heathen's reviews
85 reviews

Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver

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emotional informative sad medium-paced

5.0

Bird Box by Josh Malerman

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dark mysterious tense fast-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

3.0

I was solidly meh about this book. I'm the person who lives under a rock and hasn't seen the movie. There was some good tension and it was a quick read but the writing wasn't great and I can't say I have any interest in rereading or recommending to a friend. 

Not really a spoiler but I'll tag it as such anyways, mention of bodily fluids and such
my suspension of disbelief evaporated when the author kept mentioning the bodily fluids in the boat or various locations, but there was never any shit. Birdbox world, where shit doesn't exist! I know that's a weird thing to get stuck on but it stood out to me
The Best of Me by David Sedaris

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funny lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

3.0

The Johnstone Twins: An Appreciation of Janet Johnstone (1928-1979) & Anne Grahame Johnstone (1928-1998) by Philip Kelleway

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hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

Light on biographical details but heavy on the gorgeous illustrations and sketches of these two talented sisters. 
Practicing Peace in Times of War by Pema Chödrön

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challenging hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

5.0

I love reading Pema Chödrön's books for calm insight into how to be a better human. 
Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela by Nelson Mandela

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
Got bogged down in the middle
Walking with the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement by Michael D'Orso, John Lewis

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

5.0

I'm so grateful to read this book in this current political climate (December of 2024). Essential reading for all people who care and want to make the US and our world a better place. 
The Lost Continent: Travels in Small-Town America by Bill Bryson

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fast-paced

1.0

If you like snarky travel guides by someone who is contemptuous, cynical, and condescending to damn near everything and everyone, this is the book for you. I'd read one book by the author and enjoyed it but this one wasn't doing it for me. All the stereotypes of Midwestern and southern US inhabitants are stale. Casual racism, fat phobia, ableism, etc. 
The Life and Times of Grigorii Rasputin by Alex De Jonge

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Misplaced the book somewhere and haven't come across it again! 
The Art of Living by Thích Nhất Hạnh

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challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing fast-paced

5.0

A wonderful book for insight into how to embrace suffering and mindful living to benefit ourselves, those around us, and the world. His teachings have helped me deal with stressors, both internal and external. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone.