suzharold's reviews
269 reviews

Naked Against the Rain: The People of the Lower Columbia River, 1770-1830 by Rick Rubin

funny informative slow-paced

3.0

Readable and interesting,  but my rating is tempered by the fact that members of the Chinook Indian Nation find the book deeply problematic. 

Cabin Fever: The Harrowing Journey of a Cruise Ship at the Dawn of a Pandemic by Jonathan Franklin, Michael Smith

emotional informative sad slow-paced

4.0

A questionable read before my first cruise, but fascinating and we'll written.  

A Dangerous Collaboration by Deanna Raybourn

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

Another fun romp with Veronica and Stoker. This time in a castle on an island, with Stoker's brother Tiberius playing a major role. 

The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.

Tediously written and I got tired of having every single physical attributes included in their  descriptions. 

A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure by Angela Bell

slow-paced

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

2.0

Religious tract thinly veiled with a faux Victorian adventure Romance layered on top. But the details don't ring true and the "quirky" character traits of the characters feel forced. 

Selling the Dream: The Billion-Dollar Industry Bankrupting Americans by Jane Marie

funny informative fast-paced

5.0

Gripping! I listened to it on audio and tore through the book in two days. It's engaging, often funny, well researched and well written. Best of all, the author is deeply sympathetic to those who get ensnared in these schemes - judgment is reserved only for those who create the MLMs and bilk people of their money, time and dreams. 

A Treacherous Curse by Deanna Raybourn

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

So fun. The author overuses a few turns of phrase but overall it's a romp. If you enjoyed books 1&2, you'll enjoy this one. 

Edison's Ghosts: The Untold Weirdness of History's Greatest Geniuses by Katie Spalding

funny informative lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

5.0

Hilarious and fascinating. 

Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots by Deborah Feldman

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

5.0

Gripping account of her childhood and the power of wanting more 

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett

emotional slow-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? Yes

4.0