danielleboldry's reviews
50 reviews

Carrie by Stephen King

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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’ve been so fascinated by this story for years and i’m so glad i finally read the original book. stephen king’s story telling is exquisite - seeing into carrie’s mind is such a fascinating perspective. i can’t wait to read more of his work!!

Private Rites by Julia Armfield

dark mysterious tense 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? Yes

4.25

there is SO much to unpack here. so many interesting themes, alongside a storyline like nothing I’ve ever read before. 

generational trauma, complicated sibling relationships, intricate romantic love, cult-like hysteria; all with the backdrop of the impending doom of climate change. julia armfield never misses.

also want to note that this is the first novel I’ve read with a non-binary character whose pronouns aren’t addressed even once. this is the only part about this fictional future that i hope for <3

Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.5

such a brutal depiction of mental health, yet still so delicate in the way it is written. i am in love with murakami’s writing style, he paints a scene with such vivid detail, you feel it with every sense. 

i’ve said it before and i’ll say it again: a story about two troubled individuals, drawn together by some invisible, magnetic pull, who will find some way to weave in and out of each other’s lives, whether physically or mentally — is my favourite kind of story!!

i loved the way this book focused on the impact of human connection, and how differently people can serve your life, but how equally significant and necessary they can be. 

(although, there were a couple of parts that were very uncomfortable to read. don’t get me wrong i love a bit of disturbing fiction, but certain bits just didn’t sit right with me)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Grief

Happy Place by Emily Henry

emotional funny hopeful 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

4.0

i spent 75% of this book thinking it was a cute, easy read. only for it to rip my literal heart out in the last 100 pages. i had to close the book on my train to stop from breaking down in tears. 

this book is beautiful. i fell in love with every character and each of their journeys. a gorgeous exploration of friendship and found family, alongside such a vivid setting. 

i did find the romance way too tropey at times but i was also rooting for them with everything in me!!

A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf

challenging funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.75

feminist writing owes so much to virginia woolf. this exploration of the patriarchy and the position of gender in writing throughout history is fascinating, profound and highly poignant, even by today’s standards. 

So Late in the Day by Claire Keegan

lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

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

4.0

there is just something about the beautiful mundane details in claire keegan’s writing. this was such an interesting perspective on learnt misogyny and inherited behaviours.  i just love being able to read a story in one sitting. 

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad 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

5.0

coco mellors you have done it again!!
 
i love this author’s writing so much and it was such a privilege to hear her talk about the book in person beforehand on her tour. you can just tell how much of a labour of love this story is - it explores some of my favourites themes; familial responsibility, sibling dynamics and so many different types of love. 

i truly loved the blue sisters on every single page and the epilogue had me weeping. i fear i will be sat in waiting for another book to touch me like this until mellor’s next novel. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Grief

The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera

emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

meticulously crafted characters and an interwoven story based on different ideas of the human condition, laced with political examination.

kundera’s use of seemingly random anecdotes help you to understand our characters’ psyches on such a deep level, and give light to a range of fascinating philosophies of life. 

the writing is sickeningly poetic - i was underlining on almost every page. using karenin as a thread throughout the book, and to end the story with a section dedicated to him really tugged on my heartstrings. safe to say i ADORE this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Murder

By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept by Elizabeth Smart

dark emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.75

i had high expectations for this one, although it is beautifully written and certain paragraphs gave me literal goosebumps, i just couldn’t get into it on the whole :(

i love the idea of a love so strong it can turn your whole world into gold, and then into grey once it’s gone. i think my issue was just that there wasn’t much of a story - almost too poetic for a novel. if it had been condensed into a collection of poems maybe i’d have enjoyed it more. 

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

wowwwwww. incredible. i only WISH i’d have read the book before seeing the movie because the twists and turns are genuinely so gripping. such a fascinating pair of perspectives to read from - amy is 100000x more crazy but i’m still somehow rooting for her HA