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elderlingfool's reviews
360 reviews
A Arte de Te Sentires Melhor by Matilda Heindow
4.0
I never thought I would read a self-help book, but here we are. This one is also part memoir, which is why it makes it more interesting and bearable to me. The author shares her struggles with mental health and her past experiences while giving some tips that hopefully will be useful to others. It isn't in depth, but it's a good first step to understanding what might be wrong and take better care of ourselves. Plus, the illustrations make this book pleasant to look at.
I am glad that this book briefly shows different ways that depression and anxiety can manifest because it took me a long time to be aware of it for myself since most people have a fixed idea of how depression and anxiety are like and don't realize it can present in opposite ways of what is commonly known.
This little book also made me aware of the difference between toxic positivity and genuine optimism. I guess it is easier to change the mind of someone that has never bought into the common toxic positivity phrases. Unfortunately, that isn't my case. The author states that she always got angry by those statements, but I believed them when they were said to me the first time so those have been coming from inside the house for years. At least now I know why it's never helpful and how to change it. It would have been worth it to read this just for that.
I don't know how helful this book would be to someone that is already aware of their struggles and that did research to get better and went to therapy. My guess is that this will not be very helpful or new in those cases, but it worked for me even if I already knew some of the information shared. I know I will still need reminders sometimes so it is kind of a comfort to have this readily available for when I need it.
The only thing that made me wary is that one of the options given to get better is to visit cult places. It is implied that this is for someone that is already religious and trusts the specific institution. However, I can't help thinking about how dangerous it is to go seek those places while being extremelly vulnerable, even though I know religion is a comfort to a lot of people. There are just too many opportunistic people for me to think this is a good option unless the person is fully capable of judging what is being said and done at the moment.
I am glad that this book briefly shows different ways that depression and anxiety can manifest because it took me a long time to be aware of it for myself since most people have a fixed idea of how depression and anxiety are like and don't realize it can present in opposite ways of what is commonly known.
This little book also made me aware of the difference between toxic positivity and genuine optimism. I guess it is easier to change the mind of someone that has never bought into the common toxic positivity phrases. Unfortunately, that isn't my case. The author states that she always got angry by those statements, but I believed them when they were said to me the first time so those have been coming from inside the house for years. At least now I know why it's never helpful and how to change it. It would have been worth it to read this just for that.
I don't know how helful this book would be to someone that is already aware of their struggles and that did research to get better and went to therapy. My guess is that this will not be very helpful or new in those cases, but it worked for me even if I already knew some of the information shared. I know I will still need reminders sometimes so it is kind of a comfort to have this readily available for when I need it.
The only thing that made me wary is that one of the options given to get better is to visit cult places. It is implied that this is for someone that is already religious and trusts the specific institution. However, I can't help thinking about how dangerous it is to go seek those places while being extremelly vulnerable, even though I know religion is a comfort to a lot of people. There are just too many opportunistic people for me to think this is a good option unless the person is fully capable of judging what is being said and done at the moment.
Going Postal by Terry Pratchett
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"Go postal: to suddenly behave in a very violent or angry way."
This is one of the funniest books in the series. I did miss the surprise of having an emotional moment that makes me cry this time. I got so used to expecting that.
Moist von Lipwig and Adora Belle Dearheart are introduced in this book and they are both fantastic characters. I also liked the post office workers and the golems. It was a joy to see Vetinari and Ridcully again since they are both favourites. There are also some mentions of Watch characters that were delightful.
In this entry of the Discworld series Vetinari gives a chance to the main character, Moist, to work at the post office and make it functional again. Mr. Lipwig is a conman and it was really interesting to see his internal conflicts and his interactions with other characters. I especially liked the contrast between him and Mr. Gilt.
The commentary about government services and collectors was top notch. I especially liked this quote:
"What kind of man would put a known criminal in charge of a major branch of government? Apart from, say, the average voter."
Even though this is a very strong book in the series, I expected more from it because it is the favourite Discworld book of so many people. At first it didn't even feel like a Discworld book to me. It was probably because of the addition of chapters and the inclusion of so many new characters, but I quickly got used to that. Still, the book felt a bit too long. I only needed the scenes following the main character since those were the best and all the other inclusions didn't seem extremelly necessary to me. The exception to this is the epilogue, which mirrors the first chapter beautifully.
I am still very excited to continue my Discworld journey and witness the genius of Sir Pratchett's puns.
This is one of the funniest books in the series. I did miss the surprise of having an emotional moment that makes me cry this time. I got so used to expecting that.
Moist von Lipwig and Adora Belle Dearheart are introduced in this book and they are both fantastic characters. I also liked the post office workers and the golems. It was a joy to see Vetinari and Ridcully again since they are both favourites. There are also some mentions of Watch characters that were delightful.
In this entry of the Discworld series Vetinari gives a chance to the main character, Moist, to work at the post office and make it functional again. Mr. Lipwig is a conman and it was really interesting to see his internal conflicts and his interactions with other characters. I especially liked the contrast between him and Mr. Gilt.
The commentary about government services and collectors was top notch. I especially liked this quote:
"What kind of man would put a known criminal in charge of a major branch of government? Apart from, say, the average voter."
Even though this is a very strong book in the series, I expected more from it because it is the favourite Discworld book of so many people. At first it didn't even feel like a Discworld book to me. It was probably because of the addition of chapters and the inclusion of so many new characters, but I quickly got used to that. Still, the book felt a bit too long. I only needed the scenes following the main character since those were the best and all the other inclusions didn't seem extremelly necessary to me. The exception to this is the epilogue, which mirrors the first chapter beautifully.
I am still very excited to continue my Discworld journey and witness the genius of Sir Pratchett's puns.
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
dark
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
This memoir is told in a very unique way. It even includes a "choose your own adventure" section and some parts that feel like magical realism. The writing is beautiful and immersive.
In the Dream House is about the author's abusive lesbian relationship and it includes mentions of other cases of abuse during the text and references at the end of the book. Even though it was sad to read, there are also humourous scenes that made me laugh. The author seems to have a wonderful sense of humour and she seems to be doing better nowadays, which is great. I was really happy about the ending and how she found some comfort with her wife.
The author switches between first and second person, using the later in the sections about the main subject of the book: the abusive relationship. This makes the reader closer to the dangerous situations being told.
This is the first book I read by the author and now I want to try her fiction since I enjoyed the style so much.
The Whispering Muse by Laura Purcell
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Jenny is down on her luck when she receives a great deal from a lady called Mrs. Dyer. In exchange for money and other favors, she has to spy on an actress called Lilith while taking care of her makeup and wardrobe. The theatre is full with people that believe in superstitions and there is a mysterious clock said to whisper to someone who is in possession of it while tragedy follows.
This was one of the most engaging reads I experienced in a long time. The writing style made everything flow so naturally, the characters were interesting and the different mysteries kept me wanting to read a chapter immediately one after the other.
The book is divided into five acts and, even though I don't think it's necessary to have read the plays presented here, some knowledge about them is helpful in order to notice all the details. The author makes a good job at stating what the plays are about and their themes for the most part and someone that is familiar with them might even find the few repetitions annoying at times. The plays presented are Faust, Macbeth, The Duchess of Malfi, Antony and Cleopatra and Romeo and Juliet. The plot has strong connection to these plays.
The main themes presented are family, superstition, jealousy, revenge and fame while adressing the struggles for women in Victorian London. The three major female characters have really strong personalities and are interesting in their own way. Lilith intrigued me from the start, but Jenny ended up being the best for me because I liked to see her development when it comes to her initial judgements and the care for her family while learning to take care of herself too.
The ending went on for a little too long. Near the end I caught myself thinking "it isn't done yet?" but the finale made sense and it closed with a bang.
I only read two books by this author, this one and The Silent Companions, and so far this one is my favourite. I definitely want to read more of her works.
This was one of the most engaging reads I experienced in a long time. The writing style made everything flow so naturally, the characters were interesting and the different mysteries kept me wanting to read a chapter immediately one after the other.
The book is divided into five acts and, even though I don't think it's necessary to have read the plays presented here, some knowledge about them is helpful in order to notice all the details. The author makes a good job at stating what the plays are about and their themes for the most part and someone that is familiar with them might even find the few repetitions annoying at times. The plays presented are Faust, Macbeth, The Duchess of Malfi, Antony and Cleopatra and Romeo and Juliet. The plot has strong connection to these plays.
The main themes presented are family, superstition, jealousy, revenge and fame while adressing the struggles for women in Victorian London. The three major female characters have really strong personalities and are interesting in their own way. Lilith intrigued me from the start, but Jenny ended up being the best for me because I liked to see her development when it comes to her initial judgements and the care for her family while learning to take care of herself too.
The ending went on for a little too long. Near the end I caught myself thinking "it isn't done yet?" but the finale made sense and it closed with a bang.
I only read two books by this author, this one and The Silent Companions, and so far this one is my favourite. I definitely want to read more of her works.
Holes by Louis Sachar
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"There is no lake at Camp Green Lake." That is the amusing start of this novel. The book was published in the late 90s and it reminds me of the movies I watched as a kid where kids were the main characters having their own adventure. I wish I had read it as a kid because I would probably like it even more. I still really really enjoyed it though. The story started really funny and it became very emotional in the second half. It made me smile at several points and it isn't just any book that manages to do that.
Holes follows Stanley Yelnats, who was sentenced to dig holes at a juvenile correctional facility called Camp Green Lake after being accused of a crime he didn't commit. There he meets other kids that were deemed "problematic" and is confronted with terrible adults that make him question authority. As said at the end of my copy, the themes are "preserverance through hardship, the power of friendship, social justice, environmentalism, family curses and legacy, redemption and forgiveness, racism and discrimination."
The book is never boring, switching between past and present in a way that reveals a mystery that shows how long gone events connect to several characters. I really admire how every little detail wasn't forgotten and how all the pieces of the puzzle came together at the end (often in hilarious ways).
I know I am giving this book a lot of praise. It is funny, witty and I love the friendship between Stanley and Zero so so much! That said, some parts of it didn't age well. It has some of the issues that could be found in kids' media of the 80s and 90s. One particular section that comes to mind is when a woman, that is known as being very pretty but dumb by everyone has the chance to pick her husband between two of the man and she solves it by being incredibly dumb and giving reason to the narrative about her. However, those issues are not present for most of the book and there are better female characters in the story (addressing this example in particular). It is noticeable that the novel is a product of the time it was written in, but that doesn't cancel all of the good parts in contains too.
I really like this quote near the end:
"While Mrs. Bell, Stanley's former math teacher, might want to know the percent change in Stanley's weight, the reader probably cares more about the change in Stanley's character and self-confidence. But those changes are subtle and hard to measure. There is no simple answer."
Stanley changed both inside and out. One scene that almost made him tear up was when Stanley was sleeping outside tired, hungry and thirsty and with only one friend for company and he realized that he was happy and he didn't remember the last time he genuinely felt that way. He was a bullied fat kid with no friends and no courage and he had finally found a friend and did something for him that was meaningful and made him feel needed. I loved those scenes with the two of them trying to survive, but I will stop here before I enter a too spoilery territory.
In this book, plot and character work are equally important and compliment each other brilliantly. Not every character is as well developed as Stanley or Zero, but they serve their purpose in the story and the reader can fill in the holes of what is left unsaid.
Even though I really liked this book, I have no wish to read the sequel. At least not right now. My copy includes the first chapter of it and it apparently follows another one of the boys from Camp Green Lake and this first book already satisfied me to the fullest. I know that this one is a classic, but I didn't even know there was a sequel until I read this. Maybe someday I will give it a try, but for now I am really happy with this experience.
Holes follows Stanley Yelnats, who was sentenced to dig holes at a juvenile correctional facility called Camp Green Lake after being accused of a crime he didn't commit. There he meets other kids that were deemed "problematic" and is confronted with terrible adults that make him question authority. As said at the end of my copy, the themes are "preserverance through hardship, the power of friendship, social justice, environmentalism, family curses and legacy, redemption and forgiveness, racism and discrimination."
The book is never boring, switching between past and present in a way that reveals a mystery that shows how long gone events connect to several characters. I really admire how every little detail wasn't forgotten and how all the pieces of the puzzle came together at the end (often in hilarious ways).
I know I am giving this book a lot of praise. It is funny, witty and I love the friendship between Stanley and Zero so so much! That said, some parts of it didn't age well. It has some of the issues that could be found in kids' media of the 80s and 90s. One particular section that comes to mind is when a woman, that is known as being very pretty but dumb by everyone has the chance to pick her husband between two of the man and she solves it by being incredibly dumb and giving reason to the narrative about her. However, those issues are not present for most of the book and there are better female characters in the story (addressing this example in particular). It is noticeable that the novel is a product of the time it was written in, but that doesn't cancel all of the good parts in contains too.
I really like this quote near the end:
"While Mrs. Bell, Stanley's former math teacher, might want to know the percent change in Stanley's weight, the reader probably cares more about the change in Stanley's character and self-confidence. But those changes are subtle and hard to measure. There is no simple answer."
Stanley changed both inside and out. One scene that almost made him tear up was when Stanley was sleeping outside tired, hungry and thirsty and with only one friend for company and he realized that he was happy and he didn't remember the last time he genuinely felt that way. He was a bullied fat kid with no friends and no courage and he had finally found a friend and did something for him that was meaningful and made him feel needed. I loved those scenes with the two of them trying to survive, but I will stop here before I enter a too spoilery territory.
In this book, plot and character work are equally important and compliment each other brilliantly. Not every character is as well developed as Stanley or Zero, but they serve their purpose in the story and the reader can fill in the holes of what is left unsaid.
Even though I really liked this book, I have no wish to read the sequel. At least not right now. My copy includes the first chapter of it and it apparently follows another one of the boys from Camp Green Lake and this first book already satisfied me to the fullest. I know that this one is a classic, but I didn't even know there was a sequel until I read this. Maybe someday I will give it a try, but for now I am really happy with this experience.
The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
At first I wasn't interested in reading this book, but then I reread the original trilogy and I watched the movie for this prequel. I found out that the Hunger Games series still has a place in my heart and I was curious to see how the movie differs from the book. There are a few changes, especially when it comes to the main character's actions and motivations, but both are pretty good.
This prequel presents a young Coriolanus Snow and how he was a mentor to a girl from District 12 (same District as Katniss) in the 10th Hunger Games. It shows how much people didn't care for the games at the start and how much they changed and why until they became the show seen in the original trilogy. We see the progression of Snow, that starts as a bit of an unlikeable character but not completely awful, until he is on his path to become president. Coriolanus is no stranger to hunger and poverty , but he has to keep the appearance of prestige because of his name and the hope of success.
I really liked the imagery of the mockingjays, jaberjays and snakes to represent Lucy Gray and Coriolanus and also the districts and the Capitol. It was entertaining to see the connection between certain moments and what happens in the original trilogy and how it affected Snow in a more powerful way than shown initially (like the mockingjay and the Hanging Tree song).
While the trilogy was written in first person present to make the reader close to the character and show the fast-paced action, this book was written in third person past and it's a slower character study shown at a distance. The author also improved as a writer. This was very engaging to read even if there weren't as many plot reveals as there was in the first trilogy.
Coriolanus Snow is a very interesting character and he comes of as more unlikeable here than in the movie because the reader has access to his thoughts. He is self-centered, opportunistic and manipulative. His good looks make him charming and it shows how easier it is to fool other people when that is the reality. Lucy Gray is more mysterious than in the movie since we can only observe her through Snow's eyes. Sejanus is pretty much the same. There were some changes when it comes to certain characters actions in the arena, but to be honest I don't remember much about them since Snow didn't care much for them either.
When Lucy Gray is singing it shows Coriolanus interpretation of the verses and that annoyed me a little. I get why it was done, but it was done too often for my taste and I didn't need the repetition of some of his views.
I really liked this book and it was a good addition to the series. I am glad I decided to give it a chance in the end because there isn't many nostalgic media that stands the test of time.
This prequel presents a young Coriolanus Snow and how he was a mentor to a girl from District 12 (same District as Katniss) in the 10th Hunger Games. It shows how much people didn't care for the games at the start and how much they changed and why until they became the show seen in the original trilogy. We see the progression of Snow, that starts as a bit of an unlikeable character but not completely awful, until he is on his path to become president. Coriolanus is no stranger to hunger and poverty , but he has to keep the appearance of prestige because of his name and the hope of success.
I really liked the imagery of the mockingjays, jaberjays and snakes to represent Lucy Gray and Coriolanus and also the districts and the Capitol. It was entertaining to see the connection between certain moments and what happens in the original trilogy and how it affected Snow in a more powerful way than shown initially (like the mockingjay and the Hanging Tree song).
While the trilogy was written in first person present to make the reader close to the character and show the fast-paced action, this book was written in third person past and it's a slower character study shown at a distance. The author also improved as a writer. This was very engaging to read even if there weren't as many plot reveals as there was in the first trilogy.
Coriolanus Snow is a very interesting character and he comes of as more unlikeable here than in the movie because the reader has access to his thoughts. He is self-centered, opportunistic and manipulative. His good looks make him charming and it shows how easier it is to fool other people when that is the reality. Lucy Gray is more mysterious than in the movie since we can only observe her through Snow's eyes. Sejanus is pretty much the same. There were some changes when it comes to certain characters actions in the arena, but to be honest I don't remember much about them since Snow didn't care much for them either.
When Lucy Gray is singing it shows Coriolanus interpretation of the verses and that annoyed me a little. I get why it was done, but it was done too often for my taste and I didn't need the repetition of some of his views.
I really liked this book and it was a good addition to the series. I am glad I decided to give it a chance in the end because there isn't many nostalgic media that stands the test of time.
Upstream: Select Essays by Mary Oliver
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
This book has many beautiful passages. Unfortunately, I also felt bored in some chapters.
I loved the first part of this book. It was so relatable and beautifully written. I really like the author's thoughts about nature and animals. The book is also full of nostalgia for the simplicity of the past. When the thoughts about other poets and authors happened I started to feel bored. Part of it might have been because I haven't read anything by most of them, but it was also just not that interesting even when I knew the author's work (like Poe).
Overall, it was an alright read. I just wish it had been as good as the start for the entirety of the book.
I loved the first part of this book. It was so relatable and beautifully written. I really like the author's thoughts about nature and animals. The book is also full of nostalgia for the simplicity of the past. When the thoughts about other poets and authors happened I started to feel bored. Part of it might have been because I haven't read anything by most of them, but it was also just not that interesting even when I knew the author's work (like Poe).
Overall, it was an alright read. I just wish it had been as good as the start for the entirety of the book.