roomiewood's reviews
158 reviews

Pure Colour by Sheila Heti

emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-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

An odd book. I was touched. Felt proud to be a scrappy human. Embarrassed to be on the brink of madness always. 

Sister Deborah by Scholastique Mukasonga

mysterious reflective 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

3.75

How could one not fall in love with a book about a female cult leader? 

Crackpot: The Obsessions of John Waters by John Waters

funny lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

Delightful, great fun, and very scandalous. 

The Employees: A Workplace Novel of the 22nd Century by Olga Ravn

dark mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

3.75

Written strangley and beautifully. I was left wanting to know more about this eery, claustrophobic world. 

We Think the World of You by J.R. Ackerley

funny reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.75

I was not sure that this novel would tug on my heart the way it did. Frank is a fierce narrator who somehow sees his world clearly even with his hands over his eyes. 

The Effect of Living Backwards by Heidi Julavits

adventurous challenging funny mysterious 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

4.0

I love the crazy turns this book takes, the fairy tale like chapters, the dialogue, the diverse and unusual settings. Heidi Julavits imagination runs wildly and playfully over every page. 

The Book of Not by Tsitsi Dangarembga

dark reflective sad tense

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

3.0

The Folded Clock: A Diary by Heidi Julavits

funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.5

Delightful! Makes me want to read more from this author! 

Shmutz by Felicia Berliner

reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

adventurous challenging reflective slow-paced

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

4.5