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ellaep's reviews
325 reviews
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
informative
inspiring
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? Yes
3.5
Honestly, I was going to give the book a 4 but as the book kept going after the point when I thought it would end, my opinion lowered slightly. It's hard to explain, it just felt like it went on without a good reason. Either it should've been shorter, or it should've been longer, this length felt a little awkward in my opinion. Anyways, I really enjoyed the story and especially how it's understood through the perspective of a young girl instead of through Atticus Finch. It might have been interesting if he was the main character, but it wouldn't have been the same story.
I also want to mention that I am getting really tired of american classics, so that might've affected my rating as well. Why do I keep reading them? Because a really nice woman let me borrow this book, and said I really needed to read it, so I did.
I also want to mention that I am getting really tired of american classics, so that might've affected my rating as well. Why do I keep reading them? Because a really nice woman let me borrow this book, and said I really needed to read it, so I did.
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
So excited that I found another 5 star book this year!
This book was made for me honestly. I love character based stories, I love found family, and I love Russian classics. The writing is phenomenal and feels incredibly comforting. This book is just full of kindness and understanding.
The main character is someone you want to learn more about. Being in his head and reading his thoughts is a privilege.
I don’t even know what to say, I love this book so much ♥️
This book was made for me honestly. I love character based stories, I love found family, and I love Russian classics. The writing is phenomenal and feels incredibly comforting. This book is just full of kindness and understanding.
The main character is someone you want to learn more about. Being in his head and reading his thoughts is a privilege.
I don’t even know what to say, I love this book so much ♥️
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
3.5
I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would! Just straight up had a good time
In the beginning I wasn’t very interested (the romance and the bullying subplots), but then when the story evolved to be more about political machinations and power grabs I was really paying attention.
I also enjoyed the main character, because she had a lot more depth than other YA MCs I’ve read about before. She was displaced and brought to another world, used her fear to fuel her ambitions and used her anger to become a fighter. However, she didn’t lose her emotions and love for her family, which so many female MCs do once they become powerful (because women need to be emotionless to have power, right?).
I also liked the differences in the sisters’ experiences and how they all deal with the trauma in different ways. I didn’t care about the male love interests at all, so I hope they are more interesting in the other books. Because I will for sure be reading the rest of the series!
I also enjoyed the main character, because she had a lot more depth than other YA MCs I’ve read about before. She was displaced and brought to another world, used her fear to fuel her ambitions and used her anger to become a fighter. However, she didn’t lose her emotions and love for her family, which so many female MCs do once they become powerful (because women need to be emotionless to have power, right?).
I also liked the differences in the sisters’ experiences and how they all deal with the trauma in different ways. I didn’t care about the male love interests at all, so I hope they are more interesting in the other books. Because I will for sure be reading the rest of the series!
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Bunny deserved it, he was annoying.
4.5
My rating will probably change over time. And I will for sure be re-reading this.
I have so much to say about this book, but also my mind is completely blank right now. I spent the entire day reading this, switching between the audio and the physical version (had to listen when I knew it was the author narrating), and I have rarely ever felt a push to keep reading as strong as this one. For a story moving pretty slowly it never felt like it was dragging. Every single detail mentioned seemed somehow necessary to develop the story, the characters, the setting, anything. I really loved the little cult and I wished we had gotten more time with the characters when they were friendly with one another, because it would've added more to the sense of paranoia and fear later on. Also just want more Camilla! I wish we could've read about her from the perspective of someone not in love with her. Anyway, loved the writing, loved the story, loved the characters, just a fantastic novel.
I have so much to say about this book, but also my mind is completely blank right now. I spent the entire day reading this, switching between the audio and the physical version (had to listen when I knew it was the author narrating), and I have rarely ever felt a push to keep reading as strong as this one. For a story moving pretty slowly it never felt like it was dragging. Every single detail mentioned seemed somehow necessary to develop the story, the characters, the setting, anything. I really loved the little cult and I wished we had gotten more time with the characters when they were friendly with one another, because it would've added more to the sense of paranoia and fear later on. Also just want more Camilla! I wish we could've read about her from the perspective of someone not in love with her. Anyway, loved the writing, loved the story, loved the characters, just a fantastic novel.
Nights at the Circus by Angela Carter
2.5
I really wanted to love it. This has been on my tbr for years, and I waited this long because I was worried I was overestimating how much I would enjoy it. And that is what happened, so...
I was hoping for a weirder Moulin Rouge, and what I got was a super long and drawn out story about everything and nothing. I'm just so disappointed that I can't give a very good review so I won't even try.
Maybe if I were to re-read it, knowing the vibe beforehand, I would like it more. But this book was just not what I hoped it would be. 🥲
I was hoping for a weirder Moulin Rouge, and what I got was a super long and drawn out story about everything and nothing. I'm just so disappointed that I can't give a very good review so I won't even try.
Maybe if I were to re-read it, knowing the vibe beforehand, I would like it more. But this book was just not what I hoped it would be. 🥲
Babel: An Arcane History by R.F. Kuang
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
not using my audiobook service anymore, so I don't have access to it anymore. Didn't DNF because it's bad, and I will probably keep reading this one day!
James by Percival Everett
4.5
Percival Everett is clearly a fantastic author. He really manages to make this book feel like Huckleberry Finn did, but added so much more heart and awareness than the original ever had. James is a phenomenal character, the storytelling is fast-paced, and the ending made me so excited.
Reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was actually worth it!
Reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was actually worth it!
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
3.25
Ann Patchett's writing is really winning me over. It just feels so comforting and she has a knack for giving all of the characters (even those with one line of dialogue) a personality and a heart, just making sure they all feel real and important even though they aren't larger parts of the story.
I was really excited about this book, but I thought it was a little slow for my taste. I also am getting a little bit tired of more serious literary fiction books, so this story came to me at a bad time. But I still enjoyed it, and I think if you enjoy the genre you'll enjoy this book.
I was really excited about this book, but I thought it was a little slow for my taste. I also am getting a little bit tired of more serious literary fiction books, so this story came to me at a bad time. But I still enjoyed it, and I think if you enjoy the genre you'll enjoy this book.
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
3.75
There's something about this book and it's writing that is incredibly sweet and endearing to me. I didn't feel very connected to the plot, but I still enjoyed it and would recommend it.
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
Honestly I don't think I can rate this book. Like, I can't give it a number.
I read this in the proper way, which is: trying to finish it in as small a time-frame as possible, but end up staring at certain pages with my eyes wide. I kind of love it with all of my heart? But I also didn't always enjoy reading it? It was beautiful and boring and scary and irritating.
The Johnnie parts were the worst, but then the letters from his mom at the end were so fucking beautiful! Also everything would've been spookier if it hadn't truly ended properly, just cut off somewhere and we never know what happens, just learn snippets in the appendices.
I read this in the proper way, which is: trying to finish it in as small a time-frame as possible, but end up staring at certain pages with my eyes wide. I kind of love it with all of my heart? But I also didn't always enjoy reading it? It was beautiful and boring and scary and irritating.