berlylovestoread's reviews
282 reviews

The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins

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emotional mysterious 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

4.0

I wasn't convinced I would like this book but it was available on audio so I borrowed it. The magical realism was charming and whimsical. We all hope and believe in different ways and I hope there is that kind of magic. I thought there needed to be a bit more character development on Trav based on how he was first presented but maybe he was just further in his healing than I originally understood. I think this is the beginning of a series and I will look for more to enjoy as there are lots of sweet characters to explore more fully.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows, Mary Ann Shaffer

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emotional hopeful sad fast-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I have seen the movie but somehow never read the book. It is written as a series of letters, notes, telegrams etc between all the character. I listened to the audio with a whole cast of actors reading the various characters. This made it delightful! For the first few minutes I was slightly confused as there are a lot of characters but you quickly figure out the major players & relationships. 
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

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dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

3.0

This classic hits hard as we are still fighting book banning in 2025. Still not my genre and didn't change my mind so.imcant go higher in my rating.
Summer Reading by Jenn McKinlay

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4.0

Really well done research and information on dyslexia. I love when I find a romance novel that is also informative and more than just a love story.
The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

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emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Interesting but heartbreaking.
The Push by Ashley Audrain

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

3.5

Confusing at the beginning. But after I figured out who was telling the story and made a small family tree I was fine. It got really good in the middle and the lagged again closer to then end. Overall, an interesting and different read.
The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel

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emotional inspiring tense 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

4.0

I was nervous at the beginning. I thought it was going to be a fantasy but it just has a touch of magical realism. The afterward by the author is worth listening, too!
The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
I don't hate it. I just think I am going to listen to it and I will get the audiobook before my book club date in February so I am going to move to my next book. 
Slow Dance: A Novel by Rainbow Rowell

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emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

It got better and better throughout!
A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard

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challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

2.0

She wrote this herself so, as she says at the beginning, it is all.over the place. It is still interesting but is from 2007 so kind of outdated. I wish it was more recent so I could rejoice with her in more growth. You do come out understanding more and really hoping the best for her.
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