bookmaddie's reviews
1103 reviews

The Terrible: A Storyteller's Memoir by Yrsa Daley-Ward

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

3.0

The writing style wasn’t for me, but I enjoyed the author’s narration featuring her brother.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling
Did not finish book. Stopped at 45%.

I can do this no longer. I thought this would be a fun thriller to binge but I am not thrilled. Also, this feels like two books in one. I wish the White Alice section was its own book! I am intrigued! But then I’m pulled away to Rose, who’s story is moving slow but is somewhat interesting, or to Grant, a spoiled wimp. Can’t say I’m compelled. Alas!

Someone Like Us: A novel by Dinaw Mengestu

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

2.75

Got somewhere in the end, but at what cost? I was bored & mildly confused at times

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism and Suicide

The Character of Rain by Amélie Nothomb

funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

What an odd little book. Unlike anything I’ve read. Quite funny! Some dated language.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood and Suicide attempt

Isola by Allegra Goodman

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Blood, and Abandonment

The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder by David Grann

adventurous dark informative mysterious medium-paced

4.25

A rousing tale. Hard to believe men’s desire for money and glory forced them to go through this hell, but sure! Couldn’t be me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Murder

Fire Exit by Morgan Talty

challenging emotional 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

4.25

A book where nothing happens but everything does. Really gorgeous

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Dementia, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury

The Whalebone Theatre by Joanna Quinn

adventurous emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

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

5.0

i LOVE THIS BOOK!!! I CRIED A LOT!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Blood, and War

Old Soul by Susan Barker

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder

Caesaria by Hanna Nordenhök

challenging dark reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.25

interesting questions about imprisonment, instated by others and by yourself.. 

dark, gory. how a girl comes to understand herself in an isolated world where women are unknoweable, dirty, wrong.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Blood