It has taken me so long to read this book because I went back to Texas and it stayed in Connecticut. This book is FASCINATING and provides a much trueIt has taken me so long to read this book because I went back to Texas and it stayed in Connecticut. This book is FASCINATING and provides a much truer and fuller story than the movie The Blind Side did. Lewis toggles back and forth between the story of Michael Oher and the history, importance, and story behind the left tackle position in football. The account of Oher's life is fascinating, as are the varying motivations and prejudices of those around him-- both the people looking to protect him and to profit off of him. 4.5 stars....more
There is a lot that I like about this one. Jim Dale's portrayal of a suffering, pleading Dumbledore is heartwrenching. (view spoiler)[Harry and Ginny There is a lot that I like about this one. Jim Dale's portrayal of a suffering, pleading Dumbledore is heartwrenching. (view spoiler)[Harry and Ginny finally become a thing, so that's super fun! (hide spoiler)] The characters are beginning to mature, and the stakes are slowly spiraling higher and higher, and I feel like listening to the audiobook version made angsty Harry less annoying-- I think he's just much better at boundaries than I am. The climax of this book is just SO GOOD and surprising. It's hard to imagine since the Internet exists and our entire society knows basically everything about Harry Potter, but reading it this time, I really tried to put myself into the mindset of someone who doesn't know anything about the ending of this series. Can you imagine?...more
This was one of those books that I bought for a college class but then we only read like 3 essays in it. It was a really nice book of nature writing, This was one of those books that I bought for a college class but then we only read like 3 essays in it. It was a really nice book of nature writing, and I love the metaphor of the holdfast. I felt a little lost in all of the very beautiful nature writing (which is just the nature of nature writing I think), and there wasn't much about this book that really grabbed me. But I enjoyed it. It was warm and comforting, a good wintertime book....more
Here is the thing. I do not know how I feel about Francine Rivers. Her work is high emotion all the time and feels deeply sensationalized rather than Here is the thing. I do not know how I feel about Francine Rivers. Her work is high emotion all the time and feels deeply sensationalized rather than historically grounded-- the characters all read as Americans in different clothes. And also there were some views she portrayed in this book that were quite problematic about gender roles, women in particular. But I will say that Rivers knows how to tell a story and keep her readers interested. I certainly was; the plot here is intriguing and compelling. Hadassah is a great character herself, a little flat and perfectly perfect in every way, but her sweetness and devotion stand out starkly against the cruelty and epicurianism of her Roman surroundings. Oddly enough, I felt comforted in my faith by this book? Sooooo I think that all amounts to 3 stars....more
Ah, angsty Harry. I like the build in this one but the lack of communication is truly staggering. Hermione is consistently the best character, and I dAh, angsty Harry. I like the build in this one but the lack of communication is truly staggering. Hermione is consistently the best character, and I do love the complexity that begins to build here in relationships. Still confused about the whole house elf thing. It still seems very problematic. Jim Dale is still one of the most incredible narrators....more
Legit just so much fun. Connecting Star Wars to William Shakespeare is a genius move, and it makes so much sense if you listen to/read the afterword. Legit just so much fun. Connecting Star Wars to William Shakespeare is a genius move, and it makes so much sense if you listen to/read the afterword. In my opinion, the best way to experience this work is to listen to it. The voice actors are just so good, and Shakespearean works are always so much better when they're read out loud or experienced in a play. I'm delighted from a literary perspective and from a reader's perspective. Also I need to watch these again....more
An incredible masterpiece and one of the most beautiful works of historical nonfiction I have ever read. Wilkerson has spent literal decades researchiAn incredible masterpiece and one of the most beautiful works of historical nonfiction I have ever read. Wilkerson has spent literal decades researching, storytelling, and going as far as to drive the exact routes that her main narrators took on their journeys to the North. The gorgeous storytelling and the careful effort of Wilkerson makes the three narrators-- Ida Mae, George, and Robert-- leap off these pages and makes their stories and the greater framework of the Great Migration so accessible to all readers. This sweeping epic of a book better become the ruling text on the Great Migration-- it deserves it and the world needs it....more
Wendell Berry is easily one of the sweetest poets I know. His work is humble yet extravagant. I read all of these poems out loud to myself in the quieWendell Berry is easily one of the sweetest poets I know. His work is humble yet extravagant. I read all of these poems out loud to myself in the quiet of my room, and they ministered to my soul. Side note: if you're not reading poetry out loud to yourself, wyd? I recommend you try it. These poems were written over a period of 20 years, and it was fascinating to see Berry's craft change and grow and improve. The poems get stronger as the collection goes on. I didn't want it to end. And also I need to take a pencil to my copy and underline EVERYTHING....more
When I finished this book, I held it to my heart to get some of it's warmth in there. This is an excellent retelling of a very weird Shakespeare play When I finished this book, I held it to my heart to get some of it's warmth in there. This is an excellent retelling of a very weird Shakespeare play and a beautiful treatise on the slow growth of real love. It's homey and warm, slow and sweet, and full of Tyler's expert depictions of complex and funny family life. I loved this and I didn't want it to end as quickly as it did....more
I love this book. I love it so much. And it came to me in the exact moment I need it. I am also going through a multitude of my own winters-- a move tI love this book. I love it so much. And it came to me in the exact moment I need it. I am also going through a multitude of my own winters-- a move to a new city, pursuing healing and health, the end of a relationship that I loved a lot. This beautiful memoir soothed my soul with every page. It doesn't offer nice platitudes or stupid sayings that don't work. It recognizes the rawness and the ugliness and the cold of winter, and May encourages her readers to embrace that, to grow fat and warm and rich in love and good food and nature time and craft. It's just such a wonderful book, and it's been such an encouragement. Also, May has a podcast that I am absolutely going to be listening to. This cozy read is literally so perfect for this time of year, when the Christmas lights are about to be taken down and darkness envelops us again. Read it if you need warmth, kindness, hope, or strength....more
WELL HOT DANG I ACTUALLY FINISHED THIS. Listening to the audiobook was definitely the right move. The beginning was pretty slow, and this reads like aWELL HOT DANG I ACTUALLY FINISHED THIS. Listening to the audiobook was definitely the right move. The beginning was pretty slow, and this reads like a history textbook. But it's also very philosophical and heady and meta. The worldbuilding in this book is actually incredible and absolutely captivating (if a lil overly detailed). I loved all the characters and found them to be so distinct and rich (except Paul, who was kind of very annoying in my opinion). This book was rich and sprawling and I am seeing the movie tomorrow and I cannot wait! Also y'all should know that this is probably the only book in this series that I will read because THAT was emotionally exhausting, listening to 21 hours of desert history textbook...more
Audiobook is the only way to go with these. Positively stunning, immersive, one of the most creative transformations of a work that has ever been concAudiobook is the only way to go with these. Positively stunning, immersive, one of the most creative transformations of a work that has ever been conceived. And the voice actors do a great job mimicking the original actors. Truly uncanny in all the best ways, and nice and short too!...more
How can a book be so warm and enthralling and painful all at once? I really loved this. I think this book might have been written just for me. I mean-How can a book be so warm and enthralling and painful all at once? I really loved this. I think this book might have been written just for me. I mean-- plucky heroine, fighting patriarchy, GIANT MAGICAL LIBRARIES, communing with books, tea and warm fires, turn of the century vibes, dark academia vibes, an author actually making librarianship so cool and badass?? I am obsessed. Also the romance in this is so sweet it hurts me. Trauma and grief are discussed, as well as how to deal with them. Every twist and turn was new-- I could feel the author's love and care about this world, these characters, the stakes, everything. Magnificent....more
I really like Lindsey Ellis' YouTube channel, so I had high hopes for this book, but I was pretty underwhelmed. The writing is a little stilted, and tI really like Lindsey Ellis' YouTube channel, so I had high hopes for this book, but I was pretty underwhelmed. The writing is a little stilted, and the audiobook narration was HIGHLY dramatic, overly so. I didn't find the characters to be likeable, and the overarching plot was pretty confusing. Ellis has done her research, that much is clear. This feels like something that could potentially happen, an interesting alternate history. But it's honestly kind of boring for a first contact novel. Disappointed....more
Way shorter than I thought it was going to be. This was fascinating-- a high fantasy book that could easily be 400+ pages, but instead is a condensed,Way shorter than I thought it was going to be. This was fascinating-- a high fantasy book that could easily be 400+ pages, but instead is a condensed, tight, rich little slice of this universe. And that structure choice makes the whole narrative more immersive, mysterious, and full. Four stars because I was still very lost more often than I'd like to be....more
I already was obsessed with dogs, but now I straight up respect them. Warren steps outside our sentimentality and views these dogs as vibrant and ofteI already was obsessed with dogs, but now I straight up respect them. Warren steps outside our sentimentality and views these dogs as vibrant and often mysterious individuals. Cadaver dogs are something I didn't even know existed, and I am in awe of the work they do. Warren painted a reverent and vibrant picture with this book, and it was a great fall read....more
Here is something very evangelical for you-- making fun of the Message translation. All those nay-sayers should read this book. Peterson's care for thHere is something very evangelical for you-- making fun of the Message translation. All those nay-sayers should read this book. Peterson's care for the Bible, translation, and the written word, as well as for people, is so evident throughout this whole book. I was so genuinely impressed by his attitude and goals, his commitment to getting the Bible into our bones. I will say that the point is hard to find in the first half of this book-- it took me a second to get used to Peterson's cadence and rhythm. But I think I love the Bible a little better now, and I understand it's ability to impact the ordinary a little deeper....more
Fun story-- one of my dear friends basically threw this book at me in a used bookstore and forced me to buy it. She thought it was a self-help book thFun story-- one of my dear friends basically threw this book at me in a used bookstore and forced me to buy it. She thought it was a self-help book that would cure my perfectionism. It is not that. It is a memoir. And it's a dang good memoir too-- poignant and so, so funny. Gay's turns of phrase are some of the greatest bits of writing I've seen in a while, and he has pretty solid advice in here too. It's a fun read that tugs at your heartstrings. It reminds you of how beautiful and chaotic and unpredictable life is....more
I'M VERY CONFUSED BY THIS BOOK. As far as YA fantasy goes, I can see why this series is so popular. The writing in here is really strong, the characteI'M VERY CONFUSED BY THIS BOOK. As far as YA fantasy goes, I can see why this series is so popular. The writing in here is really strong, the characters are entertaining, and the plot twists and jolts all over the place. It's a fun read for sure! I found the world building to be a tad confusing but my REAL PROBLEM WITH THIS is the ending which I will not spoil!! But it's super weird!! I did not like it and I'm not sure what Clare did with this particular plot point in the rest of the series. I kinda wanna read it to find out but I also kinda don't. Please let me know if you've read this so I can scream with someone about the v weird plot twist...more
Loading...
