Scan barcode
tdhaswell's reviews
56 reviews
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Fast paced and easy to follow with interesting twists, can’t complain there. Overall it was an above average mystery book with a unique plot but nothing too special. Personally the ending was just too ambitious for me.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I finished this book a few days ago, but I just had to let it sit with me before I reviewed it. It is definitely not for everyone. It’s not a page-turner per say but rather has a very intriguing and strange storyline. Essentially the book takes the reader on Eleanor’s journey in confronting her trauma and along the way the reader finds out what exactly happened to Eleanor.
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.75
Definitely for younger audiences.
The book reads like a 2016 Wattpad story that was extremely cringeworthy and predictable from the first sentence. However, I think that’s exactly why the book appeals to most of the readers that loved it. If you’re in Grade 8 and looking for a cute romance, you’re welcome. If you’re looking for a heart-stopping romance with unexpected plot-twists maybe grab something more substantial. I completely ignored the little quotes at the beginning of each paragraph simply because, while others might consider it a unique touch, I just found it random and unnecessary.
Not sure if this is a spoiler because the plot of the book is really that obvious but anyway:
I absolutely could not stand how the author, Lynn Painter, explains all of Liz’s emotions. Painter writes a sentence alluding to how Liz is feeling and then goes on to explain why Liz is feeling that way. Here’s some examples:
1. ‘I felt closer to my mother when I watched them; it felt like a tiny piece of her was there, watching beside me. Probably because we’d watched them together So. Many. Times.’ - Like WE KNOW it’s because they watched it together. I wish she’d let the readers fill in the gaps ourselves instead of explaining every thought Liz has… no one thinks like that IRL so?? It makes the book quite unrealistic when the main character is written to think like that.
2. ‘It seemed incredibly personal, sharing this with him, but it also didn’t feel wrong. Probably because I’d known him so long.’ - Again with the ‘probably because’🤦♀️. Letting the reader ponder the reason would have made it FAR more enjoyable.
To really show how often Painter does this, I searched and found that the word ‘probably’ is used 78 times throughout the book. I also understand the notion that perhaps Liz giving explanations for everything shows how she is dismissive of her emotions towards Wes and tries to give reason for its absurdity but personally I didn’t enjoy that writing style.
Very very YA. Which is absolutely fine, but not for me personally.
The book reads like a 2016 Wattpad story that was extremely cringeworthy and predictable from the first sentence. However, I think that’s exactly why the book appeals to most of the readers that loved it. If you’re in Grade 8 and looking for a cute romance, you’re welcome. If you’re looking for a heart-stopping romance with unexpected plot-twists maybe grab something more substantial. I completely ignored the little quotes at the beginning of each paragraph simply because, while others might consider it a unique touch, I just found it random and unnecessary.
Not sure if this is a spoiler because the plot of the book is really that obvious but anyway:
1. ‘I felt closer to my mother when I watched them; it felt like a tiny piece of her was there, watching beside me. Probably because we’d watched them together So. Many. Times.’ - Like WE KNOW it’s because they watched it together. I wish she’d let the readers fill in the gaps ourselves instead of explaining every thought Liz has… no one thinks like that IRL so?? It makes the book quite unrealistic when the main character is written to think like that.
2. ‘It seemed incredibly personal, sharing this with him, but it also didn’t feel wrong. Probably because I’d known him so long.’ - Again with the ‘probably because’🤦♀️. Letting the reader ponder the reason would have made it FAR more enjoyable.
To really show how often Painter does this, I searched and found that the word ‘probably’ is used 78 times throughout the book. I also understand the notion that perhaps Liz giving explanations for everything shows how she is dismissive of her emotions towards Wes and tries to give reason for its absurdity but personally I didn’t enjoy that writing style.
Very very YA. Which is absolutely fine, but not for me personally.
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Not my favourite of Ng’s work but still an enjoyable novel. The plot and characters are unique and like nothing I have read before and the ending was satisfactory.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Maya Angelou was an extraordinary writer. Her books leave me speechless in the best way possible. I received this autobiography as a gift and now I have to go get the rest!
When the Moon is Low by Nadia Hashimi
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Nadia Hashimi tells a heart-wrenching and exceptionally enlightening story, and does so beautifully. When The Moon is Low is incredibly grounding. Truly one of the most phenomenal books I’ve ever read. A must read.
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ng writes beautifully which made this book more enjoyable. It was a very emotional read, not necessarily that you will cry but you will feel something. The title that refers not only to Lydia, but to every character in the book was a clever addition. Being of mixed race myself, I found some parts meaningful and relatable while there were others that made me cringe. Nonetheless, as the plot unravels there are twists that are unexpected and brilliant. The passionate love and hatred that brewed inside of me for certain characters prove this book a compelling read.
#JusticeForJackandHannah
My favourite part of the book was how Ng paralleled that Marilyn wanted James because he was different like her, yet James wanted Marilyn because she was ordinary and he wanted to fit in.
#JusticeForJackandHannah
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
2.5
I think it's supposed to ignite optimism in the reader through the entire storyline being an extended metaphor but it's kinda depressing really. It's a bland execution of a really interesting concept. Worth a read🤷🏽♀️. I think I’ll give some of Matt Haig’s other books a try.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
You All Grow Up and Leave Me: A Memoir of Teenage Obsession by Piper Weiss
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Okay. Wow. A lot to unpack here.
First, this memoir was written really well.
Piper Weiss writes about her teenage-self, attending tennis lessons with her coach Gary Wilensky. Wilensky is later found to be a child-stalker and pedophile after his failed kidnapping of one of his students. Weiss explores the psychology behind how exactly Wilensky was able to befriend and gain the trust of so many children (his students)- and that alone is extremely interesting. She then revisits her connection to Wilensky in order to find out why, 30 years later, she is still so fixated on how the coach she trusted so much could be this dangerous person.
Piper makes it known that although she is shaken by this traumatic discovery and is grateful that she was never a victim of his, she still has this unshakable attachment to him and she wonders why it was not her that he chose to kidnap. For this reason, many people disliked it, but I was fascinated by it for the exact same reason.
It's brutally honest and unpacks her trauma of being an 'almost victim' and how the manipulation by Wilensky affected her ability to see him for what he really was.
First, this memoir was written really well.
Piper Weiss writes about her teenage-self, attending tennis lessons with her coach Gary Wilensky. Wilensky is later found to be a child-stalker and pedophile after his failed kidnapping of one of his students. Weiss explores the psychology behind how exactly Wilensky was able to befriend and gain the trust of so many children (his students)- and that alone is extremely interesting. She then revisits her connection to Wilensky in order to find out why, 30 years later, she is still so fixated on how the coach she trusted so much could be this dangerous person.
Piper makes it known that although she is shaken by this traumatic discovery and is grateful that she was never a victim of his, she still has this unshakable attachment to him and she wonders why it was not her that he chose to kidnap. For this reason, many people disliked it, but I was fascinated by it for the exact same reason.
It's brutally honest and unpacks her trauma of being an 'almost victim' and how the manipulation by Wilensky affected her ability to see him for what he really was.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Sexual harassment
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
A brilliant book. It combines an intriguing storyline with simply worded and easy to read chapters yet the writing still is not immature.