gracielleberry's reviews
245 reviews

The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager

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dark mysterious tense 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

4.25

After a 7-month hiatus, I'm back to reading!

This was recommended by my best friend and has been collecting (digital) dust on my Kindle. I wasn't planning to read this but the fantasy novel I was reading just wasn't doing it for me so I switched to this one, and I'm glad I did!

This is a very solid thriller mystery book: intriguing and engaging, yet easy to digest. Would definitely check out more books by this author.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

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emotional hopeful 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

2.75

I don't think I'm the target audience of books like this one. But it's a pretty quick read while I'm on vacation and I have some time to spare, so yeah.
Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman

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adventurous dark tense 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

4.25

Only took me half a year to finish this but that would be my fault, not the book's. Read the last 25% of this book in one sitting and that only proves my point.
Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller

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adventurous funny mysterious fast-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? No

4.25

the time it took for me to finish this book doesn't mean anything. even though it took me almost a couple of months, this was a very fun and easy read wherein i lost myself in its pages when i do decide to pick it up.

daughter of the pirate king has such loveable characters and an intriguing plot to boot, so yay, for it being just the first book of an ongoing series. would love to read more!
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

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adventurous mysterious tense fast-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

5.0

i loved this! the characters, how the story and mystery unfolded, the much needed closure at the end instead of it being open ended—all wrapped up to be a very fulfilling and enjoyable read for me! would definitely recommend this to fellow crime mystery afficionados.
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

It was probably my mistake to pick up a contemporary fiction novel when I've always preferred fiction fantasy (and I've been reading really good ones so far this year), but I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would.

For me, there were too many unnecessary dialogues and scenes that could have been skipped, but would not have affected the plot and made the book shorter and much more easier to read.

It is, however, possible that I did choose the wrong time to read this that's why it didn't settle well for me, but it is what it is.
The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud

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adventurous mysterious 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? No

5.0

Both the book and Netflix series are Uncle Rick approved and that immediately settled it for me: I must read the book before I watch the show... and I'm glad I did!

This was a VERY good read, easily joining my favorite books, and I can't wait to see how the Netflix series holds up to it.
Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

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adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious 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

Such an underrated series! I hope more people will pick this up and see how AMAZING these books are—I'm not even exaggerating. Excited to read the third one in a couple months or so!!
Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry by Ruth Haley Barton

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 61%.
Dropped this Leadership Group reading material in church.
Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

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5.0

The only book botched by my Goodreads to StoryGraph migration. Fixed it but book is considered a new addition to my library even though I read this wayback 2012. C'est la vie.