danabrown's reviews
630 reviews

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

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dark mysterious sad tense 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? Yes

3.0

I finished it. So three stars. 
So Big by Edna Ferber

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

4.0

A big story - feels like a movie. Lots of extremes, lots of big characters.  I read books like this when I was a teen in the seventies. They were old fashioned even then. 
Loved and Missed by Susie Boyt

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

The women in this book are all women I wish I had in my life. This is one of the loveliest, kindest, most painful, most honest things I’ve ever read. I’ll be thinking by about it for a very long time. 
This Other Eden by Paul Harding

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dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad 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

5.0

Beautifully written. Quiet, dark, ultimately hopeful and inevitable. Michael Crummey fans might love this. About the beauty and sadness of people who find an isolated place to survive. 
The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden

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

3.0

I’m sure I expected too much with so much hype.  Something here isn’t convincing - whether it’s the writing or plot - I felt impatient and skeptical while reading. 
Lost Birds by Birute Putrius

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

It’s a comfortable read and holds so many truths. About an America that I’m not sure still exists, about people displaced and bringing their home with them, about loss, aging, and love. It’s beautiful. 
A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

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dark lighthearted 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? No

3.0

This is as far outside of my normal reading as it gets. It’s a haunted house story - playful, almost silly. 
The Forbidden Notebook by Alba de Céspedes

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

5.0

I feel this book. I’ve lived these feelings and found my way to the other side of them. Growing and learning isn’t only for young people - we have to continue and find value it through our entire life. This book is amazing. 
Whale Fall by Elizabeth O'Connor

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dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring medium-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? No

5.0

Gorgeous. I read it in one day - I felt like I was there.  I’ll follow the author. 
Tinkers by Paul Harding

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.
Not for me. I remember trying it once before and losing interest. Second attempt wasn’t any better.