beth_simmons's reviews
50 reviews

Your Seven-Year-Old: Life in a Minor Key by Carol Chase Haber, Louise Bates Ames

informative reflective fast-paced

3.5

While this was written in 1985 and therefore has some outdated language and ideas especially around gender, I found the casual, relaxed, and matter-of-fact manner refreshing in a world of constant diagnoses. These doctors are reassuring about typical behavior for seven year olds, and even parental concerns about atypical behavior, which garnered many suggestions, pretty much none of which included "see your doctor for a diagnosis." Still relevant despite it's age and shortcomings. I wish someone would come out with an updated version!

smART: Adapted from the New York Times bestseller Visual Intelligence by Heather Maclean, Amy E. Herman

challenging informative inspiring fast-paced

4.25

I haven't read the original (adult) version of this book, but I found this to be a great instruction on seeing things in a different way, and sharpening my observation skills. I'm going to pass it in to my 9 year old to read.

The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown

emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

4.25

The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times by Michelle Obama

hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

Tapestry of Fortunes by Elizabeth Berg

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

Quick, light read centering on a story of four women's friendship and the questions they each face. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death

American Vikings: How the Norse Sailed into the Lands and Imaginations of America by Martyn Whittock

adventurous informative slow-paced

3.25

I learned some things about Vikings and their history in North America, as well as their current influence on US culture, and it was a fairly easy read, but I honestly found it difficult to stay engaged and it felt a little bit like academia geared toward the masses.

See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love by Valarie Kaur

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

This book should be required reading at this moment in our society. Full of insight, hope, and honesty, Kaur's idea of revolutionary love and how we practice it is so engaging it needs more than one read-through. I led a discussion about it which was supposed to be a single one-hour session. Instead, we stretched it out over four sessions which all went well past the time allotted. It is just so full. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy

The Winter Lodge by Susan Wiggs

inspiring lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

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

3.75

The Familiars by Andrew Jacobson, Adam Jay Epstein

adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

4.25

I read this at the recommendation of my 8 year old
 It was cute and fun, and kept me turning the pages. The writing was fairly simple but the storyline had some complexity and layers to it. I'll definitely read the sequel.

Eleanor of Aquitaine: By the Wrath of God, Queen of England by Alison Weir

challenging informative slow-paced

4.0