jenwestpfahl's reviews
296 reviews

Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

Really fun concept about enchanted houses and a reality where magic is a normal part of life. The characters were relatable and I was rooting for them.

Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal

emotional medium-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? It's complicated

3.5

I like the way Eva’s sorry was told through food and other characters and how many of them came back recurringly. But I didn’t feel like we really got to know her. We got a better idea of some of the other characters than her, and the ones that were most fully developed were not very likable so I had to just plod through those chapters to get on to the next. I did like the ending.

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

inspiring fast-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

Loved the concept and it was a very enjoyable read. I found the main character relatable and was rooting for her.

Beloved by Toni Morrison

dark slow-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

5.0

Speechless 

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

sad slow-paced

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

4.0

Very compelling story that was hard to put down. I loved the characters and the way they grew in their relationships to each other and grew into their own selves.

The center section with the dust storms dragged a bit for me, maybe because I have read another novel all about dust storms and the two were very similar. 

The book really got good once they got to California.

I, Robot by Isaac Asimov

adventurous medium-paced

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

4.5

While definitely a product of its time, this is still an interesting read 70 years later.

Fascinating to see how he thought robots and AI would develop vs how they actually did. He also imagined things (humans on Mars) that we are nowhere near but didn’t imagine things that are part of everyday life now (digital filming available instantly; women in the workplace).

While I didn’t necessarily comprehend the technical aspects, it was still a pretty easy read. And it’s really more concerned with ethics and humanity than with technological advancements.

The Orphan Collector by Ellen Marie Wiseman

emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.5

This novel is so good. It starts out bleak and gets downright depressing and infuriating. But I kept reading through that because I already loved Pia so much. Then things seem to take a turn for the better for her and I read almost with my breath held, waiting for the rug to be pulled out from under her. I won’t spoil anything by saying what happens after that. But I couldn’t put it down.

Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas

dark mysterious slow-paced

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

3.5

This novel is dripping with mood. It envelopes the reader. I almost felt like I was there. 

The plot was intriguing but moved along rather slowly. I was always ready for the next development long before it came along but had to wait through more descriptions of what the characters were eating, how much wine they were drinking, and who they were sleeping with today before it happened. A lot of questions remained unanswered or murky.

The relationships between Ines and the other characters developed in a natural and satisfying way.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content

Every Day by David Levithan

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is essentially a YA romance, but the premise is so clever and the execution is so strong, that I really enjoyed it. Each little vignette of another body’s life was really interesting. 

There are No Children Here: The Story of Two Boys Growing Up in the Other America by Alex Kotlowitz

challenging emotional slow-paced

5.0

A stark true account of the oppressive and demoralizing affects of poverty and neighborhood violence and neglect. The way people in Chicago’s public housing were treated by the courts and the CHA itself was heartbreaking and infuriating. 

You can’t help but root for things to go right for the family this book follows. In almost every  scene, I was holding my breath, hoping for the best but expecting the worst. Imagine living like that every day - feeling like nobody cares about you and your life is never going to get better.

I get the sense that the situation has somewhat improved in the 30 years since this book was written but I’d be very interested in a similar book written now.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence

Moderate: Drug use