edwordallanhoe's reviews
17 reviews

Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer

dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

No notes. A perfect sci-fi that keeps you guessing and leaves more questions than answers. The imagery described in this book will haunt me for years to come. Decidedly creepy and atmospheric. I'm almost afraid to read the rest of the series because this can be read as a perfect stand alone. 

Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

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

2.0

I may no longer be in the preferred demographic for this book as it leans a little on the younger side of YA. The main character is sometimes painfully annoying. I have myself to blame as I already bought the next two books in the trilogy, idk if I'll finish it...

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

Diana Wynne Jones made Howell Jenkins let his freak flag fly when he said "hear me out," about his 90 year old cleaning lady...
Made me appreciate the movie all the more. I love this book even though it contains more Wales that you'd think.

Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.25

"Love can and does enter through the mouth." I so enjoy reading from fellow eaters who feel similarly about food, more than sustenance, it's passion and it's love, and it nourishes the soul. This book has everything, it's part biography, part recipe book and Tucci writes it brilliantly with wit, style and gusto (see what I did there?).

Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler

funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

Okay so there is a bit of a food journey here. But mostly a self journey. We do get side tracked for a couple hundred pages talking about romantic entanglements, but can we get back to the food please? I would give reading other titles from this author a go, but I will probably not re-read this book for a while. This went a few unexpected places, and it was frustrating at times, but I think it concluded nicely. Wish I knew more about wine to make better sense of it all. 🍷🥂🍾

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Content Warnings

Minor: Drug abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Drug use, and Toxic relationship

Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken

adventurous mysterious 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

3.75

Back in my BBC Merlin era...I am what I am and that's a sucker for magic, romance, fantasy and Arthurian legend. Can't wait to read the second installment! 🗡️

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

challenging dark mysterious 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

4.0

Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory: Stories by Raphael Bob-Waksberg

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

Utterly absurd, quite funny and surprisingly heartfelt. This book reads fast, and you're endlessly fascinated about what the next page brings. Human stories told in the wackiest ways. Give it a try.

The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella

lighthearted relaxing 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? Yes

3.0

I finished this book on the plane from Melbourne to Singapore and then to Manila. This is possibly my fastest read of the year, a cruisy, lighthearted, rom-com that will get you in the mood to keep your new year's resolutions going. 

Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly (Updated Edition) by Anthony Bourdain

funny informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

That little voice in your head (in my head) is Bourdain. No one has ever made me feel so seen, the way he so lovingly, so passionately, so excitedly writes about food, permeating all thoughts, what to cook, what to eat  -- 24/7.
Not just a chef, but an eater.
He writes as if he were speaking to you across the table after a great meal, sipping indulgently, at the last dregs of wine. All the while yo 're left hoping his company will stay a little longer.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐