shelbisreading's reviews
48 reviews

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

5.0

Braiding Sweetgrass was loaned to me by my cousin Erin, who shares an interest in plant life with me. I loved this book, it’s lessons on sharing and indigenous teachings came with a fresh perspective. I particularly enjoyed the “W” chapter and comparisons to capitalism, which made me inspired and excited to participate more frequently in meaningful protest, mostly anti capitalist gift giving. Taking just enough, and giving excesses. In addition, the strawberry field chapter was particularly meaningful to me. Its lessons on free vs cheap were fascinating and really made me think about how I view my own learned poverty mindset, a mindset that craves to hoard. Thank you for sharing, Erin! 

The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury

adventurous dark inspiring slow-paced

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

3.0

The first 25% of this book is very much like the movie, a spooky Halloween treat. The rest of The Halloween Tree lays a little too heavy of the philosophy of being a man for my personal taste, and also includes themes of death. I do think this book would be great for a different audience, and I loved the first few chapters. 

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad fast-paced

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

5.0

Each installment of the Throne of Glass series just gets better and better. The stakes were raised with Queen of Shadows, with compelling character arcs and brutal surprises. I thoroughly enjoyed the arcs of

the most evil female characters :) it takes a talented story teller to make you truly care for what once were despicable people.

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense fast-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

Heir of Fire was my favorite installment of Throne of Glass so far! The writing keeps getting better and better and the stakes higher. This volume was so exciting and filled with adventure, and the end was twisted. Can’t wait for the next one!

The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This is a beautiful prequel love story that will leave you ripping your eyes out with sadness. Suing SJM for making me cry too much. 

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous emotional funny mysterious sad fast-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

5.0

I’m so glad I held out through the first book because the second one was ten times better! Tons of twists, high stakes adventure, and secrets revealed. Just my cup of tea!

The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski

adventurous emotional funny inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing tense fast-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

Andrzej Sapkowski crafted such an entertaining and immersive story in The Last Wish that I suspect The Witcher books might become my new favorite fantasy series. The book was filled with humor, magic, high stakes and romance, (the former of which I always appreciate). I thoroughly enjoyed the first installment and am very excited to dive into the second.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

adventurous funny fast-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

5.0

As a fan of the film "The Princess Bride" (1987), I anticipated enjoying this book, but I had no idea how much. I loved discovering

the little details about Buttercup's transformation into becoming a lady and all the backstory on Wesley's pirating adventures. <\spoiler> This is going to be an annual reread for me when I'm feeling nostalgic, a perfect fairy tale.

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

challenging inspiring mysterious 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? Yes

3.0

This is a classic with incredibly beautiful prose that, in modern times, takes a little bit away from the high stakes aspect of the story. I would recommend it to anyone who identifies as a boy or man, or who is interested in the philosophy of masculinity. However, it wasn't my cup of tea, besides the spooky aspects!

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous fast-paced

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

4.0

I really enjoyed this story after getting past chapter 10, after being egged on by a friend to finish it I found it very enjoyable. The female MC is strong and funny, and the supporting characters are interesting. The prince gives me ick though and I'm not sure if that's the goal.