srm's reviews
1061 reviews

Her Side of the Story by Alba de Céspedes

challenging dark reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

An interesting look at the life of women in 1930s and 40s Italy, I have to say I found the first part of the novel much more compelling than the second.  Alessandra's childhood and watching her mother's struggles and love for another man blossom, and Alessandra's relationships with the other women and girls of the neighborhood is a 5-star book. But this is followed by her unhappy marriage to a revolutionary and the story grows repetitive and tedious, and while I understand that was likely meant to reflect Alessandra's own emotions about her marriage, it gave me 3-star enjoyment. Hence it averages out to 4 stars for me. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Grief, Infidelity, and Suicide

Minor: Animal death, Gun violence, Murder, and War

Calamity by Constance Fay

adventurous emotional funny mysterious 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

4.0

This sexy sci fi space romance is an absolute delight!  Very much looking forward to more from this world. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Gun violence, Infidelity, and Medical content

Minor: Alcohol, Classism, Cursing, and Bullying

Time to Shine by Rachel Reid
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.

It pains me to say, because I normally love Reid's books, but I just don't find the characters likable, and I have a million other things to read, so I'm bailing. 

Next-Door Nemesis by Alexa Martin

emotional funny lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.0

Absolutely charming. Who knew ex-friends turn nemeses fighting for an HOA presidency could be so charming, but here we are! Collins and Nate are adorable, hilarious, and so meant from each other. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: Sexism, Alcohol, Cursing, and Racism

This is Amiko, Do You Copy? by Natsuko Imamura

challenging dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

This is my second Imamura, and she really has such a way with the POV of people who just do not interact with the world in a typical fashion. Little Amiko's pain and struggles to understand what's happening when tragedy strikes her family, and her inability to function normally with her classmates is heartbreaking and vividly written.  

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Grief, Child death, Miscarriage, and Mental illness

Minor: Pregnancy and Violence

The Night House by Jo Nesbø

adventurous dark mysterious 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

4.0

I'm not typically a horror reader, but I am a Jo Nesbo reader. he really brought his plotting strengths and ability to keep the twists coming to this new genre, and honestly, that made it all good. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Death, Suicide, and Death of parent

Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Medical content, Mental illness, and Body horror

Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, and Infidelity

Travels with Charley in Search of America by John Steinbeck

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs

Minor: Antisemitism, Cursing, and Alcohol

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

challenging dark emotional funny tense slow-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Murder, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Pedophilia, and Rape

Moderate: Death, Pregnancy, and Death of parent

Minor: Drug use, Medical content, Vomit, Alcohol, Car accident, and Violence

Holdout by Jeffrey Kluger
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.

After an intriguing opening, I started to question the heroine at the end of the first chapter. Then I went ahead and read some spoilers, and realized I'd never be able to sympathize with her. Far worse, the book is FULL of showing AND telling. I've always felt the admonition to only show, don't tell was a bit much, because some moments don't deserve the time it takes to show, but no moment--or as often happen here, character introduction--requires both showing and telling. 

The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement

Moderate: Child abuse, Colonisation, Death, and Medical content

Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Sexual content, and Violence