naoreeds's reviews
71 reviews

Black Coffee by Agatha Christie

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

2.75

One for My Enemy: A Novel by Olivie Blake

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

4.5

Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke

challenging hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.75

My only issue with this is that it should've been longer!! Rainer Maria Rilke, your words have pierced my soul, and I shall cradle them into my heart.

The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

4.0

My favourite Hercule Poirot book by far!!! It was thrilling and I was so invested with it because it was so hard to determine and guess how the murder was carried out because numerous actors and suspects were at play. Was at the edge of my seat the whole time!! 

Fresh Complaint by Jeffrey Eugenides, Jeffrey Eugenides

funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

3.0

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

2.0

33 Place Brugmann by Alice Austen

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

3.0

 

A solid debut! 

I am not one who usually enjoys a book with multiple POVs as it leaves me with a small space to grow attached to and empathize with every character thrown my way. But this book may be an exception. I loved how natural each character’s connection was to the other—very raw, very human. It made me grow fond of that little apartment building with its members, having to hope for the best for them once the Nazi occupation struck. 

Austen was able to start with each small detail that builds up to reveal a bigger picture. Like how the story begins with Charlotte describing the familiar features of their quaint home, then proceeding to the dawn of World War II. It gave way to a very steady progression throughout the story, which kept me intrigued and captivated the whole time. 

Despite being a historical fiction and somewhat a literary fiction, I sense the high stakes, keeping me on the edge of my seat as I swipe each page. I adore each character, and I was afraid of what would happen to them, as well as what they would do. The characters are so interwoven that one character’s decision could highly affect the fate of another. 

The writing is just so atmospheric, which I love. There were sentences that confused me a bit, but I believe it adds to the charm anyway. 

As someone who loves art and history, I adore this book and will continue to think about it for the time being. 

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Grove Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Little Mysteries: Nine Miniature Puzzles to Confuse, Enthrall, and Delight by Sara Gran

funny inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

2.75

One thing I have to say is that this book gave off so much coziness and comfort

 I adore every short story despite some instances where the mystery is pretty obvious or vague, so I don't know what was happening half the time. It kind of fell short mystery-wise but literary fiction-wise, this book is brilliant! Gran was able to hook me in with her quirky and simple writing style immediately, it was what I needed after battling a terrible reading slump. I adored the underlying message interwoven into each mystery. That last mystery made me gasp in surprise and appreciation, and it is a chapter that I will never forget. 

This book is the best of both worlds for me, mixing mystery and literary fiction, two literary genres that have a special place in my heart. Will definitely read more of Sara Gran's books sometime soon. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamland Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 
 

The Big Four by Agatha Christie

funny mysterious medium-paced

3.25

The Details by Ia Genberg

reflective fast-paced

3.0