jackdziatkowiec's reviews
219 reviews

Civil Disobedience, and Other Essays by Henry David Thoreau

challenging inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0

Not much has changed in 150 years. The government finds new ways to enslave and divide its populace. Injustice and corruption prevail at every turn. The government is bought and sold to the highest bidder. Why do I need a representative to vote for me? Where is the voting app? Every 18 year old has a cell phone. We can vote for ourselves for whatever local ordinances and national addendums are put forth. The government is holding us back from having control of our rights. It's mind boggling to me that the few in political office make decisions for the millions, based solely on their own interests and profit. It's high time for a revolution! 

Also, I need to take more walks.

The Doll in the Garden: A Ghost Story by Mary Downing Hahn

sad medium-paced

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

3.0

Short and sweet.

Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton

adventurous dark tense 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? No

4.0

Non stop action. So much carnage. Great characters. Super fun adventure. Hoping for the movie.

The Color of Culture by Mona Lake Jones

hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

3.5

Simple and direct. Loving and supportive. Some of these poems hit hard.

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

emotional sad slow-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? No

4.0

The writing is very romantic. Feels like a memory. Lovely book. 

Room by Emma Donoghue

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

3.75

The first half of the book was, for me, far more interesting than the second. I wouldn't call this a thriller.

The Royal Rabbits Of London by Santa Montefiore, Simon Sebag Montefiore

adventurous inspiring tense 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? No

3.25

Rabbits on a daring mission to save the Queen from the evil Ratzis, who want to steal her soul! My animal companion is a rabbit. It was fun imagining him as the hero of this book.

Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.25

Sleepy Hollow is gray and gloomy horror. Rip Van Winkle is a warning not to become idle, or life will pass you by.

The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

adventurous dark mysterious reflective slow-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? No

3.0

A collection of short stories about terraforming Mars. It takes about twenty seven years. That's also how long it took me to finish reading this book. My favorite chapter was a love letter to Edgar Allen Poe. It helped me to realize that both Bradbury and Poe's stories usually have a sense of doom and foreboding.

Matilda by Roald Dahl

lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

Matilda is mistreated by her parents; Matilda fights back. Matilda and her schoolmates are mistreated by the principal, so she uses her brain power to overcome their oppressor. Everything is well in the end.