gbmillar2002's reviews
40 reviews

Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder

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

3.0

This story was based on almnazo, wilders future husband life as a middle class farmer in New York. I’ve given this book 3 stars as the pacing was slightly laborious, with I beleive; too much emphasis placed on the description and process of every farmer product created or needed on the farm. As a result this book took a Tolkien-esque writing method that was beneficial for imformation dissemination but unfortunately dulled the vibrancy of the story.

However as this story  is geared towards children, is encourgaes children to understand the privilege and convience based world we currently live in. Furthermore it forces children to understand and comprehend the values and requirements to be a middle class farmer during the pioneer/Coloniser times. 


Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

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adventurous medium-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

3.25

Better than the first book. And it is interesting to see how colonialist saw native Americans during there expansion out west. However you can tell this book was written in a less socially aware era, and I would have appreciated that
the history of colonialism was spoken of more candidly, and clarified the plight of native Americans during that time. As ingalls wilder added modern context of clarifition of what a specific disease was (malaria) but she did not do the same for the trail of tears and forced resettlement of native Americans/indigenous people across turtle island
Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

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

3.0

A lighthearted read. Interesting to read specific pioneer farming processes in an easy and comprehensive format! 
In Beauty May I Walk... : Words of Wisdom by Native Americans by Helen Exley

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inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

This book of short poems and stories emphasizes them importance of being present within nature, creation and ourselves. The passages glance over a number of topics from love and war to nature and creation; establishing both simple yet profound life rules for those who are disconnected from Mother Earth 
Animal Farm by George Orwell

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

3.75

Orwell has written a beautifully fast paced book on how absolute power corrupts, even those with the most well meaning of intentions.

My absolute favourite part is when at the end of the book, the pigs began to stand up on hind legs; carrying a whip!
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Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab

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informative reflective fast-paced

3.75

Good introductory overview of boundaries, with informative questionnaires and exercises to help you determine attachment ot boundary type. I did enjoy how the author often reminded the reader the importance of boundaries and how discomfort needs to be expected to grow healthy boundaries. 

Definitely a book you can repeatedly flick through as and when you need to brush up on boundary knowledge.

I did dislike the layout; it felt too free-flowing and I would prefer that more clear cheaper markers would be better. 
10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak

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adventurous inspiring mysterious reflective fast-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? It's complicated

4.5

Shafak beuatifullly weaves narratives and prose to create Tequila Lelia’s story. This is a story that blends her experience of death and her life, whilst also exploiting the affects on her found family. The plot, characters and word choice is excellent, however i the reason why I have not given this novel 5 stars is because strong emotion was not evoked eg sadness, happiness etc.
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Our Voice of Fire: A Story of Survival and Pursuit for Justice by Brandi Morin

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hopeful informative reflective sad slow-paced

2.75

This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub

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inspiring sad 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

3.75

the end made me cry.
 
Uprooted by Naomi Novik

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

3.25

The book was quite slow paced with the last 1/3 becoming more fast paced. The author had a beautiful command of metaphors and description but the plot felt like a generic fantasy book. 
The enemies to lovers subplot felt haphazardly thrown in, with the budding Romance between the dragon and neishka not having adequate subtext. The ending was slightly more developed with the reveal of the true cause of the Wood. Nevertheless it felt short lived and crammed in the last 50 pages
. 
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