timwakef78's Reviews (20)

Before the Coffee Gets Cold

Toshikazu Kawaguchi

4.0

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective relaxing sad 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

A wonderful read, set of interlinked stories & characters. Despite it being translated, it did not feel clunky, and you really feel as if you’re sat in the small Funiculi Funicula cafe in Tokyo, observing the beauty of relationships, whilst marvelling at it’s resident ghost, and time travelling customers.

The Sense of an Ending

Julian Barnes

3.5

reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Ordinary Human Failings

Megan Nolan

3.25

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

Talented writing throughout and an interesting plot, but the book’s blurb describes a very different story.

This was less about the alleged crime and the manipulative hack trying to get a scoop, and far more about the complexity of a broken family. It tells the story of different members of that family all impacted in their own ways by personal traumas and experiences, and how those have shaped them, and ultimately their relationships with each other.

I really enjoyed the writing nonetheless, but it wasn’t the book I was expecting.

Cahokia Jazz

Francis Spufford

3.75

challenging mysterious 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

An enjoyable book, really interesting premise and plot….. BUT whilst I could admire the very skilled writing from a fantastic author (I loved Golden Hill), I did find myself skim reading large parts of the descriptive elements so that I could get back to the storyline and the characters. Whilst for some the imagining of a city that ‘might have been’ will be a delight, I struggled with those parts and retaining the information needed to fully understand some of the context. As a result I was left feeling I hadn’t fully done the book justice or had only enjoyed the story on a superficial level, which probably says more about me than the book :)

The Sun Down Motel

Simone St. James

3.5

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Really enjoyable horror/crime novel that provides plenty of twists throughout. I liked switching between the two time frames, although this did mean some elements became repetitive towards the end. An easy read that is definitely recommended for anyone who likes this genre.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

Gabrielle Zevin

4.25

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Sometimes you find a book that you can’t help but fall in love with and will stick in the memory for a long time. Really enjoyable, especially for those who like 90s nostalgia for video games, friendship and the complexities of growing up, whilst trying to hold onto who you once were.

Killing Jericho

William Hussey

3.5

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Enjoyable crime thriller that just fell a little short juggling several plot lines. This was very much about introducing a cast of characters who will go on to feature in more novels, and there’s a feeling throughout that it was written with TV in mind. No doubt it’ll be on our screens in the not too distant future.