erinfinn5's reviews
64 reviews

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

I really liked this one. I really did. I’m glad I didn’t have to read it for English class and could do it by my own accord.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Pedophilia, Sexual assault

Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton

sad medium-paced

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

3.5

It started off so strong but that ending was just straight misery. Rather unfortunate read for my birthday. 

The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.75

How this upset me!

Bobby Kennedy: The Making of a Liberal Icon by Larry Tye

informative reflective sad slow-paced

4.75

I’ve always loved RFK as a historical figure but this book made me love the man
Had some writing choices I was not too fond of but otherwise very good 

Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

emotional sad medium-paced

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

5.0

Definitely there was love, oh but the circumstances…

In Memoriam by Alice Winn

dark emotional sad 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

5.0

Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam by Thien Pham

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

4.0

Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin

emotional reflective slow-paced

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

4.5

I love you James Baldwin

The Rise of Silas Lapham by William Dean Howells, Kermit Vanderbilt

challenging reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.25

What a delightfully human book. Often, when all you have of old times are novels of drama and passion, it’s easy to forget that these people were humans. This book was a reminder that they were all real, that in many ways they were just like us.
This novel is very down to earth. It is grave in some ways, but in a matter that I enjoyed. I love sentimental novels with my whole heart, leading them to be primarily what I read. This was one of my first forays into American realism, and I suppose it’s right that I started with the father of the genre, William Dean Howells. I think it’s nice to be able to sit back and just look into this one family’s life. They experience troubles that aren’t tied up with a little bow, their actions have consequences that are fully realized. The romance that exists is more a lesson of loyalty than one of that quick passion typical in sentimental novels from the era. In some ways, that made it more enjoyable. They call it American “realism” for a reason, I guess.

Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

challenging inspiring reflective fast-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

I used to love playing tennis.
To this day I love watching it. It’s a fantastic sport. And nothing illustrates the inherent passion of it all than this book.
Most of all, this book reminded me of how fun it is to win things. To earn awards, to be the best. It’s a love that has lied dormant in me, ever since I stopped doing things competitively.
But also, it showed me it’s okay to lose. When you live for the passion of what you’re doing, really, that’s all that matters. And I think that’s a very important message for me to absorb.
I loved reading this book. In fact, I blazed through it. TJR can write like no other. It took me months to pick this book off of my shelf, and boy am I sorry it took me so long.
My ultimate recommendation: read this book. It’s beautiful. If you’re competitive, love tennis, and/or simply love a compelling story with amazing writing, this is the story for you.