the_bookish_musings_of_mari's reviews
1268 reviews

The Book of Delights: Essays by Ross Gay
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.

I think in paper would be better

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

emotional hopeful fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse

Moderate: Domestic abuse

Minor: Infidelity, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Classism

A Column of Fire by Ken Follett

adventurous informative slow-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? No

4.0

While some parts lagged and had too much politics for me, I enjoyed living in the 1600s with these well-drawn characters. Will continue with the series

The Mothers by Brit Bennett

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.25

This was a propulsive read that was so well written the words practically disappeared and you were just in the story 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Grief, Abortion

Moderate: Infertility, Infidelity, Suicide

Minor: War

The Verifiers by Jane Pek

mysterious sad medium-paced

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

4.0

I don’t normally like Mysteries but this had a hint of an Ocean’s 11 type caper. Also, I have read so many Chinese Diaspora stories and this one felt fresh. 

Ready or Not by Cara Bastone

emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

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

5.0

I rarely tear up but right at the end, that part when she gets home, well, I was so touched. Like if it happened to me. (You’ll know the part when you get to it). 
I loved the ordinariness of this love story and how it explores so many ways of loving and being loved. 

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

funny lighthearted reflective slow-paced

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

5.0

I really enjoyed my re-reading of Mansfield Park. Especially the second half of the book. 

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.

Don’t like the audio narrator 

The Prey by Yrsa Sigurðardóttir

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.75

My first foray into icelandic noir. Thankfully not as scary as I thought. It was mostly just unsettling and I wanted to know what was going on. A good book while there were snow squalls outside my window 

Freeing Luka by Victoria Aveline

medium-paced

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

4.0

Not as good as book 1 in this series but I love the world it’s set in. Will read more in the series