yonyorklad's reviews
203 reviews

Politics On the Edge: A Memoir from Within by Rory Stewart

informative slow-paced

5.0

Absolutely fascinating stuff. It’s not at all the gossip-fuelled exposé that other political memoirs claim to be.
It’s a man who believes in politics and loves his country and wants to make a difference. And for that, it’s both inspiring and crushing at the same time.
Left me feeling more hopefulness than hopeful, and the fault lies beyond the tories.

Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin

lighthearted fast-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

3.25

Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey

emotional funny 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

4.5

Rambling Man: My Life on the Road by Billy Connolly

adventurous funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

3.5

Good Material by Dolly Alderton

lighthearted reflective 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

3.5

In the All-Night Café: A Memoir of Belle and Sebastian's Formative Year by Stuart David

informative medium-paced

3.5

Really only enjoyable if you’re a real fan of B&S. That should go without saying, perhaps, but in this case it only covers the early period of the band, their formation and first album.
David’s writing style is simplistic and scarce, anecdotal and light. At times this works in the book’s favour - there’s no excessive details about minor characters. But at times you wonder why what you’re reading is relevant to anyone beyond the writer themselves.
But it’s a strong reminder of why what they did was so different to the scene at the time, and having seen them live only last year, it’s a testament to their willingness to change and develop, discard and move on, that was always there from the start.

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

medium-paced

5.0

Black Butterflies by Priscilla Morris

emotional sad medium-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

4.5

Dispatches From the Sofa: The Collected Wisdom of Frank Skinner by Frank Skinner

funny medium-paced

3.75

Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life by Arnold Schwarzenegger

hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

2.0