Lessons in Chemistry #

by Bonnie Garmus
3.5 ⭐️

emotional; funny; informative; medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

It was fine, but not really my thing to be honest. I didn't really buy several aspects of the story, just a bit to implausible for me. But it was fine.

Grief is the Thing with Feathers #

by Max Porter
4.5 ⭐️

adventurous; challenging; dark; emotional; mysterious; reflective; sad; tense; 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

An astonishing book, with grief embodied as a crow.

Bad Relations #

by Cressida Connolly
3.5 ⭐️

emotional; hopeful; informative; sad; medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

An interesting story of a family in three eras — one in the era of the Crimean War, and then two in much more recent times. Nice language, particularly in the first part, and the story in each of the three parts was engaging.

Spring (Seasonal Quartet #3) #

by Ali Smith
4.25 ⭐️

adventurous; challenging; dark; emotional; hopeful; informative; reflective; sad; medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

Another cracking story by Ali Smith, part 3 of her Seasonal Quartet, and the 2nd of the quartet that I've read so far. Spring explores the asymlum and immigration system in modern Britain, particularly the experience and use of detention centres. Smith's writing and use of language is superb, and Spring has a lovely dimension of magical realism to it that gives a special flavour.

Autumn is my favourite of the quartet so far, but both I've read have been great.