themanicuredreader's reviews
335 reviews

Show Don't Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld

reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

Curtis never misses. Her writing is engrossing & her stories & characters are so real. And there’s no better treat than a short story collection. 

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

dark emotional reflective sad 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? No

5.0

This was maybe one of my most anticipated reads of my life? You think you know the full story because we know how it all ends, but this one packs so much more lore & backstory to make this whole THG universe that much richer. I’ve always been a Haymitch fan. Suzanne Collins is a genius, & we can learn a lot about reality from the fiction she’s written. 

The Favorites by Layne Fargo

reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Hard to put this one down! Enjoyed a look behind the scenes of ice dancing & the drama that came with it. I didn’t feel like we ever got to know Heath, though every other character — main & side — was fleshed out. Some of the dramatic reveals were a touch too dramatic, but I understand this was a docuseries format. More books like this that are like a TV show & well researched, please! 

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang

reflective slow-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

3.0

Cute ending & loved the behind-the-scenes of a writers room, but it was a bit too slow for me throughout. 

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

mysterious medium-paced

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

2.0

I don’t get it. No character development. I’m all for reality with an element of fantasy or whimsy but there was no explanation ever. 

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

emotional funny reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

This book was phenomenal — so voicey, so reflective, I wanted to highlight every other line. This is definitely one I will be rereading & learning from both as an aspiring writer & as a human being. 

The Women by Kristin Hannah

dark emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.0

Kristin Hannah once again tells a phenomenal story about a piece of history many know little about. I couldn’t stop turning the pages of Frankie’s story, was both captivated & horrified by her descriptions of war, & felt gutted about life “back in the world” once Frankie returned. If anything, this book makes me want to learn more about this piece of history — which was not really taught in any of my history classes growing up. 

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

reflective fast-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

4.0

I saw two bookstagrammers post about this book just today, & given its length, I figured I should read it. A quick but thoughtful story with some quotable nuggets. I’m already interested in checking out more from this author. Beautiful writing & put me right in the scenes.  

The Situationship by Abby Jimenez

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

Cute because everything Abby writes is gold. Just want more of this interlude before the next book!

The Official Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour Book by Taylor Swift

emotional informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

5.0

I mean, duh, it was obviously phenomenal & her opening letter made me cry.