This book, while long winded at times, was a very introspective biography of a young man's last few years before he disappeared in the Alaskan wilderness. McCandless' story is one of a different time, that of a young man searching for wilderness that simply doesn't exist anymore. Listening to his last few years was remarkable-- his long-winded time spent hitchhiking across the country, paddling down the Colorado River to the Pacific Ocean, and his stubbornness in the face of retrospective common sense was bewildering to me (as a white, decently well off female). That said, the story did drag in the middle, and we don't actually follow McCandless' final journey until the very last part of the book. However, I hold a deep respect for McCandless, though, for having the bravery to fight against normalcy and try to find his sanctuary.

This book, while incredibly charming, needed a bit of a quicker pace. It was probably a different experience for me, since I did listen to the audiobook, but I felt myself frustrated at parts because I felt like it was one step forward then two steps. I loved how it tackled current issues (including, but not limited to: foreign epidemics, modern-day homophobia, and PTSD) in an approachable, relatable manner; and some of the characters had a really wonderful arc. Overall, this book was a good fluff read, with plenty of twists and turns, and lots of family drama.

This was a really good book! Very poignant and classy, but it touches on the heartbreaking reality of mental illness and the lives of children scarred for life. There was less of a conclusive ending than I would have liked, but overall it's a great read!

Another teenage cancer book. The narrator, a boy in high school, is very upfront about his emotions and relationship to the "dying girl" of the movie-- eventually able to reflect on her influence after her battle with cancer is over. Honestly, and I struggled with this, I liked the movie a lot better!

This is one of those books that while you're reading it, you're not obsessed with it. However, once you finish it-- it's stuck in your mind like a burr. It's a really interesting idea, and has a terrifyingly realistic conclusion. It's great for people interested in apocalypses or natural disasters, with the book written from a child's point of view. It's a book that weighs down your heart and makes you reflect on your own actions and choices. While the narrator is eleven, it's definitely meant for an older audience.

This book was a little dry at points, but the idea was really fascinating. I loved how we explored various points of view (across time and the world) that eventually all met in a single location. I had my hopes set high for this one, and it just felt a little... flat. Good beach read for when you want something attention grabbing but not demanding.

What a disappointment! I love Phryne Fisher on the small screen (the TV series is honestly so amazing!) and I had high hopes for the books! However, it felt like 3/4 of the book took place in her bedroom (with highly unrealistic partners and doing some weird stuff) and the murder mystery felt like the second or third plot line. Overall, I'm not impressed and probably won't be reading anymore of her books-- I'll just stick to the show.

The only reason I picked up this book was because a new movie adaption has released with Saoirse Rowan starring in it. It was a good character study, and I was satisfied with the ending. Not a bad book, but probably won't be my usual genre for a while.

This book is a modern adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew, and I honestly really enjoyed it. The author did a great job of creating this strong, willful woman who didn't lose herself or compensate because of a man (as she does in the original play). I was surprised with how much I enjoyed it and appreciated the main character.

I read this book in a single afternoon. This has to be, hands down, one of my favorite memoirs I've ever read. It's so open and honest-- Levy doesn't attempt to paint herself in a better light, or outrageously justify any of her actions. It surrounds her first marriage, and how, while wonderful, the relationship eventually began to corrode until it was no longer stable for either one of them. It's gritty and painful and beautiful, and I was hooked from the very beginning. It's refreshing to read a book that doesn't follow a person's entire life, but rather reflects on a single relationship. I really loved this book, and would recommend it to anyone!