kizzia's reviews
1163 reviews

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

I don't know how to describe this book other than magical. The writing is beautiful but it is the subject matter, the sharing of the reality of a creature that the rest of us see through the lens of folktales, myths and cameras rather than in person, is intensely moving. This is not a book I can describe but rather one you need to read for yourself to take in the depth of information and the intimacy with these wonderful animals.

I listened to the audible version, narrated fantastically by Louise Brealey, which also contains a bonus interview of Chloe by Louise that is nearly as fascinating as the book itself.

Some of Our Parts Why We Are More Than the Labels We Live by Laura Kennedy

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective slow-paced

4.5

Accessible, thought provoking, deeply informative and full of questions rather than answers as all the best philosophy books are.

Summerwater by Sarah Moss

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I never know how to describe Sarah Moss’s books other than enveloping, deep and almost obsessively good. This one is a masterclass in how carefully deployed characterisation can tell a story more effectively than a linear storyline plus how what you don't include can have more impact than what you do.

The story held my soul captive in the best way as I galloped breathlessly through the pages and left me changed, shaken to the core, more understanding, and less certain.

On Looking: Eleven Walks with Expert Eyes by Alexandra Horowitz

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challenging informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.25

Excellent to dip in and out of, each essay offers a new perspective and a plethora of fascinating facts.

Lords and Ladies by Terry Pratchett

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful tense fast-paced