hannahleelovestoread's Reviews (635)

Investment Guidebook For Teens: The Ultimate Start To Growing Your Wealth Before 21 From Basics To Big Wins In Stocks, Bonds, Crypto And Beyond

5.0

hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

This book was incredibly helpful and informative. While it may have been written with teenagers in mind, I believe my financial future will benefit greatly from the tips author Emma Davis included here. She simply and concisely defined a variety of crucial terms — such as diversification, compound interest, and time horizon — throughout the book. She also emphasized the importance of setting short-, medium-, and long-term SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals. Perhaps the most interesting concept discussed was the idea of a poverty mindset versus a wealthy mindset, or an “emphasiz[ation] of scarcity and lack” as opposed to “resilience, and a proactive approach to financial success.” I also found the quotes by financially successful public figures such as Warren Buffett at the beginning of each chapter to be a nice touch. I highly recommend this book to anyone of any age who would like to get his or her finances in order.

Superagency: What Could Possibly Go Right with Our AI Future

Greg Beato, Reid Hoffman

5.0

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

Herbal Remedies & Natural Medicine Essentials [All-in-1]: 48 Techniques & Tips to Use Plants & Herbs for Holistic Healing. Grow & Prepare Infusions, Tinctures, & Oils for Better Health & Wellness

Astrid Brown

5.0

hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

This fascinating book is, for one, a crash course in herbalism and holistic medicine as a whole. However, it also tackles a larger and more complex topic: the potential intersection of Eastern (i.e., holistic) and Western medical traditions. As author Astrid Brown puts it so succinctly, “[W]ellness through holistic practices is not just about treating symptoms. Instead, it is about understanding your body, mind, spirit, and the world.” In easy-to-read language, the book details the rich history of herbalism in particular. Because of my Cherokee ancestry, I was especially interested in the holistic concepts discussed which originated with Native American belief systems (e.g., the notion that even plants are occupied by spirits). Ultimately, Brown laid out logical arguments before reaching a conclusion with which I strongly agree: to achieve the best results, medical professionals should be willing to apply practices from both Eastern/holistic and Western traditions. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about science, health, and/or wellness.

The STELLAR Career Guide: Master Self-Leadership, Leverage Your Strengths and Build a Life of Fulfillment and Achievement

Linda Chung

5.0

challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

This highly motivating book, as the title suggests, introduces the STELLAR method. An acronym for Self, Leadership, Talents, Excellence, Leading Always/Leveraging Alignment, and Roadmap, the method in question is applicable not only to readers’ careers but also the other aspects of their lives. STELLAR is the brainchild of the book’s author, Linda Chung, based on her years of experience as a corporate mentor and business coach. Even though there are complex psychological concepts at play behind STELLAR’s formation, this book offers an explanation of its benefits in an easy-to-read format. I love that readers are encouraged to use these benefits — along with factors such as talent, skills, and knowledge — to fulfill their individual potential. As author Chung explains, “The world is waiting for your unique contribution, for the value you can uniquely bring.” I highly recommend this book to all readers seeking encouragement and motivation in any aspect of life.

Unravel Me

Katherine Bitner

4.5

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Audrey and Rhett are the most unlikely of couples who meet in the most unlikely of ways: on the roof of Audrey’s building after her carefully assembled future with her wealthy fiancé falls to pieces in one afternoon. To Audrey’s embarrassment — and Rhett’s delight — they keep running into each other afterwards. Audrey is considering accepting a promotion and starting over in a city closer to her well-to-do parents. But after a few dates with Rhett, she can’t deny that they have chemistry — or that he makes her feel like who she always has been under the facade her family has created.

This was a low-spice, heartwarming romance with likable and well-developed characters. The descriptive details of the setting and character traits in the story are such that, while there are a few stereotypical elements present, this book stands out from any other I’ve read this year. The dialogue is snappy and engaging without being unrealistic. I highly recommend this book, and I can’t wait to read its sequel and more of Katherine Bitner’s work.

Content Warnings

Make Every Day A WINSday: Overcome Your Obstacles | Re-Brand Yourself | Win Every Day Of Your Life

Lisa Fri, Freddy Fri, Shae Frierson

5.0

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

This fascinating memoir takes readers through author Freddy Fry’s unlikely life: his misfortunes, his mistakes, and his determination to better himself are all presented with refreshing clarity. I found it particularly touching that he refers to his mother, who passed away when he was young, as his guardian angel. It is after writing of her death that he beautifully describes the uniqueness of the grief process per individual. Fry’s abiding love for his children and his innate desire to provide for them is another prominent and heartwarming theme present throughout the narrative, as is his passion for listening to; making; and sharing music. It seems that in this book, the overarching theme is love in any and every capacity — including love for oneself, especially combined with the ability to self-reflect and change course when necessary. Fry certainly takes his own advice, and his book makes it clear how readers can, as well. I found this story delightful, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone.

Content Warnings

Embrace Me Forever

Alessa Kelly

4.25

adventurous dark emotional hopeful tense

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Embrace Me Forever, the third and latest installment in Alessa Kelly’s Hartley Brothers series, is a simultaneously thrilling and breathtakingly romantic read not to be missed. In it, young and brilliant computer scientist Georgia-May has written a code which her sinister employer considers priceless — and he will stop at nothing to monopolize access to it. To protect herself and the ones she loves most, Georgia-May adopts a new identity. When a sudden and urgent need for financial assistance drives her to seek employment with the Hartley brothers’ firm, Georgia-May meets private investigator Simon Blake — who, despite his default suspicions of her, cannot fight the undeniable chemistry between them.

The lingering suspense throughout this novel kept me on the edge of my seat; there was always danger lurking around the corner. Simultaneously, however, Blake’s protective nature was breathtakingly romantic. Furthermore, the deep dives into his and Georgia-May’s painful pasts and their vulnerability with each other made the love between them feel powerfully genuine. My thanks to the author for graciously providing me with an advanced reader’s copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily. For readers in search of a spicy, suspenseful protector romance, I highly recommend Alessa Kelly’s Embrace Me Forever.

Content Warnings

A Classic Case

Alicia Thompson

4.0

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

ASVAB Study Guide [All-in-1]: Everything You Need to Effortlessly Ace the Exam, Score High & Secure Your Preferred Military Role

Luca Lindberg

5.0

adventurous informative medium-paced

I found this book — which reviews both the basics and many more intricate details of the U.S. military’s standard method of vocational testing — thoroughly educational. I confess that I knew very little about the ASVAB beforehand. However, this book taught me all I needed to know; I learned, for example, precisely how potential service members’ tests are scored and how the results are used to match them with appropriate vocations. The four sections of the test — arithmetic reasoning, mathematics knowledge, reading comprehension, and word knowledge — are all vital areas of information for any even moderately successful adult. I learned so much from the academic sections of the book; I never knew, for example, that the Milky Way was a spiral galaxy, or one characterized by its spiral arms ”with a flat, disk-like appearance with a central bulge.” I also discovered point, insertion/deletion, and chromosomal genetic mutations as well as reviewing Newton’s laws, the laws of thermodynamics, and more. Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the ASVAB and to all lifelong learners.

Overcoming Health Issues Through Alternative Remedies: One Man's Journey Into Better Health and Much More

J.D. Newburg

DID NOT FINISH: 21%

This book promotes demonstrably false and harmful information.

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