jenwestpfahl's reviews
300 reviews

The Pink Hotel by Liska Jacobs
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.

I hate everyone in this book and hate everything they are doing. I know that’s probably the point being social commentary and all but I have better things to do than be disgusted my fake rich people.

Living Joy: 9 Rules to Help You Rediscover and Live Joy Every Day by Chris Stefanick

inspiring medium-paced

3.5

I Heard God Laugh: A Practical Guide to Life's Essential Daily Habit by Matthew Kelly

inspiring fast-paced

5.0

The Sleepwalker's Guide to Dancing by Mira Jacob

emotional slow-paced

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

4.5

I loved this very real-feeling family and was riveted to their story.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Car accident

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.