thatbookstagirly's reviews
64 reviews

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-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

3.0

 I've never read these books before and I've only seen the movies once a looong time ago, so I basically went into these blind only knowing the very well known key points. I really enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would! This book does a good job at world building and introducing you to the characters and the Hogwarts lore. "It didn't come ... he kept on running ... he opened his eyes. A scarlet steam engine was waiting next to a platform packed with people. A sign overhead said Hogwarts Express, 11 o'clock." I found the characters to be loveable and my favourites are Fred and George (despite their depiction in the films really annoying me). Plot wise it's not as action packed as the other books in the series and does feel more aimed more at children hence the average rating.

Hardback, owned. 

The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden

dark mysterious tense fast-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

3.5

So I read this in a day, I was gripped. Freida McFadden definitely knows how to write an addictive book that's for sure. I still am not fully sold on Millie as a loveable character, I felt annoyed by the way she treated Brock and led him on for him to get no resolve. That aside, I enjoyed this a lot more than the first! Once again I didn't expect the twist and loved the setting for the final third of the book, it felt very traditional thriller / horror movie-esque. I would really love these books to become movies as I think they'd translate well. I can't wait to read the third book as the preview seemed intriguing! 

e-Book, Kindle Unlimited.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

adventurous emotional funny mysterious medium-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

4.0

Wow this series just keeps getting better and better! I always think reading a book fast is a testament to how good it is and this series definitely reflects that; I finished this within 4 days as I was hooked! I adored Sirius and Lupin's characters, as well as their friendship. I also found it interesting to find out some of the back story of Harry's dad, James. I loved all the scenes with the Marauder's Map and Harry sneaking around, I feel I can vividly picture Hogsmeade the way the author intended. (The way this book made me desperate to book a trip back to Universal Studios). Overall, really enjoyed this story, even though I think The Chamber of Secrets may still be my favourite book so far!

Hardback, owned.

Dracula (Wordsworth Collector's Editions) by Bram Stoker

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

2.5

I was excited to read this especially reading it in the 'Dracula Daily' format but it was kind of a let down. I don't know if it's because I did Dracula Daily that it made it drag longer, but towards the end of the novel it felt like such a slog. I thought the ending definitely lacked, like Dracula just get killed that quickly and easily? Really? It starts off really interesting though and I was enamoured by Lucy and Mina's friendship. It definitely felt eerie and tense at parts I just wish it was a bit more dynamic towards the ending.

Hardback, owned.

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

dark mysterious tense fast-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

I feel so mixed with how I feel about this book. Whilst it definitely hooked me in (I read it in 2 days), I felt I couldn't root for the lead character of Millie, as she ends up being essentially as bad as The Winchesters to the point where it leaves self defence territory and becomes equally as abusive in my opinion. That being said I didn't find the plot predictable and it kept me guessing. I did think the writing style was occasionally a bit cringe but I'm still excited to read the following instalments to see what happens!
 
e-Book, Kindle Unlimited.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

adventurous funny mysterious tense medium-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

4.0

The way I was absolutely HOOKED whilst reading this. I've always been indifferent to the whole HP franchise, it's not a book series I ever read and I've only watched the films all the way through back in 2016. It's definitely not something I hold nostalgic memories on and I've always been reluctant to read the books as I thought they'd be a bit silly and very obvious in plot. I have to admit I was totally wrong. I'm loving these books and have sped through them all in less than two weeks per book. This one is potentially my favourite so far as I really didn't expect a lot of the twists in it (despite seeing the films a while ago as I have the worst memory). Loved this! JK has such a way of hooking you in with her writing style. Deffo recommend and can't wait to finish the series!

Hardback, owned.

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

This was definitely my book of the year. I absolutely LOVED this and since finishing it I've not stopped thinking about it. I picked this up in 2020 when there was the initial hype around it and whilst I always enjoyed the premise, I was never massively keen to read it until this year. I've recently got into classics, historical fictions and specifically Shakespeare (having visited both The Globe in London and Stratford Upon Avon this year). I say this as I think this massively impacted how I felt about the book, I can imagine myself not enjoying it as much if I'd have read it back in 2020. After touring Shakespeare's Birthplace, New Place and The Globe and learning more about his plays, I really felt connected to this in the sense I could envision exactly where the scenes were taking place. On top of that I thought the story telling was beautiful and engaging. It's a truly tragic tale of coping with grief, that made me hysterically sob more than once. I've booked to see the West End adaption in February and cannot wait for the movie adaption by Chloé Zhao!

Hardback, owned.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

dark reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.0

I've been wanting to read this book for a while as the premise interests me. Since I'm currently going through and reading lots of 'the classics' I figured I'd get it from my local library to see what it's about! I did enjoy this and really loved Captain Beatty's monologue. However, some of the characters were slightly annoying, namely Mildred. I really enjoyed the concept and storytelling but in between reading this book I'd find myself unmotivated to finish it, yet when I did finally pick it up to read I'd speed through it and be hooked.

Paperback, Library book.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

inspiring reflective sad medium-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

2.5

I've been keen to read this book for a while as it's so famous in the classic literature world. I've got to say whilst I did enjoy the book and found it an easy read with likeable characters, the story wasn't what I thought it would be. I found it to be more of a coming of age story focusing on a slightly strict, slightly absent father's relationship with his children whereas I thought it would be mainly focused on a wrongly convicted man and his trial. It was slightly slow in parts and I do think it's slightly overrated.

Paperback, owned.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

adventurous lighthearted fast-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? Yes

2.5

I used to LOVE these books as a child and have fond memories of reading them with my Dad and Brother (specifically The Magician's Nephew) so I thought a re-read was overdue. I thought they were very charming and I loved Lewis' writing style of almost breaking the fourth wall; "Everyone suddenly realized the same fact that Edmund had whispered to Peter at the end of the last chapter. They were lost. pg 61." However, I did expect to enjoy them more than I did. I found the end slightly confusing and I felt the excitement peaked in the middle of the book then wore off toward the end. It goes without saying that Edmund really annoyed me as a character, but this is a given. I'm hoping he becomes nicer and less obnoxious over the series! I LOVED the descriptions of Narnia and could picture it all so vividly, specifically the lamppost. "As she stood [...] wondering why there was a lamp-post in the middle of a wood [...] she heard a pitter patter of feet coming towards her. pg 14" "With the brown-paper parcels and the snow it looked just as if he had been doing his Christmas shopping. He was a Faun. pg 15" "Behind them were coats hanging on pegs, in front of them were snow-covered trees. pg 53." It's not something I noticed initially, but when speaking to my father he mentioned how Christianity is a huge theme in the book. Once I picked up on this I did find it slightly waring and it took away the books childlike charm, for me personally. I also LOVED the dedication at the start of the book, very wholesome.

Paperback, owned.