i_love_big_books's reviews
63 reviews

Horse Barbie by Geena Rocero

emotional funny inspiring medium-paced

5.0

Refreshingly candid memoir of her experiences as a transgender pageant queen in her native Phillipines and her journey as a model in the US where her success was achieved at a cost because she had to hide a major part of her identity. 
What really shines through is her confidence and amazing self belief that has got her through some really tough situations. Absolutely no false modesty here!

FantasticLand by Mike Bockoven

challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

The audiobook narration is superb. 

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh

adventurous emotional informative reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

The Sign for Home by Blair Fell

emotional funny informative 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

A heartwarming read. I absolutely adored Arlo from the beginning and was on his side throughout. 
I didn't know about Usher syndrome or the blind deaf community and reading about Arlo not just coping but trying to thrive despite his difficulties was inspiring. 
Cyril as Arlo's interpreter and later, friend, was a very interesting character as well. 
The concept of found family is very nicely done and has become one of my favorite tropes to read about.

The Vampire Knitting Club by Nancy Warren

funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Taken by Katerina Martinez

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister

adventurous challenging mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This book was, in one word, brilliant! 
Absolutely amazing the way it has been put together, especially the way the author has guarded her secrets so well that she manages to shock with each revelation. A feat that's most appreciated when you've read so many thrillers that seem to blend into one and wonder if you'll ever be surprised again! This one most definitely achieved that. 
As it's one of those books that works best when you go in knowing the bare minimum, I'll refrain from saying much about the story except what's needed for context. 
Jen is the mother of a just turned eighteen year old son and is waiting up for him one October night when he comes up the road and she is witness to a shocking crime. Trying to make some sense of what has happened, she falls into a disturbed sleep and wakes up the next morning... to find that she is once again at the beginning of the previous day and nothing bad has happened yet! Can she protect her son by figuring out what prompts him to do what he did and stopping it? That's the question she has to answer while grappling with the time loop she seems to be stuck in that seems tailored for her to find answers. 

While all time travel books have me empathizing with the protagonist's position of trying to explain the impossible to those around her and cope with the inexplicable, I related very much to Jen, as the mother wondering what she could have done differently and questioning her every move and decision up to that point. 
She both wants to know and dreads finding out. 
That was a part of the book that I really liked.. the characters and the mutual relationships, especially that of Jen and her son Todd. 

The intelligence of the plot is such that even if you put things together in places, you're wonderstruck at the links. I read it in a single day as I just could not imagine how it would all be resolved and at the end, it was so so satisfying to know, even if, conversely, I was sad that this absorbing read was over!

The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill

mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Study for Obedience by Sarah Bernstein

challenging dark reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.0

This book contained a lot of beautifully written sentences which suggested deeper meanings that I didn't always get. 
It's essentially about a young woman, the narrator, going to a remote place to live with and care for her brother whose family has recently left him. She describes herself as an obedient person, always wanting to do what's expected of her, having taken care of her elder siblings till they needed her to. 
She is perceived with suspicion by the people in the town as she is an outsider who cannot speak their language, despite attempting to learn it as her ancestors hailed from the same land. A series of strange events like the death of a pregnant ewe, a potato blight and others increase the trepidation towards her and her attempts to make herself seem like their friend backfires. 
There is a lot of introspection by the narrator about her past and present and her feelings and a sense that the obedience she has always shown is itself something to be wary of. Her ostracism by the locals is a major theme throughout the novel. 
It may need a second read through to understand all the nuances. One of those books that felt good to read for the most part but just out of reach!