lynnenad's reviews
156 reviews

The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut

challenging lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

What a funny and thought-provoking book. It is a satire on the meaninglessness of life. There is nobody in charge, or is there. Such skill. 

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

mysterious reflective tense fast-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

5.0

I loved this book in every way. It took a little while to understand the structure and to get used to switching from the storyline of one character to another. In the end, I loved and empathised with every single character, even the ones who seemed evil to begin with. The book made me continue to think for several days afterwards, as new ideas and connections clarified themselves in my mind. The writing was beautiful. The author handles language wonderfully well. 

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

adventurous inspiring 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? It's complicated

3.5

This book started strongly and up until about half way through I thought I was going to love it but then it turned into moralistic clap-trap, urging me to become the type of person I already am. I don’t need to be preached to, thanks. 

Still Life by Sarah Winman

emotional reflective 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

This is the book I would write if I could. Nice people being nice to each other over a lifetime of tribulations. Heart warming 

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

inspiring mysterious 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? No

4.0

I love this series. I just read this book again because it’s the choice of our book club. I love the characters. The murders are fun. Sometimes, as in this book, the solution is a bit contrived and hard to follow. I love the deft touch of the author, the charming humour, and the way the old people are real, not caricatures stuck helplessly in a nursing home. Good stuff. 

A Small Place in Italy by Eric Newby

informative lighthearted slow-paced

3.5

Charming. 

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

emotional medium-paced

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

2.0

I didn’t like this book although I listened to the whole thing so maybe I liked it more than I thought. The entire book was the two main characters thinking about themselves. The only external things that happened were related to building their business and one act of uniquely American violence. Seriously, get over yourselves. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mass/school shootings

The Justice Game by Geoffrey Robertson

informative slow-paced

2.5

I struggled with most of this book. Robertson’s language was my main issue. It obfuscated many interesting cases. I prefer more direct writing. At times there was also a feeling of “boys club” in that you either understood the insider joke or reference or you didn’t but the author was certainly not going to explain it to you. 

Amsterdam by Ian McEwan

mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Terrific book. Exquisitely written. Plotted immaculately. Twists and turns throughout as well as clever insights into what actually drives people to do what they do. 

Lost in Translation by Nicole Mones

informative medium-paced

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

1.0

I sincerely regret wasting my time with this book. There was some interesting Chinese history. The writer has a competent command of the language. There is nothing else good to say. Complete claptrap. Sex. Lust. Juvenile emotions in adult people.