Scan barcode
celiarl's reviews
355 reviews
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
London Street by Jane E. Griffioen
Did not finish book. Stopped at 45%.
I am DNFing because I am not in love with the writing style, and feel that the memoir isn't teaching me much that's new. The writing feels juvenile, and you can tell it has basically been self-published. I feel like the way the story moves along speaks to the fact that the author doesn't have experience writing for an audience outside of her "bubble". I can't imagine someone unfamiliar with this community getting a lot out of this book.
I was intrigued by the premise as it felt like it would be another take on the Educated/How to Say Babylon trope, but it unfortunately fell very flat for me.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 45%.
- follows life in a Calvinist community in GR in the 60s/70s... all Dutch immigrants
- mom & sister are in and out of psych ward, but family isn't aware of why they're there
- mom & dad pretend as if older sister's baby is theirs. Sister breaks and takes off with baby "brother"
- race riots in GR
I am DNFing because I am not in love with the writing style, and feel that the memoir isn't teaching me much that's new. The writing feels juvenile, and you can tell it has basically been self-published. I feel like the way the story moves along speaks to the fact that the author doesn't have experience writing for an audience outside of her "bubble". I can't imagine someone unfamiliar with this community getting a lot out of this book.
I was intrigued by the premise as it felt like it would be another take on the Educated/How to Say Babylon trope, but it unfortunately fell very flat for me.
The Nineties by Chuck Klosterman
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.
I didn’t feel like I was getting anything much out of this & it was beginning to feel like a burden. To the little free library we go 😊
Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed by Maureen Callahan
3.0
Pretty crazy stuff!
I loved how each woman was touched on, as well as each Kennedy sibling. Can’t believe the amount of plane crashes that occurred.
I wish there had been a bit more background given on the family as I was a bit confused who belonged to which family (but I am a “younger” reader so that could be why). I also felt that at times things were heavily embellished, especially as it was telling minute details regarding deceased people. And the feminism became a bit much at the end, although I understand it was a turning point for the movement.
Knocked it down a bit after the fact because I found out fact-checking was virtually non existent in the book lol. And a lot more was exaggerated/embellished than I originally thought!
I loved how each woman was touched on, as well as each Kennedy sibling. Can’t believe the amount of plane crashes that occurred.
I wish there had been a bit more background given on the family as I was a bit confused who belonged to which family (but I am a “younger” reader so that could be why). I also felt that at times things were heavily embellished, especially as it was telling minute details regarding deceased people. And the feminism became a bit much at the end, although I understand it was a turning point for the movement.
Knocked it down a bit after the fact because I found out fact-checking was virtually non existent in the book lol. And a lot more was exaggerated/embellished than I originally thought!
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
3.0
Thank god I’m finished. Hate to say it petered off towards the middle and ended up skimming the last 50 pages.
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
2.0
i don't know why this was SO boring to me. it felt like it was constantly getting to the point and then never really did. i had a feeling going into it this wouldn't be my style so much and should've trusted my gut!