never truly attain. as erica deteriorates in the eyes of changez, as does america, to the point where both of them fall off their pedestals. overall, the book was beautifully and intricately written to tactfully prompt readers to reflect on their own part to play in the narrative; whether it be the innocent, perhaps blind, lover of nostalgia, or the small cog in a faulty, deceiving society.
A Time To Kill by John Grisham
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-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
2.25
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
3.75
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Northern Lights by Philip Pullman
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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? No
4.25