whatellisreadnext's reviews
617 reviews

Authority by Jeff VanderMeer

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funny 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? Yes

5.0

Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young

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dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-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

3.0

This book was just what I needed, full of fall vibes and a slightly trashy but captivating narrative. The ending just didn't really do it for me. It felt really rushed and easily resolved after that massively moody build-up.  I would still recommend it though, especially if you're feeling slumpy.
Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer

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

5.0

Clear by Carys Davies

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dark emotional hopeful reflective relaxing 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

4.0

You were all right. Clear is the perfect mix of cosy and strange and a great little book to squeeze onto your autumn reading list. It reminded me of books like The Wall, Small Things Like These, and The Old Haunts, not in subject matter, but in how it made me feel.  We follow John as he journeys north to evict Ivar, the sole resident of a Scottish island. He's not long there when something happens and things go awry.
The House of Last Resort by Christopher Golden

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dark mysterious 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? Yes

3.0

Hotel Iris by Yōko Ogawa

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dark funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Yoko Ogawa is definitely one of my favourite authors, but this one is my least favourite so far. I loved how it was written, but the subject matter of a 17 year old in quite a graphic relationship with a 60+ year old, was not my idea of a good time 💁🏻‍♀️ I did forget how much I love Ogawa's matter of fact style, even when it comes to the very brutal and horrific. And being in her books is just so effortless.
Jawbone by Mónica Ojeda

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
Just pretentious and overwritten, not for me unfortunately 
A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher

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adventurous dark funny mysterious medium-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? No

2.0

The audiobook was fabulous, T. Kingfisher's train of thought narrative styles always work so well in this format. Bu the magic system and world was a little basic, and the main character was very throw away, but the stately home vibes kept me intrigued. I hate to say it, but it was a 3 star up until the very rushed and not well thought out ending. This isn't the first time a T. Kingfisher book has let me down this way, so maybe I should just stop reading them...
A Little Luck by Claudia Piñeiro

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emotional mysterious reflective fast-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

5.0

I'd been sleeping on women in translation month, but I'm so glad I decided to pick this one up. I bought this last year on a trip to London with @zukythebookbum, so it was only right we read it together. She had read and loved Elena Knows, but this was my first from Piñeiro and it's taking me a lot of willpower not to just order her other stuff. 

The story follows Mary Lohan, 20 years on from a tragedy that prompted her to flee Buenos Aires, she is now returning for work. One of my favourite things about this book was how self-aware the narrator was. It's aptly named 'A Little Luck', a phrase that is repeated throughout, but what happened to our protagonist is the complete opposite. She battles with the many variables that lead her to the horrific accident, thinking of the many things she could have done differently that day, ultimately avoiding that one moment.

This isn't an easy read. There is sadness permeating the whole story, but there's hope here, in the form of acts of kindness from strangers along her journey that help her out of the dark. 

When I finished, my heart ached as much as it was full. I honestly couldn't recommend this enough to anyone, I think it will be one I'll end up forcing on all my bookish friends.

Carnality by Lina Wolff

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

4.0

I clearly need some more Lina Wolff in my life. Impeccable writing with a unique storyline that was super weird. I love a book that questions morality. Who has the right to enact judgment upon those who have done wrong? This was nothing like I imagined. It reminded me of a few books I've loved in aspects, but overall, it felt like a totally new experience.