badbrad002's reviews
159 reviews

Did I Miss My Exit? by Christine Souza

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

5.0

What a delightful collection of relatable essays! Christine has a lovely way of weaving pop culture references into optimistic, entertaining, and inspiring stories --and somehow touches on so many topics that the reader likely mulls-over on a regular basis. I personally know the author, and love this first piece of work, but I think anyone who reads will enjoy their time wondering if they missed their exit!

Exercised: The Science of Physical Activity, Rest and Health by Daniel Lieberman

informative inspiring slow-paced

4.25

This was an insightful --but sometimes dense-- read, focused on the relationship of humans with exercise and its resulting effects on health and well-being. Some contradictory information (our biological goal is to procreate... unless we are focused on surviving?) and doesn't necessarily come to a Ah-Ha moment, but ultimately, the message is that it's best to start early and continue throughout life ...but not overdue it because our bodies often treat exercise like injury or sickness, and redirected resources/attention can undermine our immune systems and leave us susceptible. 

Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff
Did not finish book. Stopped at 17%.

This book isn't for me. There were too many characters and too many time dashes, so I had difficulty following what was going on and why it was important. Also, a bit unnecessarily sexual and morbid for my liking. 65 pages in, and I still don't know what it was about. The writing style is elaborate and flourished, but even that couldn't salvage what seems like a lack substance on a foundational level.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide

Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten

hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

5.0

I loved this book, and could relate to it on multiple levels. Not only has Ina never

received formal training --it's all via trial & error

-- but many are also surprised to find that she was once a

nuclear physicist for the US government prior to her cooking fame

. Her love of food, desire to care for & entertain those around her, and can-do attitude & whimsical approach to life is refreshing.  I found it very inspiring; anyone who loves Ina, cooking, eating, and pushing their own limits will find this to be a delightful read.I've already cooked a couple of the included recipes to wide acclaim!

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

Wow, what a book! It's a heavy read but insightful look into Appalachian mindset & living conditions, and an infuriating look into the devastating impact of opioids and lackluster service of foster care. Beautiful character development, but ultimately not a very happy or uplifting book (a la, "The Goldfinch" --one of my favorites). It's a long book, and there might be some opportunity to tighten-up some of the drier, uneventful portions (hence the minor rating ding), but most folks who read this book will appreciate its impact.

Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void by Mary Roach

adventurous funny informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.0

Fascinating book. I learned a lot about space travel, its effect on humans, and what goes into planning & preparing for missions. 

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

adventurous mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

This was an engrossing & really innovative concept, which made it an immersive and quick read! No spoilers but I think it was a miss that in this created world, the main character could-have-been-but-wasn't "all-knowing" in her situations --would have been far more interesting to explore these scenarios instead of watching her anxiously stumble through time after time. I found some of the writing a bit shallow, and the main character felt reductive ...in a man-writing-about-how-he-thinks-a-woman-reacts kinda way.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide attempt

James by Percival Everett

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.75

A super-creative retelling of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," told from the perspective of Jim the slave. This perspective makes the plight and juxtaposition of race even more prominent, and much like the original can be uncomfortable to read & acknowledge --but it is historical truth and therefore, important. There's a few seemingly-vital plot points that quickly come & go without much attention, so though it is not a perfect book it is pretty damn close!

The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore

emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad fast-paced

4.5

What an amazing account of a historical tragedy. These women fought public scrutiny and literal physical deterioration to eventually hold a nefarious company accountable (perhaps not surprisingly though dozens of cases/appeals and DECADES, while facing dramatically shortened lifetimes) --and the book doesn't even take into account the limited status/independence of women in society, at the time. They are a big reason why things things like Worker's Comp, OSHA, HIPPA, and unions are vital to the health & happiness of modern workers (these "Marxist" organizations are often the only thing protecting us in a capitalist society). The companies hid, denounced, and blatantly lied to cover-up their guilt --and weaponized the pride and identity of towns and people through PR to avoid accountability. And it didn't happen 1 time, or in 1 place, or in 1 era. Pay attention folks: there are A LOT of parallels to modern day.

There's a few pacing irregularities (the author breezes through some moments, while feeling a little repetitive in others); lest, that is probably also congruent with actual events, making the saga that much more mind-boggling and disheartening.

A Mother's Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy by Sue Klebold

4.0

This week, I finished "A Mother's Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy," written by Sue Klebold -the mother of Dylan Klebold- to "help other parents see past the faces their children present, so that they can get them help it it is needed." The book highlights the complexity of the Columbine situation, suicide/homicide/mental health, human grief, and blame. It also includes deeply personal elements that were not publicized and/or considered by the public in the aftermath. Powerful stuff: "While every other mother in Littleton was praying her child was safe, I had to pray that mine would die before he hurt anyone else. Maybe I was right, but I've spent so many hours regretting that prayer: I wished for my son to kill himself, and he did."