librarykath's reviews
462 reviews

Calling the Whales by Jasbinder Bilan

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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? No

4.0

A sweet little story, perfect for those kids who are starting to read chapter books on their own. With a lovely message about the power of everyday people in keeping our oceans and lands clean and safe.

In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune

adventurous emotional funny hopeful reflective 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

4.5

TJ Klune has done it again.  Another beautiful book full of love and wonder.  I chortled away at this book and then found myself in tears.  He has the ability to create the most loveable characters out of flawed individuals.  A gift for reaching in and touching your heart, and carefully cradling it with a story. This is a kind of re-imagining of Pinocchio in the future, examining what it is to be human and what it means to evolve.  Absolutely gorgeous.

Artificial Condition by Martha Wells

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

I love Murderbot.  Just like the first one in the series, this book flows like water and is so easy to read that you've finished it before you even realise it.  I can totally relate to Murderbot and every adventure is action packed.  I loved the addition of ART this time - this book could be subtitled Murderbot Makes a Friend.  I very much look forward to the next installment in the series.

Do Yourself a Flavour: 75 Easy Recipes to Feed Yourself, Your Flatmates and Your Freezer by Fliss Freeborn

informative inspiring medium-paced

4.0

A really good basic day to day cook book to set you up for nourishing eating on a budget. Full of tips and basics, plus lots of tasty recipes that one would actually be likely to cook. My only criticism is that some of the recipes weren't photographed, which does help. Loved the sub-chapters that were basic ideas with pantry leftovers or cheap produce. 

Greta and Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

4.25

FINALLY got to read this one for our Māori book club at work. Really well written, even though I had little in common with the titular characters I was fascinated by their way of thinking. I could feel a real divide between my Gen X thinking and their millennial mindset. But I was swept up in the story and wanted to see them both happy. I must admit the last 10 chapters had me puzzling over who had an affair with whom and how the black eye happened! But a thoroughly enjoyable read with themes of cultural/ethnic identity, fears for the future and family.

Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman

emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

5.0

What more can you say about this series than it's adorable.  It's a continuation of the sweet love story of Charlie and Nick, two lovely teen boys.  It's heart-warming while also relevant to teens and just a delight to read.  I'm sad to hear that Vol. 6 will be the last.

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

challenging informative 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? It's complicated

3.0

I enjoyed this one, but I found the characters annoying most of the time.  I wasn't hugely fussed on the very end of the book either, I felt like it left a lot of things incomplete and unresolved.  I did cry quite a bit at the scene where Amira is saying goodbye to Briar, mostly because as a former nanny myself, it brought up a lot of old feelings.  The audiobook is well read and a pleasant book to hear read.

Lola in the Mirror by Trent Dalton

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring tense fast-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? No

5.0

Wow.  I don't know what to say. Somehow Trent Dalton has managed to get inside my brain and know things about Brisbane, it's people and even me that I thought were secrets.  I was recommended this book with the phrase "This book was written for you Kath!" and I think it might have been.  It's such a loving tribute to Brisbane, particularly around the West End/South Bank/CBD areas but it's also a breathtakingly beautiful story about a young woman with so much promise and nowhere to put it.  It's well paced and full of wonderful characters, letter perfect descriptions of Brisbane and some of the most exquisite prose I've ever read.  This is already one of my favourite books of all time.

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers

hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

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

4.5

Another excellent, cosy wee tale from Becky Chambers, that makes my brain meat work hard on simple questions that are almost impossible to answer, while also reassuring me that it's OK for me to just stop from time to time. I'm really warming to Sibling Dex as I get to know them better, and Mosscap has been a delight from the moment I met him. Quite looking forward to the next one. 

Teacup by Rebecca Young

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious sad slow-paced

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

4.25

Very beautiful and a little melancholy.  I have so many questions though.  Why does the boy have to leave his home and find a new one?  What happened to his mother? Is he a refugee?  Lovely prose, gorgeous artwork and very emotive.