dontforgetthelights's reviews
146 reviews

The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood

dark emotional funny reflective tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.75

I really loved the modern narration style of dead Penelope and am a sucker for a book where the exact plot/events are intentionally I clarified, playing into the whole mythology origin of the tale instead of picking one take on what happened :)

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

adventurous emotional fast-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

4.0

No final star just because it felt a little bit vanilla in that one sister was the cookie cutter good wife and the other was the misunderstood rebel. Other than that simplicity it was a detailed book about women's efforts in occupied France and the sacrifices made by all. I also feel like more could have been done with the future narration situation other than just "oh yeah no one knows about my past" because as it stands it only added a little bit of interest idk

Stone Mattress by Margaret Atwood

funny reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.5

Bound by the interwoven themes of ageing, frost, sex, horror, stone, vampires, facades and murder.

Boy: Tales of Childhood by Roald Dahl

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

3.75

Cute anecdotes that show some of the early events to shape Roald into the jovial yet forboding children's author he was to become :)

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

challenging dark emotional hopeful 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? No

4.75

Lyrical and abstract, Vuong weaves metaphor with experience with a masterly touch in his letter from son to mother - gorgeous really

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

4.0

Solid eulogy with solid teachings, reminds you to regain autonomy of your attentions

Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach

inspiring fast-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Read for shits and gigs as it's kind of a meme in my circles and whilst I can see it's place in Christian primary schools or similar I found myself at odds with some elements of this book - namely in the belief that excellence must be sought for a meaningful life and also the apparent ignorance towards the biological need for female seagulls. Anyways I could see similarities in its short form existence to children's books that I've loved, e.g. the little prince or the alchemist, but this didn't do it for me

Dinner with the Schnabels by Toni Jordan

slow-paced

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

3.5

I liked the last day (friday-saturday) but didn't really enjoy reading the rest of the novel, can't stand being annoyed with MCs lol
Toni Jordan's voice definitely rings through though having read Nine Days and Our Tiny Useless Hearts in all of its Australian glory and got me through the story about a guy down in the dumps after lockdown

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

emotional hopeful reflective 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? No

3.75

Super engaging novel about this afterlife idea - kind of feels like a response to one of those old Tumblr prompts explored. I enjoyed the read an loved the last couple of chapters, I do with the novel delved into these years a bit further but maybe that would remove the magic of the time lapsing. 

The Floating Theatre by Martha Conway

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Such a unique mc and plotline especially for the subject matter of slavery in the early USA and wow does it work

Something about May's unapologetic forthrightness and ingenue character navigating the border dividing North and South makes for such a compelling read, she has such a way of exposing her acquaintances opinions and priorities, as well as a talent for getting well tangled in the schemes of others - though rightly so

Also love love loveee me a super sub plot of romance 

ALSO why were the last 70ish pages soooo tense wowow I literally meant to only read one chapter I swear but finished the whole thing when I *know* I have to get up but I just had to know how it would play out