becca_osborn's reviews
852 reviews

Stirring the Mud: On Swamps, Bogs and Human Imagination Hardcover - February 26, 2001 by Barbara Hurd, Barbara Hurd

Go to review page

emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.0

This book was helpful for a personal project in thinking about bogs and imagination for some of my research. I wouldn't say it was a scientific book, but it was helpful information on how people have thought about bogs and these "thinner places" over time. The writing style is pretty flowery which I know isn't for everyone, but I really enjoyed the way the author things and writes about these subjects and her insights around them. I'd love to grab a cup of coffee with her someday. I enjoyed it.
Children of Anguish and Anarchy by Tomi Adeyemi

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I wish I could give this book and series a million stars. Such a fantastic series. Adeyemi minces no words, does the WORK, and has things happen as they should happen (no easy way out for these characters!). So sad, so heartbreaking, so REAL, and so full of hope. I hope she writes more - she is absolutely one of my favourite authors!
Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi

Go to review page

adventurous dark reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Even with a "middle" book, Adeyemi absolutely kills it. The characters and their development stay on task, the plot moves forward, and the world gets more and more interesting and compelling. Cannot wait for book 3!! 
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Go to review page

adventurous dark inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This series is incredible. The characters, the world building, the plot, the magic - it's all insanely amazing. All based on West African mythology and Yoruba culture. Definitely one of the best book/series (if not THE best) I've read in a long time. Check out all 3 books at the same time - you won't want to wait! Can't wait for her to write more!!
Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen

Go to review page

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

5.0

Loved learning a little more about African mythology (this was mostly Nigerian, I think) in this book! The characters are loveable and memorable and complex, and the storyline is fantastic! Highly recommend - go ahead and check out the second book before starting!
Afterlove by Tanya Byrne

Go to review page

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

5.0

Ash has had a hard time on the love scene until she meets Poppy...and dies in a freak accident just months later. Now as a new reaper, she is surrounded by death and is constantly remembering what could have been...until she realizes Poppy can actually see her...and recognizes her.
Tanya Byrne has done the WORK, y'all. The way she speaks about both love and death makes it clear that she has experienced deep love and deep loss. Reading about her experiences and the community that has surrounded her in the midst of her losses made me really want to have a cup of coffee with the author someday. <3 The way she was able to tell such a beautiful story amidst such a heaviness is really something special. The tragedy around Poppy and Ash ripped me apart. Dev and Esen were delightful characters, and I especially loved Esen's character arc. The way that Tanya captured Poppy's death was so gentle - it reminded me of the way C.S. Lewis captured death at the end of The Last Battle - it was warm and calm and natural. I also loved the intertwining of Carl Sagan and his work as well.
This is a powerful book - it might be YA, but it's for everyone. 
I would recommend to anyone who has grieved or lost - maybe not if the loss is fresh, but add it to your list.
The Great Sex Rescue: The Lies You've Been Taught and How to Recover What God Intended by Sheila Wray Gregoire, Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach, Joanna Sawatsky

Go to review page

hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

4.0

Corinne by Rebecca Morrow

Go to review page

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

4.0

Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation by Kristin Kobes Du Mez

Go to review page

This book is incredible. If you are wondering how evangelicals got to where they are now, Du Mez covers it all. Reminding us of the rugged version of a "manly Christian", Du Mez traces the historical steps to the long game that evangelicals have played. It's both crazy informatve and maddening. Highly recommended, especially if you are deconstructing, have left evangelicalism, or are having questions around evangelicalism. Du Mez is clear in her critiques and comes across fairly unbiased, all things considered. She presents the facts first more than anything. Really high quality read. 
Raise Your Voice: Why We Stay Silent and How to Speak Up by Kathy Khang

Go to review page

challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0