cdoors's reviews
256 reviews

A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine

adventurous funny 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? It's complicated

4.0

The Art of Living: Peace and Freedom in the Here and Now by Thích Nhất Hạnh

hopeful inspiring medium-paced

3.75

The End of Policing by Alex S. Vitale

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

This might be one of the most important books I have ever read. If you want to understand the actual policies, ideas, and practices behind defining the police while understanding the real challenges to keeping our society safe and prosperous, start with Alex Vitale's The End of Policing. This is a book I will return to again and again.

The Other Side of Nothing: The Zen Ethics of Time, Space, and Being by Brad Warner

funny hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

4.0

A lot of Buddhism writing, like a lot of spiritual writing, takes itself very seriously. Brad Warner manages to be engaging, insightful, and fun while taking Buddhism and Zen seriously. Highly recommend The Other Side of Nothing for anyone just starting out with Zen or who wants to break out of their normal Buddhist reading materials.

This is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

Happiness, Love, and Liberation: Insights and Teachings from Buddhist Psychology by Thích Nhất Hạnh

hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

3.75

The Hunger of the Gods by John Gwynne

adventurous dark fast-paced

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

3.75

How the Swans Came to the Lake: A Narrative History of Buddhism in America by Rick Fields

informative slow-paced

4.5

This is a dense and informative history of Buddhism in the United States specifically, but the West in general. While a slow read, it is not a difficult read. The writing is approachable and Rick Fields does an exceptional job of keeping the material approachable. Well worth the read for anyone practicing Buddhism in the United States or interested in general Buddhist history.

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.75

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous fast-paced

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

3.25