lizzyymackay's reviews
70 reviews

Sex and Rage by Eve Babitz

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

5.0

Literally my favourite book I read last year. Eve Babitz I love you with my whole heart. 

Play It as It Lays by Joan Didion

reflective sad fast-paced

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

3.5

Conversations on Love by Natasha Lunn

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

5.0

I loved it!! Really got me thinking about how we love each other, and hearing so many people’s takes on it really allows you to find the common threads. I underlined SO MUCH of this book, and cried multiple times. 10/10 would recommend :)

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.5

I don’t even know where to start… not only an example of an unreliable narrator and seriously flawed main characters, but it also weaves Greek philosophic ideas into a contemporary book so seamlessly. So, so amazing!

All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks

hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

I love bell hooks, think she’s a fantastic theorist and writes so well. This collection of essays does feel very of-the-time, but still captures the essence of what it is to love very accurately. 

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

emotional lighthearted mysterious reflective tense 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

3.75

Was such a quick and easy read. I see what the hype about Taylor Jenkins Reid is about now!! Nothing too deep or complicated, but creates the most vivid and inviting fantasy worlds for her novels!!

NW by Zadie Smith

challenging emotional funny reflective sad 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

4.5

So so good - I literally worship anything that zadie smith writes. Did find it very challenging at times, and reading it for the second time didn’t make it any easier. 

Severance by Ling Ma

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective tense 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? It's complicated

4.75

Such a good book - am writing an essay on it so could talk about it for days! Eerily predicts the pandemic and our reactions to it - the subversion of normal life and how humanity collapses because of it. 

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

3.5

Just such a good easy read - plus it has surfing in it 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

Notes to Self by Emilie Pine

challenging dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

3.0

Was just very sad throughout. A great writer with a fascinating life, and she writes so beautifully, but not for me.