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indieandajean's reviews
391 reviews
Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide by John Cleese
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
A friend of mine very kindly added a "self help" square to the reading challenge bingo board knowing full well that I would rather help myself into an early grave than listen to someone preach at me about how to love myself. I already know how to accomplish that and to do so I'd need to stop eating dairy, and like any good lactose intolerant, I'd rather die (hence the early grave).
I knew I'd need to come up with a creative solution, and here it was, staring me in the face, short and cheerful.
I feel like I should stomp my foot and say "there, I did it. I, myself, was not helped by the reading of this book", but that would be a lie. John Cleese is absolutely correct and utterly hilarious when he describes how we have not been taught to be creative, but that it is simple enough to create the conditions under which you can become more creative.
Specifically his sections on mood and distraction ring true to me. Sometimes you are in the mood to think creatively (i.e. when you are looking for a unique way to fulfill a challenge to the letter of the law but in a way that makes you not want to tear your hair out and maybe also in a way that makes your friend put her hands on her hips) and sometimes you have to make yourself feel creative through your environment. I frequently created when I was in college, had free time, and could sit in a space I designed for myself to feel safe and happy in. I struggle to create as much now in the few hours of the day I have between work and keeping house, but it would be easier if I made a space for myself that made me want to create and put my cellphone away for a bit.
Ultimately a lot of what this book says about being creative is just reminding you if things you already knew but were better at employing at a young age. It doesn't suffer for that, and in fact it's nice to have the reminder that you can get back "there" by making small changes. John Cleese's trademark humor helps make this truth easier to swallow.
I'd recommend this one for anyone who is looking to read a self help book that won't make them combust on the spot, someone looking to reignite their creative spark, and for those who just want to chuckle at John Cleese.
I knew I'd need to come up with a creative solution, and here it was, staring me in the face, short and cheerful.
I feel like I should stomp my foot and say "there, I did it. I, myself, was not helped by the reading of this book", but that would be a lie. John Cleese is absolutely correct and utterly hilarious when he describes how we have not been taught to be creative, but that it is simple enough to create the conditions under which you can become more creative.
Specifically his sections on mood and distraction ring true to me. Sometimes you are in the mood to think creatively (i.e. when you are looking for a unique way to fulfill a challenge to the letter of the law but in a way that makes you not want to tear your hair out and maybe also in a way that makes your friend put her hands on her hips) and sometimes you have to make yourself feel creative through your environment. I frequently created when I was in college, had free time, and could sit in a space I designed for myself to feel safe and happy in. I struggle to create as much now in the few hours of the day I have between work and keeping house, but it would be easier if I made a space for myself that made me want to create and put my cellphone away for a bit.
Ultimately a lot of what this book says about being creative is just reminding you if things you already knew but were better at employing at a young age. It doesn't suffer for that, and in fact it's nice to have the reminder that you can get back "there" by making small changes. John Cleese's trademark humor helps make this truth easier to swallow.
I'd recommend this one for anyone who is looking to read a self help book that won't make them combust on the spot, someone looking to reignite their creative spark, and for those who just want to chuckle at John Cleese.
Enola Holmes: The Graphic Novels: The Case of the Missing Marquess, The Case of the Left-Handed Lady, and The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets by Serena Blasco, Serena Blasco
adventurous
funny
informative
mysterious
fast-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? No
4.5
This comic is a brilliant adaptation of the first three Enola Holmes books. The art style is beautiful and does an excellent job in illustrating the world around Enola in a manner that is beautiful and period accurate. Of course this version doesn't have all the same detail as the novels but it is easy enough to follow and it hits on nearly all the main points making it a great abridged version of the books. I thoroughly enjoyed reading them, and it is a great refresher for the earlier parts of the series!
Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose by Nancy Springer
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Nancy Springer has done it again! Enola is more delightful than ever in this fantastic celebration of independence, intelligence, and literature!
I feel like these newest entries in the series have been particularly excellent in their choice to embrace the feminine while disavowing the way in which society puts women in boxes. The historical elements, particularly the focus on real ways in which women of the period bucked the expectations placed upon them, were brilliant!
I can't wait for more!
I feel like these newest entries in the series have been particularly excellent in their choice to embrace the feminine while disavowing the way in which society puts women in boxes. The historical elements, particularly the focus on real ways in which women of the period bucked the expectations placed upon them, were brilliant!
I can't wait for more!
Rose Wolves by Natalie Warner
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Rose Wolves is a beautiful story of friendship and finding the place you belong told through gorgeous illustrations and only a few environmental words. The friendship between the little girl and her wolf friend is beautiful and easily understood through the art. I love the inclusion of both the girl and the wolf's limb differences. It doesn't effect the plot, but the representation is always nice to see in middle grade!
Ultimately the pace of the story and the length of the story comes off as a little too fast and a little too short, but it is still enjoyable.
I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a quick read with beautiful illustrations.
Ultimately the pace of the story and the length of the story comes off as a little too fast and a little too short, but it is still enjoyable.
I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a quick read with beautiful illustrations.
Hogfather by Terry Pratchett
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Murder, Death, Animal death, Kidnapping, Sexism, Mental illness, and Violence
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
Bride is, in a word, sensational! Ali Hazelwood's grasp of character and world building is unmatched, and there is no denying her skill in Bride which does not suffer for being her first book in the paranormal romance space.
I had long since given up on vampire novels as a reader (being the right age at the right time for the vampire YA craze of the late 00's and early 10's made me avoid vampires for a time) but Bride doesn't really come across as a vampire novel and it doesn't rely on the paranormal to give depth to the plot. This novel is, at its core, amazing enemies to lovers content with just the right amount of spice.
Lowe is magnetic and Hazelwood's decision to include his perspective in snippets at the start of each chapter not only added to his like-ability, but was a fresh take on the two POV romance. Misery is easy to feel a kinship with and her snappy one-liners and intelligence makes her a fun character to read.
I would highly recommend Bride to Hazelwood fans, and also to those who read paranormal romance.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Berkley for the e-ARC of Bride by Ali Hazelwood in exchange for an honest review!
I had long since given up on vampire novels as a reader (being the right age at the right time for the vampire YA craze of the late 00's and early 10's made me avoid vampires for a time) but Bride doesn't really come across as a vampire novel and it doesn't rely on the paranormal to give depth to the plot. This novel is, at its core, amazing enemies to lovers content with just the right amount of spice.
Lowe is magnetic and Hazelwood's decision to include his perspective in snippets at the start of each chapter not only added to his like-ability, but was a fresh take on the two POV romance. Misery is easy to feel a kinship with and her snappy one-liners and intelligence makes her a fun character to read.
I would highly recommend Bride to Hazelwood fans, and also to those who read paranormal romance.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Berkley for the e-ARC of Bride by Ali Hazelwood in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Abandonment, Kidnapping, Medical content, and Confinement
Minor: Racism and Death of parent
That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Human by Kimberly Lemming
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Much like the rest of the Mead Mishaps books, That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Human is giving you exactly what it says it will (shifter romance and humor), no more, no less. It's an enjoyable, adventurous, saucy read giving just the right amount of character cameos from the previous books to keep the cozy/ familiar vibes coming (yay for Cherry being alive, yay for more Alexis content).
I will say for those that normally skip authors notes and launch themselves into a book, that early on there is a significant amount of dubious consent (relating to smelly drugged tea and misunderstandings) which is personally not my favorite thing. The content warnings supplied in the book were enough to prepare me to expect it, so it didn't ruin the book for me and that's why I personally love that all of Lemmigs books come with content warnings. The rest of the book does rely on Cherry and Dante's bond being formed in that moment of dub con, but the remainder of the book does include enthusiastic consent, so it is worth the read if you can get past that bit.
Overall the book is a great blend of humor, fantasy, and romance. If you enjoyed the other two books in this series, this will absolutely be your cup of (hopefully not smelly) tea.
I will say for those that normally skip authors notes and launch themselves into a book, that early on there is a significant amount of dubious consent (relating to smelly drugged tea and misunderstandings) which is personally not my favorite thing. The content warnings supplied in the book were enough to prepare me to expect it, so it didn't ruin the book for me and that's why I personally love that all of Lemmigs books come with content warnings. The rest of the book does rely on Cherry and Dante's bond being formed in that moment of dub con, but the remainder of the book does include enthusiastic consent, so it is worth the read if you can get past that bit.
Overall the book is a great blend of humor, fantasy, and romance. If you enjoyed the other two books in this series, this will absolutely be your cup of (hopefully not smelly) tea.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Trafficking, Confinement, Death, and Violence
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
5.0
Check & Mate has all the charm, wit and feminism of Hazelwood's adult novels with a moderate reduction in spice.
Mallory and Nolan's relationship is both swoon-worthy and easy in a way that makes this book centered around competition feel welcoming and comfortable to read.
As a woman in STEM I always find the shop talk in Hazelwood's novels enjoyable, but I have never been interested in chess. That was, of course, until this book made it sexy.
If you're like me and usually pass up YA Romance, don't skip this one. It reads more New Adult, and the book is overall fabulous.
Mallory and Nolan's relationship is both swoon-worthy and easy in a way that makes this book centered around competition feel welcoming and comfortable to read.
As a woman in STEM I always find the shop talk in Hazelwood's novels enjoyable, but I have never been interested in chess. That was, of course, until this book made it sexy.
If you're like me and usually pass up YA Romance, don't skip this one. It reads more New Adult, and the book is overall fabulous.
Vampire Breath by R.L. Stine
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0