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erinbrenner's reviews
507 reviews
A Brightness Long Ago by Guy Gavriel Kay
adventurous
reflective
slow-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? No
4.0
Mud, Rocks, Blazes: Letting Go on the Appalachian Trail by Heather Anish Anderson
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
Anderson writes beautifully, particularly the descriptions of the natural world. She also is honest about her experiences and how they changed her.
While I think the subtitle is accurate, I don't think that theme was adequately explored throughout the book, leading to a rush at the end of the book to show her transformation, as well as purple prose that undercuts that defining moment. Yes, I think she had that defining moment on the trail, more reflection from the author throughout the book would have improved the book overall and made the ending more genuine.
While I think the subtitle is accurate, I don't think that theme was adequately explored throughout the book, leading to a rush at the end of the book to show her transformation, as well as purple prose that undercuts that defining moment. Yes, I think she had that defining moment on the trail, more reflection from the author throughout the book would have improved the book overall and made the ending more genuine.
The Green Man's Challenge by Juliet E. McKenna
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Glimmer of Death by Heather G. Harris
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
A fast, fun read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Local Girls by Alice Hoffman
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.0
This novel is actually a series of vignettes, which keeps the characters at arm's length. Some of the vignettes are narrated by the main character, while some are third-person narrated. Both of these things give the novel a disjointed feel. It's also one of those realistic novels that's full of sorrow. It's one piece of bad news after another and characters can't catch a break.
A day after finishing it, I'm still wondering if I liked it. I liked it enough to want to know how things were going to turn out for the main character but not enough to reread it or give it a space on my shelf, I think.
A day after finishing it, I'm still wondering if I liked it. I liked it enough to want to know how things were going to turn out for the main character but not enough to reread it or give it a space on my shelf, I think.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Rape
The Book of Tea Classic Edition by Kakuzō Okakura
reflective
slow-paced
2.0
I knew nothing about this book when I picked it up. It's only somewhat about tea. It's more about Japanese culture shared in broad, sweeping strokes. It's hard to unpack if you don't have a strong base understanding of Japanese history (which I don't).
Worse is the amount of typos in this edition. I suspect many of them to come from OCR. They were not only distracting but sometimes lefte wondering what the author had originally written.
Skip this one.
Worse is the amount of typos in this edition. I suspect many of them to come from OCR. They were not only distracting but sometimes lefte wondering what the author had originally written.
Skip this one.
The Green Man's Silence by Juliet E. McKenna
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Cursing
Wordcraft: The Complete Guide to Clear, Powerful Writing by Jack R. Hart
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
4.5
Norse America: The Story of a Founding Myth by Gordon Campbell
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Campbell reviews a lot of history and myth around the Norse's travels west, and he doesn't pull any punches. He applies rigorous academic and scientific standards to his review. Much of what people would like to believe about the Norse in North America, particularly the US, he shows as fake or inconclusive. He also shows a not-common-enough respect, sensitivity and thoughtfulness to Native Anericans and First Peoples.
This is a thoughtful book well worth the read.
One note for sharp-eye readers: there are quite a few typos in the first edition. Given that this was produced during the pandemic, it's understandable, and none of the errors inhibit comprehension. I hope Oxford will take time to correct them for future printings.
This is a thoughtful book well worth the read.
One note for sharp-eye readers: there are quite a few typos in the first edition. Given that this was produced during the pandemic, it's understandable, and none of the errors inhibit comprehension. I hope Oxford will take time to correct them for future printings.