gissellereads's reviews
250 reviews

Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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emotional medium-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? It's complicated

3.5

Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of my favorite authors. I am making my way through her backlist books so I decided to pick this one up. Julia Whelan narrates all of her audiobooks so I listened to this one and as always the narration was amazing. I think this book has an interesting premise and I enjoyed getting to know the characters but It wasn’t my favorite TJR book. 
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

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

4.0

This is a great thriller. This book is described as Gossip Girl meets Get out. It is a YA thriller set in a high school similar to Gossip Girl. The audiobook narration was great and it has two points of views and very suspenseful. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened. It covers topics of racism, classicism, prejudice and bullying. 
A Special Place for Women by Laura Hankin

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funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was my book club pick for August. This is a gender binding book (there’s satire, romance, mystery, magical realism) and not what I was expecting at all. It is a bingeable book and a great book for a book club. When I finished reading the book I didn’t know how I felt about it. However, after the discussion with the women on my book club I ended up understanding the book better and I haven’t stopped thinking about the book. 
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

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emotional sad medium-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? It's complicated

4.0

This book was very sad and depressing. You have to be in the right mindset before reading it. I think that even though there is so much sadness in this book there is a lot of love and hope. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and their development throughout the story. There’s a few things within the plot that I didn’t love but overall I think this is a great historical fiction book. I hadn’t read any historical fiction books set in the great depression and the dust bowl so I am glad I pick this one up.

I saw many not so great reviews criticizing this book because it was so sad and “how could she release such a sad book in these hard times”. It makes me sad to see those reviews because if you know anything about publishing is that books are often written years before they are published. I don’t blame Kristin Hannah and the publisher for releasing it now. You get to choose what you read and when so if a sad book is too much for you right now then don’t read it. Common sense says that a book set in the great depression will definitely be sad.

I listened to the audiobook (another Julia Whelan amazing narration!) and I recommend that format. The audiobook also includes an interview with the author at the end that was really good. Don’t skip that if you listen to the audiobook. Overall, I don’t think this is the best Kristin Hannah book but I am glad I read it. 

The People We Keep by Allison Larkin

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emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.5

I finished this book and I just wanted to give it a big hug! This is the kind of character driven books that I love. It is a character driven coming of age story set in the 90’s over the span of a few years. I enjoyed the character development, the plot and the themes throughout the book. You can’t help it but root for the main character April. It is a heartfelt story and one that I’ll think about for a long time.

I made the mistake of finishing it while on a plane and I cried at the end. It is a rollercoaster of emotions and I enjoyed the ride. This is a story that is both sad but also hopeful. It is a story about the people we cross paths with and the impact they have in our lives. There are so many great characters that will stay with me for a while. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Of Women and Salt by Gabriela Garcia

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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? It's complicated

3.0

This was my book club’s pick for September and to be honest I’ve always wanted to read it because of the cover. I listened to the audiobook and I do not recommend that format for this book. This book feels like short stories but its not (the author said it actually started as short stories) it jumps around in timeline and there is a lot of characters. I was constantly confused and lost. However, I enjoyed the writing and the story. It was a good book club discussion. I think I would have had a different experience if I had read the physical book. 
Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

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informative inspiring slow-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? No

3.0

This book was fine. I think it was way too long and it had too many characters. Overall, I think it was way overhyped and its best for actual young adults. 
We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride, Jo Piazza

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challenging emotional reflective sad medium-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

5.0

This was my most anticipated book of the second half of the year. I love Jo Piazza and based on the synopsis I knew this book was going to be thought provoking. I don’t know how Christine and Jo did it but they created something very special. Their writing was great and they were able to create these complex characters and story. I really liked that the authors weren’t telling you what to think at the end of the day but by hearing the two main characters point of views it made you think. This would be an excellent book club pick (I anticipate one of the major book clubs will feature it this month) because there are lots of things to discuss. I think this book will be very hyped up but please don’t let that deter you from picking this up. This is a very special book! 
Several People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke

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funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This book is told entirely in slack message conversations which I thought was very creative. This book is WEIRD but I really liked it, I read it in a few days and laughed out loud a few times. This is a book that won’t be for everyone but if you are up to picking up something different and out of your comfort zone give this one a try. 
The Late Bloomers' Club by Louise Miller

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lighthearted 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? No

4.0

This was the perfect fall book! This book is by the same author as The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living which I adored so I was very excited to read it. It is set in the same town as City Baker’s and gives me all the Gilmore Girl’s vibes. It features an older (in her 40s) main character which I really enjoyed.