loves_nurse's reviews
75 reviews

The Will of the Many by James Islington

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

3.75

I did enjoy this book and the story kept me guessing what would happen next. I did not like the main character, but I also didn't dislike him. 
The writing felt allllllmost on point and almost effortless, but occasionally I would read a sentence with a word that simply did not fit or flow well. I feel like the editors had access to a big badboy thesaurus and used it liberally. While it's not a bad thing to use many different words, I did feel wrenched out of the story a few times by, what I considered, odd word choices. 
Perhaps thats too nitpicking? I did enjoy my overall reading experience and I will be reading the next one when it's available.

The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton

reflective slow-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

4.0

While the subject matter is a bit antiquated and the characters are old fashioned, the author writes them so beautifully. The writin  wraps around me and brings me into the story.  
Some parts of the story are so exactly reflective of the human condition while also being communicated with luxurious slow pertinent prose. I enjoyed the writing much more than the tale itself.

The Chronicles of Prydain, Books 1 & 2 by Lloyd Alexander

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

2.75

It's a fun tale, and has human moments with lessons to be absorbed from characters , but often the story relies on gendered patriarchal undertones to get us to through the endings.  Lloyd Alexander keeps me interested such that I read the next book immediately because  I DO care abt the characters and I am vested in the story.

Hella Town: Oakland's History of Development and Disruption by Mitchell Schwarzer

informative slow-paced

2.0

This was THE driest, blandest, factual telling of Oakland. Not a single bit of color woven into the imagery of The Town. Sigh. 

Feminism is for Everybody by bell hooks

challenging hopeful reflective slow-paced

3.75

Basic concepts and introductory information. Touchs on intersectionality, but there are other sources that go more in depth. A good book to have in your repertoire of knowledge, but not all encompassing.

Mary Poppins Opens the Door by P.L. Travers

adventurous lighthearted 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? No

2.0

This was a struggle to tell the difference between book 2 and 3. This book uses dated language and patriarchal circumstances to tell the story of Mary Poppins coming back to her Banks Family.  Mary is more contradictory in this book. 

Mary Poppins Comes Back by P.L. Travers

adventurous lighthearted slow-paced

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

2.5

Mary and the children have better adventures in this installment, but Mary runs hot and cold and obstinate and generous without seemingly having a pattern to it. She's more strict but encourages imagination thru aggressive nanny roles. I don't know. I enjoyed my time with this book but it has dated speech and references and the patriarchy in the background themes.

Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross

adventurous slow-paced

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

2.5

Perhaps I am too much of a bitter curmudgeon to enjoy the love story portion of this book?  The MMC feels like a fantasy boyfriend of a young teen girl. (Nothing inherently wrong with that, it just wasn't a character I particularly cared for or about).
The idea and premise of the book/tale is really great and I enjoyed the story, but this sequel is slow moving and was a trudge, for me, to get thru. 
I do think I would have enjoyed this book much more as a younger person. I did enjoy my time with this book and I will be interested in other works from this author.

Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff

challenging funny hopeful informative inspiring relaxing slow-paced

4.75

Enjoyable explanation of the Tao thru the actions of Pooh, Ru, Piglet, Rabbit and Eeyore.