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jenwestpfahl's reviews
299 reviews
Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was sort of boring and I don’t really love Eilis, the main character, but I’m still sort of interested in reading the next book in the series. Is that weird?
Cafe Europa: Life After Communism by Slavenka Drakulić
informative
slow-paced
4.0
These essays give an interesting look at life shortly after the fall of communism in several Balkan counties. It’s a perspective worth knowing.
The Liar's Daughter by Megan Cooley Peterson
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Really interesting perspective on what it might be like to be raised in a cult and how also what happens to someone when the truth is too traumatic for their brain to process.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Vomit, Kidnapping, and Gaslighting
Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn
informative
slow-paced
3.0
If you’re curious in meditation or mindfulness, it’s worth a read. It was too long and repetitive and some of it makes no sense but there are several good nuggets in it. Most of it is easy to understand and to put into practice even for those not interested in adopting a Buddhist worldview.
Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
So many characters all introduced back to back to back with their own chapters. I wasn’t even close to caring about any of them and then we’re off meeting a new one a figuring out where they fit. When I got to the chapter titled Patrick but starting with Jennifer as the first person doing anything, I gave up.
the Ludwig Conspiracy by Oliver Pötzsch
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This was a fun little puzzle-solving mystery. I loved all the historical and place-setting info. The characters were rather dull and the romance was lame. But that’s not what we’re here for.
The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Stunningly beautiful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Incest, Racism, and Rape
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown
challenging
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Read this slowly, with time to reflect as you go. It’s a lot of big thoughts to take in.
Rootwork by Tracy Cross
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
It was slow and boring and I didn’t really care what happened next (since 1/3 in nothing has happened yet).
History of Wolves by Emily Fridlund
dark
medium-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
2.0
What in the world was this?? It was like two books in one - one was sort of decent and the other was bizarre. And I don’t o wo what the point was. And the ending took a sharp left turn that I can’t make heads or tails of.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Sexual violence