5teverin0's reviews
163 reviews

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.

---

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 

This Will Make It Taste Good: A New Path to Simple Cooking by Vivian Howard

funny informative fast-paced

4.5

Who's in Charge? Free Will and the Science of the Brain by Michael S. Gazzaniga

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

Conan Doyle for the Defense: The True Story of a Sensational British Murder, a Quest for Justice, and the World's Most Famous Detective Writer by Margalit Fox

informative mysterious medium-paced

4.5

The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark by Ann Druyan, Carl Sagan

challenging informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

5.0

As relevant and important now as it was when first published. This book makes a compelling, well-reasoned and rational argument for critical thinking and skeptical inquiry, and why they are so critically important. A must read for anyone who likes to exercise their rights and wishes to continue to do that.

Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells

adventurous funny 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? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing

A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor by Hank Green

adventurous funny tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Launch: An Internet Millionaire's Secret Formula to Sell Almost Anything Online, Build a Business You Love, and Live the Life by Jeff Walker

informative inspiring fast-paced

4.0