5teverin0's reviews
160 reviews

Bullfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch
Did not finish book.

I really feel like I should read this, but it starts out a little boring. Kind of a biblical vibe - "Abraham beget Isaac, Isaac beget Moses...". I will go back to it, just don't have the patience for it now 

Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.

Library loan ended, and it seemed kind of slow so I ndod not renew. Might check out again. 

Psychopolitics: Neoliberalism and New Technologies of Power by Byung-Chul Han
Did not finish book.

The Cloudspotter's Guide: The Science, History, and Culture of Clouds by Gavin Pretor-Pinney

funny informative medium-paced

5.0

A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World by C.A. Fletcher

adventurous dark emotional inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

All The Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley

Loan was up, could not renew and had other books to finish. Will pick up again at a later date.

The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler

adventurous dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Slavery

Snare by Lilja Sigurðardóttir

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was a quick, but engrossing read that kept me guessing until the end. The characters are mostly sympathetic, but not without flaws, and the plot is fast-paced.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence and Violence

Moderate: Drug use

The Complete Essays of Montaigne by Michel de Montaigne, Donald Frame
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.

I didn't so much give up on this book, as I came to the realization that it's just not the kind of book I can read cover to cover. I will continue to dip in and out of it, whenever the mood strikes, as I very much enjoy it. I just enjoy it more in small doses.

Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley

dark emotional funny inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I felt like crying, practically from the first page, and loved every second of it. I think that even those who are not "dog people" will be able to relate in some way to the character of Ted, and his struggles with career and relationships.

Even though it's pretty clear from the outset that the outcome will not be positive for Lily, the journey that she, and especially Ted, take to get to that inevitable conclusion is worth taking with them. Already likable and relatable, Ted grows in ways that leave you wanting to cheer for him, even as you grieve for Lily.

As he learns to cope with life through dealing with the "octopus", Ted grapples with the concepts of mortality, gratitude, self-image and family in ways that touch on Zen and classical Stoic philosophy. But don't think that this is a dense, overly-philosophical novel. The ideas are presented in an easy to digest fashion that is peripheral to an enjoyment of the book