ellpeck's reviews
91 reviews

Something Fabulous by Alexis Hall

adventurous 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? Yes

5.0

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty

adventurous challenging funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

This book is packed with funny, heartfelt, and sometimes rather serious stories, but also contains a ton of fascinating information about the funeral industry. As almost all of her content, it’s also delightfully macabre in an incredibly endearing way. 

If learning about deathcare traditions in various cultures is more your stlye, I also thoroughly recommend her other book, From Here to Eternity, which, as the subtitle suggests, is all about traveling the world to find the good death. 

This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

What White People Can Do Next: From Allyship to Coalition by Emma Dabiri

challenging informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.5

Murder Most Actual by Alexis Hall

adventurous emotional funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

I downloaded an e-book from a site I’d never used before, made an account and everything, and then painstakingly shoved it onto my Kindle, so I could read it. As it turns out, it was worth it. Very. In fact, this is probably his best book yet. Maybe. I’m not sure. 

Over the course of the book,

the relationship between the two main characters redevelops into something absolutely adorable

, and they also solve the murders. Somewhat. With the help of a particularly disgruntled police guy, who I think should also get his own spin-off eventually.

Also, I love Hanna. Just wanted to say that. Also, each chapter has a fun Clue(do)-style title with a person, and an object, and a location. It’s great. I love it.

Heartstopper Volume 3 by Alice Oseman

adventurous challenging emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman

adventurous challenging emotional lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman

adventurous emotional funny hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman

adventurous funny hopeful fast-paced

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

5.0

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

One Last Stop falls into a genre that I usually can’t quite get myself to enjoy: Somewhat far-fetched science fiction. I’d previously read one of Casey McQuiston’s books, namely Red, White and Royal Blue and absolutely adored it, and so I thought it was a good opportunity to discover some more of their writing.

What I enjoy most is the way that the main character struggles with this issue, and the way her emotions are depicted, not only in relation to Subway Girl, but also in relation to her hilarious queer friends, her chaotic and possibly not-very-good mother, and the ever-present dread of having to go to University instead of hanging out with the girl on the train for all eternity.

Please read this book, especially if you enjoy the sci-fi aspect more than me. Which I’m sure you do, given I ignored it as best I could.