Scan barcode
loudgls89's reviews
681 reviews
Our Stop by Laura Jane Williams
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
Isn’t this the love story we’ve all dreamed of at some point on our miserable commute? You meet the love of your life right there?
I loved this book, it was so teasing with the ‘will they finally meet, oh not yet’ constantly weaved through the book. It was so infuriating to be able to see the story from both their perspectives and see how close they kept coming.
But the slow burn was worth it because the ending was just fab.
I did find the book a little slow to get into to start with which is the only reason I haven’t gone full 5 stars, but after about 50 pages I just didn’t want to put it down!
I loved this book, it was so teasing with the ‘will they finally meet, oh not yet’ constantly weaved through the book. It was so infuriating to be able to see the story from both their perspectives and see how close they kept coming.
But the slow burn was worth it because the ending was just fab.
I did find the book a little slow to get into to start with which is the only reason I haven’t gone full 5 stars, but after about 50 pages I just didn’t want to put it down!
Lost in a Good Game: Why We Play Video Games and What They Can Do for Us by Pete Etchells
emotional
informative
medium-paced
4.5
I found this book absolutely fascinating.
I play a few video games but I wouldn’t necessarily label myself a gamer, but I loved the amount of passion about gaming that came through from the author.
Part history of video gaming, part deep dive into video game research and part memoir of the authors experience of gaming, including some incredibly touching stories about the loss of his father, I enjoyed this way more than I had originally anticipated.
Every chapter had been well thought out and rather than being a one sided defence of gaming, was presented in a very balanced way and making clear the flaws in the research presented.
If you like gaming, or even just tech in general, or even just human behaviour, then I think you’d find this book very informative.
I play a few video games but I wouldn’t necessarily label myself a gamer, but I loved the amount of passion about gaming that came through from the author.
Part history of video gaming, part deep dive into video game research and part memoir of the authors experience of gaming, including some incredibly touching stories about the loss of his father, I enjoyed this way more than I had originally anticipated.
Every chapter had been well thought out and rather than being a one sided defence of gaming, was presented in a very balanced way and making clear the flaws in the research presented.
If you like gaming, or even just tech in general, or even just human behaviour, then I think you’d find this book very informative.
Winnie The Pooh : The Complete Collection of Stories & Poems by A.A. Milne
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0
Oh reading this again was such a joy, it was my favourite book as a child and my copy has been very well loved.
I still loved the characters and the stories and the little poems and of course the beautiful illustrations.
I still loved the characters and the stories and the little poems and of course the beautiful illustrations.
Abide in Christ by Andrew Murray
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
I just didn’t get on with the audio version of this book, I found it very hard to concentrate on. If I could find it in paperback I’m sure I’d enjoy it more.
The Set Up by Falguni Kothari
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A sweet short story which starts with two people being setup on a blind date with the notion of an arranged marriage in their future.
The characters were very likeable, the plot was good and the narrator did a great job.
It was quite short so not much to rave about, but if these characters were to have another book I’d definitely read it.
The characters were very likeable, the plot was good and the narrator did a great job.
It was quite short so not much to rave about, but if these characters were to have another book I’d definitely read it.
The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
3.5
I had high expectations for this book as I’d been recommended it by a few people.
The story is certainly incredibly inspiring and shows a great move of God’s work.
I felt like I didn’t quite click with the narrator though and the way he did the different voices of characters which detracted a bit for me. There was also a fair amount of anti-gay speech (i.e. homosexuality is the work of the devil) which may have been partly down to the time it was written but was just very uncomfortable for me to read.
But ignoring those things, it was an inspiring read of a man stepping out in faith even when it felt completely impossible and making a huge difference.
The story is certainly incredibly inspiring and shows a great move of God’s work.
I felt like I didn’t quite click with the narrator though and the way he did the different voices of characters which detracted a bit for me. There was also a fair amount of anti-gay speech (i.e. homosexuality is the work of the devil) which may have been partly down to the time it was written but was just very uncomfortable for me to read.
But ignoring those things, it was an inspiring read of a man stepping out in faith even when it felt completely impossible and making a huge difference.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Drug abuse
Moderate: Homophobia and Violence
I Will Give You Rest: An Invitation to Sabbath by She Reads Truth
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Rest is definitely what I need right now so this book felt perfectly timed, as books from She Reads Truth have a habit of doing!
The only thing that would have made this better for me would have been more reflection questions at the end of each day to really help me think about the text.
The only thing that would have made this better for me would have been more reflection questions at the end of each day to really help me think about the text.
The No-Show by Beth O'Leary
emotional
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
4.75
One of the reviews on the back of this copy said it would break my heart and put it back together again and it was right.
I’ve just read the last 100 pages in bed compulsively turning the pages, both desperate to know what will happen next and also dreading what might come.
This was not what I expected from the blurb - a guy who has stood up three separate women for Valentine’s Day. It seems like it would be such a predictable and formulaic plot but the author turned it into something unique and special.
I have loved the last two books I read by this author and I loved this one too, she’s quickly becoming a favourite!
I’ve just read the last 100 pages in bed compulsively turning the pages, both desperate to know what will happen next and also dreading what might come.
This was not what I expected from the blurb - a guy who has stood up three separate women for Valentine’s Day. It seems like it would be such a predictable and formulaic plot but the author turned it into something unique and special.
I have loved the last two books I read by this author and I loved this one too, she’s quickly becoming a favourite!
Spare by Prince Harry
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
4.25
Brutally honest, or at least so it seems.
There’s possibly some embellishment in here, but if at least 10% of it is true then the royal family should be ashamed of how Harry and Meghan have been treated.
I’ve long thought the same about how the press has treated them, but to hear it in Harry’s own words and the emotion that conveys, it brought it all way more clearly.
I thought this was fantastically written and I can see why Harry needed to do it, even though it has likely burned some bridges.
There’s possibly some embellishment in here, but if at least 10% of it is true then the royal family should be ashamed of how Harry and Meghan have been treated.
I’ve long thought the same about how the press has treated them, but to hear it in Harry’s own words and the emotion that conveys, it brought it all way more clearly.
I thought this was fantastically written and I can see why Harry needed to do it, even though it has likely burned some bridges.
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
A very inspiring book, I could never do what Cheryl did - just the idea of being alone in the wilderness is terrifying, never mind the sheer distance.
An emotional book full of personal insight and raw honesty, you could tell she put everything into this book to make it as vivid as possible.
If I could do something even 10% as adventurous as this, I’d be happy!
An emotional book full of personal insight and raw honesty, you could tell she put everything into this book to make it as vivid as possible.
If I could do something even 10% as adventurous as this, I’d be happy!