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fatherroderick's reviews
298 reviews
On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction by William Zinsser
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
A good, down-to-earth guide to writing in general, and to write memoir specifically. The author advocates a clear, simple writing style, and to always write for yourself first, rather than to try pleasing a specific audience.
An important takeaway for my work as a documentary maker is the advice to always insert yourself into the story, to share how what you encounter or discover impacts you. Don't be afraid to give your opinion and to share your own journey, including the struggles and the failures along the way.
I would recommend this book to my fellow priests and deacons too as a source of inspiration and advice on how to deliver an engaging homily or sermon that people can relate to and will actually remember.
An important takeaway for my work as a documentary maker is the advice to always insert yourself into the story, to share how what you encounter or discover impacts you. Don't be afraid to give your opinion and to share your own journey, including the struggles and the failures along the way.
I would recommend this book to my fellow priests and deacons too as a source of inspiration and advice on how to deliver an engaging homily or sermon that people can relate to and will actually remember.
Just the Funny Parts: ... And a Few Hard Truths About Sneaking Into the Hollywood Boys' Club by Nell Scovell
informative
fast-paced
3.0
An interesting memoir from Nell Scovell, a writer for a number of well-known television shows, that adds another testimony to the growing list of stories about a male-dominated entertainment industry with all its limitations and abusive or sexist behavior.
And this is, according to the author, 'just the funny parts', which is also the problem of the book. Even though she shares a couple of jokes that she wrote here and there, most of the book is written in a factual, serious tone of voice that doesn't deliver what the title of the book seems to promise.
I enjoyed reading about television episodes or events that I only knew about from the outside, and I was sad to read that Hollywood and the entertainment industry clearly still has a long way to go when it comes to diversity, equality and respect for people's dignity. I just wished that there had been a bit more humor to counterbalance the serious side of the story.
And this is, according to the author, 'just the funny parts', which is also the problem of the book. Even though she shares a couple of jokes that she wrote here and there, most of the book is written in a factual, serious tone of voice that doesn't deliver what the title of the book seems to promise.
I enjoyed reading about television episodes or events that I only knew about from the outside, and I was sad to read that Hollywood and the entertainment industry clearly still has a long way to go when it comes to diversity, equality and respect for people's dignity. I just wished that there had been a bit more humor to counterbalance the serious side of the story.
Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape by Jenna Miscavige Hill
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
4.5
A fascinating look behind the curtain of the Scientology 'church' by someone who was raised in a family of believers and ultimately discovers that the organization is all about control, exploitation of its members, brainwashing and above all: money.
Yet the author paints a very nuanced picture of the various Scientology members that played a role in her upbringing and in her career inside the organization. Many of them are well intentioned, but duped by the system and by its leaders.
I noticed quite a few parallels with the QAnon phenomenon: you can't convince its followers by reasoning, by telling them that they are wrong, let alone by ridiculing them. The author's parents, who left the organization when she was still adhering to it treated her with respect and with love, so that she didn't have to take her distance and could discover the ugly truth of scientology when she was ready for it.
It's baffling that such an organization can continue its money-extorting business under the guise of 'freedom of religion' up until this moment and even managed to get recognized as a 'church' in various countries (giving it huge tax benefits). Thankfully, the internet and social media offer so much information and support from former members that hopefully less and less people will fall prey to Scientology's recruiters.
Yet the author paints a very nuanced picture of the various Scientology members that played a role in her upbringing and in her career inside the organization. Many of them are well intentioned, but duped by the system and by its leaders.
I noticed quite a few parallels with the QAnon phenomenon: you can't convince its followers by reasoning, by telling them that they are wrong, let alone by ridiculing them. The author's parents, who left the organization when she was still adhering to it treated her with respect and with love, so that she didn't have to take her distance and could discover the ugly truth of scientology when she was ready for it.
It's baffling that such an organization can continue its money-extorting business under the guise of 'freedom of religion' up until this moment and even managed to get recognized as a 'church' in various countries (giving it huge tax benefits). Thankfully, the internet and social media offer so much information and support from former members that hopefully less and less people will fall prey to Scientology's recruiters.
Game Changer by Neal Shusterman
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
The protagonist of this book, Ash, takes us on a journey through multiple realities, each one slightly or very different from the one he comes from. Each time he wakes up in a new reality, he learns more about how other people experience the world, because he is no longer exactly the same person he used to be. The premisse is interesting, and the writing is good, but I think the desire to tell the story at a relatively fast pace sometimes hinders deeper exploration of these various alternate experiences. The ending is a bit too convenient and generic, but I nevertheless enjoyed the story.
Running on Empty: Overcome Your Childhood Emotional Neglect by Jonice Webb
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.5
An eye-opening book on the impact of emotional neglect during childhood. The absence of love, nurturing or care is much harder to remember than acts of aggression or abuse, yet the effects can last for decades. The book convincingly describes symptoms of childhood emotional neglect as well as some general approaches to the healing process – even though the author is aware that sometimes therapy may be needed to tackle the fall-out of the emotional damage.
An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth: What Going to Space Taught Me about Ingenuity, Determination, and Being Prepared for Anything by Chris Hadfield
adventurous
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
As a child, I dreamed of becoming an astronaut, and throughout my adult life, I have been fascinated by documentaries, films and TV-series about space exploration, both fiction and non-fiction. This book by astronaut Chris Hadfield contains a ton of stories and anekdotes about his own experiences in space. The title of the book suggests an emphasis on lessons learned for life on earth, but even though there are a few reflections sprinkled in, it mostly is a riveting peek behind the curtain of the day to day life in space and on earth of an astronaut. Loved it.
Scythe by Neal Shusterman
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
What a fantastic page turner. Love the concept of the book: a society where thanks to medical and technological advancements, nobody has to die anymore. However, Scythes have been instituted to 'harvest' certain people to keep population growth under control. We follow the journey of two young people training to become Scythes. It soon becomes clear that when people get to decide over matters of life and death, things are bound to get out of hand... I dreaded a cliff-hanger at the end because this book is part of a series, but the first book manages to deliver a satisfying ending while leading us into the next book.
Meet the Frugalwoods: Achieving Financial Independence Through Simple Living by Elizabeth Willard Thames
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
Meet the Frugalwoods is more a biography than the 'how-to-live-frugally' book I was expecting, but that actually made it a more enjoyable reading experience. I liked the reflections on why living a frugal life is about much more than just saving money. It's about appreciating the simple things, prioritizing life over work, diminishing the damage we do to the environment by our unbridled consumerism. The book is light-hearted, not preachy, and helped me look into the mirror and think about ways in which I can make new choices in life.
Laziness Does Not Exist by Devon Price
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Book #100 of my 2022 Reading Challenge was an eye-opening read in many ways. The author disarms a lot of our common conceptions about ourselves and about what we think is useful or valuable. The exhausting rat race of trying to be productive, successful, relevant, always busy, liked and followed on social media stems from a deeply rooted fear to be labeled as 'lazy'.
This book successfully argues that life is about much more than productivity, and that what we call laziness is often a sign that we need time to process, to recharge and to rest. Ignoring those signs comes with a price.
Now that so many people are suffering from burn-out or near-burn-out symptoms, we need to rediscover that life is about more than work, and that people are infinitely more valuable than what they produce.
This book successfully argues that life is about much more than productivity, and that what we call laziness is often a sign that we need time to process, to recharge and to rest. Ignoring those signs comes with a price.
Now that so many people are suffering from burn-out or near-burn-out symptoms, we need to rediscover that life is about more than work, and that people are infinitely more valuable than what they produce.
Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A very well written book written from the perspective of a high school student dealing with OCD and anxiety. The inner world of her thoughts is described in all its claustrophobic, almost paralyzing aspects, but there is a bigger story here too: coming to terms with who you are, and with the idea that what is broken may never get 'fixed', but that you are still of great value.