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sareidle's Reviews (180)

Dutch Girl: Audrey Hepburn and World War II by Robert Matzen

Dutch Girl: Audrey Hepburn and World War II

Robert Matzen

4.25
emotional hopeful informative medium-paced
A very insightful account of Hepburn's years in the Netherlands. The story was immersive and kept me on the edge of my seat as the family dynamic was challenged and the war zeroed in on Arnhem. Through Audrey's life, I gained a more nuanced understanding of the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The Dutch faced extreme hardship and decisions were often morally grey rather than simply good or evil. However, this was not the view of the public in the post-war years, and why Audrey was evasive about this chapter of her life. Overall, Matzen presented a thought-provoking and well-done narrative.
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How to Fight Anti-Semitism by Bari Weiss

How to Fight Anti-Semitism

Bari Weiss

informative medium-paced
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A Brief History of Japanese Civilization by Suzanne Gay, David Lurie, Conrad Schirokauer

A Brief History of Japanese Civilization

Suzanne Gay, David Lurie, Conrad Schirokauer

informative slow-paced
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Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Americanah

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

4.75
emotional hopeful medium-paced
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
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Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster by Svetlana Alexiévich

Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster

Svetlana Alexiévich

4.5
challenging informative sad slow-paced
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The Thomas Indian School and the "Irredeemable" Children of New York by Keith R. Burich

The Thomas Indian School and the "Irredeemable" Children of New York

Keith R. Burich

4.0
informative sad slow-paced
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The File: A Personal History by Timothy Garton Ash

The File: A Personal History

Timothy Garton Ash

5.0
emotional informative reflective medium-paced
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Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall by Anna Funder

Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall

Anna Funder

4.0
dark informative medium-paced
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Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Malibu Rising

Taylor Jenkins Reid

4.25
emotional tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
A true page-turner best read over a weekend. I read this over a week while traveling, and I forgot the details about minor characters from one reading session to the next. I honestly think the book would be better if it didn't introduce so many side characters just to show their motivations over the course of the Riva party. I really enjoyed the family drama and wondered how the conflict between the siblings would (or wouldn't) resolve by the end.
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How to Hide an Empire by Daniel Immerwahr

How to Hide an Empire

Daniel Immerwahr

4.75
funny informative reflective medium-paced
This book should be essential reading for all Americans. Recognizing the United States as an empire and colonial power is crucial to understanding past and present global politics.
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