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erinfinn5's reviews
59 reviews
In Memoriam by Alice Winn
dark
emotional
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam by Thien Pham
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I love you James Baldwin
The Rise of Silas Lapham by William Dean Howells, Kermit Vanderbilt
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
What a delightfully human book. Often, when all you have of old times are novels of drama and passion, it’s easy to forget that these people were humans. This book was a reminder that they were all real, that in many ways they were just like us.
This novel is very down to earth. It is grave in some ways, but in a matter that I enjoyed. I love sentimental novels with my whole heart, leading them to be primarily what I read. This was one of my first forays into American realism, and I suppose it’s right that I started with the father of the genre, William Dean Howells. I think it’s nice to be able to sit back and just look into this one family’s life. They experience troubles that aren’t tied up with a little bow, their actions have consequences that are fully realized. The romance that exists is more a lesson of loyalty than one of that quick passion typical in sentimental novels from the era. In some ways, that made it more enjoyable. They call it American “realism” for a reason, I guess.
This novel is very down to earth. It is grave in some ways, but in a matter that I enjoyed. I love sentimental novels with my whole heart, leading them to be primarily what I read. This was one of my first forays into American realism, and I suppose it’s right that I started with the father of the genre, William Dean Howells. I think it’s nice to be able to sit back and just look into this one family’s life. They experience troubles that aren’t tied up with a little bow, their actions have consequences that are fully realized. The romance that exists is more a lesson of loyalty than one of that quick passion typical in sentimental novels from the era. In some ways, that made it more enjoyable. They call it American “realism” for a reason, I guess.
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
challenging
inspiring
reflective
fast-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 used to love playing tennis.
To this day I love watching it. It’s a fantastic sport. And nothing illustrates the inherent passion of it all than this book.
Most of all, this book reminded me of how fun it is to win things. To earn awards, to be the best. It’s a love that has lied dormant in me, ever since I stopped doing things competitively.
But also, it showed me it’s okay to lose. When you live for the passion of what you’re doing, really, that’s all that matters. And I think that’s a very important message for me to absorb.
I loved reading this book. In fact, I blazed through it. TJR can write like no other. It took me months to pick this book off of my shelf, and boy am I sorry it took me so long.
My ultimate recommendation: read this book. It’s beautiful. If you’re competitive, love tennis, and/or simply love a compelling story with amazing writing, this is the story for you.
To this day I love watching it. It’s a fantastic sport. And nothing illustrates the inherent passion of it all than this book.
Most of all, this book reminded me of how fun it is to win things. To earn awards, to be the best. It’s a love that has lied dormant in me, ever since I stopped doing things competitively.
But also, it showed me it’s okay to lose. When you live for the passion of what you’re doing, really, that’s all that matters. And I think that’s a very important message for me to absorb.
I loved reading this book. In fact, I blazed through it. TJR can write like no other. It took me months to pick this book off of my shelf, and boy am I sorry it took me so long.
My ultimate recommendation: read this book. It’s beautiful. If you’re competitive, love tennis, and/or simply love a compelling story with amazing writing, this is the story for you.
A Room with a View by E.M. Forster
lighthearted
relaxing
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
This book was a pleasant, short read that made me feel pretty happy. No complaints, and of course I loved George and Lucy.
Just Mercy (Adapted for Young Adults): A True Story of the Fight for Justice by Bryan Stevenson
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
Very inspiring, though a bit simple. This is, of course, due to its young adult status. Should I read the full version, I’m sure I’ll give it a higher ranking.
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
For as long as I could remember, or more specifically the age of 5, I have been terrified of death.
I wrote an extremely long review of this book but the app crashed, which perhaps is symbolic of the book itself. I will try again, however.
This book is filled with death. It’s ever present, haunts every page. Theo Decker’s life is a tragedy. This whole book paints the unfairness of life, and the absurdity of living. Yet, even with that tragedy, he loves. At his lowest points he has a support system, in fact he has many. He is surrounded by love even when he thinks he’s lost it, and this causes him to be forced to reflect on his actions and their impacts on others. Because he does many stupid things in this book, pero, as my mother would say, así es la vida.
Love is irrational and foolish, and yet we keep on loving. It exists in pain, but like hope, prevails. That’s awfully trite, I’m aware, but alas. Of course, this isn’t a book solely about the beauty of life or whatever, and to say that would be… well, stupid is a word. Because, as I mentioned, life is unfair. It’s blind with its cruelty, and this is a book about reckoning with that. It’s about realizing that you’ll never be the person you were ever again, and that well, maybe that’s alright.
I have a lot of feelings when it comes to this book. It’s all very… conflicted, but all in all I think I loved it. I loved reading this book. I couldn’t put it down, which is an amazing feeling (as destructive as it is). I love reading. Thank you, Donna Tartt. I don’t know what else to say.
“This is too long” I LOVE 800 PAGE BOOKS !!!
I wrote an extremely long review of this book but the app crashed, which perhaps is symbolic of the book itself. I will try again, however.
This book is filled with death. It’s ever present, haunts every page. Theo Decker’s life is a tragedy. This whole book paints the unfairness of life, and the absurdity of living. Yet, even with that tragedy, he loves. At his lowest points he has a support system, in fact he has many. He is surrounded by love even when he thinks he’s lost it, and this causes him to be forced to reflect on his actions and their impacts on others. Because he does many stupid things in this book, pero, as my mother would say, así es la vida.
Love is irrational and foolish, and yet we keep on loving. It exists in pain, but like hope, prevails. That’s awfully trite, I’m aware, but alas. Of course, this isn’t a book solely about the beauty of life or whatever, and to say that would be… well, stupid is a word. Because, as I mentioned, life is unfair. It’s blind with its cruelty, and this is a book about reckoning with that. It’s about realizing that you’ll never be the person you were ever again, and that well, maybe that’s alright.
I have a lot of feelings when it comes to this book. It’s all very… conflicted, but all in all I think I loved it. I loved reading this book. I couldn’t put it down, which is an amazing feeling (as destructive as it is). I love reading. Thank you, Donna Tartt. I don’t know what else to say.
“This is too long” I LOVE 800 PAGE BOOKS !!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use
Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift
adventurous
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I hated reading this book
Got very close to DNF’ing it, but I powered through. The satire is grand, don’t get me wrong, it’s just so boring. I was in middle school when I read it, but whatever. I got the version with a pretty cover which helps me like it a bit more.
I vividly despised the main character, our Gulliver, and thus found it hard to care about anything he did. At the end he just becomes insufferable. But that’s the point, no? Sorry Johnathan Swift, Irish king. This just isn’t for me.
Got very close to DNF’ing it, but I powered through. The satire is grand, don’t get me wrong, it’s just so boring. I was in middle school when I read it, but whatever. I got the version with a pretty cover which helps me like it a bit more.
I vividly despised the main character, our Gulliver, and thus found it hard to care about anything he did. At the end he just becomes insufferable. But that’s the point, no? Sorry Johnathan Swift, Irish king. This just isn’t for me.
The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion & the Fall of Imperial Russia by Candace Fleming
informative
tense
medium-paced
4.25
This book single handily got me into Russian history, which if you know me irl, you’d know has since come to define me in some ways. A marvelous book, great intro into this intriguing world.