small_gift811's reviews
562 reviews

Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-joo

challenging dark emotional reflective tense 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? It's complicated

4.25

A short, spare book revealing the day to day reality from before birth onwards of misogyny.  The pov was strange. 

The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth by Zoë Schlanger

adventurous challenging funny informative inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

5.0

This book was such a treat. I learned so much in every chapter. The writing was crisp and the author owned her own interpretations of facts she described. This book makes the world feel like a beautiful mysterious place that we humans barely know. 

You Better Be Lightning by Andrea Gibson

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.75

There are some amazing poems in this collection. I have flagged so many pages!  The first one about goosebumps gave me…goosebumps. 

The Healing Season of Pottery by Yeon Somin

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing 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

4.0

A sweet, gentle read about recovering from over work and finding a life that suits you. Makes me want to do pottery!!!

The Universe in Verse: 15 Portals to Wonder through Science & Poetry by Maria Popova

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.25

A lovely little book of essays by Maria Popova along with accompanying poems. My main wish was for more!

Nature Tales for Winter Nights by Nancy Campbell

adventurous informative inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

5.0

This is a delightful anthology of writings spanning centuries and continents about winter. A wonderfully eclectic yet moving reflection on the depths of the season. 

The Vegetarian by Han Kang

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

This book is not what I expected. I had read some generic reviews about it being full of violence — that is there but as an answer to why things are happening. The three linked stories provide perspectives on what is happening to Yeong-hye as she rejects meat and with it the standards by which the world operates. 

The Book of Purrs by Luís Coelho

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

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

3.75

A sweet little book of affirmations from cats’ perspectives. Some of the drawing style is not quite for me, but I loved the intent and kindness this book communicated. 

The Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense 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? No

4.0

This is the book LP wrote during the pandemic. As such, some of her writing about the pandemic being over felt uninformed. Yet as I consider, I think the majority of Americans and Canadians would endorse her belief. 

The mystery was interesting and confusing as these character studies usually are. What I love most about LP’s books is the way she illustrates how actions decades ago can reverberate in the present moment. 

Definitely worth the time. 

A Year with Rumi: Daily Readings by Coleman Barks

emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective slow-paced

4.5

I read a poem a day this year from this book. I marked so many that I want to come back to. And reconnected with some of my favorites.