becca_osborn's reviews
852 reviews

I’m convinced that Octavia Butler went back in time. Such a timely read in 2025. Wish I had read this earlier. Hoping to read all of Butler’s canon!! 

Gawande's perspective on life, death, terminal illnesses and processing them from a medical standpoint is eye opening and a beautiful reminder of the way that my own life has been changed by palliative care.

Asking the questions of what you want, and getting clear about what is important and what isn't for your last days (or when something big happens) is such an important practice. While I loved the discussion of the history of nursing homes, the conversations about hospice were so beautiful and clear. This book gave me less fear about dying myself, and enduring the eventual death of my remaining parent.

I'd love to see how he writes and speaks about this topic post-lockdown (2020). Highly Recommended.

Glad I finally read this classic. Gets weird at the end, but I loved that

George MacDonald shows up in heaven.

Lewis has this way of writing that sticks in your head. 

I just couldn't get into this. 

In a bustling tavern in the middle ages, we hear folks tell stories about three children and their holy dog who are now wanted by the king himself. For what? Well, you'll have to keep listening. It's amazing what you might stumble upon if you keep listening...!

The format of this book is really incredible - the storytelling parts read kind of like a Canturbury tales for 11 year olds. It takes a bit to get into the format, but once you're in, you're IN. The characters are not super developed, but all are very endearing. Gidwitz has done a LOT of research, and manages a bunch of spinning plates really well in this novel. I love that we get "just enough" background on all three characters (and the holy dog OF COURSE) and while I still have questions, I don't "need" to know more than what I've been given. The author also handles some really tough, very real questions too. I also love the details that the author adds, like "I'VE BEEN READING THIS A LONG TIME, I HAVE TO PEE" and things like this. So great. The illuminations on the pages are also such an amazing asset. So looking forward to reading more by this author! 

Wow, I want to read everything that Cole Arthur Riley writes! Riley reflects on stories from her family and how they have affected and shaped her spirituality. She also uses a scene from Toni Morrison's "beloved" to remind us that "we all flesh". I don't fully know how to put this book into words, but this is a fresh look on what spirituality could be. Highly recommended.