beth_simmons's reviews
50 reviews

Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting by Myla Kabat-Zinn, Jon Kabat-Zinn

informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0

Where the Library Hides by Isabel Ibañez

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

A Year at Brandywine Cottage: Six Seasons of Beauty, Bounty, and Blooms by David L. Culp

informative inspiring reflective relaxing slow-paced

5.0

With beautiful photographs and a plethora of Latin plant names, this book offers great information and inspiration for gardeners.

Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids by Lisa M. Ross, Kim John Payne

emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

I'm Going to Build a Snowman by Jashar Awan

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.75

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? No

5.0

Sweet, funny, and endearing. I'm going to want to read this again!

What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez

adventurous mysterious tense medium-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? No

4.0

I heard rave reviews about this book. I enjoyed it overall, and am looking forward to reading the next one, but despite the plot twists and turns, it didn't really fully grab me, and I found myself impatient to finish it. 

The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation by Anna Malaika Tubbs

challenging informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

A fascinating journey through the lives of three Black women most known by the prominent lives of their sons: Martin Luther King, Jr, Malcolm X, and James Baldwin. This book offers insight not only into their lives outside of motherhood, but into the effects of broader social conditions that affected them and their families. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Murder

Moderate: Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism

Minor: Addiction, Domestic abuse

Night of the Living Rez by Morgan Talty

challenging dark 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

4.75

Snippets of the life of a Native man growing up on a reservation in Maine told in short stories, which weave in and out of time. At times funny and mischievous, at times frustrating and heartbreaking, the reader is taken along for a journey with a cast of characters both deeply flawed and deeply lovable. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug use, Car accident

Moderate: Child death, Miscarriage, Vomit, Pregnancy

Houses with a Story by Seiji Yoshida

lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

5.0

This a sweet, beautiful book which provides both minute details of the houses as well as much space for the imagination to embellish the story of who lives there. Wonderful.