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jenwestpfahl's reviews
295 reviews
The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It took me 80 pages or so to get into this but I ended up loving it. Eudora’s backstory is very interesting, and you can’t help but love her new cast of friends. The ending was very satisfying.
The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
This is a light magical realism read. The character development of the two main present time characters was the focus of the book while the magic was sort of in the background. The historical plot line was also interesting.
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
One of the best books I have read in a while. I felt like I was there in person watching everything unfold and wanting to jump in and alter the course of the characters’ lives.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Drug use
Moderate: Child abuse and Death of parent
Minor: Bullying
God Hunger: Discovering the Mystic in All of Us by John J. Kirvan
inspiring
slow-paced
4.0
Great book to use as a daily devotional or to inspire spiritual journaling.
The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a book to ready slowly and many times. I suspect new insights will come with each reading.
Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was sort of boring and I don’t really love Eilis, the main character, but I’m still sort of interested in reading the next book in the series. Is that weird?
Cafe Europa: Life After Communism by Slavenka Drakulić
informative
slow-paced
4.0
These essays give an interesting look at life shortly after the fall of communism in several Balkan counties. It’s a perspective worth knowing.
The Liar's Daughter by Megan Cooley Peterson
emotional
fast-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
4.5
Really interesting perspective on what it might be like to be raised in a cult and how also what happens to someone when the truth is too traumatic for their brain to process.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Vomit, Kidnapping, and Gaslighting
Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn
informative
slow-paced
3.0
If you’re curious in meditation or mindfulness, it’s worth a read. It was too long and repetitive and some of it makes no sense but there are several good nuggets in it. Most of it is easy to understand and to put into practice even for those not interested in adopting a Buddhist worldview.