acherry913's reviews
340 reviews

The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder by David Grann

4.0

You know, Grann never disappoints but this one just didn't do it for me as much as the rest. Once the book picked up and the shipwreck, mutiny, and murders started happening, it was enthralling and flabbergasting and everything I ever expected. But BEFORE we get to these critical events, the book drags through almost tangential discussion of so much sea talk... I could do without. 

Perfect for zipping through and cringing at every bad medical decision made along their forlorn path

Teach Yourself How to Learn: Strategies You Can Use to Ace Any Course at Any Level by Saundra Yancy McGuire

3.0

Okay I guess. I was excited for a book that would revolutionize my way of thinking and study skills, but I don't think I gained that much insight into the world of metacognition. I think this would be great for an incoming college student learning how to learn complex concepts for the first time, but at this stage if I didn't know how to learn... thoughts and prayers.

Perfect for a quick... read trying desperately to bolster your academic prowess before interviews pick up 

Heartbeat by Sharon Creech

3.75

A sweet read that thoughtfully conceptualizes major changes of life and death for kiddos who enjoy apples

Perfect for a quick read with the best peppered annotation surprises 

Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

4.5

Here we go again, I kinda wanna be more than a closeted gay but if that closet is a mistress ridden room in a bustling French city -- I guess I could go back in then

Perfect to read in preparation for the most ephemeral and colorful lesbian wedding you will ever attend

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?: 50th Anniversary Edition by Bill Martin

5.0

Gorgeously illustrated and intelligently written board book that brings together all of my favorite things - Colors, Animals, War Torn Heroes 

Perfect to consume moments before your lips touch the most perfect fall flavors cappuccino known to the Latter Day God

Belly Button Book! by Sandra Boynton

4.5

Exactly what it purports to be plus cute hippos. Very ahead of its time but feel like the end could be stronger

Perfect to board book through at a bright and airy Utah coffee shop while playing with the wooden baby barista set

The First Vision: The Prophet Joseph Smith's Own Account by Joseph Smith Jr.

2.0

Way too many words for what this book should have been But did gorgeously correct my impression that Joe was presented with those golden tabbies first

Perfect to re-educate yourself and your sister in the limited Mormon open stacks

Finding Temple Symbols: Learn of Me by Cami Evans

3.0

You know... it did help me finally find those flowers and windows

Perfect to conclude a tour of Mormon artifacts lead by a converted (Mormon baddie married) Methodist

The White Darkness by David Grann

4.5

I have never wanted to traverse the Antarctic more. Spare really did a number on me, but here I learned that you don't have to let your tucker get frost bite; you only have to be willing to succumb to bacterial peritonitis. In actuality, I garnered so much from tales of teamwork to self-insight with bits of goofy adventure facts sprinkled throughout. 

Perfect for picking up as the first fall chill graces Louisiana and you begin to chatter about 88 degree weather

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

4.25

Foley does something to my brain chemistry that perplexes even my best problem solving neurons. Maybe it's the little British accent peppered into all of her dialogue or perhaps she is a genius writer who knows how to plan and string along an enrapturing story. 

Perfect to drop your jaw to over and over again even After thinking you had uncovered it all