elydy's reviews
74 reviews

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

challenging emotional reflective 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

WHAT a book. Completely blown away and tearing up by the end. Her narrative style is so good, you really just feel like you're listening to someone talking about their life. So emotive and the characters feel so real.

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

challenging emotional fast-paced

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

4.0

This was beautiful, even though it bordered on a bit too fragmented for me at times. And I'm not sure what the "unforgettable revelation" was. But either way - just beautiful.

Orlando by Virginia Woolf

mysterious reflective medium-paced

3.0

This was fun to read but I wasn't necessarily gripped and it took me a while to get through. Enjoyed the comic style, weirdness, and literary in jokes (explained by the footnotes of my edition!)

Fatherland by Robert Harris

adventurous challenging dark medium-paced

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

4.0

This book really picked up after the first few chapters, which I abandoned about a year ago. It's fascinating in a horrifying kind of way. RH still writes the same type of protagonist every time and really loves describing young women's bodies - however - he writes very very well and I love the way the mystery unfolds.

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

dark reflective fast-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

3.75

The most extravagant and homoerotic book I've ever read. Everyone was awful but in such a fascinating decadent way. This would have been great fun to study.

Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch

medium-paced

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

4.0

Super fun book! Highlight was the chapter which took place a couple streets away from where I grew up. Lowlight was how often he talks about women's boobs. But overall very enjoyable.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

adventurous challenging fast-paced

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

4.0

Re read. SO good - one of my fav YAs for sure

A Short History of England by Simon Jenkins

informative fast-paced

3.75

A surprisingly fast and gripping read. Very interesting and I learned a lot. But by its nature it assumes a lot of prior knowledge, and openly takes a rather specific view on history. I'd recommend though!

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

Definitely becoming my favourite author. This reminded me a lot of NLMG, but that's not a bad thing. I loved Klara and thought this was just beautiful and poignant.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

adventurous 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

4.5

Your honour, I love them

(Re read)