gbmillar2002's reviews
34 reviews

Philip Pullman's Grimm Tales by Philip Wilson, Philip Pullman
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.

I found the stories too short and boring. Although they were slight adaptations of grimms myths and legends I found it disengaging and no clear moral of the story. However I did like how Pullman gave the myth and legend fairy tale type and brief explanation at the end of each story 

Thirst for Love by Yukio Mishima

emotional tense fast-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

5.0

I loved how they mirrored the fathers in laws intentions and actions within the main character 

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

adventurous inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

3.25

This book came highly recommended but was very esoteric. I found that some sections we’re ment for direct quotes to make you ponder but other than that it was ok. 

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.5

I really enjoyed this book! Although, in my opinion, this book is not a good as Circe, miller was able to create a tense and heart wrenching ending of achillies death. Although I new vague aspects of the war of Troy. I was particularly stunned and ingrossed in her twist ending, this story beeing told by his dead lovers soul. Moreover I could hear the brokenness of achillies soul and anguish as agemenomn inferred him to get on with it

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, and War

Moderate: Death

Minor: Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Vomit

Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder

adventurous informative slow-paced

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

3.0

This story was based on almnazo, wilders future husband life as a middle class farmer in New York. I’ve given this book 3 stars as the pacing was slightly laborious, with I beleive; too much emphasis placed on the description and process of every farmer product created or needed on the farm. As a result this book took a Tolkien-esque writing method that was beneficial for imformation dissemination but unfortunately dulled the vibrancy of the story.

However as this story  is geared towards children, is encourgaes children to understand the privilege and convience based world we currently live in. Furthermore it forces children to understand and comprehend the values and requirements to be a middle class farmer during the pioneer/Coloniser times. 

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

adventurous medium-paced

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

3.25

Better than the first book. And it is interesting to see how colonialist saw native Americans during there expansion out west. However you can tell this book was written in a less socially aware era, and I would have appreciated that

the history of colonialism was spoken of more candidly, and clarified the plight of native Americans during that time. As ingalls wilder added modern context of clarifition of what a specific disease was (malaria) but she did not do the same for the trail of tears and forced resettlement of native Americans/indigenous people across turtle island

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

A lighthearted read. Interesting to read specific pioneer farming processes in an easy and comprehensive format! 

In Beauty May I Walk... : Words of Wisdom by Native Americans by Helen Exley

inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

This book of short poems and stories emphasizes them importance of being present within nature, creation and ourselves. The passages glance over a number of topics from love and war to nature and creation; establishing both simple yet profound life rules for those who are disconnected from Mother Earth 

Animal Farm by George Orwell

challenging dark reflective fast-paced

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

3.75

Orwell has written a beautifully fast paced book on how absolute power corrupts, even those with the most well meaning of intentions.

My absolute favourite part is when at the end of the book, the pigs began to stand up on hind legs; carrying a whip!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death

Minor: Gun violence

Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab

informative reflective fast-paced

3.75

Good introductory overview of boundaries, with informative questionnaires and exercises to help you determine attachment ot boundary type. I did enjoy how the author often reminded the reader the importance of boundaries and how discomfort needs to be expected to grow healthy boundaries. 

Definitely a book you can repeatedly flick through as and when you need to brush up on boundary knowledge.

I did dislike the layout; it felt too free-flowing and I would prefer that more clear cheaper markers would be better.