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sunspot

Lover of all genres exploring deep character-driven stories and rich prose. Ideal reading spot: a sunny day, a shady park, my Greyhound snoozing next to me.

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Reading...Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Program That Works
My Taste
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (Harold Fry, #1)
Babel
Happy Place
How to Say Babylon
Happiness Falls

sunspot commented on bookgang's review of Green Island

18h
  • Green Island
    bookgang
    Mar 30, 2025
    4.0
    Enjoyment: Quality: Characters: Plot:

    Wow, I just love when a book educates you on a time in history that you have been completely unaware of. Ryan pulls off a magnificent literary feat by tackling six decades set in Taiwan over the course of the twentieth century. It is horrific what so many endured during this time and begins with the story of the unnamed narrator's father being captured because he is suspected of Communist activities. He is kept for over a decade in brutal and inhumane conditions. It then follows his return home, the unkindness of others, the stress of feeling watched, and the other generations that continue to struggle through the decades with their own issues. It's far too much to go into in a quick review, but you will learn a lot along the way!

    Things I would note with this one. First, I wish I would have educated myself a bit before diving into it. I knew nothing about the Chinese nationalists or the history of Taiwan and the author offers no real introduction into the history of that, assuming the reader can follow along. After a browse through Wikipedia, I was able to understand better, but it was a confusing time in politics and reading that first would have helped me through the book.

    Secondly, the book does drag in parts, but the good parts in this far outweigh the slow parts. Power through and I hope this time in history is as eye-opening for you as it was me. She is a masterful storyteller and I'm glad I read this!

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  • sunspot wants to read...

    20h
    Wild Dark Shore

    Wild Dark Shore

    Charlotte McConaghy

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    21h
  • I Who Have Never Known Men
    Thoughts from 32%
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  • I Who Have Never Known Men
    Thoughts from 29% (page 48)
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  • sunspot finished a book

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    How to Say Babylon

    How to Say Babylon

    Safiya Sinclair

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    sunspot finished a book

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    Cue the Sun!: The Invention of Reality TV

    Cue the Sun!: The Invention of Reality TV

    Emily Nussbaum

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    sunspot started reading...

    18w
    Cue the Sun!: The Invention of Reality TV

    Cue the Sun!: The Invention of Reality TV

    Emily Nussbaum

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    First Love: Essays on Friendship

    First Love: Essays on Friendship

    Lilly Dancyger

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    Level 2

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    Post from the First Love: Essays on Friendship forum

    31w
  • First Love: Essays on Friendship
    Feeling seen

    I'm only about 25% in to this and it's already hit me like a truck in a good way. I'm doing audio, but I may need to get the physical because the writing has these gorgeous moments that feel almost too fleeting on audio. I just want to reread them over and over again.

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    31w
    First Love: Essays on Friendship

    First Love: Essays on Friendship

    Lilly Dancyger

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