dyslexzak's reviews
212 reviews

Manhunt: Hunting Britain's Most Wanted Murderer by Peter Bleksley

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

4.0

Very interesting and I loved the detail.

It makes clear at the outset that the case is ongoing and that there will be no resolution. I didn't mind that, but it did leave the end feeling a little small. Still, I enjoyed the peek into how Bleksley is conducting his investigation.
Winters in the World: A Journey Through the Anglo-Saxon Year by Eleanor Parker

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informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.0

I found this a unique and digestible way of discussing a fascinating topic.
The Cali Cartel: Beyond Narcos by Shaun Attwood

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dark informative lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

I always love the details that Shaun Attwood portrays in his writing.
So to the point and facts first.
Folk by Zoe Gilbert

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

When coming across Zoe Gilbert, I skipped this one and jumped straight to Mischief Acts expecting to enjoy that one more because I’ve an interest in Herne the Hunter.
As much as I loved Mischief Acts, this book was special.

I can’t wait to see what Zoe Gilbert writes next. She’s got a reader for life.
Dark Folklore by Mark Norman

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dark informative lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.5

To be honest, the only criticism I can think of is that I wish it was ten times longer.
Wonderfully detailed into each topic. I really hope they write more.
No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Cormac McCarthy is a real hit or miss author for me. This title is by far a hit.
There's something about the way he writes people that just feels real. Like these people are really out there somewhere, and that quality makes his villains all the scarier for it.

This is a brilliant book that doesn't outstay its welcome. I personally preferred Blood Meridian, but this is up there with my favourites from McCarthy.
The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman

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adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.5

I'd heard great things about Maus, and finally got round to trying it for myself. The way it was written as a conversation -- jumping back and forth in timelines -- was perfect. It felt like I was getting a direct first hand account.
It was a genius way of telling a story that isn't easy to tell. It was definitely worth the hype for me.
The Moral Animal: Why We Are, the Way We Are: The New Science of Evolutionary Psychology by Robert Wright

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challenging informative lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

3.5

Interesting mix of biography of Darwin and a more typical book on the subject of evolutionary psychology.
Linking the topics to Darwin's life worked for me in places, but in others made it feel a little bloated -- as you had to wade through a detailed passage on a time in Darwin's life, before finally getting to the part that tied it back to the topic, in a way that occasional felt like a stretch.

Definitely worth reading.
ADHD: A Hunter in a Farmer's World by Thom Hartmann

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informative lighthearted medium-paced

3.0

Having finished this book, I remain somewhat unconvinced that ADHD is in fact adaptive. Despite this, I think the book is worth a read and includes some interesting anecdotes at the end too.
Derren Brown's Boot Camp for Emotion by Happy by Derren Brown

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funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

4.0

Interesting ideas. Each chapter being devoted to a different emotion was great.