Scan barcode
shellballenger's reviews
497 reviews
Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls by Lauren Graham
3.0
Type of Read: Commuter (listened to on the way to and from work)
What made me pick it up: I'm a fan of Gilmore Girls and it was a suggested read after recent library check-outs.
Overall rating: I liked this book. I went in with zero expectations and came out enjoying Graham's storytelling and adding more of her books to my 'to read' list. Was it life-changing? No. Did I laugh, smile, have some moments where I felt entirely connected to Graham, and like I was recalling one of our favorite memories together? Yes.
What made me pick it up: I'm a fan of Gilmore Girls and it was a suggested read after recent library check-outs.
Overall rating: I liked this book. I went in with zero expectations and came out enjoying Graham's storytelling and adding more of her books to my 'to read' list. Was it life-changing? No. Did I laugh, smile, have some moments where I felt entirely connected to Graham, and like I was recalling one of our favorite memories together? Yes.
A Promised Land by Barack Obama
3.0
Type of Read: Commuter (listened to on the way to and from work)
What made me pick it up: After having read, Michelle Obama’s ‘Becoming’ at the end of 2020, I was excited to add ‘A Promised Land’ to my reading list for 2021. It seemed all the more fitting to be reading it throughout the month of January.
Overall rating: While it is not the book for everyone, I’m happy that I can cross ‘A Promised Land’ off my TBR list. There were definitely some parts that were a little more boring and over my head than others but I think that’s to be expected with a book of this nature. It was interesting to hear some of the same stories/timelines told from a different perspective to what I had previously read in ‘Becoming.’ I also enjoyed hearing from and seeing President Obama in a different setting than that of acting Commander-In-Chief. Overall, there were some laughs, some unexpected content, and all-in-all a good read.
What made me pick it up: After having read, Michelle Obama’s ‘Becoming’ at the end of 2020, I was excited to add ‘A Promised Land’ to my reading list for 2021. It seemed all the more fitting to be reading it throughout the month of January.
Overall rating: While it is not the book for everyone, I’m happy that I can cross ‘A Promised Land’ off my TBR list. There were definitely some parts that were a little more boring and over my head than others but I think that’s to be expected with a book of this nature. It was interesting to hear some of the same stories/timelines told from a different perspective to what I had previously read in ‘Becoming.’ I also enjoyed hearing from and seeing President Obama in a different setting than that of acting Commander-In-Chief. Overall, there were some laughs, some unexpected content, and all-in-all a good read.
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
Type of read: Commuter (listened to on the way to and from work)
What made me pick it up: This book was high on the list of book clubs, businesses, and young professional groups in my area.
Overall rating: I'm not going to rate the book on the star scale because honestly, it doesn't fit any of the stars in my opinion. I don't even know if I could really say that it's a good read. It's a book that takes on heavy topics and attempts to address racism. Does it make you think? Yes. Does it make you angry? Probably. Does it promote some self-reflection? Oh yeah. But does it deserve all the hype it's gotten? Eh.
Reader's note (personal preference): I read this book via audiobook and did find the original cadence of the book to be a bit difficult. I actually had to listen to this at 1.5 speed because the 'regular speed' was incredibly too slow for my liking and made the entire tone of the book seem off.
What made me pick it up: This book was high on the list of book clubs, businesses, and young professional groups in my area.
Overall rating: I'm not going to rate the book on the star scale because honestly, it doesn't fit any of the stars in my opinion. I don't even know if I could really say that it's a good read. It's a book that takes on heavy topics and attempts to address racism. Does it make you think? Yes. Does it make you angry? Probably. Does it promote some self-reflection? Oh yeah. But does it deserve all the hype it's gotten? Eh.
Reader's note (personal preference): I read this book via audiobook and did find the original cadence of the book to be a bit difficult. I actually had to listen to this at 1.5 speed because the 'regular speed' was incredibly too slow for my liking and made the entire tone of the book seem off.
A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult
5.0
Type of Read: Commuter (listened to on the way to and from work).
What made me pick it up: Picoult has always been one of my favorite authors.
Overall rating: I absolutely loved this book! I laughed, I cried, I cringed. This book made my heart hurt and made me feel like I was side by side with the characters. I will say, it took me a little bit to get into the format of the book and the way it flowed but after I got in a groove it was alright. There was some repetition but it made sense with the story so I wasn't bothered by that.
What made me pick it up: Picoult has always been one of my favorite authors.
Overall rating: I absolutely loved this book! I laughed, I cried, I cringed. This book made my heart hurt and made me feel like I was side by side with the characters. I will say, it took me a little bit to get into the format of the book and the way it flowed but after I got in a groove it was alright. There was some repetition but it made sense with the story so I wasn't bothered by that.
Moo by Sharon Creech
3.0
Type of Read: Commuter (listened to on the way to and from work).
What made me pick it up: This was on one of the new or featured lists in my library audiobook app and I love cows so I was intrigued.
Overall rating: I'm not sure it would be something I would normally pick up content-wise but between the cow on the cover and the title, it caught my eye and I was glad I borrowed it from my local library. I don't think it's a book I would buy to keep on my shelves forever but overall this book was just fun. It's a short, somewhat predictable read, that leaves you in a feel-good mooooooooood.
What made me pick it up: This was on one of the new or featured lists in my library audiobook app and I love cows so I was intrigued.
Overall rating: I'm not sure it would be something I would normally pick up content-wise but between the cow on the cover and the title, it caught my eye and I was glad I borrowed it from my local library. I don't think it's a book I would buy to keep on my shelves forever but overall this book was just fun. It's a short, somewhat predictable read, that leaves you in a feel-good mooooooooood.
The Answer Is…: Reflections on My Life by Alex Trebek
3.0
Type of Read: Commuter (listened to on the way to and from work).
What made me pick it up: Purely the fact that it’s Alex Trebek.
Overall rating: The answer is...not what I was expecting. Although, I’m not sure exactly why I really was expecting. I did like that it was short little snippets of stories. I also liked his approach and general nonchalantness throughout the book. I learned some things. I laughed at some things. And overall, I didn’t hate it. It was a short, easy listen and while I don’t think I’ll be screaming recommendations from the rooftops, it was a cool glimpse into the life of an amazing man.
What made me pick it up: Purely the fact that it’s Alex Trebek.
Overall rating: The answer is...not what I was expecting. Although, I’m not sure exactly why I really was expecting. I did like that it was short little snippets of stories. I also liked his approach and general nonchalantness throughout the book. I learned some things. I laughed at some things. And overall, I didn’t hate it. It was a short, easy listen and while I don’t think I’ll be screaming recommendations from the rooftops, it was a cool glimpse into the life of an amazing man.
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
4.0
Type of read: Commuter (listened to on the way to and from work)
What made me pick it up: This was a suggested read in my library audiobook app, plus Agatha Christie is one of my shelf staples.
Overall rating: It's been a while since I read a book by Agatha Christie but once I got into it, I remembered why I love her books so much. Thoughtful, thorough, and written in a way where you feel like you are in the pages. It wasn't predictable in the plot, which is always nice. Overall, a good read.
Reader's note (personal preference): I read this book via audiobook and while I enjoyed the extensive use of voice, tone, and volume used by the performer, some of the parts were extremely hard to hear/understand. I did listen to this book on regular (1.00) speed.
What made me pick it up: This was a suggested read in my library audiobook app, plus Agatha Christie is one of my shelf staples.
Overall rating: It's been a while since I read a book by Agatha Christie but once I got into it, I remembered why I love her books so much. Thoughtful, thorough, and written in a way where you feel like you are in the pages. It wasn't predictable in the plot, which is always nice. Overall, a good read.
Reader's note (personal preference): I read this book via audiobook and while I enjoyed the extensive use of voice, tone, and volume used by the performer, some of the parts were extremely hard to hear/understand. I did listen to this book on regular (1.00) speed.
Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
3.0
Type of read: Commuter (listened to on the way to and from work).
What made me pick it up: Suggested read in my library audiobook app.
Overall rating: I knew nothing about this book when I picked it up. I borrowed it from my library based on the recommendation after some of my previous reads and I really liked the cover art. I liked the poetic nature of the book. I also enjoyed hearing the story from the various perspectives. Overall, this was a good read and honestly, one I would probably read again. I feel like you'd find something new each time you open the pages.
Reader's note (personal preference): I read this book via audiobook and found the narration for Leonie to be extremely low and soft. It was a soothing, calm voice - which fit the character - but going from Jojo's narration to Leonie's, I found myself always playing with the volume knob. It might just be my ears...but it was enough to be the smallest bit annoying. If I read it again, I'd read the printed book to see if I got more out of it.
What made me pick it up: Suggested read in my library audiobook app.
Overall rating: I knew nothing about this book when I picked it up. I borrowed it from my library based on the recommendation after some of my previous reads and I really liked the cover art. I liked the poetic nature of the book. I also enjoyed hearing the story from the various perspectives. Overall, this was a good read and honestly, one I would probably read again. I feel like you'd find something new each time you open the pages.
Reader's note (personal preference): I read this book via audiobook and found the narration for Leonie to be extremely low and soft. It was a soothing, calm voice - which fit the character - but going from Jojo's narration to Leonie's, I found myself always playing with the volume knob. It might just be my ears...but it was enough to be the smallest bit annoying. If I read it again, I'd read the printed book to see if I got more out of it.
Shout by Laurie Halse Anderson
5.0
Type of read: After work listen.
What made me pick it up: Laurie Halse Anderson is one of my favorite authors. Speak, another one of her books, is in my top five favorites of all time. Full disclosure, I may be a little biased. When I was in high school, I performed excerpts from Speak at Speech competitions, which started my long time love affair with Halse Anderson and her writing.
Overall rating: I absolutely loved this book. The way it's written. The way it hits you. It's real and raw and everything I want from a book. I finished this in one day and would reread it again in a heartbeat. I don't purchase many books anymore (thank you, local library!) but this will be one that I purchase to add to my collection.
What made me pick it up: Laurie Halse Anderson is one of my favorite authors. Speak, another one of her books, is in my top five favorites of all time. Full disclosure, I may be a little biased. When I was in high school, I performed excerpts from Speak at Speech competitions, which started my long time love affair with Halse Anderson and her writing.
Overall rating: I absolutely loved this book. The way it's written. The way it hits you. It's real and raw and everything I want from a book. I finished this in one day and would reread it again in a heartbeat. I don't purchase many books anymore (thank you, local library!) but this will be one that I purchase to add to my collection.
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
3.0
Type of read: Commuter (listened to and from work)
What made me pick it up: The cover art caught my eye and it was a highly recommended book in my library app.
Overall rating: I have a habit of not reading what a book is about and strictly picking based on cover art, section I find it in the library/bookstore, or simply because it's an author's name that I recognize. This book, I loaned from the library strictly based on the cover art (I'm a sucker for some glitter). All that said, I liked this book. I did read quite a few Rachel Hollis books last year and this was slightly reminiscent of a Hollis book...but I found it to be a little more real and a little less "Yay sister!" I don't know if it was life-changing but it did make me think and I appreciated that.
What made me pick it up: The cover art caught my eye and it was a highly recommended book in my library app.
Overall rating: I have a habit of not reading what a book is about and strictly picking based on cover art, section I find it in the library/bookstore, or simply because it's an author's name that I recognize. This book, I loaned from the library strictly based on the cover art (I'm a sucker for some glitter). All that said, I liked this book. I did read quite a few Rachel Hollis books last year and this was slightly reminiscent of a Hollis book...but I found it to be a little more real and a little less "Yay sister!" I don't know if it was life-changing but it did make me think and I appreciated that.