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beth_simmons's reviews
50 reviews
Intrinsic Hope: Living Courageously in Troubled Times by Kate Davies
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
A decent book offering insight on how to cultivate a sense of hope in the face of the eco-social climate crisis. I found it a bit pedantic in some spots, and the author definitely let some biases show, but overall a helpful perspective.
The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer
hopeful
informative
inspiring
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
As short and succinct as Braiding Sweetgrass was long and comprehensive, this offering from Robin Wall Kimmerer felt just like the gift she describes. In the midst of a cacophony of greed and destruction, it is a tiny light of hope that the world could be different.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Cancer, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Blood, Antisemitism, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
All in: An Autobiography by Billie Jean King
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
Duel by Jessixa Bagley
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The Age of Deer: Trouble and Kinship with our Wild Neighbors by Erika Howsare
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
As someone who lives on land visited and inhabited by deer, a person concerned about conservation, and a nascent farmer trying to grow fruit trees, I have had my thoughts about deer. This book was a lovely exploration of the way deer are woven into our human stories and lives.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I couldn't put this book down. The sense of place and of these characters as people was so well-developed, it was easy to lose myself. A wonderful and emotional story that I'm sure I'll read again.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Miscarriage, Violence, Kidnapping
Eagle Drums by Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
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
Great and quick re-telling of the Iñupiaq (indigenous Alaskan) story of the Messenger Feast. A middle -grade level novel, but interesting for adults as well!