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elouisedouglas's reviews
708 reviews
Abide in Christ by Andrew Murray
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
I just didn’t get on with the audio version of this book, I found it very hard to concentrate on. If I could find it in paperback I’m sure I’d enjoy it more.
The Set Up by Falguni Kothari
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? Yes
4.0
A sweet short story which starts with two people being setup on a blind date with the notion of an arranged marriage in their future.
The characters were very likeable, the plot was good and the narrator did a great job.
It was quite short so not much to rave about, but if these characters were to have another book I’d definitely read it.
The characters were very likeable, the plot was good and the narrator did a great job.
It was quite short so not much to rave about, but if these characters were to have another book I’d definitely read it.
The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
3.5
I had high expectations for this book as I’d been recommended it by a few people.
The story is certainly incredibly inspiring and shows a great move of God’s work.
I felt like I didn’t quite click with the narrator though and the way he did the different voices of characters which detracted a bit for me. There was also a fair amount of anti-gay speech (i.e. homosexuality is the work of the devil) which may have been partly down to the time it was written but was just very uncomfortable for me to read.
But ignoring those things, it was an inspiring read of a man stepping out in faith even when it felt completely impossible and making a huge difference.
The story is certainly incredibly inspiring and shows a great move of God’s work.
I felt like I didn’t quite click with the narrator though and the way he did the different voices of characters which detracted a bit for me. There was also a fair amount of anti-gay speech (i.e. homosexuality is the work of the devil) which may have been partly down to the time it was written but was just very uncomfortable for me to read.
But ignoring those things, it was an inspiring read of a man stepping out in faith even when it felt completely impossible and making a huge difference.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use
Moderate: Homophobia and Violence
I Will Give You Rest: An Invitation to Sabbath by She Reads Truth
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Rest is definitely what I need right now so this book felt perfectly timed, as books from She Reads Truth have a habit of doing!
The only thing that would have made this better for me would have been more reflection questions at the end of each day to really help me think about the text.
The only thing that would have made this better for me would have been more reflection questions at the end of each day to really help me think about the text.
The No-Show by Beth O'Leary
emotional
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? Yes
4.75
One of the reviews on the back of this copy said it would break my heart and put it back together again and it was right.
I’ve just read the last 100 pages in bed compulsively turning the pages, both desperate to know what will happen next and also dreading what might come.
This was not what I expected from the blurb - a guy who has stood up three separate women for Valentine’s Day. It seems like it would be such a predictable and formulaic plot but the author turned it into something unique and special.
I have loved the last two books I read by this author and I loved this one too, she’s quickly becoming a favourite!
I’ve just read the last 100 pages in bed compulsively turning the pages, both desperate to know what will happen next and also dreading what might come.
This was not what I expected from the blurb - a guy who has stood up three separate women for Valentine’s Day. It seems like it would be such a predictable and formulaic plot but the author turned it into something unique and special.
I have loved the last two books I read by this author and I loved this one too, she’s quickly becoming a favourite!
Spare by Prince Harry
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
4.25
Brutally honest, or at least so it seems.
There’s possibly some embellishment in here, but if at least 10% of it is true then the royal family should be ashamed of how Harry and Meghan have been treated.
I’ve long thought the same about how the press has treated them, but to hear it in Harry’s own words and the emotion that conveys, it brought it all way more clearly.
I thought this was fantastically written and I can see why Harry needed to do it, even though it has likely burned some bridges.
There’s possibly some embellishment in here, but if at least 10% of it is true then the royal family should be ashamed of how Harry and Meghan have been treated.
I’ve long thought the same about how the press has treated them, but to hear it in Harry’s own words and the emotion that conveys, it brought it all way more clearly.
I thought this was fantastically written and I can see why Harry needed to do it, even though it has likely burned some bridges.
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
A very inspiring book, I could never do what Cheryl did - just the idea of being alone in the wilderness is terrifying, never mind the sheer distance.
An emotional book full of personal insight and raw honesty, you could tell she put everything into this book to make it as vivid as possible.
If I could do something even 10% as adventurous as this, I’d be happy!
An emotional book full of personal insight and raw honesty, you could tell she put everything into this book to make it as vivid as possible.
If I could do something even 10% as adventurous as this, I’d be happy!
Mack the Life: The Autobiography by Lee Mack
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
Really liked this - I love Lee Mack on WILTY and I listened to this on audio book which I think enchanted my enjoyment.
I found the start of the book where he talks about his childhood and early young life fairly interesting but it got super interesting for me when he started talking about his journey into comedy and eventually Not Going Out. He worked with a lot of great comedians who were also early on in their career and it was just fascinating to read/hear.
I found the start of the book where he talks about his childhood and early young life fairly interesting but it got super interesting for me when he started talking about his journey into comedy and eventually Not Going Out. He worked with a lot of great comedians who were also early on in their career and it was just fascinating to read/hear.
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
4.0
I’ve never read any Agatha Christie before and hadn’t seen the film/tv adaptations of this so I went in completely spoiler free.
Short but sweet, I have to say it was an incredibly clever book, there wasn’t really a single point where I was like ‘aha, it was you!’ and I definitely didn’t predict the ending.
I will definitely look to pick up more of Christie’s work in future.
Short but sweet, I have to say it was an incredibly clever book, there wasn’t really a single point where I was like ‘aha, it was you!’ and I definitely didn’t predict the ending.
I will definitely look to pick up more of Christie’s work in future.
Across the Void by S.K. Vaughn
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
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
I don’t really read enough sci-fi, especially given it was one of my dad’s favourite genres and I inherited lots of his books.
But I was given this book for Christmas and it may have ignited a sci-fi spark in me - it was fantastic - full of tense moments but full of character development too, I found it thoroughly compelling.
Around a third of the way through it got a little slow but once I pushed through that I was completely captivated and read the last 300 pages in one sitting, so absorbed that I didn’t even really notice how many pages I was turning.
Given it’s not my usual genre I had not much idea what to expect but it was full of twists and turns and enough excitement to keep me enthralled. I’ll definitely be picking up more sci-fi this year!
But I was given this book for Christmas and it may have ignited a sci-fi spark in me - it was fantastic - full of tense moments but full of character development too, I found it thoroughly compelling.
Around a third of the way through it got a little slow but once I pushed through that I was completely captivated and read the last 300 pages in one sitting, so absorbed that I didn’t even really notice how many pages I was turning.
Given it’s not my usual genre I had not much idea what to expect but it was full of twists and turns and enough excitement to keep me enthralled. I’ll definitely be picking up more sci-fi this year!