mollysmith1313's reviews
129 reviews

Glimmer of Hope: How Tragedy Sparked a Movement by The March for Our Lives Founders

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense

4.0

Unrig: How to Fix Our Broken Democracy by Daniel G. Newman

challenging informative slow-paced

4.0

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.

I actually didn’t finish this book, so I’m putting here for reference but not including it in the number of books I’ve read this year. I listened to 35% (3 hours) of the audiobook, and honestly completely lost interest. It didn’t hold my interest very well up to this point either. I only gave it a try because I’ve heard about the movie. Maybe if I watch the movie and like it, I’ll be more motivated to finish the book or start it over.

The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

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

4.5

While I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as the first book in the series, I think it was a great follow up with new questions to consider for Roz and her purpose. This series may technically be a kids book, but even as an adult I’m drawn in by questions and themes present in “our” robot’s continued story. 

Ana on the Edge by A.J. Sass

emotional reflective tense slow-paced

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

4.0

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

adventurous funny hopeful medium-paced

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

4.0

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

adventurous hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

5.0

I don’t care that this book was written for middle school aged kids. As an adult, I found this book to be a great audiobook for a “cozy” but adventurous and thought provoking read. It’s a story about learning, adapting, friendship, and the harshness of the wild. The personification of the animals does eventually get very fictional, but that’s not necessarily a stern critique. It’s just an example of the reader needing to suspending disbelief in the name of some very good lessons to be learned and shared in this book. I’m actually really looking forward to reading the books that follow this one! 

Best Shot in the West: The Adventures of Nat Love by Fredrick L. McKissack, Patricia C. McKissack, Randy DuBurke

adventurous tense fast-paced

4.0

This was a really fun “Wild West” read. I would read it again when I get the kick to read about a legendary cowboy. It probably took me less than a couple hours to read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Mentions slavery, alcohol, death, violence

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

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

5.0

This book really tugged on my heart strings and made me grieve from all the tragedy. But what a great tribute to an overlooked little slice of US Kentucky history. 

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson

informative inspiring mysterious fast-paced

4.0

This book is a little heavy on complicated terms and concepts, but overall it is a book that lives up to its name. It’s great to listen to the audiobook out loud with a loved one who is a space / physics nerd.