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chandranolynne's reviews
344 reviews
On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
“Everyone had spent so much time telling her that love was a thing of magic, something wild and uncontrollable that came like a thunderstorm. And now it was something else? It was just comfort? Something peaceful? Something that actually sounded nice?”
The Bridgerton series ended on a rather mediocre note for me. I didn't hate this one, but I didn't love it either. I didn't find myself particularly drawn to the heroine or the love interest, and while I wasn't necessarily bored or put out by the book, I wasn't captivated either. I've heard that Julia Quinn didn't plan on and / or didn't want to write all of the siblings' stories, but her fan based more or less demanded it. If I'm being candid, this book felt like Quinn didn't want to be writing it. The first half and second half of the book are wildly different, it was almost like she couldn't decide on a plot, and then the ending (and kind of the transition from the first half to the second half) were so clunkily put together, it felt like she just couldn't wait to be done. It had its moments that kept me in it and at least wanting to finish it, but after it all, I'm glad to be done. So long, Bridgertons, for the foreseeable future anyway. The Rokesbys is on my radar, but it will definitely be some time before I get it into it.
The Bridgerton series ended on a rather mediocre note for me. I didn't hate this one, but I didn't love it either. I didn't find myself particularly drawn to the heroine or the love interest, and while I wasn't necessarily bored or put out by the book, I wasn't captivated either. I've heard that Julia Quinn didn't plan on and / or didn't want to write all of the siblings' stories, but her fan based more or less demanded it. If I'm being candid, this book felt like Quinn didn't want to be writing it. The first half and second half of the book are wildly different, it was almost like she couldn't decide on a plot, and then the ending (and kind of the transition from the first half to the second half) were so clunkily put together, it felt like she just couldn't wait to be done. It had its moments that kept me in it and at least wanting to finish it, but after it all, I'm glad to be done. So long, Bridgertons, for the foreseeable future anyway. The Rokesbys is on my radar, but it will definitely be some time before I get it into it.
Peril at End House by Agatha Christie
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"Poirot," I said, " I have been thinking."
"An admirable practice, my friend! Continue it."
Ohmygosh, this one was so good! I really, really liked the characters; even the jerks in this one were fun to hate! There were so many twists and turns, and I felt like this one was a little bit faster paced than most of the others, too. It was just a super fun roller coaster from start to finish!
"An admirable practice, my friend! Continue it."
Ohmygosh, this one was so good! I really, really liked the characters; even the jerks in this one were fun to hate! There were so many twists and turns, and I felt like this one was a little bit faster paced than most of the others, too. It was just a super fun roller coaster from start to finish!
Black Coffee: A Mystery Play in Three Acts by Agatha Christie
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"POIROT: You do not see? It is not necessary that you should see. But I see. That is enough."
This was as enjoyable as any other, and the play format made it a much quicker read. I'm not quite sure why our beloved author felt the need to write this one as a play when the novel had suited Hercule Poirot so well up until now, but it didn't really take anything away from it either, so it's sort of a no-harm-no-foul situation for me. I really liked the characters in the one, and I (once again) had no idea whodunnit until Mr. Poirot finally told us.
This was as enjoyable as any other, and the play format made it a much quicker read. I'm not quite sure why our beloved author felt the need to write this one as a play when the novel had suited Hercule Poirot so well up until now, but it didn't really take anything away from it either, so it's sort of a no-harm-no-foul situation for me. I really liked the characters in the one, and I (once again) had no idea whodunnit until Mr. Poirot finally told us.
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
5.0
“'Everything that dies never really goes. In little ways, it all stays.' Not in the horrific way Lee wrote it. Not with the moaning ghosts and terrifying poltergeists and living dead, but in the way the sun came back around again, the way flowers browned and became dirt and new seeds bloomed the next spring. Everything died, but pieces of it remained."
Well I just adored this. It was had a uniquely intriguing premise with a quick pace that kept it bouncy and light despite its surprising depth and the dark corners it frequently stepped into. It danced in philosophy about love, death, and family, while maintaining its cute and funny edges. It was really everything I wanted it to be without being too much of any of it! I love it when you pick up a book that is just exactly what you need in that particular moment.
Well I just adored this. It was had a uniquely intriguing premise with a quick pace that kept it bouncy and light despite its surprising depth and the dark corners it frequently stepped into. It danced in philosophy about love, death, and family, while maintaining its cute and funny edges. It was really everything I wanted it to be without being too much of any of it! I love it when you pick up a book that is just exactly what you need in that particular moment.
The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
"The cab rattled, jingled, jolted; in fact, the last was quite extraordinary. By its disproportionate violence and magnitude it obliterated every sensation of onward movement; and the effect was of being shaken in a stationary apparatus like a medieval device for the punishment of crime, or some very newfangled invention for the cure of a sluggish liver."
"It is universally understood that, as if it were nothing more substantial than vapour floating in the sky, every emotion of a woman is bound to end in a shower."
This is yet another classic that, while after reading it I completely understand why it is a classic, just wasn't for me. I will start, however, by saying that Joseph Conrad's descriptive phrasing and abundant use of adjectives and clever similes were quite brilliant and, for me, the saving grace of the whole thing. The novel is a lesson in the mastery of the English language, and despite my not liking it overall, it has so many quotable moments throughout, I couldn't pick just one!
Unfortunately, the story just could not keep my interest. This is partly because I am simply not one for political dramas and partly because it was so damn slow paced. Until the last 15% or so, which was riveting, but by then I had had to reread so many parts because I kept losing interest and zoning out that even a compelling ending couldn't fix my attitude toward it.
"It is universally understood that, as if it were nothing more substantial than vapour floating in the sky, every emotion of a woman is bound to end in a shower."
This is yet another classic that, while after reading it I completely understand why it is a classic, just wasn't for me. I will start, however, by saying that Joseph Conrad's descriptive phrasing and abundant use of adjectives and clever similes were quite brilliant and, for me, the saving grace of the whole thing. The novel is a lesson in the mastery of the English language, and despite my not liking it overall, it has so many quotable moments throughout, I couldn't pick just one!
Unfortunately, the story just could not keep my interest. This is partly because I am simply not one for political dramas and partly because it was so damn slow paced. Until the last 15% or so, which was riveting, but by then I had had to reread so many parts because I kept losing interest and zoning out that even a compelling ending couldn't fix my attitude toward it.
Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
“The way I see it, life is a jelly doughnut. You don’t really know what it’s about until you bite into it. And then, just when you decide it’s good, you drop a big glob of jelly on your best T-shirt."
We've made it to double digits! And yes, I'm still enjoying them. I am getting a little bit tired of the Ranger / Morelli love triangle and finding myself more and more just wanting Stephanie and Joe to get their act together already. I like Ranger a lot as a character, but the thought of his being a legitimate prospect is kind of silly. Anyway, the plot of this one was really exciting and interesting; it's always fun when Stephanie gets in way over her head. Plus, Sally Sweet finally came back, which was an enormous added bonus for me!
We've made it to double digits! And yes, I'm still enjoying them. I am getting a little bit tired of the Ranger / Morelli love triangle and finding myself more and more just wanting Stephanie and Joe to get their act together already. I like Ranger a lot as a character, but the thought of his being a legitimate prospect is kind of silly. Anyway, the plot of this one was really exciting and interesting; it's always fun when Stephanie gets in way over her head. Plus, Sally Sweet finally came back, which was an enormous added bonus for me!
Swamplandia! by Karen Russell
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
"Anger needed an anchor, a plug, a wall. (I am angry because of ____.) Otherwise you had a beam of red feeling searching vainly through the universe. You had a heart that shot red light into space."
I had planned to give this book three stars until the last chapter said, "The Beginning of the End," and I said out loud, "Thank God." I really wanted to like this. The premise was interesting enough, and the characters were likeable and engaging. Unfortunately, for me, it was too disjointed, and I couldn't help but slowly lose interest as it went on. Also, I usually love magical realism, but there wasn't enough clarity as to whether or not it was actually happening so even that aspect couldn't save it.
I had planned to give this book three stars until the last chapter said, "The Beginning of the End," and I said out loud, "Thank God." I really wanted to like this. The premise was interesting enough, and the characters were likeable and engaging. Unfortunately, for me, it was too disjointed, and I couldn't help but slowly lose interest as it went on. Also, I usually love magical realism, but there wasn't enough clarity as to whether or not it was actually happening so even that aspect couldn't save it.
It's In His Kiss With 2nd Epilogue: Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
"'Say whatever is in your heart,' Violet said. Her lips twisted wryly. 'And if that doesn’t work, I suggest that
you take a book and knock him over the head with it.'"
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Bridgertons #7: It's in His Kiss by Julia Quinn
"'Say whatever is in your heart,' Violet said. Her lips twisted wryly. 'And if that doesn’t work, I suggest that
you take a book and knock him over the head with it.'"
This seventh installment of the Bridgertons was exactly what I expected and just a little bit too long. I really like the character of Hyacinth, and I had been looking forward to reading her story for some time. I appreciated the fact that her relationship with Lady Danbury brough Lady D into so much of the story because she truly is one of the best characters in this entire series. Gareth was not my favorite love interest, but I suppose he's not the worst either. And for the first half or so of the book I really enjoyed their story. Then, it just sort of went on and on. There were too many unnecessary conflicts, they took too long to wrap up, and by the end I was just sort of relieved. Other than that, though, another mostly enjoyable Bridgerton book down, one more to go before I take a break from Miss Quinn for a while. I do still plan to read the prequel series, but I need some separation for a bit.
The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
“I am not mad. I am eccentric perhaps--at least certain people say so; but as regards my profession. I am very much as one says, 'all there.”
This is my least favorite Poirot story so far. It was still mysterious, I still didn't figure out what was going on until Poirot told me, and the writing was brilliant as always (at this point, this is simply expected). But I really didn't like any of the characters and found myself kind of not caring. Agatha Christie always has so many characters, and that's one of the really fun things about her books is finding yourself rooting for certain characters, but this time around I kind of just wanted them all to be guilty and get their just dues because most of them were just not good people. Anyway, I'm taking a break after this one and listening to something else before jumping into the next one.
This is my least favorite Poirot story so far. It was still mysterious, I still didn't figure out what was going on until Poirot told me, and the writing was brilliant as always (at this point, this is simply expected). But I really didn't like any of the characters and found myself kind of not caring. Agatha Christie always has so many characters, and that's one of the really fun things about her books is finding yourself rooting for certain characters, but this time around I kind of just wanted them all to be guilty and get their just dues because most of them were just not good people. Anyway, I'm taking a break after this one and listening to something else before jumping into the next one.
The Big Four by Agatha Christie
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
"Poirot has his virtues, but modesty is not one of them.”
This is apparently not one of Christie's best loved novels, and I suppose I kind of get it. It's disjointed and much harder to follow than the other books so far, but a lot of the flack it gets revolves around the supervillain team and I have to disagree there. I don't care that there was no explanation for why this group wanted to take over the world. I didn't find myself wanting a motive. I simply enjoyed Poirot being pitted against four super-geniuses with all the resources in the world and still besting them. It was just a fun, quick adventure.
This is apparently not one of Christie's best loved novels, and I suppose I kind of get it. It's disjointed and much harder to follow than the other books so far, but a lot of the flack it gets revolves around the supervillain team and I have to disagree there. I don't care that there was no explanation for why this group wanted to take over the world. I didn't find myself wanting a motive. I simply enjoyed Poirot being pitted against four super-geniuses with all the resources in the world and still besting them. It was just a fun, quick adventure.