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nadia's reviews
520 reviews
The Switch by Beth O'Leary
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
A super fun, charming read to end off 2023! I think it pips The Flatshare for me, which is the first book I read a couple years back that got me into reading more Romance!
I got really into the two main storylines and was rooting for the characters and their happiness! On the whole the characters felt believable and I loved the representation of the elderly!
I got really into the two main storylines and was rooting for the characters and their happiness! On the whole the characters felt believable and I loved the representation of the elderly!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Infidelity and Mental illness
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was a brilliant book! Definitely my favourite Toni Morrison so far out of the three I've read as part of my chronological journey through her fiction.
The writing was excellent and Morrison crafts such unique characters that you're always eager to see how they interact and what they do next. I'm also not normally one for magical realism, but it worked for me in this book. I just went with it and let Toni Morrison lead the way.
There were so many different facets to this book, which you might think could lead to a novel that felt disjointed, but Morrison expertly tied it all together and nothing felt out of place!
There were some parts that I struggled to keep on top of everything — namely names, relationships between people and places — but I didn't find myself getting frustrated by that as I am wont to do in such cases!
The writing was excellent and Morrison crafts such unique characters that you're always eager to see how they interact and what they do next. I'm also not normally one for magical realism, but it worked for me in this book. I just went with it and let Toni Morrison lead the way.
There were so many different facets to this book, which you might think could lead to a novel that felt disjointed, but Morrison expertly tied it all together and nothing felt out of place!
There were some parts that I struggled to keep on top of everything — namely names, relationships between people and places — but I didn't find myself getting frustrated by that as I am wont to do in such cases!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Racism, Grief, and Death of parent
My Two Elaines: Learning, Coping, and Surviving as an Alzheimer's Caregiver by Martin J. Schreiber
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
This is certainly a must-read/listen for anybody who is caring for someone with dementia, or might soon be. I'm fortunate enough that this isn't my circumstance now but you never know what might happen in the future and I appreciated hearing Schreiber's story and knowing that such a resource existed.
I know the book is advertised as part practical guide but I think I was hoping for more of the memoir-like elements as opposed to literal bullet points for what to do in various scenarios. I wish that more of the direct practical pointers were in the incredibly valuable appendix and the bulk of the book focused more on the personal stories/anecdotes.
The appendix, mostly featuring Q&As/interviews is super valuable and actionable for caregivers!
I know the book is advertised as part practical guide but I think I was hoping for more of the memoir-like elements as opposed to literal bullet points for what to do in various scenarios. I wish that more of the direct practical pointers were in the incredibly valuable appendix and the bulk of the book focused more on the personal stories/anecdotes.
The appendix, mostly featuring Q&As/interviews is super valuable and actionable for caregivers!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Dementia, and Grief
Moderate: Death
A Good Man by Ani Katz
dark
reflective
tense
fast-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
3.25
This book wins points for intriguing me all of the way through. I kept turning the pages wanting to know what was going to happen. However, I feel like I needed more holes filled in for me to believe everything that came to pass in the story. Also, I'm still left wondering about the significance of certain events.
This book will be up your alley if you love unreliable, unlikable narrators, though, I couldn't stand the collective term this MC constantly used to refer to his wife and child, despite it likely just being part of his character.
Also, I can't stand when books spoil other books, movies, etc., and this has a spoiler for Where The Red Fern Grows, a book I've wanted to read for years now!
This book will be up your alley if you love unreliable, unlikable narrators, though, I couldn't stand the collective term this MC constantly used to refer to his wife and child, despite it likely just being part of his character.
Also, I can't stand when books spoil other books, movies, etc., and this has a spoiler for Where The Red Fern Grows, a book I've wanted to read for years now!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Fatphobia
An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten
dark
lighthearted
fast-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
3.75
This collection featuring an elderly woman "up to no good" as the protagonist was different and a lot of fun! Definitely one for you if you love interconnected short stories. A teeny tad on the simple, repetitive side, but still great and just what I was in the mood for at the time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, and Murder
Goodnight Beautiful by Aimee Molloy
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I don't think the audiobook is the one for this one! The narrators' voices didn't match the characters in my head, and it was doubly jarring when the perspective shifts and one narrator is doing the voice of another.
Then, I'm very anti spoilers so all I will say is don't read this book if you're currently watching The West Wing or plan to read Stephen King's Misery. I even skipped some parts to avoid further spoilers so don't know the extent reached re the latter reference. But that's me — I'm sure a bunch of people won't mind!
I also felt there were a lot of unnecessary sexist commentary lobbed in...
I also didn't really believe/get invested in the main relationship. The narrator choices probably played into this a lot.
Still, there were moments of intrigue and tension and I remained curious as to how it was all going to end!
Then, I'm very anti spoilers so all I will say is don't read this book if you're currently watching The West Wing or plan to read Stephen King's Misery. I even skipped some parts to avoid further spoilers so don't know the extent reached re the latter reference. But that's me — I'm sure a bunch of people won't mind!
I also felt there were a lot of unnecessary sexist commentary lobbed in...
I also didn't really believe/get invested in the main relationship. The narrator choices probably played into this a lot.
Still, there were moments of intrigue and tension and I remained curious as to how it was all going to end!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
My second Patrick Radden Keefe of the year — after Say Nothing — and he didn't disappoint.
What I love about Radden Keefe's books is how they read like fiction at times but are packed with so much detail. You can see that he cuts no corners with his research.
I knew nothing about the Sacklers going into this, which added to the intrigue. However, I do think the fact that I could only pick up the book in small bursts, and often when I was feeling tired, impacted my enjoyment. I found it harder to stay focused.
A fantastic book to read if you want to know more about the opioid crisis or the Sackler family, or if you're into narrative nonfiction books that feature multiple generations of one family or themes of corporate fraud/corruption or medicine/pharmaceuticals.
What I love about Radden Keefe's books is how they read like fiction at times but are packed with so much detail. You can see that he cuts no corners with his research.
I knew nothing about the Sacklers going into this, which added to the intrigue. However, I do think the fact that I could only pick up the book in small bursts, and often when I was feeling tired, impacted my enjoyment. I found it harder to stay focused.
A fantastic book to read if you want to know more about the opioid crisis or the Sackler family, or if you're into narrative nonfiction books that feature multiple generations of one family or themes of corporate fraud/corruption or medicine/pharmaceuticals.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use
Moderate: Suicide
I Came All This Way to Meet You: Writing Myself Home by Jami Attenberg
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3.25
When I read and loved Born A Crime by Trevor Noah, I realised that you didn't need to know the author of a memoir to enjoy it. However, I do think a combination of me not knowing anything about Jami Attenberg and also listening to this while being tired and not in the mood massively impacted my enjoyment.
It was difficult to piece together a narrative arc, to set the scene, and to understand what Attenberg was hoping the reader would take away from her stories (though I got there by the end). I felt dropped in the middle of her stories and struggled to form an emotional connection with her.
Still, there were some really interesting sections and reflections that did capture my attention despite me being distracted and I appreciated Attenberg's openness and vulnerability surrounding these.
If you're into books about women travelling solo, surviving as a writer, and not giving up in the face of failure or rejection, then this is a great book for you!
It was difficult to piece together a narrative arc, to set the scene, and to understand what Attenberg was hoping the reader would take away from her stories (though I got there by the end). I felt dropped in the middle of her stories and struggled to form an emotional connection with her.
Still, there were some really interesting sections and reflections that did capture my attention despite me being distracted and I appreciated Attenberg's openness and vulnerability surrounding these.
If you're into books about women travelling solo, surviving as a writer, and not giving up in the face of failure or rejection, then this is a great book for you!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Violence
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.25
This was a great book that spanned several themes that I enjoy: friendships and relationships spanning decades, coming-of-age, video games, entrepreneurship, ambition, creativity, and more! I really liked the way it was written and the different methods and techniques Zevin employed to convey the story to us.
I can't quite put my finger on why but I had a magical feeling when I started the book, that dissipated a little part way through. Perhaps it had to do with a (perceived, at least to me) slow-down of pace? Frustration with the characters and their choices? I'm not sure, but I thought it would have more of an emotional punch on me and that I'd be itching to pick it up when I put it down, and that wasn't the case.
Still, a great read! You don't have to love video games to get into it, but if you do, it's a huge bonus!
I can't quite put my finger on why but I had a magical feeling when I started the book, that dissipated a little part way through. Perhaps it had to do with a (perceived, at least to me) slow-down of pace? Frustration with the characters and their choices? I'm not sure, but I thought it would have more of an emotional punch on me and that I'd be itching to pick it up when I put it down, and that wasn't the case.
Still, a great read! You don't have to love video games to get into it, but if you do, it's a huge bonus!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Pregnancy
A Bathroom Book for People Not Pooping or Peeing But Using the Bathroom as an Escape by Joe Pera
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
3.0
I’ve just discovered Joe Pera while on a trip to Florida visiting friends and was excited to find this in the guest bathroom.
A fun, pleasant read, that’ll probably have more of an unexpected emotional impact to some at certain points. The illustrations were great!
I did enjoy this but was hoping for it to be funnier!
Still, a sweet book which garnered a few, light chuckles.
A fun, pleasant read, that’ll probably have more of an unexpected emotional impact to some at certain points. The illustrations were great!
I did enjoy this but was hoping for it to be funnier!
Still, a sweet book which garnered a few, light chuckles.
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood