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chandranolynne's reviews
388 reviews
The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
“I feel that when I travel I can change myself a little, and I return from a journey not quite the same self I was.”
This was pretty good. While some of the historical aspects of this book went over my head, the author did a great job weaving them into the story without making it feel too heavy. The pacing kept things moving, which helped keep me engaged even when the historical details weren’t my strong suit. The characters were flawed in fascinating ways, and I appreciated how unpredictable the story was. That said, there were moments when the historical context felt a little dense, and I didn’t always feel fully connected to every part of the narrative. Still, the writing was beautiful, and overall, it was a compelling and enjoyable read.
This was pretty good. While some of the historical aspects of this book went over my head, the author did a great job weaving them into the story without making it feel too heavy. The pacing kept things moving, which helped keep me engaged even when the historical details weren’t my strong suit. The characters were flawed in fascinating ways, and I appreciated how unpredictable the story was. That said, there were moments when the historical context felt a little dense, and I didn’t always feel fully connected to every part of the narrative. Still, the writing was beautiful, and overall, it was a compelling and enjoyable read.
Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
"Books will teach you anything you want to know, and they tend to be more honest than people."
My 3-star review comes from a mix of 1-star and 5-star feelings. The murder mystery? Five stars. The whodunit? Five stars. The other shocking twist I can’t mention (because it would completely ruin the book)? Also five stars.
But the characters, the backstory, and the overly drawn-out prose? Not so much. The writing wasn’t terrible, but it felt like the author struggled to balance those great, quotable one-liners with a story that flowed smoothly.
So, three stars. It was both great and boring at the same time - an odd contradiction, I know, but that’s exactly how I felt.
My 3-star review comes from a mix of 1-star and 5-star feelings. The murder mystery? Five stars. The whodunit? Five stars. The other shocking twist I can’t mention (because it would completely ruin the book)? Also five stars.
But the characters, the backstory, and the overly drawn-out prose? Not so much. The writing wasn’t terrible, but it felt like the author struggled to balance those great, quotable one-liners with a story that flowed smoothly.
So, three stars. It was both great and boring at the same time - an odd contradiction, I know, but that’s exactly how I felt.
The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.0
"'I’ve always thought of mosaic as this big metaphor for my life,' she says. 'All these jagged, incongruous pieces…' She holds up a small shard of milky jade-green glass. 'These are like the things that happen to you. But if it’s laid out a certain way and if you take a step back from it, it makes sense.'"
This wasn’t my favorite Elin Hilderbrand book, but it certainly wasn’t my least favorite either. The fantasy element was new for her (at least from what I’ve read) and was a fun, welcome addition to what was otherwise a cute story about a found family, though it may have had a few too many characters and side stories. Some of those were wildly enjoyable, others weren’t as engaging, and a few probably didn’t need to be included at all. But as an Elin book, it delivered exactly what it promises - beachy vacation vibes, mostly likable characters, and a feel-good ending.
This wasn’t my favorite Elin Hilderbrand book, but it certainly wasn’t my least favorite either. The fantasy element was new for her (at least from what I’ve read) and was a fun, welcome addition to what was otherwise a cute story about a found family, though it may have had a few too many characters and side stories. Some of those were wildly enjoyable, others weren’t as engaging, and a few probably didn’t need to be included at all. But as an Elin book, it delivered exactly what it promises - beachy vacation vibes, mostly likable characters, and a feel-good ending.
A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
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
Drop Dead Sisters by Amelia Diane Coombs
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
"The older I’ve gotten, the easier it’s become for me to realize that my parents are just . . . people."
I don’t know that this book is good, per se, but I enjoyed it for personal reasons despite its shortcomings. The premise was intriguing, though mystery buffs might find it predictable. Regardless, as the youngest child in a family that "puts the 'fun' in dysfunctional," I deeply related to the protagonist’s perspective, particularly being many years younger than close-in-age siblings.
Critics call the MC whiny and self-sabotaging, but being the youngest often means feeling like you matter slightly less. Parents try their best, but it’s hard to prioritize a 9-year-old’s problems over a 15-year-old’s. That dynamic can leave you feeling... less. Not unloved or neglected, just diminished.
And it's easy to feel left out or like a third wheel when there is such an age gap.
It took me until the age of 30 to start allowing myself to take up space, and I’m still working on actually feeling like I deserve it. While the book isn’t great objectively, I related so much that I can’t give it less than three stars. I probably won't read the rest of the series, though.
I don’t know that this book is good, per se, but I enjoyed it for personal reasons despite its shortcomings. The premise was intriguing, though mystery buffs might find it predictable. Regardless, as the youngest child in a family that "puts the 'fun' in dysfunctional," I deeply related to the protagonist’s perspective, particularly being many years younger than close-in-age siblings.
Critics call the MC whiny and self-sabotaging, but being the youngest often means feeling like you matter slightly less. Parents try their best, but it’s hard to prioritize a 9-year-old’s problems over a 15-year-old’s. That dynamic can leave you feeling... less. Not unloved or neglected, just diminished.
And it's easy to feel left out or like a third wheel when there is such an age gap.
It took me until the age of 30 to start allowing myself to take up space, and I’m still working on actually feeling like I deserve it. While the book isn’t great objectively, I related so much that I can’t give it less than three stars. I probably won't read the rest of the series, though.
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
“You can change the law but you can’t change people and how they treat each other.”
I’ve had this author on my TBR for quite a while, and I’m so glad I finally picked this up! It’s hard to say I “enjoyed” it in the usual sense, given its intensity—I think my mouth was agape 90% of the time—but it’s truly an astonishing book, both in writing and narrative. While the story itself is a work of fiction, it’s heavily rooted in real-life events. Colson Whitehead writes so beautifully and handles this incredibly important story with care. I’m so glad I read it, and it definitely makes me want to explore more of his work!
I’ve had this author on my TBR for quite a while, and I’m so glad I finally picked this up! It’s hard to say I “enjoyed” it in the usual sense, given its intensity—I think my mouth was agape 90% of the time—but it’s truly an astonishing book, both in writing and narrative. While the story itself is a work of fiction, it’s heavily rooted in real-life events. Colson Whitehead writes so beautifully and handles this incredibly important story with care. I’m so glad I read it, and it definitely makes me want to explore more of his work!
A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg
lighthearted
reflective
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? No
3.0
"Sometimes, the greatest gift we can give someone is the freedom to be themselves."
This was a heartwarming little novel about the spirit of Christmas (which is not my favorite thing) and found family (which is). Even though I'm not particularly into holidays, I really enjoyed all the characters in this community, from the curmudgeonly old lady to the crazy old lady to the sweet old lady. Just to clarify, there are more characters than just old ladies in this book, but I truly loved them all! It was a really cute, sweet read that may not have tugged at my emotionally-stunted heartstrings as much as it might for others, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
This was a heartwarming little novel about the spirit of Christmas (which is not my favorite thing) and found family (which is). Even though I'm not particularly into holidays, I really enjoyed all the characters in this community, from the curmudgeonly old lady to the crazy old lady to the sweet old lady. Just to clarify, there are more characters than just old ladies in this book, but I truly loved them all! It was a really cute, sweet read that may not have tugged at my emotionally-stunted heartstrings as much as it might for others, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Talk Bookish to Me by Kate Bromley
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
"Maybe that's the cost of finding love young. Everything is new and overwhelming and chasing that sensation down is priority one. I think back to the girl I was then and I feel bad for her. I still have plenty of flaws, but I know who I am. I like who I am. I'm fulfilled by my job and my family and friends, and if love found me now, it would add to my life, not consume it."
This was cute. Nothing mind blowing but it trotted along at a swift pace, made me giggle often enough, and kept a smile on my face with it's cute rom-commy moments. I liked the main characters well enough, but especially enjoyed the supporting cast of best friends. The the side plots added enough emotional depth to make you care without feeling like the book was trying to do much. Ultimately, it was an enjoyable little rom-com book that stayed in its lane and did its job.
This was cute. Nothing mind blowing but it trotted along at a swift pace, made me giggle often enough, and kept a smile on my face with it's cute rom-commy moments. I liked the main characters well enough, but especially enjoyed the supporting cast of best friends. The the side plots added enough emotional depth to make you care without feeling like the book was trying to do much. Ultimately, it was an enjoyable little rom-com book that stayed in its lane and did its job.
The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
"'I think sometimes it is difficult to look after ourselves,' he said, thoughtfully. 'We look to friends to do it for us.'"
What a phenomenal novel! I was initially drawn to it by the cover, and it turned out to be nothing like what I had expected. This book has dual timelines, shifting between the present day and the 1800s, as a family of carnival performers uncovers their past and attempts to break a curse they are unaware of. It cleverly intertwines these incredibly interesting characters, and every single word drips like honey onto your soul as you immerse yourself in their lives, traumas, and follies.
I love how the author examines the idea of seemingly random connections between people, suggesting they may not be as chance as they appear. The dichotomy of loving each other while also being harmful to one another, the way our histories and family backgrounds shape our personalities, and the impact these factors have on our behaviors are all themes that are skillfully interwoven throughout the narrative, creating a story that is not only captivating but also offers a profound insight into the complexities of the human psyche.
What a phenomenal novel! I was initially drawn to it by the cover, and it turned out to be nothing like what I had expected. This book has dual timelines, shifting between the present day and the 1800s, as a family of carnival performers uncovers their past and attempts to break a curse they are unaware of. It cleverly intertwines these incredibly interesting characters, and every single word drips like honey onto your soul as you immerse yourself in their lives, traumas, and follies.
I love how the author examines the idea of seemingly random connections between people, suggesting they may not be as chance as they appear. The dichotomy of loving each other while also being harmful to one another, the way our histories and family backgrounds shape our personalities, and the impact these factors have on our behaviors are all themes that are skillfully interwoven throughout the narrative, creating a story that is not only captivating but also offers a profound insight into the complexities of the human psyche.
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
"...I became anxious, filled with that strange turbulence that rises when you begin to wash up on the island of your own little self and you don't see how you could ever sustain yourself there."
**Spoiler alert and TL:DR** Beautiful writing; dumb protagonist is the root of her own problems.
This book created a hugely divisive conversation within me that I haven't yet fully reconciled. I loved the writing, the imagery, and the author's exploration and mixing and mingling of themes like religion, spirituality, mermaid and siren lore, and the weight of slave history. It's a tapestry of ideas that kept me enthralled from beginning to end.
On the other hand, that overarching story of our main character trying to "find herself" amid an unproblematic albeit boring marriage undermines the commitment and effort that a lifetime partnership demands. Marriage isn't easy; most of us know that, but we CHOOSE to stay and work together, rather than waking up one day and thinking, "Wow, this lovely man who has built this life with me and maintained comfortability for 20 years suddenly doesn't get me at all and completely weighs me down." Like, how about a conversation? "Hey, honey, I'm feeling bored in life; how would you feel about exploring something new with me?
Instead, we get a "midlife-crisis-to-impulsive-romantic-infatuation-to-regret-and-apology-to-reconciliation-but-it’ll-never-be-the-same" trope. Ultimately, you end up sympathizing with the husband, who isn't even a main character, and eye rolling at the main character who becomes the antagonist of her own story.
**Spoiler alert and TL:DR** Beautiful writing; dumb protagonist is the root of her own problems.
This book created a hugely divisive conversation within me that I haven't yet fully reconciled. I loved the writing, the imagery, and the author's exploration and mixing and mingling of themes like religion, spirituality, mermaid and siren lore, and the weight of slave history. It's a tapestry of ideas that kept me enthralled from beginning to end.
On the other hand, that overarching story of our main character trying to "find herself" amid an unproblematic albeit boring marriage undermines the commitment and effort that a lifetime partnership demands. Marriage isn't easy; most of us know that, but we CHOOSE to stay and work together, rather than waking up one day and thinking, "Wow, this lovely man who has built this life with me and maintained comfortability for 20 years suddenly doesn't get me at all and completely weighs me down." Like, how about a conversation? "Hey, honey, I'm feeling bored in life; how would you feel about exploring something new with me?
Instead, we get a "midlife-crisis-to-impulsive-romantic-infatuation-to-regret-and-apology-to-reconciliation-but-it’ll-never-be-the-same" trope. Ultimately, you end up sympathizing with the husband, who isn't even a main character, and eye rolling at the main character who becomes the antagonist of her own story.