jameslyons's reviews
72 reviews

Clarke by Holly Throsby

lighthearted reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

“There’s more than one mystery in this town”? Barely one.

We Both Laughed in Pleasure: The Selected Diaries of Lou Sullivan by Lou Sullivan

challenging emotional funny informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

Seeing a transition story that so closely mirrors my own was disorienting and more comforting any other media. Lou!!!!
This diary is a treasure and hot as fuck.

The City & the City by China Miéville

mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.5

I loved the prose of this engaging police procedural  set in a well-constructed and fascinating world, with a tight plot.
A rushed third act, but what’s new?

Losing Face by George Haddad

challenging reflective slow-paced

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

3.75

No Document by Anwen Crawford

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Colonisation, Deportation, Grief, Animal cruelty, Islamophobia, Racism, and Police brutality

Moderate: War, Cancer, Chronic illness, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Terminal illness, Eating disorder, Genocide, Gun violence, Mental illness, and Violence

Minor: Suicide attempt, Self harm, Slavery, and Suicidal thoughts

Yellow Notebook: Diaries Volume I 1978–1986 by Helen Garner

hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced

4.0

100 Boyfriends by Brontez Purnell

adventurous funny lighthearted slow-paced

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

3.25

I’m glad it’s published, available, and popular — but I didn’t enjoy it very much. Too repetitive and unsatisfying — maybe that’s the point though, to drag me into the same dulled state as the protagonists? Ho hum. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Drug use, Drug abuse, Excrement, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship

The Spare Room by Helen Garner

challenging emotional reflective sad tense 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? Yes

4.0

A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki

adventurous funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Violence, Sexual violence, Bullying, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Gun violence, Animal death, Child death, Death, Gaslighting, Genocide, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Suicidal thoughts, Cursing, Dementia, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Body horror, Colonisation, Death of parent, and Gore

Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0