ladybirder's reviews
438 reviews

Far from the Madding Crowd by Linda M. Shires, Thomas Hardy

slow-paced

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

3.0

Blood, Sweat, and Pixels: The Triumphant, Turbulent Stories Behind How Video Games Are Made by Jason Schreier

funny informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

3.5

Fake Law: The Truth About Justice in an Age of Lies by The Secret Barrister

funny informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

dark reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault

Minor: Death and Suicide

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

dark emotional funny reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Medical trauma, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and War

21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari
Did not finish book. Stopped at 3%.

Can't concentrate on it, not fussed on the narrator.

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

dark sad fast-paced

4.5

I went through the first half of this thinking it was a little shallow but it gets deeper as you go along. It's very good at echoing Jenette's attitude towards events in real time so that you see more warning signs as Jenette matures.
The narration was quite fast but after watching some clips of Jenette in interviews it seems she was actually talking slower than she usually does! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Drug use and Medical content

The Children Act by Ian McEwan

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Child abuse, Suicide, and Violence

The Dry Heart by Natalia Ginzburg

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Gun violence, Grief, and Murder

Moderate: Gun violence and Suicidal thoughts

Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos

dark emotional funny medium-paced

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

4.0

Lost half a star because there was a section in the middle which dragged slightly but the last 100 pages or so were downright juicy. A really good wrap up.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Rape, and Gaslighting

Minor: Violence