Scan barcode
arwenundomiel03's reviews
165 reviews
We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
adventurous
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? Yes
5.0
Another classic Richard Osman book, in my opinion! A brilliant and hooking read, which was thoroughly enjoyable and very exciting to read. I look forward to more!
Finn Family Moomintroll by Tove Jansson
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is the first Moomin book I’ve read, which feels almost like a crime at this point!! It was so sweet and the fact that it is read by Hugh Dennis makes it even better - I had forgotten how brilliant he is at voices. I will definitely read more moomin books now!
The Durrells of Corfu by Michael Haag
funny
informative
fast-paced
4.0
A very enjoyable book! I love the TV show the durrells, although I haven’t read My Family and Other Animals, and I found it really interesting to get a more factual depiction of what Durrell family life was, rather than what it has otherwise been depicted as. They lived such an interesting life, totally outside of societal bounds it seemed at times. And this book captured it all brilliantly and very comedically. I can definitely recommend.
Sisters of Shadow by Katherine Livesey
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Im trying to read more new books this year and especially more queer ones too. It was an interesting read - although I didn’t like the storytelling at times, it had me strangely hooked and I had to finish it. I liked discovering the queer storyline - it wasn’t what I thought either which made it more exciting! Overall not a bad read but probably not one I would go back to.
The Sarah Jane Adventures Collection by Gary Russell, Justin Richards, Scott Gray, Jason Arnopp, Peter Anghelides, Mark Wright, Cavan Scott, Scott Handcock, Martin Day, Stephen Cole
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Overall, some really fun short stories. Some of the writing felt a bit stilted, and some of the moral arguments and judgements felt a bit odd - considering the main plot line of the Sarah Jane Adventures. But overall, it was a fun listen.
Do you listen to girl in red? by Tillie Walden
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
I didn’t know this existed until a little scroll through Google today when I stumbled across it! It felt like such a grounding moment for me (special interest and all that)in a crazy time, and was especially special because I didn’t know there was any girl in red books/graphic novels out there. It was interesting to learn more about some of my favourite songs on IICMIGQ and hear slightly different takes on stories I’d heard from interviews before. Overall, short but a very enjoyable read!
Hitler's Canary by Sandi Toksvig
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
This was a fantastic last minute discovery and final book of the year. Even better because it is an audiobook and was read by Sandi Toksvig! It was really interesting to learn about the German occupation of Denmark and especially about the Danish resistance and how they rescued Danish Jews and helped them escape to Sweden. I also particularly liked the fact that so much of this was based on Sandi’s actual family and was true. She said at the end that the only parts that she had to embellish was due to her father no longer being alive to tell her the stories any more. I can absolutely recommend it; although it is quite dark and graphic at times.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Self harm, Suicide, Xenophobia, Blood, Murder, Colonisation, War, and Deportation
The Snowman: Inspired by the original story by Raymond Briggs by Michael Morpurgo
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
This was such a sweet retelling of The Snowman and brought it to life so brilliantly.
Doctor Who: Eden Rebellion by Abi Falase
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
4.25
This was a spectacular read. It was really interesting to read a book about characters that have telepathic experiences- but to have it described in a way of taking on and physically experiencing each others emotions. It resonated a lot with how I experience life. I also found the descriptions of the sensory experiences of the world really interesting and again something that I resonated with. I particularly loved the consistent use of Mavity rather than Gravity, and was interested to read in the acknowledgments that the book was based on, or drew heavily from, the colonisation of Hawaii and the Caribbean.