emthewordenthusiast's reviews
489 reviews

Meant to Be by Emily Giffin

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emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

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

3.75

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

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challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

“To all families who, despite their scars, still find a way to love.” No family is perfect. My family isn’t perfect. And yet I would live and die for any one of them in a heartbeat. And it is in that spirit that Jeannette Walls shares her story.

If you’re like me, The Glass Castle is a memoir that will completely engross and enthrall you. (I read it in two days and very long nights) Jeannette Walls grew up in a deeply dysfunctional and yet equally spirited and loyal family. Her Father struggled with alcoholism and poverty all his life but he was also the Father who gave his children stars for Christmas instead of gifts, instilled in them a deep sense of loyalty and taught them to live with a fearless abandon.

This book reads even better than fiction. Jeannette is a gifted storyteller who writes candidly and humorously about her painful past. Her story was such a prime example to me of the human condition outside of Christ, the struggles people endure and the complexity of family relationships.
There’s something refreshing about reading the honest account of someone’s family who still loves and values their family despite the mistakes they’ve made and how much they’ve hurt each other. So many of these kinds of books end in broken relationships or betrayal. But not this one- which is what makes it so powerful.

I would highly recommend the Glass Castle. After finishing it, my husband and I also watched the movie adaptation and it left me in tears as well.

A Dog's Journey by W. Bruce Cameron

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emotional inspiring sad 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

4.25

All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot

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adventurous funny lighthearted slow-paced

3.0

“If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.”

It took me a while to get through this book (try 1.5 years lol) but that’s only due to the nature of it- kind of like the old tv shows where every episode had its own storyline and conclusion, each chapter focuses on a specific narrative which made it very easy to put down and forget about.

James Herriot is a great storyteller and his reflections about vet life in the English Countryside are both humorous and heartfelt… his words shed light on a time where life was both simpler and more complex… a time where people were tougher, grittier, more honest and in touch with reality. His stories made me wish I could spend a day chasing after sheep and cows with him in the rolling green hills of Yorkshire!

All creatures Great and Small is a truly delightful read- especially if you’re an animal lover like me.

The Discipline of Grace: God's Role and Our Role in the Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring slow-paced

3.75

Room of Marvels by James Bryan Smith, Dallas Willard

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dark emotional hopeful lighthearted sad slow-paced