lana88's reviews
34 reviews

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

Nineteen Steps by Millie Bobby Brown

emotional medium-paced

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

4.0

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

adventurous challenging dark fast-paced

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

4.0

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

adventurous challenging hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

The Winter Children by Lulu Taylor

hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

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

2.5

Breathe: Tackling the Climate Emergency by Sadiq Khan

hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced

4.5

This book is surprisingly accessible and relatable. I really enjoyed the opportunity to hear about how London (my home city) is becoming greener under Sadiq Kahn and his team at City Hall’s leadership. I have taken away many insights, facts and ideas from this book to ruminate on. At times it does feel a little like a political self-promotion, however this does not diminish the hopeful and helpful nature of the book. Kahn has a level head when approaching arguably the biggest problem that humanity has ever faced, providing practical solutions that have been proven to work to combat the seemingly impossible issues that arise when dealing with climate change. I highly recommend this book to every Londoner, every green politician, and even every person who lives in a city who is interested in making urban spaces greener. 

My Thoughts Exactly by Lily Allen

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

3.5

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

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

5.0

What a beautiful book 

Barbara the Slut and Other People by Lauren Holmes

lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

A very interesting structure, with multiple POVs explored. I was expecting more conventional short stories, but instead I got what I may describe as “snapshots” - insights into different character’s believable worlds without a necessary problem or resolution. Reading this book felt like reading reflective diary entries, or having a catch-up with a friend and then walking away to resume your respective lives. For this reason I found it to be very refreshing to read, but also found a light-hearted-ness (perhaps because the short nature of the snapshots means emotional investment is limited)

Poetry by Sylvia Plath: Ariel, Ennui, Daddy, Lady Lazarus, Two Lovers and a Beachcomber by the Real Sea, the Munich Mannequins by Sylvia Plath

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

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

4.5