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tashcullen's reviews
27 reviews
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I enjoyed this book and found the story easy to follow and understand. I liked the characters, especially mo, and I really liked the universe created and the interesting concepts discussed. I loved the idea of reading aloud and making the book come to life! However I did find the book to be too long and slow paced, making it difficult to get through. The book wraps up really nicely at the end and I dont think it's necessary to read the sequels (i am not feeling particularly motivated to read any of the sequels).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Kidnapping
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Not sure if it's because I listened to the audiobook but I found this story really difficult to follow and at times I would be confused at what was happening or who a character was. Hardly any of this book actually takes place at the bookshop, which I was hoping for more of. I found it quite a boring read but I enjoyed getting to read a book with different cultures to my own discussed. It's quick to get through but I wouldn't recommend it, which is a shame as I was really looking forward to it.
How to Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
"Life is so short and we spend so much of it talking to terrible people about the minutiae of their nothing lives."
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook version of this and found it an entertaining listen. I can't quite make up my mind about if I liked the ending or not and I found the perspective shift quite surprising! I wouldn't suggest you rush to read this but I think its a fun read.
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook version of this and found it an entertaining listen. I can't quite make up my mind about if I liked the ending or not and I found the perspective shift quite surprising! I wouldn't suggest you rush to read this but I think its a fun read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, and Car accident
I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue
dark
funny
tense
medium-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
When I began this book I didn't like it, but as time went on I became surprisingly attached and excited to listen more.
This on the outside is a lighthearted office drama/ romance but it ends up delving into the intrinsics of people's everyday lives: the grief, the hurt, the things you don't see. Don't worry, it still has a fair share of funny lines ("this is already a toothpaste-out-of-the-tube situation."), cringe stories (which at times I had to pause reading to console myself!) and office romances (which I truly ended up rooting for!).
I would recommend this as a easy read. It's not life changing but it's entertaining and does leave you reflecting upon your own lives (especially if you have been unhappy in an office job!)
This on the outside is a lighthearted office drama/ romance but it ends up delving into the intrinsics of people's everyday lives: the grief, the hurt, the things you don't see. Don't worry, it still has a fair share of funny lines ("this is already a toothpaste-out-of-the-tube situation."), cringe stories (which at times I had to pause reading to console myself!) and office romances (which I truly ended up rooting for!).
I would recommend this as a easy read. It's not life changing but it's entertaining and does leave you reflecting upon your own lives (especially if you have been unhappy in an office job!)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Terminal illness
Minor: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Why We March: Celebrating 50 Years of Pride by The Audible Editors
informative
fast-paced
3.5
It is nice to hear people's stories of why Pride matters to them but this is a pretty lacking audiobook. It was trying to do too much in a short amount of time. This could've been better with a more specific focus (e.g. on a certain communities stories of pride) and/or with a longer amount of time. It would have been good to hear more on the history and progress of pride and LGBTQ+ rights. This is a good introduction to pride for those who may not know much about it.
1984 by George Orwell, Joe White
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
5.0
"Perhaps one did not want to be loved so much as to be understood"
1984 is already one of my favourite books but to hear it dramatised with an accompanying soundtrack is amazing. It's so well done, so engaging and you get really swept up into the story and the characters. Some bits did feel slightly awkward to listen to in public, however overall I loved this and I'm holding out hope for a stage production!
1984 is already one of my favourite books but to hear it dramatised with an accompanying soundtrack is amazing. It's so well done, so engaging and you get really swept up into the story and the characters. Some bits did feel slightly awkward to listen to in public, however overall I loved this and I'm holding out hope for a stage production!
Babel by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
"Showing yourself to the world, and hoping someone else understands"
I have so many thoughts about this book that I'm finding it difficult to even express any. I have never read a book of the year before and I can wholeheartedly say this is deserving of the title. One of, if not THE best books I have ever read. Incredible, truly incredible.
I know nothing about linguistics or translation but it was fascinating to hear it with a fantasy, magical element. The effort, intellect and references which Kuang had put into the book is insanely good making the whole book riveting throughout. Everything is interesting from the scene setting, the characters and their relationships, the narrative, the storyline, how the book develops. Its heartwarming and heart breaking. I felt so deeply for the characters, I felt as though I knew them and I truly have been left with my heart aching.
I have so many thoughts about this book that I'm finding it difficult to even express any. I have never read a book of the year before and I can wholeheartedly say this is deserving of the title. One of, if not THE best books I have ever read. Incredible, truly incredible.
I know nothing about linguistics or translation but it was fascinating to hear it with a fantasy, magical element. The effort, intellect and references which Kuang had put into the book is insanely good making the whole book riveting throughout. Everything is interesting from the scene setting, the characters and their relationships, the narrative, the storyline, how the book develops. Its heartwarming and heart breaking. I felt so deeply for the characters, I felt as though I knew them and I truly have been left with my heart aching.
Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
4.5
Parts of this edition weren't my favourite but I absolutely adored the casual asexual representation. I also enjoyed Nick and Charlie delving into new parts of their relationships and the characters beginning to develop a stronger sense of self and their own identity away from their partners.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Minor: Physical abuse
Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
"Knowing that sometimes people need more support than just one person can give. That's love darling"
This book was more sad, intense and emotional than others in the series, with an in depth account of Charlie's mental health struggles. The experience was really well written and told, with a hopeful, realistic, recovery based focus, providing a reminder that we can get through difficult times.
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the others but found this an important plot point which I'm glad was given the time and attention it deserves. I also enjoyed that this book gave us narrative into the importance of other strong relationships, outside of romantic ones, as this had been partially lacking in the series so far (still present in some aspects, especially with Nick and his mom, but I'm glad it's becoming more centralised).
This book was more sad, intense and emotional than others in the series, with an in depth account of Charlie's mental health struggles. The experience was really well written and told, with a hopeful, realistic, recovery based focus, providing a reminder that we can get through difficult times.
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the others but found this an important plot point which I'm glad was given the time and attention it deserves. I also enjoyed that this book gave us narrative into the importance of other strong relationships, outside of romantic ones, as this had been partially lacking in the series so far (still present in some aspects, especially with Nick and his mom, but I'm glad it's becoming more centralised).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Self harm
Moderate: Mental illness
Heartstopper Volume 3 by Alice Oseman
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
"We loved ourselves anyway"
Another lovely book by Oseman. This was my second read of heartstopper 3 but it was just as enjoyable as my first. I am so enamoured by the artwork and Osemans ability to storytell. I enjoyed getting to know more about the side-characters in the novel and follow their stories. I also enjoyed the characters in Paris and seeing all the iconic sites (which made me feel very nostalgic about my own trip to Paris!).
Some of the mental health storylines can be a bit difficult at times but they do add an extra factor of realism
Another lovely book by Oseman. This was my second read of heartstopper 3 but it was just as enjoyable as my first. I am so enamoured by the artwork and Osemans ability to storytell. I enjoyed getting to know more about the side-characters in the novel and follow their stories. I also enjoyed the characters in Paris and seeing all the iconic sites (which made me feel very nostalgic about my own trip to Paris!).
Some of the mental health storylines can be a bit difficult at times but they do add an extra factor of realism
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Self harm