lisabage's reviews
571 reviews

Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See

adventurous informative inspiring 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

5.0

Amazing account of two girls in 1500s China from different classes who grow up as best friends. One becomes a doctor, the other a midwife. Incredibly detailed accounts of life as a woman in this era. Wonderfully researched and artfully written. The doctor published a book of cases on which the author based the fictional, but historically inspired stories. High recommend. 

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

medium-paced

2.0

Just… no. I get it. The publishing industry sucks. But this story, which had so much promise and so many interesting ideas, felt too much like a whoa-is-me semi-autobiographical editorial that I’m frustrated I spent time finishing it. And the ending was just not what it could have been. Sad waste of good publishing space. 

Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia

informative inspiring medium-paced

4.5

Book focuses on prevention of disease and building the capabilities to live longer and more healthy. Sections on exercise (cardio, strength, stability), nutrition, sleep, and emotional health include a ton of science, balanced with common sense and stories from the author's life. A very readable, usable, summary of what we believe about how to live a longer, healthier life. 

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

dark hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

I loved the characters & how their stories unfolded & intertwined. I hate the authors irritating habit of starting each chapter with a bunch of people you don’t know, there only to provide backstory to a character eventually revealed deep in the chapter. It did round out the characters well, but it was exhausting to keep up with who was important and who was just a vignette of background. Still, highly recommended for the deep rich characters. 

Little by Edward Carey

emotional informative relaxing medium-paced

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

4.0

A highly fictionalized account of Madame Tussaud’s life including an interesting take on the French Revolution. The writing style was interesting. It felt like reading a fable. The author is a playwright and YA author so that’s likely why. Interesting characters, including some villains and a lot of people that are neither good nor bad. I recommend for anyone interested in wax figures, the French Revolution or just looking for something quirky. 

Diavola by Jennifer Marie Thorne

challenging dark funny tense fast-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? Yes

4.0

Scary with a bit of humor. A family on vacation at a haunted villa in Italy. There could have been more character development but I appreciate that th faster pace kept the tension high. And the end wasn’t as predictable as I expected. 

Persepolis: The Story Of A Childhood by Marjane Satrapi

challenging dark fast-paced

1.0

I learned some things and saw some new viewpoints. But did not enjoy any of the characters or the imagery used (could have just been the edition) which was dark and hard to follow in places. 

I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones
Did not finish book.

Couldn’t get into the diary autobiography style of the writing. Maybe just not the right time for it. 

Nestlings by Nat Cassidy

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Rosemarys baby meets salems lot. Mostly tense leading up to the moment we finally know what’s happening. Creepy and a little scary but nothing too gory. Easy scary read. 

The Briar Club by Kate Quinn

adventurous informative mysterious 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

3.75

An interesting set of character development pieces that combine to reveal a side of the 1950s that isn’t normally explored. McCarthyism, the birth control pill, and the presence of the nuclear bomb are examined from the impact to a set of women in DC. Not a typical action packed Kate Quinn book so rated lower for the lack of movement and action. But still an interesting and worthwhile read.