readsinfrogpjs's reviews
538 reviews

Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

emotional reflective slow-paced

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

4.0

I have some mixed feelings about A Dream Count.  I rated 4 stars because of Adichie's beautiful style of writing. She is a master at the art of prose. Following four Nigerian women,  we glide through they past and present lives,  uncovering their wants, desires, choices,  or their response to situations when choices are taken away from them. Told in alternating points of views, which I'm normally a fan of, hindered this story, in my opinion.  As a reader, I felt I was kept at a distance from these characters. The story just floated without much of a plot to keep the story on point.  For that, my interest in the book was lost frequently. 

I was provided an advanced reader copy, opinions are my own. 

My Friends by Fredrik Backman

5.0

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.

It wasn't something I was enjoying.  I can see the reason for high reviews,  but it's what others have loved  that left me underwhelmed.  The prose, the meandering lyrical writing, etc. I was uninterested in the story and no connection to the characters

The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire

3.0

Atomic Lobster Free with Bonus Material by Tim Dorsey

3.0

The Dark Maestro by Brendan Slocumb

adventurous challenging mysterious tense 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

4.0

Ask for Andrea by Noelle W. Ihli

challenging dark mysterious sad tense fast-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? No

4.0

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend by MJ Wassmer

adventurous challenging dark funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

33 Place Brugmann by Alice Austen

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced

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

3.0

I struggled a bit getting through 33 Place Bruggman.  The writing style, while well done, was not a favorite of mine to read.  More stream of consciousness type writing that often made me feel like we were just meandering through the plot with no real tangible actions taking place.  I think in my head what I thought the book was going to be was something where the characters interacted with each other much more than than did,  but with  WW2 backdrop. This felt more like separate short stories that overlapped here and there.  I did like the perspective of how the nazi invasion of Belgium impacted the day to day like of those living at 33 Place Bruggman.  A very atmospheric historical fiction novel,  perfect for those that enjoy the intricate thoughts of the characters as they move about their life.  

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read and review honestly an advanced copy.