wordswithjustine's reviews
473 reviews

Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

5.0

This is the book I didn't know I wanted to read. Highly recommend.💖
Kingdom of the Blind by Louise Penny

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hopeful mysterious medium-paced

4.0

Louise Penny's Gamache books are always a good read. This doesn't rise to the top of the heap for me, but finding out it was the first book she wrote after her husband's death really hit me in the feels. She said she thought she wouldn't write any more Gamache books since the character was inspired by her husband. I'm so glad she changed her mind and was able to keep this wonderful character alive. 
Jesus Doesn't Care about Your Messy House: He Cares about Your Heart by Dana K. White

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funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

I am exactly the intended audience and this book didn't disappoint, in fact it absolutely exceeded my (high) expectations. It may not be for everyone, but it was a very powerful experience for me. If you relate to Dana's podcast or her previous books, please read this, whether or not you follow Jesus! Dana's explanations and experiences relate so strongly to me that I got more out of this book than a hundred sermons, and she is laugh-out-loud funny in unexpected places, which is always good when dealing with sensitive topics.
The Overstory by Richard Powers

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dark 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? No

3.5

Well-written, but much too long in my opinion. It definitely wasn't what I expected, and not in a good way. I enjoyed the first section, where all of the characters (too many, honestly) were introduced, but most of the rest was a bit of a letdown with several good bits tucked in. I was intrigued by some of the nature parts and disappointed by others. Honestly, it wasn't as much nature as I was expecting, but I am going to look up some facts to find out what is true and what is not in this book. It definitely got me thinking a bit, so that's good.

The audiobook narrator is excellent.
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

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

4.5

I didn't want this book to end and now I'm gutted. 
Walk with Me: Simple Principles for Everyday Disciplemaking by Bill Mowry

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hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

Excellent, easy-to-read book about simple discipleship. It was the right book at the right time for me.
The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner

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informative mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Good read...a bit melodramatic maybe, but good. I really enjoyed learning about the earthquake. 
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

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challenging reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The Memory of Old Jack by Wendell Berry

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

3.5

I did not enjoy this book as much as I have been enjoyed other Wendell Berry books. I think the main reason was that I did not really connect with old Jack himself. I did feel like the book improved about halfway through. The beginning part I just really did not like him and later I had more sympathy for him and I really enjoyed some of his reflections. My favorite parts of the book were seeing the other characters that I've come to know in Port William. Of course Wendell Berry is an amazing writer, and the book is short and is definitely worth agreed if you are already a Port William fan, but I definitely would not recommend starting with this book.
How To Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

Such an enjoyable read!