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abibemade's reviews
493 reviews
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
I enjoyed the pace of this book. The first person trend seems to be marching on in modern fiction without an end in sight. Kelly somehow makes it seem fresh. Partially because she keeps emotional narration to a swallowable limit. Also I enjoyed the gentleness of the story. It's more of a description of life as it is than some forced grand tale.
There is a steady taste of feminism throughout and particularly strong at the end. I thought it was dealt with well, not with outrage and spittle as is often the case. I like that there is this acknowledgment to the ties of family's expectations.
The best character is the Grandfather. I liked how dimly he's understood through the eleven year old's perspective. As it should be. Kelly doesn't allow Calpurnia to be some sort of shrink.
Three stars: Enjoyable read. Wouldn't recommend over like choices such as Caddie Woodlawn or Anne of Green Gables.
3.0
I enjoyed the pace of this book. The first person trend seems to be marching on in modern fiction without an end in sight. Kelly somehow makes it seem fresh. Partially because she keeps emotional narration to a swallowable limit. Also I enjoyed the gentleness of the story. It's more of a description of life as it is than some forced grand tale.
There is a steady taste of feminism throughout and particularly strong at the end. I thought it was dealt with well, not with outrage and spittle as is often the case. I like that there is this acknowledgment to the ties of family's expectations.
The best character is the Grandfather. I liked how dimly he's understood through the eleven year old's perspective. As it should be. Kelly doesn't allow Calpurnia to be some sort of shrink.
Three stars: Enjoyable read. Wouldn't recommend over like choices such as Caddie Woodlawn or Anne of Green Gables.
The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright
3.0
This was an unintentional reread. I'd enjoyed it years and years ago (about 10ish) so when I picked it up for a vacation read I was surprised to recognize the family. It's a pleasant book. Fun. Honestly the thing going against it is that it reeks of E. Nesbit with non of the same truthfulness of childhood. But did the trick of being a light happy book to wile away plane trips.