readbyabbi's reviews
475 reviews

Ghosts by Dolly Alderton

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.0

 strangely weird and good yet made me feel angry at modern life. will maybe add more when I'm upto it later. 

When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

this didn't quite hit the mark for me. the concept, plot, and characters were all great however the writing felt a bit strung out sometimes and the pacing was off. i really enjoyed the first half but felt like the action as well as the ending didn't quite fit with the beginning of the book. i also couldn't really picture the setting and think the descriptions were lacking. anyway definitely an anxiety-inducing thriller/horror and if you liked Get Out then this is very similar.

Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson

challenging emotional tense fast-paced

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

3.5

3.5 stars. the writing was good, the plot was interesting and important but the end was a but abrupt and i didnt really feel a connection to the characters. idk if its cause im 22 and this is YA or something was lacking but it was definitely an enthralling read and v fast paced. 

The Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King

dark hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

5.0

omg wow. life goal to write as well as king does in this short story. 

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

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

2.0

this was so weird idk. i really enjoyed the first half but then the writing style started to annoy me and probably intentional but i was sick of seeing the girls through the male gaze. definitely think i need to read more about this / video essays etc cause i think it was good but made me feel uneasy lmao

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

funny lighthearted 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

2.5

2.5 stars. read this like two weeks ago and forgot to update so tbh this wasn't memorable. i see why people like it, its quirky, weird, and funny but i think it lacks a lot. maybe if i watch the film i will get the hype. the characters were lovable but thats all that i really liked.

If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

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

3.5

 3.5 stars. this is so different to anything ive ever read before. i had high hopes and i was a little bit disappointed but i still really enjoyed reading this. the writing is beautiful and the story very engaging despite not much actively happening. i really liked the bonds between women despite their differences and it gave me a deeper insight into korean culture and society's treatment of women. 

Memorial by Bryan Washington

emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

ok reading this bc of uncarleys youtube vid. at the beginning i think this was a bit pretentious? i wasn't sure where this would go and i was getting mad at the characters and their actions but by the end i felt like i understood them and actually felt a pit of sadness in my stomach. it takes a while to get into the writing style (and its one of those without speech marks) but i think this didn't piss me off as much as sally rooneys work lmao. this was short but full of heartbreak and sorrow and uncertainty about life, i very much enjoyed it and would probs read bryan washingtons other work in future.

Wranglestone by Darren Charlton
Did not finish book. Stopped at 73%.

lacklustre. cool idea but the world wasn't built enough, the characters were frustrating and i didnt' really care about them. the writing was not my favourite either.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

definitely think i read this at a bad time. i enjoyed the writing and the plot but i think i wasn't in the best head space so i didn't really care much for the reveal. thats so sad to write but this is something i would have loved if i had read it when life wasnt so hectic.