lyndsaygthemvp's reviews
53 reviews

Before Your Memory Fades by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

emotional lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

As with the second book, it doesn't compare to the first, but still an enthralling story. I absolutely love this series, it's such an easy and cozy read. I can't wait to get to the next one! 

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

challenging dark 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

4.5

What a great story. I couldn't put the book down, reading it in 2 days. Francine Rivers' spin on the story of Hosea was eye-opening, captivating, and definitely made me wanna crack open the original story and delve into it, looking for similarities.
Part of me was just internally screaming at the characters, and my heart broke with them. Francine Rivers is a phenomenal writer. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape and Pedophilia

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

challenging dark slow-paced

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

3.5

I almost gave up on reading this book many times during the first half, but I'm glad I powered through and finished it. The last 35% of the book really pulls it all together. I teared up a bit at the ending. It's not a book I think I'll ever care to read again, but I am glad I read it. 
I think it deserves more than a 3.5/5, but I'm rating based on how I liked it. 

The Matrimonial Advertisement by Mimi Matthews

emotional lighthearted 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? Yes

4.0

I read this book in 2 days. It was a mostly lighthearted historical romance, exactly what I was looking for. I was drawn in almost immediately to the story, and was reading the book every spare moment I had. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

lighthearted slow-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? No

3.0

I absolutely love Jane Austen's works, but this was definitely my least favourite so far. That's not to say it wasn't good, it was just very long and drawn out and a bit boring. I only began to be captivated at the halfway point, and even then it was a bit hard to get through. This was her first published works and she definitely got much better as time went on!
It was still very interesting to learn of different social customs, as it always is when reading her books, and the ending really took me by surprise! I did not expect it at all.

The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring sad medium-paced

5.0

This was an absolutely heartbreaking story, that was so difficult to read and led me to tears on multiple occasions. I had heard of the 'Radium Girls' from a post on Reddit, and decided to delve a little deeper and found this book. It's beautifully written, giving a voice to these poor girls long after they've died. Their story is tragic, yet so important to history, that I think it should be told far more than it is.
Kate Moore brings these girls back to life; lett ng us experience their hopes, dreams, and suffering in such a real way. It was so infuriating to read at times, and I can only imagine the anger and despair these girls could feel. 
I cannot recommend this book enough. 

Tales from the Café by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

emotional 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? It's complicated

4.5

I really loved this book, it was a great followup to the first. Though I don't think it was quite as good as the first, it's still a really fantastic book and I can't wait to read the rest of the series! I've fallen absolutely in love with the characters and I'm so happy that this book delves further into Kazu's backstory! I can't wait to read more 

Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar

informative sad fast-paced

4.0

I never watched the shows about the Duggar family, so all of this is new to me. It's heartbreaking to read about Jill's journey through everything, and I'm so glad she came out of it all loving and trusting God, and that she's healing. I wish her the best.
It was a really interesting read, and really gives a lot of good insight into life behind a reality show. 

Becoming Elisabeth Elliot by Ellen Vaughn

hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced

5.0

Elisabeth Elliot's life and trials were both unlike anything I've ever faced, yet incredibly relatable and encouraging in my situation in life. She was an absolutely remarkable woman, her love of the Lord was so admirable. 
This book has challenged me in how I'm living my life, and in how I'm dealing with trials and pain that arises. It's encouraged me in so many ways. 
I highly recommend this book, I only regret it took me so long to listen to the recommendations I got to read it!

Her Daughter's Dream by Francine Rivers

adventurous emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.0

While I didn't think this was as good as the first in the series throughout the first half, I was still gripped enough to make it through to the end, and the latter half really brought the whole thing together. I absolutely loved how the 2-book series was wrapped up. Reading through Marta's legacy had me smiling, crying, and gripping the edge of my seat to see how this will play out. It had me wanting to yell at the characters, to cry with them, to give them a hug. The core message, God is always with you, really shone through, especially at the end. It was another astounding series by Francine Rivers. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Grief, Alcoholism, and Cancer

Moderate: Rape