georgeisreading's reviews
43 reviews

The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-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

The School of Life: An Emotional Education by The School of Life

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

The Sun on My Head by Geovani Martins

dark emotional hopeful reflective tense fast-paced

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

3.75

These short stories take a look at life in the favelas in Brazil. Fast paced and has you by a hook, not wanting to let go. Some of the stories I also didn’t want to let go of.  Others I could t fully invest in. 

Charming and hopeful in parts while dark and tense in others. An enjoyable read…

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug use, Violence, and Murder

This Book Will Change Your Mind about Mental Health: A Journey Into the Heartland of Psychiatry by Nathan Filer

informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

A poignant book that makes you rethink what you know about mental health. Written very well and easy to digest; it’s both heartbreaking and hopeful; asking important questions. I’d definitely recommend this book!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Mental illness, and Suicide

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

emotional 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? Yes

4.5

I really enjoyed just getting to know the main character, Eddie and felt the author captured him well at the different stages of his life. 

This book is simple yet so giving at the same time.

I enjoyed turning the pages very much. Did it give me ‘Oh my God! What?!?!’ moments? No. But does every book have to? No. 

This book offers itself like a nice warm hug. And for that, I thank it.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

adventurous dark hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.75

A post apocalyptic read delving into what it means to be human in world full of chaos. There is hope, there is loss and there is dignity. I did find myself liking this book, but it did take me a long while to get to that point. I feel that the final third of the book is where this book really shines.

The characters are likeable (I have favourites in Kerstin, Miranda, and Clark), and the author intertwines their worlds’ nicely. This booked didn’t quite hit me or land where I wanted it to, but I still found good moments in it… 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Rape, and Violence

Room by Emma Donoghue

dark emotional sad medium-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? It's complicated

4.5

At time this book is devastating and at others, uplifting. The book takes you through your emotions and yet you, like the characters, are fuelled by a sense of determination.

I felt like this book had me from the first page. It was a tense read up until the moment you learn the history, then it switches to adrenaline through their escape and then it changes to hope as they develop in the outside world.

A whole hearted read that has stayed with me in the days that have followed. Told through the eyes of one unique boy, this was a truly magnificent read. I will most likely take this book up again in the future.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

adventurous lighthearted mysterious 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? No

4.25

I really enjoyed this as a sequel. It had all the charm of the first book and I especially loved reading  how the friendship between Harry, Ron and Hermione has grown. The book teaches some important lessons between right and wrong and I wish I had read this as my younger South and not the almost 25-year-old that I am, reading for the first time. However, a delight regardless.

Lockhart was an absolute gem as a character – pitched perfectly!

I did feel the description was sometimes rushed and not as explained and fully fleshed out as the first book, but maybe J.K.wrote on the belief that readers had already read book one to begin with. 

Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

An interesting read; I didn’t quite know what to expect from this. The stories confronted head on the problems we face in modern society and I found it grotesque and surreal and I loved it for this. Some stories had me hooked more than others and they were all unique in their own way yet live together harmoniously. I liked the authors style and how they made you reflect upon what you were reading… interesting indeed.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious 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? No

4.5

I wish I had read this when I was younger but even now in my 20s, I find utter joy in this book.

The fast pace and dry humour are pitched perfectly and you really find yourself immersed in this magical world. 

A great story of courage and friendship that tackles some important themes for children and adults alike. No wonder its a bestseller!