cassandrahpenny's reviews
155 reviews

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

The only book I shall rate with a 0.25 margin - loved it, but was so sad to find out there's so little Cindy Lou Who content?! Otherwise, a banging read.

Richard III by William Shakespeare

adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-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

I absolutely LOVE this theatrical audiobook. I love Richard III it is SO incredibly underrated as a Shakespeare play. I encourage everyone to give it a listen once they've had a look over what everything actually means - I think a large part of my enjoyment comes from having engaged with it for two years at Sixth Form.

The Ice Palace by Tarjei Vesaas

challenging dark emotional sad slow-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? It's complicated

3.5

I think I had the wrong expectations for this book? It was less mysterious and whimsical than I thought, and more of a sad, realistic story of child grief. The writing was simple and beautiful, and the passages describing the scenery were sublime. I think the rating somewhat reflects my disappointment in expectation, and some of it just because it was little plot and mostly vibes, which I'm not always in the mood for.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Unknown

adventurous mysterious reflective fast-paced

4.5

Loved revisiting this as an audiobook, having studied it at school! This was absolutely meant to be listened to, such beautiful imagery, and (if we ignore the medieval sexist passage at the end), I loved every moment! 

Is This Autism?: A Guide for Clinicians and Everyone Else by Donna A. Henderson, Sarah C. Wayland, Jamell White

challenging emotional informative reflective slow-paced

3.5

Definitely going to refer back to this for information - it was a balance between clinical and anedoctal which I enjoyed, but it's definitely a book to read sections of as when you need it, rather than as a whole.

The Chimes: A Goblin Story of Some Bells That Rang an Old Year Out and a New Year in by Charles Dickens

reflective 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

2.0

Might have zoned out, might have just found it uninteresting. Just disappointed, wanted more Christmas Carol vibes and they were not received!

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

I feel like I have very mixed opinions about this book. I loved the concept, the writing style, and the dual narration for the audiobook. I didn't think the minor relationship was SUPER problematic, although I do understand where other reviews are coming from. What bothered me is that Claire felt completely one-dimensional and had the feel of being written by a man, even though she wasn't.  She was this perfect ethereal creature her whole life who was good, accepted Henry and all his flaws, and all she wanted was to be a mother. Henry was more rounded, but just problematic, and not portrayed as such. I believed the romance though, but there were points where I was sure sexual assault are occurred, but it wasn't described as such. I feel bad giving it 4 stars considering I found it super problematic at times, but I did really feel engaged almost the whole time, which is impressive for a 17 hour listen!

The Christmas Wish by Lindsey Kelk

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.5

Absolutely loved it!! Expected a cheesy Netflix Christmas movie vibe, and it delivered that, and more! Can't wait to re-read next Christmas 🎄

Violent Phenomena: 21 Essays on Translation by Jeremy Tiang, Kavita Bhanot

challenging informative reflective slow-paced

4.5

As a white European translator, I felt really challenged and educated by these essays! I learnt so much about the different forms translation can take, the paths different translators have to translation, the importance for intersectionality specifically within translation, and gained an appreciation for languages and cultures outside my own sphere. I'd recommend this to any student or academic of literature/languages, or anyone looking to learn about the Eurocentrism of translation and/or how translation functions across cultures.

The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende

emotional informative sad slow-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

3.0

I struggled getting into the book, but as the different character stories began to intertwine, I felt the beautiful Isabelle Allende heart in the novel, that I love so. I thought the exploration of child deportation and separation from family very touching. I just was not a huge fan of the first 1/3, I struggled to get into it.