andydrew2's reviews
157 reviews

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

challenging emotional tense medium-paced

5.0

I wish I had known about this book sooner. It's exactly what I love reading. Lost at sea stories are my jam. Throw in WWII, and it can't be anything less than 5 stars. 

She: A History of Adventure by H. Rider Haggard

adventurous slow-paced

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

3.0

It was...alright. It's definitely a product of the time of colonialism. Some parts were really drawn out that didn't need to be. But it is what it is. 

A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes

reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.0

This was alright. I think I was expecting it to be just like Circe, so my hangups are my own. It was alright. 

Five Decembers by James Kestrel

adventurous mysterious 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? No

5.0

I didn't expect to love this as much as I did. I wanted to read an old-style, pulpy story and found this, with a suggestion by Stephen King on the front. So I figured why not? I was hooked from the first few chapters. It's a great story all around. Probably the best fiction I've read this year. 

Night Shift by Stephen King

dark emotional tense medium-paced

4.0

What a great collection of stories! I think my top 5 from this collection are: 
1. Battleground
2. Sometimes They Come Back
3. The Lawnmower Man
4. Grey Matter
5. Quitters Inc.

Welcome to the Goddamn Ice Cube: Chasing Fear and Finding Home in the Great White North by Blair Braverman

slow-paced

1.0

I couldn't get into this. 
I was expecting a story about a young woman, overcoming many problems until she found herself in the Arctic, becoming a dog sledder, and gaining joy in life. 

This wasn't that. 

It was a meandering story of a young woman that spoke about how a lot of men made rude comments about her body, looked at her boobs, and didn't take her seriously. And she kept going back to them. Not to confront them or stand up to them, but simply to feel if she felt any different. 

I don't know. This was a weird one. I tried to look at it outside a male perspective, but I kept hoping she would say something to them. Or fight back. She did not. 

She also just spoke about people in the terms of nicknames without ever explaining why they were called that. I couldn't get into it and skimmed the last bit. 

In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin by Erik Larson

dark informative tense medium-paced

4.0

This was a great read. Larson just nails narrative non-fiction. It's easy to read. Interesting. And a page turner. He writes so much information without writing too much. You don't feel bogged down in boring details.

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

funny lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

Sedaris is always a good read. 

The Sun Dog by Stephen King

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.0

I think this is my least favorite King story. You kinda know what is going to happen with it just a few chapters in, so it seems to drag. Just not my cup of tea.

Zen and the Art of Paddling by Bernie Howgate

slow-paced

1.0

I picked this up in a small, used bookstore in Toronto. It's definitely not the best. It is published independently, and the author details his paddle up the inside passage. The premise is great, but there is no big 'thing' in the book. It just feels like reading someone's diary. It isn't very adventurous, the editing is terrible, and the author was just kind of there.