lisabage's reviews
528 reviews

The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd
Did not finish book. Stopped at 53%.

Just didn’t want to pick it up again even after getting through quite a bit. Even tried audio. For some reason the characters just didn’t grab me and the plot was predictable and slow. 

The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks by Shauna Robinson

funny inspiring lighthearted fast-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

4.0

A light read about a young woman finding her way in life. Nothing deep, just a fun little romp that includes a secret bookstore, a tiny bit of romance, and a bit of a feminist twist. Fun summer read. 

Only the Dead by Jack Carr

adventurous mysterious medium-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

4.0

Once the action starts, it’s a fast paced ride that’s hard to put down. Every book is extending the very long backstory though so it’s getting harder and harder to get into. Lots of detailed explanation of weapons and cars and governments, but that’s also pretty typical. 

The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yōko Ogawa

emotional informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

A surprising short novella about a math professor who can only remember 80 minutes at a time after an accident. A housekeeper and her son form a friendship that changes all of them in unexpected ways. Interesting little stories are included about the beauty of math and numbers, which enhance the story’s progress as it does the characters. 

The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.

Bored. Too many weird character doing weird things and no plot movement. 

Simply Lies by David Baldacci

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

4.25

Two smart and strong female characters start as enemies but the mystery of a dead body pulls them together, with each seeking to figure out the other along the way. It was a fun enemies to friends mystery. 

The Circus Train by Amita Parikh
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.

Too young adult for me. 

Horse by Geraldine Brooks

adventurous informative 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

5.0

A story of a boy & his horse, laced with historical facts, tinged with racial tension, & complemented by strong characters. The weaving together of different factual events - a painting recovered from the curb, the rediscovery of a horses skeleton, the death from a car wreck of a famous painter - all so skillfully researched & embellished. From the afterword, “this novel could not merely be about a racehorse, it would also need to be about race.”

Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson

dark reflective fast-paced

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

3.0

The story was interesting. The characters felt a little flat to me and the writing was a bit monotone. I’m likely a little too old now to read this much teenaged angst. 

The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraborty

adventurous funny lighthearted 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

5.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of a retired female pirate dragged back into service to find the daughter of a former shipmate. Fun characters and a simple but well crafted plot, including a bit of fantasy and a whole lot of action.