aliangco's reviews
168 reviews

Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain

funny informative inspiring slow-paced

3.75

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A book for generations. Absolutely beautiful. Yaa Gyasi was able to write so many characters who weaved together so nicely. These characters were able to be the leading stars but also supporting stars to each other.

Complex relationships with triumphant resilience despite the challenges they face (slavery, racism, prejudice, injustice, family separation, identity, and love). I want everyone to read this gem.

The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life by Twyla Tharp

inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

3.75

Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam M. Grant

challenging informative slow-paced

3.25

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

reflective sad tense medium-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

TJR knows how to write a book that hooks you. This is the second book I read by her and she was able to write a book that kept me guessing. I always enjoy how unpredictable this book was. I will say, this left me feeling a bit dirty or guilty? I think it's because of all the manipulation that happened. If I heard someone go through all the manipulation that happened, I'd say "Wow, what a mess". Clearly, I can't handle all the drama lol.

Anyways, gave it 4 stars since I wish I learned more about the relationships. I found that the relationships were portrayed shallowly. I wasn't able to completely understand her relationships and I wanted to empathize with her decisions a bit more.

Why Won't You Apologize?: Healing Big Betrayals and Everyday Hurts by Harriet Lerner

informative tense fast-paced

3.75

Lerner shares a lot of wisdom about the ever elusive skill of apologizing. There were chapters that I completely understood while others were tougher to digest. I kinda wish I was able to reach out to her to get a better idea about the chapter. I think this book is a must read for any person and it can expose the areas that they need to work on. 

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

The author's writing style was beautiful. She painted the environment really well and brought our main character to life. I found that I had to really suspend my disbelief for some parts of the plot though. The ending was a bit disappointing for me. 

Overall, I enjoyed the read but I can't join the hype train that took off from its release.

From the Ashes: My Story of Being Métis, Homeless, and Finding My Way by Jesse Thistle

emotional inspiring slow-paced

4.0

Thistle writes an emotional and honest memoir on his life. This book covers addiction, indigenous identity, and most importantly - resilience. He invites us into his life from childhood to present. I will admit, while reading this book, I was sad and a bit stressed. He painted his reality and I reallllly took it in. But towards the end, he reminded me how resilient we can be as humans. I wish he spent more details about his recovery and healing!

So You Want to Start a Podcast: Finding Your Voice, Telling Your Story, and Building a Community That Will Listen by Kristen Meinzer

funny informative medium-paced

3.75

Why You're Not Married . . . Yet: The Straight Talk You Need to Get the Relationship You Deserve by Tracy McMillan

funny reflective fast-paced

2.75

There are a couple things that I didn't agree with, especially the chapter about creating a god for yourself. But this book did force me to reflect on my dating patterns.

 I wouldn't use this as a bible for love, but I would use this as prompts to reflect about it. Whether you're looking for love or not, it makes you reflect on how you are as a human being.