madtraveler's reviews
738 reviews

How to Stop Time by Matt Haig

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami

challenging reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No

2.0

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

5.0

I loved this. Great characters, thoughtful material, a good heart to it. My first Patchett book and I can't wait to read another. Just lovely.

War: How Conflict Shaped Us by Margaret MacMillan

4.0

A lot of information here, spread out from ancient history to as recent as 2019/2020. This is not as engaging as say Chris Hedges' War is a Force That Gives Us Meaning (must read!) and as I got into the middle of the book, I felt it became just a series of references and examples. That's not a crime, but it did make this feel like a slog at times. The chapters Making the Warrior and Civilians were the most interesting and I liked the inclusion of arts/literature in War in Our Imaginations and Our Memories, but again, plagued by a feeling of listing. That said, it is a worthy read, especially for those who have never studied war too much beyond mentions in high school. In that case, required reading. I've jotted down notes out of this, but parts of the Hedges book remain burned in memory. Maybe 3.5 for me.

The Writing Life by Annie Dillard

5.0

A short but rich read about the creative writing process, with some thoughts, images, and anecdotes that will likely stick with you for a very long time.

A Children's Bible by Lydia Millet

3.0

3. A strange book and it kept me reading, but sort of petered out at the end and felt like a magic fix. I liked the element of being failed by the adults and the debilitating effects of the world going off its rails, but ultimately it just felt ok. The writing style fascinated me.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

5.0

Excellent writing and storytelling. Threads of the story one in the past go back and forth gradually coming together at the end of the book. Each thread has its first chapter and both of them hook you. Then follow some fascinating characters that you care about in a rich and unique natural environment by the sea in Carolina from 1955-70. the star of the show is a poor outcast and abused white girl who is coming of age and nevertheless manages to find her own way when the adults have let her down. The last few pages sort of wavered for me like an amazing gymnast who stuck the landing yet wobbled just a tiny bit. The writing is really great.

Stealing Away: Stories by Kevin Revolinski

dark emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

5.0

“STEALING AWAY is a lush, shimmering collection, at once globe-trotting and far-afield, and also somehow as intimate and quotidian as any small hometown.  Revolinski, an accomplished non-fiction writer, proves with this book that he has incredible range, wisdom, and empathy.  I raced through this collection of short stories and can’t wait to read more of Revolinski’s fiction.  A fantastic debut.”
— Nickolas Butler, NYT bestselling author of Shotgun Lovesongs and Little Faith

“With the insight of a world traveler and the heart of a kind Midwestern neighbor, Revolinski’s dark, engrossing stories find flickers of hope in a disorienting world.”
— J. Ryan Stradal, award-winning author of The Lager Queen of Minnesota and Kitchens of the Great Midwest 

How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan

hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

Absolutely fascinating, and I daresay, mind-changing. I'd always been a bit curious about psychedelics as they were unfairly lumped together with various hard drugs. Pollan does an excellent job of laying out the history of research, the many apparent benefits not only to afflicted people but to healthy adults, and an analysis of just how the brain works, the ego, consciousness, life philosophy, mystical experiences, and so much more. Then as any good journalist/scientist would do, he goes out an experiences each of the psychedelic medicines under the supervision of therapist guides. The summary is definitely in support of the use of these chemicals, but not in a frivolous recreational manner. I saw a lot of my own worries and bad-thinking habits in here, as well as those of friends, and it made me wonder what an experience such as his might do for me. A fascinating look at a sort of spiritual approach to their use as well as a proven treatment for those suffering from depression and addiction and finding no relief in big pharma solutions. I highly recommend this book. 

The Best in Tent Camping: Wisconsin: A Guide for Car Campers Who Hate RVs, Concrete Slabs, and Loud Portable Stereos by Johnny Molloy, Kevin Revolinski

5.0