gossamer_lens's reviews
1383 reviews

Joshua Rashaad McFadden by Francesca Padilla

informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

A short but sweet introduction to Joshua Rashaad McFadden, his inspirations, and his influential work during pivotal moments of recent social justice movements. 

The Future CPA's Guide to Work and World Domination by American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)

informative lighthearted fast-paced

3.0

A cute little book about becoming an accountant and CPA. A solid little collection of infographics that is generally informative to any newly graduating accounting majors. 

Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.

I was reading this as an audiobook. There was a new character introduced with an accent. I gave it some time but I just absolutely cannot stand how their voice is being read. Might end up picking this up again as a physical book... But maybe not. There is so much to read and I wasn't super invested in any of the relationships in this series and the plot is sorta basic even if the lore is cool. 

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers

adventurous funny hopeful reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

Very much enjoyed this book. It is a light read with a strong character focus. If you enjoyed the first book you will probably enjoy this one as it is just a continued adventure with the characters we loved from the first book. The messaging is light and basic and it is fantastic as just a cozy sci-fi "day in the life" sort of book. But I love it for that. Could have maybe rated higher if it felt like more was going on. But it didn't need more to be going on to be loveable. 

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini
Did not finish book. Stopped at 53%.

I had a hard time with this book because I found the world and politics intriguing. But there was so much to wade through that nothing about the book ever really grabbed me and made me focus. The characters overall were all sorta uninteresting to me. Especially the main character. The main character experiences a death of a person very close to her in the beginning and it felt like the only humanizing thing about her. The rest of the book however things are happening and they are crazy and she just sorta goes along with it with little to no reaction. It's just sort of... Boring. Calling it quits more then halfway into the books feels really difficult for me. But when the other half is still 400 pages with this main character... I just can't. I have to call it quits. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death

Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

adventurous funny informative lighthearted fast-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

4.75

I will never get enough of mythology. I especially love Norse Mythology. I like how it leans into the Gods being both right and wrong, wise and foolish. Unlike Greek Myths which paint the Gods as never wrong because they are the Gods, Norse mythology accepts that the Gods are often wrong. In the end, they will get their comeuppance and everything will begin anew. 

Gaiman adds a stunning narrative voice to these tales and in several places introduces interesting details from various sources. The audiobook is especially enjoyable as he reads it himself. I will never get enough of his writing and his reading us his writing. 

Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales by Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm

emotional

5.0

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

5.0

Sabotage by Jay Leibold

4.0

Invitation to a Beheading by Vladimir Nabokov

dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

I read this in the fall of 2018 for a Russian literature class. I truly enjoyed the book and our class analysis of it back then. 

I re-read this book in 2022 with my parents. It is such an odd book full of mystery, confusion, and metaphor. Reading this book is unlike reading anything else I've ever read. But the ending... the ending is killer. The book holds space for exploration of very real, deep, and even traumatic subjects... but wrapped up in absurdist art. I love it. It's solid and it is a book that I thought about frequently after reading it. It was a pleasure to share it with people I love and who hold similar life moments that this book reminded me of.