cherlenetay's reviews
6 reviews

One Night Two Souls Went Walking by Ellen Cooney

reflective sad slow-paced

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

2.5

Hmmmm this was a little hard to get through personally, I found every story interesting, but none riveting enough to keep me going. Then again I don't think the point of this book was to have a riveting storyline, it was a very slice-of-life kind of book! I have to also admit that I lost track of who the author was writing about sometimes... Definitely a book that requires me to be in a certain introspective mood to persevere through. 

Brother by David Chariandy

emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.25

First book I've read that's set in Toronto, and it hits home in an intimate sense, seeing the street names that I am familiar with - scarborough, rouge park, Lawrence bridge, bay street haha. A quick, short read, and yet such vivid pictures David Chariandy has cast in my mind. It challenges me to keep an open mind and heart to everyone around me.

Know My Name by Chanel Miller

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

4.75

A book that made me cry both tears of joy and tears of sorrow, for Chanel, and even the people that were dear to her and inevitably affected by the whole incident. Her raw, descriptive writing inspired me to be confident of my own voice in a world where others' voices threaten to drown out your own thoughts.

The 100 Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

4.0

A quick funny read, had to have huge suspension of disbelief at times because it seemed real convenient how Allan was a part of every historical moment, but once you accept that that's just the way it is, it was a book filled with loveable characters who made me chuckle  

The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

dark emotional mysterious 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

3.75

A book I finally finished after some time.. The first half is rather long-winded, but I sped through the second half trying to finally unravel the mystery of the dead poet. I did grow to like the narrator Grace and felt a pleasing release of tension with 

her death at the end and the reveal of her guilty secret.

It also made me reflect on the mysterious solidarity of sisterhood and family, and overall it took me somewhere far away in Europe which was much enjoyed during this pandemic.

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.5

First book I have finished in 2021! It took a while (almost half the book) for me to be fully invested, and yet I did appreciate how the author brings to light the tiny nuances of everyday life during wartime and contrasting what it's like in different countries (ignorance in the US compared to the despair in Europe). I had to slow down and read carefully in order to really understand and appreciate the details, and it did remind me about how quick and unexpected death can be.