bossman8680's reviews
158 reviews

Don't Read After Dark by Carolyn McCray

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense

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

3.25

This is a good collection of stories that span many different categories.

My only issue was that the Club Death section stops abruptly and there is no conclusion to it.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

dark sad medium-paced

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

2.0

I found that it was to slow in pace. To me it did not start to get interesting until the last 1/3 of the story. Also in the last 1/3 is when it gets to be the most emotional.  The fact that the story teller is death does not help make hte story any better. 

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? No

4.5

This book started out with a great beginning that draws you right in. At the heart of the story it is a love story that shows that everyone is the same down deep.

Even though the story focuses on 2 prominent characters with very visible lives, I felt a connection to the under lying story. I could relate to both characters struggles with coming to terms of who they were. Just the struggle of telling your immediate family and friends is difficulty, I could never imagine having to let the whole world in on it.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual content

Orient Express by Graham Greene

slow-paced

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

1.25

Knowing this was a classic in literature is one of the big reasons that I chose to read it. By the end of the story I was not sure what the story was about.

To me it just seemed like a bunch of characters who all happened to be riding a train together. There was no real interconnecting story line that drew them all together other than riding a train.

The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule

informative reflective slow-paced

3.25

This was a great look into the back story of the infamous serial killer Theodore 'Ted' Bundy. As a true crime junkie I found it really interesting. It also helped you get a better understanding of where Ted was coming from and how he got to is infamous status. One big thing it helps to show is that even serial killers can have normal lives and friends. The biggest thing I found of interest was the fact beside taking lives as a killer Ted saved lives as well. Had I not read this book I would not have know about the good things he had done prior to his downfall.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

adventurous dark medium-paced

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

3.75

Prior to reading this for the first time I had heard several references to it in the proceeding weeks.

I found the story line interesting even with the nefarious undertones of the background. Several of the scenes were very descriptive as related to what happened to the characters.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

adventurous emotional inspiring 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

4.5

 This was a really fun fast paced read. Really enjoyed the twists and turns of the story. The was the story was written and event the page number helps place the reader in the mindset of the main character. 

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

hopeful 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? No

4.5

I find the concept of this book very intriguing and rather relevant. I fell that especially some of the younger generations will never truly understand this book. It seems that they are more interested in technology then they ever will a book. I also don't think they truly appreciate the feeling of the pages of a book in your fingers and the unmistakable smell of the pages.

I feel that this book is extremely relevant to to this day and age especially the current political climate throughout the world.

There was one concept in the book that I had a little difficulty wrapping my head around.

If the buildings of the future are not able to catch fire, then how can the fireman burn the residence of those violating the law and owning books.

Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

dark tense fast-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

This is a fast paced story that has through backs to "The Shinning". If you have not read "The Shinning" you can still follow the story as it does a great job of incorporating the story line without over loading the information.

Coming Out: High School Boys Share Their Stories by Jay Argent

reflective medium-paced

4.0

 The stores in this book are very relatable to how many teens and young adults feel. When it comes to the process of coming out everyone has a different story while have feelings similar to those in this collection.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone struggling to come out or there parents to help then understand the struggle.