Kiwiria's April Adventures
Apr. 30th, 2024 09:12 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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christianreaderI still have another 300 pages left of my current book, so am unlikely to finish any more books this month. I have done a LOT of rereading in April!
Wavewalker - Suzanne Heywood, 4/5, Audiobook ~13hrs
Captivating read. I know Suzanne only presents one point of view of what happened, and I'd love to read her parents' take on things, because as presented here (and with a whole lot of armchair diagnosing) her parents come across as having borderline narcissistic tendencies. I am impressed by Suzanne's self-discipline, and her determination to study and get an education despite all the obstacles her parents threw in her way.
On the Island - Tracey Garvis Graves*, 4.5/5, 328 pages
It's been a long time since I dove into a book and got so thoroughly hooked that I finished it in a day! But though I can see its flaws, this book just worked for me, and I couldn't put it down.
The writing style took a bit of getting used to. It seemed almost diary-like in style, and occasionally glossed over things, without going into depth with them. But to be fair, that was necessary for this kind of book! The plot took place over the course of 4-5 YEARS, and it would have been way, way too long (not to mention tedious) to be detailed about everything. Some parts were somewhat unbelievable, but they worked within the scope of the book, so I'll allow it ;)
The relationship really worked for me. I know some people will have reservations about the age difference going into the book, but trust me - it works. It's tastefully done, and faced head on.
I tend to love Robinson Crusoe-type stories, and this was no exception. That it also had shades of two of my other favourite books (a Danish one, and one that is still unpublished) only improved my reading experience.
A Dip in the Ocean - Sarah Outen*, 5/5, 310 pages
Absolutely fascinating memoir! Very well written, and so interesting! Parts had me crying and parts had me cheering. I seriously cannot even imagine setting out on such a huge adventure / challenge alone though! I'd be completely terrified. But I love living vicariously through others, and this book was right up there with "Changing Gears: A Family Odyssey to the End of the World" by Nancy Sathre-Vogel in how much it captivated me.
Highly recommendable for people who like to be adventurous through others.
Witches In Flight - Debora Geary*, 4.5/5, Audiobook ~8hrs
A Modern Witch - Debora Geary*, 5/5, Audiobook ~10hrs
A Reckless Witch - Debora Geary* 5/5, Audiobook ~10hrs
I was in the mood for a reread. These remain some of my all-time favourite books :-)
The Children of Captain Grant - Jules Verne*, 3/5, 200 pages (abridged)
I grew up with this abridged version, and actually enjoy it a lot more than the unabridged version. Sure, Jules Verne took a lot of liberties with both the geography and the history of the places he wrote about (not to mention that his descriptions of both the Aboriginal and the Maori people were more than just a little bit racist), but he was a product of his times and wrote accordingly.
Coraline - Neil Gaiman, 3/5, 189 pages
I think this one falls into the "and now I've read that" category. It wasn't bad, it was just meh, and as such I have no desire to read it again.
Guess I'm just not that into Neil Gaiman. He's a lot more miss than hit for me - though his books come highly recommended, so I keep trying.
Grace Notes - Philip Yancey*, 3.5/5, 380 pages
As always with such devotionals, some were good, and some were just meh. I did appreciate that these "essays" were taken from his books rather than written specifically for the devotional, as I think that meant the general quality was higher.
Books Read: 37
Wavewalker - Suzanne Heywood, 4/5, Audiobook ~13hrs
Captivating read. I know Suzanne only presents one point of view of what happened, and I'd love to read her parents' take on things, because as presented here (and with a whole lot of armchair diagnosing) her parents come across as having borderline narcissistic tendencies. I am impressed by Suzanne's self-discipline, and her determination to study and get an education despite all the obstacles her parents threw in her way.
On the Island - Tracey Garvis Graves*, 4.5/5, 328 pages
It's been a long time since I dove into a book and got so thoroughly hooked that I finished it in a day! But though I can see its flaws, this book just worked for me, and I couldn't put it down.
The writing style took a bit of getting used to. It seemed almost diary-like in style, and occasionally glossed over things, without going into depth with them. But to be fair, that was necessary for this kind of book! The plot took place over the course of 4-5 YEARS, and it would have been way, way too long (not to mention tedious) to be detailed about everything. Some parts were somewhat unbelievable, but they worked within the scope of the book, so I'll allow it ;)
The relationship really worked for me. I know some people will have reservations about the age difference going into the book, but trust me - it works. It's tastefully done, and faced head on.
I tend to love Robinson Crusoe-type stories, and this was no exception. That it also had shades of two of my other favourite books (a Danish one, and one that is still unpublished) only improved my reading experience.
A Dip in the Ocean - Sarah Outen*, 5/5, 310 pages
Absolutely fascinating memoir! Very well written, and so interesting! Parts had me crying and parts had me cheering. I seriously cannot even imagine setting out on such a huge adventure / challenge alone though! I'd be completely terrified. But I love living vicariously through others, and this book was right up there with "Changing Gears: A Family Odyssey to the End of the World" by Nancy Sathre-Vogel in how much it captivated me.
Highly recommendable for people who like to be adventurous through others.
Witches In Flight - Debora Geary*, 4.5/5, Audiobook ~8hrs
A Modern Witch - Debora Geary*, 5/5, Audiobook ~10hrs
A Reckless Witch - Debora Geary* 5/5, Audiobook ~10hrs
I was in the mood for a reread. These remain some of my all-time favourite books :-)
The Children of Captain Grant - Jules Verne*, 3/5, 200 pages (abridged)
I grew up with this abridged version, and actually enjoy it a lot more than the unabridged version. Sure, Jules Verne took a lot of liberties with both the geography and the history of the places he wrote about (not to mention that his descriptions of both the Aboriginal and the Maori people were more than just a little bit racist), but he was a product of his times and wrote accordingly.
Coraline - Neil Gaiman, 3/5, 189 pages
I think this one falls into the "and now I've read that" category. It wasn't bad, it was just meh, and as such I have no desire to read it again.
Guess I'm just not that into Neil Gaiman. He's a lot more miss than hit for me - though his books come highly recommended, so I keep trying.
Grace Notes - Philip Yancey*, 3.5/5, 380 pages
As always with such devotionals, some were good, and some were just meh. I did appreciate that these "essays" were taken from his books rather than written specifically for the devotional, as I think that meant the general quality was higher.
Books Read: 37
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Date: 2024-04-30 06:40 pm (UTC)