andydrew2's reviews
205 reviews

The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession by Michael Finkel

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

3.75

I'd say this is more of a 3.5 to 3.75. A short read. Really interesting. I lived the author's other work about the last hermit. Worth a read though.
The Dead Zone by Stephen King

Go to review page

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

4.0

This was a good one that I never heard anything about. Enjoyable. 
Clear by Carys Davies

Go to review page

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

3.0

This was beautifully written, descriptive, and emotional. Davies really painted the picture of the island (where the majority of the story takes place) in my head as I was reading. 
The story takes place in the mid-1800s during the period of the Scottish Clearances, which I didn't know a thing about before reading this. I felt a real connection to John, the main character, as I grew up in a church and there was a time that you just went along with things because it was the 'right' thing to do. Ivar, the man alone on the island that John has to remove, is a quiet, loveable character as well. 
I won't spoil anything, but this would have been 5 stars for me if it wasn't for the ending. It felt like the author just put it in there, and it didn't make sense with the build up and beliefs of the characters. Then at the very end, Davies just doubled down. 
The end was disappointing and didn't make sense for the story.
Guts by Gary Paulsen

Go to review page

adventurous informative fast-paced

4.0

The Perfect Storm: A True Story of Men Against the Sea by Sebastian Junger

Go to review page

informative sad medium-paced

3.5

Drug of Choice by John Lange

Go to review page

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

3.5

It was exactly what I expected...to the point that it wasn't exactly exciting. It was neat to see Crichton as a writer before he made it and was working things out.  I'll read more of his early stuff. 
Played in Germany: A Footballing Journey Through a Nation's Soul by Kit Holden

Go to review page

hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

This was an unexpectedly great read. It kept being suggested to me through Instagram's ad algorithm, and I wasn't interested at first. I don't know what made me decide to get it, but I had to order it from the UK. Each chapter is about a different region in Germany, and while the book frames each chapter about 1 or 2 football clubs from that area, it really dives into each German region's history and how that affected the clubs or the clubs affected the region. Highly recommended, even if you aren't into the Bundesliga, though, it would help. 
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Go to review page

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

2.5

Not my cup of tea really. I had heard it was a fictional account of a band in the 70's, inspired by Fleetwood Mac. The problem was, it wasn't Fleetwood Mac. I think their story is way more interesting. 
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

Go to review page

challenging emotional tense medium-paced

5.0

I wish I had known about this book sooner. It's exactly what I love reading. Lost at sea stories are my jam. Throw in WWII, and it can't be anything less than 5 stars. 
She: A History of Adventure by H. Rider Haggard

Go to review page

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

3.0

It was...alright. It's definitely a product of the time of colonialism. Some parts were really drawn out that didn't need to be. But it is what it is.