mkjacobswrites's reviews
564 reviews

Habits of a Peacemaker: 10 Habits to Change Our Potentially Toxic Conversations Into Healthy Dialogues by Steven T. Collis

5.0

Informative and accessible - the author's tone was well-suited to this type of book; he was clearly an authority, but he also intentionally cultivated approachability. The habits described were clear and easy to understand. There were a lot of good reminders about being open-minded and humble.

Creating Your Best Life: The Ultimate Life List Guide by Michael B. Frisch, Caroline Adams Miller

3.5

Some good information, including powerful questions/worksheets to use to make your life list, but really slow pacing and definitely outdated examples. The tone is often overly confident that They are the Source of the Perfect Answers for your life, which got grating.

Abundant Ever After: Tools for Creating a Life of Prosperity and Ease by Cathy Heller, Cathy Heller

4.0

A good self-help book with helpful mantras to consider. I had heard many of her examples before since she uses them often in her free coaching classes, but the repetition isn't necessarily a bad thing. It would've been nice to have a little more data.

After Hello by Lisa Mangum

4.25

This is a cool exploration of an AZ girl having a day in NYC where possibilities feel endless even though it's just one day - the setting is done so well, and Sara's reactions usually feel realistic. It's easy to get into with Mangum's accessible writing style. This is a story where I think we would benefit from an epilogue, though, even if it was cheesy - I wanted more of their story developed. I also wanted a little more substance for side characters, especially Sara's dad.

Don't Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life by Anne Bogel

4.0

This was a good read with some nice reflection questions after each chapter to help the content feel applicable. I felt like I would've wanted more specific or deeper examples.

I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life by Anne Bogel

4.0

Very relatable and validating without necessarily bringing any super new ideas - except the "book twin" thing, which I hated. Overall a quick, pleasant read. Excited to try a few of the books she mentioned.

The Time of Contempt by Andrzej Sapkowski

4.0

I really liked the beginning with the messenger; it was gripping. This was a good read overall. I still feel like Ciri is always a pawn/character to be described rather than having her own personality. 

Lies Jane Austen Told Me by Julie Wright

3.5

I inhale this book in one sitting every time I read it; the best parts are always how well the Austen references are integrated, but I ultimately find it a little bit of a stretch with lots of conveniences. Also there's no reason for the rival girl to be so one-note. Still it's a fun light read. The little girl character is done pretty well, too.

The Princess and the Hound by Mette Ivie Harrison

4.0

I loved this author's books as a kid so I have a nostalgic attachment to the distinctly detached narrative voice. In my reread, I was disappointed in the fixed nature of the secondary characters. I wanted more depth to almost every interaction. The concept was still interesting.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

4.5

We were rewatching the movies and I wanted to compare to the book - I had honestly forgotten so many of the details, so it was fun to revisit. The narrator's intrusions were more frequent than I expected, but I liked them mostly - a quaint storyteller vibe. These books will always be classic!