lolajoan's reviews
929 reviews

Sandwich by Catherine Newman

emotional funny informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

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

5.0

Omg. So good. I laughed and I cried and sometimes they happened at the same time. It's not a long book but I feel like I know these people. This is like "Are you there God it's me Margaret" for menopause. It's hilarious and heartbreaking and full of love and grief and it's just wonderful.

Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-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

A wonderfully well-written story about having a baby, OnlyFans, pro wrestling, family, self-image and growth. The meta narrative about character creation and voice is brilliant; this is a book that is fun and easy to read but could still be examined and deconstructed to discover even more insights.  I laughed and cried and just found it to be great.

The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James

dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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

4.5

An engaging, well-written spooky story with some good real-world grounding from WW1 stuff. I'd have to question some of the historical veracity but that's really not the point. 

Zone One by Colson Whitehead

challenging dark reflective tense slow-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

Absolutely fabulous. Everything I love about a zombie novel - dark, gripping and gruesome, while using the post apocalyptic setting as a framing device for musing on the nature of humanity and society. Amazing.

The Gods of Gotham by Lyndsay Faye

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-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

4.25

This was very slow going for the first 2/3 or so - I'm not sure why, because it's engaging and interesting, it just took a long time to get through. But it's a fascinating book, obviously well-researched, with complex characters and lots of tension. 

Sorcery & Cecelia: or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia C. Wrede, Caroline Stevermer

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

Absolutely charming, like Bridgerton with magic. Fun funny sweet smart and snappy.

The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe by Kij Johnson

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

A charming tale that is surprisingly large and complex for its brevity. Lovely and intelligent. 

The 13 Clocks by James Thurber

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

Absolutely charming, silly, poetic and adorable. 

The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir

dark mysterious tense fast-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

4.0

Well written and pleasantly creepy. 

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

adventurous dark mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

A gripping story, well-written and engaging. The pacing is perfect - for the first half the mystery deepens as more complications, red herrings, side stories and characters are introduced, then it's skillfully brought down to a satisfying conclusion. Excellent.