marielln's reviews
106 reviews

Tove Jansson: The Illustrators by Paul Gravett

adventurous informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

4.5

Thoroughly enjoyable overview of Tove's life, with so much unknown information and beautiful illustrations 

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune

adventurous emotional funny inspiring 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? Yes

2.75

The first book was pretty fun and entertaining, but the second one just gets so preachy and emotional, that every interaction the characters have is written like a speech, giving it a very overdone and annoying feeling. The narrator of the audiobook also got way out of hand, resulting in more than half of the book being an uncomfortable drag to get through.

Also, most of the characters come off surprisingly one-dimensional, where they seem to just know how to do or say just one thing and one thing only, so they proceed to do it throughout the two books. Seemed fun and reasonable in the first book, but the continuation of the same in the second made the characters have barely any development 

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

It's a fun and silly children's book, with some fun true facts in-between that ensures that kids can also learn about stuff 

Sundae Girl by Cathy Cassidy

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

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

4.0

Even though this book is targeted at teenagers, it is actually much better than I ever expected. It's not annoying or cringy, on the contrary, it is a good read that is both easy and fun but also it tackles some surprisingly heavy topics. 

Sleeping with a Psychopath by Carolyn Woods

emotional reflective slow-paced

2.0

This was a struggle to get through. While I understand how manipulative people can lure you in way too deep with their stories, this woman was so naive and gullible from the get go, while the man was a huge walking red flag. Most of the story really didn't come off as genuine and while some of it was interesting, most of it was really such a drag 

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.5

Very interesting and inspiring take on what it means to be creative.
While the audiobook was very enjoyable, I would like to read it again one day, and mull over the thoughts a bit more. 

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

challenging emotional sad slow-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

5.0

Such a great book. Seems like one of those that stays with you for a while. Can't wait to reread 

Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan

emotional funny lighthearted slow-paced

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

3.75

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

The main character has these annoying moments of stupid ignorance and refusal of connecting the dots going on, but the end reveal of what actually goes on in the building does make up for it. 

Fiona on the Fourteenth Floor by Mabel Esther Allan

adventurous mysterious fast-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? No

4.0

It's actually pretty enjoyable and well written. While the ending comes pretty quick and is a bit overdone, the small things of the story that portray the society in the 60s are very interesting