vics_reads's reviews
42 reviews

The Lamplighters by Emma Stonex

mysterious slow-paced

3.5

A fictionalised true story of three lighthouse keepers who disappeared in 1900 from their remote rock light at sea. This novel is set in two time periods, 1972 & 20 years later. I didn't care much for the writers version of what might have happened but I adored the style of writing especially for one of the wife's, Helen. Written as one way conversations but they worked so well as you just got it. I got confused with who was married to who but that's pretty typical of me, something about similar/plain names I can't keep track. All in all pleasant & quick read. 3.5⭐

The Measure by Nikki Erlick

challenging hopeful mysterious sad slow-paced

3.0

Okay. I liked the sound of this book. 
One day you wake to a box. 
In that box is a string. 
The length of the string is important. 
Long string = long life. 
Would it change your view on life? 
You get the gist. 
I did & didn't care about some of the characters. 
Made me think? Anyway...
I didn't feel like I finished this book knowing what the heck happened or why?
Very indifference about this book. 

The Whisper Man by Alex North

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.0

Read this as a buddy read & the way I'd split the book up helped with some reet good cliffhangers. I was hooked from the start with the right kind of creepy. Felt it lost steam in some parts & had a bit of Sixth Sense about it but overall a solid read which kept me wanting to page turn to solve it.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

challenging emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A

4.0

"For you, a thousand times over"

Tragic, wonderful, sad, heartwarming story about friendship which turns into family love & loyalty. Not as great a A Thousand Splendid Suns for he personally but glad I finally read this. 

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

challenging dark hopeful inspiring sad slow-paced

5.0

I know her name & the book title but never even thought about reading it for some reason. A previously banned author for writing the truth. Let's face it folk don't like that! Whoa what trauma, sexual abuse as a child which left her mute for 5 years & racist beatings/discrimination. There are triumphants in this book of the first 17 years of her life & experiences. Maya certainly was a determined woman who spoke with with fight & purpose.
The more I've researched into her, the more I want to know about the writer, actor, dancer, director, spokeswoman, black activist, editor who was a mother at 16! Sing your own song. 

The People at Number 9 by Felicity Everett

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.5

332 pages and nothing really happened. It was easy to read & I kept reading, waiting for the big twist. Nada. Thing is the writing was nice but simply no storyline that went anywhere. Very strange!

Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.

Just wasn't for me. 

Remember My Name by Sam Blake
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.

Wife suspects husband of having an affair but I just didn't care to find out, if he did or didn't. 

The Tenant by Angela Lester
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.

Slow, didn't really care what happened or was going to happen. 

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

funny informative inspiring sad medium-paced

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

3.5

I liked Elizabeth Zott's sassy & opinionated views on life, men & women's rights in the 60s as single mother & Scientist. The actual story, I wasn't so fussed about, I kind of lost track at times what was going on. It was a quick read which made me smile at times.