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jcreads85's reviews
362 reviews
When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain by Nghi Vo
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
medium-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
This is a reread for me but what I wrote back in 2021 still rings true, so I’ll share it here. I actually had forgotten I’d written it and am glad I hadn’t done a check of my Goodreads for plot or info before I decided to read so I could finally carry on with the series. The reveal at the end was just as neat the second time.
Book review circa 2021:
This book was a fairy tale. A travelers account. Full of folklore, love, and mystery. It was also a tale of forced marriage, exile, deception, and revenge.
I listened on audio and was thankful for the enunciation of the names (and the competent and engaging narrator). I was initially lost at parts, especially when we first get the tale going about the kingdom, royalty and inner court as I wasn’t able to wrap my head around who was who, but it quickly cleared.
I loved the set-up; how the tale unfolded from the lips of an old woman to a traveler. And the twist at the end was great - unexpected and powerful. “Angry mothers raise daughters fierce enough to fight wolves.”
And it was refreshing to step out of Western tales and into one envisioned from ancient Chinese culture & customs.
The writing felt poetic and the tale moved like water ripples, out from a center point showing how one thing lead to another until the whole of the empire was moved by an Empress thought to be wasting in exile.
I’ll definitely be picking up Nghi Vo’s other works.
Book review circa 2021:
This book was a fairy tale. A travelers account. Full of folklore, love, and mystery. It was also a tale of forced marriage, exile, deception, and revenge.
I listened on audio and was thankful for the enunciation of the names (and the competent and engaging narrator). I was initially lost at parts, especially when we first get the tale going about the kingdom, royalty and inner court as I wasn’t able to wrap my head around who was who, but it quickly cleared.
I loved the set-up; how the tale unfolded from the lips of an old woman to a traveler. And the twist at the end was great - unexpected and powerful. “Angry mothers raise daughters fierce enough to fight wolves.”
And it was refreshing to step out of Western tales and into one envisioned from ancient Chinese culture & customs.
The writing felt poetic and the tale moved like water ripples, out from a center point showing how one thing lead to another until the whole of the empire was moved by an Empress thought to be wasting in exile.
I’ll definitely be picking up Nghi Vo’s other works.
Feel-Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You by Ali Abdaal
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.25
A lovely edition to support my journey of building stronger habits and changing my mindset for a life built around the concept of thriving. I’ve completed two other audiobooks this month and a 2-hour workshop along this same path which I feel share the same space. They’d definitely look nice next to each other on a bookshelf.
This books was positive, but not in an overbearing “toxic” manner. It also felt approachable, as in you don’t need to be a doctor or scientist to read, enjoy, and take away a good number of tools to use both at work but more importantly, I believe, on the daily.
And I appreciated the numerous cited scientific studies to support the work. They were great examples of the effort and research put into the concept of ‘Feel Good Productivity’. And while I have yet checked out the accompanying pdf, I love that it was referenced and explained.
I did like listening to this book; however, it did start to make me feel a lil too self reflective throughout which required me to rewind back as my mind had wondered off. Mark of good writing and great material. I think I wouldn’t mind finding this as an ebook for highlighting and referencing later. Generally an all around great read.
This books was positive, but not in an overbearing “toxic” manner. It also felt approachable, as in you don’t need to be a doctor or scientist to read, enjoy, and take away a good number of tools to use both at work but more importantly, I believe, on the daily.
And I appreciated the numerous cited scientific studies to support the work. They were great examples of the effort and research put into the concept of ‘Feel Good Productivity’. And while I have yet checked out the accompanying pdf, I love that it was referenced and explained.
I did like listening to this book; however, it did start to make me feel a lil too self reflective throughout which required me to rewind back as my mind had wondered off. Mark of good writing and great material. I think I wouldn’t mind finding this as an ebook for highlighting and referencing later. Generally an all around great read.
The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
adventurous
dark
funny
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? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Violence, Death, and Kidnapping
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
I think I’d almost figured it out during the epilogue I just couldn’t figure out how it’d been done. I was uneasy when they’d said the revolver was found in the room of a character. It didn’t make sense when one of the last scenes said it’d fallen to the floor of the landing. Overall a good mystery, but no characters you could root for… I’m okay with morally gray…just prefer it not be 100% of the cast.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was my first Agatha Christie novel. I didn’t hate it, but neither was it a 4 or 5 star either. It was intriguing but her tales don’t age well in some ways. I do think I’ll give her work another chance; however, I'm not part of the camp who will say she’s top notch. At least, not yet. I can say, though, that I see how her books and writing style transfer well to the screen.
I’m grateful for the list of the cast of characters at the beginning. I just wish I hadn’t needed to reference it so much. I also loved the mini parts, basically a shift in perspective, within each chapter. However, this really started out slow and I almost put it aside. I was just so determined to get it read this month as it was so short.
I’m grateful for the list of the cast of characters at the beginning. I just wish I hadn’t needed to reference it so much. I also loved the mini parts, basically a shift in perspective, within each chapter. However, this really started out slow and I almost put it aside. I was just so determined to get it read this month as it was so short.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, Suicide, and Alcohol
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Gun violence, Racism, and Mental illness
Minor: War, Drug use, Terminal illness, and Religious bigotry
Disconnected: How to Stay Human in an Online World by Emma Gannon
informative
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
3.5 ⭐️ May be higher a second time through, and definitely if i get my hands on a written/digital copy. There were just so many “to-dos” and “try this” moments along with suggestions in general that I found the audio, while thought provoking and leaning to invoking a state of insightful self evaluation, did make it hard to take immediate action. I think I’d have to do a reread with intention, a notebook nearby. Also had great quotes I’d love to grab. And she referenced other works and people who may be good to follow up on later.
I’d suggest this book to anyone looking to unplug or who is just feeling a bit of “ick” about the state of the online, especially social media”, culture. I love the idea behind the message of developing deeper connections, forming real communities, and practicing active listening. That we all can use a break, even from ourselves.
But I also appreciated that she didn’t slam the internet, use of phones, etc.; it’s about a balance and defining boundaries. Perhaps, most importantly, serves as a reminder that most of what we see and read needs to be done with an understanding that it may be curated for a specific image and not always taken at face value.
So, don’t feed your FOMO too much or take everything so serious. If you can take things more lightly, not life or death, you may just survive the trolls and be a better advocate for self and others. And better able to brush the ugly aside when you need to be taking care of your mental wellbeing.
I’d suggest this book to anyone looking to unplug or who is just feeling a bit of “ick” about the state of the online, especially social media”, culture. I love the idea behind the message of developing deeper connections, forming real communities, and practicing active listening. That we all can use a break, even from ourselves.
But I also appreciated that she didn’t slam the internet, use of phones, etc.; it’s about a balance and defining boundaries. Perhaps, most importantly, serves as a reminder that most of what we see and read needs to be done with an understanding that it may be curated for a specific image and not always taken at face value.
So, don’t feed your FOMO too much or take everything so serious. If you can take things more lightly, not life or death, you may just survive the trolls and be a better advocate for self and others. And better able to brush the ugly aside when you need to be taking care of your mental wellbeing.
The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times by Michelle Obama
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Yo, I can’t even right now…this was the best gift I could have given myself to start 2024. I’m tempted to hit play and just start it all over again. And I think I might, later this year, when I need a reminder of hope, and taking care of myself, and going high when the world is ugly. This woman is brilliant and can write the most meaningful messages in the simplest manner; her stories are magic.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexism, Racism, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Classism, and Hate crime