yvejr's reviews
118 reviews

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.

Not in the right mood for it, but it was charming and I’ll try again some other day. 

The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

I enjoyed this story, but the mix of fantasy + horror was a bit odd for me. There’s a lot of interesting, reflective commentary on shaping our own paths, and how patriarchy limits us all. I loved the sick fairytale aspect woven in. The concept of mind eaters was especially interesting, and how knowledge is not the same as experience. 

Definitely good character development and nuanced look at hard choices. This resulted in moments in the book that were too dark for me to love it, though it had me at times.  I was hoping for a different ending; the ending was good, and well done enough, but just not satisfying to me personally. 

Calm the Chaos: A Fail-Proof Road Map for Parenting Even the Most Challenging Kids by Dayna Abraham
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.

I felt extremely bored by the pace and the lengthy intro. It might have gone over better for me in print. This book didn’t sound like it was what I was expecting. Partially it could just be the narrator’s voice and tone (read by the author). 

But the worse part was it felt like she was tooting her own horn without even mentioning how life as a problem child is hard. She was only focusing on the parents, and hers story, and how she wanted to give her child a successful life not in prison. Really put me off so this review is not very generous. 

I’m not interested in a memoir where the parent is shown to be a hero while peddling her methods to others. Yes, parenting is hard. Yes, there are challenging kids. And yes, gold star for you doing the right thing and figuring it out, because many people don’t or can’t. But these kids are actual people. I bet if I could read further I’d see she saw it that way, but it came off as more seeing the child as a challenge with a trophy at the end. 

If the paper book crosses my path I might try it again in case it’s just a bad first impression. I’d love to be proven wrong. 

Life on Other Planets: A Memoir of Finding My Place in the Universe by Aomawa Shields
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.

I was enjoying the style at first, but found the pace tops slow and the level of detail around astronomy and analogies and connections too laborious and not in my field of interest. I’m interested in her story, but a much shorter version would be better for me. Maybe if space was a special interest for me, I’d like it. I loved Braiding Sweetgrass in part because it was about plants and each chapter was a self-contained essay. But i loved Finding Me and i don’t care about acting. Somehow I felt like each chapter of this book I was losing the thread of the overall story. Too much of a reach maybe. Maybe I was expecting a biography and not a memoir? Anyways, I’m glad the author found a medium to express herself and marry her interests further - and reflect on her family as it sounds like they are really important to her, and amazing people. 

Building a Second Brain: A Proven Method to Organize Your Digital Life and Unlock Your Creative Potential by Tiago Forte

3.5

Something I learned that was unexpected: Tiago started building his notes system which he calls a second brain when he had a severe medical condition that was undiagnosed and he had to do his own research. This reminded me of James Clear and Atonic Habits - born out of desperation after losing so much to Lyme Disease. 

I’m really interested in personal knowledge management. I have to say this book really speaks to me at times, more than just a practical guide.

My biggest takeaway: if something resonates with you, take a note! Be guided by your intuition.

The Door-to-Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn

funny hopeful lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

I finished the Door to Door Bookstore in under 3 days! What a charming and cozy read about an older book seller, a vivacious little girl, and how the local community uniting around books. 

It reminded me of the Cat Who Saved Books meets T J Klune, and a Man Called Ove but happier, easier, and more charming. Great plot, comfortable medium-fast pace, and wonderful characters. 

The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work by Simone Stolzoff

informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.25

How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell
Did not finish book.

I tried many times to read this book and couldn’t get into the first chapter. Nor when skimming did anything pull me in. Finally I tried an audio book format; I did not like it at all! This book is part memoir and part critique, written like a research paper. Very dry and comes off as pretentious. I feel harsh saying so but I really did give it a good try over the course of 2 years before officially giving up. I think the message is probably good and I have no doubt a lot of quality research and work went into this book - but I can’t handle the writing style. 

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

adventurous emotional funny inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

This book is a childhood favorite I decided to reread. As an adult reading it, I teared up even more. This book was very important to me in using my imagination, and to imagine friendships and resiliency after loss. 

A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki

challenging dark inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

It took me about 3.5 months to finish it. It has a slow-medium pace and I was reading other things. There were some difficult points, and I kept thinking it wouldn’t get worse - but it did, as the story picked up intrigue. Good rhythm. From page one right through the last appendix, there are layers of meaning and sizzling possibilities that make you think. Ultimately ends in a conversation of quantum mechanics which I did not see coming. Beautiful convergence of science, Buddhist ideas and Western philosophy- which for me was timely because only last year I learned about Heidegger and his being time ideas. This notion of being time has been on my mind ever since, which is ultimately why I was drawn to this title and had picked up this book while browsing at the library. Of course there’s the theme of history, identity, war and destruction that is inflicted on other nations but ultimately we are all interconnected on one planet. 

🤯 so impressed and floored by the ideas - made me very reflective. 
💗 loved the story; emotional at many points 
👏 such narrative skill and a unique story and idea 
🔁 recursive and layers of meaning 
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ five stars from me!