katherine_ffrench's reviews
110 reviews

So You've Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson

3.75

The Couple by Helly Acton

3.75

Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution by R.F. Kuang

4.5

The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton

mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

Another brilliant Kate Morton, she writes mysteries by slowly painting a big picture and offering pieces of the puzzle throughout, rather than setting up a bunch of possibilities and revealing which one was correct at the end, which I’ve often experienced with mysteries. This means that every time you put this book down you feel satisfied with what you’ve read, but intrigued to read more. Can’t wait to read more of her books.

Nina is Not OK by Shappi Khorsandi

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism and Rape

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Toxic relationship

The Power by Naomi Alderman

adventurous challenging dark informative reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This book offers a deep analysis of the extent to which the patriarchy is based on men’s physical power over women, by exploring how much society would change if women were stronger than men. Would definitely recommend for someone who is looking to challenge their perception of gender and power structures, or for anyone who is just looking for a thrilling ride!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Violence

Ghosts by Dolly Alderton

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? It's complicated

4.0

Really interesting to read a book from the perspective of a single childless woman in her 30s who is neither desperate nor overly glamourised. The characters feel really real and fleshed out and I really enjoyed getting to know them. The plot about her father's dementia felt to me like an untapped perspective on an unfortunately almost universal experience. It was heartbreaking and fascinating to read the child's perspective on a parent deteriorating and to explore how this affected her relationship with her mother.

If I had a criticism it would be that, whilst the main character did develop as a person, it was often in the places I wasn't expecting. I found her to be quite judgmental throughout the book, which sometimes involved poignant takes on the world, but sometimes just seemed petty. 

Also lol wtf is with her getting with the guy who calls her a whore and screams at her that she's crazy? I could tell that Alderton was trying to hint that they might get with each other at some point because of all the tension, but I was expecting her to subvert that expectation given that he was such an a-hole, but instead they have a foreplay-less shag and she tries to explain away his behaviour by saying that he was going through a break-up. Hmmm thanks but no thanks.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

challenging 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

4.5

Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman

emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

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

4.0

Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman

hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This book perfectly captures the feeling of the early stages of teenage infatuation, you stomach flips with the characters'! Can't wait to read the next one.