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chandranolynne's reviews
356 reviews
The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
"Desire didn’t require trying of any kind. Desire wasn’t wrested out of someone."
This was a seasonably-suited novel. I've had it for some time, and I'm really pleased I waited until now to read it. Just perfect. As an historical-fiction novel, this was wonderful. The slow, measured writing really complimented the gothic vibes and Victorian setting, and the captivating heroines were outdone only by the despicably sleezy villains. I also found it incredibly well researched and feel like the author did a great job staying true to the era in which she chose to set her story. As a mystery, it was little too tell-don't-show for me. I'm not one who figures out turns and twists easily, and I pretty much knew what was going on the entire time (though I did like the extra twist at the end, which I did not see coming). Still, a beautiful novel, which I strongly suggest reading in front of a fireplace with a cup of hot apple cider.
This was a seasonably-suited novel. I've had it for some time, and I'm really pleased I waited until now to read it. Just perfect. As an historical-fiction novel, this was wonderful. The slow, measured writing really complimented the gothic vibes and Victorian setting, and the captivating heroines were outdone only by the despicably sleezy villains. I also found it incredibly well researched and feel like the author did a great job staying true to the era in which she chose to set her story. As a mystery, it was little too tell-don't-show for me. I'm not one who figures out turns and twists easily, and I pretty much knew what was going on the entire time (though I did like the extra twist at the end, which I did not see coming). Still, a beautiful novel, which I strongly suggest reading in front of a fireplace with a cup of hot apple cider.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
5.0
“Why can humans not use their millions of words to simply tell one another what they desire?”
“You can't fix someone who is determined to stay broken.”
This book was everything I hoped it would be—smart, sweet, and funny, with some truly lovely characters. I fell in love with Tova just like I did with Britt-Marie. Shelby Van Pelt skillfully maintains a beautiful slow-burn vibe while keeping the story engaging. There's plenty of insightful and entertaining commentary on human behavior woven into the narrative, which is enhanced by richly developed characters who feel real and relatable, flaws and all. Highly recommend!
“You can't fix someone who is determined to stay broken.”
This book was everything I hoped it would be—smart, sweet, and funny, with some truly lovely characters. I fell in love with Tova just like I did with Britt-Marie. Shelby Van Pelt skillfully maintains a beautiful slow-burn vibe while keeping the story engaging. There's plenty of insightful and entertaining commentary on human behavior woven into the narrative, which is enhanced by richly developed characters who feel real and relatable, flaws and all. Highly recommend!
The Kidney Hypothetical: Or How to Ruin Your Life in Seven Days: Or How to Ruin Your Life in Seven Days by Lisa Yee
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
"It was supposed to be the best week of my life, but then everything went terribly wrong. Actually, things had gone terribly wrong long before that, but no one had bothered to notice."
This was an easy, low-stakes, YA read that I read in a day. It's certainly nothing earth shattering, but it kept my interest and didn't try to do too much. I will say, I'm personally kind of over the straight-laced-boy-meets-manic-mysterious-girl-and-second-guesses-everything-about-himself trope, but other than that the story was pretty cute, and it had a good balance of humorous and heartfelt moments.
This was an easy, low-stakes, YA read that I read in a day. It's certainly nothing earth shattering, but it kept my interest and didn't try to do too much. I will say, I'm personally kind of over the straight-laced-boy-meets-manic-mysterious-girl-and-second-guesses-everything-about-himself trope, but other than that the story was pretty cute, and it had a good balance of humorous and heartfelt moments.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
“If you stumble about believability, what are you living for? Love is hard to believe, ask any lover. Life is hard to believe, ask any scientist. God is hard to believe, ask any believer. What is your problem with hard to believe?”
This is a difficult for review for me to write. If I were an academic and reviewing with that mindset, it would likely get five stars. If I were reviewing it solely based on enjoyment, it would only get one. So, I'll compromise and go with three. It is beautifully written and contains so many wonderful quotes, but I was just... bored. It's a dense, slow burn that definitely deserves its accreditation, and I fully appreciate the hype behind it. I, unfortunately, wasn't entertained by it and found myself wishing it were a bit shorter and more to the point.
This is a difficult for review for me to write. If I were an academic and reviewing with that mindset, it would likely get five stars. If I were reviewing it solely based on enjoyment, it would only get one. So, I'll compromise and go with three. It is beautifully written and contains so many wonderful quotes, but I was just... bored. It's a dense, slow burn that definitely deserves its accreditation, and I fully appreciate the hype behind it. I, unfortunately, wasn't entertained by it and found myself wishing it were a bit shorter and more to the point.
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
5.0
“See, as much as you want to hold on to the bitter sore memory that someone has left this world, you are still in it. And the very act of living is a tide: at first it seems to make no difference at all, and then one day you look down and see how much pain has eroded.”
I watched this movie when it came out a hundred years ago and recall loving it and also sobbing like a baby. I fully expected to love the book the same and also sob like a baby. It exceeded expectations. Obviously, having seen the movie already, I had a base understanding of what was going to happen, but that did not dampen my enjoyment of the novel at all, and in face, I found that I preferred the book version of the things the movie changed significantly more! That said, and while trying to avoid spoilers, if you've watched the movie and have been wondering if you should also read the book, go read the book. Now.
Seriously, this was so good. It's my first Jodi Picoult (I know, I know), but there will definitely be more to follow!
I watched this movie when it came out a hundred years ago and recall loving it and also sobbing like a baby. I fully expected to love the book the same and also sob like a baby. It exceeded expectations. Obviously, having seen the movie already, I had a base understanding of what was going to happen, but that did not dampen my enjoyment of the novel at all, and in face, I found that I preferred the book version of the things the movie changed significantly more! That said, and while trying to avoid spoilers, if you've watched the movie and have been wondering if you should also read the book, go read the book. Now.
Seriously, this was so good. It's my first Jodi Picoult (I know, I know), but there will definitely be more to follow!
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“I am afraid. Not of life, or death, or nothingness, but of wasting it as if I had never been.”
Another classic I'm late to the game in reading, but I'm glad I finally did. I honestly had no clue as to what it was about other than the fact that it had something to do with a mouse, which, while it does have *something* to do with a mouse, that is decidedly not what this book is about.
My only real complaint about it is that it was a bit long and drawn out for me. Most of the contents of the last hundred pages (until the ending, of course) were boring and did little to add to the novel. The rest, though, was super interesting! I really enjoyed the exploration of human nature carried within this book, even if some of it was dated. Much of it is timeless and the questions it raises are ones that are still commonly discussed today.
Another classic I'm late to the game in reading, but I'm glad I finally did. I honestly had no clue as to what it was about other than the fact that it had something to do with a mouse, which, while it does have *something* to do with a mouse, that is decidedly not what this book is about.
My only real complaint about it is that it was a bit long and drawn out for me. Most of the contents of the last hundred pages (until the ending, of course) were boring and did little to add to the novel. The rest, though, was super interesting! I really enjoyed the exploration of human nature carried within this book, even if some of it was dated. Much of it is timeless and the questions it raises are ones that are still commonly discussed today.
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
“You loved so hard and hoped so much and then you ended up with nothing.”
I had such a difficult time picking a quote for this review, so I ultimately went this one... this sad, hopeless statement, because it just wraps up the whole vibe of the book so perfectly. Sad. Hopeless. It's a bummer, too, because I had such high expectations after how much I loved Little Fires Everywhere. I'm tempted to give this book one star because I really just didn't enjoy any of it, but I can't ignore the fact that it was pretty well written sooo, two stars it is.
I had such a difficult time picking a quote for this review, so I ultimately went this one... this sad, hopeless statement, because it just wraps up the whole vibe of the book so perfectly. Sad. Hopeless. It's a bummer, too, because I had such high expectations after how much I loved Little Fires Everywhere. I'm tempted to give this book one star because I really just didn't enjoy any of it, but I can't ignore the fact that it was pretty well written sooo, two stars it is.
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.0
“I’m an adult who does adult things, like taxes and laundry and being sad for no reason.”
"It's okay to not be okay, as long as it doesn't become all we know."
I love TJ Klune, and this book did not disappoint. The only reason it gets four stars instead of five is because it was so very pointedly politicized, which, I suppose, many people might appreciate, but I liked the nuances of the first one better, saying so much without blatantly stating it... repeatedly.
Other than that, I loved the development of the family! One of my biggest complaints about romance novels is that they always end after the couple finds their way to each other, and you don't get to see them simply *be* together. This second installment gives us that, as well as the addition of a new character who is just exactly what I didn't realize was missing from the first one! I always enjoy a good found-family story, and in that regard, this story is a gem.
"It's okay to not be okay, as long as it doesn't become all we know."
I love TJ Klune, and this book did not disappoint. The only reason it gets four stars instead of five is because it was so very pointedly politicized, which, I suppose, many people might appreciate, but I liked the nuances of the first one better, saying so much without blatantly stating it... repeatedly.
Other than that, I loved the development of the family! One of my biggest complaints about romance novels is that they always end after the couple finds their way to each other, and you don't get to see them simply *be* together. This second installment gives us that, as well as the addition of a new character who is just exactly what I didn't realize was missing from the first one! I always enjoy a good found-family story, and in that regard, this story is a gem.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
“Once again I’m struck by melancholy. I want to spend the rest of my life studying Eridian biology! But I have to save humanity first. Stupid humanity. Getting in the way of my hobbies.”
I will forever regret not having listened to this audiobook sooner! I will also forever be grateful that I decided to listen to this one as opposed to read it. I loved The Martian and just knew going into this one that I would love it, too, but OH MY GOSH DID I LOVE THIS FREAKING BOOK! I could not stop smiling; I did not know how much I needed a human/alien BFF story in my life! I'm only sorry it's over. I could continue listening to Dr. Grace and Rocky bicker, joke, and save their planets forever.
I will forever regret not having listened to this audiobook sooner! I will also forever be grateful that I decided to listen to this one as opposed to read it. I loved The Martian and just knew going into this one that I would love it, too, but OH MY GOSH DID I LOVE THIS FREAKING BOOK! I could not stop smiling; I did not know how much I needed a human/alien BFF story in my life! I'm only sorry it's over. I could continue listening to Dr. Grace and Rocky bicker, joke, and save their planets forever.
Lord Edgware Dies by Agatha Christie
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“And so could you know it if you would only use the brains the good God has given you. Sometimes I really am tempted to believe that by inadvertence, He passed you by.”
As always, an intriguing whodunnit in which I had absolutely no clue whodunnit! I am kind of running out of things to say about Agatha Christie's novels; they're all so delightfully clever. The only thing that tends to change for me from book it book is how I feel about the characters, and in this particular story, I LOVED the characters!
As always, an intriguing whodunnit in which I had absolutely no clue whodunnit! I am kind of running out of things to say about Agatha Christie's novels; they're all so delightfully clever. The only thing that tends to change for me from book it book is how I feel about the characters, and in this particular story, I LOVED the characters!