diadandy's reviews
1019 reviews

Harriet Wolf's Seventh Book of Wonders by Julianna Baggott
Did not finish book.

Was not invested

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I really wanted to like this book. I didn't dislike it, but I needed a LOT more explanation of the world in order to connect with it. The characters were good, the plot should have been interesting, but I was just a little lost the whole time. 

Rainbow Valley by L.M. Montgomery

lighthearted

3.0

The Anxious Generation: How The Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt

challenging informative reflective

5.0

Every person under 40 should read this book, especially if they are parents. Its focus is primarily on how screens and social media have affected Gen Z and now Gen Alpha but the reason for that is because these are affecting their Millennial parents as well. In theory many of us know that the way we use smart phones/computers can contribute to depression and social health, but this lays it out in stark statistics and testimonials. A great call to action for me, even as an adult, to put down my phone and focus on what is happening physically around me.

Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse

inspiring 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? Yes

4.0

The Winter Rose by Melanie Dobson

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

I thought this was going to be a mushy book but I needed one with "Winter" in the title so I dove in anyway. What a pleasant surprise! It was both sweet and realistic.

The Cul-De-Sac War by Melissa Ferguson

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? Yes

4.0

Cute easy listen while I did housework.

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

2.5

I am disappointed that after just two books by this author I can predict the basics. McFadden's characters are always opposites. If the book implies they are bad, then they are really the victim. If they seem perfect, then they are actually the manipulator. I came away with no strong feelings about this book, good or bad.

Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life by C.S. Lewis

challenging reflective slow-paced

2.0

I went into this book with such high hopes and was instead bored by Lewis's constant rambling about things that had no bearing on his end point. I get it, he read a lot and was educated diversely. The important parts of this book could have been conveyed in two chapters and had a lot more impact on me. 

The Noticer: Sometimes, All a Person Needs Is a Little Perspective. by Andy Andrews

hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

A heartwarming easy read full of life wisdom because "Sometimes, all a person needs is a little perspective."