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tdhaswell's reviews
56 reviews
It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han
fast-paced
4.0
Jenny Han does it again. Some would say it’s ‘immature’ but I read it with my younger cousins and I have to appreciate it for what it is- a well written summer romance. I can’t exactly remember what happens in each book because I read them all consecutively so my review won’t be too in-depth. Ultimately a super cute, fun, summer romance that I devoured when I was a young teen.
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
fast-paced
4.0
Jenny Han does it again. Some would say it’s ‘immature’ but I read it with my younger cousins and I have to appreciate it for what it is- a well written summer romance. I can’t exactly remember what happens in each book because I read them all consecutively so my review won’t be too in-depth. Ultimately it was a super cute, fun, summer romance that I devoured when I was a young teen.
A Harvest of Thorns: A Novel by Corban Addison
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I found A Harvest of Thorns to be quite
slow in the beginning- but slow does not
mean boring. Corban Addison is a
brilliant writer. His style is beautiful and
eloquent. It may take some effort to
learn all the characters and their role in
their respective companies and the plot
as a whole but once you've nailed that,
the storyline starts to flow beautifully.
The book picks up about mid-way as all
the pieces start to fall into place. It
almost has a mystery element to it as we
follow the characters putting clues
together to uncover truths that we (the
reader) already know. It humanizes the
workers in this industry and will tug at
your heart. The book ends well but I wish
Addison had included more stories of
different workers and their experiences
because I found that very interesting and
the most meaningful.
slow in the beginning- but slow does not
mean boring. Corban Addison is a
brilliant writer. His style is beautiful and
eloquent. It may take some effort to
learn all the characters and their role in
their respective companies and the plot
as a whole but once you've nailed that,
the storyline starts to flow beautifully.
The book picks up about mid-way as all
the pieces start to fall into place. It
almost has a mystery element to it as we
follow the characters putting clues
together to uncover truths that we (the
reader) already know. It humanizes the
workers in this industry and will tug at
your heart. The book ends well but I wish
Addison had included more stories of
different workers and their experiences
because I found that very interesting and
the most meaningful.
An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
I’m not sure why I read this considering that The Couple Next Door wasn’t fantastic but I guess I wanted a quick read. Was this an improvement? Unfortunately not.
It began quite ambitiously by introducing a lot of characters and I genuinely thought I would struggle keeping up but considering that the characters were so 2-Dimensional and each had one definable character trait I was ok. It was very repetitive and kept mentioning that there’s a snow storm, it’s cold, there’s no electricity, it’s dark, blah blah we get it.
A good mystery writer provides the reader with subtle clues and nuances throughout the plot that boil down to the big reveal that is hidden with a couple plot twists. This novel had no clues, no nuances, no subtleties it just went on and on and then handed you the answer.
Any one else find it questionable that none of the staff could attend work because of the storm but all the guests could?? The whole premise of the book was just off
It began quite ambitiously by introducing a lot of characters and I genuinely thought I would struggle keeping up but considering that the characters were so 2-Dimensional and each had one definable character trait I was ok. It was very repetitive and kept mentioning that there’s a snow storm, it’s cold, there’s no electricity, it’s dark, blah blah we get it.
A good mystery writer provides the reader with subtle clues and nuances throughout the plot that boil down to the big reveal that is hidden with a couple plot twists. This novel had no clues, no nuances, no subtleties it just went on and on and then handed you the answer.
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Tragically beautiful. The heartbreaking reality of so many Afghan women as to this day the Middle East is plagued by war and conflict and innocent people are caught in the crossfire. Hosseini tells a hard truth and had my heart in my throat with this gut-wrenchingly emotional tale.
Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
One of the top murder mysteries I’ve read. Very entertaining, intriguing and with a lot of plot twists. Although it’s arguably a lengthy book, it doesn’t feel like it. Well written with a well-thought ending which I enjoyed.
The Next Person You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
4.0
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
It’s no secret that I am not a lover of fantasy. I find it too unrealistic and just don’t enjoy it as much, but I thought I would venture out of my comfort zone because of the praising reviews of The Night Circus. Wow. This book was utterly dazzling and magnificent. Morgenstern uses beautiful descriptions that include even the smallest details but not in a way that is boring and intolerable but rather it contributes to the world-building of this magical concept. The exceptional attention to detail allows for an all-encompassing enchantment that enhances the storyline of deep love and loss.
Children of Sugarcane by Joanne Joseph
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
“Children of sugarcane, robbed of their juvenile joys, conditioned to cry quietly and embrace their inheritance of poverty and labour.”
Children of Sugarcane is nothing short of magnificent. It is informative and educational and gave me, a South African of Indian descent, a deeper insight into Indenture and the colonial system entirely.
Through her brilliant writing, Joanne Joseph creates the perfect environment for the reader to slowly develop an emotional attachment to Shanti, the main character, that only grows as the book progresses. This connection runs so deep that we live through Shanti’s life with her and are inspired by her.
Shanti’s life is filled with heart-wrenching twists that challenge her relationships and her court case and trial documented in the novel uncovers the unjust judicial system of the time.
Children of Sugarcane perfectly intertwines history and fiction to voice the unconventional truths about Indenture and I think it's important for us to read such books. It has a distinguishing effect as it separates ‘interesting facts' from real experience. It's a humanizing reminder that history is so much more than what we learn through the media and textbooks- that it was an actual experience that deeply affected real people. Joanne Joseph does an incredible job at ensuring that the untold stories of women living and working in unjust conditions are heard and never forgotten.
Ultimately, this book serves as an insight into the hardships of the system of Indentured labour as well as a poetic novel of love, loss and triumph with a strong, self-empowered female protagonist. Truly an extraordinary story executed beautifully.
Shanti’s life is filled with heart-wrenching twists that challenge her relationships and her court case and trial documented in the novel uncovers the unjust judicial system of the time.
Children of Sugarcane perfectly intertwines history and fiction to voice the unconventional truths about Indenture and I think it's important for us to read such books. It has a distinguishing effect as it separates ‘interesting facts' from real experience. It's a humanizing reminder that history is so much more than what we learn through the media and textbooks- that it was an actual experience that deeply affected real people. Joanne Joseph does an incredible job at ensuring that the untold stories of women living and working in unjust conditions are heard and never forgotten.
Ultimately, this book serves as an insight into the hardships of the system of Indentured labour as well as a poetic novel of love, loss and triumph with a strong, self-empowered female protagonist. Truly an extraordinary story executed beautifully.