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hollydollyiow's reviews
20 reviews
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!
Catfish Rolling by Clara Kumagai
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
Just beautiful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Medea by Rosie Hewlett
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
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? Yes
4.0
I love a Greek myth retelling, especially those that put women at the centre and Medea is now one of my favourites, up there with Circe. It was magical, complicated and messy.
The way I was on her side, even until the end (and like many greek myths the end was DARK) show how gorgeously this character was portrayed.
The only thing I might change is this easily could have been two books. This book covers Medea and Jason’s story (I wouldn’t recommend reading this book if you know the story and don’t want to hate Jason) and then there are hints of what she does next in the last chapter, but honestly I’d have loved to have read another book covering how she got there!
The way I was on her side, even until the end (and like many greek myths the end was DARK) show how gorgeously this character was portrayed.
The only thing I might change is this easily could have been two books. This book covers Medea and Jason’s story (I wouldn’t recommend reading this book if you know the story and don’t want to hate Jason) and then there are hints of what she does next in the last chapter, but honestly I’d have loved to have read another book covering how she got there!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism and Slavery
Disobedient by Elizabeth Fremantle
challenging
dark
inspiring
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
I knew of Atemisia’s Judith but not the story of the woman herself (in fact I only vaguely remembered a woman painted it!). It’s not exactly a nice story, and Elizabeth Fremantle definitely didn’t skirt around the issue, and this book is better for the way it confronts what happened. As with any historical fiction I suppose a lot of the detail is imagined, and a lot of complexity was captured in this version. Not a light hearted read by any means, but I’m glad I read it! If you are a moody reader pick this up when you’re wanting to read some female rage.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Rape
Moderate: Alcoholism and Torture
Minor: Homophobia
Blaming by Elizabeth Taylor
challenging
emotional
funny
sad
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
4.0
This book was a gut punch, but also really beautiful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicide, and Grief
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.25
I didn’t feel like Cleopatra and Frankenstein quite lived up to they hype for me. I liked the writing but found the characters shallow and didn’t relate to them, not to mention all a bit annoying, so I was a little surprised at myself for picking up Blue Sisters, but I’m really glad I did!
Mellors writes flawed characters, but with Blue Sisters I felt there was a lot more depth to them. I loved reading the way the relationships between sisters struggle and change, and while the book is sad, there’s a little bit of hope in there too!
Mellors writes flawed characters, but with Blue Sisters I felt there was a lot more depth to them. I loved reading the way the relationships between sisters struggle and change, and while the book is sad, there’s a little bit of hope in there too!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Infidelity, Medical content, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual assault and Vomit
The Enlightened Spaniel - A Dog's Quest to be a Buddhist by Gary Heads
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
This was adorable! Such a cute, gentle introduction to meditation and Buddhism. Having it narrated by a spaniel kept me interested, giggling, and helped me find my Beginners Mind. If you want a slightly silly introduction to these concepts (and are a fan of animals!) I could not recommend more. Also the artwork is gorgeous!
The Hidden Years by Rachel Hore
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
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
3.5
A lovely warm book, set in Cornwall at two different points of history. It was atmospheric, and I enjoyed watching the growth and relationships between the characters. A relaxing read!
Sad Janet by Lucie Britsch
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
If you like to read as a form of escapism, you may want to skip this, but if you’d like to understand how it feels to have depression (or relate to someone with depression, although be mindful that there are lots of ways to experience depression) this book is good!
The dark humour in this book definitely gave me a giggle. I think the stance on medication and mental health is important, but also one side of the story as many people do benefit from medication. Mostly I think this book is an important reminder that people are on their own journeys, and rather than pushing people the people we love to change (even if it comes from a place of caring and wanting them to feel better) it can be more important to simply be there for them, with no pressure, like the characters of Winnie the Pooh are for Eyore!
The dark humour in this book definitely gave me a giggle. I think the stance on medication and mental health is important, but also one side of the story as many people do benefit from medication. Mostly I think this book is an important reminder that people are on their own journeys, and rather than pushing people the people we love to change (even if it comes from a place of caring and wanting them to feel better) it can be more important to simply be there for them, with no pressure, like the characters of Winnie the Pooh are for Eyore!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Big Swiss by Jen Beagin
challenging
dark
funny
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
3.5
Very quirky and off-beat, this book had dark, complex characters but some how always felt like a light read! Definitely consider the trigger warnings though