eeeeeeee's reviews
210 reviews

Why Don't You Have Kids?: Living a Full Life Without Parenthood by Leslie Lafayette

Go to review page

challenging emotional informative medium-paced

2.5

This book was not really what I wanted.  It's very much about childfree by choice - not childless not by choice - and the author, while claiming to be inclusive of people with infertility, had some pretty nasty things to say at times.  That being said, it had some good statistics and info from studies and things to think about.  I wouldn't read this as a first step to childlessness but once you've explored it awhile it might be worth it.  If you're childfree and comfortable with that then I think it's a great book even though it's 30 years old.
The Empusium by Olga Tokarczuk

Go to review page

challenging 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

4.5

I think this book will haunt me for awhile.  Chilling and foreboding and some reveals I could see coming but some that I absolutely did not.  Makes me want to read The Magic Mountain and go to the Alps and curl up in my bed forever.  I like that not everything was explained but it still made enough sense that I'm not questioning it.  
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

Go to review page

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

4.0

This was enjoyable - feels like a good history book but only 4 stars for all the made up stuff - I still really enjoyed it and will probably read more by her.  
The Wedding People by Alison Espach

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny 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 have a lot of thoughts about this book.  I think it's horrible that anyone recommends it without a content warning for infertility.  I think reading about infertility in an honest way makes me feel seen.  I think people who haven't gone through infertility consume this in a torture porn kind of way (the A Little Life dilemma - people who never felt depressed in their life LOVE that book).  I hate hate hate hate hate the "they just weren't right for each other" kind of romance plot.  The book was funny, it was emotional, it was moving, it was very Rhode Island.  Overall though I liked this book but I just don't know why other people would. 
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Go to review page

Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
Can't follow along on occasional audiobook; if I want to read this I need a physicial copy.
Heresy by S.J. Parris

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The first half of this book was a slog and I almost DNFed multiple times; the second half picks up and is quite enjoyable!  I don't normally read mystery/thrillers so it was a fun experience - definitely a page turner at parts.  I still can't tell if the book was pro or anti Catholic - but learning about the religious persecution was interesting and added some complexity to the book which was nice.  Can't recommend her repeated use of the word "palatine" though.
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Go to review page

emotional hopeful reflective medium-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

3.0

I wish I liked this book more than I did.  I'm not really in a place to listen to books about sets of siblings and close family dynamics, which this had a lot of.  The ending didn't feel satisfying to me; the "extra story" seemed fairly out of character.  I think a lot of people could love this book but not me not right now.
I Hate the Internet by Jarett Kobek

Go to review page

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

4.5

Very much enjoyed this book!  Lighthearted, funny, while also quite insightful - lots of discussions of race, privilege, the internet, money, exploitation - makes you want to cancel all of your social media, which is probably a good thing.  Would recommend to anyone who still has a Twitter account.
Beyond Belief: The Secret Lives of Women in Extreme Religions by Grace Peterson, Elise Brianne Curtin, Leah Lax, Elizabeth Taylor-Mead, Valerie Tarico, Nikki Smith, Cami Ostman, Erin Seaward-Hiatt, Susan Tive, Mary Johnson, Caitlin Constantine, Leila Khan, Stephanie Durden Edwards, Donna Johnson, Joshunda Sanders, Yolande Brener, Julia Scheeres, Lucia Greenhouse, Colleen Haggerty, Naomi J. Williams, Huda Al-Marashi, Pamela Helberg, Kyria Abrahams, Elise Glassman, Melanie Hoffert, Carolyn S. Briggs

Go to review page

challenging reflective sad fast-paced

4.5

Excellent book about women who have left extreme religions however they define them.  Lots of different religions and experiences represented here, some more challenging than others, but all very thoughtful and kind and powerful.  
Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier

Go to review page

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

4.0

Fun ending to this trilogy!  I found the ending satisfying; I didn't see the big reveal coming; I thoroughly enjoyed the world building throughout the books and I would recommend!