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erinbrenner's reviews
507 reviews
Rotherweird by Andrew Caldecott
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The Kid Stays in the Picture by Robert Evans
emotional
funny
medium-paced
3.0
Robert Evans had a unique writing style that in small doses was quirky and entertaining and that in book-length doses becomes overwrought and grating. I listened to the book in hour-ish chunks, which helped.
Like a lot of celebrity memoirs, this one is really a loose collection of stories the author must have told over and over. They've been honed to a point, it's true, but they also gloss over a lot of context and pertinent details. If you don't already know about Robert Evan's life, you'll find a lot of gaps.
And while Evans willingly admits some mistakes, he's blind to his character flaws. Reading closely (and consulting other sources), you can discover that Evans was privileged, sexist, and a bully in his adult life. He also omits any mention of his drug addiction, which was a huge part of who he became. His stories always make himself the hero. There's no introspection or character growth.
Is this book an entertaining beach read? Yes.
Does it offer insight into a man who left his mark on Hollywood? No way.
Like a lot of celebrity memoirs, this one is really a loose collection of stories the author must have told over and over. They've been honed to a point, it's true, but they also gloss over a lot of context and pertinent details. If you don't already know about Robert Evan's life, you'll find a lot of gaps.
And while Evans willingly admits some mistakes, he's blind to his character flaws. Reading closely (and consulting other sources), you can discover that Evans was privileged, sexist, and a bully in his adult life. He also omits any mention of his drug addiction, which was a huge part of who he became. His stories always make himself the hero. There's no introspection or character growth.
Is this book an entertaining beach read? Yes.
Does it offer insight into a man who left his mark on Hollywood? No way.
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
3.5
Rogue Elements by John Jackson Miller
adventurous
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Dinners with Ruth: A Memoir on the Power of Friendships by Nina Totenberg
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
This is a book full of interesting stories about friendship loosely tied together. Totenberg writes in a conversational way that draws the reader along.
In the downside, the narrative sometimes takes some awkward or abrupt turns. And while the friendship theme is present and interesting, it could have been developed more.
In the downside, the narrative sometimes takes some awkward or abrupt turns. And while the friendship theme is present and interesting, it could have been developed more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, and Death
Minor: Misogyny, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A fun ride!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Violence, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Confinement, Vomit, Death of parent, and Murder
Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content by Ann Handley
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Handley offers practical advice that makes the hard task of writing easier. With professional-level writing being almost mandatory in business, you want your skills to be as best as they can be. Handley can help.
The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Magazine of Fantasy & Science fiction July/August 2022 by James L. Sutter, Charles de Lint, Brian Trent, Rajeev Prasad, Arley Sorg, Paul Tobin, Jerry Oltion, Rich Horton, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Beth Goder, Charlie Hughes, Ellis Bray, Alex Jennings, Sheree Renée Thomas, Nick Wolven, Nick DiChario, Michelle West, Alexandra Munck, Robert Levy, Rudi Dornemann
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
3.0
Usually I devour everything in the issue, but this issue had several horror stories, and those are NOT my bag. Which meant skipping them. I understand the occasional horror story in an issue but 3 or 4 is too many IMO for an SF/fantasy magazine.
All the Seas of the World by Guy Gavriel Kay
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-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? No
4.5