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doorva's reviews
92 reviews
The Springtime of My Life Began with You, Volume 1 by Nikki Asada
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
The Springtime of My Life Began with You is the perfect romance graphic novel if that's what you have been looking for.
I really wanted to read a cutesy romance graphic novel and this fit the bill. Suehiro is a shy book lover who is slightly afraid to take risks. Takasago is the most popular boy in their class. Takasago is dared to ask Suehiro out but falls for her eccentric behavior. As he tries to convince her that he actually likes her, they also start a literary club together which was always Suehiro's dreams.
But things are not always that simple, especially with Yachiyo joining the club as it's first member.
I found the novel to be just the perfect amount of cute. Suehiro and Takasago are just perfect together, their personalities blending in together. I liked that Suehiro is concerned with what others say but doesn't let it get it to her head too much.
The illustrations are so good and the full page spreads are eye-catching. I can't wait to read the second volume.
I really wanted to read a cutesy romance graphic novel and this fit the bill. Suehiro is a shy book lover who is slightly afraid to take risks. Takasago is the most popular boy in their class. Takasago is dared to ask Suehiro out but falls for her eccentric behavior. As he tries to convince her that he actually likes her, they also start a literary club together which was always Suehiro's dreams.
But things are not always that simple, especially with Yachiyo joining the club as it's first member.
I found the novel to be just the perfect amount of cute. Suehiro and Takasago are just perfect together, their personalities blending in together. I liked that Suehiro is concerned with what others say but doesn't let it get it to her head too much.
The illustrations are so good and the full page spreads are eye-catching. I can't wait to read the second volume.
Murder at St. Winifred's Academy by J. D. Griffo
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I believe that a good the mystery in a good cozy mystery is easy to solve but what is done with that information is what really makes the difference.
Murder at St. Winifred's Academy does the genre justice in that area, but fails otherwise.
Alberta Ferrera, her granddaughter Jinx, her sister Helen and her sister-in-law, Joyce are back for another exciting adventure. Nola, their in-house always in trouble director, has come upon the best opportunity ever. She has convinced Missy Michaels, a bigger child star than Shirley Temple in the 50's, to make a comeback by starring in their local production of Arsenic and the Old Lace. But as the cast waits for their superstar to finally arrive in Tranquility, they are upset by her tardiness. And just when they think they know what is happening, Alberta finds her murdered in her dressing room.
The story is cute and mysterious. Even when it becomes obvious, it is never clear especially in terms of motive or the details of it. The main characters, as always are lovable and full of life. I didn't enjoy the way everyone treated Nola or the hint of casual sexism in the book.
The book also has a lot of stereotypical storylines such as Brandon and Sanjay, information which is left there very casually. It didn't sit well with me
Murder at St. Winifred's Academy does the genre justice in that area, but fails otherwise.
Alberta Ferrera, her granddaughter Jinx, her sister Helen and her sister-in-law, Joyce are back for another exciting adventure. Nola, their in-house always in trouble director, has come upon the best opportunity ever. She has convinced Missy Michaels, a bigger child star than Shirley Temple in the 50's, to make a comeback by starring in their local production of Arsenic and the Old Lace. But as the cast waits for their superstar to finally arrive in Tranquility, they are upset by her tardiness. And just when they think they know what is happening, Alberta finds her murdered in her dressing room.
The story is cute and mysterious. Even when it becomes obvious, it is never clear especially in terms of motive or the details of it. The main characters, as always are lovable and full of life. I didn't enjoy the way everyone treated Nola or the hint of casual sexism in the book.
The book also has a lot of stereotypical storylines such as Brandon and Sanjay, information which is left there very casually. It didn't sit well with me
Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
A House Full of Windsor by Kristin Contino
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
2.0
A House Full of Windsor is the kind of book you pick up because the blurb makes it sound really interesting and when you pick it, you know right away that you won't like it much. If you are looking to read a fiction piece on hoarding and reality shows, then KJ Dell Antonia's The Chicken Sisters is the one you should go for.
Debbie has a problem. Somewhere she knows it too but much like any other addiction, she refuses to acknowledge it. Will, Sarah and Anne, her children, decide to take her life to a reality TV show called Stuff, produced by a hunky Pierce.
If you are hoping for reality TV vibes or a Debbie finding peace or hoarding being dealt with in the correct way for the patient, none of that happens. In a book which seemed quite massive and went on for way longer than it should have, I expected to read so much more than I did. The story shoots off in different directions. There are extra storylines going on in the book which would have made sense if the main storyline wasn't so stretched.
It was nice to see the way Debbie made parallels with Princess Diana and those few sentences were some of the only things which I enjoyed about the book.
Debbie has a problem. Somewhere she knows it too but much like any other addiction, she refuses to acknowledge it. Will, Sarah and Anne, her children, decide to take her life to a reality TV show called Stuff, produced by a hunky Pierce.
If you are hoping for reality TV vibes or a Debbie finding peace or hoarding being dealt with in the correct way for the patient, none of that happens. In a book which seemed quite massive and went on for way longer than it should have, I expected to read so much more than I did. The story shoots off in different directions. There are extra storylines going on in the book which would have made sense if the main storyline wasn't so stretched.
It was nice to see the way Debbie made parallels with Princess Diana and those few sentences were some of the only things which I enjoyed about the book.
Death and Sensibility: A Jane Austen Society Mystery (A Jane Austen Society Mystery #2) by Elizabeth Blake
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
3.5
If you are a fan of Society Mysteries, the second book in the Jane Austen Society Mysteries might be the perfect fit for you.
Erin Coleridge is ready to make her way to York to attend a Jane Austen Society conference, along with her friend, Farnsworth Appleby. Everything is perfect about the conference with people quoting Austen's books and discussing themes of her works, it seems like the perfect getaway. But when keynote speaker, Barry Wolf is found dead, Erin can't help but her sleuthing hat on and find out the murderer.
Death and Sensibility is a little more than a cozy mystery. There's a lot happening in it and there are moments when it becomes a but of a drag. There are a lot of interconnected people and I felt like all of them knowing each from the same place and having the same kind of motive made the book a little boring after a point.
I loved the Jane Austen references and the friendship between Erin and Farnsworth (who is such a perfect queen btw) and also Hetty and Prudence. It would have been a 5 star for me if there the suspects had different kind of motives and knew the victim from before instead of all having the same history.
Erin Coleridge is ready to make her way to York to attend a Jane Austen Society conference, along with her friend, Farnsworth Appleby. Everything is perfect about the conference with people quoting Austen's books and discussing themes of her works, it seems like the perfect getaway. But when keynote speaker, Barry Wolf is found dead, Erin can't help but her sleuthing hat on and find out the murderer.
Death and Sensibility is a little more than a cozy mystery. There's a lot happening in it and there are moments when it becomes a but of a drag. There are a lot of interconnected people and I felt like all of them knowing each from the same place and having the same kind of motive made the book a little boring after a point.
I loved the Jane Austen references and the friendship between Erin and Farnsworth (who is such a perfect queen btw) and also Hetty and Prudence. It would have been a 5 star for me if there the suspects had different kind of motives and knew the victim from before instead of all having the same history.
Reserved for Murder by Victoria Gilbert
funny
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
I had been avoiding the genre of cozy mystery for so long and after reading Reserved For Death, I wonder why? If you are like me and have not read many cozy mysteries, the book 2 in this series by Victoria Gilbert is the perfect beginning.
Charlotte runs a beautiful B and B called Chapters and it has the perfect vibe for all book lovers. Amanda, a romance writer has arrived at Chapters for a little promotional event along with three lucky fans who got the chance to join her at the B and B. Everything is great until one of those fans turns up dead. Charlotte, along with her peculiar group of friends must figure out who did it.
The book is COZY! It's the kind of book you should take time with simply because it's something you can look forward to after a long day of work. Curl up with a cup of tea and just get lost in the world of book lovers.
I looked this book and I'm excited to read more of Victoria Gilbert's works. I am looking forward to reading the first book in the series, Booked For Death (which I can't find anywhere)
Charlotte runs a beautiful B and B called Chapters and it has the perfect vibe for all book lovers. Amanda, a romance writer has arrived at Chapters for a little promotional event along with three lucky fans who got the chance to join her at the B and B. Everything is great until one of those fans turns up dead. Charlotte, along with her peculiar group of friends must figure out who did it.
The book is COZY! It's the kind of book you should take time with simply because it's something you can look forward to after a long day of work. Curl up with a cup of tea and just get lost in the world of book lovers.
I looked this book and I'm excited to read more of Victoria Gilbert's works. I am looking forward to reading the first book in the series, Booked For Death (which I can't find anywhere)
The Helm of Midnight by Marina J. Lostetter
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Imperfect Women by Araminta Hall
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0