elisweets's reviews
60 reviews

Hooked on Amigurumi: 40 Fun Patterns for Playful Crochet Plushes by Melanie Morita

funny lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

The patterns collected in this book as super cute and easy to follow along with. There really is very very limited sewing which is so nice!!!! I love the little names and characters she created, and I find the collection of stitch definitions, crochet basics, and materials at the end to be super helpful. The only negative is she mentions Ross and Rachel being like Peanut Buttwr and Jelly and I DETEST the Ross and Rachel pairing haha. All jokes aside great patterns for all levels of crocheters!!

Love Water Memory by Jennie Shortridge

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

1.75

It was a cute story. A quick and easy read. I do just find many premises in this novel a tad too unrealistic in an attempt at a realistic story. I did find the characters to be likeable, especially as the MC's grew, I looved Grady's family. I wish they featured in the book a bit more.

My biggest issue in the book is that the author refers to these characters as Indian... a lot... she even talks about spirit guides and just ....IDK. It definitely didn't seem like it was the worst representation a white woman has made, but it did make me feel weird. Especially when I read the questions in the back and she mentions her stepgrandfather who was half Cherokee...

It just rubs me the wrong way. Another woman using their perceived proximity to a culture.
Not my favorite.

If You Give a Bear a Bong by Sam Miserendino

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

Cute book and art. I like the feel of the pages 😂

Content Warnings

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt

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challenging informative reflective slow-paced

2.75

I am not someone who reads a lot of non-fiction books. I picked this up judging it's cover and title, and didn't even notice it was non fiction so I really struggled getting through this book. It took me so many months. I found a lot of it to just be boring (specifically part 1), despite it being written well.

That being said, I'm glad I sat through it. The case itself was very interesting and I found all the little details and things enjoyable. I definitely won't be reading it again, but how everything ends is just a bit crazy.

Modern Guide to Energy Clearing by Barbara Moore

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.

I just kept getting bored and in a BPD episode I tore the book up xD oh well.

The Nightmarys by Dan Poblocki

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adventurous dark lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

3.5

I thought this was a smooth and interesting read. I'm excited to have my niece read it. There are a couple parts that I feel just aren't needed at all. I don't feel they add much to the overall story, but I do see what the author was trying to accomplish.

Spoiler

Specifically the small interludes of the story. The lawyer, and the librarian, and the original girl's sister being affected does make sense, but I found those pages to just not add much. Even with the ending tying it all together. It just wasn't my favorite part.

Overall, the book was a fun read. It's really imaginative and has some really cool scenes that I enjoyed.

Spoiler

The dragon being one of them. It was very creative.

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

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mysterious sad slow-paced

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

2.0

I think the concept of the story is very interesting, but I think it could've been written without the large amount of weird grooming moments that exist. He could've been a genuine mentor, but I find it strange that the author had to include that Clare knew she'd marry him and only him a long time. It doesn't give sad romanticism to me. It gives a sad creepy overtone to the whole story for me. I also found the ending disappointing.

Saving Meghan by D. J. Palmer

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mysterious sad tense medium-paced