melissa_keen's reviews
45 reviews
The Shining by Stephen King
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Amazing book, as you'd expect from Stephen King. Very different from the film - none of the iconic moments like "Here's Johnny" happen, nor the "all work and no play" bit. However, I think the ending is so much better in the book. Without giving too much away, it's sad but also sort of hopeful. All the characters have so much more depth, particularly Jack, the dad, and Wendy, the mother. Jack fights hard to stop the hotel from taking him over, and to fight his alcoholism, while he's made to look like a weak alcoholic in the film. Wendy is also a fighter in the book, doing whatever she can to protect their son. As King himself has admitted, she is whiny and screamy in the film. This book is definitely worth a read - it's a classic for a reason!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, and Racial slurs
This is Marketing: You Can't Be Seen Until You Learn To See by Seth Godin
informative
medium-paced
1.5
Extremely boring. Really struggled to get through this, mostly due to how it's written but also because there are no actionable takeaways to be had from this book. There are a lot of issues posed, but no real solutions. A lot of the information is also very obvious.
The Lamplighters by Emma Stonex
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
2.5
A strange book; really beautifully written. I like the descriptions of life on the lighthouse, and of the sea. There is a key theme of loneliness throughout the book that I think was nicely done. The story is quite slow, but it is an easy read.
Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
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
5.0
Such a smart book, I read it in two sittings!
The Shawshank Redemption: Different Seasons by Stephen King
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
5.0
One of my favourite authors for a reason. I had no idea Shawshank was a short story - this book is actually 4 novellas written by King. Each is brilliant. My favourite has to be Shawshank - what a brilliant, brilliant story with a terrific ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Invisible Girl by Lisa Jewell
dark
fast-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
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. Lots of unexpected twists and turns, it's nicely written and easy to consume. Particularly liked the little twist at the end. All in all I'd definitely recommend
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Rape
Find Them Dead by Peter James
adventurous
informative
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? No
3.0
Slow start, picked up in the middle but then ended really suddenly with lots of loose ends... Quite disappointing. I've read quite a few other Peter James books and they were really good, but this one fell a bit flat. It's a courtroom drama and has a lot of potential, but the main protagonist is hardly in the book, there's a weird sub-plot about his dog which doesn't go anywhere, and the ending is really open and strange...
Dead If You Don't by Peter James
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? No
3.5
A quick, easy and fairly enjoyable read. Sort of predictable in places but it's fast paced with a decent, well-wrapped ending.
Absolute Proof by Peter James
adventurous
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I've found this book unputdownable for 3 solid days, but the ending was SUCH a letdown!
There were several issues throughout the book; the protagonist, Ross, is weirdly trusting with random people despite being an investigative journ list - I mean, there are people literally trying to kill him and he's out telling any Tom, Dick and Harry what he's up to in great detail, then acting baffled about it?
His relationship with his wife is also downright weird and quite frankly adds nothing to the plot as both characters become unlikeable towards the end (she cheats on him, he forgives her, he then knocks her up despite claiming not to love her, then he starts a weird flirty inappopriate relationship with an annoying radio presenter he has the hots for - oh, who also decided off her own back to stalk him to LA??? After meeting him a handful of times? Like, what?!), then his wife loses their baby (which she tells him BY TEXT) and he is less than bothered about it... all so strange! He flip flops from loyal loving husband to borderline cheating, couldnt-care-less, it's like the writer couldn't make up his mind what kind of guy he wanted Ross to be... and the ending felt like such a cop out. Such a shame as it had such potential!
There were several issues throughout the book; the protagonist, Ross, is weirdly trusting with random people despite being an investigative journ list - I mean, there are people literally trying to kill him and he's out telling any Tom, Dick and Harry what he's up to in great detail, then acting baffled about it?
His relationship with his wife is also downright weird and quite frankly adds nothing to the plot as both characters become unlikeable towards the end (she cheats on him, he forgives her, he then knocks her up despite claiming not to love her, then he starts a weird flirty inappopriate relationship with an annoying radio presenter he has the hots for - oh, who also decided off her own back to stalk him to LA??? After meeting him a handful of times? Like, what?!), then his wife loses their baby (which she tells him BY TEXT) and he is less than bothered about it... all so strange! He flip flops from loyal loving husband to borderline cheating, couldnt-care-less, it's like the writer couldn't make up his mind what kind of guy he wanted Ross to be... and the ending felt like such a cop out. Such a shame as it had such potential!
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor
informative
fast-paced
5.0
Amazing book. So much to take from it; will definitely be reading it again!