pecsenye's reviews
214 reviews

Norway to America: A History of the Migration by Ingrid Semmingsen

hopeful informative medium-paced

4.0

It's important to note that this book was written in 1975 by a Norwegian for a Norwegian, not American, audience. It's still the best book on Norwegian immigration to the US (and a little bit about Canada) out there. It's readable like any history or textbook, and backed with a ton of research. The first few chapters really drag, and one wonders why the author mentioned all those early immigrants without putting them in context with each other (maybe the Norwegian audience at the time would have known their names?). But overall you get a great picture of immigration from Norway to the US, along with the effects that immigration had on Norway. 

If you're choosing between this one and anything by Odd Lovell, choose this one. 

Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

emotional funny hopeful mysterious 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? Yes

3.75

This book had everything I love, but somehow I didn't really love it, and had to keep myself reading. Once I hit 80% I wanted to keep going, but that's a long way to just keep pushing. 

Stay True by Hua Hsu

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Just stunning. 

Bite by Bite: Nourishments and Jamborees by Aimee Nezhukumatathil

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.75

A luscious delight from one of the most lyrical American writers writing now.

Shame on You: How to Be a Woman in the Age of Mortification by Melissa Petro

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.75

Such a strong book from Petro about the various kinds of shame women are burdened with throughout our lives and how we can respond productively to get out from under shame. I hope she writes a followup in 25 years about perimenopause and menopause and the shame around that. 

Ne'er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti

emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted fast-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? Yes

4.5

Preposterous but delightful

A Magical Girl Retires by Park Seolyeon

emotional hopeful informative fast-paced

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

4.0

We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida

emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

The Seamstress of Sardinia: A Novel by Bianca Pitzorno

emotional hopeful informative sad medium-paced

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

4.5

What a charming and delightful book of life in an Italian village in 1910 through the eyes of a seamstress. I thoroughly enjoyed this. 

An Untamed Land by Lauraine Snelling

emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

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

3.5

Soooo schmaltzy!