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lalaland_of_books's reviews
79 reviews
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
3.0
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
3.75
Linus Baker is a case worker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. His job is to ensure that orphanages are well-run, the children are properly treated and cared for, and their specific needs are met. He decides whether the orphanages should continue operating or be shut down. Linus is very obedient and does not emotionally involve himself with any of the cases assigned to him. This detachment is why the "extremely upper management" assigns him a confidential task: to inspect the house in the Cerulean Sea, a foster home for particularly dangerous children.
There are six magical children in this foster home, looked after by Parnassus, who would do anything to keep them safe. This is how the story begins.
I particularly liked how Baker's dull and monotonous life is depicted through the use of grey clouds and rain, contrasted with sunny and bright moments. As we read the story, we see how Linus has trapped himself in a metaphorical box unnecessarily and unreasonably. This realization also prompts us to reflect on how we might have confined ourselves in similar ways.
I listened to this audiobook. It is easy to follow, and the narration does justice to this wonderful book. It's a warm and cozy book I recommend to everyone.
There are six magical children in this foster home, looked after by Parnassus, who would do anything to keep them safe. This is how the story begins.
I particularly liked how Baker's dull and monotonous life is depicted through the use of grey clouds and rain, contrasted with sunny and bright moments. As we read the story, we see how Linus has trapped himself in a metaphorical box unnecessarily and unreasonably. This realization also prompts us to reflect on how we might have confined ourselves in similar ways.
I listened to this audiobook. It is easy to follow, and the narration does justice to this wonderful book. It's a warm and cozy book I recommend to everyone.
The Grownup by Gillian Flynn
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I'm still unsure whether I liked this book or not. The storytelling is gripping, making me curious and impatiently awaiting what would come next. Although I haven't read any other works by this already popular author, I'm now eager to explore more of her writing.
Regarding this particular story, the open ending leaves much to be desired. It feels like there was no clear beginning or end, just the middle of an ongoing situation. Despite this, the author definitely manages to keep you hooked until the very last page.
Regarding this particular story, the open ending leaves much to be desired. It feels like there was no clear beginning or end, just the middle of an ongoing situation. Despite this, the author definitely manages to keep you hooked until the very last page.
The Library of Borrowed Hearts by Lucy Gilmore
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Ikigai by Francesc Miralles, Héctor García Puigcerver
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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
3.75
Pippa Fitz Amobi, a 17 year old high school girl, interested in investigative journalism and criminal law has decided to research into the missing case of Andie Bell as her senior year project. Andie Bell went missing 5 years ago and was later declared killed by her boyfriend Sal Singh. But Pippa feels otherwise. She feels that Sal is innocent and that's the actual reason she took up this project, to see whether Sal was really innocent and what had actually happened 5 years ago.
It is a fast paced book, and though there's a lot going on one after the other the plot doesn't feel stretched or boring. On the contrary it becomes more interesting with every chapter. This is the first book I read by Holly Jackson and rest of the books in this series are in my tbr. This book is a good recommendation for beginners, impatient readers and murder mystery readers.
I listened it's audiobook and narration by Bailey Carr and all other narrators is very easy to follow and can be recommended to audiobook beginners.
It is a fast paced book, and though there's a lot going on one after the other the plot doesn't feel stretched or boring. On the contrary it becomes more interesting with every chapter. This is the first book I read by Holly Jackson and rest of the books in this series are in my tbr. This book is a good recommendation for beginners, impatient readers and murder mystery readers.
I listened it's audiobook and narration by Bailey Carr and all other narrators is very easy to follow and can be recommended to audiobook beginners.
I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Se-hee
slow-paced
2.0
This book comprises conversations between a patient and her therapist. She delves into various aspects of her life, ranging from personal to professional matters, her perceptions of her body image, fear of getting addicted, side effects of medicines and so on. Although it depicts conversations between the patient and her psychiatrist, the book is actually authored by the psychiatrist for individuals facing similar struggles as her patient.
This book has received a lot of hype in the bookstagram community and I too fell for that. I know there are many people who could relate to this book but I was unable to relate to anything that the psychiatrist was saying as it seemed a matter of simple common sense and a patient in need of therpy definitely needs way more than simple common sense as reply. It seemed the psychiatrist was only focused on prescribing and changing the dosage of medicines. The conclusion of the book was a real turn-off as we see the psychiatrist increasing the number medicines more than before without any observable improvements in the patient's mental health.
This book made me feel like rather than improving the mental health of the patient the therapy was making her more and more dependent on the therapy, the therapist and the medicines. And considering the stigma around receiving mental health support, this can be discouraging for people who really want to take therapy.
This book has received a lot of hype in the bookstagram community and I too fell for that. I know there are many people who could relate to this book but I was unable to relate to anything that the psychiatrist was saying as it seemed a matter of simple common sense and a patient in need of therpy definitely needs way more than simple common sense as reply. It seemed the psychiatrist was only focused on prescribing and changing the dosage of medicines. The conclusion of the book was a real turn-off as we see the psychiatrist increasing the number medicines more than before without any observable improvements in the patient's mental health.
This book made me feel like rather than improving the mental health of the patient the therapy was making her more and more dependent on the therapy, the therapist and the medicines. And considering the stigma around receiving mental health support, this can be discouraging for people who really want to take therapy.