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chandranolynne's reviews
344 reviews
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
5.0
“Women observe subconsciously a thousand little details, without knowing that they are doing so. Their subconscious mind adds these little things together—and they call the result intuition.”
This is my favorite so far! I did miss Hastings, and I kind of wish someone else had done the narration because I had a hard time separating Dr. Sheppard from Hastings for a while. Other than that, though, I absolutely loved this. The ending completely blew my mind! Not that I ever figure out where Agatha Christie is going with things, but this one really takes the cake!!
This is my favorite so far! I did miss Hastings, and I kind of wish someone else had done the narration because I had a hard time separating Dr. Sheppard from Hastings for a while. Other than that, though, I absolutely loved this. The ending completely blew my mind! Not that I ever figure out where Agatha Christie is going with things, but this one really takes the cake!!
To the Nines by Janet Evanovich
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“Lula had Eminem cranked up. He was rapping about trailer park girls and how they go round the outside, and I was wondering what the heck that meant. I'm a white girl from Trenton. I don't know these things. I need a rap cheat sheet.”
I'm beginning to run out of things to say about these book except I just really love them, and I'm still surprised by just how much! I really enjoyed the premise of this one in particular. It was unique and pretty dark, as this series go. There was a good twist at the end that I didn't see coming, too.
I'm beginning to run out of things to say about these book except I just really love them, and I'm still surprised by just how much! I really enjoyed the premise of this one in particular. It was unique and pretty dark, as this series go. There was a good twist at the end that I didn't see coming, too.
The Vulnerables by Sigrid Nunez
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“Only when I was young did I believe that it was important to remember what happened in every novel I read. Now I know the truth: what matters is what you experience while reading, the states of feeling that the story evokes, the questions that rise to your mind, rather than the fictional events described. They should teach you this in school, but they don’t.”
I went into this book, as I generally try to do, knowing nothing, and I mean nothing about it. I actually listened to the first ten minutes and had to Google it to figure out it was fiction because it reads like a memoir. And it was easy to forget the whole way through that it's a novel. This is aided by the fact that Nunez writes using stream of consciousness and spends most of the book philosophizing about social constructs rather than telling a story. Don't get me wrong, there is a story. It's simply littered with tangential ramblings which are, for better or worse, only sometimes poignant.
I personally loved it. I found it humorous and insightful and delightfully on point. I look forward to reading more of this author!
I went into this book, as I generally try to do, knowing nothing, and I mean nothing about it. I actually listened to the first ten minutes and had to Google it to figure out it was fiction because it reads like a memoir. And it was easy to forget the whole way through that it's a novel. This is aided by the fact that Nunez writes using stream of consciousness and spends most of the book philosophizing about social constructs rather than telling a story. Don't get me wrong, there is a story. It's simply littered with tangential ramblings which are, for better or worse, only sometimes poignant.
I personally loved it. I found it humorous and insightful and delightfully on point. I look forward to reading more of this author!
Visions of Sugar Plums by Janet Evanovich
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
"I'm starting the day with a doughnut. That's what Christmas does to me. It makes me crazy and then I need a doughnut."
I picked up this novella last night and read it in one sitting. It's short and fast-paced, kind of pointless, and completely hilarious. After doing some research, I discovered that it's a crossover book which introduced a protagonist from a new series that Evanovich was preparing to debut. Diesel is a great character, and I'm definitely curious to know if his supernatural abilities are actually explained in his books, but I don't that I'll actually get around to reading them any time soon. Speaking of supernatural, I so enjoyed the fact that Evanovich just decided to throw in characters out of absolutely nowhere that can control electricity, teleport, and are telekinetic with literally zero explanation! Funnily enough, that exact thing is what lost of a lot of her readers on this one, but I love magical realism so I have no complaints.
I picked up this novella last night and read it in one sitting. It's short and fast-paced, kind of pointless, and completely hilarious. After doing some research, I discovered that it's a crossover book which introduced a protagonist from a new series that Evanovich was preparing to debut. Diesel is a great character, and I'm definitely curious to know if his supernatural abilities are actually explained in his books, but I don't that I'll actually get around to reading them any time soon. Speaking of supernatural, I so enjoyed the fact that Evanovich just decided to throw in characters out of absolutely nowhere that can control electricity, teleport, and are telekinetic with literally zero explanation! Funnily enough, that exact thing is what lost of a lot of her readers on this one, but I love magical realism so I have no complaints.
Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“I knew there were no such things as death cooties. Unfortunately, that's an intellectual fact. And death cooties are an emotional reality.”
For a book about a bounty hunter, I find it funny that my favorite installments are the ones that aren't about a bounty. This one was really good and managed to tug on my heartstrings with a sweet story of a mother and young daughter trying to escape an abusive man and start a new life. Stephanie, as always, is fierce, compassionate, and in completely over her head. I love the hurricane of craziness that she brings with her to every situation, and she always manages to keep you frustrated with her poor decision-making skills but still rooting for her all the time.
For a book about a bounty hunter, I find it funny that my favorite installments are the ones that aren't about a bounty. This one was really good and managed to tug on my heartstrings with a sweet story of a mother and young daughter trying to escape an abusive man and start a new life. Stephanie, as always, is fierce, compassionate, and in completely over her head. I love the hurricane of craziness that she brings with her to every situation, and she always manages to keep you frustrated with her poor decision-making skills but still rooting for her all the time.
When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“He was a rogue and scoundrel, and probably a hundred other things as well, but he was her rogue and scoundrel, and she knew he possessed a heart as fine and true as any man she could ever hope to meet.”
This one gets bonus points because it's the first installment that made me cry. This book deals with finding love after loss and the moral dilemmas that come with that, and I fully appreciated the difficult time both characters had navigating that. My only problem with it was how infuriating Francesca became with her wishy-washy attitude, and I didn't really need it take 450 pages for her to make up her mind.
This one gets bonus points because it's the first installment that made me cry. This book deals with finding love after loss and the moral dilemmas that come with that, and I fully appreciated the difficult time both characters had navigating that. My only problem with it was how infuriating Francesca became with her wishy-washy attitude, and I didn't really need it take 450 pages for her to make up her mind.
Poirot Investigates: A Hercule Poirot Collection by Agatha Christie
This one was fine. I'm chalking it up to the fact that I'm not the biggest fan of short stories. I always find myself wanting more and feeling unfulfilled. I did like that last one that was narrated by Poirot - that was a fun new variation to throw in there. I didn't dislike any of it, per se, just not my favorite. I much prefer full-length novels.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
"Instinct is a marvelous thing. It can neither be explained nor ignored."
This one was fine. I'm chalking it up to the fact that I'm not the biggest fan of short stories. I always find myself wanting more and feeling unfulfilled. I did like that last one that was narrated by Poirot - that was a fun new variation to throw in there. I didn't dislike any of it, per se, just not my favorite. I much prefer full-length novels.
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
"'Is that a bulletproof vest? See, now that's so insulting. That's like saying I'm not smart enough to shoot you in the head.'"
Stephanie Plum strikes again, this time trying to bring in an over-the-hill mobster who just so happens to be Grandma Mazer's ex-boyfriend, and of course, hilarity ensues. Seven Up brings back our favorite stoner criminals, Mooner and Dougie, introduces us (finally) to Stephanie's "perfect" sister, and, as per usual, brings the heat with Morelli and leaves us wanting more with Ranger. As always, I can't wait to pick up the next one because the cliffhanger endings in these books are serious!
Stephanie Plum strikes again, this time trying to bring in an over-the-hill mobster who just so happens to be Grandma Mazer's ex-boyfriend, and of course, hilarity ensues. Seven Up brings back our favorite stoner criminals, Mooner and Dougie, introduces us (finally) to Stephanie's "perfect" sister, and, as per usual, brings the heat with Morelli and leaves us wanting more with Ranger. As always, I can't wait to pick up the next one because the cliffhanger endings in these books are serious!
Stephanie Plum strikes again, this time trying to bring in an over-the-hill mobster who just so happens to be Grandma Mazer's ex-boyfriend, and of course, hilarity ensues. Seven Up brings back our favorite stoner criminals, Mooner and Dougie, introduces us (finally) to Stephanie's "perfect" sister, and, as per usual, brings the heat with Morelli and leaves us wanting more with Ranger. As always, I can't wait to pick up the next one because the cliffhanger endings in these books are serious!
Stephanie Plum strikes again, this time trying to bring in an over-the-hill mobster who just so happens to be Grandma Mazer's ex-boyfriend, and of course, hilarity ensues. Seven Up brings back our favorite stoner criminals, Mooner and Dougie, introduces us (finally) to Stephanie's "perfect" sister, and, as per usual, brings the heat with Morelli and leaves us wanting more with Ranger. As always, I can't wait to pick up the next one because the cliffhanger endings in these books are serious!
Murder on the Links: A Hercule Poirot Mystery by Agatha Christie
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
"'I admit that I haven't gone into all the details, but-,' 'You have gone farther - you have ignored them magnificently.'”
Aside from the fact that there was far less golf in this book than I anticipated based on the title, I loved this. I had no idea ever at all of any idea who might have done it, and the second I thought I maybe had an inkling, I just assumed I was wrong. And I was right. Lol. Agatha Christie is amazing at being able to run circles around her readers without making her books un-followable. It's a gift. I also liked the little love story thrown in there; it made Hastings feel more like an actual character than a narrator.
Aside from the fact that there was far less golf in this book than I anticipated based on the title, I loved this. I had no idea ever at all of any idea who might have done it, and the second I thought I maybe had an inkling, I just assumed I was wrong. And I was right. Lol. Agatha Christie is amazing at being able to run circles around her readers without making her books un-followable. It's a gift. I also liked the little love story thrown in there; it made Hastings feel more like an actual character than a narrator.
To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
"And it occurred to her that for a woman who opened her mouth every other second, there was an awful lot inside of her that she’d never shared.”
These really just get better and better. I don't know why I'm still, after five books, surprised at the depth of these characters. The couple in this book were so gripping - Phillip as he strives to be strong for those around him while simultaneously battling demons that nobody else is aware of, and Eloise as she tries to start her own life away from the family that has always defined her. These two I think resonated with me in particular because they remind me of my husband and myself. It's the best thing in the world when you finally find the person in the world who makes you feel safe and seen enough to confide in and finally allow yourself to be genuine and vulnerable with.
These really just get better and better. I don't know why I'm still, after five books, surprised at the depth of these characters. The couple in this book were so gripping - Phillip as he strives to be strong for those around him while simultaneously battling demons that nobody else is aware of, and Eloise as she tries to start her own life away from the family that has always defined her. These two I think resonated with me in particular because they remind me of my husband and myself. It's the best thing in the world when you finally find the person in the world who makes you feel safe and seen enough to confide in and finally allow yourself to be genuine and vulnerable with.