thebacklistbook's reviews
297 reviews

The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman

challenging dark emotional reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

This book is an interesting structure. It starts off with each chapter being a short story about different people. The common theme being the red garden and the town of Blackwell. Towards the end of the book it coalesces into one story.  This book was definitely engaging. It was also a rough read in terms of subject matter. If you have come to this book for magic, you will be disappointed. This is not that.

Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

reflective tense slow-paced

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

2.0

This book is kind of like an extended twisty version of the gifts of the magi. It was way frustrating to get through and took me way too long to listen to it all. Partly because the narrator was super slow, even after 1.25 speed.

The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by Desmond Tutu, Dalai Lama XIV, Douglas Carlton Abrams

hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced

3.0

This book is an extended conversation between the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu. It is frankly a miracle that they had the time to put this together. It is also a miracle that the plane took off before the earthquake gripped the region. This book is a compendium of advice on how to be joyful.

Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang

dark informative reflective tense slow-paced

3.0

This book chronicles an all too common immigration experience. Ms Wang and her family fled oppression during a time when legal immigration was even harder than it is now for the Chinese. She chronicles a life of racism, inadequate healthcare, fear, and neglectful parenting.  

Listen To Me by Tess Gerritsen

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

This one is done in multiple points of view. In this book it was handled very well, without switching to often. This particular novel focuses on Angela Rizzoli.

Angela believes firmly in see something, say something. So much so that she cries wolf often enough that Jane starts ignoring her calls, right when there really is something.
This book is very well plotted and paced. I really enjoyed my time with it.

The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism by Vincent B. Leitch, John P. McGowan, Jeffrey L. Williams, William E. Cain, Barbara Johnson, Laurie A. Finke

challenging informative reflective slow-paced

2.0

This is a philosophy text and was read for a course. I found the analysis portion dense and less than informative in some cases. It was used mainly as a jumping off point for ethical dilemma construction. 

The Fury / Dark Reunion by L.J. Smith
Did not finish book. Stopped at 96%.

Well. You win some, you lose some. Almost made it through this. These books are just terrible in my opinion. The further I got the worse it was. 

Princess in Training by Meg Cabot

slow-paced

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

2.0

This one was super annoying and full of bad advice on dating and sex. Oh well.. not every book is going to be perfect.

Princess in Pink by Meg Cabot

emotional funny lighthearted slow-paced

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

3.0

This one was vaguely entertaining this go around. Finally Mia can move past whining about prom. Maybe she will have some growth in the next one too. 

The Happiest Man on Earth: The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor by Eddie Jaku

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

4.0

Eddie (pronounced Addie) Jaku (jay-koo) takes us through his experience of the Holocaust. He shares loss, love, and joy of life. Please read this book. It is educational and poignant.