andydrew2's reviews
204 reviews

You Dreamed of Empires: A Novel by Álvaro Enrigue

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

1.0

Oof. This one wasn't for me. The concept seemed interesting, but the wayward writing and story just wasn't interesting to me.
Women by Charles Bukowski

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

3.0

Jesus. Henry's spiral definitely plunged downward from 'Post Office'. I need to read 'Ham on Rye' to get the full picture. Still, an enjoyable writer, but Jesus, Henry is a nasty character. Sad to think a lot of men are like him. 
Nobody's Angel by Jack Clark

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adventurous dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder by Salman Rushdie

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

4.0

I've been a fan of Rushdie for a while. I was fortunate enough to meet and talk with him for a short time in Houston many years ago. The introspection he has into this event of his life is very touching. 
How the Irish Became White by Noel Ignatiev

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informative medium-paced

3.0

Gerald's Game by Stephen King

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

2.0

I just didn't like this one. It could have been a LOT shorter and still got the story across. I honestly skimmed some pages just to be done with it. Great concept, great story overall, just way too drawn out. 
Secret Windows: Essays and Fiction on the Craft of Writing by Stephen King

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funny informative inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

This was a Book of the Month release back in 2000 to be a sort of companion to 'On Writing'. There's a couple unreleased stories, some others that have since been released in collections, and interviews/talks that King did. It's all good, but this wouldn't be enjoyable for a casual King reader. 
I Will Die in a Foreign Land by Kalani Pickhart

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challenging emotional informative sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

While not written in a traditional narrative, this movie was something I am going to keep thinking about. I think everyone should be trying to read more about Ukraine, and this book should be on the list. 
The Library Book by Susan Orlean

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hopeful informative mysterious medium-paced

4.0

I randomly found this at Barnes and Noble, and I am glad I did. Yes, I am a Library Sciences student, so I really enjoyed the dive into library history that some may not, but I think that if you like books, you will find this fascinating. 
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

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adventurous emotional reflective medium-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

3.0

This didn't do it for me. It has a great premise, but I feel that the author didn't go deep enough. An infinite library of lives....and Nora never chose to rule the world? Meet an alien? Cure disease? Seemed like just a twist on "It's a Wonderful Life". Maybe because so many people were loving and suggesting this book just got my expectations too high.