Take a photo of a barcode or cover
bluepoohreads22's reviews
209 reviews
Voices of the Fallen Heroes: And Other Stories by Yukio Mishima
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
4.0
Manacled by SenLinYu
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
The Trauma of Burnout: How to Manage Your Nervous System Before It Manages You by Claire Plumbly
hopeful
informative
reflective
4.0
Beyond Anxiety: Curiosity, Creativity, and Finding Your Life's Purpose by Martha Beck
hopeful
informative
3.0
‘Anxiety also makes us less able to feel and show love, and less receptive to love from others, darkening our emotions as well as our thoughts.’
This was my first book by the author, a sociologist, and I found her approach to anxiety and creativity quite insightful.
In this book, the author explores how to break free from the cycle of anxiety by engaging creativity. She argues that by shifting from an anxiety spiral to a ‘creativity spiral,’ individuals can reduce anxiety, solve problems more effectively, and ultimately experience greater peace, meaning, and connection in their lives.
The book is divided into three parts. The first part, The Creature, explains anxiety in depth—its causes, its effects, and why it is such an important issue to address. I particularly appreciated this section for its simple and accessible language. As a psychiatrist, I felt that anyone suffering from anxiety could relate to this part, as the author makes the condition feel seen and acknowledged. She emphasizes how anxiety is a very real and often debilitating experience.
The second part, The Creative, shifts focus to the role of creativity. The author delves into how expanding our creative side can help improve our overall lives. While this section may not be directly tied to anxiety alone, the methods she describes can be applied broadly to enhance mental well-being and personal growth.
The final part, The Creation, blends philosophy and religion, offering various techniques for personal transformation. Like the second part, this section is more universal and can be applied by anyone, not just those struggling with anxiety.
Overall, I found the first part of the book the most helpful in terms of addressing anxiety directly. The later sections provide useful tips and practices, but they feel less focused on the specific topic of anxiety and more on general self-help principles. Because of this, I would recommend approaching this book as a general self-help guide rather than a focused resource specifically on anxiety. The title, while intriguing, can be a bit misleading when compared to the broader scope of the content.
Thank you Times Reads for the review copy.
The Baby Dragon Café by A.T. Qureshi
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
2.5
‘A baby dragon cafe is a great idea in theory, but in execution, too many flames.’
This is my first book by the author, and while it’s marketed as cozy fantasy, I’d classify it more as a contemporary romance.
The story centers around Saphira, who opens a café for baby dragons. Although she believes it’s a brilliant idea, the reality of managing the business turns out to be a nightmare. Enter Aiden, a quiet, introverted man looking for someone to help train his baby dragon. The narrative explores how their relationship develops and whether Saphira can succeed in her unique dragon-care venture.
The book follows a fairly straightforward plot with simplistic writing. At first, I thought it might be the work of a debut author. However, after learning how many books the author has published, I’d categorize the writing as competent but somewhat mediocre.
There are no significant plot twists or surprises. The book delivers the expected vibes and tropes, and that’s pretty much the extent of it.
I’m unsure why this was marketed as a fantasy novel. Apart from the dragons, there’s nothing particularly fantastical about it. In fact, if you swapped out the dragons for dogs, the story would still work just as well.
Overall, I did enjoy the book as a light, enjoyable break between heavier reads. If you’re looking for a low-effort, feel-good story with a dash of romance, this might be a good pick. However, if you're expecting something more intricate or groundbreaking, this book may not be for you. The plot is fairly predictable, and you can likely figure out the major beats by reading the blurb and skimming the last few chapters.
Thank you Times Reads for the review copy.