Three Star review, originally posted here on May 13, 2016. Continuing my couple-decade-late attempt to catch up with this whole Harry Potter phenomenon… Okay, I have to admit that Rowling is starting to lose me at this point. My favorite thing about the first two books was being introduced to the magical world of magic. … More Goodreads Review: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

Four Star review, originally posted here on April 15, 2016. This book had a couple issues. I realized, though, that most of that was just because it’s a YA novel, so I guess if I had read this as a 14 year old none of it would have bugged me. I could have done without … More Goodreads Review: Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Five Star review, originally posted here on April 6, 2016.   I am still surprised that I not only bothered reading this book, but liked it, and liked it enough to give it 5 stars. I used to visit battlefields with my family when I was a kid, and I learned about the Civil War, … More Goodreads Review: The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara

Four Star review, originally posted here on March 19, 2016. This is actually a 4.5 star review. Somehow I made it through high school and on to my 30’s without having read 1984, so I realize that I’m even later to this party than I am to the Harry Potter party. Still, better late than … More Goodreads Review: 1984 by George Orwell

Four Star Review, originally posted here on February 23, 2016. First, a quick disclaimer: I did not actually finish the book, but I’m putting it down for now. I was nervous going into this one. Confession time: I have never read a book in Latvian before, except as a kid in Latvian school. Every now … More Goodreads Review: Meza Meitas by Sanita Reinsone

Three Star review, originally posted here on December 5, 2015. Well, it was sure to happen at some time or another… a point wherein it comes time to review a book that was recommended to me by a dear friend who can see my Goodreads reviews, and when I (sigh, sorry, you know who you … More Goodreads Review: Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore

Four Star review, originally posted here on November 3, 2015. This book took me forever to finish. It’s dense, repetitive, long, and dry. I wound up basically reading one or two chapters every month or so every time I finished some other book. If you’re looking for a can’t-put-it-down page-turner, or for flowing prose, this … More Goodreads Review: A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn