the_gingery_one's reviews
206 reviews

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

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

4.5

I found this to be a really moving story. Telling it from Alice's point of view was a clever move. Seeing Alice go about her day as the disease progresses, but as the reader reading between the lines and seeing how she is slowly but surely losing her memories and herself was heartbreaking
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

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challenging dark 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

2.0

Oh how I wanted to like this! Bits of it were good, a big portion of it maaaaajorly dragged and then the last 50-60 pages needed some kind of speed awareness course. So much happened so quickly, and there didn't feel like any proper resolution. 
Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb

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adventurous dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Oh I love this series. This was a great continuation to the story from the Assassins Apprentice. I am definitely invested in these characters.
The only thing that brings it down a bit is the length. There was a section that just dragged a bit(maybe in the 3/4) and could've done with being shorter.
Cilka's Journey by Heather Morris

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emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

I found this to be a quick read that was easy to follow. I couldn't quite believe what this poor woman went through. 
I think I find the historical fiction blend of facts about an actual person a bit hard at times as I'm never 100% sure where the line is and that makes me a bit uneasy with such a delicate topic as the Holocaust.
Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 56%.
I really really wanted to like this book and there were parts of it I did BUT the pages and pages of learning about historical Philosophy was just a massive drag for me personally and I think is what has stopped me picking it and and stop reading a physical book. 
Dust Child by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

4.25

Just a really great book that I would recommend to anyone to read. 
The Wake-Up Call by Beth O'Leary

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funny lighthearted 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

2.5

I really wanted to like this as I normally really enjoy Beth O'Leary books. This one for me ended up being 'alright'. The two main reasons for this were that for chunks of the book I just found the two main characters irritating. This whole book wouldn't be a thing if they'd have just spoken to each other like grown adults. Secondly, I found the narration of Lucas dull and flat. 

There were also parts that had the expected O'Leary cuteness. This was mainly the setting and the rest of the characters. 
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

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challenging hopeful reflective 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

3.25

I did enjoy this and I liked the concept a lot. For me it dragged quite a bit in the middle.
Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.0

I enjoyed this memoir. I thought it was well written and funny and an insight into how some people must feel with the pressures of being single, jobs, body image etc. 
Would recommend.
The Weekend Alone by Jacqueline Grima

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dark emotional 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

3.0