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jedore's reviews
503 reviews
Purpose: An Immigrant's Story by Anthony Bozza, Wyclef Jean
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
Mediocre writing; not interested
The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Esoteric fantasies are just not my thing!
The Outcasts of Time by Ian Mortimer
As a historical fiction buff, I was excited about this book. But, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
First off, the characters…I was hoping for more depth. The author only lets you in to the main character, but not very far. Pretty much all that is shared is his angst. I wanted to get deeper inside his head and heart, but that never happened.
Second, the time-traveling aspect…despite being fairly knowledgeable about English history, I needed more background info on each era the characters visited. A little summary at the start of each chapter would’ve given me more context so I could connect deeper to the story.
While this book didn’t totally knock my socks off, its thought-provoking theme and ultimate message at the end made me glad I read it.
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
“You did the greatest good a man can do — only you do not see it, for you are looking only at yourself. You must see what you mean to others to know your true worth.”
As a historical fiction buff, I was excited about this book. But, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
First off, the characters…I was hoping for more depth. The author only lets you in to the main character, but not very far. Pretty much all that is shared is his angst. I wanted to get deeper inside his head and heart, but that never happened.
Second, the time-traveling aspect…despite being fairly knowledgeable about English history, I needed more background info on each era the characters visited. A little summary at the start of each chapter would’ve given me more context so I could connect deeper to the story.
While this book didn’t totally knock my socks off, its thought-provoking theme and ultimate message at the end made me glad I read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, War, Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Child death, Infidelity, Religious bigotry, Death of parent
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Lucky You by Erika Carter
Yikes…the reviews on this one are not good! Had I looked at them before I chose this as my BOTM selection, I wouldn’t have picked it. It’s really a book for 20-somethings; not many people in my 50+ age group would have liked it, let alone finished. That being said, I didn’t hate it! The writing was good…it’s the story and characters that are irritating.
This was my BOTM pick because it was a story centered on the less-than-ideal realities of living off the grid…the “Whole Story,” so to speak. (Something I’m passionate about sharing on my social platforms.) Having entered the post-honeymoon phase of my life in Panamá, after living without power for a year, this topic piqued my interest.
It’s definitely not a pretty story. The 23-ish year old characters are entitled, dysfunctional, irresponsible and have completely wonky moral compasses from beginning to end. The story brings to light how easy it is to start and be sucked into a cult. But, I was empathetic to some of their angst, particularly around work and purpose so there were parts I could relate to.
Honestly, if you’re past 40, the odds are you’ll find this book highly annoying, so I feel safe in recommending a hard pass. If you’re in your 20s, it’s definitely worth a shot!
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
The quieter you become, the more you can hear.
Yikes…the reviews on this one are not good! Had I looked at them before I chose this as my BOTM selection, I wouldn’t have picked it. It’s really a book for 20-somethings; not many people in my 50+ age group would have liked it, let alone finished. That being said, I didn’t hate it! The writing was good…it’s the story and characters that are irritating.
This was my BOTM pick because it was a story centered on the less-than-ideal realities of living off the grid…the “Whole Story,” so to speak. (Something I’m passionate about sharing on my social platforms.) Having entered the post-honeymoon phase of my life in Panamá, after living without power for a year, this topic piqued my interest.
It’s definitely not a pretty story. The 23-ish year old characters are entitled, dysfunctional, irresponsible and have completely wonky moral compasses from beginning to end. The story brings to light how easy it is to start and be sucked into a cult. But, I was empathetic to some of their angst, particularly around work and purpose so there were parts I could relate to.
Honestly, if you’re past 40, the odds are you’ll find this book highly annoying, so I feel safe in recommending a hard pass. If you’re in your 20s, it’s definitely worth a shot!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug use, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, War
Moderate: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Self harm, Vomit
The Sound of Building Coffins by Louis Maistros
This book will take you on a captivating journey through the simultaneously colorful and dark streets of New Orleans in the early 1900s. Maistros perfectly captures the city's unique spirit and mysterious culture.
It’s definitely a dark and tragic tale filled with abortion, prostitution, demonic possession, devastating floods, and murder, yet somehow Maistros is able to convey a very subtle sense of hope….more for the city than for the individuals living in it.
While the character development is strong, I did find myself struggling to emotionally connect with the characters. Something caused me to remain detached from them, but not so much that I lost interest.
What sets "The Sound of Building Coffins" apart is its masterful storytelling, voodoo vibe, and little unexpected twists that keep you literally and figuratively in a dark place until the very end. There’s no doubt the man deeply knows and loves New Orleans.
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Starting over is a funny thing. You only get one true start, on the day you are born. But as we get older and know better about the lives we’ve lived, every once in awhile we try to make ourselves a new beginning. Problem is that you can’t erase where you come from, the accumulation of your experience being undeniably who you are. Ain’t no one can be rebirthed out of a past that has come to define them, no matter if these things come by chance or design. You can only pretend to start again; never to forget, try as you might.”
This book will take you on a captivating journey through the simultaneously colorful and dark streets of New Orleans in the early 1900s. Maistros perfectly captures the city's unique spirit and mysterious culture.
It’s definitely a dark and tragic tale filled with abortion, prostitution, demonic possession, devastating floods, and murder, yet somehow Maistros is able to convey a very subtle sense of hope….more for the city than for the individuals living in it.
While the character development is strong, I did find myself struggling to emotionally connect with the characters. Something caused me to remain detached from them, but not so much that I lost interest.
What sets "The Sound of Building Coffins" apart is its masterful storytelling, voodoo vibe, and little unexpected twists that keep you literally and figuratively in a dark place until the very end. There’s no doubt the man deeply knows and loves New Orleans.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Abortion, Death of parent, Abandonment
Moderate: Child death, Murder, Toxic friendship
Minor: Animal cruelty, Sexual assault
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This one threw me a bit of a curveball with its interview-style narrative, which initially had me unsure. The interviewer's silence and the constant jumping around between characters threw me off, creating an emotional distance, but as the story unfolded, it surprisingly grew on me.
Despite the unique writing style, I ended up enjoying the book. It even sparked my interest in Fleetwood Mac, rumored to be the inspiration behind the tale, leading me to delve into their story.
True to Taylor Jenkins Reid's style, there's a little twist at the end that adds that extra punch. Overall, it's a journey worth taking, even if the road starts a bit bumpy.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“…loving somebody isn’t perfection and good times and laughing and making love. Love is forgiveness and patience and faith and every once in awhile, it’s a gut punch. That’s why it’s a dangerous thing, when you go loving the wrong person. When you love somebody who doesn’t deserve it. You have to be with somebody who deserves your faith and you have to be deserving of someone else’s. It’s sacred.”
This one threw me a bit of a curveball with its interview-style narrative, which initially had me unsure. The interviewer's silence and the constant jumping around between characters threw me off, creating an emotional distance, but as the story unfolded, it surprisingly grew on me.
Despite the unique writing style, I ended up enjoying the book. It even sparked my interest in Fleetwood Mac, rumored to be the inspiration behind the tale, leading me to delve into their story.
True to Taylor Jenkins Reid's style, there's a little twist at the end that adds that extra punch. Overall, it's a journey worth taking, even if the road starts a bit bumpy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Death of parent, Alcohol
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Death
Lady Chatterley's Lover by D.H. Lawrence
Lady Chatterly’s Lover is a risqué visit to the English countryside just after World War II…filled with passion, drama, and enlightenment.
It was after I watched the Netflix movie (with Emma Corrin and Matthew Duckett as Lady Chatterly and Mellors, respectively) that I was searching at the beginning of my To Be Read list for my next read. It was an obvious choice!
While the movie focused almost solely on Lady Chatterly’s marriage and sizzling affair, the book dives deeper into the parallel societal evolution going on at the time (the shift from titled property ownership and farming to industry), as well as sexism, classism, sex, and the (timeless) differences between men and women. Like many classics, there is a fair amount of pontificating, but I found it surprisingly relatable and enlightening.
Fortunately, the book doesn't shy away from steamy sex scenes and has the added perk of covering the philosophical aspects of romantic relationships. Though, Lawrence’s obsession with “loins,” “wombs,” and “bowels” was definitely chuckle-worthy and mildly distracting.
As a woman who was stifled on the “good girl” path for 39 years, I was cheering Lady Chatterley on and reveling in her newfound physical AND emotional intimacy with Mellors. You go, girl.
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I’ve never met the man yet who was capable of intimacy with a woman, giving himself up to her. That was what I wanted. I’m not keen on their self-satisfied tenderness, and their sensuality. I’m not content to be any man’s little petsy-wetsy, nor his ‘chair à plaisir’ either. I wanted a complete intimacy, and I didn’t get it. That’s enough for me.”
Lady Chatterly’s Lover is a risqué visit to the English countryside just after World War II…filled with passion, drama, and enlightenment.
It was after I watched the Netflix movie (with Emma Corrin and Matthew Duckett as Lady Chatterly and Mellors, respectively) that I was searching at the beginning of my To Be Read list for my next read. It was an obvious choice!
While the movie focused almost solely on Lady Chatterly’s marriage and sizzling affair, the book dives deeper into the parallel societal evolution going on at the time (the shift from titled property ownership and farming to industry), as well as sexism, classism, sex, and the (timeless) differences between men and women. Like many classics, there is a fair amount of pontificating, but I found it surprisingly relatable and enlightening.
Fortunately, the book doesn't shy away from steamy sex scenes and has the added perk of covering the philosophical aspects of romantic relationships. Though, Lawrence’s obsession with “loins,” “wombs,” and “bowels” was definitely chuckle-worthy and mildly distracting.
As a woman who was stifled on the “good girl” path for 39 years, I was cheering Lady Chatterley on and reveling in her newfound physical AND emotional intimacy with Mellors. You go, girl.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Medical trauma, Classism
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: War
Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
“It's everybody, I mean. Everything everybody does is so — I don't know — not wrong, or even mean, or even stupid necessarily. But just so tiny and meaningless and — sad-making. And the worst part is, if you go bohemian or something crazy like that, you're conforming just as much only in a different way.”
This is one of those classic literature books that consists of pure pontification…from cover-to-cover with no apologies. If you’re looking for some level (any level) of action in a book, you’ll want to skip this one.
There are three pontificators in this story: 1) Little sister Franny, 2) Ma Bessie, and 3) Big brother Zooey. The only one I had any sort of connection to was the totally burned out Franny. That being said, although Zooey’s section went on (and on and on), he did have some spot on points.
What surprised me most was the religious slant of the pontificating…I would never have guessed that Salinger would write in support of Jesus and prayer. No matter how well done a book is, this topic is just not my cup of tea.
On the upside, Salinger’s mastery of dialogue was totally impressive. I could hear Franny, Zooey, and Bessie‘s voices going on (and on) in my head – it almost felt like I was eavesdropping on profound and private conversations. Salinger's ability to capture subtle conversational nuances deserves a nod.
Nevertheless, I’m gently placing this one on my “Forgettable” stack.
Still Alice by Lisa Genova
I couldn't pry myself away from this literary gem, finishing it in only two days. It had every ingredient I cherish in a book – a resilient and relatable female lead, layers of emotions, an air of anticipation, and a narrative that imparts invaluable lessons.
Lisa Genova's background in neuroscience brings an authentic voice to the story of a Harvard professor grappling with early-onset Alzheimer's. Every nuance of Alice's battle was palpable and heart-wrenching. Genova masterfully illustrates the harrowing progression of the disease and Alice's struggle as the condition worsens.
Now, while I gave this book a well-deserved 5-stars, it wasn't perfect. The final chapter left me a bit disappointed...but, the brief letdown at the end didn't come close to overshadowing the journey this book took me on.
This book is a profound exploration of human resilience and vulnerability that has left an indelible mark on me. I highly recommend it! Now for the movie adaptation...
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
...My yesterdays are disappearing, and my tomorrows are uncertain, so what do I live for? I live for each day. I live in the moment.
I couldn't pry myself away from this literary gem, finishing it in only two days. It had every ingredient I cherish in a book – a resilient and relatable female lead, layers of emotions, an air of anticipation, and a narrative that imparts invaluable lessons.
Lisa Genova's background in neuroscience brings an authentic voice to the story of a Harvard professor grappling with early-onset Alzheimer's. Every nuance of Alice's battle was palpable and heart-wrenching. Genova masterfully illustrates the harrowing progression of the disease and Alice's struggle as the condition worsens.
Now, while I gave this book a well-deserved 5-stars, it wasn't perfect. The final chapter left me a bit disappointed...but, the brief letdown at the end didn't come close to overshadowing the journey this book took me on.
This book is a profound exploration of human resilience and vulnerability that has left an indelible mark on me. I highly recommend it! Now for the movie adaptation...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Medical content, Dementia, Grief
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts