Scan barcode
lindsaylhunter's reviews
165 reviews
Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
dark
tense
medium-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
1.0
Christ but I really need to stop relying on TikTok for my book recommendations.
For a thriller, this book lacked any real suspense or mystery, with the "twist" coming about 70 pages in. It reads more like a young adult novel if I'm honest and the dialogue is so fanciful and stilted. I don't like to shit all over a book that so many people clearly love but I really don't get the hype over this one. All things considered, the one star is for how much of a bro Esther is.
For a thriller, this book lacked any real suspense or mystery, with the "twist" coming about 70 pages in. It reads more like a young adult novel if I'm honest and the dialogue is so fanciful and stilted. I don't like to shit all over a book that so many people clearly love but I really don't get the hype over this one. All things considered, the one star is for how much of a bro Esther is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Minor: Miscarriage
I'm a Fan by Sheena Patel
A non-linear narrative, multiple unlikeable characters, and a protagonist in the throes of lovesickness all the while presenting herself as the victim in everything. You're never really granted the release of finding anything tangible about her but she delivers a number of monologues regarding race and class that envy the most prolific writers out there. I could write an essay on how much I love this book.
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I fantasise and fall in love with a version of him I'm not sure exists outside of my imagination. He is constantly failing in comparison to this person I know he could be. If he could only stop being exactly who he is, we could be happy.
A non-linear narrative, multiple unlikeable characters, and a protagonist in the throes of lovesickness all the while presenting herself as the victim in everything. You're never really granted the release of finding anything tangible about her but she delivers a number of monologues regarding race and class that envy the most prolific writers out there. I could write an essay on how much I love this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking
Beloved by Toni Morrison
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
As quietly powerful as this book is, this is a case where the non-linear timeline was a nightmare to wrap my head around. The sequence of events is integral to how the reader comes to understand the characters, but I struggled to keep up with it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire by Akala
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
I've read this book twice now, for two separate book clubs, and it's as informative and important the second time around as it was the first, maybe even more so. What a thing to have written. Akala presents his life experiences in an incredibly lucid, sharp way. Should be essential reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Pod by Laline Paull
Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.
DNF but not giving up on this one. I just think I need the print version rather than audiobook one.
Boy Parts by Eliza Clark
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book is vulgar. The main character is one of the most hateful, spite-filled characters I've ever read about. I loved this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Rape, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Eating disorder
The Memory of Animals by Claire Fuller
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
A bit bland. I understand that stories that take place in generally one setting are meant to portray isolation and claustrophia but this one just felt boring.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Girl A by Abigail Dean
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I don't think I've ever read a book about such a heart-wrenching topic and thought meh quite so much. I really enjoyed some of Dean's writing but I found myself with a fundamental lack of empathy for the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Child death
Rememberings by Sinéad O'Connor
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
3.5
A really interesting dive into O'Connor's mind. I found how she jumped from one place to the next kind of frustrating until I realised that that in itself gave the best understanding of the contours of her mind.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide attempt