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mhinnen's reviews
377 reviews
Holly by Stephen King
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.75
wonderful storytelling (which goes without saying) with a gruesome twist (also goes without saying). Holly is a private investigator (not a detective, she points out) looking into the disappearance of her client's daughter. As Holly investigates Bonnie's disappearance, other disappearances begin to emerge and connect. Set during the COVID pandemic and Black Lives Matter uprising, King weaves details of the time period into the story.
I found the number of characters and the different time frames a bit confusing particularly since I was listening to the audio book and it was harder to look back and check the information.
I found the number of characters and the different time frames a bit confusing particularly since I was listening to the audio book and it was harder to look back and check the information.
Camino Island by John Grisham
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Went along for the ride for my book group's selection this month. It was an easy read to pick up from time to time, read a chapter before bed, and move through it over a couple of weeks - or just sit and read it on a beach somewhere.
It didn't really feel like a mystery - you pretty much see all of the players for who they are. The eccentric writers of Camino Island were fun. And any avid reader would love to have the life of Bruce Cable (though hopefully with a stronger moral compass).
The characters are all fairly unsympathetic. From the book thieves to those who engage in moving stolen books to Princeton and the insurance company. I liked Mercer but didn't understand some of her decisions . . . and just because someone is a likable person doesn't mean they are a good person when you know they are part of dealing in stolen property.
And some of the plot turns regarding Bruce at the end didn't make sense to me.
If you see this book on a shelf in a beach house, it'll pass the time on a vacation day. But I don't really think it's worth going out of your way to seek it out.
It didn't really feel like a mystery - you pretty much see all of the players for who they are. The eccentric writers of Camino Island were fun. And any avid reader would love to have the life of Bruce Cable (though hopefully with a stronger moral compass).
The characters are all fairly unsympathetic. From the book thieves to those who engage in moving stolen books to Princeton and the insurance company. I liked Mercer but didn't understand some of her decisions . . . and just because someone is a likable person doesn't mean they are a good person when you know they are part of dealing in stolen property.
And some of the plot turns regarding Bruce at the end didn't make sense to me.
If you see this book on a shelf in a beach house, it'll pass the time on a vacation day. But I don't really think it's worth going out of your way to seek it out.
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
adventurous
informative
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? Yes
3.25
Mysterious dual timeline set in “current time” and in the late 1700’s London. Caroline is in London trying to sort out her life following her husband’s betrayal. Nella has inherited her mother’s craft of potions to help women but has taken it to a next level which requires her to conduct her work with extra secrecy. When the pre-teen Eliza steps into her life, their relationship becomes a mystery for Caroline to unravel.
The book kept a good pace with short chapters and different voices. There were times when the coincidences seemed too convoluted (or meaningless). Similarly, Caroline’s wonder and trepidation often felt out of proportion to the situation.
Overall I really enjoyed it - particularly the documentation of women who otherwise would have been forgotten. And the ending was satisfying.
I read this for a book group and look forward to discussing it.
The book kept a good pace with short chapters and different voices. There were times when the coincidences seemed too convoluted (or meaningless). Similarly, Caroline’s wonder and trepidation often felt out of proportion to the situation.
Overall I really enjoyed it - particularly the documentation of women who otherwise would have been forgotten. And the ending was satisfying.
I read this for a book group and look forward to discussing it.
The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
well this is the final book I've read in 2023 and in a year of many hours of reading exceptional books, this is near the top! I laughed. I cried. Yes, that was me on the NJ Parkway ugly crying/laughing with the tenderness with which this book ended. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Stephen Hogan embodied the story of Cyril from his birth to the end of life - mostly in Ireland.
Born to a young unwed mother in 1945 who was thrown out of the church, adopted by a family who never considered him a "real" family member, growing up gay in Ireland and falling in love with his best friend, creating a chosen family in Amsterdam, surviving the AIDS crisis and gay bashing in NYC, and crossing paths throughout his life with his biological mother, we experience the fullness of a life lived through the lens of societal and historical fiction. Parts of the story are brutal, many are heartwarming, others are heartbreaking though written with enough humor to keep the reader from despairing while still honoring the realities . . . It's a long book (580+pages) and took me a couple of months to get through but in a way, I was glad to really be part of this journey and make it last.
Born to a young unwed mother in 1945 who was thrown out of the church, adopted by a family who never considered him a "real" family member, growing up gay in Ireland and falling in love with his best friend, creating a chosen family in Amsterdam, surviving the AIDS crisis and gay bashing in NYC, and crossing paths throughout his life with his biological mother, we experience the fullness of a life lived through the lens of societal and historical fiction. Parts of the story are brutal, many are heartwarming, others are heartbreaking though written with enough humor to keep the reader from despairing while still honoring the realities . . . It's a long book (580+pages) and took me a couple of months to get through but in a way, I was glad to really be part of this journey and make it last.
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
not too serious southern suburban murder thriller with some fun plot twists. Didn’t love it but the audiobook passed the time while in the car. I never read Jane Eyre (!) but am more curious now.
Absolution by Alice McDermott
adventurous
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was interested to learn about the American wives who accompanied their husbands in Saigon at the beginning of the Vietnam War. The classism and racism is on display as they look for ways to cheer up these “unfortunate” people.
The story is written as a letter years later to the daughter of a friend of one of the “wives.” I found this choice of delivery distracting and would have preferred just a first person account.
It was well written and interesting but the plot never grabbed me. I didn’t feel invested in the characters.
The story is written as a letter years later to the daughter of a friend of one of the “wives.” I found this choice of delivery distracting and would have preferred just a first person account.
It was well written and interesting but the plot never grabbed me. I didn’t feel invested in the characters.
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
So Good! Loved getting to know Nate & Addie, Chona & Moshe, Dodo & Monkey Pants, and so many others whose lives intersect through the Heaven and Earth Grocery Store.
I listened to the audiobook over six weeks and looked forward to long car rides to hear the stories of each of the characters in this beautiful book. In the midst of hate and discrimination, the diverse population of Chicken Hill creates a community that is centered on human kindness and redemption. I found myself deep in my feelings as the bigger story unfolded - especially near the end.
Now I want to get a hard copy and sit with these friends some more, cherishing their stories, weeping with them, and celebrating the power of friendship and compassion.
I listened to the audiobook over six weeks and looked forward to long car rides to hear the stories of each of the characters in this beautiful book. In the midst of hate and discrimination, the diverse population of Chicken Hill creates a community that is centered on human kindness and redemption. I found myself deep in my feelings as the bigger story unfolded - especially near the end.
Now I want to get a hard copy and sit with these friends some more, cherishing their stories, weeping with them, and celebrating the power of friendship and compassion.
Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Interesting yet horrifying account of US history and the cruelty that greed can lead to. I was a little confused by all of the names and relationships. I read this for a book group that I didn’t end up attending but would have liked the chance to discuss. Looking forward to the movie.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
This was great! A non-romantic love story of two people who develop a lifelong friendship. I listened to the audiobook and there was something about the writing that drew me in immediately. Deep friendships, like any long-time relationship, have ebbs and flows over the years. Sam and Sadie's friendship begins in the 90s when they are both children in vulnerable situations. They have gaps in their communication, misunderstandings, and resentments but their creative spark keeps them coming back together to build a video game empire which is not exactly the point but leads to some interesting plot twists. I'm not a gamer but the value of this relationship resonated with me, frustrated me, saddened me, and delighted me. Throughout the book, it was clear that while there was no romantic potential it was no less intimate. I found myself rooting for them individually and for their relationship.