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rpweber15's reviews
273 reviews
Listen to Your Sister by Neena Viel
Did not finish book. Stopped at 29%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 29%.
The writing was repetitive, the story didn’t make much sense, and I just couldn’t get invested in the characters.
House of Frank by Kay Synclaire
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
I was not prepared for this emotional journey. Incredibly sweet and endearing, this study of grief and found family will tug at your heartstrings in a spectacular fashion. Tears will likely flow.
Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
Much like Parable of the Sower, this book felt scarily and horrifyingly real. I think the pacing was a bit off in this book, and the multiple POV lacked depth when it came to Larkin’s perspective, but overall, this book was almost as perfect as the first one in terms of characters and themes.
The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse
2.0
I joined a creepy book club and so far none of the books are more than 3 stars. This one had potential but the author really did not capitalize on the isolation of a resort in the snowy Alps nor the backstory of the sanatorium. None of the characters are particularly likable and the plot is terrible. I’m reading the second book next (not a sequel, just the same protagonist) and am hoping it is better than this one! Sigh. I have a hard time DNFing mysteries/thrillers because I am always too curious, but I probably should have DNFed this one! In fact, it was reasonably ok until the climax of the story, which really just made me roll my eyes in a dramatic fashion.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
4.5
What a delightful debut novel! I read the entire book on a cross-country flight and it kept me entertained the entire time, which is difficult to do in a tiny, uncomfortable plane seat packed in like a sardine. I really enjoyed Ms. Garmus's witty writing style and how she voiced the characters...especially the dog. I think the very serious and traumatic aspects of this book (sexual assault and power) actually balanced out the sometimes over-the-top cheekiness that leaned in the direction of caricature. I really look forward to whatever Bonnie Garmus writes next!
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
4.0
After not finishing the HBO series of Station Eleven because I was bored out of my mind, I was very afraid of reading any of the author’s novels. I don’t know that her style is for me but this was a very well-done story and I’m glad I read it. I enjoyed the time travel piece of the plot and like how the author sort of pulled everything together. With that said, the number of timelines and narrators was sometimes a little confusing…and the author’s writing style really did not help. Overall, this had a strange ethereal factor to it that you don’t normally get in sci-fi! Or at least I don’t think you do…