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bella613's reviews
321 reviews
The Last Word by Taylor Adams
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Life Ceremony by Sayaka Murata
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I love Sayaka Murata. This is a great short story collection. Some of the stories have similar themes and oddness as her novels.
80,000 Hours: Find a fulfilling career that does good by Benjamin Todd
medium-paced
2.75
For a book that references a lot of research, this was rather short sighted. It definitely holds certain careers in higher esteem than others because of some undefined bias, and portrays a pretty blatant white savior complex. A huge portion of the book is about the philosophy of choosing a job that statistically will improve the world in the most quantifiable way. And it argues extremely heavily toward going to college, even if you're not sure what you want to do yet.
The beginning of the book was pretty good, and while it wasn't quite what I wanted when I checked the book out, it was interesting enough. But I don't think it's actually helpful for people thinking about selecting or changing careers. It's very theoretical and not at all practical.
This intended audience for this book is definitely rich American teens that are already planning to go to college but haven't thought about career possibilities yet.
Let me just say to anyone who might need to hear it:
You make the world a better place by being in it and you don't need to put that expectation on the job you choose.
And you should definitely not invest in a university just because it's the thing everyone else is doing, or start college classes if you don't know what you're interested in. If you want to go to college, definitely do it. If you aren't sure, wait until you are.
The beginning of the book was pretty good, and while it wasn't quite what I wanted when I checked the book out, it was interesting enough. But I don't think it's actually helpful for people thinking about selecting or changing careers. It's very theoretical and not at all practical.
This intended audience for this book is definitely rich American teens that are already planning to go to college but haven't thought about career possibilities yet.
Let me just say to anyone who might need to hear it:
You make the world a better place by being in it and you don't need to put that expectation on the job you choose.
And you should definitely not invest in a university just because it's the thing everyone else is doing, or start college classes if you don't know what you're interested in. If you want to go to college, definitely do it. If you aren't sure, wait until you are.
What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma by Stephanie Foo
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Perfect example of why good memoirs are one of my favorite genres.
This is incredible and I'd highly, highly recommend this book. Stephanie Foo is an incredible writer and storyteller, as well as a very self-aware person with amazing insight. She has done a lot of work in therapy and it shows. I loved listening to her read the audiobook herself.
This is incredible and I'd highly, highly recommend this book. Stephanie Foo is an incredible writer and storyteller, as well as a very self-aware person with amazing insight. She has done a lot of work in therapy and it shows. I loved listening to her read the audiobook herself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
My Wife Has No Emotion Vol. 1 by Jiro Sugiura
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This was weirdly adorable :)
I picked it up at the library because it looked funny and I wanted something cute. Not sure I'll continue the series but it was fun!
I picked it up at the library because it looked funny and I wanted something cute. Not sure I'll continue the series but it was fun!
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.75
This is so great! I loved that it was both educational and kind of funny. Easy listen and very well done.
I Love You Forever and a Day by Amelia Hepworth
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
This was... many hours of my life that I won't get back.
It was ok at the beginning and got steadily less interesting. Dagny is ok but most of the characters are somewhere between annoying and awfully unlikeable. Around the halfway point, I was done with the story altogether. I found myself just increasingly frustrated with the author's filibuster-style speeches. This story could have been told in probably less than 10% of the words, without missing anything. But honestly I think the "story" of it is just an excuse for a very long-winded monologue by the author on how they believe society, and individuals, should behave politically and morally.
The plot is so boring and repetitive that the character monologues were almost easier listening than the events. Why does it just keep going? And going and going??
The book is pro-capitalist, but it might be better described as anti-[anything but extreme capitalism]. The author is clearly so elitist that they seem to truly believe that blue collar workers do not have brains. The idea that "men of the mind" are greater, and even more truly human, than the rest of the population comes up over and over again. I don't have a problem with capitalism- I reside in a capitalist country and I can see both pros and cons to it. But I have a pretty big problem when it is said that public welfare is welfare of the undeserving.
Obviously I am aware that this is a work of fiction but when every character has the exact same worldview and finds a reason to get on a soapbox about production vs entitlement, it's safe to assume the author holds that point of view as well.
By the time I got to Galt's radio sermon, I was convinced that the author felt themselves a second Jesus, tasked with preaching a new way that contradicts everything Jesus taught. Help less fortunate? No way, every man for himself. Contribute to your community and work at keeping peace? No way! Because obviously the only way to be happy is to get ahead of everyone else with your (morally required) hard work. Humans don't have value unless they are leaders in their respective industries, silly. And if a human isn't living up to a "full potential" then that life definitely is not worth anything.
The idea that the rich ceo's are being taken advantage of by the system, and the whole arc of a bunch of them going on strike and living off grid to teach the lowly employees a lesson on how they couldn't make it without the smart inventors and managers giving them instruction... I can't. I just cannot.
I can't believe I kept listening to this but I was so determined to finish it. I'm so glad it's over. Would not recommend. Honestly the worst thing is that I know people who would love this, be entertained, and agree with a lot of it.
It was ok at the beginning and got steadily less interesting. Dagny is ok but most of the characters are somewhere between annoying and awfully unlikeable. Around the halfway point, I was done with the story altogether. I found myself just increasingly frustrated with the author's filibuster-style speeches. This story could have been told in probably less than 10% of the words, without missing anything. But honestly I think the "story" of it is just an excuse for a very long-winded monologue by the author on how they believe society, and individuals, should behave politically and morally.
The plot is so boring and repetitive that the character monologues were almost easier listening than the events. Why does it just keep going? And going and going??
The book is pro-capitalist, but it might be better described as anti-[anything but extreme capitalism]. The author is clearly so elitist that they seem to truly believe that blue collar workers do not have brains. The idea that "men of the mind" are greater, and even more truly human, than the rest of the population comes up over and over again. I don't have a problem with capitalism- I reside in a capitalist country and I can see both pros and cons to it. But I have a pretty big problem when it is said that public welfare is welfare of the undeserving.
Obviously I am aware that this is a work of fiction but when every character has the exact same worldview and finds a reason to get on a soapbox about production vs entitlement, it's safe to assume the author holds that point of view as well.
By the time I got to Galt's radio sermon, I was convinced that the author felt themselves a second Jesus, tasked with preaching a new way that contradicts everything Jesus taught. Help less fortunate? No way, every man for himself. Contribute to your community and work at keeping peace? No way! Because obviously the only way to be happy is to get ahead of everyone else with your (morally required) hard work. Humans don't have value unless they are leaders in their respective industries, silly. And if a human isn't living up to a "full potential" then that life definitely is not worth anything.
The idea that the rich ceo's are being taken advantage of by the system, and the whole arc of a bunch of them going on strike and living off grid to teach the lowly employees a lesson on how they couldn't make it without the smart inventors and managers giving them instruction... I can't. I just cannot.
I can't believe I kept listening to this but I was so determined to finish it. I'm so glad it's over. Would not recommend. Honestly the worst thing is that I know people who would love this, be entertained, and agree with a lot of it.