mallorymce's reviews
9 reviews

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

Go to review page

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Kingsolver truly nailed it with TPWB! The slower pace was different for me, but offered a lot of character development (both good and bad) that was very enjoyable and fulfilling to see. The different perspectives Kingsolver presents in each section give way to unreliable narrators and piecing together each character from their own perspective, and their family’s. I wish some of the side characters had been developed more, such as Anatole, yet these characters did provide a lot to the plot and the Price girls’ development. Looking back having finished the book, there is so much I never picked up on- Kingsolver seems to make an effort to bring everything full circle and relate to ideas throughout the entirety of the novel.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Frankenstein: The 1818 Text by Mary Shelley

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Given the time period Frankenstein was written in, I think I’d appreciate the tenseness of it all more had our society not been desensitized to violence and horror. The language could be a barrier for some, however it provided much detail.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Go to review page

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

THUG is a very real, honest perspective of our society today. Violence against people of color is viewed differently by each character in the book, creating an interesting range that almost every reader can connect with. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional tense fast-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

5.0

Honestly the best book I’ve read so far! The contrast between the narrator and Tyler leads the reader to predict a totally different ending, and yet the true ending is still fulfilling. The book and the movie and relatively similar, but I highly recommend the text.
Becoming by Michelle Obama

Go to review page

emotional informative inspiring medium-paced

4.5

Michelle’s writing is a breathe of fresh air.  Learning about her upbringing and the path to the Obama presidency allows for insight not available by other writers that gives some clarity to her opinions and actions as First Lady
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Go to review page

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

1.5

ATTWN is relatively slow paced and predictable, at least for me, however I do know many love this text. Reading this felt like a chore rather than an enriching experience.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional tense fast-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

5.0

I loved this book! The recurring family theme is intense, as each character views family differently. The journey of the women in the story in a male-dominated and patriarchal country remains true today and is intense as a reader.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

Go to review page

emotional inspiring medium-paced

3.5

Very emotional book! The lessons taught stick with the reader, and the true nature of the story highlights human nurture in academia
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

Go to review page

dark emotional medium-paced

4.0

The contrast given by Capote in the opposite views of the family in one chapter and the killer in the next creates an interesting emotion in the reader indicative of anxiety. It is of note that Capote is not a 100% reliable given his closeness to his research. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
More...