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brittanykroeckel's reviews
41 reviews
Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka
5.0
What an excellent read. I wasn’t sure what I was imagining this book to be like when I first got my hands on it, but I am so pleased with the storylines and prose. Kukafka has outdone herself with a attentive, balanced story that intertwines and overlaps multiple stories in a silky fashion.
One thing I most enjoyed about it was the almost “feminist” touch to this book. Yes, it is about the execution of a man who has done horrible crimes, but a stronger focus is put on the women how have had an impact on him in one way or another: his mother, his ex sister-in-law, and the female detective who got him. Their stories all connect to him, but are not put in the focus OF him. He is minute in this story, although what he had done is massive.
The ending (not spoiler), briefly brings up the question or morality in terms of the death penalty. This is definitely a very relevant debate in our times and I’m glad Kukafka mentions it.
Bravo!
One thing I most enjoyed about it was the almost “feminist” touch to this book. Yes, it is about the execution of a man who has done horrible crimes, but a stronger focus is put on the women how have had an impact on him in one way or another: his mother, his ex sister-in-law, and the female detective who got him. Their stories all connect to him, but are not put in the focus OF him. He is minute in this story, although what he had done is massive.
The ending (not spoiler), briefly brings up the question or morality in terms of the death penalty. This is definitely a very relevant debate in our times and I’m glad Kukafka mentions it.
Bravo!
This Is Your Mind on Plants by Michael Pollan
3.0
This book wasn’t what I was expecting it to be. When you think of the title “This is Your Mind On Plants,” you’d think it would talk about the mechanisms in which the three substances Pollan focuses on, opium, caffeine, and mescaline, act upon and alter the brains normal functioning. While this was present at times, the book ended up being more “memoiric” than I anything else. Here’s a brief breakdown of each section.
Opium: this was my least favorite. Purely memoir. I learned nothing about what opium does to the brain except for the last page or so of the section. I struggled to get through this part. However, the idea of opium being derived from a poppy plant intrigued me.
Caffeine: probably my most favorite. This had the most science that I was looking for: mentioning how it connects to our receptors and hinders adenosine reaction. The part about the bees was awesome and I did actually enjoy most of the historical context brought forth. Memoir/ personal experiment
Mescaline: middle ground. I liked the ending part of this/end of the book where he describes the effect of mescaline on his mind and perspective during the night ceremony. I appreciate deeply how he brings forth the issues involving white people overtaking the harvesting of mescaline, specifically peyote, so we can have a respect for indigenous peoples’ culture.
I gave this 3 instead of 2 stars because I knew virtually nothing about any of this going into it, so the content at hand was already intriguing for me. It’s just the way it was presented and the choice of concealing the fact that it’s actually more a personal memoir leaves me unsatisfied. It wasn’t really a “unique blend” of history, science, and memoir — it was 70% memoir, 20% history, and 10% science. However, overall, I did like the book and learned something, which is a goal I have with every book I read.
Opium: this was my least favorite. Purely memoir. I learned nothing about what opium does to the brain except for the last page or so of the section. I struggled to get through this part. However, the idea of opium being derived from a poppy plant intrigued me.
Caffeine: probably my most favorite. This had the most science that I was looking for: mentioning how it connects to our receptors and hinders adenosine reaction. The part about the bees was awesome and I did actually enjoy most of the historical context brought forth. Memoir/ personal experiment
Mescaline: middle ground. I liked the ending part of this/end of the book where he describes the effect of mescaline on his mind and perspective during the night ceremony. I appreciate deeply how he brings forth the issues involving white people overtaking the harvesting of mescaline, specifically peyote, so we can have a respect for indigenous peoples’ culture.
I gave this 3 instead of 2 stars because I knew virtually nothing about any of this going into it, so the content at hand was already intriguing for me. It’s just the way it was presented and the choice of concealing the fact that it’s actually more a personal memoir leaves me unsatisfied. It wasn’t really a “unique blend” of history, science, and memoir — it was 70% memoir, 20% history, and 10% science. However, overall, I did like the book and learned something, which is a goal I have with every book I read.
Reflection by Elizabeth Lim
4.0
This book exceeded my expectations for a YA novel. There’s was depth, character development, clear themes and messages that can be taken away from this book. I couldn’t keep this book down and at times had me on the edge of my seat.
I gave 4 stars instead of 5 because I felt like the end was a little rushed. I would’ve liked to see what the ending was explored a little bit more, but it wasn’t the main focus of the story, so I understand that choice.
Overall, it was a pleasure reading this book and this series overall is very intriguing. I’d recommend it to anyone who’s remotely interested in Disney!!
I gave 4 stars instead of 5 because I felt like the end was a little rushed. I would’ve liked to see what the ending was explored a little bit more, but it wasn’t the main focus of the story, so I understand that choice.
Overall, it was a pleasure reading this book and this series overall is very intriguing. I’d recommend it to anyone who’s remotely interested in Disney!!
Know My Name by Chanel Miller
5.0
So personal and intimate is the journey Chanel Miller takes you on. Every detail is laid out on the table and she takes your hand and shares it all. Beautifully done.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
5.0
An amazing read. So beautifully written. The very ending felt out of place IMO but the book as a whole was so enjoyable and the part I’m referring too is so minute it’s unmatched to the rest of the book. Wow, I’m left with no words!!
The Jungle: The Uncensored Original Edition by Upton Sinclair
3.0
This book was alright, it wasn’t quite what I thought it would be. Sure, it did accurately portray the unforgivingness of the time period and the working industries, as well as show the fragility of life with characters dying unexpectedly and/or quickly. But — the story line felt a little unstable. I wish a little more time was taken into describing the working conditions of the different places like it did the meat yards in the beginning.
The end felt slightly out of place. All this time Jurgis is wandering around fighting for his life and then it ends with speeches from randomly people you get introduced to at the very end? Feels kinda rushed to me.
Overall — the portrayal of the time period and life under capitalism was accurately shown. But the story itself was bland and boring.
The end felt slightly out of place. All this time Jurgis is wandering around fighting for his life and then it ends with speeches from randomly people you get introduced to at the very end? Feels kinda rushed to me.
Overall — the portrayal of the time period and life under capitalism was accurately shown. But the story itself was bland and boring.
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan
4.0
What an enjoyable read. There were many layers to this retelling, but done in a way that was not confusing to follow. It surprises me that more people are not aware of this subsection of history, so I definitely recommend taking the time to read this. Although the author did state story was dramatized, it was kept as close to the truth as
possible, which is respectable. I’m seeing people speak negatively about the author dramatizing the story of the book, but it was also made know Pino’s son had an active part in the revision process, so I’d like to believe it was done in a respected way that the Lella’s approved of.
possible, which is respectable. I’m seeing people speak negatively about the author dramatizing the story of the book, but it was also made know Pino’s son had an active part in the revision process, so I’d like to believe it was done in a respected way that the Lella’s approved of.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
5.0
I have been looking to read this book for a while and I’m so joyed that I finally got into it. I believe this book should be one all people read, especially those going into the sciences and medical field. More people need to know about Henrietta Lacks and her contributions to society. It brings up points of autonomy, ethics, racism, and more that are important components of our society, especially within the medical field. I think Skloot did a remarkable job bringing forth the good and bad, while maintaining respect for the family of Lacks. The only small criticism I have about this book is that I would have liked to hear more about what exactly Lacks’ cells contributed to but the book adequately described the significance of her contributions. It also gets me thinking about what more about history and medical history do we not know about, are there other stories like Lacks’ out there — POC taken advantage of and their names lost in the wind?
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
4.0
Although this memoir touches upon a plethora of heavy, vulnerable topics, Jennette approaches each with grace and ease. Her retelling of the chaos of her childhood years is presented in a easy-to-follow, easy-to-understand matter. Writing about what she does is not easy to do in the slightest, but she has done so in such a beautiful way I am in awe of her. She and her life are unfortunately strong examples of numerous things: the unstable development for child actors, the substantial influence a parents ways are on their children, the seemingly unbreakable attachments of eating disorders, and the toxic and appalling events that occur in the entertainment industry.
I gave it four stars instead of five because I personally struggled with chunks of the book and felt uninterested. However, I will say the final 100 pages of the book or so were some of the most powerful in the whole memoir. Well done.
I gave it four stars instead of five because I personally struggled with chunks of the book and felt uninterested. However, I will say the final 100 pages of the book or so were some of the most powerful in the whole memoir. Well done.
Era of Ignition: Coming of Age in a Time of Rage and Revolution by Amber Tamblyn
3.0
I actually thought about not finishing this book and explain below:
“I’m currently on page 75 and debating to DNF or not. I agree with other reader’s sentiment about the part regarding the Clinton election; she does bring up very valid points about the double work women politicians have to go through in order to be taken seriously but it just screamed radical feminism (and not in a good way). She states earlier in the book that she doesn’t hate men, but I find that hard to believe when any man she talked about thus far (minus her husband and a couple colleagues) is done negatively, while Clinton is all in a positive light. I voted for Clinton in 2016, but she was no saint… and Tamblyn almost talking about her as such is a slight turnoff. She even jabs at her husband for being a Bernie supporter on page 97, as a reason she never has sex, which is further making me want to toss this read out. I’m gonna stick through a little more.”
After getting through to the end, I did find the latter half more enjoyable. However, it did feel like a basic feminism 101 book like others mentioned. But I will acknowledge the portion of the book she dedicated to intersectionality and appreciate the time spent on it. This book wasn’t anything huge for me to be honest but I might recommend to anyone who is new to feminist ideology.
“I’m currently on page 75 and debating to DNF or not. I agree with other reader’s sentiment about the part regarding the Clinton election; she does bring up very valid points about the double work women politicians have to go through in order to be taken seriously but it just screamed radical feminism (and not in a good way). She states earlier in the book that she doesn’t hate men, but I find that hard to believe when any man she talked about thus far (minus her husband and a couple colleagues) is done negatively, while Clinton is all in a positive light. I voted for Clinton in 2016, but she was no saint… and Tamblyn almost talking about her as such is a slight turnoff. She even jabs at her husband for being a Bernie supporter on page 97, as a reason she never has sex, which is further making me want to toss this read out. I’m gonna stick through a little more.”
After getting through to the end, I did find the latter half more enjoyable. However, it did feel like a basic feminism 101 book like others mentioned. But I will acknowledge the portion of the book she dedicated to intersectionality and appreciate the time spent on it. This book wasn’t anything huge for me to be honest but I might recommend to anyone who is new to feminist ideology.