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aish_dols's reviews
92 reviews
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
What makes life meaningful enough to go on living? - Paul asked this question while writing this book in his final days as a doctor, a neurosurgeon, battling with stage IV lung cancer and I held on to it. Do you know why?
Simple answer is because we all know we are going to die right? Do we in fact live like death exists? In most cases no. We have our long term plans. 5-10 year plans of goals we want to smash without slowing down to realize this marathon we are running may come as a sprint where the finish line lies right ahead.
And I ask…
Is the life you’re living now meaningful that in your last days you’ll face death with integrity?
Paul Kalanithi in ‘When Breath Becomes Air’ tackles mortality deeply, wrote of what it is to be paid a visit by death after facing it in his profession for years. Imagine how small that was supposed to make him feel. A doctor turned weak by the very thing he faced everyday in trying to save lives and live a meaning life but he faced it head-on, tried to understand it and make his words that ‘have a longevity he did not’ reach us too, so we can, I suppose, know that life is to be lived with a firm purpose because really, are we going to waste this gift before our time is up?
I don’t have the words. Reading a dying man’s memoir and the epilogue written by his wife taught me so much about the mystery and importance of life and death but still I’m mesmerized. Paul was heavy on ‘choices’ and how they affect the trajectory of one’s future. What else to say? Read this book. It’s full of depth.
Simple answer is because we all know we are going to die right? Do we in fact live like death exists? In most cases no. We have our long term plans. 5-10 year plans of goals we want to smash without slowing down to realize this marathon we are running may come as a sprint where the finish line lies right ahead.
And I ask…
Is the life you’re living now meaningful that in your last days you’ll face death with integrity?
Paul Kalanithi in ‘When Breath Becomes Air’ tackles mortality deeply, wrote of what it is to be paid a visit by death after facing it in his profession for years. Imagine how small that was supposed to make him feel. A doctor turned weak by the very thing he faced everyday in trying to save lives and live a meaning life but he faced it head-on, tried to understand it and make his words that ‘have a longevity he did not’ reach us too, so we can, I suppose, know that life is to be lived with a firm purpose because really, are we going to waste this gift before our time is up?
I don’t have the words. Reading a dying man’s memoir and the epilogue written by his wife taught me so much about the mystery and importance of life and death but still I’m mesmerized. Paul was heavy on ‘choices’ and how they affect the trajectory of one’s future. What else to say? Read this book. It’s full of depth.
The Three of Us by Ore Agbaje-Williams
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thing is, the writing style, characters & plot line is unconventional and I struggled with it earlier on but it sort of grew on me. I actually like how the author’s mind works and it reflects in this book with how she wrote on how complex individuals can be, how multidimensional they are, and I’ll like to read whatever else she writes.
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Galatea by Madeline Miller
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English by Noor Naga
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Bless the Daughter Raised by a Voice in Her Head by Warsan Shire
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
The House of Shells by Efua Traoré
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- 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
4.0
Bridges Are for Burning by Bina Idonije
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0