caitlyn_baldwin's reviews
665 reviews

SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard

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funny informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

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emotional reflective sad slow-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

5.0

I think that Sally knocks it out of the park once again for Intermezzo. I found it to be an insightful examination of difficult relationship dynamics - both familial and romantic - and what we owe each other. Much of the narrative is this battle of wills between Peter and Ivan’s rigid internal moral compasses, however the Koubek brothers seem to have more in common than meets the eye. We see characters causing hurt out of unresolved or unrecognized grief and resentment, all the while re-examining the pressures of societal expectations and conformity. It can often feel uncomfortable experiencing the narrative, but I think it’s because the material is so grounded in reality. Overall they felt like very flushed out characters and it remains one of the reasons why I enjoy her work so much. I’d also like to drop a line on how truly CLEVER the cover art is with its hinting at the plot and dynamics of the work. 
Loud: Accept Nothing Less Than the Life You Deserve by Drew Afualo

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emotional funny reflective fast-paced

4.5

I love Drew from TikTok, obviously, so I was really looking forward to reading her memoir! I thought that the work she put into it came across as really genuine, and it was nice getting to hear more about her family and childhood. I think that she sets a great example for people, not just women and femmes, on recognizing the roles that the patriarchy and colonialism play in your life and figuring out how to de-center yourself from those ideas. 
Kamisama Kiss, Vol. 4 by Julietta Suzuki

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adventurous lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes through Indigenous Science by Jessica Hernandez

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informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

I think that Dr. Hernandez offers an insightful perspective on the intersectionality of imperialism and ecological change and the effects it has on the indigenous peoples in the Americas. I think the editors could have done a much better job with the authors work and structured things to have a better flow.
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune

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

5.0

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo

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

3.75

There were a lot of elements about this novel that I liked and I think that Bardugo is certainly capable of creating a compelling narrative, but I think this work fell short on a couple of fronts for me. The historical setting was a really creative backdrop, but I feel like the author didn’t put much work into developing the world besides telling us where it’s set and periodically reminding us throughout the plot. Guillén was a really intriguing character, but I thought the romance lacked chemistry. The pacing of the second half of the novel was a little slow compared to the development of the first half.
Uncultured by Daniella Mestyanek Young

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challenging dark emotional medium-paced

4.5

Really gripping memoir, but definitely check content warnings if you have concerns. Daniella recounts her childhood growing up as a legacy member of the Children of God and how that lead to a career in military intelligence. Through her narrative it was easy to see how her upbringing in the cult primed her to be an ideal candidate for the military industrial complex. I think she gives a really thoughtful account of the inner workings of the military and how different it is for the women who serve and fought to allow their positions in combat. I’m really interested to read more of her work!
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Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

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

4.25

Washington Bullets by Vijay Prashad

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dark informative medium-paced

4.5

“There is that old joke. Why is there never a coup in the United States? Because there is no US embassy there.”

A nice quick read on historical (and continued) American imperialism. I think the author does a good job to hit the highlights and give context on how some of these events are interconnected in the interest of America’s manifest destiny and globalization.