cmclarabee's reviews
628 reviews

Tasha: A Son's Memoir by Brian Morton

reflective medium-paced

5.0

Tasha was quite a character, and Morton’s portrayal of her—and often her own words as relayed by him—made me laugh many times. He also offers insightful reflections on their relationship and on who she really was though, in a way that did this mother’s heart good. 

Absolution by Alice McDermott

informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Ambitious, and so good in so many ways, but fell short of McDermott’s best. The letter writing structure just didn’t hold up for me, and vexingly undermined the book’s strengths. 

Who By Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai by Matti Friedman

5.0

The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer

3.5

So glad I hung in there for the ending, but the story definitely dragged a bit midway through. Really good overall, though! 

People Love Dead Jews: Reports from a Haunted Present by Dara Horn

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

The God Desire by David Baddiel

5.0

Jews Don't Count by David Baddiel

3.5

Twilight by Elie Wiesel

challenging dark reflective slow-paced

5.0

The Only Purple House in Town by Ann Aguirre

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

My Struggle, Book One by Karl Ove Knausgård

challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0