eliss959's reviews
125 reviews

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan

emotional mysterious tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay

challenging emotional informative medium-paced

4.0

Lovely read to educate yourself on the job of a NHS worker. Once you’ve done that, apply this principles to all government workers and university students. It’s amazing when things go right and you need something minor, but if you need something big it’s only on an emergency that you get it. People are so oversaturated with work and being understaffed. I work as a public school primary teacher and how unsupported, overworked and underpaid we are. Sure I can work my contracted hours but who’s going to have a bad day the next day? Who’s going to have to stay longer to have a few chats with parents or to answer parents mails? So yes the kindest thing we can do is recognising hard workers and just being kind and when someone is nice back, maybe just do a random act of kindness. I bought a breakfast for my bus driver because I’ve taken the same bus at the same time for 2 months and his smile made my day every day! I’ll remember him kindly and I’m sure he’ll remember me too. 

The Mermaid of Black Conch by Monique Roffey

adventurous mysterious tense fast-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? No

4.25

This book has been so easy to read! I’ve devoured it. The story is so original and nothing like I’ve read before. The first two thirds greatly caught my attention. I am really impressed by the plot and I feel I will remember it for long to come! 
I read only one other book with a mermaid and I feel it was just as unique. ♥️

Butter by Asako Yuzuki

4.25

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

challenging emotional informative reflective tense fast-paced

4.25

This book has been just very inspiring and informative. I used to watch ICarly as a child and I never learned so deeply of how detrimental the show business can be for kids. Sadly I know of so many actresses who I loved in childhood ending up making bad choices. I see go acting and being good at it robs you of your childhood which as an educator I know are the most important years of your life. I am shocked and horrified at the mum and I am a bit resentful that Mark didn’t do more. However I understand that when a parent is so unstable you’re likely to be sent away forever if you involve the law and it might always seem like it’s not necessary. I admire Jennette for all her hard work and commitment at getting better. I speak from a place of understanding as I have an anxiety disorder that affects my life and the one of the people around it. Managing it has been a matter of extreme willpower and constant tries. It’s still a big part of me but I’m managing it as well as I can. 
I’m truly glad to have read it and I will pass it on so it can open someone else’s mind as it opened mine! 

White Nights by Fyodor Dostoevsky

sad medium-paced

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

2.5

Not particularly engaging. The characters didn’t engross me but rather bore me for the way they speak. It’s very overly complicated and descriptive. It would have been nicer maybe as a longer novel. With this length I had troubles to connect to any of the characters and felt mild feelings. 

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

funny hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

I squirmed like a teenager and I felt such a girl. This book is so witty and well written. The characters have a strong personality well defined through the book and I loved absolutely everything of it. 
I’ll be reading more Jane Austen promptly 😍

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

Really nice and informative self help book. Every chapter is short and inspirational. They all start with a practical example from similar cases around the world and I loved this scientific stories. It made the explanation really clear and worked as a hook. Also through the AtomicHabits website there are cheat sheets and lots of other things that the chapters tell you to download for free and I really appreciated it. 

The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham

adventurous inspiring reflective fast-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? Yes

4.75

Such a touching and delicate book. The story is so real that I wouldn’t bat an eyelid if they’d tell me it isn’t fiction. It’s a perfect illustration of what Karma means and the way all the characters are interwoven with their complex emotions is such a delicate and fragile work! 
Loved it! I believe the more times passes the more I’ll be thinking about it and the more I’ll love it. 

Excellent Women by Barbara Pym

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5