readingmaria's reviews
539 reviews

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

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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? Yes

5.0

One way I’ll describe this book is quietly beautiful. If character-driven is your thing, I guarantee you’ll love this.

I just finished this, and I know it will be in mind for weeks to come as I work out what i just read. But wow, just wow.
On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn

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adventurous funny lighthearted slow-paced

2.0

Why did the author suddenly wish to try her hand and writing more in-depth characters? Because it was a nice attempt, but fell so flat. Throw in really childish moments and characters, and you have a book that I kind of regret reading.
It's in His Kiss by Julia Quinn

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funny lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

It was short, sweet, and entertaining. I think the earlier books were way better though!
The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead

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challenging dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Wow was this book DARK, I was not prepared for it! This cult thriller with an intricate political (cult politics?) system was just a wild read that I will be thinking about for a while. May or may not be traumatized haha

I just wish the book was slightly shorter, and less repetitive in parts. Like there was always some grand, dramatic scene that made our MC want to open up and be interviewed throughout the book, so that aspect got a little stale.

Other than that, if you’re looking for a really intense book to read, The Last Housewife is for you! Definitely the perfect fall read! 
Swimmers in Winter by Faye Guenther

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reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Really great writing, and I loved that there were three main story lines with different characters, and each story line was split up into two short stories with a different POV for each story. But yet they all felt like something brand new, so I thought this was a really inventive form of the genre. 

If you’re looking for books that could potentially be challenged and/or banned, this is definitely one to read. Especially if you’re looking for something that highlights the treatment of people who identify as LGBTQ+ .
9 Lives by 35: An Olympic Gymnast's Inspiring Story of Reinvention by Mary Sanders

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hopeful slow-paced

5.0

The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer

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

4.0

A little slow at first, but this book ends beautifully. I was a little wary of Clover at first, but she eventually grew on me. This book has a unique plot, with Clover being a death doula, and I think it has a lot to say about our own fears of death and regretting the life we live. 
By the Book by Jasmine Guillory

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funny lighthearted relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Books about books are always a joy to read for me! By the Book is definitely a cute read with a charming setting. I just don’t really get the magical element to it, like I did with the previous one, If the Shoe Fits. By the Book is good, but it’s just a basic contemporary novel at the end of the day that’s entertaining, yes, but isn’t as charming and has an unlikely plot line that doesn’t make it stand out.
Eris by Larry Gaudet

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challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

5.0

A really cool and interesting novel that is a JOURNEY. Highly entertaining, and gripping from the first page!
Drowning by T.J. Newman

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

4.5

WHAT A BOOK. Can you believe a suspense novel actually put me in tears? Go figure lol! This book grips you right from the start, and doesn’t let up until the very end. I loved every second of it, and I definitely need to read Falling now! If you’re looking for a quick and suspenseful survival story, pick this up now. Don’t wait any longer!!