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jcburcham's reviews
326 reviews
Under the Henfluence: Inside the World of Backyard Chickens and the People Who Love Them by Tove Danovich
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Physical book (I ordered a copy from my favorite independent book store as soon as it came out!). This book is the first of its genre, i.e. books for backyard chicken enthusiasts about the history and culture of backyard chickens. I learned so much!! From what goes on at Murray McMurray hatchery, where most people go to mail order their chicks, to the fascinating world of chicken shows, to considerations about the lives of roosters and more, this book gives you a lot to think about.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves chickens, has a flock of their own, or has entertained the idea of having chickens. 🐔
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves chickens, has a flock of their own, or has entertained the idea of having chickens. 🐔
The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.5
Audio (Audible). Wow! Maybe I am becoming a sci-fi fan?? This book was thrilling and absorbing. I'm so glad I had time to devote to it, but it went by too fast and now I definitely have a huge book hangover! 😣 The narrator was fantastic and added a lot to the experience!
The first 10% made me think of Project Hail Mary (although the rest definitely did not). And although the cover conjures the notion that romance is a significant part of the story, it's really not. I won't say much about the plot because you need to read it...yes, you need to read it!!
The first 10% made me think of Project Hail Mary (although the rest definitely did not). And although the cover conjures the notion that romance is a significant part of the story, it's really not. I won't say much about the plot because you need to read it...yes, you need to read it!!
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
dark
sad
slow-paced
This was not an easy read. It was painful, sad, and depressing. It did not instill a sense of hope. But the honesty and creativity of presentation left an impression on me that makes me glad I read it, and I would recommend it to others who wish to better understand the themes presented, as well as anyone wanting to read one of the most banned books in America.
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.
I just wasn't in the mood for it. His stories were somewhat interesting but not compelling. I enjoyed learning that he was a Rotary exchange student!!
Horse by Geraldine Brooks
adventurous
informative
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Audio. This was my first book by Geraldine Brooks, an Australian-American author. The amount of research she invested in this novel is what makes it a masterpiece. She poured her heart and soul into this book, and you can feel it. This is absolutely what I love about historical fiction.
This book is told from a handful of different viewpoints, some present day and some pre-Civil War. As she explains in the Afterword, Brooks began to realize this book would need to be about race as much as the racehorse, Lexington. Owning racehorses was considered extremely prestigious, particularly during Lexington's lifetime. Much of the care, training, racing and success of the horses was tied directly to Black horseman (often enslaved), but details about individuals are scarce. An article Brooks read from Harper's New Monthly magazine published in July 1870(!) refers to the existence of a painting by Thomas Scott in which Lexington is being led by "Black Jarret, his groom". The painting itself has been lost, and despite Brooks' exhaustive efforts, she could not find further information about this Jarret. So she created a character named Jarret, and the life he leads in the book is inspired directly by facts she uncovered in her research.
As anyone who has ever truly loved a horse knows, the bond between human and horse can transcend words. The author's ability to capture this special bond between Jarret and Lexington further shows that she has not only researched the living daylights out of this subject, but she has firsthand knowledge of this bond. Everything about Jarret's decisions and actions surrounding Lexington were completely believable and often remarkable. I love that we can speculate from Lexington's ACTUAL SKELETON (on display at the International Museum of the Horse) about his health and what may have caused the blindness that eventually ended his racing career (and led to an extremely successful breeding career).
The other characters provided layers of context that created the rich backdrop for the story that is Lexington (or, as his skeleton was once simply referred to, "Horse").
Lexington is no mere "Horse" and this is not your average horse story. You will become invested in this story and learn so much along the ride.
This book is told from a handful of different viewpoints, some present day and some pre-Civil War. As she explains in the Afterword, Brooks began to realize this book would need to be about race as much as the racehorse, Lexington. Owning racehorses was considered extremely prestigious, particularly during Lexington's lifetime. Much of the care, training, racing and success of the horses was tied directly to Black horseman (often enslaved), but details about individuals are scarce. An article Brooks read from Harper's New Monthly magazine published in July 1870(!) refers to the existence of a painting by Thomas Scott in which Lexington is being led by "Black Jarret, his groom". The painting itself has been lost, and despite Brooks' exhaustive efforts, she could not find further information about this Jarret. So she created a character named Jarret, and the life he leads in the book is inspired directly by facts she uncovered in her research.
As anyone who has ever truly loved a horse knows, the bond between human and horse can transcend words. The author's ability to capture this special bond between Jarret and Lexington further shows that she has not only researched the living daylights out of this subject, but she has firsthand knowledge of this bond. Everything about Jarret's decisions and actions surrounding Lexington were completely believable and often remarkable. I love that we can speculate from Lexington's ACTUAL SKELETON (on display at the International Museum of the Horse) about his health and what may have caused the blindness that eventually ended his racing career (and led to an extremely successful breeding career).
The other characters provided layers of context that created the rich backdrop for the story that is Lexington (or, as his skeleton was once simply referred to, "Horse").
Lexington is no mere "Horse" and this is not your average horse story. You will become invested in this story and learn so much along the ride.
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.
Can't stand main character. Poor communication skills.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Audio. This book was such an unexpected delight. Somehow I had surmised from the synopsis (which I had not read carefully) that since this was a book about computer game development, there was probably some fantasy element that wouldn't appeal to me. I don't know what I was thinking.
This book is a beautiful study on how to be a good friend, woven around an interesting theme of how one becomes interested in game development. The writing is moving and genuine. In the first 20% or so, I teared up multiple times.
I'd like to reread a physical copy so I can just absorb the writing. I loved this book so much. ❤️
This book is a beautiful study on how to be a good friend, woven around an interesting theme of how one becomes interested in game development. The writing is moving and genuine. In the first 20% or so, I teared up multiple times.
I'd like to reread a physical copy so I can just absorb the writing. I loved this book so much. ❤️
Owls of the Eastern Ice: A Quest to Find and Save the World's Largest Owl by Jonathan C. Slaght
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Combination of audio and physical book. I absolutely LOVED this book. It's received great reviews but I still was not prepared for how much I would enjoy it. Listening to the author narrate his own book was unexpectedly delightful, at times reminiscent of what it must feel like to sit in the same room (or cabin) with him as he recounts shocking story after near-miss again and again. I lost track of how many times I realized my facial expression visibly communicated my disbelief (mouth agape, eyebrows raised). Slaght is a very talented writer and/or there was an exceptional team of editors who worked on this book--I cannot imagine how it could possibly be improved. I am excited to hear he is working on a new book about tigers and will definitely not wait two years after its release to read it.
I want to gift this book to everyone!! (And then I sadly remember that not everyone gets as excited about a good conservation story as I do. )
Me, when John and Sergey capture their first owl:
https://giphy.com/gifs/mrw-F8ByRhbCzm4F2
I want to gift this book to everyone!! (And then I sadly remember that not everyone gets as excited about a good conservation story as I do. )
Me, when John and Sergey capture their first owl:
https://giphy.com/gifs/mrw-F8ByRhbCzm4F2