lisabage's reviews
571 reviews

Tom Lake [Large Print] by Ann Patchett

emotional funny hopeful reflective 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? Yes

5.0

Patchett has such a way of letting her stories grow. I get pulled into each character’s life so slowly that I don’t recognize the moment when they become old friends I don’t want to let go of anymore. This tale of a woman working on the farm with her three daughters turns into her telling her life story to them, including her affair with a young movie star and the different paths they followed. A slow build but a solid recommend. 

The Long March Home by Tosca Lee, Marcus Brotherton

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

Excellent fictional account of three young men trapped on Bataan during WW II. Based on true stories, much of the book felt familiar but the characters were fresh and their backstories so well plotted that the whole story was engrossing. The writing moved quickly, interspersing touching stories of the boys growing up in Mobile with the horrors of their time in the Philippines. Listened to the audio which was also well executed. A strong recommend.

iGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy--and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood--and What That Means for the Rest of Us by Jean M. Twenge
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.

It became somewhat repetitive and I started to see some problems since all the research was done before the pandemic. Really interesting research though and a good start to understanding the newest generation. 

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.