SusanJ_124
Vancouver Public Library
SusanJ_124's Completed Shelf
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SusanJ_124's rating:
Added Jul 21, 2019
SusanJ_124's rating:
Added Jul 21, 2019
Comment:
It was interesting to read this book post legalization of marijuana. That said, this is a solid read and I enjoyed the book. I appreciated the 'coming of age' storyline, especially as the focus was a woman close to retirement. I enjoyed the humour woven through the story and the cast of characters, both in Jess's 'regular life' and among the friends that she made while learning to be a grower. Overall, a fun read that also made me think.It was interesting to read this book post legalization of marijuana. That said, this is a solid read and I enjoyed the book. I appreciated the 'coming of age' storyline, especially as the focus was a woman close to retirement. I enjoyed the humour…
Mrs. Pollifax and the Golden TriangleMrs. Pollifax and the Golden Triangle, Book
by Gilman, DorothyBook - 1988Book, 1988
SusanJ_124's rating:
Added Jul 21, 2019
Comment:
I enjoyed this episode of the series. But, I did miss some of the humour from the previous books, and this time around there was no discussions of Mrs. Pollifax's hats... That said, it was solid read and I will read the next in the series.
SusanJ_124's rating:
Added Jul 21, 2019
Comment:
I did not particularly enjoy this book. I never warmed up to either protagonist. Also, I figured out really early on who dunnit, which killed what little suspense there might have been. Finally, I found that the author added some fairly gratuitous scenes and plot lines that seemed designed almost entirely to discredit women who have been victims of abusive relationships and/or to blame women for men's bad behaviour. The world could do without any more of that.I did not particularly enjoy this book. I never warmed up to either protagonist. Also, I figured out really early on who dunnit, which killed what little suspense there might have been. Finally, I found that the author added some fairly gratuitous…
ShrewedShrewed, BookA Wry and Closely Observed Look at the Lives of Women and Girls : Essays
by Renzetti, ElizabethBook - 2018Book, 2018
SusanJ_124's rating:
Added Jul 21, 2019
Comment:
This is a solid read covering a wide range of facets of feminism and the feminist movement. Given some of the events happening in the world, especially by the government of our neighbours to the south, at the time the book was published (and the time I read it), the book is unfortunately still pertinent and important for the times...This is a solid read covering a wide range of facets of feminism and the feminist movement. Given some of the events happening in the world, especially by the government of our neighbours to the south, at the time the book was published (and the…
SusanJ_124's rating:
Added Jul 21, 2019
Comment:
I enjoyed this book. The plot moves along at a good pace and has a nice mix of humour and suspense. I like the main character Crang, and his girlfriend Annie.
I will read the next book in this series.
SusanJ_124's rating:
Added Jun 02, 2019
Comment:
An intriguing, but still light read. I will look up the next one in the series to see how it goes.
Sammy Keyes and the Hotel ThiefSammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief, Book
by Van Draanen, WendelinBook - 1998Book, 1998
SusanJ_124's rating:
Added Jun 01, 2019
Comment:
Meh. The story felt really contrived - Oh no! not another coincidental happening that is meant to add suspense but really just got tiresome! Also, I just never really warmed up to the protagonist Sammy Keyes.
The book was just OK, and I have no interest in reading others in the series.Meh. The story felt really contrived - Oh no! not another coincidental happening that is meant to add suspense but really just got tiresome! Also, I just never really warmed up to the protagonist Sammy Keyes.
The book was just OK, and I have no…
SusanJ_124's rating:
Added Jun 01, 2019
Comment:
I remember reading and re-reading these books as a child, and thinking that they were hilarious. I still see what the child me saw in this book. But, I guess age matters. Now, I kept thinking that the book reads so much like a budding sociopath and his co-dependent friend torturing their classmates just because they do not always get their own ways. UGH!
While I will read other Korman books (e.g. I started the Masterminds series, which came out long after I became an adult), I will leave the McDonald Hall series in my past and keep my happy memories of them as intact as possible after this re-read of book #1.I remember reading and re-reading these books as a child, and thinking that they were hilarious. I still see what the child me saw in this book. But, I guess age matters. Now, I kept thinking that the book reads so much like a budding sociopath and…
SusanJ_124's rating:
Added Jun 01, 2019
Comment:
This is an important topic, and an interesting way to frame it. However, as someone who is not a scholar of Greco-Roman history and mythology, nor any interest to learn much more than I was forced to learn in high school, I found it irritating to have to continuously google the references. Still, overall Beard did a solid job of reconfiguring these two talks into a good book.This is an important topic, and an interesting way to frame it. However, as someone who is not a scholar of Greco-Roman history and mythology, nor any interest to learn much more than I was forced to learn in high school, I found it irritating to…
SusanJ_124's rating:
Added Jun 01, 2019
Comment:
This is a collection of engaging and somewhat compelling stories. I appreciated the complexity of the characters and the situations they were dealing with, and that there were few/no pat conclusions to the stories. I will look up other work by this author.This is a collection of engaging and somewhat compelling stories. I appreciated the complexity of the characters and the situations they were dealing with, and that there were few/no pat conclusions to the stories. I will look up other work by this…
The Elegance of the HedgehogThe Elegance of the Hedgehog, Book
by Barbery, MurielBook - 2008Book, 2008
SusanJ_124's rating:
Added Jun 01, 2019
Comment:
Pretentious drivel. Worse, pretentious drivel where the author creates situations where not one but two protagonists get to complain endlessly, repetitively, mind-numbingly-boringly about everything and everyone around them. I regret finishing this book (though admit to skimming large chunks) as this is time in my life I can never get back. I will never read anything by this author again.Pretentious drivel. Worse, pretentious drivel where the author creates situations where not one but two protagonists get to complain endlessly, repetitively, mind-numbingly-boringly about everything and everyone around them. I regret finishing this…
Mrs. Jeffries Takes StockMrs. Jeffries Takes Stock, eBook
by Brightwell, EmilyeBook - 1994eBook, 1994
SusanJ_124's rating:
Added Jun 01, 2019
Comment:
I enjoy this series, and overall enjoyed this book. For me, there was a bit too much sitting around talking - rehashing of events, discussions of food and the new household management scheme, arguing and reassuring each other about their progress or lack thereof. However, I did find the book an easy read and will look up the next in the series.I enjoy this series, and overall enjoyed this book. For me, there was a bit too much sitting around talking - rehashing of events, discussions of food and the new household management scheme, arguing and reassuring each other about their progress or…
SusanJ_124's rating:
Added May 18, 2019
Comment:
A solid read. I enjoyed the meandering philosophical ideas running through the book.
SusanJ_124's rating:
Added May 10, 2019
Comment:
I enjoyed this book. It started out a little slowly but did pick up as it went along. I also got a few good chuckles out of it. This is a solid introduction to a new female protagonist, Sophronia, whom I liked, and who has a lot of potential to grow even more in future books. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.I enjoyed this book. It started out a little slowly but did pick up as it went along. I also got a few good chuckles out of it. This is a solid introduction to a new female protagonist, Sophronia, whom I liked, and who has a lot of potential to grow…
SusanJ_124's rating:
Added May 07, 2019
Comment:
This is a well-written book. But, I had a great deal of difficulty getting past the level of abuse that Anna's family inflicted on her. But for that, I would have given more stars. But, I will continue to (re)read books by this author.
SusanJ_124's rating:
Added May 07, 2019
Comment:
Overall, I enjoyed this book. There was, however more hostility in it than I would prefer: senior university staff toward those more junior, faculty against students, students against those from other colleges, college vs. town, and so on. I never understand it when authors fill their books with gratuitous aggression. But, overall, the plot was good and characters well developed. Also, the book gets better as it goes. I will read #2 in the series and see what happens.Overall, I enjoyed this book. There was, however more hostility in it than I would prefer: senior university staff toward those more junior, faculty against students, students against those from other colleges, college vs. town, and so on. I never…
SusanJ_124's rating:
Added May 05, 2019
Comment:
There was something about this book that just worked for me. The illustrations are fantastic, but it went beyond that. I just really liked this book.
SusanJ_124's rating:
Added May 05, 2019
Comment:
A cute little story, with an interesting protagonist. I appreciated that there was an all-female cast of characters and that they were able to own their skills. But I wondered why none of them was allowed to have more than one set of skills.
SusanJ_124's rating:
Added May 05, 2019
Comment:
A cute story, exploring different genres of books.
SusanJ_124's rating:
Added May 05, 2019
Comment:
I work with a few Kristabelles and wish the real world works as simplistically as it did in this book.
SusanJ_124's rating:
Added May 05, 2019
Comment:
This is a strange book with very little plot that I am unsure if I liked, but at the same time it was somewhat compelling. The ending had a wonderful ambiguity to it. The illustrations are exquisite.
SusanJ_124's rating:
Added May 05, 2019
Comment:
I found this book to be strange and jarring. I could not understand, for example, why Maurice had been told about spring but not winter. Also, the illustrations are dingy with creepily misshapen animals. I am happy to give this one back to the VPL.
SusanJ_124's rating:
Added May 05, 2019
Comment:
Meh. I could not buy into the premise that a cat being a cat made her a 'copy cat' to the human, and yes as a child that mismatch would have bothered me too. The author does, however, have a solid understanding of cats. Also, I found the spare but expressive illustrations to be delightful.Meh. I could not buy into the premise that a cat being a cat made her a 'copy cat' to the human, and yes as a child that mismatch would have bothered me too. The author does, however, have a solid understanding of cats. Also, I found the spare but…
SusanJ_124's rating:
Added May 05, 2019
Comment:
A clever, engaging book that gave me a few good chuckles. Both text and illustrations would engage children but contain details that are also amusing to adults.
Comment: