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misslexisaurus's reviews
85 reviews
Amphitryon by Molière
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Power Circuits: Polyamory in a Power Dynamic by Raven Kaldera
informative
slow-paced
5.0
Absolutely excellent exploration of the many different ways to have healthy polyamorous relationships which involve power dynamics.
The book covers many different kinds of relationship set-up and offers useful advice and ideas on how to have healthy discussions, maintain relationships, bring new people in, navigate issues that arise and all with a you-do-you focus and a firm reminder that everyone in the relationship is responsible for making it work, whatever that means for them.
I can't express just how interesting and helpful this book was for me. I've already recommended it to my partners and friends, whether they are just polyam, just kinky, or combining the two. The tools it provides for navigating relationships generally are invaluable.
The book covers many different kinds of relationship set-up and offers useful advice and ideas on how to have healthy discussions, maintain relationships, bring new people in, navigate issues that arise and all with a you-do-you focus and a firm reminder that everyone in the relationship is responsible for making it work, whatever that means for them.
I can't express just how interesting and helpful this book was for me. I've already recommended it to my partners and friends, whether they are just polyam, just kinky, or combining the two. The tools it provides for navigating relationships generally are invaluable.
The Toybag Guide to Age Play by Lee Harrington
informative
medium-paced
4.0
A great intro to age play with lots of suggestions and great explainers for those just wanting to understand the why. Importantly it covers the emotional and mental safety aspect of this kind of play too, doing a great job of ensuring people understand what can go wrong and how to engage responsibly and as safely as possibly in this form of play.
For more experienced age players it's still an interesting read.
For more experienced age players it's still an interesting read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Sexual content
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual violence
We Are the Weather: Saving the Planet Begins at Breakfast by Jonathan Safran Foer
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
3.5
If you're already doing everything you can as you learn what you can do, and are fighting hopelessness about the climate crisis - do not read this book.
It did give me some insight into the people I love who believe the climate science but don't do anything, but it also made me feel utterly hopeless and guilty for not doing enough and not being able to encourage others to do anything.
On my part, I should have stopped reading it a few chapters in and I was irresponsible and didn't. If you have a weak grip on hope or the will to live, this is absolutely not the climate book for you.
It's one I will recommend to people who know but do nothing, but I wish I hadn't read it.
It did give me some insight into the people I love who believe the climate science but don't do anything, but it also made me feel utterly hopeless and guilty for not doing enough and not being able to encourage others to do anything.
On my part, I should have stopped reading it a few chapters in and I was irresponsible and didn't. If you have a weak grip on hope or the will to live, this is absolutely not the climate book for you.
It's one I will recommend to people who know but do nothing, but I wish I hadn't read it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
informative
medium-paced
4.25
Overall I really enjoyed it. It's all stuff I knew anyway but it's nice to be reminded and I really appreciated the chapter on genes and focusing on what you're already good at, playing the game you can win and ignoring what other people and society thinks.
I knocked off 3/4 of a star for the simplifying of weight loss to eat less, exercise more. I realise many people will be wanting to cultivate habits to lose weight but in a book which even has a chapter on how genetics affect every trait we have and that we need to understand ourselves, I felt not challenging the idea that weight loss is that simple was disappointing.
I knocked off 3/4 of a star for the simplifying of weight loss to eat less, exercise more. I realise many people will be wanting to cultivate habits to lose weight but in a book which even has a chapter on how genetics affect every trait we have and that we need to understand ourselves, I felt not challenging the idea that weight loss is that simple was disappointing.
This Is Not A Drill: An Extinction Rebellion Handbook by Extinction Rebellion
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
4.5
Everyone needs to read this book. Packed with facts, science and first hand stories, not only does it arm you with the information you need to really understand the climate crisis, but also with real solutions for it and the hope that we can make a difference.
The first half of the book provides a hard look at the reality of climate change and how it's affecting everyone and everything right now. It speaks to the many, many warnings that have been ignored and shares the lived experiences of those on the front lines.
The second half of the book was hard work for me, a couple of the essays were a little dry and preachy, but the final essays offered hope, motivation and action steps, something I appreciate. It's all too easy to simply state that the world is on fire and leave everyone to panic and figure it out themselves; presenting solutions in an accessible way helped to counter my climate anxiety and enable me to do something productive.
On a personal note, the book helped me see my own place in the fight for climate justice and the changes I can make to make me a better activist. Specifically that hope is not my strong suit, meaning discussions with others quickly turn into me becoming upset and filled with fear and reacting accordingly. I realise it's important for me to surround myself with hopeful people and information most of the time in order to engage in discussions in a productive way - I can't share a message of hope and achievable change if I am hopeless and afraid.
The first half of the book provides a hard look at the reality of climate change and how it's affecting everyone and everything right now. It speaks to the many, many warnings that have been ignored and shares the lived experiences of those on the front lines.
The second half of the book was hard work for me, a couple of the essays were a little dry and preachy, but the final essays offered hope, motivation and action steps, something I appreciate. It's all too easy to simply state that the world is on fire and leave everyone to panic and figure it out themselves; presenting solutions in an accessible way helped to counter my climate anxiety and enable me to do something productive.
On a personal note, the book helped me see my own place in the fight for climate justice and the changes I can make to make me a better activist. Specifically that hope is not my strong suit, meaning discussions with others quickly turn into me becoming upset and filled with fear and reacting accordingly. I realise it's important for me to surround myself with hopeful people and information most of the time in order to engage in discussions in a productive way - I can't share a message of hope and achievable change if I am hopeless and afraid.
The First Ethereal by E.L. Williams
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0
I'm struggling to put into words how much I loved this book and why. The First Ethereal is so relevant and rooted in reality while still being full of real magic, with a sprinkle of hocus pocus for good measure!
The underlying message is so beautiful and made me cry at various points through the book. It threads hope into the most painful, hopeless situations and highlights the beauty of humanity without ignoring the awful parts of it.
The underlying message is so beautiful and made me cry at various points through the book. It threads hope into the most painful, hopeless situations and highlights the beauty of humanity without ignoring the awful parts of it.
The characters are relatable and, despite having clear goodies and baddies, the plot manages to expose the shades of grey in each situation.
After luring you in with its light, warm and fuzzy opening, The First Ethereal suddenly kicks up several gears which serves to ensure the reader understands the confusion and overwhelm of the characters. From the opening chapters I would never have guessed we could have landed in those final chapters and yet, in a very natural way, we do.
I was so moved by the story, it made me think and really look at my own beliefs and the way I've been acting simply by showing the complexity of the human experience.
I can't wait for the sequel!
How to Keep House While Drowning: 31 Days of Compassionate Help by KC Davis
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
I can't recommend this enough. Whether you regularly struggle with housework, finding yourself unable to keep on top of it or spending all your spare time cleaning, or if you just hit a period where life has happened and you find yourself drowning in endless chores, this book is a revelation.
I've been working on self care and self love for a few years now and this was a perfect next step for me. Reminding me of some things I had forgotten (like that it's OK for functioning to be the only aim sometimes) and teaching me new methods to make functioning easier on the really hard days.
Also, I cleaned my bathroom after reading the chapter on bathrooms!
I've been working on self care and self love for a few years now and this was a perfect next step for me. Reminding me of some things I had forgotten (like that it's OK for functioning to be the only aim sometimes) and teaching me new methods to make functioning easier on the really hard days.
Also, I cleaned my bathroom after reading the chapter on bathrooms!
Letter to My Daughter by Maya Angelou
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
The objectively false statements about the nature of rape in "violence" angered and upset me so much I had to stop reading. I was expecting a book of wisdom and advice to warm the heart and inspire me to keep going, what I got was judgement and preaching.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Sexual assault
Moderate: Rape