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mjenae's reviews
239 reviews
Hello, Fears: Crush Your Comfort Zone and Become Who You're Meant to Be by Michelle Poler
3.5
I had to push myself to finish, but it was alright. I borrowed the book, so I couldn't highlight or underline like I would in a copy of my own, which may have contributed to my not taking much advice away from it.
I liked the bright graphics, and the engaging outline summaries at the end of each chapter. Her writing voice is definitely a very big part of the story, and I did get a little tired of her overly informal voice sometimes. Not saying this is true, but at times it felt like she was being so casual just to cover up condescension in her tone. It's fine in small doses; I guess I would've just appreciated a shorter book.
The extra chapter at the end was my favorite. In it, Michelle speaks about living in and giving from an abundance mindset. I should really memorize everything she said. She had some great advice, and I was impressed.
I liked the bright graphics, and the engaging outline summaries at the end of each chapter. Her writing voice is definitely a very big part of the story, and I did get a little tired of her overly informal voice sometimes. Not saying this is true, but at times it felt like she was being so casual just to cover up condescension in her tone. It's fine in small doses; I guess I would've just appreciated a shorter book.
The extra chapter at the end was my favorite. In it, Michelle speaks about living in and giving from an abundance mindset. I should really memorize everything she said. She had some great advice, and I was impressed.
The Dark Refrain by Jessica Khoury
adventurous
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
SHE WROTE A THIRD BOOK.
I was so excited when I heard this had been released. My friend told me it was even better than the second in the series, and it didn't disappoint.
I don't even know what to say. It was crazy and wild and... so, so emotional. Sure, there was the whole "save the world" aspect, andWolfgang Mozart "falling in love" with Amelia (WHAT?), and Jai with his silliness and believe it or not, even teradactyls. But the nexus of this story is the relationships. Father/daughter, father/son, friends and enemies and friends turned enemies (and vice versa)—even some rOmAnTiC tEnSiOn. It also tackles big universal themes, like women's rights (mainly in composing music), grief, and nature v.s. nurture. All while maintaining those fabulous chapter titles (you've really got to read the books and experience them yourself).
Everyone got a great conclusion, but I still want another book. I'm not ready to leave these characters.
I was so excited when I heard this had been released. My friend told me it was even better than the second in the series, and it didn't disappoint.
I don't even know what to say. It was crazy and wild and... so, so emotional. Sure, there was the whole "save the world" aspect, and
Everyone got a great conclusion, but I still want another book. I'm not ready to leave these characters.
The Book of Difficult Fruit: Arguments for the Tart, Tender, and Unruly (with Recipes) by Kate Lebo
4.0
Well-written. The taste descriptions are bursting with life—blunt and mouth-watering. That part I loved.
I enjoyed most of the stories, too, but I'm just not so sure I liked the author. She was too ambivalent; by the end of the book, I really didn't know what her values were, except that she supported abortion (she was very vocal on this subject, which added to my distaste). She talked about God on one page, then yoga and crystals on the next. She spoke a lot about her former relationship with a man with celiac disease; sometimes she was blaming him for everything that went wrong (even though she ended the relationship on her terms), other times she sounded as if she were still in love. It felt like she was trying to please everyone by tackling all the big topics from a neutral perspective, and it made me want to scream. I wish she'd stuck to writing about food. She's very talented at that.
I enjoyed most of the stories, too, but I'm just not so sure I liked the author. She was too ambivalent; by the end of the book, I really didn't know what her values were, except that she supported abortion (she was very vocal on this subject, which added to my distaste). She talked about God on one page, then yoga and crystals on the next. She spoke a lot about her former relationship with a man with celiac disease; sometimes she was blaming him for everything that went wrong (even though she ended the relationship on her terms), other times she sounded as if she were still in love. It felt like she was trying to please everyone by tackling all the big topics from a neutral perspective, and it made me want to scream. I wish she'd stuck to writing about food. She's very talented at that.
Summer Hours at the Robbers Library by Sue Halpern
3.75
THAT WAS NOT A SATISFYING ENDING. Ugh. I like everything tied up neatly and drawn down into a conclusion. This one ended on the brink of an ending.
It was a good read, though. The prologue wasn't much fun, or much of the marriage story at all. I wish there had been a way to leave some of that (and I mean the prologue) out of the book.
Because the scenes in the library and Kit's house, and all of Sunny's sections were wonderful. I thought when I started the book I'd dislike it, but then I got to know Sunny and Kit and Rusty better and each chapter was more enjoyable than the last.
I don't know if I'd reccomend it because of some of the content, but the rest of the story is better than I expected.
It was a good read, though. The prologue wasn't much fun, or much of the marriage story at all. I wish there had been a way to leave some of that (and I mean the prologue) out of the book.
Because the scenes in the library and Kit's house, and all of Sunny's sections were wonderful. I thought when I started the book I'd dislike it, but then I got to know Sunny and Kit and Rusty better and each chapter was more enjoyable than the last.
I don't know if I'd reccomend it because of some of the content, but the rest of the story is better than I expected.
The Double Drastic Time Capsule Caper by Van Temple
4.0
Insane, silly, and lots of fun. Kind of like eating pop rocks.
The Great Unexpected by Sharon Creech
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
One third an exploration of the unexpected, and where we go after we lose everything.
One third magic, the creative imagination of children and the intricacy it can create in every element of life.
And one third a study of the “delicate cobweb link[ing] us all, silky lines trailing through the air.”
Once again, Ms. Creech loops together a riveting story, linking the complexities of love and trauma to the simplicity of step-by-step, of how every minute, day, year falls into place with the next one. The two settings—small-town Southern and countryside Ireland—were spread in vivid color across the pages. I felt as if I were there; and I wouldn't mind going back.
“I thought about all the things that had to have spun into place in order for us to be alive and for us to be right there, right then. I thought about the few things we thought we knew and the billions of things we couldn't know, all spinning, whirling out there somewhere.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Blood, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Seeking Slow: Reclaim Moments of Calm in Your Day by Melanie Barnes
2.5
It felt like a high school essay. Lots of repetition, summaries summaries summaries. It was basically an elaboration on a "how to live mindfully" Google list.
Not that it was terrible. I agreed with everything. There was just nothing I hadn't heard before. I had to push myself through the final chapters. There's a gold nugget or two, but not really worth the whole read to find.
I'm glad it was short, anyway.
Not that it was terrible. I agreed with everything. There was just nothing I hadn't heard before. I had to push myself through the final chapters. There's a gold nugget or two, but not really worth the whole read to find.
I'm glad it was short, anyway.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The title makes this book seem a little like comedy—touching, but lighthearted.
It's… quite heavy. If you want an easy read, this isn't for you. But if you want a spectacular survival story with anguish enough to empty you out and bravery enough to fill you to the top, you've come to the right place.
Something the potential reader needs to understand: Eleanor has gone through intense, repeated trauma—physical and emotional abuse, the latter of which is still happening throughout the book. And that's just part of it. I thought at first she might have autism—and I don't know, maybe she does—because of her inability to pick up on social cues or read humor. But now I think at least some of that was due to her chaotic and unhealthy upbringing. To be fair, I haven't read a lot of books dealing with trauma so upfront and firsthand like this, but this seemed very heavy on the sorrow.
There's healing, too, though. There has to be. Go travel down that path with Eleanor. She's a fascinating character, and she meets a lot of interesting people on the way, people who pop out of the page and shove new perspectives into your hands. I hope you come away with something you didn't have before—hope, at the very least. I have.
I'd give it more stars if I could. Possibly the best book I've read so far this year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Physical abuse, Medical content, and Sexual harassment
The Flying Flamingo Sisters by Dina Pearlman, Gabriel Vaughan, Carrie Seim, Khristine Hvam, Bill Quinn, Jessica Almasy, Kevin Pariseau
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
3.75
A light, silly read. Completely unrealistic, slightly cliché, but nice as an escape.
And clever! That "gender normative" joke almost made me choke on my icecream cone. (Even funnier coming from a misogynistic evil uncle like Freidrich.) It's the type of humor that takes modern culture and mentions it in historical fiction, and I fall for it every time. I mean, it's FUNNY. Uncle Friedrich claiming his diary is going to be the next Oprah's Book Club Pick? I'm telling you, this story is delightfulfully off its rocker.
And clever! That "gender normative" joke almost made me choke on my icecream cone. (Even funnier coming from a misogynistic evil uncle like Freidrich.) It's the type of humor that takes modern culture and mentions it in historical fiction, and I fall for it every time. I mean, it's FUNNY. Uncle Friedrich claiming his diary is going to be the next Oprah's Book Club Pick? I'm telling you, this story is delightfulfully off its rocker.