lynnenad's reviews
156 reviews

The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood

challenging dark 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

I loved Oryx and Crake but thought this book, which is set in the same dystopia with some overlap of characters, was underwhelming. 
The author hates religion, sexism, violence and perhaps non-vegetarianism (omnivism?). 
Some of the technology has not aged well (eg using CDs) and some seems ludicrous (eg gene splicing to create new species for no good reason)
Not one of her best in my opinion

The Best American Short Stories 2008 by Heidi Pitlor, Salman Rushdie

adventurous medium-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? No

4.0

This was an enjoyable mix of varied short stories, all from the USA. 
Every story was interesting and engaging, although none of them were amazing enough to include in my top ten stories 
The modern style of leaving the ending unresolved does get a little wearing when every author uses it. 

Land: How the Hunger for Ownership Shaped the Modern World by Simon Winchester

informative medium-paced

4.0

This book started off weakly, in my opinion, but then became more substantial with thoroughly researched concrete examples of how different societies see land, and it’s ownership. 
It was most thought-provoking and is sure to overturn your own assumptions about what is “normal”  and “just common sense “ regarding land. 

Bleak House by Charles Dickens

challenging mysterious slow-paced

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

3.0

Not my favourite Dickens. New characters were introduced until half way through (page 350 out of 700) and despite concentrating hard and reading frequently, some of them became people I couldn’t remember. 
And I wanted to slap the heroine and tell her to have some self respect. 

The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell

adventurous emotional informative 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

4.5

This is a terrific book, although not at all like the other books by this author that I have read. 
It is told in a very straightforward fashion with no time slips or other weirdnesses that characterise many of Mitchell’s later works. The hero-protagonist changes from one section to another but we never lose track of Ghent initial pair that we care about. 
I learned a lot about Dutch trading with Japan during the hey day of the Dutch East India Company, which was interesting. I also considered the impact of highly personal life events on actions that have global consequences. 
None of the characters are perfect. All of them are flawed. They are all very human just doing the best they can, like all of us. 
I recommend this book highly and might well read it again myself 

The Third Twin by Ken Follett

tense fast-paced

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

1.0

What a complete load of misogynistic nonsense. Do not read this book. 

The Bookbinder of Jericho by Pip Williams

emotional informative 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? No

4.0

I didn’t really enjoy Dictionary of Lost Words very much. I thought it was contrived and quite underwhelming. 
I expected this book to be the same but it was not. It was interesting and informative and from time to time tugged hard at the heart strings. There were no predictable endings. I learned more about WW1, despite thinking I was already pretty well up to speed on the topic. 
This was an enjoyable read. 

Artemis by Andy Weir

funny 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? No

4.0

This book was fun. It was exciting and, at times, funny. Light weight and that’s ok. Lots of scientific theory which I’m sure was precise and accurate but that I didn’t check. Just a dramady really but set on the moon 

Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

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

4.0

An interesting book although a little difficult to read because of the writing style. Many sentences flow on and on with so many clauses and poetic metaphors that it is hard to keep track of the story. If you relaxvinto it and go with the flow however there is much to admire and many great insights. All the characters are interesting and well written and it is clear that Virginia Woolf was a great empath. I am pleased I read this book but it will be many years before I feel inclined to read another by this author. 

Howards End is on the Landing: A Year of Reading from Home by Susan Hill

informative inspiring lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

4.0

I really liked the writing style of the book (which is actually a memoir). My main complaint about it was that it is extremely focused on British books and authors. Susan Holl is an author and publisher and uses this book to discuss the books in her own personal library. She also retails stories of meeting famous people and she also passes opinions on topics related to reading and writing. I was inspired to read several authors I hadn’t previously heard of when I read this book. She dismisses too many excellent authors though in my opinion when she says she “can’t read” Australian or Canadian books. As if they are all the same! A foolish comment. Overall though most enjoyable.