Scan barcode
ntombizakhona's reviews
78 reviews
Eat Well Stay Well by Reader's Digest Association
5.0
I read a, uh… a cookbook?
Indeed!
But, hear me out…
…this book has taught me that it is actually never too late to find pleasure in something that you didn’t even realise you were doing wrong this entire time, like woah, it can be this GOOD: unreal.
I thought I hated cooking, but it turns out, it’s actually quite fun if you don’t treat it like a chore and you have access to awesome recipes.
Eat Well, Stay Well is more than just a cook book, it has information about antioxidants, nutrients, vitamins, minerals and nourishing ailments that help with common illnesses.
We need to heal ourselves through food, because quality medical care has become rather quite comically expensive and downright inaccessible these days.
The recipes in there are awesome as they include healing, healthy foods that are definitely in your house, if not, you will certainly find them at your nearest store.
The recipes will actually help you make aesthetically pleasing foods, which will make you want to eat the food you make!
As someone who has often avoided the kitchen, this book has given me the desire to cook and I am now in love with pots, pans, and spoons, and forks, yeah!
It is really great for people who have never been a boffin in the kitchen, and it is great in educating those with the hearts of chefs to make food that is throughly nutritious!It even teaches you how to chop tomatoes, caramelise onions, steaming… the techniques in there are plenty and magnificent!
Health is indeed Wealth.
You need this in your kitchen, I highly recommend it.
What a beautiful book, I keep glancing at it.
I think I’m in Love.
Indeed!
But, hear me out…
…this book has taught me that it is actually never too late to find pleasure in something that you didn’t even realise you were doing wrong this entire time, like woah, it can be this GOOD: unreal.
I thought I hated cooking, but it turns out, it’s actually quite fun if you don’t treat it like a chore and you have access to awesome recipes.
Eat Well, Stay Well is more than just a cook book, it has information about antioxidants, nutrients, vitamins, minerals and nourishing ailments that help with common illnesses.
We need to heal ourselves through food, because quality medical care has become rather quite comically expensive and downright inaccessible these days.
The recipes in there are awesome as they include healing, healthy foods that are definitely in your house, if not, you will certainly find them at your nearest store.
The recipes will actually help you make aesthetically pleasing foods, which will make you want to eat the food you make!
As someone who has often avoided the kitchen, this book has given me the desire to cook and I am now in love with pots, pans, and spoons, and forks, yeah!
It is really great for people who have never been a boffin in the kitchen, and it is great in educating those with the hearts of chefs to make food that is throughly nutritious!It even teaches you how to chop tomatoes, caramelise onions, steaming… the techniques in there are plenty and magnificent!
Health is indeed Wealth.
You need this in your kitchen, I highly recommend it.
What a beautiful book, I keep glancing at it.
I think I’m in Love.
365 Days With Self-Discipline: 365 Life-Altering Thoughts on Self-Control, Mental Resilience, and Success by Martin Meadows
5.0
You can read a 'Day' or chapter per day.
You don't necessarily have to read it all in a day as it is quite repetitive, and redundant, you might get annoyed. You really should spread it out over a few days or weeks or even months. A ‘day’ a day is enough to be quite honest.
It basically tries to drill the message of self-discipline, delayed gratification, routine, health prioritisation and financial management into you.
It doesn't really feel like reading, it feels like you're having a conversation with a mentor, who answers the questions you probably already have the answers to, but you need them constantly and continuously redrilled into your very stubborn head, once again, the book is extremely repetitive.
If you’re in a mood to be told what you know you have to do, well, this is the book for you!
You don't necessarily have to read it all in a day as it is quite repetitive, and redundant, you might get annoyed. You really should spread it out over a few days or weeks or even months. A ‘day’ a day is enough to be quite honest.
It basically tries to drill the message of self-discipline, delayed gratification, routine, health prioritisation and financial management into you.
It doesn't really feel like reading, it feels like you're having a conversation with a mentor, who answers the questions you probably already have the answers to, but you need them constantly and continuously redrilled into your very stubborn head, once again, the book is extremely repetitive.
If you’re in a mood to be told what you know you have to do, well, this is the book for you!
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Jim Collins, Stephen R. Covey
5.0
I have always wanted to read this book.
I used to see it laying around the house, different rooms too, a thoroughly read book I daresay!
And I would look at it and think, “One day, I will read you!” (I think it was moving around the house because it was being read and wanted to be read, to be quite honest)
I kept my word, I have finally read the book.
The 7 Habits is very direct, honest, mature, manly, fatherly...so to speak. You can somehow tell that he was probably having epiphanies and self-reflections while researching and writing this book. It is as though Stephen Covey, is a man, honestly talking to another man, other men… like himself.
Fathers. Husbands. Business-Men. Senior Employees… because the dialogues in this book are like:
“A man said this about his wife…”
“A man is having a problem with his problematic child…”
“A man is dealing with this issue with his employees…”
“I was at a conference and a man said this about his business…”
A man this, A man that… here: A man. There: A man. Everywhere: A man man man.
Anyways, specifically, one might even assume he is speaking to a man who is doing it all, all at once. A self-employed matrimonial father running a profitable business (or a man occupying managerial positions of seniority at his place of work), and the techniques, conflict resolutions and habits that this man should have in order to have a happy wife, happy kids, and happy employees, happy family, and thus a Paradigm Shift that will lead to a more profitable business and a seemingly prosperous life.
The final section is what resonated with me the most, and it was about the prioritization of your physical health and exercise (so go jog) and how family (go home), ultimately is truly the most important relationship amongst all, and it is never too late to fix it.
Once again, this book really seemed a bit mature (for me). I will definitely read it again in a decade if I ever find myself on the other side of matrimony, with my own little duplicates running around, and my consultation business, and my employees…for now let me just prioritize my health.
I used to see it laying around the house, different rooms too, a thoroughly read book I daresay!
And I would look at it and think, “One day, I will read you!” (I think it was moving around the house because it was being read and wanted to be read, to be quite honest)
I kept my word, I have finally read the book.
The 7 Habits is very direct, honest, mature, manly, fatherly...so to speak. You can somehow tell that he was probably having epiphanies and self-reflections while researching and writing this book. It is as though Stephen Covey, is a man, honestly talking to another man, other men… like himself.
Fathers. Husbands. Business-Men. Senior Employees… because the dialogues in this book are like:
“A man said this about his wife…”
“A man is having a problem with his problematic child…”
“A man is dealing with this issue with his employees…”
“I was at a conference and a man said this about his business…”
A man this, A man that… here: A man. There: A man. Everywhere: A man man man.
Anyways, specifically, one might even assume he is speaking to a man who is doing it all, all at once. A self-employed matrimonial father running a profitable business (or a man occupying managerial positions of seniority at his place of work), and the techniques, conflict resolutions and habits that this man should have in order to have a happy wife, happy kids, and happy employees, happy family, and thus a Paradigm Shift that will lead to a more profitable business and a seemingly prosperous life.
The final section is what resonated with me the most, and it was about the prioritization of your physical health and exercise (so go jog) and how family (go home), ultimately is truly the most important relationship amongst all, and it is never too late to fix it.
Once again, this book really seemed a bit mature (for me). I will definitely read it again in a decade if I ever find myself on the other side of matrimony, with my own little duplicates running around, and my consultation business, and my employees…for now let me just prioritize my health.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Amazing Sex by Sari Locker
5.0
This is a great, educational book about the body, reproductive organs and how to have, sane, safe, consensual sex and how to talk about it with your partner or parents or just about anyone really (but partner mostly).
It really emphasizes the importance of safe, consensual sex.
It is definitely nothing like the Kama Sutra, it is absolutely a beginner’s guide for those who have not quite done “it” yet.
...Virgins and Virgin Adjacent People.
And if you believe you’re genophobic, this might be a good book to help with your aversion…
It is truly amazingly educational, really it is, I now know more about the female and male body, as it relates to issues like menstruation, menopause, aging, impotence, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, unwanted pregnancies, different types of sexualities and the gender spectrum, amongst all others...who knew? Not me!
The human body is strange, predictably strange and sex makes it stranger, so this book will definitely help you deal with all the consequences and things you didn’t think about, and, it really feels like the author is in the room with you, teaching you the things that need to be done.
It is the type of book you should read if you somehow caught yourself Googling something along the lines of
“What is sex?”
“How to have sex?”
“How did the mayonnaise get inside the sausage?"
And it will definitely answer your questions.
Great for the inexperienced, the self-conscious Late Bloomers who have been thinking about sex, because experienced fornicators might be disappointed, (once again) its not the Kama Sutra, it’s literal sex education.
It’s awesome for people who are curious about sex and its consequences, and want to be educated thoroughly, or at least touch some base.
And if you want to educate yourself about the other gender, you should read it as well.
It really emphasizes the importance of safe, consensual sex.
It is definitely nothing like the Kama Sutra, it is absolutely a beginner’s guide for those who have not quite done “it” yet.
...Virgins and Virgin Adjacent People.
And if you believe you’re genophobic, this might be a good book to help with your aversion…
It is truly amazingly educational, really it is, I now know more about the female and male body, as it relates to issues like menstruation, menopause, aging, impotence, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, unwanted pregnancies, different types of sexualities and the gender spectrum, amongst all others...who knew? Not me!
The human body is strange, predictably strange and sex makes it stranger, so this book will definitely help you deal with all the consequences and things you didn’t think about, and, it really feels like the author is in the room with you, teaching you the things that need to be done.
It is the type of book you should read if you somehow caught yourself Googling something along the lines of
“What is sex?”
“How to have sex?”
“How did the mayonnaise get inside the sausage?"
And it will definitely answer your questions.
Great for the inexperienced, the self-conscious Late Bloomers who have been thinking about sex, because experienced fornicators might be disappointed, (once again) its not the Kama Sutra, it’s literal sex education.
It’s awesome for people who are curious about sex and its consequences, and want to be educated thoroughly, or at least touch some base.
And if you want to educate yourself about the other gender, you should read it as well.
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
5.0
The title is pretty self-explanatory.
Even the author starts his book this way:
"atomic:
1. an extremely small amount of a thing; the single irreducible unit of a larger system.
2. the source of immense energy or power
habit:
1. a routine or practice performed regularly; an automatic response to a specific situation"
Atomic Habits, is a really great step by step guide on how to atomize your habits, because most people believe that they will achieve something great all at once, but such is not the case.
This book highlights, and emphasizes the importance of little habits, little changes, starting small…etc, it even has tables, graphs and diagrams (systems) that will help you, so you should definitely read it.
Even the author starts his book this way:
"atomic:
1. an extremely small amount of a thing; the single irreducible unit of a larger system.
2. the source of immense energy or power
habit:
1. a routine or practice performed regularly; an automatic response to a specific situation"
Atomic Habits, is a really great step by step guide on how to atomize your habits, because most people believe that they will achieve something great all at once, but such is not the case.
This book highlights, and emphasizes the importance of little habits, little changes, starting small…etc, it even has tables, graphs and diagrams (systems) that will help you, so you should definitely read it.
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
5.0
Too often, I am told to: “Speak More.”
But, who will listen, if we're all speaking?
I am often tempted to respond with, “Shut Up More.”
This is a good book that will help you appreciate your introversion, and appreciate introverts.
It encourages individualism and the benefits of solitude & introversion in a world where it is often encouraged to be wild and about with a bunch of people.
It is great for the employers, employees, parents and partners of quiet and introverted people, who wish to understand them and their unique, creative thought processes, that require silence and introversion.
But, who will listen, if we're all speaking?
I am often tempted to respond with, “Shut Up More.”
This is a good book that will help you appreciate your introversion, and appreciate introverts.
It encourages individualism and the benefits of solitude & introversion in a world where it is often encouraged to be wild and about with a bunch of people.
It is great for the employers, employees, parents and partners of quiet and introverted people, who wish to understand them and their unique, creative thought processes, that require silence and introversion.
Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
5.0
This was an interesting collection of “poems”.
Might be more appealing to an adolescent, but if you have experienced “love” and “heartbreak”. These poems are a bit, uh, interesting, I suppose.
A quick read.
Might be more appealing to an adolescent, but if you have experienced “love” and “heartbreak”. These poems are a bit, uh, interesting, I suppose.
A quick read.
The 5am Club by Robin S. Sharma
5.0
“Own Your Morning, Elevate your Life”
(If you read this book and you consume liquor, please take a shot whenever you see the word billionaire! PLEASE.)
I emphasize, for emphasis: I, personally loved the writing style.
I liked the way the book was written and delivered, it felt like I was genuinely in Mauritius with the Entrepreneur, the Artist and the Billionaire.
I am due for a vacation, obviously.
The title, self explanatory, really:
Wake Up Early.
Have A Routine.
Atomize Your Habits.
Be Persistent.
The book has cool diagrams and step by step guides too...somewhere near the end.
You should definitely read it, if you want to realize the repeated emphasis on the power of waking up early in the morning, while the world is quiet...
(If you read this book and you consume liquor, please take a shot whenever you see the word billionaire! PLEASE.)
I emphasize, for emphasis: I, personally loved the writing style.
I liked the way the book was written and delivered, it felt like I was genuinely in Mauritius with the Entrepreneur, the Artist and the Billionaire.
I am due for a vacation, obviously.
The title, self explanatory, really:
Wake Up Early.
Have A Routine.
Atomize Your Habits.
Be Persistent.
The book has cool diagrams and step by step guides too...somewhere near the end.
You should definitely read it, if you want to realize the repeated emphasis on the power of waking up early in the morning, while the world is quiet...
HTML and CSS: Design and Build Websites by Jon Duckett
5.0
This book is picturesque, modern & beautiful.
It is practical and easy to understand.
I recommend it to everyone who wants to begin their web development journey, or refresh their HTML & CSS.
It even touches on Search Engine Optimization and Analytics.
It is practical and easy to understand.
I recommend it to everyone who wants to begin their web development journey, or refresh their HTML & CSS.
It even touches on Search Engine Optimization and Analytics.
Bare: The Blesser's Game by Jackie Phamotse
5.0
This book is interesting because it touches on domestic violence, rape, coming of age, innocent ‘puppy’ love , heartbreak, sports, school, education, alcohol, and yet… the primary focus is on the alleged negative consequences of transactional sex & materialism, which didn’t even comprise the majority of the book, sensationalism at best, I daresay!
On the topic of rape and just sexual intercourse in general, it does have a lot of sexually explicit scenes (one might say there’s one per chapter, and this book has a lot of short ‘chapters’, so, go figure…), do the math. The main character goes through a lot of sexual assault. She literally gets raped - a lot. So, uh, you have been warned, in case you get triggered.
Anyways, the first half of the book, seems statistically relevant in the context of South Africa (one has to make such notes because the author is impossible to ignore all over social media, and this book is allegedly based on [her] reality).
But the second half - where the main character partakes in debauchery in the city…not only feels rushed, but it does seem as if the author is feeding into sensationalism: the older men vs younger women obsession that the world seems to have.
[Side Note: An accurate observation about this obsession was better articulated by Twitter User @neo_url in her blog “The One Thing You Should Know” In An Article / Blog Post Titled: “Slay queens, sugar babies and blessees: South Africa’s obsession with the urban black Jezebel” Published April 15 2018, Accessed September 15 2022, link: https://theonethingyoushouldknow.wordpress.com/2018/04/15/slay-queens-sugar-babies-and-blesses-south-africas-obsession-with-the-urban-black-jezebel/ ]
This book could have sufficed as a short story or a dissertation, or even an essay. Based on the writing style, it would appeal to an adolescence, mainly because she (the author) does repeatedly claim that she is trying to ‘empower young girls’ and warn them about the consequences of older men, transactional sex, materialism AND THE BIG BAD CITY AND THE BIG BAD WOLVES, so maybe that’s why it’s delivered the way it is, she’s trying to speak to the Little Red Riders from the Hood(s)
On a positive note, I’m glad to observe that the main character, Treasure, jogs, that’s great. Running is great.
Oh, and I really hope that all those brands that she explicitly names in this book, sponsored her, felt like I was being advertised to there for a second.
On the topic of rape and just sexual intercourse in general, it does have a lot of sexually explicit scenes (one might say there’s one per chapter, and this book has a lot of short ‘chapters’, so, go figure…), do the math. The main character goes through a lot of sexual assault. She literally gets raped - a lot. So, uh, you have been warned, in case you get triggered.
Anyways, the first half of the book, seems statistically relevant in the context of South Africa (one has to make such notes because the author is impossible to ignore all over social media, and this book is allegedly based on [her] reality).
But the second half - where the main character partakes in debauchery in the city…not only feels rushed, but it does seem as if the author is feeding into sensationalism: the older men vs younger women obsession that the world seems to have.
[Side Note: An accurate observation about this obsession was better articulated by Twitter User @neo_url in her blog “The One Thing You Should Know” In An Article / Blog Post Titled: “Slay queens, sugar babies and blessees: South Africa’s obsession with the urban black Jezebel” Published April 15 2018, Accessed September 15 2022, link: https://theonethingyoushouldknow.wordpress.com/2018/04/15/slay-queens-sugar-babies-and-blesses-south-africas-obsession-with-the-urban-black-jezebel/ ]
This book could have sufficed as a short story or a dissertation, or even an essay. Based on the writing style, it would appeal to an adolescence, mainly because she (the author) does repeatedly claim that she is trying to ‘empower young girls’ and warn them about the consequences of older men, transactional sex, materialism AND THE BIG BAD CITY AND THE BIG BAD WOLVES, so maybe that’s why it’s delivered the way it is, she’s trying to speak to the Little Red Riders from the Hood(s)
On a positive note, I’m glad to observe that the main character, Treasure, jogs, that’s great. Running is great.
Oh, and I really hope that all those brands that she explicitly names in this book, sponsored her, felt like I was being advertised to there for a second.