zasobel's reviews
345 reviews

The Middle Ages: A Graphic History by Eleanor Janega

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informative lighthearted medium-paced

3.5

The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr., E.B. White

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funny informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

4.5

Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World by Naomi Klein

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challenging informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

Klein is an excellent writer with a sharp mind. I appreciated this book's almost philosophical approach to the culture wars. Non-fiction about modern fascism always interests me but this one was particularly refreshing in its precision and empathy. I was struck by the prescience of the chapter on Israel, where she explores issues that shot to the top of international conversation less than a month after this book was published and have remained there for a year. She is staunchly pro-Palestine and I agree with her assessment, but my main personal takeaway from that chapter was to not discount the fierceness of anti-Semitic sentiment that is now permeating our discourse. "It's also possible that the post-Holocaust lull in open Jew-hatred is coming to a close," she writes from September 2023. I'm sure she has more to say these days about this and I'll be seeking out interviews.

Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel by Mariah Marsden

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lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin

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adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I'm really thankful to this series for simultaneously accompanying me and coaxing me out of a time of heaviness and change in my life. It's always such a relief to come home to books when you've been away for a while.

The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin

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adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced