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louisebeereading's reviews
33 reviews
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
Exceptional. Well and truly worth the hype. Spurring my love of a whole new genre. Miller is a genius.
Extensive review coming soon
Extensive review coming soon
After Hello by Mhairi McFarlane
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
Brilliant sequel - it was a perfect epilogue that I'm glad was separate to the rest of the novel.
Loved that the story felt like such a natural continuation of the plot and characters of the first book.
If you liked You Had Me at Hello, this will be a welcome addition. Thank goodness for Storygraph and Goodreads letting me know it existed!
Loved that the story felt like such a natural continuation of the plot and characters of the first book.
If you liked You Had Me at Hello, this will be a welcome addition. Thank goodness for Storygraph and Goodreads letting me know it existed!
The Wish List by Sophia Money-Coutts
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
3.5
In the Skin of a Lion by Michael Ondaatje
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
I find it really hard to explain how much I love this book. I analysed it to no end for school in one of my most stressful years of life and still love it so much upon re-read.
This atmospheric low-key prequel to The English Patient (think Better Caul Saul to Breaking Bad), is slow-burn and mysterious that hits so hard.
A love letter to workers without romanticing, this historical fiction set before to WWI then after, during the depression and all its implications on the working class.
It is hard to explain the plot, one must simply be open to the seemingly disconnected stories as they weave slowly together in unexpected ways.
100% modern (or rather, postmodern) classic territory - makes you think, feels academic with its depth of meaning, but keeps you entertained throughout rather than the traditional classic form of set up for half then drama for the rest.
Character development over plot vibes, but drama slowly unfolds and occasionally surprises you with what it has set up without you realising
Ondaatje speaks in metaphors, he only gives you just enough to understand the surface, while the larger story slowly unfurls underneath
To me, this is the definition of a masterpiece.
This atmospheric low-key prequel to The English Patient (think Better Caul Saul to Breaking Bad), is slow-burn and mysterious that hits so hard.
A love letter to workers without romanticing, this historical fiction set before to WWI then after, during the depression and all its implications on the working class.
It is hard to explain the plot, one must simply be open to the seemingly disconnected stories as they weave slowly together in unexpected ways.
100% modern (or rather, postmodern) classic territory - makes you think, feels academic with its depth of meaning, but keeps you entertained throughout rather than the traditional classic form of set up for half then drama for the rest.
Character development over plot vibes, but drama slowly unfolds and occasionally surprises you with what it has set up without you realising
Ondaatje speaks in metaphors, he only gives you just enough to understand the surface, while the larger story slowly unfurls underneath
To me, this is the definition of a masterpiece.
Persuasion by Jane Austen
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-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
One of Austen's best stories - this one is for second chance romance lovers. With all the usual Austen twists, even upon re-read it keeps me hooked. I am so happy to not have had this spoilt by an early reading when I was not used to classics.
Highly recommended for those used to the classics way of storytelling (that is, slow set up then drama for the rest of the book ✨)
Highly recommended for those used to the classics way of storytelling (that is, slow set up then drama for the rest of the book ✨)
Love Stories by Trent Dalton
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Just so heartwarming. Romantic, real, raw, a bit cheesy at times... Made me laugh, smile, shrunch up my face in cuteness and it made me cry. Thoroughly recommend
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
4.25
This gem of a sci-fi dystopian makes me think I could definitely enjoy more of this genre I normally don't dabble in.
Weeks after, my thoughts are still scrambled by this book, so rather than a comprehensive review, here's some spoiler-free take aways:
⌛ Atmospheric, confusing, intriguing. Slow-paced but not too dense, just subtle and reflective
⏳ I felt like a child, slowly being led somewhere I could barely decipher.
⌛ It was difficult to decipher whether Klara knew more or less than we thought she did.
⌛Definitely on the scale of a ✨no plot just vibes✨ kind of book.
⏳A push and pull of sad and hopeful as we learn
⏳More mysterious than tense
⌛On love, on AI, on what it means to be human, the most subtle commentary on the different forms of connection and processing of a way of life lost
⏳Reminds me of Haruki Murakami's writing in that not everything is completely tied up, you only catch a glimpse of this world. I see how this would frustrate people but I liked the speculation it sparked
⏳From the glimpse of this world, I want to read more low impact, slow burn dystopians
⌛ Very character-based. Not much happens and Klara doesn't really question herself the same way a human would (which means less drama spurring from internal conflict)
⏳Reminds me of a modern classic
⏳I'm not exactly running out to buy his whole backlog, but I will definitely prioritising reading another of his books soon.
⏳I feel like this gets clicks rather than applause, if that makes sense to anyone but me ... Jazz style
⌛Although I read the book in two days, It took a week to sink in.
🔔A narrator that's sweet as honey with a hint of "what's she going to do?" And "what the heck is happening"
If it weren't for the hype I'm not sure I ever would have picked this up, and I'm honestly not sure I would rate it the same. As always, I cannot reconcile myself how to mark down or up accordingly to acknowledge the bias, so I'll just go with what feels right.
This was an atmospheric work of art and out of my comfort zone - I am happy I read it ❤️
Weeks after, my thoughts are still scrambled by this book, so rather than a comprehensive review, here's some spoiler-free take aways:
⌛ Atmospheric, confusing, intriguing. Slow-paced but not too dense, just subtle and reflective
⏳ I felt like a child, slowly being led somewhere I could barely decipher.
⌛ It was difficult to decipher whether Klara knew more or less than we thought she did.
⌛Definitely on the scale of a ✨no plot just vibes✨ kind of book.
⏳A push and pull of sad and hopeful as we learn
⏳More mysterious than tense
⌛On love, on AI, on what it means to be human, the most subtle commentary on the different forms of connection and processing of a way of life lost
⏳Reminds me of Haruki Murakami's writing in that not everything is completely tied up, you only catch a glimpse of this world. I see how this would frustrate people but I liked the speculation it sparked
⏳From the glimpse of this world, I want to read more low impact, slow burn dystopians
⌛ Very character-based. Not much happens and Klara doesn't really question herself the same way a human would (which means less drama spurring from internal conflict)
⏳Reminds me of a modern classic
⏳I'm not exactly running out to buy his whole backlog, but I will definitely prioritising reading another of his books soon.
⏳I feel like this gets clicks rather than applause, if that makes sense to anyone but me ... Jazz style
⌛Although I read the book in two days, It took a week to sink in.
🔔A narrator that's sweet as honey with a hint of "what's she going to do?" And "what the heck is happening"
If it weren't for the hype I'm not sure I ever would have picked this up, and I'm honestly not sure I would rate it the same. As always, I cannot reconcile myself how to mark down or up accordingly to acknowledge the bias, so I'll just go with what feels right.
This was an atmospheric work of art and out of my comfort zone - I am happy I read it ❤️
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Coming soon 💞
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I believe my reading experience was improved by having watched part of the Netflix show and reading alongside the audiobook.
Modern regency, fake dating, forbidden relationship, friends to lovers.
Mind the triggers
Modern regency, fake dating, forbidden relationship, friends to lovers.
Mind the triggers
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Bullying
Moderate: Rape and Sexual content
Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Finally read my first CoHo book and totally understand the cult following. I was worried before I started that it would be overrated. I was ready to be disappointed - but my goodness I love it. If I weren't on a book buying ban her entire body of work would be on my bookcase. I will warn people to check the triggers before reading most of CoHo books though.
I've waited days to write this review because it is so hard to put this feeling into words. It was spicy 🌶️🌶️, I loved Tate and Miles, I hated them both, it made me cry multiple times but still made my heart so full throughout. Pacing myself, I read it in 2 days... 2 sessions. I loved CoHos use of language, of typography, the perfectly timed switches in POV, the mystery, the thrills and the seemingly one sided romance.
They were toxic together but so close to being right together. I could hate this book if it weren't for Miles' POV, it gives you hope that he is good. All good. You can hope as Tate hopes.
I've waited days to write this review because it is so hard to put this feeling into words. It was spicy 🌶️🌶️, I loved Tate and Miles, I hated them both, it made me cry multiple times but still made my heart so full throughout. Pacing myself, I read it in 2 days... 2 sessions. I loved CoHos use of language, of typography, the perfectly timed switches in POV, the mystery, the thrills and the seemingly one sided romance.
They were toxic together but so close to being right together. I could hate this book if it weren't for Miles' POV, it gives you hope that he is good. All good. You can hope as Tate hopes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Child death, and Car accident