beth_simmons's reviews
24 reviews

The Summer Cottage by Viola Shipman

hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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? No

3.5

Two Tribes by Emily Bowen Cohen

lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

Minimalism for Families: Practical Minimalist Living Strategies to Simplify Your Home and Life by Zoë Kim

informative reflective fast-paced

4.0

A good introduction to minimalism for those just starting out, and a quick refresher for those who've been doing it for a while. Nothing new or innovative, but simple and easy to follow. 

A Quiet Life: A Novel by Ethan Joella

emotional hopeful reflective 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? No

4.0

Your Seven-Year-Old: Life in a Minor Key by Carol Chase Haber, Louise Bates Ames

informative reflective fast-paced

3.5

While this was written in 1985 and therefore has some outdated language and ideas especially around gender, I found the casual, relaxed, and matter-of-fact manner refreshing in a world of constant diagnoses. These doctors are reassuring about typical behavior for seven year olds, and even parental concerns about atypical behavior, which garnered many suggestions, pretty much none of which included "see your doctor for a diagnosis." Still relevant despite it's age and shortcomings. I wish someone would come out with an updated version!

smART: Adapted from the New York Times bestseller Visual Intelligence by Heather Maclean, Amy E. Herman

challenging informative inspiring fast-paced

4.25

I haven't read the original (adult) version of this book, but I found this to be a great instruction on seeing things in a different way, and sharpening my observation skills. I'm going to pass it in to my 9 year old to read.

The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown

emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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? It's complicated

4.25

The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times by Michelle Obama

hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

Tapestry of Fortunes by Elizabeth Berg

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

Quick, light read centering on a story of four women's friendship and the questions they each face. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death

American Vikings: How the Norse Sailed into the Lands and Imaginations of America by Martyn Whittock

adventurous informative slow-paced

3.25

I learned some things about Vikings and their history in North America, as well as their current influence on US culture, and it was a fairly easy read, but I honestly found it difficult to stay engaged and it felt a little bit like academia geared toward the masses.