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cgj13's reviews
588 reviews
Fast Girl: A Life Spent Running from Madness by Suzy Favor Hamilton
4.0
Wow, just wow.
Its difficult to comprehend that this is a work of non fiction. Suzy delivers her story in a true matter of fact manner. As many stories dealing with mental health issues, this one shows how complex disorders are, and how difficult getting to a diagnosis can be. Even in the midst of her most destructive behaviors, it was hard for her and her husband to recognize that something was fundamentally wrong, or, probably more true to the fact, that self preservation was kicking in.
Based on what she wrote, Suzy Favor Hamiliton's mental illness started in childhood, and there is even a familial history with her brother. And the shame, hiding, and ignoring culture surrounding mental illness. At times she seems dismissive of her family's distance because of her fame, but I think that is part of her perception of reality.
Many people can't comprehend how her husband stood by her side. The time she spent as an escort was about a year, and in the span of time of her marriage, that isn't much at all. I view it as her husband, who had seen his wife so unhappy for so many years, starting to see her happiness return, willing to do what it took to keep her happy. Even swallowing his needs to help her.
Mental illness is such a complex, difficult affliction--you cant see it. It doesn't always make sense. It can be slow growing and morphing that you don't see the changes happening. Until its someone you don't recognize anymore.
Suzy was entirely true in the fact that she wasn't getting what she needed out of therapy because she wasn't be honest to them. That is one of the hardest things about seeking help-- you have to be willing to be 100% honest, with your therapist, and especially yourself, before you can even begin to get to the core of the issue. Another hard part that she touches on, is that she had to own up to her depression by admitting it to a complete stranger before she could even get an appointment. The obstacles put into place in our healthcare system to get people the help they need early on, before it's a crisis situation is appalling.
It is scary to think about what would have happened to Suzy Favor Hamilton had she not been outed when she did.
Its difficult to comprehend that this is a work of non fiction. Suzy delivers her story in a true matter of fact manner. As many stories dealing with mental health issues, this one shows how complex disorders are, and how difficult getting to a diagnosis can be. Even in the midst of her most destructive behaviors, it was hard for her and her husband to recognize that something was fundamentally wrong, or, probably more true to the fact, that self preservation was kicking in.
Based on what she wrote, Suzy Favor Hamiliton's mental illness started in childhood, and there is even a familial history with her brother. And the shame, hiding, and ignoring culture surrounding mental illness. At times she seems dismissive of her family's distance because of her fame, but I think that is part of her perception of reality.
Many people can't comprehend how her husband stood by her side. The time she spent as an escort was about a year, and in the span of time of her marriage, that isn't much at all. I view it as her husband, who had seen his wife so unhappy for so many years, starting to see her happiness return, willing to do what it took to keep her happy. Even swallowing his needs to help her.
Mental illness is such a complex, difficult affliction--you cant see it. It doesn't always make sense. It can be slow growing and morphing that you don't see the changes happening. Until its someone you don't recognize anymore.
Suzy was entirely true in the fact that she wasn't getting what she needed out of therapy because she wasn't be honest to them. That is one of the hardest things about seeking help-- you have to be willing to be 100% honest, with your therapist, and especially yourself, before you can even begin to get to the core of the issue. Another hard part that she touches on, is that she had to own up to her depression by admitting it to a complete stranger before she could even get an appointment. The obstacles put into place in our healthcare system to get people the help they need early on, before it's a crisis situation is appalling.
It is scary to think about what would have happened to Suzy Favor Hamilton had she not been outed when she did.
A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler
3.0
What the??? So much praise for this book and author. But it really fell flat for me. If I could give half stars, it would be 2.5
One thing I kept hearing over and over was how Anne Tyler reels you and and really gets you excited about the characters. I feel I didn't learn anything about some of the main characters except Abby and Junior. What about Denny. I would have loved to understood him more but he was left as an enigma. Sure you can understand he was resentful about Stem showing up, but come on... At some point couldn't the family had at least one attempt at a decent conversation about it.
I was completely shocked at how Abby was killed off in section one. First, I really hoped the author was going to delve into why she was suddenly disappearing. Obviously the author wanted to take us a different route and tell us about how the family came to be. Abby's part was okay. But Junior, what an a-hole. He was such a jerk to Linnie, and, well, everyone (except maybe his children, we don't much of that interaction). To spend his life working his way to better himself but dismissing people that were like him as well as those who he was trying to emulate. The manipulation. And living his life as a lie with Linnie. For all those years.
The overarching theme I did gleam from this novel is how a person can determine how they feel people should act and behave, how they want their ideal family to behave and how those expectations can lead to disappointment and rejection when you can't let those ideals go. People are human and we can only expect them to act the way they wish not how we wish for them to behave.
One thing I kept hearing over and over was how Anne Tyler reels you and and really gets you excited about the characters. I feel I didn't learn anything about some of the main characters except Abby and Junior. What about Denny. I would have loved to understood him more but he was left as an enigma. Sure you can understand he was resentful about Stem showing up, but come on... At some point couldn't the family had at least one attempt at a decent conversation about it.
I was completely shocked at how Abby was killed off in section one. First, I really hoped the author was going to delve into why she was suddenly disappearing. Obviously the author wanted to take us a different route and tell us about how the family came to be. Abby's part was okay. But Junior, what an a-hole. He was such a jerk to Linnie, and, well, everyone (except maybe his children, we don't much of that interaction). To spend his life working his way to better himself but dismissing people that were like him as well as those who he was trying to emulate. The manipulation. And living his life as a lie with Linnie. For all those years.
The overarching theme I did gleam from this novel is how a person can determine how they feel people should act and behave, how they want their ideal family to behave and how those expectations can lead to disappointment and rejection when you can't let those ideals go. People are human and we can only expect them to act the way they wish not how we wish for them to behave.
The Masked City by Genevieve Cogman
5.0
This was better than the first book. Irene really shines in this book. The imagery that Genevieve conjures up in this book is spectacular. I felt like I was walking in the worlds with Irene.
As much as I loved Kai in the first book, having him in the background really allowed Irene to shine in this book and we see how much of a badass she really is
So many stories were left with unresolved endings. I cannot wait for the next book in the series to see where this goes.
As much as I loved Kai in the first book, having him in the background really allowed Irene to shine in this book and we see how much of a badass she really is
So many stories were left with unresolved endings. I cannot wait for the next book in the series to see where this goes.
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond
5.0
Not sure how to write a review for this. So many thoughts are swimming in my head right now.
I am glad that I listened to this on audio, as it forced me to keep going. Had I tried to read a paper copy, I would have put this down so many times to ponder the situations that Desmond portrays.
This is not easy subject matter, and left me feeling a bit icky about myself for having all the benefits and the life I have been blessed to have. There is no denying that poverty and eviction is a vicious cycle that is rampant all over. You cannot deny that it is "not in my town" as this book is about residents in nearby Milwaukee. Not far from me at all.
The conditions people are forced to live in--AND PAY FOR-- are horrifying, just so they can have a place to live. And to have programs designed to help, actually make it more restrictive or detrimental to rectify the situation.
This is definitely a must read.
I am glad that I listened to this on audio, as it forced me to keep going. Had I tried to read a paper copy, I would have put this down so many times to ponder the situations that Desmond portrays.
This is not easy subject matter, and left me feeling a bit icky about myself for having all the benefits and the life I have been blessed to have. There is no denying that poverty and eviction is a vicious cycle that is rampant all over. You cannot deny that it is "not in my town" as this book is about residents in nearby Milwaukee. Not far from me at all.
The conditions people are forced to live in--AND PAY FOR-- are horrifying, just so they can have a place to live. And to have programs designed to help, actually make it more restrictive or detrimental to rectify the situation.
This is definitely a must read.
The City Baker's Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller
" I felt a wave of sadness thinking of Mary, alone in her little dark kitchen--a loneliness no one in this room would ever know. "Every time we would bake something together, she would say 'You should always do what you can to make life sweeter.'"
This was a sweet romance novel (pun intended). I loved, loved, loved this book. I could not put it down. The descriptions of food in this novel just made my mouth water. I think I gained 5 pounds just reading about it.
Throughout this book, we follow Livvy, a pastry chef living and working in Boston. She has had a life of self-reliance, having been raised solely by her father, after her mother abandoned them when Livvy was really young. To make matters worse, her father dies when she is still in her teen years. We meet Livvy when she is in her early 30's, having an affair with a married man, who is also her boss. We soon come to discover that Livvy has never had a serious relationship and moves quite frequently, pouring herself into her work. The only constant is her trusty dog Salty.
When an accident happens at the Boston Dinner Club, Livvy flees to Guthrie, Vermont where her best friend lives. Fleeing, is Livvy's gut response when anything gets bad. Guthrie is as small town as small towns get. She finds her self working at a the Sugar Maple Inn. It is here that Livvy finds the things she needs most in this world, family, and love.
"By the end of the week I was left feeling like a deranged mix of Sherlock Holmes and Christopher Kimball..."
5.0
" I felt a wave of sadness thinking of Mary, alone in her little dark kitchen--a loneliness no one in this room would ever know. "Every time we would bake something together, she would say 'You should always do what you can to make life sweeter.'"
This was a sweet romance novel (pun intended). I loved, loved, loved this book. I could not put it down. The descriptions of food in this novel just made my mouth water. I think I gained 5 pounds just reading about it.
Throughout this book, we follow Livvy, a pastry chef living and working in Boston. She has had a life of self-reliance, having been raised solely by her father, after her mother abandoned them when Livvy was really young. To make matters worse, her father dies when she is still in her teen years. We meet Livvy when she is in her early 30's, having an affair with a married man, who is also her boss. We soon come to discover that Livvy has never had a serious relationship and moves quite frequently, pouring herself into her work. The only constant is her trusty dog Salty.
When an accident happens at the Boston Dinner Club, Livvy flees to Guthrie, Vermont where her best friend lives. Fleeing, is Livvy's gut response when anything gets bad. Guthrie is as small town as small towns get. She finds her self working at a the Sugar Maple Inn. It is here that Livvy finds the things she needs most in this world, family, and love.
"By the end of the week I was left feeling like a deranged mix of Sherlock Holmes and Christopher Kimball..."
Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle, Glennon Doyle
5.0
I don't know how to give this a review. This book speaks to me on so many levels. The truth and honesty that Glennon doles out is so refreshing. And boy has she been through some shit. This book shares part of her journey as she goes from being a bulimic and alcoholic, finding herself pregnant. And using that as an invitation from the world to re-engage in life.
It's not easy and she falters along the way. She shares with us her faults honestly and wholly. Along with that is so much wisdom on how to live a life that honors yourself, and provides grace and forgiveness.
It's not easy and she falters along the way. She shares with us her faults honestly and wholly. Along with that is so much wisdom on how to live a life that honors yourself, and provides grace and forgiveness.
Secret Coders by Gene Luen Yang
4.0
Fun little graphic novel that introduces coding concepts. Guard birds are programmed using binary and lines of code (with repeat) is used to program a robot turtle. I will be adding this to books available for kids at my coding programs.
I didn't like the single color throughout--green. It made it hard to read.
I didn't like the single color throughout--green. It made it hard to read.
I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
3.0
I really wish Good reads had half stars. I would give this a 3.5 It's not a horrible story, but not stellar as I had hoped it to be.
Definitely a psychological trip. Just shy of halfway through, I wasn't sure I was going to finish this book. It started off with disjointed dialogue (more on that later--spoilers, ya know). But I kept going--and then I thought I had figured it out, so I kept reading to see if my theory was correct. The suspense of something bad happening is built right away in the story, with different voices having a conversation right after each chapter change.
*******Spoilers below**** Stop reading if you don't want to know*****
*******
*******
Okay, so shortly after I decided to keep going, I figured out that someone in the story (most likely Jake) had a mental issue. Most likely bipolar disorder. It was then that I realized that the reason the story had disjointed, stunted dialogue was because of this, and was all foreshadowing. I will admit, that I also figured out that Jake ends up dead. The one suspense the author was able to maintain until the near very end was the identity of the narrator. And had I been paying more attention, I would have picked up on this earlier. Considering we never hear her name.
Definitely a psychological trip. Just shy of halfway through, I wasn't sure I was going to finish this book. It started off with disjointed dialogue (more on that later--spoilers, ya know). But I kept going--and then I thought I had figured it out, so I kept reading to see if my theory was correct. The suspense of something bad happening is built right away in the story, with different voices having a conversation right after each chapter change.
*******Spoilers below**** Stop reading if you don't want to know*****
*******
*******
Okay, so shortly after I decided to keep going, I figured out that someone in the story (most likely Jake) had a mental issue. Most likely bipolar disorder. It was then that I realized that the reason the story had disjointed, stunted dialogue was because of this, and was all foreshadowing. I will admit, that I also figured out that Jake ends up dead. The one suspense the author was able to maintain until the near very end was the identity of the narrator. And had I been paying more attention, I would have picked up on this earlier. Considering we never hear her name.
Storyworlds: Nature by Thomas Hegbrook
5.0
This was a beautifully illustrated book showcasing cycles of life in nature. The book allows you to fill in your own narrative which allows for exploration of your mind and critical thinking. In the back of the book, the author does provide narration if needed.