libbykerns's reviews
306 reviews

A Ghost In The Throat by Doireann Ní Ghríofa

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challenging emotional reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

worth reading if only for chapter 3 (?) where she talks about the birth of her daughter. beautifully written. 
Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion

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informative reflective medium-paced

3.5

there was an essay or two that i really liked, but for most of the collection, i felt like i was pushing myself to keep reading. maybe i was in the wrong mood for it, but it was just… fine. 
Praying with Jane Eyre: Reflections on Reading as a Sacred Practice by Vanessa Zoltan

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3.75

i really love this approach to reading, but i find the author rather exhausting as a person… so mixed every for this one. 
The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks

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3.25

there were some good lines but otherwise a slog. 
Sign Here by Claudia Lux

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 17%.
wasn’t setting well with my soul. fairly funny and i probably would have enjoyed in a different mood. 
Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn

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

4.0

i just really enjoyed it. old women doing crimes and getting justice is deeply delightful to me! i liked all the characters—and only one of their arcs was somewhat dissatisfying. this is by no means a character-driven novel, but it was fun and i didn’t see any glaring plot holes, so i simply Had A Good Time. 
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

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

3.5

the latter part of the middle section was amazing, but this book often dragged and i didn’t find the ending satisfying, though i appreciated it. i may up my rating later, but having just finished this novel, i feel good about 3.5. 
The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

initial reaction was that i enjoyed this at the end more than i thought i would in the middle. the tendril of writing carried through well, i think. 
far too much sex. 
The Christian Year by John Keble

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challenging inspiring reflective slow-paced
there were a few great poems and more good lines/stanzas.. but reading this all in one go was a slough. do i appreciate it’s significance? yes. did i enjoy myself? not really. did i benefit from reading this, morally, spiritually, intellectually? also yes. so… a net win
Dark Water Daughter by H.M. Long

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

really interesting concept but the execution was just ok. let us feel things!!!