browndingdong's reviews
73 reviews

The First Day of Spring by Nancy Tucker

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Was enjoyable. The writing was good enough for me to have certain negative feelings toward the main character. Went through the rollercoaster of emotions as the author intended. 

The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer

adventurous dark emotional inspiring reflective 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

5.0

This was such an amazing read. The journey of it all. Has the theme the book tackles been done before? Yes. Have the philosophical questions been asked and explored before in other stories? Yes. This book brings those questions and themes through a new lens of teenagers. The romance in this book isn't in your face. It is ebbing and flowing just like it would in the real world.  I sincerely hope this book gets adapted to either a series or a movie.

Life Undercover: Coming of Age in the CIA by Amaryllis Fox

adventurous emotional informative inspiring reflective relaxing fast-paced

4.25

This was such a fast-paced book that I was not expecting to dive into it. I am not one for non-fiction books or memoirs, but this one got me together. My only regret from reading is that I didn't write down some quotes and statements when I read them. Would read this book again down the line.

Lord of Eternal Night by Ben Alderson

medium-paced

3.0

I have followed this book on TikTok and was excited to read it. The story was alright. It wasn't anything new or attention-grabbing. I did stick with completing the book because I owed it that much. Will I read it again, probably not. Will I read other stories by the author, perhaps? 

The King in Yellow by Robert W. Chambers

slow-paced

2.0

This was, in my opinion which is not backed by science, a boring collection of short stories. Like some of them had a semi good concept. But for me, where was the horror? Where was the story? Like every character (some dude) sounded the same and had the same vibe and feel. Might as well have been just one single novel with one character throughout. But that is just my opinion.

Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh

adventurous emotional lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

This book was a great read. Definitely a book that you should take your time reading. Even though it is 105 pages, this book deserves your time to grow. Some of the scenes are a bit wave-handy, but it's not that distracting and has a point. Overall, a great read that I wouldn't mind reading again in the fall.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

While this was an amazing book, for me, the stories were a bit rough to get into. In my opinion, the last story was the strongest and most relatable to me. Some of the writing seemed to be more background on the workers than the people the individual story is showcasing. While I may not read this book again, I will tell people to read it and experience the journey this book has. 

Life Is What You Make It: Find Your Own Path to Fulfillment by Peter Buffett

medium-paced

2.0

This book was so simple. I don’t know how else to put it. It’s writing is something out of a freshman in college talking to a sophomore in high schools conversation. Most of the chapters were just empty words and the stories seemed made up by the constant “my friend” “this one person” “some guy” instead of a name. Just make up a name if the “real” person didn’t want to me named in your book. 
This is a book to read while stoned cause it’s just not good. 

Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre by Max Brooks

adventurous dark informative inspiring tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

5.0