sindri_inn_arsaeli's reviews
1142 reviews

The Dictionary Story by Oliver Jeffers, Sam Winston

funny lighthearted fast-paced

4.5

I always love Oliver Jeffers, and this one doesn't disappoint! Cute story, simple and expressive illustrations, and after reading the story I have to go back and read the dictionary snippets, because they are charming additions to the story of you pay attention!

Crinkleroot's Guide to Walking in Wild Places by Jim Arnosky

3.0

Christmas and Other Horrors: A Winter Solstice Anthology by Ellen Datlow

4.0

Solid collection. The stand outs for me were His Castle by Alma Katsu, The Blessing of the Water by Nick Mamatas, No Light, No Light by Gemma Files, and After Words by John Langan, and I think my favorite of all was Loyly Sow-na by Josh Malerman. That one in particular had all the best elements of holiday horror: old folksy traditions that can be cozy or creepy, the possibility of monsters lurking just out of sight, emotional stakes that heighten both confusion and clarity, and the preservation of hope- light on the darkest day, dreams of spring and beginning in the dead of winter and the end of the year.

Winter Candle by Jeron Ashford Frame

hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

I've come back to read this simple and beautiful picture book a few winters in a row now. One of my favorite things about many mid winter cultural and religious celebrations is the unifying theme of light in the dark. Of finding hope in the darkest days of the year. I love this book! It uses two cultural and two religions traditions, from varied cultural backgrounds, to unify the families of an apartment building by sharing a single candle in each of their celebrations. I love how the need to reach out helps bring out the importance of each separate celebration for the families. And I love the whole building coming together in the end to celebrate the hope that community brings them. A truly heartwarming story that I delight in every time we read it again.

Snowy Day: Stories and Poems by Caroline Feller Bauer, Margot Tomes

4.0

Best in Snow by April Pulley Sayre

lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

5.0

I always love April Pulley Sayre, so five stars is no surprise! As always, a beautiful and perfectly balanced blend of simple poetry and gorgeous nature photography. I love to use her books during poetry month at the library to talk about different ways to experience poetry - some poetry is meant to be seen! We read the book aloud, and then start over and read the book while sharing the pictures to see how the experience is different!

A Day So Gray by Marie Lamba

lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Such a sweet book! Beautiful illustrations, and a charming, simple exchange between children that gently demonstrates finding joy/wonder/beauty in even dull and unexciting places. A peaceful good to read on a happy day, and an easy book to refer to to help little children practice the skills of truly looking when they are sad or distressed, or even just a little bored!

Coming Up for Air by Amanda Meuwissen

adventurous funny hopeful fast-paced

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

4.0

This is by FAR the spiciest book I've ever read, I knew it was going to potentially be out of my comfort zone, but the characters intrigued me, and a gangster/urban fantasy crossover caught my eye. The plot was fast paced and gripping, and I really got into the characters! For all the description of Tolly (the merfolk) as being like a Disney prince, I found that best friend Alvin with his pure romantic heart in the face of his upbringing probably fit that description better, and yet I loved his line saying that no, he doesn't believe in love at first sight. He does believe in lust at first sight, but that love can still follow after.
Look, I am an asexual reader with limits to what I can vicariously put myself through, but I read this monster fucker book right to the end, and happily, to see the characters live happily ever after. (And yes, if the tail is out, he's not strictly human, that would definitely fall under a monster fucker heading in my book!)

Impeached: The president who almost lost his job by

2.5

Redwall by Brian Jacques

adventurous dark lighthearted tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I finally got around to reading this one that's been on my list since middle school. While the plot did not disappoint, I think I would have preferred to read it myself rather than listen - some of the cast was excellent, (Constance and Warbeak in particular sounded perfectly matched to their characters,) as a whole the cast felt like they were rushing lines sometimes, and the narrator especially seemed to give no reactive space between sentences or thoughts. I think I would have loved this book far more had I read it younger, but I still felt that it was worth the wait!