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shellballenger's reviews
497 reviews
Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan
1.0
Type of read: Weekend listen
What made me pick it up: This kept popping up in my library app as a recommendation and I know I've heard a bit about it so it made sense to add it to my TBR.
Overall rating: I was raised Missouri Synod Lutheran and actively practiced that until I was about 18. At 18, I got married, went off to college, and church because less of a building and a group of people and more of a state of mind for me. I've stolen a line from a Miranda Lambert song many times to describe my relationship with Jesus: 'Cause I heard Jesus, he drank wine, And I bet we'd get along just fine...'
I say all that to preface my review with that this wasn't the book for me. Chan and I have very different views on faith. There are some good points in this book but I feel like - and this seems to happen a lot with books of this nature - with Crazy Love, you're expected to either be at 0 or 100, there is no in-between (he actually has a whole chapter on how there is no in-between). Personally, my faith has had some in-between. And I'm fairly certain it will continue to have some in-between as I grow and evolve in my own faith and who I am as a person. Is that right? Is that wrong? I don't know but I don't feel like faith should be forced.
READER'S NOTE: I get a little annoyed when audiobooks continually ask me to do something outside of the audiobook. There's normally a good reason why I'm listening to a book rather than reading it and I don't like having to rely on extra material, material that isn't even photos or appendix items but rather youtube or promotional videos, to make a point.
What made me pick it up: This kept popping up in my library app as a recommendation and I know I've heard a bit about it so it made sense to add it to my TBR.
Overall rating: I was raised Missouri Synod Lutheran and actively practiced that until I was about 18. At 18, I got married, went off to college, and church because less of a building and a group of people and more of a state of mind for me. I've stolen a line from a Miranda Lambert song many times to describe my relationship with Jesus: 'Cause I heard Jesus, he drank wine, And I bet we'd get along just fine...'
I say all that to preface my review with that this wasn't the book for me. Chan and I have very different views on faith. There are some good points in this book but I feel like - and this seems to happen a lot with books of this nature - with Crazy Love, you're expected to either be at 0 or 100, there is no in-between (he actually has a whole chapter on how there is no in-between). Personally, my faith has had some in-between. And I'm fairly certain it will continue to have some in-between as I grow and evolve in my own faith and who I am as a person. Is that right? Is that wrong? I don't know but I don't feel like faith should be forced.
READER'S NOTE: I get a little annoyed when audiobooks continually ask me to do something outside of the audiobook. There's normally a good reason why I'm listening to a book rather than reading it and I don't like having to rely on extra material, material that isn't even photos or appendix items but rather youtube or promotional videos, to make a point.
Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky
3.0
Type of read: Commuter (listened to and from work)
What made me pick it up: Chbosky is one of my favorite authors and I'm trying to read more of his work.
Overall rating: I absolutely loved the beginning of this book. There are some extremely subtle but fun wordplays that go on throughout the pages. Little clues are left and repeated throughout and make you feel like you're figuring it out but really give nothing away.
I was incredibly annoyed by how long this book was. I think I set myself up for failure by reading some of the reviews before I started the book and by having to finish the book in a specific period of time before my loan was up at the library (a lot of people had this on their holds list so no renewal possible). So it lost me a bit toward the end because I just wanted it to get to the point. I will say, I didn't expect the ending...at all. I just wish they'd gotten to that point a little bit sooner.
Overall, I liked this book. The writing kept me interested. Would I read it again? Probably not...mainly because I feel like once you get to the end it takes away from the beginning...but I'm definitely not mad that I read it. Would I recommend it? Eh...to a very specific audience.
What made me pick it up: Chbosky is one of my favorite authors and I'm trying to read more of his work.
Overall rating: I absolutely loved the beginning of this book. There are some extremely subtle but fun wordplays that go on throughout the pages. Little clues are left and repeated throughout and make you feel like you're figuring it out but really give nothing away.
I was incredibly annoyed by how long this book was. I think I set myself up for failure by reading some of the reviews before I started the book and by having to finish the book in a specific period of time before my loan was up at the library (a lot of people had this on their holds list so no renewal possible). So it lost me a bit toward the end because I just wanted it to get to the point. I will say, I didn't expect the ending...at all. I just wish they'd gotten to that point a little bit sooner.
Overall, I liked this book. The writing kept me interested. Would I read it again? Probably not...mainly because I feel like once you get to the end it takes away from the beginning...but I'm definitely not mad that I read it. Would I recommend it? Eh...to a very specific audience.
Imperfect Women by Araminta Hall
4.0
Type of read: Commuter (listened to and from work)
What made me pick it up: I think it was on one of my recommendation lists? Or I saw it in my Goodreads or library app.
Overall rating: I felt like I was missing information at the start of this book. Maybe I just wasn't paying close enough attention but it seemed disjointed. However, the further I got into the book, the more interesting and invested I became. I was not expecting the ending...I had come to every other conclusion but that...and I was pleasantly surprised with how the book wrapped up. Overall, it was a good, quick read and I liked the way it was set up.
What made me pick it up: I think it was on one of my recommendation lists? Or I saw it in my Goodreads or library app.
Overall rating: I felt like I was missing information at the start of this book. Maybe I just wasn't paying close enough attention but it seemed disjointed. However, the further I got into the book, the more interesting and invested I became. I was not expecting the ending...I had come to every other conclusion but that...and I was pleasantly surprised with how the book wrapped up. Overall, it was a good, quick read and I liked the way it was set up.
God Believes in Love: Straight Talk About Gay Marriage by Gene Robinson
3.0
Type of read: Commuter (listened to and from work)
What made me pick it up: I think it was on one of my recommendation lists? Or I saw it in my Goodreads or library app.
Overall rating: I'm not going to pretend that I have all the answers or know all the things. Additionally, I know I need to inform and educate myself as much as possible, even on things that may not involve me directly but do directly involve those I love. I found this book to bring up some great points and I feel like it gave wonderful examples for real, current time, situations.
Reader's Note: Providing context to my review and rating - I am a married, heterosexual, cis female who was raised Missouri-Synod Lutheran and practiced routinely for 18 years. While my faith is currently a little more fluid, my position as an Ally is not. I strongly support the LGBT+ community.
What made me pick it up: I think it was on one of my recommendation lists? Or I saw it in my Goodreads or library app.
Overall rating: I'm not going to pretend that I have all the answers or know all the things. Additionally, I know I need to inform and educate myself as much as possible, even on things that may not involve me directly but do directly involve those I love. I found this book to bring up some great points and I feel like it gave wonderful examples for real, current time, situations.
Reader's Note: Providing context to my review and rating - I am a married, heterosexual, cis female who was raised Missouri-Synod Lutheran and practiced routinely for 18 years. While my faith is currently a little more fluid, my position as an Ally is not. I strongly support the LGBT+ community.
Me by Elton John
5.0
Type of read: Commuter (listened to and from work)
What made me pick it up: I love Elton John and was really looking forward to this book.
Overall rating: Absolutely awesome - I loved this book. I laughed (truly cackled). I cried. I cringed. I felt defeated and raised back up. An excellent telling of Elton's experiences and thoughts. I'm thankful he chose to share in the way that he did. I would definitely recommend this book, even to those who may not know or be the biggest fans.
What made me pick it up: I love Elton John and was really looking forward to this book.
Overall rating: Absolutely awesome - I loved this book. I laughed (truly cackled). I cried. I cringed. I felt defeated and raised back up. An excellent telling of Elton's experiences and thoughts. I'm thankful he chose to share in the way that he did. I would definitely recommend this book, even to those who may not know or be the biggest fans.
Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I've Loved by Kate Bowler
2.0
Type of read: Commuter (listened to and from work)
What made me pick it up: This was either on one of my book club lists or it popped up in my recommended books on my Overdrive app.
Overall rating: I wanted to like this book. I really did. I just felt like she never really got into her groove. There was a lot of joltey writing, jumping from idea to idea, experience to experience. What I thought was going to be an autobiographical telling of her diagnosis and the realization and coping from that was a disjointed account of experiences with attempts at ties to American prosperity gospel that felt forced and disingenuous. I'll admit, I probably wasn't paying as close of attention as I should (she kind of lost me early on) but I just couldn't get into this book.
What made me pick it up: This was either on one of my book club lists or it popped up in my recommended books on my Overdrive app.
Overall rating: I wanted to like this book. I really did. I just felt like she never really got into her groove. There was a lot of joltey writing, jumping from idea to idea, experience to experience. What I thought was going to be an autobiographical telling of her diagnosis and the realization and coping from that was a disjointed account of experiences with attempts at ties to American prosperity gospel that felt forced and disingenuous. I'll admit, I probably wasn't paying as close of attention as I should (she kind of lost me early on) but I just couldn't get into this book.
The Wrong Family by Tarryn Fisher
5.0
Type of read: Commuter (listened to and from work)
What made me pick it up: This was either on one of my book club lists or it popped up in my recommended books on my Overdrive app.
Overall rating: I loved this book! I haven't previously read anything by Fisher and this was one of those random suggested reads...and I'm very happy I added it to my TBR list. It took me about two chapters to get into the groove of how the book was written, with the chapters and the characters, but once I was in the groove, I finished the book within two days. Personally, I found it to be an exciting, unpredictable read. I feel it ended a bit unfinished but that just makes me want to check out more of Fisher's work.
What made me pick it up: This was either on one of my book club lists or it popped up in my recommended books on my Overdrive app.
Overall rating: I loved this book! I haven't previously read anything by Fisher and this was one of those random suggested reads...and I'm very happy I added it to my TBR list. It took me about two chapters to get into the groove of how the book was written, with the chapters and the characters, but once I was in the groove, I finished the book within two days. Personally, I found it to be an exciting, unpredictable read. I feel it ended a bit unfinished but that just makes me want to check out more of Fisher's work.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
3.0
Type of read: Commuter (listened to and from work)
What made me pick it up: This is a Reese's Book Club pick.
Overall rating: This is a delightfully wacky book. I don't think it's the book for everyone but I enjoyed the humor, curtness, and storyline. I enjoyed this as an audiobook but I think I may have gotten into it more as a paperback. This book would not have been on my radar if I wasn't working through the Reese's Book Club picks. I'm not sure if I would suggest it right off the bat for others to read...just because I think the audience that would enjoy this is a little harder to find than others...but I would definitely tell people about it as something I've read.
What made me pick it up: This is a Reese's Book Club pick.
Overall rating: This is a delightfully wacky book. I don't think it's the book for everyone but I enjoyed the humor, curtness, and storyline. I enjoyed this as an audiobook but I think I may have gotten into it more as a paperback. This book would not have been on my radar if I wasn't working through the Reese's Book Club picks. I'm not sure if I would suggest it right off the bat for others to read...just because I think the audience that would enjoy this is a little harder to find than others...but I would definitely tell people about it as something I've read.
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
5.0
Type of read: Commuter (listened to and from work)
What made me pick it up: Showed up on my Goodreads feed.
Overall rating: I absolutely loved this book. It was raw and honest and sad and happy and all the things. I felt this book more than I felt a book in a really long time. I want to buy this book in paperback and carry it around with me to keep the dog-eared pages and favorite lines close.*
*I borrowed the audiobook version of The Poet X from my local library.
What made me pick it up: Showed up on my Goodreads feed.
Overall rating: I absolutely loved this book. It was raw and honest and sad and happy and all the things. I felt this book more than I felt a book in a really long time. I want to buy this book in paperback and carry it around with me to keep the dog-eared pages and favorite lines close.*
*I borrowed the audiobook version of The Poet X from my local library.