johnbat's reviews
86 reviews

The Pearl by John Steinbeck

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

A Midsummer Night's Dream (No Fear Shakespeare) by SparkNotes, SparkNotes by SparkNotes

adventurous funny informative lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

4.75

The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power by Shoshana Zuboff

challenging informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

Hamlet (No Fear Shakespeare Graphic Novels), Volume 1 by SparkNotes

medium-paced

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

4.75

Foundation by Isaac Asimov

medium-paced

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

3.5

would have rated higher, but i didn’t like the audiobook narrator

Galatea by Madeline Miller

emotional mysterious fast-paced

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

3.75

A Few Good Men by Aaron Sorkin

challenging emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

4.0

A fast paced, thought-provoking exploration of military ethics and the consequences of normally dubious decisions that is easily digestible for someone who is not knowledgeable or familiar with military culture and codes

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee

dark emotional sad fast-paced

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

4.0

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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? Yes

3.75

On a personal note, I found the narrative voice incredibly grating. SO. so. annoying.

It think the choice was intentional and served function in the tone and plot elements of the story.

It was alright, but I think overhyped as an American classic