emily_britton's reviews
835 reviews

Mating by Norman Rush

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny reflective
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I thoroughly enjoyed the act of reading through much of this book, as I don't think I've ever been so intellectually challenged in such an enjoyable way. I learned new words on almost every page, it seemed, and Rush's unnamed heroine was full of interesting tidbits and nuggets of wisdom; however, the ending was slightly too puzzling.
The Jump-Off Creek by Molly Gloss

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adventurous dark inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

 I really enjoyed this book, as much as one can enjoy a book about a miserable existence -- spoiler alert, it doesn't get better -- my biggest complaint is that it was too short. 
The Outermost House: A Year of Life on the Great Beach of Cape Cod by Henry Beston

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informative reflective relaxing slow-paced

4.25

 Very poetic, a lovely tribute to nature. It would be the perfect beach read! 
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Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie

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adventurous challenging dark funny informative slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

 A history of twentieth-century India and Pakistan told through magical realism -- genius. But not an easy read. 
The Gospel of Food: Why We Should Stop Worrying and Enjoy What We Eat by Barry Glassner

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informative slow-paced

2.0

 The book seemed so unfocused that it was hard to realize its premise. Eventually, it became clearer that the essential jist of it was that you should just enjoy your food and not trust socalled scientists, but it took a while to get there. 
The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich

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adventurous emotional funny informative inspiring sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Tender and funny in turns, this book really reminded me of Little House in the Big Woods, but from the Native American point of view.  Valuable and beautiful.
The Invisible Man: A Grotesque Romance by H.G. Wells

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adventurous funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 More fun than I imagined it to be, the action scenes are especially effectively written. 
The Female Man by Joanna Russ

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

 Only peripherally a science-fiction novel, this short book articulates so many important truths and confusions about femininity. I was totally lost in most of the actual story, but the asides regarding being a woman were really spot on. Not for the faint of heart by any stretch of the imagination. 
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Words Without Music: A Memoir by Philip Glass

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informative medium-paced

4.25

 Really nicely written, about a fascinating man who's led an interesting life. 
The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester

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adventurous dark funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

 An exhilerating combination of the madcap fantasy of Chesterton and Vonnegut's zaniness, with a bit of Dr. Who or Star Trek thrown in for good measure. What a ride.