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megan_bbender's reviews
88 reviews
Ik ben Malala. Jongereneditie by Patricia McCormick, Malala Yousafzai
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
This autobiography is amazing. Malala's story is truly moving and unforgettable, I couldn't put this book down and I'm glad to have read it.
Thank you to Malala for sharing your story. Thank you for everything you have done, and for inspiring individuals all around the world. We should all be glad that we have someone out there to be brave for us, and to be our light in the darkness.
Thank you to Malala for sharing your story. Thank you for everything you have done, and for inspiring individuals all around the world. We should all be glad that we have someone out there to be brave for us, and to be our light in the darkness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Gore, and Sexism
Minor: Animal death, Blood, and Grief
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
dark
tense
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
When I grabbed this book off my shelf I was super excited to read it and thought for sure that it was going to be a great quick and easy five star read but unfortunately I was quickly disappointed. I tried to give the benefit of the doubt through the slow beginning but it never really got any better.
This book was decent but there seemed to be many points were it could have ended but it continued to drag on. Towards the end I was rushing through it just to get it over and done with and often found that I had zoned out in more boring parts.
The scenes were described very well and the storyline itself was very interesting and intriguing but theres no further depth in either the plot or characters, it just seems to be the same page on repeat throughout the whole book with different words.
This book was decent but there seemed to be many points were it could have ended but it continued to drag on. Towards the end I was rushing through it just to get it over and done with and often found that I had zoned out in more boring parts.
The scenes were described very well and the storyline itself was very interesting and intriguing but theres no further depth in either the plot or characters, it just seems to be the same page on repeat throughout the whole book with different words.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
sad
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
2.75
I enjoyed the writing style and the language used was easy to follow and understand. However not much really happens in this book, it seems to be going somewhere but then it just doesn't. I found myself quickly skimming through some of the pages rather than reading.
Nothing about this book was really intriguing or interesting, it was quite boring and readers don't really get anything more; theres no further connections to the characters other than their introductions.
I don't necessarily think it is a bad book, just kind of in the middle.
Nothing about this book was really intriguing or interesting, it was quite boring and readers don't really get anything more; theres no further connections to the characters other than their introductions.
I don't necessarily think it is a bad book, just kind of in the middle.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Car accident
The Ballad of the Sad Café and Other Stories by Carson McCullers
hopeful
mysterious
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
3.5
I read through this book fairly quickly, its a good enough book for a one-sitting read. The stories don't really seem to go anywhere and most of them just abruptly end but they are well written.
The stories are on the more realistic side and the writing style gives off the vibe as if a family member or friend is telling a random story one night. There wasn't really anything intense or emotional so it's a good book for a more neutral-feeling read.
The stories are on the more realistic side and the writing style gives off the vibe as if a family member or friend is telling a random story one night. There wasn't really anything intense or emotional so it's a good book for a more neutral-feeling read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Alcohol
The Fifth Agreement: A Practical Guide to Self-Mastery by Don Miguel Ruiz
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
2.75
See My Review On 'The Four Agreements' For More Context.
Again, this book, The Fifth Agreement is great for challenging your own personal ideologies and strengthening your own understanding for what you believe in. It is a great way to reflect and come up with your own philosophy.
However, this book seemed to be very repetitive. Some of the examples and arguments provided were very interesting but there seemed to be little to no depth in any of the chapters.
Overall, if you have read The Four Agreements, this book doesn't seem like a necessary read.
Again, this book, The Fifth Agreement is great for challenging your own personal ideologies and strengthening your own understanding for what you believe in. It is a great way to reflect and come up with your own philosophy.
However, this book seemed to be very repetitive. Some of the examples and arguments provided were very interesting but there seemed to be little to no depth in any of the chapters.
Overall, if you have read The Four Agreements, this book doesn't seem like a necessary read.
The Old Guard, Book One: Opening Fire by Greg Rucka
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Violence
The Old Guard, Book Two: Force Multiplied by Greg Rucka
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Violence
Growing Up For Beginners by Claire Calman
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.25
I absolutely loved this book and couldn't wait to see how it ended, it was not disappointing at all. The way that this book is written is beautiful and super easy to follow.
Each character was expertly put together and it felt like I knew them each personally. The way that everything unfolded was super clever and exciting, I couldn't wait to see what would happen next and the ending was more then satisfying.
I think that the word sonder is the perfect way to describe this book: "the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own". This book serves as a reminder that we should always be ourselves and the small quirks that we all have help make up who we are; don't settle for less, know your worth, and remember that it's never too late.
Each character was expertly put together and it felt like I knew them each personally. The way that everything unfolded was super clever and exciting, I couldn't wait to see what would happen next and the ending was more then satisfying.
I think that the word sonder is the perfect way to describe this book: "the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own". This book serves as a reminder that we should always be ourselves and the small quirks that we all have help make up who we are; don't settle for less, know your worth, and remember that it's never too late.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Death of parent
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A great story for a quick and easy read that has a good message. Serves as a reminder to not give up even when times get tough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Racial slurs and Blood
The Story of a Brief Marriage by Anuk Arudpragasam
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
This book is not very entertaining, but it is more than just words on a page. The author is trying to convey a message between the lines however I am still unclear on what it is supposed to be. I think it is important to be open-minded and to pay attention to truly grasp what the author is saying, but unfortunately due to the over extreme amounts of detail I didn't have the energy to continue trying.
Although this book is beautifully written, sometimes there is just too much. I often found myself rereading pages to understand what was going on and at some parts I was skimming the pages rather than reading them.
Although this book is beautifully written, sometimes there is just too much. I often found myself rereading pages to understand what was going on and at some parts I was skimming the pages rather than reading them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Violence and Blood
Minor: Cursing and Sexual violence