brittishliterature's reviews
210 reviews

Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy

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emotional funny hopeful reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy has found a special place in my heart forever 💛 

I read this one with the Unhurried Wonder book club that my local bookstore hosted for the month of August. It was essentially a story time for adults, where we colored as we listened to it being read aloud each week - such a lovely, relaxing time. 

For our last meeting, the author met with us over Zoom and not only did we get to chat with him but he also read the remaining chapters of the book to us! (He could have easily recorded his own book with such a great narrating voice.) He was so down-to-earth and kind, and it was the most perfect and memorable way to close our time together. 

It was quite the heartwarming story, one that made me want to hug the book when it was over. I couldn’t help but root for and love Helen. And I’d be lying if it didn’t make me want to go out and get my own Sipsworth 🐁💙
The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Oh my goodness I loved this one - Poppy and Alex forever! I enjoyed the friends-to-lovers slow burn and going back through their previous summer trips together, it added a lot of depth to their relationship. The characters felt real and relatable, and I just couldn’t wait to sit down and read more of their story. And it was also just really funny, too!

I also thought of my husband and the relationship we have at various points while reading it, which just made me feel all the more warm and fuzzy. And I thought it was fun that I bought this book the day after he’d proposed to me, and now that I’ve read it I’m like hmm was it a subtle sign from the universe? :)

I’m not sure that I’ve enjoyed a contemporary rom-com this much before. I liked Beach Read but this one stole my heart 🧡
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • 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

I enjoyed reading this and flew through it pretty quickly just because I kept wanting to know more. It also wasn’t creepy or gory, which I liked, but that’s just my preference. 

The audiobook was  well done with the full cast and sound mixing. Really felt like listening to podcast recordings and documentary interviews. 

However, I didn’t like the way it ended and wanted more of the details wrapped up. I get that this was probably the point considering the title, but personally I didn’t get the satisfaction I’d hoped for by the end so that made it fall a bit flat for me. 
What We Talk About When We Talk About God by Rob Bell

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
I will probably come back to this one again at some point. I can feel that my mood has shifted and I want to let that lead me to my next read.
Jesus Wants to Save Christians: Learning to Read a Dangerous Book by Rob Bell, Don Golden

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challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

I liked this one. I think audiobook is a great format for engaging with Rob Bell's books - the writing style works great with it and he makes for a great narrator.
Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections Between Sexuality and Spirituality by Rob Bell

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.
Kind of bored and disinterested with this one. 
Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith by Rob Bell

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challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.5

Refreshing and inspiring. I am loving listening to Rob’s audiobooks right now, and I really liked this one!
Wishful Thinking: How I Lost My Faith and Why I Want to Find It by Donna Freitas

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

I loved reading Donna's story - she embraces doubt and her struggle with faith, love and loss, suffering and hope in such a beautiful and meaningful way. All the stars, all the recommendations - we need stories like hers and I'm so glad I took the time to read it.