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crusoe's reviews
178 reviews
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne
Did not finish book. Stopped at 48%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 48%.
I am trying to annotate this book as a gift to a friend but annotating really isn't for me, I find. So it's taking super long. That's why I am now putting a pauze on this book and picking it up again later.
Bill Bryson's African Diary by Bill Bryson
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
2.75
Obviously, this is simply a long ad for CARE international. But at least it's a fun one! It's always a pleasure reading Bryson's work but I wish this book had more depth to it. (And was that last chapter really necessary?)
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The first time I read The Night Circus, it was my dad's copy. Nevermind the fact it is a slightly inappropriate book for an 11 yo, he taught I would appreciate the mystery and magic of the circus as much as he did. He was right, and I have been carrying this story in my heart ever since.
Over the years, the details slipped but the impression remained. The same way the circus might leave an impression on a younger visitor. And so, to dust this book off again and step back into the world of Erin Morgenstern was a great pleasure. I am glad to report that I could put this book back where it belongs -in the library of my heart- tugged snugly between my copy of the raven boys and septimus heap.
Over the years, the details slipped but the impression remained. The same way the circus might leave an impression on a younger visitor. And so, to dust this book off again and step back into the world of Erin Morgenstern was a great pleasure. I am glad to report that I could put this book back where it belongs -in the library of my heart- tugged snugly between my copy of the raven boys and septimus heap.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism and Grief
Ten Years in the Tub: A Decade Soaking in Great Books by Nick Hornby
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
2.75
This collections of essays was okay, Hornby has some great and funny insights about what it's like to be a reader- and writer. It was, however, very dense and should not have been my first introduction to Nick Hornby's work.
Reading this collection was also a good reminder that I need to stop reading books by older, white, male authors because -despite their best intentions- subtle misogynistic comments keep taking me by surprise.
Reading this collection was also a good reminder that I need to stop reading books by older, white, male authors because -despite their best intentions- subtle misogynistic comments keep taking me by surprise.
A Wolf Called Romeo by Nick Jans
With a name like 'Romeo' and the constant tension while he continued to escape death, it was clear that he would not survive til the end of the book. However, the way in which is happened was deplorable and the emotionality of it took me by surprise.
The author keeps a great balance between an obvious preservation mindset and the justified fears the wolf (initially) brings to the community. The little facts about wolves throughout the book were also neat but it just wasn't my type of book.
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
The author keeps a great balance between an obvious preservation mindset and the justified fears the wolf (initially) brings to the community. The little facts about wolves throughout the book were also neat but it just wasn't my type of book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
So This Is Ever After by F.T. Lukens
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
So This Is Ever After is a really fun fantasy romcom romp and is perfect as a palette cleanser after a tough book because you need exactly 0 braincells to read it.
The plot, nor the characters are strongly written, and most of the story hinges on miscommunocation but it's sweet and a very fun, light read. I find it especially cute that everything Matt and Arek tried to plan to set Arek up with his friends, ended up happening to Matt and Arek instead.
The plot, nor the characters are strongly written, and most of the story hinges on miscommunocation but it's sweet and a very fun, light read. I find it especially cute that everything Matt and Arek tried to plan to set Arek up with his friends, ended up happening to Matt and Arek instead.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Vomit
Circe by Madeline Miller
challenging
dark
hopeful
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
4.0
I always love the feeling of when you see how a name or story you heard of long ago fits into the greek mythos.
Like all Miller books, it took me a while to get into and Circe did not hit me as hard as Song of Achilles did. (Which is mostly because the Illiad is one of my favourite parts of Greek mythology.) However, the nuance in which Circe evolves as a character and takes back control of her own story is brilliant. It was a great read.
Like all Miller books, it took me a while to get into and Circe did not hit me as hard as Song of Achilles did. (Which is mostly because the Illiad is one of my favourite parts of Greek mythology.) However, the nuance in which Circe evolves as a character and takes back control of her own story is brilliant. It was a great read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Infidelity, Sexism, Sexual assault, Blood, Grief, Abortion, and Pregnancy
Spirit 1 – Tunguska by Mara
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
De setting van een 1920's steampunk achtige stad is enorm leuk en ik ga heel erg goed op de tekenstijl. De karakters hebben veel persoonlijkheid en het mysterie is interessant maar het verhaal is zo kort dat als je eenmaal geïntroduceerd bent met het mysterie en de karakters, je al gelijk in de climax van dit deel wordt gegooid. Daardoor voelt het allemaal een beetje gehaast.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Stalking the Atomic City: Life Among the Decadent and the Depraved of Chornobyl by Markiyan Kamysh
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
2.75
Stalking the atomic city is already a short book- it could've been shorter. Overall it's pretty solid and the melancholic prose that reflects both the dread and reckless abandon of the post-soviet generation is neat. You have to dig pretty deep to find anything of substance beyond that though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Drug use, Misogyny, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug abuse
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Carry on is a delightful riff on the wizarding world and -while the world-building is anything but sound and you can see the twists coming from miles away- it's really easy to fall in love with the world and its characters. Especially the friendship between Penny and Simon, and the romance between Simon and Baz are great. Lastly, I also really like the magic system.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Kidnapping