elydy's reviews
73 reviews

The Salt Path by Raynor Winn

challenging reflective fast-paced

4.0

This was a beautiful book which gave me a lot to think about. I found the writing style a bit clumsy, but there was so much heart behind it that I didn't really mind.

One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus

lighthearted 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? Yes

3.5

Great fun YA read, quite nostalgic to read this genre. Really wanted to know what was going to happen.

Frenchman's Creek by Daphne du Maurier

adventurous mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

Great fun to read, especially since I'm so familiar with Helford. Dona and the Frenchman have great chemistry but the ambiguous ending is lovely and mysterious. Big fan of DDM

The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

funny hopeful 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? Yes

4.0

Page 126 - "Son," said Aslan to the Cabby, "I have known you long. Do you know me?"
I teared up a little bit. Beautiful as always. Genuinely creepy start which I'd forgotten.

So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish by Douglas Adams

funny fast-paced

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

3.75

Just a fun read as always. Definitely not as good as the others, but still a few laugh out loud moments. Not quite as satisfying as #3.

A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley

dark reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

SO good. The pacing, the narration, the twists and turns really hooked me. Took a while to finish but so so worth it. Some really beautiful passages.

Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton

challenging reflective slow-paced

3.75

It was chapters 5-7 (I think?) which I really resonated with. GKC has a lot of loooong rambling thoughts which I can't follow, but some absolute gold nuggets, like Christian Vs secular optimism, and the paradox of our faith. Very interestingly placed in its time by some of his imagery.

P.S. the last line about Jesus's mirth is excellent.

Pandora's Jar: Women in the Greek Myths by Natalie Haynes

challenging funny informative fast-paced

4.5

Absolutely loved this. I'm fascinated by Greek mythology and getting an overview of these women's stories and literary histories was fascinating. NH's narration was brilliant. Love her humour.

Life, the Universe and Everything by Douglas Adams

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

Great fun as per usual. Laughed out loud at the mattress chapter in particular. And I loved the way everything tied together at the end.

The Man Who Forgot His Wife by John O'Farrell

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.5

Eh, this was quite fun. Really felt like he had some yellow flags though, like when they slept together and then he suddenly got pass agg - just not convinced at the strength of the relationship!