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jodumagpi's reviews
61 reviews
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
5.0
It's our choices that show us what we truly are, far more than our abilities. ♡
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
5.0
I try to avoid looking into other people's work/journal/diary unless I am asked to. I do not trust people who casually do this, mainly because it shows disrespect and disregard for the other party's privacy. Upon initially reading this book, I felt somewhat invasive of someone's privacy. I'm reading journal entries from one of the previous emperors of Rome, where he is vulnerable and critical of himself. Later, I heard my voice on the pages I'm reading. Even one of the most powerful man of his time had similar doubts and frustrations as me, a simple lowly life (lol). I found comfort in his self-reassuring words. I have intense anxieties when it comes to death, which is probably due to my vanity. This book just stripped me off of these vanities and humbled me. Marcus Aurelius is the epitome of a Stoic. Though not a definitive guide to Stoicism, I think this book is a good introduction to the Stoic way of life. I still have a long way to go with understanding, learning and practicing Stoicism but I'm glad the journey started with this book.
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
5.0
Having gotten my first rejection letter, for a paper I submitted to an academic journal, I was eager to improve my writing. I naïvely assumed that creative writing and academic writing are two sides of the same coin. Hint: It's not. I picked up the wrong book, but I stayed because I found the content valuable and captivating - and this is coming from someone who has never read a King novel. Stephen King has a way with words that makes reading a 500-page book as easy as ABC. This book combines practical advice from the King himself as well as concrete recollections of relevant circumstances from his life that made him who he is. There are no sugar-coating or vague recommendations, but only honest pointers directly coming from his experience. The only thing I regret after I finished the book is not reading it with a pen and paper on the side.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
4.0
(4.5)
Though masterfully written, inspirational and hopeful, I can't shake the feeling that this story is much too comforting. The "blacks" were reduced as a conflict to our white heroes.
It must have been revolutionary when it was first published but I'd rather read stories about racism from those who were much more affected by it and experienced it themselves.
Though masterfully written, inspirational and hopeful, I can't shake the feeling that this story is much too comforting. The "blacks" were reduced as a conflict to our white heroes.
It must have been revolutionary when it was first published but I'd rather read stories about racism from those who were much more affected by it and experienced it themselves.
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
3.0
(3.5)
It's good to know that there is doubt as to whether Lee had even written (or wanted to publish) this herself.
Also, I'm glad I wasn't the only one annoyed by the writing style. Shifting between first and third person? Really? That alone cost a whole star off this rating.
I appreciate what they were trying to accomplish with this work. I saw too much of myself in Jean Louise. Like her, I had "idolized" some people whose opinions I took as mine. Until now, I still don't have a solid ground on some pressing issues. What I did not appreciate was how it ended. Just as Jean Louise is finally holding her ground! Jean Louise should have immediately left! That would have been the perfect ending for me. Because she didn't I had to cross off half a star.
This book ruined Atticus for me. Perhaps, that was the intention. Still, I will never be able to comprehend how a parent can look their child in their eyes and say they love them when they are fully capable and aware of the suffering they inflict on the people they "other". How can one raise a child in a world they are actively trying to divide?
I just feel so strongly about these issues. God forbid this would happen to me in real life because I sure won't be Jean Louise fetching whoever you are from wherever you are. I'd be driving as far away from you if I can't ever change your mind. And for the record, I know that doesn't make me a bigot!
It's good to know that there is doubt as to whether Lee had even written (or wanted to publish) this herself.
Also, I'm glad I wasn't the only one annoyed by the writing style. Shifting between first and third person? Really? That alone cost a whole star off this rating.
I appreciate what they were trying to accomplish with this work. I saw too much of myself in Jean Louise. Like her, I had "idolized" some people whose opinions I took as mine. Until now, I still don't have a solid ground on some pressing issues. What I did not appreciate was how it ended. Just as Jean Louise is finally holding her ground! Jean Louise should have immediately left! That would have been the perfect ending for me. Because she didn't I had to cross off half a star.
This book ruined Atticus for me. Perhaps, that was the intention. Still, I will never be able to comprehend how a parent can look their child in their eyes and say they love them when they are fully capable and aware of the suffering they inflict on the people they "other". How can one raise a child in a world they are actively trying to divide?
I just feel so strongly about these issues. God forbid this would happen to me in real life because I sure won't be Jean Louise fetching whoever you are from wherever you are. I'd be driving as far away from you if I can't ever change your mind. And for the record, I know that doesn't make me a bigot!
How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life by Massimo Pigliucci
5.0
I enjoyed this one. It is the first "guide" book to Stoicism that I have ever read so I do not know how this compares with other books. As an entry-level book, I think it provides all the basic knowledge that there is when it comes to Stoicism. After all, it is a very simple philosophy. The book is divided into parts, each tied to a specific Stoic virtue, which makes it a well-structured guide. Each chapter presents various real-life situations, from other Stoics and from the author himself, wherein they have successfully integrated Stoic principles.
If you are just curious about the basics of Stoicism, you can read about it in the last chapter (14), which I think is a good summary of the entire book. But if you are like me, who is curious about how practical this philosophy is, read the rest of the book for some anecdotes from the Stoics themselves.
If you are just curious about the basics of Stoicism, you can read about it in the last chapter (14), which I think is a good summary of the entire book. But if you are like me, who is curious about how practical this philosophy is, read the rest of the book for some anecdotes from the Stoics themselves.