Review: Circe

Circe by Madeline Miller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Review to come!

So I didn't actually remember to review this book. It's been almost a year since I've read it, but some of it stuck with me more than I expected it to. It also reminded me a bit of Lavinia, which I read later in the year. I think I will pass it on to my mom. I think she might like it too.

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Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is my husband's favorite in the series, but not mine. I did love this reread though. Because it's not my favorite in the series, I haven't reread it as many times as the others, which made this reread more enjoyable. It really annoys me how Harry is shouting at everyone all the time, but I could kind of understand why this time. I also loved the parts with the DA and how Ginny came out of her shell in this one. It will probably be another half-year before I continue my re-read of the series, but I'd like to try to finish the entire series in 2020.

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Review: Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of Imagination

Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of Imagination by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Honestly, I just read this so that I could meet my goodreads reading goal for the year. I hardly think it counts. It's incredibly short and has a bunch of illustrations. I'm counting it though! It was a great graduation speech and Rowling was both relatable and full of good advice. It was a good quick way to meet my goal! \


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Review: Hey, Kiddo

Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was really good. I liked the main character and I could definitely relate to him. I appreciated that although he loved his grandparents (who were his parents), he didn't romanticize life with them. He clearly appreciated their love and support, but also recognized their flaws. He also successfully demonstrated his recognition that his mother loved him despite her struggle with drugs as well as his anger at her for her choices. I didn't love the art style, but it wasn't bad either. I guess I don't have strong feelings about it. I really appreciated the story and connected with the characters. It was a good one to read at the end of the year to try to meet my goodreads goal! Plus I had to anyway for the YSU English festival. :)

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Review: Educated

Educated by Tara Westover
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really liked this! I have to write a paper about it, so I'll be back with more thoughts once I've written it.

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Review: The House of the Spirits

The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a well-written and sprawling family saga. It was interesting, but I really disliked the patriarch, Estaban. I guess I'm probably supposed to dislike him, although it did show how multi-faceted he was. I'd like to see the movie and I enjoyed Allende's writing well enough to read more by her in the future.

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Review: Junie B. Jones Has a Monster Under Her Bed

Junie B. Jones Has a Monster Under Her Bed by Barbara Park
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this aloud with my sons and we all laughed very hard at this one. It was hilarious! This was definitely one of the funnier ones and enjoyable both for my little guys and for me.

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