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colourbandit's reviews
247 reviews
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-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
5.0
I have to say I’ve absolutely fallen in love with Abby Jimenez. This was my first read of hers and honestly just WOW. I wasn’t expecting much but after rave reviews from family, I knew I had to check it out.
The characters were just wonderful, their stark differences explored in such detail, yet them coming together in such unexpected circumstances was perfect. I loved hearing about both the medical and rural sides of their lives, their inner conflicts, and I honestly had no idea where any sort of resolution was going to come from, which was such a change of pace and I loved it.
It was such a believable story and so so compelling, I fell in love immediately. I’m already on the hunt for more of her books to devour and I just hope they are half as good as this one was!!
The characters were just wonderful, their stark differences explored in such detail, yet them coming together in such unexpected circumstances was perfect. I loved hearing about both the medical and rural sides of their lives, their inner conflicts, and I honestly had no idea where any sort of resolution was going to come from, which was such a change of pace and I loved it.
It was such a believable story and so so compelling, I fell in love immediately. I’m already on the hunt for more of her books to devour and I just hope they are half as good as this one was!!
The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
adventurous
emotional
fast-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? Yes
4.5
I adored everything about this book. I wasn’t too sure what I was getting into initially but grew to love it very quickly as we got further into the relationships between Monty, Percy, and Penelope.
It dives into difficult topics of family expectations, homophobia, love against all odds, and unfair preconceptions with delicacy, depth, and insight. There was magic to this story, it was hilarious, and I just loved it. I would love to look into the other books in the Montague siblings series and explore more of these characters.
It dives into difficult topics of family expectations, homophobia, love against all odds, and unfair preconceptions with delicacy, depth, and insight. There was magic to this story, it was hilarious, and I just loved it. I would love to look into the other books in the Montague siblings series and explore more of these characters.
Summer at the Santorini Bookshop by Rebecca Raisin
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.5
This was such a lovely little romance, I adored the setting, the characters, the twists and turns of the plot (especially all the reveals at the end!)…
Anything set in Italy or involving a bookshop has my heart already and this was exactly what I was hoping for. Of course it isn’t the best book of the year, but it was a heartwarming summer read which filled the gap I was craving in the genre. Not one I’ll return to but it was lovely all the same! And so many dogs!! I just hated it because it made me wish so badly that I was there!
Anything set in Italy or involving a bookshop has my heart already and this was exactly what I was hoping for. Of course it isn’t the best book of the year, but it was a heartwarming summer read which filled the gap I was craving in the genre. Not one I’ll return to but it was lovely all the same! And so many dogs!! I just hated it because it made me wish so badly that I was there!
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
emotional
reflective
medium-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
I flew through this audiobook as my first debut into Sally Rooney and fell in love with her style of writing. She is so genuine and blunt, and I really enjoyed each of her characters, their intricacies and connections.
Everyone was flawed, everyone had such depth, and of course I will be returning for more of her books.
Everyone was flawed, everyone had such depth, and of course I will be returning for more of her books.
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
This was another read that I struggled to put down! I knew elements of Britney’s story from the Free Britney campaigns a few years ago, but as I’m sure most others didn’t, I had no idea of the depth and history of her story.
There were countless moments where I was so shocked I had to pause and put the book down for moments, especially when learning more about the conservatorship. It is such an important read to get any idea at all about how these things are even remotely possible.
I loved hearing Britney’s voice come through as we learnt more about her personal life and relationships, as well as the huge impact of her early childhood on literally the rest of her life. It was wonderful to read about her progress in the last few years and where she would like to be going forwards, and overall a really enjoyable, informative read.
There were countless moments where I was so shocked I had to pause and put the book down for moments, especially when learning more about the conservatorship. It is such an important read to get any idea at all about how these things are even remotely possible.
I loved hearing Britney’s voice come through as we learnt more about her personal life and relationships, as well as the huge impact of her early childhood on literally the rest of her life. It was wonderful to read about her progress in the last few years and where she would like to be going forwards, and overall a really enjoyable, informative read.
Bullet Train by Kōtarō Isaka
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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? No
4.5
Bullet train was such a high-energy, constantly moving read, and I was hooked from the get go. It had been on my list for such a long time and I finally got around to listening to the audiobook having never actually seen the film.
It took me a while to figure out all the characters and get a proper idea of what on earth was going on, but once it all clicked into place, I became really invested in each group’s progress and motives. I loved the intertwining of each character and their roles, the pace, which naturally comes from the context of this story being a ticking time-bomb on a train, and the unexpected dark humour throughout.
I don’t normally pick up stories like this but I’ll be remembering this one for a while I think. A really engaging and fun read.
It took me a while to figure out all the characters and get a proper idea of what on earth was going on, but once it all clicked into place, I became really invested in each group’s progress and motives. I loved the intertwining of each character and their roles, the pace, which naturally comes from the context of this story being a ticking time-bomb on a train, and the unexpected dark humour throughout.
I don’t normally pick up stories like this but I’ll be remembering this one for a while I think. A really engaging and fun read.
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Love, love, loved this!!! I was obsessed with Baldree’s first book and so so excited to read anything else he came up with. It was just as magical and lovely as the first in Viv’s story, with an equally cozy and whimsical setting and a new cast of characters, again, each with their own wonderful tropes and personalities.
I absolutely did not want this to end and will forever be singing this book’s praises. I need more!!!
I absolutely did not want this to end and will forever be singing this book’s praises. I need more!!!
Memorial by Bryan Washington
emotional
reflective
medium-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
3.5
I did enjoy reading this at the time and it was a beautiful story of family, relationships, the impact of grief. It is left to interpretation at the end with open possibilities, as we reflect on the impact of the different relationships described throughout.
I don’t think it will stick with me unfortunately but I enjoyed the process and the story.
I don’t think it will stick with me unfortunately but I enjoyed the process and the story.
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I did enjoy reading this one but it just didn’t hook me in as much as I’d hoped. I’d watched the film many years ago but didn’t really remember the story too much. However, the narration in the audiobook was fantastic with so much amazing voice acting - it was actually quite scary at some points 😅.
My Name is Why by Lemn Sissay
informative
fast-paced
4.0
Such an insightful read which kept me wanting to keep reading and come back to learn more about the author’s experiences. It opened up a topic which I had no real understanding or experience of, set in a location very close to home for me, so it all added up to a really perfect formula for me.
We explore how the author’s traumatic experiences throughout his childhood and adolescence in the care system shaped his life and the frustrations of a system which doesn’t work as it should to put people first. It was a really moving and important read, and it makes me really, really hope that things have changed but I just don’t know if that’s realistic.
It is a battle of nurture and nature, exploring your culture without your family, and lies and deception from the people you trusted. Heartbreaking but vital.
We explore how the author’s traumatic experiences throughout his childhood and adolescence in the care system shaped his life and the frustrations of a system which doesn’t work as it should to put people first. It was a really moving and important read, and it makes me really, really hope that things have changed but I just don’t know if that’s realistic.
It is a battle of nurture and nature, exploring your culture without your family, and lies and deception from the people you trusted. Heartbreaking but vital.