lmrajt's reviews
1186 reviews

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty

emotional funny reflective 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

4.25

Really loved this, and I give credit to the author for consistently coming up with new and interestingly ideas for books (with lovable and charming Aussie characters of course).  The way the plot unfolded was satisfying, and I wanted to stay in this little world forever. Well done.

The Unwedding by Ally Condie

dark mysterious tense medium-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

Dark, atmospheric, and suspenseful. Some of the plot points fell a little flat (just enjoy your momcation, lady!) or felt undeveloped. But it was a fast read and I definitely wanted to know what happened next.

All Fours by Miranda July

emotional reflective tense slow-paced

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

4.0

I was tempted to quit at several points but I’m glad I stuck around. The writing was exceptional; the topic, close to my heart. At times it just felt like some artsy novel about a rich white lady having a midlife crisis, but ultimately it was more. Very challenging, in almost every way.

A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

This book was a four until the ending, which made me mad, so I knocked it down to a three. It was a timely meditation on racism in the south with relatable characters and a lot of wisdom. I don’t think we were necessarily even supposed to like the ending, but we have to put up with it - the same way black people in this country have unfortunately had to deal with racism in its many ugly forms. Maybe that was the point.

All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.

People really loved this but it just wasn’t for me - very hard to understand what was going on, the dialogue was challenging, and I couldn’t get a bead on the characters.

Table for Two by Amor Towles

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

The short stories were 4 stars - really good. The novella was a 2 star for me and I ended up skipping/ignoring most of it. I simply couldn’t get interested and it didn’t fit in tone, theme, timeframe, or anything else. Loved the short stories though 

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

challenging dark sad fast-paced

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

4.0

This was a book and just an overall solid read/compelling story. Camp vibes, strong and relatable female characters, a little mystery. Well done.

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Read this at the end of summer over a long weekend, and it was perfect escapism. Funny, insightful, and with more substance than the usual cliched romance novel. Loved it!

Sandwich by Catherine Newman
Did not finish book. Stopped at 73%.

I almost got to the end but there was no reason to. This was about a privileged white lady who hates being peri-menopausal. It’s about me! But the amount of crying and hysteria and emotion felt gratuitous and I just couldn’t go on.

Heft by Liz Moore

emotional hopeful 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

4.5

This book was heartfelt, wise, charming, and it broke MY heart multiple times. I loved the two narrators and the way the plot unfolded. I loved the twists and not-twists. Well done.