danielleboldry's reviews
43 reviews

Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman

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

4.25

just so so so wholesome<3 alice oseman is doing god’s work

Foster by Claire Keegan

emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

another beautiful novella focusing on found family with such a heartwarming but simultaneously devastating undertone. 

(note to self: claire keegan books should be read in a single sitting - the effect is so much more powerful and this probably would be rated even higher if I hadn’t read it between staggered tube journeys)

Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion by Jia Tolentino

informative reflective medium-paced

4.75

such an fascinating set of essays, the only thing stopping this being a 5 star review is that a couple of the essays fell flat for me, but the following are all irrevocably 5 stars:

i in internet: felt like all my worst fears and deepest grievances with the internet which i’ve never fully understood were just spelt out to me in clear colour. illuminating but terrifying.

always be optimising: exposes the terrifying truths of our reality, living in a capitalist system as a women. this essay dissects the complex fabrications of the ideal woman’s lifestyle which we so readily subscribe to. 

(tbc)

Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers

adventurous inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.5

nothing gives you that warm, jolly feeling like a children’s book <3

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.75

a beautiful depiction of Irish town life alongside a heartbreaking revelation of truth. 

the sheer detail and perspective of the protagonist’s ordinary path remind the reader of the horrific occurrences that are happening simultaneously, which are too often and too easily turned a blind eye to. 

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

beautiful story of friendship enthralled with intense drama (but not in a petty way, in an extravagant art student way). 

also probably lots of very clever shakespearean references/symbolism that went straight over my head :)

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Physical abuse, Suicide, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse

Frankenstein: The 1818 Text by Mary Shelley

dark reflective tense slow-paced

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

4.5

walton should’ve just kept frankenstein’s creation as his own lil’ boat pal :’(

such beautiful prose exploring the complex themes of nature, humanity and morality. incredible read. 

Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield

dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

3.75

disturbingly mesmerising. a writing style that captures a beautifully ominous atmosphere along with fleeting everyday mind wandering that disguises itself as deep existential philosophy. such a fascinating way of looking at the ever-present haunting character of the ocean. 

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

i don’t think i’ve ever been so immersed in a world whilst reading a book — the beautifully descriptive prose & brilliantly complex structure make you feel like you are at the centre of the circus the entire way through this enchanting story. 

Everything I Know About Love: A Memoir by Dolly Alderton

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

3.75

“nearly everything i know about love i’ve learnt from my long-term friendships with women”