jsant's reviews
935 reviews

A Stitch in Time by Kelley Armstrong

emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

Historical fiction, time travel, romance - probable my favorite combination of genres. This is the first in a series and takes place in Yorkshire, England. 

The Watergate Girl: My Fight for Truth and Justice Against a Criminal President by Jill Wine-Banks

informative mysterious tense medium-paced

5.0

Fascinating view into the Nixon investigation and prosecution and this strong, bold, young woman who took on a president along with her colleagues. 

The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

2.0

Did not live this book. I found it confusing instead of clever and not a compelling story. 

The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious medium-paced

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

4.5

Third and final book in this epic high fantasy trilogy. Impressive story telling and a fitting conclusion 

Shark Heart: A Love Story by Emily Habeck

emotional reflective sad 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

4.5

A strange (but lovely?) story of love and loss and love. Takes place in current day USA, but where people spontaneously get afflictions where they change into other animals (sharks, birds, etc).  

I wanted there to be more closer at the end , but life doesn't really have closure, does it...

Black Man in a White Coat: A Doctor's Reflections on Race and Medicine by Damon Tweedy

informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

My daughter recommended this and I'm excited to discuss it with her. This book is a memoir of a young Black doctor and his reflections and observations of race and medicine - racism, implicit and explicit bias, assumptions, socio-economic disparity, etc. A thought-provoking book. 

The Phoenix Crown by Janie Chang, Kate Quinn

adventurous mysterious tense fast-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

5.0

This book has everything I love about historical fiction novels - strong characters, rooted in a moment in the past, where the place and time almost becomes a character in the book. 

Amazing collaboration between the two authors. I also enjoyed the Author's note at the end giving more context into the characters and their process. 

Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.25

Supernatural murder mystery based on a small town in Texas

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

challenging dark tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This book will have you cringing in exactly the ways the author wants you to. It was uncomfortable in a good way. 

Lakeshire Park by Megan Walker

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

Nice Victorian romance