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bennysbooks's reviews
643 reviews
Shaman's Crossing by Robin Hobb
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
Ultimately I think this book, and likely the entire series, has the capacity to tackle some big themes (colonialism, "civilization", discrimination, duty) etc. in a satisfyingly Hobb-y way. But it doesn't have the spark that I felt reading the Elderlings series, and I don't have the space in my life for plodding through a 600 page book that I'm not connecting with right now. I feel completely uninvested in the plot and the world and the characters. I'd rather just re-read RotE.
Mending with Boro by Harumi Horiuchi
4.5
Charming, beautiful, inspiring. Mostly coffee-table book vibes, but with some practical tips and ideas as well. It randomly dives into some brief lifestyle stuff near the end, which was strange and funny, and only added to the charm for me because it had so little to do with the purpose of the book. Loved it.
Visible Mending: A Modern Guide to Darning, Stitching and Patching the Clothes You Love by Arounna Khounnoraj
4.0
Some fun ideas in here, but if you're already familiar with the various techniques then it isn't necessarily the sort of book you need to have on hand for reference. I definitely want to circle back to try to create a few of the projects toward the end of the book that were less about mending than they were about using leftover fabric, but I borrowed it from the library and will probably just do so again when I'm ready to try them. I'm looking for a book about mending to keep at home, and this one, while beautiful, wasn't quite what I was looking for. Perhaps something with a better blend of reference and insight/stories about mending (going to try Mending Life next).
Treaty Words: For as Long as the Rivers Flow by Aimée Craft
4.0
Beautiful little book, and a great way to get kids talking about treaties, colonization, communal responsibilities to the earth and each other. The language was fairly straightforward, but occasionally a bit advanced or complex for my 6-year old (I don't think it's intended for kids quite his age, skews slightly older, maybe 8-10? But he picked it out from the bookstore so we read it together), but it led to some good discussions. It's a quick enough read that I think we'll pick it up once a year to help us reflect on our place in so-called canada, and in the world.
Salma Makes a Home by Danny Ramadan
4.5
My 6 year old enjoyed this quite a bit. Not as much as the Nguyen kids series (I think because those have the magical element that he loves), but enough that we finished it in two sittings. I think the author does a great job of making Salma's fears feel real to a reader who has never experienced anything like what she faces, and balancing that with an ending which reassures young readers that love can make a home almost anywhere, even where there is immense grief. I could tell my kid was impacted by this story - he hides his face behind a pillow when things get emotional - but he felt good by the end, and was already asking about the next one!
Fullmetal Alchemist: Fullmetal Edition, Vol. 1 by Hiromu Arakawa
5.0
FMA is my favourite anime series. My partner and I have rewatched it, beginning on Valentine's Day, almost every year for 10 years now (original, because it's our favourite, although we agree that Brotherhood is probably better in terms of overarching/cohesive storytelling). We've started to collect these editions so that I can finally read it, and I'm loving it. Feeling all of the old feelings, but appreciating the story in a new way. Happy guy.