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crusoe's reviews
178 reviews
Down Under: Travels in a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
Reading a Bryson book is like eating cheesecake for me: I shouldn't do it too often but once in a while it's exactly what I need.
I don't think Down Under is as evocative as Bryson's other work and it has some points of repetitiveness. (There's only so many times you can talk about arid landscapes and small town museums before it becomes stale.) But generally speaking it was a fun ride.
I don't think Down Under is as evocative as Bryson's other work and it has some points of repetitiveness. (There's only so many times you can talk about arid landscapes and small town museums before it becomes stale.) But generally speaking it was a fun ride.
Fire and Ice by Erin Hunter
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I like the emphasis on how not having any kin in the clan makes Fireheart feel. It can be frustrating to constantly read about Fireheart's indecision regarding Tigerclaw and Greystripe but luckily there's more going on in the story. I think this part sets up a lot of important plot points for later on in the series.
The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down: How to be Calm in a Busy World by Haemin Sunim
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
3.0
This book qualifies for the championship 'open deuren intrappen' (kicking in open doors) as we say in the Netherlands. I understand why it is popular because the succint advise and pretty art give it a broad appeal. The advice given is solid enough, however, it's especially good for those who have never given a critical thought in their life to their self-development.
That said, it made for a relaxing read.
That said, it made for a relaxing read.
Into the Wild by Erin Hunter
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It is true: Warriors really is middle grade game of thrones.
For me, this book was a great nostalgic read and I will be rereading the other books of the first series in the future. I love how distinct the behaviour and looks of each of the main characters is; you get a really good sense of their character. However, one issue I have is that the plot is very dense. A lot of things happen in a very short time which does not give the plot much room to breathe. That said, I am still smitten with this series and I'm looking forward to experiencing it all over again.
For me, this book was a great nostalgic read and I will be rereading the other books of the first series in the future. I love how distinct the behaviour and looks of each of the main characters is; you get a really good sense of their character. However, one issue I have is that the plot is very dense. A lot of things happen in a very short time which does not give the plot much room to breathe. That said, I am still smitten with this series and I'm looking forward to experiencing it all over again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Blood and Murder
Dracula by Bram Stoker
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
It is easy to see why this is a classic! Not only does it surmise all the popular tropes we now attach to vampires but the story is genuinely tragic and compelling.
Considering the many reviews that comment on the writing style; the style of diary entries and newspaper articles being hard to read, choosing to experience it ad an audio book was a good choice. Mike Bennet gives a nice dramatic tone to each of the characters which makes for a very pleasant reading.
Considering the many reviews that comment on the writing style; the style of diary entries and newspaper articles being hard to read, choosing to experience it ad an audio book was a good choice. Mike Bennet gives a nice dramatic tone to each of the characters which makes for a very pleasant reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Mapmakers and the Flickering Fortress by Cameron Chittock, Amanda Castillo
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Mapmakers as a series isn't perfect and at the end of the series, there are several plotholes that have not been filled and storythreads that haven't been resolved. That said, I adore it!
The art is still amazing and -even though Ripley would have benefitted from more character development- I love the characters and their personalities.
The twist at the endof the nightcoats making their own maps was very solid and I like that Lewis had a chance to contribute more to the story and it's solution because he had been sidelined a bit in the previous installments. Sad that it's over, but I'm glad I got to experience this story, it's something special.
The art is still amazing and -even though Ripley would have benefitted from more character development- I love the characters and their personalities.
The twist at the end
Ballad for Sophie by Filipe Melo
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Ballad for Sophie is an absolutely beautiful graphic novel and I'm glad my bookclub chose this one because otherwise I might have never read it.
I like how, although Samson was an important motivation to do what Julian has done throughout his entire life, in the end, Samson himself was not someone who is most important to him. (Samson himself does not have a chapter like other characters might.)
The panels are also absolutely beautiful and evocative even if it felt like the characters were sometimes very off-model.
I like how, although Samson was an important motivation to do what Julian has done throughout his entire life, in the end, Samson himself was not someone who is most important to him. (Samson himself does not have a chapter like other characters might.)
The panels are also absolutely beautiful and evocative even if it felt like the characters were sometimes very off-model.
Het toevallige leven van Justin Case by Jenny de Jonge, Meg Rosoff
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
In the category: Can middle aged women stop writing about the sexuality of teenage boys, please?!
This is a very strange novel. But aside from some neat prose, it isn't a very good one. The way the book has been written also dates it tremendously; not because the events of the book link it to a specific time but because of the way it talks about Justin's mental health and the occasional homophobic joke.
All in all, this is pretty much a nothing burger of a read.
This is a very strange novel. But aside from some neat prose, it isn't a very good one. The way the book has been written also dates it tremendously; not because the events of the book link it to a specific time but because of the way it talks about Justin's mental health and the occasional homophobic joke.
All in all, this is pretty much a nothing burger of a read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, Car accident, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Bullying, Homophobia, Vomit, and Medical content
Jagersgoud by Philip Reeve
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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? Yes
4.5
Predator's gold isn't as good as mortal engines, mainly because the world-building was so damn compelling in the first part!
However, this story is still very solid with great (new) characters, fun twists and turns in the plot(Hester being Valentine’s daughter! Tom being shot by Polei!!) and some rich new information about the world.
I especially liked the detail of Uncle's network and the rise of the Green Storm. I need to get my hands on the 3rd and 4th part so I can continue living in this world for a little while.
However, this story is still very solid with great (new) characters, fun twists and turns in the plot
I especially liked the detail of Uncle's network and the rise of the Green Storm. I need to get my hands on the 3rd and 4th part so I can continue living in this world for a little while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Slavery, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Vomit and Death of parent
The Art of War by Sun Tzu
informative
slow-paced
3.0
Not the most interesting classic book I've listened to this year but it's a neat little insight into ancient warfare.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War