wordswithjustine's reviews
473 reviews

James by Percival Everett

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

3.5

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

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

3.5

Beautiful illustrations and interesting topic, but Hugo himself failed to grab me.
Kristin Lavransdatter, II: The Wife by Sigrid Undset

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

4.0

This volume of the trilogy is my least favorite, but it is the vital link between the beginning and the end. This was my second read and I still found the political stuff confusing. 

Kristin Lavransdatter is one of my favorite books of all times, so it is worth it to make it through the second volume!
A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers

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adventurous hopeful medium-paced

3.75

Rethink Your Position: Reshape Your Exercise, Yoga, and Everyday Movement, One Part at a Time by Katy Bowman

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 38%.
I didn't finish this book because it was a library book and instead I purchased a different movement book by Katy Bowman.
Kristin Lavransdatter, I: The Wreath by Sigrid Undset

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4.0

This is a reread for me. A few years ago I listened to the entire trilogy on audio and gave it five stars. This time I read just The Wreath on paper. I still loved it. The only reason I am not giving it five stars is that Kristen really doesn't come into her own until later in the trilogy. This first part has its strengths and it's wonderful characters (Lavrans!), but I think it is best taken as a whole trilogy. 

The writing is amazing, the setting is impeccable, the characters feel like real people, and the plot is fascinating. I highly recommend the entire trilogy!
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

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

3.0

I absolutely love time travel books so I was really excited to read this. It was okay, but had a couple of issues that really bothered me. First of all, there is little to no sex in the majority of the book, but then a couple of extremely steamy scenes about 3/4 of the way through. I kind of felt blindsided by that. Secondly, the characters seemed rather flat. The author tried to make them distinct, but it didn't really work for me.
 
The time travel premise was interesting with a few few enjoyable small twists along the way. I place a huge importance on the way a book ends and this ending was somewhat satisfying, if quick and convenient.