marthaguymaid's reviews
520 reviews

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum

hopeful reflective 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? Yes

4.0

Show me a bibliophile who doesn’t dream of starting a bookshop. I’ve never met one! That’s absolutely what drew me to this Korean story but I stayed for the charming characters, their friendships, and the very relatable struggles with their lives and inner selves. A poignant, heartwarmer that avoids too tidy an ending.
This one will stay on my shelves. I have a feeling it will reward a reread.

Port Mortuary by Patricia Cornwell

dark sad slow-paced

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

3.0

The Tea Ladies of St Jude's Hospital by Joanna Nell

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

2.5

The Mad Women's Ball by Victoria Mas

emotional reflective tense fast-paced

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

3.5

The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths

dark mysterious slow-paced

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

3.5

The Swift and the Harrier by Minette Walters

adventurous informative 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

4.0

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

hopeful reflective sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

The One Impossible Labyrinth by Matthew Reilly

adventurous dark medium-paced

3.0

The Two Lost Mountains by Matthew Reilly

adventurous dark fast-paced

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

3.0

The Three Secret Cities by Matthew Reilly

adventurous dark fast-paced

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

3.5