andersonh92's reviews
475 reviews

Don't Say "Everything Happens for a Reason": What Patients and Caregivers Want Friends to Know about Helping Them Through the Horrors of Cancer by Keith T. Hardeman

challenging emotional informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

Although the lens of this communication book is through one of dealing and coping with cancer, the 9 lessons within the book really are just good communication strategies. 

Start with empathy; don't try to fix the problem; listen to understand and with presentness; don't respond with cliches, correcting, or toxic positivity. All are just basic, human interactions that help you be a better person. 

I found myself remembering how others responded with toxic positivity in my time of grief, and vigorously nodding my head while reading. Everyone needs these reminders. Everyone. Especially if you or a loved one are touched by the effects of cancer.

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-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

5.0

A really beautiful story of love, friendship, mental health, and growing comfortable in your own skin. 

Eleanor is so wise. Eventually!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse

Oil and Water by Steve Duin, Shannon Wheeler

challenging reflective sad fast-paced

3.0

Loved the graphics, but the story was a little disjointed. It was informative, but it felt a little disconnected, and I had trouble following the story and characters. Overall, heartbreaking climate destruction that is probably still harming us today.

Generation Z Unfiltered: Facing Nine Hidden Challenges of the Most Anxious Population by Tim Elmore, Andrew McPeak

challenging hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

Although it was riddled with conventional mistakes, it was a VERY thought-provoking, informational, and inspiring read!

The Boy Who Followed His Father Into Auschwitz: A True Story Retold for Young Readers by Jeremy Dronfield, Jeremy Dronfield

challenging dark informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

Just beautiful and gut- and heart-wrenching 

Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau

funny lighthearted 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? Yes

5.0

Cute and layered

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

challenging dark mysterious tense 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? N/A

3.0

Quick and dark thriller

Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

challenging mysterious tense 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? Yes

4.0

A thriller with unexpected twists and turns! 

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

adventurous challenging funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

5.0

Wow! What a great storyteller, writer, poet, and person!

I’d give this more than 5 stars if I could!

Lunatic by Dan Mazur

inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

An interesting, wordless graphic novel. I didn’t really understand the end, but it was imaginative and beautiful just the same. I liked the artist describing his process at the end.