amsswim's reviews
238 reviews

Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson

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adventurous emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.25

I am a big reader of non-fiction in general, but I could see Erik Larson being very accessible to those who don't or find non-fiction more difficult. Similar to his most known book, The Devil in the White City, the information and interaction of the people it follows feels like a narrative and not just a retelling. Vivid and simple to understand, and in my opinion very interesting.

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Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond

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emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.75

Good quick read. Gives great data and actual ways to change your community. 

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The Hundred Years' War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi

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dark emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

I highly recommend this book. Well written nonfiction with a quick but not overwhelming pace. The Israel-Palestine issues may seem exhausting and extensive, but he breaks them down into easy to follow eras. The issue is actually not that difficult to comprehend and vital to understand- Free Palestine. 

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Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke

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adventurous funny mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

I loved this book. Scratches the same itch as Good Omens does for me in some ways. I do attribute it to getting me back into fantasy, I started this last year and got 40% through then my hold went up. Finally was able to finish it now and I'm happy I did.

For lovers of magical fantasy and characters with significant interpersonal relationship issues, this is the books for you. Love the footnotes and constant character pov rotation.

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Ain't I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism by bell hooks

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emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Required reading. Highly recommend to anyone and everyone. Intersectionality should be the standard.

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They Knew by Sarah Kendzior

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challenging dark informative reflective tense fast-paced

3.5

I guess I just wanted more history from this. It was touched on at several points, but it didn't really feel like it all came together for me. The information was good and I like her prose, but overall was not for me.

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Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh

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dark mysterious tense slow-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

4.25

I'm not sure really what to say about this. I enjoyed it. This is the second book by the author Ottessa Moshfegh I have read, the other being 'My Year of Rest and Relaxation', and just as that one this book is just unhinged. I think this one may be more based in reality but still gave me the feeling of unsettlement. If you like weird things this may be for you. 

I am now very interested in watching the movie they made recently based on this starring Anne Hathaway.

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Bring the War Home: The White Power Movement and Paramilitary America by Kathleen Belew

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informative reflective medium-paced

3.75

This book was very informative, while I knew some of the information I still learned a lot. I feel like I have consumed a lot of media about how white supremacy groups manifested pre-Civil Rights and during Civil Rights eras, there is less on 1970s on, could just be what I read however. This book reveals some of why that is.  I wish there was another section dedicated to events mentioned in the epilogue in the 21st century, but the book does wrap up at the end of the 20th century. Little slow and repetitive at times but all around good.

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The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa

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dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I really liked this one, almost 5 stars from me. The world is very interesting, and it leaves me wanting more to understand how it all works. That is not the point though; the author leans into the human reaction to the circumstances and it is devastating. Would recommend to dystopian fans and emotional people looking to get into their feelings.

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The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

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adventurous emotional informative reflective 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

5.0

I think this is going in not only 5 star category, but favorites and best books I've read categories. Not only was the story good, but the writing kept me engaged and seeking more the whole time. This author had such beautiful and realistic ways of making these characters come to life, as well as tie in real world implications and reflections. 

You follow 4 daughters, their Mother, and Baptist Pastor Father deep into the Congo on their Fathers' mission to convert the people living there to Western Christianity. While the family goes through culture shock regarding that and their new realities, the country is self is trying to shed itself of Belgian colonialism. Despite it taking place in the 1960s, the story and the real world events occuring now still echo the exact same. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a more modern classic. 

My favorite quote: "I found ... I had now wings ... I had lost my wings. Don't ask me how I gained them back, the story is too unbearable. I believed too long in false reassurances; believing as we all want to, when men speak of the national interests that it is also ours. In the end, my lot was cast with The Congo. Poor Congo; barefoot bride of men who took her jewels and promised the kingdom"

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