amandakitz's reviews
1091 reviews

Laziness Does Not Exist by Devon Price

challenging hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

This was an excellent book on the ways we use the concept of laziness to the detriment of ourselves and others, ultimately failing to value or even consider the unknowns others are facing and our own needs and limitations. I would highly recommend this book to recovering people-pleasers, workaholics, and perfectionists like myself as well as anyone in education or other fields where viewing people as lazy can have extremely damaging impacts on how we treat others.

The Forager's Pantry: Cooking with Wild Edibles by Ellen Zachos

adventurous informative medium-paced

5.0

I love the use of master recipes that allow you to include any harvest, not just the examples the author provides. I wasn't as impressed with this author's foraging guide for safety reasons, but this cookbook is a valuable tool for using your harvests as a new or experienced forager.

Break the Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma by Mariel Buqué

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

When Religion Hurts You: Healing from Religious Trauma and the Impact of High-Control Religion by Laura E. Anderson

challenging emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

This book is an important work as more people are coming to realize the negative impacts of high control religious groups and cults. My only qualm is that it was primarily written for people like me who were raised in fundamentalist evangelicalism and used the word "religion" to refer to that, alluding to the points raised applying to other groups but rarely providing examples to illustrate that the author wasn't just speaking to and about toxic forms of Christianity. I know that there is a lot of overlap among high-control religious groups and don't think using the broader term was inaccurate; I only wish that there was more evidence provided to support that point.

Great Goddesses: Life Lessons from Myths and Monsters by Nikita Gill

5.0

The Tea Dragon Tapestry by K. O'Neill

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Your Soul is a River by Nikita Gill

4.0

Alive at the End of the World by Saeed Jones

5.0

You Better Be Lightning by Andrea Gibson

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

The Tea Dragon Festival by K. O'Neill

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I adore this series for the gorgeous illustrations, cozy vibes, and incredible inclusion. The depiction of a tight-knit and supportive community with all of the fantasy and comfort elements made this book, like the first one, like a big, warm hug for the spirit, a kind of cozy you want to just curl up in. I loved the integration of ASL. Getting to see young Erik and Hesekiel was a treat. And our main character being a forager learning to value their gifts? Precious and relatable. Absolutely going to be returning to this series any time my spirit needs that kind of cozy and peace.