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iseefeelings's reviews
335 reviews
The Life of Anne Frank by Menno Metselaar
5.0
For whoever already read Anne Frank's diary, this book may complete your experience into the world she once lived in. Anne Frank - a young German girl who fled to the Netherlands with her family to find a hiding place from the Nazis yet was later murdered by them near the end of World War II - is the one who evokes my curiosity and an odd interest in the great war, especially the Holocaust. (I highly recommend the movie - Son of Saul (2015) - for this topic.)
This book describes really well the timeline of Anne's life with precious photos, extracting her moving words in the diary, such as these:
"We long for Saturdays because that means books (...) Ordinary people don't know how much books can mean to someone who's copped up. Our only diversions are reading, studying and listening to the wireless." (11 July 1943)
"When I write I can shake off all my cares. My sorrow disappears, my spirits are revived! But, and that's a big question, will I ever be able to write something great, will I ever become a journalist or writer? I hope so, oh, I hope so very much, because writing allows me to record everything, all my thoughts, ideals and fantasies." (5 April 1944)
"(...) Sleep makes the silence and the terrible fear go by more quickly, helps pass the time, since it's impossible to kill it." (29 October 1943)
Reading about Anne and other people in the Secret Annexe after being arrested broke my heart. They almost made it, almost had the freedom that they had always dreamt about. Just imagine that each of them was condemned to death hurts me truly. Only Otto Frank was 'lucky' enough to be alive but I don't know if it is the right word to say. Besides, I'm moved and inspired by everyone who helped those people in hiding, as how Anne Frank acknowledged the risks they may face,
"It's amazing how much these generous and unselfish people do, risking their own lives to help and to save others. The best example of this is our own helpers (...) Never have they uttered a single word about the burden we must be, never have they complained that we're too much trouble." (28 January 1944)
Lastly,
would it feel more intimate if I could read her diary in Dutch?
I wonder.
This book describes really well the timeline of Anne's life with precious photos, extracting her moving words in the diary, such as these:
"We long for Saturdays because that means books (...) Ordinary people don't know how much books can mean to someone who's copped up. Our only diversions are reading, studying and listening to the wireless." (11 July 1943)
"When I write I can shake off all my cares. My sorrow disappears, my spirits are revived! But, and that's a big question, will I ever be able to write something great, will I ever become a journalist or writer? I hope so, oh, I hope so very much, because writing allows me to record everything, all my thoughts, ideals and fantasies." (5 April 1944)
"(...) Sleep makes the silence and the terrible fear go by more quickly, helps pass the time, since it's impossible to kill it." (29 October 1943)
Reading about Anne and other people in the Secret Annexe after being arrested broke my heart. They almost made it, almost had the freedom that they had always dreamt about. Just imagine that each of them was condemned to death hurts me truly. Only Otto Frank was 'lucky' enough to be alive but I don't know if it is the right word to say. Besides, I'm moved and inspired by everyone who helped those people in hiding, as how Anne Frank acknowledged the risks they may face,
"It's amazing how much these generous and unselfish people do, risking their own lives to help and to save others. The best example of this is our own helpers (...) Never have they uttered a single word about the burden we must be, never have they complained that we're too much trouble." (28 January 1944)
Lastly,
would it feel more intimate if I could read her diary in Dutch?
I wonder.
Hiểu về sự chết: Phân tích khoa học về chương cuối đời người by Sherwin B. Nuland, Sherwin B. Nuland
5.0
[updated 2020 /english review]
-
I just realised I didn’t write an English review for this book after reading it almost two years ago but believe me, if I can recommend you only one book, this is the one.
Through the eyes of American surgeon Sherwin B. Nuland, the book examines the current state of healthcare (first published in 1994 but most of what he mentioned in the book is still applicable), analyses the moments when his patients walk on the thin string between life and death scientifically (his anecdote and narrative are both mesmerising and haunting), suggests how we can take control the final days of ourselves and our loved ones.
My deep dark fear for death does not be blown away after finishing this book but it has been altered since then, less fear but more acceptance, gratitude and self-improvement.
I read the Vietnamese edition (which has some minor errors in spelling and repetitive phrases) but I can't deny how impactful this book is to me, which is one of the very few books I can confidently say so.
___
[2019]
Cái chết luôn là một nỗi sợ hãi thường trực đầy ẩn khuất đối với riêng mình. Đến khi đọc quyển sách này, bản thân lại có một góc nhìn khoa học hơn, phần nào đó, mang tính chấp nhận và nguôi ngoai hơn.
Tác giả không chỉ chứng tỏ sự thông thái (và khiêm nhường) của một người xuất sắc trong ngành y mà còn ở cách viết còn vô cùng cuốn hút. Mình vô cùng hứng thú bởi các ví dụ được đưa ra. Thậm chí có một ví dụ về bé gái bị một gã xa lạ đâm chết cứ ám ảnh mình tới tận mấy hôm sau... Hơn cả, bác tác giả có một sự nhạy cảm mà khi đọc, không cần hô hào nhưng vẫn cảm giác được cái trăn trở làm nghề.
Mình cũng tự hỏi, không biết các sinh viên hay người làm lâu trong ngành y có biết gì về quyển này không? Vì nó thật sự đáng trong danh sách phải đọc. Có những điều, ví dụ như cứu chữa cật lực, chưa chắc đã là chuyện nên làm. Hơn 400 trang nhưng thật sự mình cứ chỉ muốn nó dày hơn nữa.
Tuy vậy, bản thân khi đọc sách dịch vẫn khó chịu ở các lỗi không đáng có. Dù quyển này dịch rất ổn nhưng lỗi chính tả ít nhưng vẫn rải rác; lỗi lặp từ thì cứ liên tục, nhất là vào chương cuối và câu cú vẫn dài loằng ngoằng.
Rating tuyệt đối cốt là để bày tỏ sự tôn trọng cho bản gốc của tác giả và lâu lâu đọc được sách y khoa hay thì sướng thật sự.
-
I just realised I didn’t write an English review for this book after reading it almost two years ago but believe me, if I can recommend you only one book, this is the one.
Through the eyes of American surgeon Sherwin B. Nuland, the book examines the current state of healthcare (first published in 1994 but most of what he mentioned in the book is still applicable), analyses the moments when his patients walk on the thin string between life and death scientifically (his anecdote and narrative are both mesmerising and haunting), suggests how we can take control the final days of ourselves and our loved ones.
My deep dark fear for death does not be blown away after finishing this book but it has been altered since then, less fear but more acceptance, gratitude and self-improvement.
I read the Vietnamese edition (which has some minor errors in spelling and repetitive phrases) but I can't deny how impactful this book is to me, which is one of the very few books I can confidently say so.
___
[2019]
Cái chết luôn là một nỗi sợ hãi thường trực đầy ẩn khuất đối với riêng mình. Đến khi đọc quyển sách này, bản thân lại có một góc nhìn khoa học hơn, phần nào đó, mang tính chấp nhận và nguôi ngoai hơn.
Tác giả không chỉ chứng tỏ sự thông thái (và khiêm nhường) của một người xuất sắc trong ngành y mà còn ở cách viết còn vô cùng cuốn hút. Mình vô cùng hứng thú bởi các ví dụ được đưa ra. Thậm chí có một ví dụ về bé gái bị một gã xa lạ đâm chết cứ ám ảnh mình tới tận mấy hôm sau... Hơn cả, bác tác giả có một sự nhạy cảm mà khi đọc, không cần hô hào nhưng vẫn cảm giác được cái trăn trở làm nghề.
Mình cũng tự hỏi, không biết các sinh viên hay người làm lâu trong ngành y có biết gì về quyển này không? Vì nó thật sự đáng trong danh sách phải đọc. Có những điều, ví dụ như cứu chữa cật lực, chưa chắc đã là chuyện nên làm. Hơn 400 trang nhưng thật sự mình cứ chỉ muốn nó dày hơn nữa.
Tuy vậy, bản thân khi đọc sách dịch vẫn khó chịu ở các lỗi không đáng có. Dù quyển này dịch rất ổn nhưng lỗi chính tả ít nhưng vẫn rải rác; lỗi lặp từ thì cứ liên tục, nhất là vào chương cuối và câu cú vẫn dài loằng ngoằng.
Rating tuyệt đối cốt là để bày tỏ sự tôn trọng cho bản gốc của tác giả và lâu lâu đọc được sách y khoa hay thì sướng thật sự.
Backyard Fairies by Phoebe Wahl
5.0
I've always loved Phoebe Wahl's work!! Her collage illustrations are both skilful and whimsical with my favourite earthy colour palette. Her works often bring me back to all the tales of fairies and forest I once read as a child. This book truly shows off her intricate illustrations, it also can be a fun activity for kids to find the little fairies hiding away from our heroine :)
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson
3.0
I usually put off reading most of the popular books by all the hype around them so I didn't really have high expectation for this one. However, it turned out that I'm more fond of this book than I thought.
3.5/5
Typically, I go back and forth between two books at the same time. The way I decide to pick on this book is for whenever I feel down or overly sentimental (it seems to be a good slap to put myself back together somehow). Yes, it didn't disappoint me. I was called out for many problems that I've been having with myself: decision-making based on emotional intuition, an endless loop of committing to action by (wrongly) starting it with motivation, not knowing how to determine good/bad values that can promote better mental health.
In the latter half of the book, Mark gave advice on relationships which is not something that I'd completely agree with and I also found it a bit clichéd. Apart from that, his discussion on death is more like shining a light upon himself rather than convincing the readers to go with his reasoning.
In my opinion, this groundbreaking book by Mark Manson is an interesting one to read, especially for whom usually overidentifying with their emotions.
__
personal notes:
- 'hedonic treadmill': "the idea that we're always working hard to change our life situation, but we actually never feel very different." /p.35/
- "If you want to change how you see your problems, you have to change what you value and/or how you measure failure/success." /p.79/
- "Don't just sit there. Do something. The answers will follow."
- "Action isn't just the effect of motivation; it's also the cause of it." /p.160/
- "Action -> Inspiration -> Motivation" /p.161/
- "Yet, in a bizarre, backwards way, death is the light by which the shadow of all of life's meaning is measured. Without death, everything would feel inconsequential, all experience arbitrary, all metrics and values suddenly zero." /p.195/
3.5/5
Typically, I go back and forth between two books at the same time. The way I decide to pick on this book is for whenever I feel down or overly sentimental (it seems to be a good slap to put myself back together somehow). Yes, it didn't disappoint me. I was called out for many problems that I've been having with myself: decision-making based on emotional intuition, an endless loop of committing to action by (wrongly) starting it with motivation, not knowing how to determine good/bad values that can promote better mental health.
In the latter half of the book, Mark gave advice on relationships which is not something that I'd completely agree with and I also found it a bit clichéd. Apart from that, his discussion on death is more like shining a light upon himself rather than convincing the readers to go with his reasoning.
In my opinion, this groundbreaking book by Mark Manson is an interesting one to read, especially for whom usually overidentifying with their emotions.
__
personal notes:
- 'hedonic treadmill': "the idea that we're always working hard to change our life situation, but we actually never feel very different." /p.35/
- "If you want to change how you see your problems, you have to change what you value and/or how you measure failure/success." /p.79/
- "Don't just sit there. Do something. The answers will follow."
- "Action isn't just the effect of motivation; it's also the cause of it." /p.160/
- "Action -> Inspiration -> Motivation" /p.161/
- "Yet, in a bizarre, backwards way, death is the light by which the shadow of all of life's meaning is measured. Without death, everything would feel inconsequential, all experience arbitrary, all metrics and values suddenly zero." /p.195/
Letters by Emily Dickinson
3.0
3.5/5
These letters were casually writing to friends and family but it could astonish readers by revealing a pure poet at heart.
Emily Dickinson had been a mysterious individual to me before I read this book and she remains so even after I finished it. Each letter to a recipient painted a different version of her (yet still genuine) and somehow, there is still a part that I could feel she was hiding among the gaps of those letters. Emily Dickinson appeared through these letters as a private person and a genius with words. Each celebration, condolence and sympathy was distinctively written. She also used metaphors so marvellously that I had to pause and dive deeper.
It can be a good book to open at random and revisit a page or two from time to time.
This is the first title I got in the Everyman’s Library sets (specifically, the Pocket Poet Series). I am pleased with the book design so much and I hope to acquire more books from this series soon.
These letters were casually writing to friends and family but it could astonish readers by revealing a pure poet at heart.
Emily Dickinson had been a mysterious individual to me before I read this book and she remains so even after I finished it. Each letter to a recipient painted a different version of her (yet still genuine) and somehow, there is still a part that I could feel she was hiding among the gaps of those letters. Emily Dickinson appeared through these letters as a private person and a genius with words. Each celebration, condolence and sympathy was distinctively written. She also used metaphors so marvellously that I had to pause and dive deeper.
It can be a good book to open at random and revisit a page or two from time to time.
This is the first title I got in the Everyman’s Library sets (specifically, the Pocket Poet Series). I am pleased with the book design so much and I hope to acquire more books from this series soon.
Reading Art: Art for Book Lovers by David Trigg
5.0
Featuring all kinds of art about the act of reading throughout history, Reading Art: Art for Book Lovers was love at first sight to me since I first saw it in a bookshop. The book came with a thorough preface, a well-curated chosen works (from gorgeous and well-known to disturbing and odd ones), pieces of art with similarities and differences that can be spotted in each spread alongside with quotes to group the works into themes. This is the book that I want to hold sacred and surely go back to it for references and writing later on.
Murder Maps: Crime Scenes Revisited. Phrenology to Fingerprint. 1811-1911 by Drew Gray
5.0
For a person who cannot bear horror and thriller materials, more than 200 pages of this work crept me out. Scandalous relationships come with violent murders and serious crimes, this book deserves a five-star rating because it reveals the ugly part of society with the truest-as-it-could-be details, amazing layout design and precious visual references. However, I do think that the book should come with a graphic warning since some images are quite disturbing and gruesome (that being said, I have utterly respect towards people who work in true crime scenes, not easy on the minds).
A few cases ended with the murderer convicted but unconvincing for the contemporary fellows at that time; some even put in jail for more than ten years for a murder they did not commit. Dr Drew Gray did a great job in examining more than 100 murders, even re-evaluating each case with the least bias and as much information as he got in hands. Old black and white illustrations from the sensationalist magazines along with the using of archival maps included were an excellent choice to help readers immerse in the sensations of a period that witnessed the development of modern forensics.
Not sure if I will be able to re-read, but the fact that it is like no other book I'd read before and provoked such soul-stirring thinking in a few days is worthwhile anyhow.
A few cases ended with the murderer convicted but unconvincing for the contemporary fellows at that time; some even put in jail for more than ten years for a murder they did not commit. Dr Drew Gray did a great job in examining more than 100 murders, even re-evaluating each case with the least bias and as much information as he got in hands. Old black and white illustrations from the sensationalist magazines along with the using of archival maps included were an excellent choice to help readers immerse in the sensations of a period that witnessed the development of modern forensics.
Not sure if I will be able to re-read, but the fact that it is like no other book I'd read before and provoked such soul-stirring thinking in a few days is worthwhile anyhow.
Raising a Forest by
4.0
This book is a visual documentation of illustrator Thibaud Herem's arboretum which placed in a little flat in London. Each spread is laid out with meticulous drawings and interesting notes, Herem welcomes readers to his little journey of gardening with careful observation and attention to details. Within such a small book, Thibaud Herem did a great job in providing basic information and planting the seed of enthusiasm for any beginner to start gardening.
Later by Stephen King
Stephen King is truly a master of this craft. With less than 300 pages, he excelled in telling a horror story through the perspective of a teenager and giving the depth of the relationships between characters (especially the way Jamie Conklin - our narrator - still keeps such an innocent and empathetic view towards both living and dead people). Creepy moments are well-packed but more than that, I appreciate Stephen King's sense of humour and his interesting view on the afterlife.
Stephen King is truly a master of this craft. With less than 300 pages, he excelled in telling a horror story through the perspective of a teenager and giving the depth of the relationships between characters (especially the way Jamie Conklin - our narrator - still keeps such an innocent and empathetic view towards both living and dead people). Creepy moments are well-packed but more than that, I appreciate Stephen King's sense of humour and his interesting view on the afterlife.