emily_britton's reviews
835 reviews

2 A.M. at the Cat's Pajamas by Marie-Helene Bertino

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dark emotional funny lighthearted sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

 The story was definitely fresh and engaging, but every so often a phrase would jump out as trying just a little too hard. Her metaphors are just too much sometimes, and some of the minor plot points seemed to exist simply to make sure we know it's adult fiction, not YA. 
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New York by Edward Rutherfurd

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informative medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

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

3.75

Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

 Poetic and tender, with very little plot and all kinds of beauty .
Children of the Arbat by Anatoli Rybakov

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dark sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

 I wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did, as I have a predilection against popular literature, but it was very well done. I enjoyed the premise, and Haig wrapped it up in a very satisfactory manner (is that a spoiler?). 
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The Epic of Gilgamesh by Anonymous

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

3.5

 I would not recommend reading this without including the introduction and also Literature and History's excellent podcast on it. 
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

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challenging emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Home: A Short History of an Idea by Witold Rybczynski

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informative relaxing fast-paced

4.0

 Very interesting and only slightly dated. We take so much for granted in our homes -- I was constantly surprised by the information gathered in this book. 
Emil and the Detectives by Erich Kästner

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

3.0

Charming but dated.  My kids enjoyed it.