tisalwayssunny's reviews
258 reviews

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Love when the house is a distinct character. There’s also something to be said about how immersive and rich the writing is. Downside for me was I felt things were a bit slow in the beginning, otherwise nearly perfect  

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

emotional reflective tense 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

4.5

The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke

adventurous hopeful fast-paced

4.0

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No

2.0

Very meh. No tension whatsoever, just some tepid intrigue.

The Colony by Audrey Magee

dark emotional reflective slow-paced

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

4.5

Terrifically tackles the complicated emotions of a colonial state through two avenues — art and language. I loved the way the perspectives would switch spontaneously. The ending is obvious but still painful till the very last bit. 

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

dark emotional tense

5.0

A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan's Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them by Timothy Egan

informative medium-paced

4.0

Reading this I realized I had a very basic understanding of the KKK. The book really highlights the level of influence and the way it seeped into everything in American culture of the day. I say of the day lightly though because the author makes some clear parallels to the modern day climate. 

The Art Thief by Michael Finkel

adventurous reflective medium-paced

4.0

This read like a series of New Yorker articles in a positive way! The author isn’t entirely un-sympathetic to the thief but he’s not forgiving or in awe of the extent of the crimes which is a good balance to keep. 

Funny Story by Emily Henry

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective 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

4.0

The more time that has passed since finishing, the warmer my feelings are for this book. Initially I struggled with it because I don’t have a lot of patience for characters that feel sorry for themselves.  I’m not sure if we needed the MC at such a low point but her growth is satisfying & compelling. The romance was also sweet and really grew with the characters. 

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

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

3.5

This is technically well written in terms of structure and setting. It has the reflective tone that older people tend to get when they talk about their lives but in a positive way. My biggest barrier was the coldness of the narrator. I just couldn’t get myself to care, especially in the beginning. There are some emotional beats near the end though which are really wonderfully done but just took too long to get there. Meryl Streep for the audiobook narration was an inspired choice though, kudos to the producer/publisher.