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melc's reviews
1190 reviews
The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Ruin of All Witches: Life and Death in the New World by Malcolm Gaskill
Did not finish book. Stopped at 37%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 37%.
Should have been interesting but I found it too dry, dense and dull.
The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.
There were beautiful sentences in this novel. But also groaningly awful, particularly in Flanagan's descriptions of women. Dislikeable protagonist. Found the jumpy prose really hard to wade through. Plus no speech marks. Having read the low star reviews I've decided this book will not improve for me.
Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The Man in the Picture by Susan Hill
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
Leaving Atlanta by Tayari Jones
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The Taxidermist's Daughter by Kate Mosse
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I Haven't Been Entirely Honest with You by Miranda Hart
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
I too love Miranda, but I cannot support the kind of advice that featured in this book.
As someone who has suffered from chronic illness for over 15 years I really struggle with the invalidation that comes from "thinking yourself well" claptrap. If we just acknowledge we've been too busy, let out all our built up stress and emotions and learn to accept who we are we'll be cured of all our physical symptoms. Unless we're not.
There is undoubtedly a connection between stress and illness and definitely relaxation and being at peace more has an effect on symptom severity. But no one with a broken leg will be able to fix themselves with mindfulness. No one with the flu gets better overnight after they've meditated. No one tells a diabetic to throw away their medical records, stop identifying as a diabetic and their symptoms will disappear.
No illnesses are misunderstood as much as those relating to debilitating fatigue, immune system dysfunction and neurological damage. But they are real and whilst the causes are not fully understood these kinds of theories continue to perpetuate the misconceptions surrounding these illnesses.
I am glad Miranda has found happiness and better health and wish her well. But I will not be recommending this book.
As someone who has suffered from chronic illness for over 15 years I really struggle with the invalidation that comes from "thinking yourself well" claptrap. If we just acknowledge we've been too busy, let out all our built up stress and emotions and learn to accept who we are we'll be cured of all our physical symptoms. Unless we're not.
There is undoubtedly a connection between stress and illness and definitely relaxation and being at peace more has an effect on symptom severity. But no one with a broken leg will be able to fix themselves with mindfulness. No one with the flu gets better overnight after they've meditated. No one tells a diabetic to throw away their medical records, stop identifying as a diabetic and their symptoms will disappear.
No illnesses are misunderstood as much as those relating to debilitating fatigue, immune system dysfunction and neurological damage. But they are real and whilst the causes are not fully understood these kinds of theories continue to perpetuate the misconceptions surrounding these illnesses.
I am glad Miranda has found happiness and better health and wish her well. But I will not be recommending this book.
Five on a Treasure Island by Enid Blyton
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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? No
5.0
Death of a Bookseller by Alice Slater
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5