Scan barcode
becca_osborn's reviews
817 reviews
The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman
4.0
The drama about this series being anti-Christian is quite overdone.
I enjoyed them a lot, and I really liked the ending--they are not what I expected at all, and I'm not sure what to think. I think that there were some bits of weak writing in this book, but Pullman's imagination and grasp of the way things are and the way people think is incredible.
I'm still processing with this book, but I think that Pullman is definitely onto something when it comes to the way he seems to view religion (which may not reflect his true feelings, but still.). I think that many of his words would actually be helpful to Christians.
I saw the parallels in this 'rebuttal' of Narnia, and while they're definitely there, I think that it's overall weak. Fantastic story, but the "rebuttal" aspect was a small part to the whole of his agenda.
Great series; highly recommended!
I enjoyed them a lot, and I really liked the ending--they are not what I expected at all, and I'm not sure what to think. I think that there were some bits of weak writing in this book, but Pullman's imagination and grasp of the way things are and the way people think is incredible.
I'm still processing with this book, but I think that Pullman is definitely onto something when it comes to the way he seems to view religion (which may not reflect his true feelings, but still.). I think that many of his words would actually be helpful to Christians.
I saw the parallels in this 'rebuttal' of Narnia, and while they're definitely there, I think that it's overall weak. Fantastic story, but the "rebuttal" aspect was a small part to the whole of his agenda.
Great series; highly recommended!
Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding
2.0
I tried reading this previously, and I just couldn't get into it.
I tried it a second time and slugged through it. This book is well-written and cute, but it's just not my style/preference/what I tend to gravitate towards reading. I think I would've enjoyed it in the installments (how it originally started, to my understanding) rather than the book form. I also kept getting angry with Bridget. ;) I'm glad I finally read it though - I had been meaning to read it for quite some time. I don't think I'll read the other books, though.
I tried it a second time and slugged through it. This book is well-written and cute, but it's just not my style/preference/what I tend to gravitate towards reading. I think I would've enjoyed it in the installments (how it originally started, to my understanding) rather than the book form. I also kept getting angry with Bridget. ;) I'm glad I finally read it though - I had been meaning to read it for quite some time. I don't think I'll read the other books, though.
Rappaccini's Daughter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
5.0
I'm not a fan of Hawthorne's novels (though I've read several), but I love his short stories!
I'm usually not a fan of mystery, and even I was surprised at the twist in the end. Beatrice's mysteriousness is intriguing, and at the end I craved more––a sign of good writing. The writing is heavy, but it fits the story well.
I found it interesting that the garden was described in great detail while other locations weren't––a subtle device, (and they weren't too many other places anyway) but definitely added to the story.
I'm usually not a fan of mystery, and even I was surprised at the twist in the end. Beatrice's mysteriousness is intriguing, and at the end I craved more––a sign of good writing. The writing is heavy, but it fits the story well.
I found it interesting that the garden was described in great detail while other locations weren't––a subtle device, (and they weren't too many other places anyway) but definitely added to the story.
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
4.0
Really cute idea and book. I LOVE the commentary that the 'writer' has to the lawyer, but I'm a sucker for stuff like that. ;) The girl's desire for a glamourous life totally sounds like me at that age--and this whole fiasco sounds like something I would do if I had a sibling and actually lived in a cool place! It makes me really want to go back to the MET now. =)
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
4.0
Twisted and Sad to the very end, but what a beautiful love story! (for some reason, the fact that it was a love story surprised me?)
**SPOILERS**
I felt a deeper connection to this story because I love Chicago.
The way Ms. N. deals with difficult emotions is raw and beautiful and real. It seems to be a great, big book on loss - because in the end, all the characters endure it.
**SPOILERS**
I felt a deeper connection to this story because I love Chicago.
The way Ms. N. deals with difficult emotions is raw and beautiful and real. It seems to be a great, big book on loss - because in the end, all the characters endure it.