gum1311by's reviews
966 reviews

Kala by Colin Walsh

dark mysterious reflective 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? No

4.0

The Rachel Papers by Martin Amis

slow-paced

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

2.75

This was a DNF for me. The ramblings of a young man pursuing a woman was just incredibly boring for me. 

The Human Stain by Philip Roth

dark funny reflective sad 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

3.75

Istanbul Passage by Joseph Kanon

dark mysterious slow-paced

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

2.75

The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison

dark slow-paced

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

2.5

The Maidens by Alex Michaelides

challenging mysterious medium-paced

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

4.25

Terrific mystery and thriller. I never guessed the murderer!  That is a first. Good beach read: easy to lick uo where you left off. 

Now, Voyager by Olive Higgins Prouty

adventurous hopeful relaxing 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

4.25

While searching for a different book on my To Read list I spotted the spine of this book, vaguely recalling the movie from babysitting nights long ago.  After reading the Foreword explaining what pulp fiction means and the importance of those books authored by women in the 1930s and 1940s I checked out the book. 
It was a well written story of the transformation of a woman in 1941 and her voyage of self discovery. 
I am glad to have had the opportunity to read a previously untried genre.

The Suspect by Fiona Barton

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Good quick beach read. Just when you think all the pieces have been identified the author throws a curve in the last 3 pages. 

You're Invited by Amanda Jayatissa

mysterious medium-paced

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

3.75

Three by Valérie Perrin

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective relaxing 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? No

5.0