inknosedowl's reviews
85 reviews

Driving Miss Daisy by Alfred Uhry

dark emotional sad fast-paced

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

3.0

I don’t normally read plays and this script really reminds me why I don’t. I love the movie and this would obviously be amazing on stage, but that’s how it should be shown. Just reading the script is not enough, but I read this for a book bingo so check! 

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad 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? Yes

4.0

What an amazing story. I do not know a lot about the everyday life of the people of Afghanistan and this novel gave me on insight and some of Afghanistans darkest history.  The life of two women stuck in a loveless marriage due to different circumstances leading them to each other. To find solace in someone during a time of war and hatred. 
I grew to love the characters of Marrium and Laila, seeing how strong and smart they are. Being devastated with them during the abuse and relieved for them when the horror finally ended. 

Trying to feel peace with Marrium as she went and faces the consequences of her actions. 
Feeling overjoyed with Laila as her loved returned home unexpectedly.

This story is so well written and so informational about that time in Afghanistan it is definitely worth the read. I had a hard time following the war aspect of it with the different political parties. This is the first time I’ve had an in-depth look at the Soviets invading the country and the Taliban eventually rising up, but I still enjoyed the story and learning the new words and places. 

UnDivided by Neal Shusterman

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

What an phenomenal end to a phenomenal series! This is the second time I have finished this dystology and it was just as astonishing as it was the first time! The last book of the series will make you feel all of the emotions that comes with the characters and their situations. All of the resolutions are amazing and satisfying beyond what I can explain. This book gave me hope in politics in the real world even though the Unwind world is fictional. These characters and this story felt real to me and it brings me a sadness that I have finished the series again. I’m sure I will be reading it again. If yo have any slight interest of reading the Unwind series do it!!! It is one of the best series I have and will ever read. 

Life for Sale by Yukio Mishima

dark mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

3.75

This book is definitely a story I have never seen before. Starting the book off with someone that botched a suicide attempt is already a crazy start. Going through the story of all the different people that come to buy his life, it’s truly interesting to see the authors vision of life. Knowing that the author committed seppukku, gives me a different perspective of the novel than I think I would’ve had before. I think the ending of the book very flat compared to the rest of the novel, making me feel a little unsatisfied. This books is for sure worth the read for the story itself, but it is not the best book I’ve ever read. 

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

adventurous dark emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

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

4.5

Gosh, what a beautiful story written by Malinda Lo. I understand why it has so many awards on the front cover! The story of Lily and Kath is creative way to explore what it’s like to discover your sexuality in your teens while also being a Chinese American in the 1950s. I felt like I was with Lily the entirety of the novel. I was sitting with her and Kath at the Telegraph Club experiencing the great Tommy Andrews and I loved being apart of it. The last part of the book was absolutely devastating, but the epilogue made me happy. The only real complaint I have this book is that I thought the writing could’ve been a little more complex, but with this being a YA it is perfect. I would put it next to reading Aristotle and Dante for young readers to experience LGTBQ+ relationships. The historical fiction category has some of the best stories I have ever read and this novel continues the legacy. 

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad 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? Yes

4.0

WOW. This book is not at ALL what in thought it would be. This is R.F Kuangs first book and it is a DOOZIE. 
The writing in this is amazing. She writes the descriptions of the world that Rin is in like an movie. I can picture all characters and the scenery as well if it was right in front of me. That is sometimes a detriment to the reader. This is an amazing book and I can’t wait to see what happens with the rest f the series considering the ending of this book was insane. 
She is EXTREMELY graphic in this book so make sure to check trigger warnings before reading. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War and Death

Moderate: Rape

UnSouled by Neal Shusterman

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious reflective tense 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? Yes

4.0

I haven’t read the third book of the unwind dystology in very long time, so basically everything was new. This book is just as good as the others and the ending is perfect for the beginning of the end. I’ve said this multiple times, but this series is SO GOOD and everyone should read it. 

A Mystery of Mysteries: The Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe by Mark Dawidziak

challenging dark informative mysterious reflective slow-paced

3.5

This is not usually the type of book I enjoying reading. I’m not a huge non fiction reader, but this novel was pretty good. It was extremely informational about Edgar Allan Poes life and the mystery of his death. It was a little clunky because the author switches from telling his story to theories of his death which can be confusing. It made me lose track of what I had been reading previously. I feel more informed about Poe and the things he’s faced and the way he truly was instead of the way society portrays him and I am thankful for that. 
Worth it for someone that is interested in non fiction and Poe, but if not it’s probably okay to skip. Overall a good read. 

In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Tj Klune has done it again with In the Lives of Puppets. This book is amazing in so many ways. That characters are so lovable and whacky you cant help but want to keep up with what they are doing. This book is funny and light just as all of Klunes books, but there is a darker side just like there is in the original Pinocchio. 
the part where they showed Hap all of his memories was heartbreaking and a little hard to read. Even though he is a robot you start loving him so much seeing him go through that hurts. The end of then book is so heartbreaking, but at the same time so beautiful. Showing  that things don’t necessarily have to go back to the way they were, but can still be as impactful. Usually Klunes books all end tied nicely in a bow, but this one changed my expectations of endings.
The only issue I have with this book is that is was a little slow for my when they meet the Coachman.  I honestly couldn’t tell you why I felt that way, but when he changed his tune it made the story interesting to me again. Great story, great writing will always suggest any Tj Klune book! 

Diary of an Oxygen Thief by Anonymous

dark fast-paced

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

3.0

I wanted to read this book because I thought it would be one of those novels that tip toes between morally gray lines. It did a little bit, but not in the way I was hoping. This book was very meh to me. I think it’s great that the author honestly for wha the deserved for being so manipulative to all those other women. Nothing was spectacular to me about this book I just finished it because it was short.