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gossamer_lens's reviews
1418 reviews
Prompted, Issue 02: Reedsy's short story review by Reedsy Ltd
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Average rating of all 12 short stories was 2.92. Two stories were a full 5 stars for me. Would really love to read more of Laura Jarosz!
Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
a cute and charming collection of stories featuring childhood friendship.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death
Forever . . . by Judy Blume
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
I just don't care at all for these self assured teenagers who think and feel like adults (I literally had to Google if they were seniors in high-school or college). There is no tension, no joy in their romance. It is quick and rather painless and I just don't emotionally connect with this compared to the reality of my own teenage experiences.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
The Optimist's Daughter by Eudora Welty
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
The author reads this audiobook... She is in no way a professional narrator so I don't want to be harsh. But her accent (American southern), pacing, and a lisp makes this audiobook very tough for me to take in. I will definitely miss things if I read this way. So I'm dnfing to get a print version.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I think people who enjoy old black and white Wednesday Addams might like this book... I certainly enjoyed the vibes well enough that I didn't DNF. I was intrigued to know where things would go. But I didn't truly connect with any of the characters or the plot and felt let down by the ending.
It was odd and sorta vibes only.
It was odd and sorta vibes only.
Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
This audiobook is just not for me. Going to get this in a different format.
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
I cannot make it further throught this book. It seems well-written, if a bit dense. But I'm struggling to see it working for me as a book as it seems too dry and text bookish to be very engaging and too triggering to be a roadmap for anyone trying to work through trauma. Maybe it is for those who are casual observers of others trauma? I'm unsure.
But with the above thoughts in mind, finding out about the alleged abuse that led to the author being let go from a position of power, and the tone of academic elitism... This book is a solid DNF for me.
But with the above thoughts in mind, finding out about the alleged abuse that led to the author being let go from a position of power, and the tone of academic elitism... This book is a solid DNF for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Medical trauma, Car accident, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail