rlpietraszek's reviews
137 reviews

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

Fantastic premise, exceptional execution

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective relaxing sad 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

Shōgun by James Clavell
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.

Just not as good as I remembered, or not what I was in the mood for 

Piglet by Lottie Hazell

dark emotional reflective tense 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

4.5

Absolutely stunning writing, fantastic turn of phrase. I loved every page even when I was absolutely horrified for the main character.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder

Three Days in June by Anne Tyler

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

Frying Plantain by Zalika Reid-Benta

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense 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

4.5

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Extremely well written, falls apart at the end. Throughly enjoyed the writing style and the tense plot.

The Newcomer: A Novel by Mary Kay Andrews

dark emotional slow-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

3.0

Wild and unbelievable plot, full of holes, with a romance shoe-horned in. Love interest comes off as stalker-ish and pushy. Main character makes choices that make absolutely no sense. Many awkward turns of phrase and plot twists. Left a lot to be desired as a beach read.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

emotional lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad slow-paced

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

3.0

The way it was written was really not for me, but it’s a fun plot/premise.

The Happy Couple by Naoise Dolan

dark emotional funny lighthearted reflective fast-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