Scan barcode
schopflin's reviews
719 reviews
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This was a surprise to me. I don't read a lot of SF and I started to get irritated in the third chapter but ... I kept going and then it all made sense. A lovely book, with a warm heart to it.
Visit Sunny Chernobyl - Adventures in the world's most polluted places by Andrew Blackwell
medium-paced
3.5
How much you enjoy this depends on how well you get on with the writers voice. There were many things I liked, intelligence, humour, self-deprecation, but it can be a bit puerile. A couple of chapters included references to relevant history and literature and I realised that I felt it was missing that wider context. However, in its own way, it did highlight the complex issues around pollution, conservation and the environment, and our complicity thereof.
The Tunnel Through Time: A New Route for an Old London Journey by Gillian Tindall
informative
medium-paced
4.5
Absolutely fascinating and brilliantly researched book for the London history nerd. Tindall concentrates on in-depth history of three areas: St Giles, Bishopsgate and Stepney. This may not be what some people are expecting! Her own personality and opinions do come across and they may not be your cup of tea.
The Last Remains by Elly Griffiths
fast-paced
4.0
A good ending. Not too neat, plenty of tension, all the characters like themselves but still interesting.
The Burglar Who Counted The Spoons by Lawrence Block
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
I really enjoyed this although it's really not about the mystery, much more about literature and obscure facts. I realise that Block has chosen to keep Bernie the same age (or he would be about 75 now) while New York ages and changes, but I am still uncomfortable with the number of college-age women he shags.
The Body Keeps the Score: Mind, Brain and Body in the Transformation of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk
slow-paced
4.0
This is highly readable despite the complexity of some of the concepts. I have no background in neuroscience but I was able to follow these parts and understand them. From another aspect, this book is potentially life-changing. I wouldn't say my experiences were traumatic on the scale of the patients described here, but I recognised so many of the physical responses to stressful situations. Not least, the pure lack of safety I feel in relation to others. This isn't an easy read, but we'll worth it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Incest, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Suicide attempt
Mrs. Ames by E.F. Benson
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I was hoping to discover a new author, and Benson is clearly clever and able. His depiction of shallow, dull, self-deluding privileged people is masterful But I think you really have to be in the mood to want to spend time with them.
The Woman Who Stole My Life by Marian Keyes
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
An enjoyable pageturner, requiring a certain amount of suspension of disbelief.
The Benefit of Hindsight by Susan Hill
dark
fast-paced
3.5
A good quality read, dark and disturbing. Good to have such a flawed character as the central detective. I am very uncomfortable with the character of Colin Pegwell, as I think he is being coded as neuro-diverse but in a deeply negative way. It could be argued that he simply has a personality disorder but Hill risks perpetuating the myth that neuro-diverse people lack empathy and are cruel and unfeeling. I would expect better from an author of her calibre
The Belton Estate by Anthony Trollope
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
A pleasant re-read. Clara is a bit annoying but the social satire is good, as ever, and Will Belton is a hearthrob, albeit one with very poor boundaries.