camscampbell's reviews
592 reviews

The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin

adventurous challenging 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

The Lost History of Liberalism: From Ancient Rome to the Twenty-First Century by Helena Rosenblatt

challenging informative medium-paced

3.0

I'm left feeling okay about not knowing what liberalism is, because it seems that no one does. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Xe Sands and it was well read, but it's really the sort of book that I would have got more out of eyeball reading with a notebook. If you're reading this to find out what liberalism is though, it doesn't say. 

The Glutton by A.K. Blakemore

challenging dark funny fast-paced

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

4.0

Fool's Fate by Robin Hobb

adventurous emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Histories by Herodotus

adventurous challenging fast-paced

4.0

The Grey King by Susan Cooper

adventurous dark mysterious 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

Just finished this. Best in the series so far. Loved it! So moody and atmospheric. Audiobook narration by Richard Mitchley was superb, with legit Welsh that made it a top tier listen. 

The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield

5.0

This is one of the most helpful books I've ever read. I'm writing this after finishing it for the second time and I shall keep it on my desk in perpetuity to dip into and help me to do what I want to do, rather than what I find myself doing. Pressfield's philosophy gels perfectly with my own, which is why I find it so helpful. If you enjoy this book, I recommend that you listen to the interview Pressfield did with Rick Rubin on Rubin's podcast. 

Symposium by Plato

3.0

Greenwitch by Susan Cooper

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

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

3.0

This was such a refreshing read after Shift, from post-apocalyptic sci-fi to wholesome children's fantasy. There was a real pagan feel to this novel, with the Greenwitch herself being made of hawthorn and rowan at an annual festival. The coming together of the characters from Over Sea, Under Stone and The Dark Is Rising wasn't quite as fun as I was expecting it to be. Little is made of Will Stanton's character, which was a shame as I was hoping he'd have a bigger role to play. Maybe in the following books? 
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Alex Jennings. His Cornish accent was pretty spot on! 

Shift by Hugh Howey

adventurous dark 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

3.0

This was nearly a two-star read, but it redeemed itself as Jimmy/Solo's story kicked in. I struggled with it and almost quit at one point. The whole Donny / Thurman story was just not engaging, but I was curious enough to learn how it would catch up with the TV show (currently at S2/E8 "The Book of Quinn" as I write). And at the end of the book,

it feels like we actually have a likeable character in Donny. He got more likeable as he took agency and started on his path.