zinedine's reviews
122 reviews

Monsters: What Do We Do With Great Art By Bad People? by Claire Dederer

challenging funny informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

Bone Black: Memories of Girlhood by bell hooks

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

I flew through this, what a beautiful and heartbreaking memoir that looks at a young, black girl coming of age. Although there are certain cultural references, the main themes throughout the book is her battle with loneliness, and wanting to be accepted and loved by her family but constantly feeling the odd one out. I felt myself relating, and feel saddened by what she had to endure at such a time in her life when you needed love and support around you. 

Madonna in a Fur Coat by Sabahattin Ali

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.75

So much sadness. What a heartbreaking story. 

Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb

adventurous dark tense slow-paced

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

4.0

Great way to start the year by finishing this book. I enjoyed that this book was more slow paced compared to other fantasy’s books I have read, and loved the character development with Fitz. Looking forward to the next book in the series. 

Tuesdays With Morrie: An old man, a young man, and life's greatest lesson by Mitch Albom

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

Such a heartewarming book, and doesn’t feel too much like a stereotypical self-help book. ‘Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live’

Stay with Me by Hanne Ørstavik

challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

The first sentence of this book had me drawn in, but then I felt the pacing throughout the book let it down for me.

I enjoyed the exploration of love when violence is involved, and is it actually love or fear that one is feeling. The comparison between her current relationship, and the relationship her parents shared was interesting to see how violence impacts future generations. 

I think it’s one I may re-read at a later date and appreciate more, but I’m intrigued to read more by this author

PS, I Love You by Cecelia Ahern

emotional funny inspiring 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? No

3.5

I read this years ago as a teenager, and loved it and wanted to re-read it to see if it still hit the same. While it was still enjoyable and an emotional read, I wouldn’t say I had the same emotions as I did back then. 

I like how the ending isn’t predictable, and the ups and downs holly faces with her grieving journey. 

Hiroshima by John Hersey

challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

4.0

Although a relatively short book, this took me a while to read just because of the reality of what people went through. I picked this book up as I wanted a real account of people experiences and it definitely provided that. I feel there was period had more questions about certain individuals/time periods, but overall a book that will stay with me for a while. 

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

challenging dark emotional funny inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I read this as a physical copy about 6 years ago, and it was a book that stuck with me. After seeing they were making a new adaption I thought I would give the audiobook a go. It took me a while to get into it (but I am new to audiobooks) but towards the end I was as hooked as I was when reading the physical copy. I think I still prefer the physical, but such a heart wrenching story, and a great insight into one’s very real experience with nazi germany. 

Murder for Christmas by Francis Duncan

mysterious fast-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

3.0

When I picked this up, I was expecting it to be cheesy but was pleasantly surprised that it was more a mystery and gave me the vibe of an old detective show. I also didn’t realise the book was first published in 1949, so it’s written very much like a classic. 

Short and enjoyable.