hollydollyiow's reviews
19 reviews

I, Julian: The Fictional Autobiography of Julian of Norwich by Claire Gilbert

hopeful inspiring reflective 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

A gorgeous book about an anchorite in medieval England. It takes a look at Christianity at this period in history too, just a beautiful book. 

Crypt: Life, Death and Disease in the Middle Ages and Beyond by Alice Roberts

dark informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

This was so interesting. I’ve never really been interested in the study of bones before but Alice Roberts passion and ability to tell stories through the science had me hooked!

Clairmont by Lesley McDowell

dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault

Moderate: Child death

Minor: Abortion

High Fidelity by Nick Hornby

funny hopeful lighthearted 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

3.0

I really enjoyed the vibe of this book, feel like it took a long time for the main character to learn and grow tho!

The Royal Art of Poison: Fatal Cosmetics, Deadly Medicines and Murder Most Foul by Eleanor Herman

dark informative lighthearted fast-paced

1.0

I quite enjoyed this book, obviously disgusting at times and it really took history to the most extreme interpretation but that can be fun. I found the modern poisoning section really interesting.
Then I read the authors note where she compared autism to cancer and wondered if in future we will find out some of our modern medicine caused it. That sentence was so uneducated I’m left fuming. If you’re reading this, autism is not a disease and not caused by anything in our control. That one sentence genuinely ruined the whole book for me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism

The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-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

4.75

This was a really beautiful book, one I think I’ll recommend lots and return to a few times.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Car accident, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Star by Yukio Mishima

emotional reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

I enjoyed this, even if not much happened

Weyward by Emilia Hart

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective slow-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

Magical, a perfect witchy empowering read, do check the trigger warnings tho!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Car accident, and Abortion

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Car accident, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

Missing Words by Loree Westron

challenging hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad slow-paced

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

3.5

Sometimes you just need to escape to the Isle of Wight and cycle it out. 
I grew up on the Island and this book was really like being back there! 
Mostly though, this was an emotional journey I really enjoyed going on.

Triggers: A Life in Music by Glen Matlock

hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

3.75

Really captured the moods of the times he lived through, a really interesting read!