charlieinwonder1and's reviews
42 reviews

No Season But the Summer by Matilda Leyser

emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.25

This was an excellent Greek myth retelling and made me wonder why I haven't read more books about Persephone and the climate crisis. I also loved getting to explore Demeter's story, which I also have not read much about before. The imagery of the dark was like poetry and really helped to give a sense of what the underworld could be like. 

The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

This was a wild ride from start to finish and I really enjoyed the whole thing. I would love to be in H G Wells' head for just a day to see the sort of brain that can conjure up these stories. 

Fry's Ties by Stephen Fry

funny informative lighthearted slow-paced

3.5

I will read almost any book narrated by Stephen Fry and this is a testament to that. 

A Brief History of Fables: From Aesop to Flash Fiction by Lee Rourke

informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

Super useful for my coursework paper on fables, I loved having an excuse to return to this book. 

Butter by Asako Yuzuki

dark funny medium-paced

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

4.5

I had heard so many mixed reviews about this book and couldn't wait to read it for myself. It really pleasantly surprised me with how much I loved it. The writing style was much more descriptive than I usually like, but I think this really worked to highlight how the main character's job as a journalist and the absolute fixation she comes to share with her interviewee on food. 

Orbital by Samantha Harvey

hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.75

Reading this book having moved abroad really made it hit home, the emotions of isolation and feeling far away from loved ones are so visceral in this book. Such an interesting perspective on humanity, literally zooming out. I can see why it has won so many awards. As impactful as it was for me now, I'm not sure it will stay with me forever, so that's why it's not quite 5 stars from me. 

The Fraud by Zadie Smith

challenging emotional 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

4.0

Loved the writing style and I will be reading more of Zadie Smith's work. There were just so many characters to keep up with and I didn't always manage it. 

The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman

adventurous funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

The plots may get more outlandish as the series goes on, but it doesn’t make them any less fun to read. I love getting to spend more time with these characters. 

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

Every time I return to this book, it makes me laugh and cry just as much as the first time - or maybe even more. Always a delight to pick back up. 

The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

I knew I would enjoy this book, so I have been saving it for a time when I can fully appreciate it. It lived up to all of my expectations.