nadia's reviews
573 reviews

Tiny Moons: A Year of Eating in Shanghai by Nina Mingya Powles

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adventurous informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

A delicious quick read, read in pretty much one sitting. Makes me want to go to Shanghai and eat all of the things!!
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

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adventurous funny lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

It was okay! Boring at times, and some of the characters' actions were strange, but there were a few times where it made me chuckle, and a few times where I was hooked, which wins the book points.

(Note: I only picked up this book — and will be picking up Huck Finn — because I want to read James. I know you don't have to read the Mark Twain books but I'm a completionist.)
Dracula by Bram Stoker

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.0

The book isn't without its flaws but I really got into it! I loved the storytelling format and there were certainly times where, despite its overall slow pace, the book felt like a page turner! Glad to have finally read this popular classic.
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Henry V - The Astonishing Rise of England's Greatest Warrior King by Dan Jones

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informative reflective medium-paced

3.5

In some ways this rating feels a little harsh as this was a solid, detailed biography, with a strong narrative. I'll definitely look out for more history books by Dan Jones. He writes and tells stories really well. However, while I started off intrigued, at some point I just felt I was getting a: "and then this war happened, and then this war happened, then this happened..." and I thought I'd leave with more of a tighter thesis around why Henry V's reign and him as a leader was something worth learning about beyond "it's just interesting to learn about your country's history". Maybe I wasn't in the right headspace at the time and audio wasn't the best option for this book (but it was complimentary from Libro's ALC Program). Way too many names, relationships, and family tree branches to keep track of in my head!
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Pet Sematary by Stephen King

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dark emotional mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

I went into this book with really high expectations — probably because this is the favourite King of the person who inspired me to do my big King chronological read and our book tastes are very similar — and I left really liking this book, but it wasn't the five-star read (and what would have been my first King five-star, 17 books in) I hoped it would be.

The writing was brilliant, as was the portrayal of grief, and it evoked chilling feelings at time, but I just wasn't captivated by the book as much as I hoped. It didn't have as big of an emotional impact as I thought. It felt like a big chunk in the middle lagged and I wanted the story to pick up the pace!
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Guillotine by Delilah S. Dawson

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dark 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? Yes

2.5

If you want an easy, gory listen, then this is a great option. Nothing too new or original was done here, especially where character development was concerned, but I was engaged throughout the whole audiobook, despite the clichés and silliness.

Points were docked for the unnecessary Pet Sematary spoiler 54% in, which I was coincidentally  also reading at the time and had just kinda reached the spoiled point in question.
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

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dark sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.25

This, my first Whitehead, is a really good book, covering harrowing subject matter. I'm not sure the narration style was my favourite though. While it started strong, I ended up finding it a little dull at times, and I often had to reread sentences/paragraphs, thinking I'd missed something. Overall, the writing quality was great and towards the end of the book the pace picked up and I was swiftly turning those pages!
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How to Build a Fashion Icon: Notes on Confidence by Law Roach

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inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.0

As a big Zendaya fan and admirer of Law Roach, I was hoping for a lot more from this book. It was a lot more self-help-y than I was expecting and most of the advice, the main theme being cultivating confidence, was rather run-of-the-mill. I was hoping for a lot more originality and unique insights. My favourite parts were the memoir elements and some red carpet/event prep BTS. I would have preferred a book just with that stuff! Still, there were some good reminders in there re confidence, and success, and all that jazz!
Glitter Saints: The Cosmic Art of Forgiveness, a Memoir by Robin Brown

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dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

Very difficult listening but I liked this memoir from Robin Brown (someone who'd I'd never heard of) a lot, and I went in with low/no expectations, which probably helped. I had no clue what a dark story I was heading into.
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I Shouldn't Be Telling You This (But I'm Going to Anyway) by Chelsea Devantez

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emotional funny reflective medium-paced

4.5

I really really liked this audiobook! It felt like I was having a catch-up with my friend, Chelsea, at a bar, and she was giving me all the goss, all the BTS deets. Lots of humour, emotion, but also general life reflections. Also love the story of how Devantez made it her career. The audiobook has a bonus story too!