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mdgoodrich's reviews
251 reviews
Mistborn: Secret History by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.0
This Must Be the Place by Maggie O'Farrell
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I can’t stop thinking about it. This definitely deserves a reread so I can truly appreciate every detail. I will say, the one downside was that it was difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the story because each chapter is a new/different character and a different year…so it was often like I was starting anew and then forgetting what I had read in chapters before.
The first half of the book was slow, but I kept the faith that it would come together, and it did. The timelines and characters all tie together in such a natural, beautiful way to help you see how Daniel and Claudette’s lives (together and apart) were shaped.
I just love, love, love Maggie O’Farrell’s writing! Her characters are honest, hopeful, and flawed (but still so lovable). Daniel’s sincerity, struggles, and ultimate fight to not give up on Claudette. Claudette’s strength, her stubbornness vs her soft side. I enjoyed getting to know them, their children, their family members, and everyone who touched their lives. This story is full of love, grief, addiction, passion, moments of belonging, and moments of exile.
“All along I’d thought my life had been one thing but it now seems it might have been something else entirely.”
The first half of the book was slow, but I kept the faith that it would come together, and it did. The timelines and characters all tie together in such a natural, beautiful way to help you see how Daniel and Claudette’s lives (together and apart) were shaped.
I just love, love, love Maggie O’Farrell’s writing! Her characters are honest, hopeful, and flawed (but still so lovable). Daniel’s sincerity, struggles, and ultimate fight to not give up on Claudette. Claudette’s strength, her stubbornness vs her soft side. I enjoyed getting to know them, their children, their family members, and everyone who touched their lives. This story is full of love, grief, addiction, passion, moments of belonging, and moments of exile.
“All along I’d thought my life had been one thing but it now seems it might have been something else entirely.”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Abortion
Out in the Open by Jesús Carrasco
challenging
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
At night he “dreams he’s being pursued. The usual dream. He’s running away from someone he never sees, but whose hot breath he can feel on his neck.”
Running from both his family who has betrayed him and the bailiff who is desperate to find him, a young boy finds safe haven with an old goatherd. But his trials seem to never end.
This was a tough read, but had moments of beauty and hope in the relationship that the boy and the goatherd form. I was surprised and challenged by the lessons the goatherd tries to bestow…even though he rarely speaks. There is so much evil, death, and destruction fighting against the boy, yet in the face of betrayal the goatherd encourages the boy, “He, too, is a child of God.” That will stick with me.
Running from both his family who has betrayed him and the bailiff who is desperate to find him, a young boy finds safe haven with an old goatherd. But his trials seem to never end.
This was a tough read, but had moments of beauty and hope in the relationship that the boy and the goatherd form. I was surprised and challenged by the lessons the goatherd tries to bestow…even though he rarely speaks. There is so much evil, death, and destruction fighting against the boy, yet in the face of betrayal the goatherd encourages the boy, “He, too, is a child of God.” That will stick with me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Gun violence, Rape, and Violence
The It Girl by Ruth Ware
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Oof, this one was hard to get through. The characters were all so unlikeable and the plot was not compelling. I usually love Ruth Ware books, but this one didn’t do it for me. Positive note: I didn’t guess who the killer was, so I guess it had that going for it.
Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived by Rob Bell
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
The Lies I Tell by Julie Clark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I loved ‘The Last Flight’ and this book was just as fast paced. I really enjoyed the back and forth between Meg and Kat - strong female characters who kept my attention throughout. The downsides - I didn’t feel there was a big thriller/mystery element and although I love it when women support women, overall it was a little too ‘man hater’ themed for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Rape
Minor: Abortion
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
New dream: buy an orchard and move to Michigan! This sweet, hilarious family was such a joy to read. I love the personalities of the girls, of Joe, Saint Sebastian, and the way Lara’s past unfolded. You saw her young, naive self, which was relatable…and you saw her as a mother which I can also relate to in many ways.
So many things in life feel more important than they are. But, what might seem mundane is the most beautiful.
I love that Lara was reluctant but still willing to share her past with her daughters, and she had many moments where I laughed out loud. “The past need not be so all encompassing that it renders us incapable of making egg salad.” -Lara 🤣
So many things in life feel more important than they are. But, what might seem mundane is the most beautiful.
I love that Lara was reluctant but still willing to share her past with her daughters, and she had many moments where I laughed out loud. “The past need not be so all encompassing that it renders us incapable of making egg salad.” -Lara 🤣
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Sweet and hopeful! Magical realism throughout the town, which I loved. A feel good story of sisters coming back to life and finding themselves.
The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
🥹 Incredible ending. I just feel hugged by this story and love these characters so much I can’t even explain. WOW. 🤯 Tears of heartbreak, joy, and excitement for this story and it’s ending.
“I am, unfortunately, the Hero of Ages.”
“I am, unfortunately, the Hero of Ages.”
The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
5.0
*Screams into the void*
What in the Lord Ruler is going on?! Love, LOVE all of the characters. When I’m not reading, I’m thinking about them. Now, onto book three!!
What in the Lord Ruler is going on?! Love, LOVE all of the characters. When I’m not reading, I’m thinking about them. Now, onto book three!!