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lenorayoder's reviews
86 reviews
In the Company of Witches by Auralee Wallace
emotional
mysterious
4.0
Charming, cozy, and sad with a hopeful ending. A great October read, would recommend.
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
funny
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
What a fun time! Catherine and Henry hit it off right away with some cute flirting and banter that shows how compatible they are. Henry’s sarcastic and teasing nature complements Catherine’s straightforward naïveté and helps her wise up to the fact that not everyone is as genuine and to-the-point as her family. I love how they talk about books together, and that every time we get dialogue from them it shows us what a good match they are.
I was surprised to see how well Austen captured a certain family dynamic in the Tilneys. The way the siblings all interact with each other and their father feels so real and relevant. Passive aggressive controlling parents still act just like this! The lecture Catherine gets from her clueless mother towards the end of the book also feels familiar - it’s so interesting to see how these kinds of relationships have barely changed in 100+ years!
I love the obvious humor and parody Austen narrates this book with, it feels so youthful and fun compared to her other works. There are follies aplenty, but no misunderstanding lasts too long. You’re never left feeling anxious or angsty for more than a few chapters (in most cases, pages), unlike the book-long misunderstandings that occur in some of her other works.
One of the focuses of this book is how much people don’t say what they mean. Austen is sure to include many hilarious examples of characters directly contradicting what they’ve just said, both in action and words. This is only made more effective by contrasting their behavior with Catherine’s, who doesn’t even notice this happening most of the time because she’s too busy taking everyone at their word and saying exactly what she means.
I would definitely recommend! This is also a book that’s easy to put down and pick back up later if you need to - the details and characters are easy to keep track of and the reader is rarely left in a lot of suspense.
I was surprised to see how well Austen captured a certain family dynamic in the Tilneys. The way the siblings all interact with each other and their father feels so real and relevant. Passive aggressive controlling parents still act just like this! The lecture Catherine gets from her clueless mother towards the end of the book also feels familiar - it’s so interesting to see how these kinds of relationships have barely changed in 100+ years!
I love the obvious humor and parody Austen narrates this book with, it feels so youthful and fun compared to her other works. There are follies aplenty, but no misunderstanding lasts too long. You’re never left feeling anxious or angsty for more than a few chapters (in most cases, pages), unlike the book-long misunderstandings that occur in some of her other works.
One of the focuses of this book is how much people don’t say what they mean. Austen is sure to include many hilarious examples of characters directly contradicting what they’ve just said, both in action and words. This is only made more effective by contrasting their behavior with Catherine’s, who doesn’t even notice this happening most of the time because she’s too busy taking everyone at their word and saying exactly what she means.
I would definitely recommend! This is also a book that’s easy to put down and pick back up later if you need to - the details and characters are easy to keep track of and the reader is rarely left in a lot of suspense.
The Last Heir to Blackwood Library by Hester Fox
mysterious
3.0
Starts off really strong but quickly becomes diluted and a little nonsensical around the halfway mark. So much potential - I wish I got to read the book that the setup promised.
The Blindfold Horse: Memories of a Persian Childhood by Shusha Guppy
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Domestic abuse, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Suicide
Solitaire by Alice Oseman
emotional
4.0
I loved this book, definitely recommend! Tori's voice comes through so strongly, and her perspective combined with the writing style give so much insight into what it's like to be a depressed teen.
I only read The Catcher in the Rye once 10 years ago, but I definitely picked up some references here, and I'm guessing it was a source of inspiration. If The Catcher in the Rye didn't strike you the way it does a lot of people, especially teens, try reading Solitaire.
The only reason this didn't get five stars is that the ending doesn't feel in line with the rest of the book, although it has its moments.
I only read The Catcher in the Rye once 10 years ago, but I definitely picked up some references here, and I'm guessing it was a source of inspiration. If The Catcher in the Rye didn't strike you the way it does a lot of people, especially teens, try reading Solitaire.
The only reason this didn't get five stars is that the ending doesn't feel in line with the rest of the book, although it has its moments.
Persuasion by Jane Austen
emotional
funny
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
so good
Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman
4.0
loved it!
i’m excited to read the final book when it comes out. in the meantime i’ll be reading oseman’s other work, especially solitaire bc i want more tori!
i’m excited to read the final book when it comes out. in the meantime i’ll be reading oseman’s other work, especially solitaire bc i want more tori!
Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman
4.0
nick 🥹
also i now completely understand the casting for nick’s mom in the adaptation
also i now completely understand the casting for nick’s mom in the adaptation