annamariesreads's reviews
66 reviews

Close to Home by Michael Magee

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-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

3.75

I absolutely loved becoming absorbed in Belfast and it painted such a clear picture of the intergenerational trauma and the struggle of the working class, decades after the troubles. I visited Belfast not that long ago but the Belfast I saw was not the beating heart of those who inhabit it. This is what this book does really successfully.

I wish the plot moved on a bit because I wanted some answers but I appreciate the point Michael Magee was trying to make of how these people are frozen in time and are left behind with no real opportunity to confront their past. I appreciate that so much is unresolved and a culture of repression dominates. I usually like a more plot heavy novel and this was very much character focused. I enjoyed it for what it was nonetheless.

Sean is frustrating but likeable and I couldn't help but hope he gets it together 🤞

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Drug use, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Violence

Moderate: Child abuse and Police brutality

Minor: Pedophilia and Suicide

The Bee Sting by Paul Murray

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Oh Dickie Barnes... They could never make me hate you.

Points deducted because it dragged a little in parts but I loved it.

Butter by Asako Yuzuki

dark funny mysterious tense medium-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

3.5

A Wild Sheep Chase by Haruki Murakami

challenging funny mysterious tense 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

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

dark emotional reflective sad medium-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

3.25

All Folked Up by Penny Reid

emotional funny hopeful tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Tales from the Café by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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

5.0

what a perfect little book this is

Kala by Colin Walsh

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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

4.5

Honor by Thrity Umrigar

challenging dark reflective sad tense fast-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

4.25