the_sentimentality_of_books's reviews
85 reviews

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

A Five-Letter Word for Love by Amy James

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

5.0

Dracula by Bram Stoker
Did not finish book.

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense 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? Yes

5.0

I have read this as part of 'Dracula Daily' a service that emails you snippets of the book happening in "real time": Because the book is written in date-coded works (e.g., diary entries, letters), it works really well. This way it is very slow-paced and builds the suspense and terror so well.

The Maid by Nita Prose

dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

Following Molly the Maid uncover the killer of Mr Black at her beloved Regency Grand Hotel was a wonderfully slow burn.
Given the flashbacks that Molly allows us to see into her life, we cringe in embarrassment for her, want to hug her, want to cheer for her.
A main theme of this book is power: who has it, and who doesn't have it. Or, who can exploit the vulnerable, and what can the vulnerable do?
I can't wait to continue the series and join Molly on another adventure.

Bernese Adventure by Jane Shaw

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

I absolutely love this book. It's one of the books I read when I need something both relaxing and fun. The characters are so funny and a good little family to a join on their holiday as they race around Western Europe.

Monsieur by Emma Becker, Maxim Jakubowski

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

Carry On, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

5.0

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

adventurous challenging emotional funny fast-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

Stars Above by Marissa Meyer

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

challenging dark emotional 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? Yes

I found this book difficult to read because of the protaganist: Victoria doesn't fight battles, doesn't slay dragons, doesn't wave a banner. Mostly, she is passive. Even when threatened with homelessness, she does nothing.
I stuck with it in hopes that the final chapter would show her finally taking steps.
The book would have been over a lot more quickly if most of the characters had sought mich-needed mental health support.