aprivateislander's reviews
420 reviews

Native Son by Richard Wright

challenging dark sad tense slow-paced

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

2.5

An absolute slog of a read. I understand why Bigger was written to be so unlikable, but god, it makes reading about him a chore 

It Devours! by Jeffrey Cranor, Joseph Fink

adventurous funny slow-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

3.0

How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

A woman brought up in Rastafarianism and poverty in Jamaica reflects on her life and the trials she faced becoming a respected poet. It's also a critique of the sexism in the Rastafarianism, and a story about surviving abuse and ostracism.

The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

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

3.75

A breezy horror read that tries to both honour and contend with our fascination with slasher movies and the violence  gainst women that dominates so much of our fascination in horror and true crime. 

Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett

adventurous funny medium-paced

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

4.25

Sourcery by Terry Pratchett

adventurous dark funny medium-paced

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

3.75

Bad Fruit by Ella King

challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

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

3.75

Why Does He Do That? by Lundy Bancroft

challenging dark informative medium-paced

4.5

Mika in Real Life by Emiko Jean

emotional funny reflective sad 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

4.25

Dracula by Bram Stoker

adventurous emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.5

Read as part of Dracula Daily! I was surprised at the readability, considering its age but I found it a fun engaging story. Unexpectedly loved the characters. The pacing and the end were rather underwhelming, and it's no wonder they change it in so many of the adaptions. Definitely one of the more approachable classics.