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oliviahamilton's reviews
95 reviews
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
emotional
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A lovely listen, Ann Patchett creates such rich worlds. I loved the complexity of adult kids learning about their parents’ lives before they were born. It’s difficult to make a story that spans decades make sense and pace well, and Patchett does this masterfully. Of course Meryl Streep is the best reader in the world.
Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted by Suleika Jaouad
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Listened to the audiobook, wonderfully read by the author!
I came across Suleika’s work through her newsletters, and slowly grew more curious about her story through her newsletter reflections, TED talk, and the American Symphony documentary. I sensed that even if it was sad, I would gain something from reading her story. The added recommendation from Ann Patchett didn’t hurt either.
I loved this book. I realized that I’ve never read a book about cancer written by the person themselves, maybe fearing it would be too sad. This is an emotional book, but its emotion comes from its depth. Each relationship is complex and nuanced, and Suleika explores how her (very relatable) early 20s immaturity/wrecklessness blends with a traumatic experience well beyond her years. About how it feels to need caretaking when you’re only a few years out of childhood. About the way illness impacts identity.
I listened to the first half over a weekend, took a few days break, then listened to the second half. Definitely not a book to read in one sitting, but it is absorbing and refreshingly true.
Highly recommend!
I came across Suleika’s work through her newsletters, and slowly grew more curious about her story through her newsletter reflections, TED talk, and the American Symphony documentary. I sensed that even if it was sad, I would gain something from reading her story. The added recommendation from Ann Patchett didn’t hurt either.
I loved this book. I realized that I’ve never read a book about cancer written by the person themselves, maybe fearing it would be too sad. This is an emotional book, but its emotion comes from its depth. Each relationship is complex and nuanced, and Suleika explores how her (very relatable) early 20s immaturity/wrecklessness blends with a traumatic experience well beyond her years. About how it feels to need caretaking when you’re only a few years out of childhood. About the way illness impacts identity.
I listened to the first half over a weekend, took a few days break, then listened to the second half. Definitely not a book to read in one sitting, but it is absorbing and refreshingly true.
Highly recommend!
Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence by Anna Lembke
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Such an interesting, thought-provoking book. I appreciated the examples from all sorts of dopamine addictions/habits, both the ones we generally consider "bad" (drug abuse, p*rn addiction) and the less obviously bad (reading cheap erotica, obsessive exercise).
The book broke down a complex scientific topic into digestible, interesting chapters and stories, with no dull portions, yet was still rooted in facts and studies. That's a feat. The author's own honesty really shone through as well, as evidenced especially later in the book.
Worth a reread at some point.
The book broke down a complex scientific topic into digestible, interesting chapters and stories, with no dull portions, yet was still rooted in facts and studies. That's a feat. The author's own honesty really shone through as well, as evidenced especially later in the book.
Worth a reread at some point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Animal cruelty, and Sexual content
Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond the Clock by Jenny Odell
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
I want to finish in the future, love Jenny Odell, but my Libby audiobook rental was running out and I felt it might be a book better absorbed through reading anyways, so I'll wait to get my hands on a copy!
Say You'll Be Mine by Naina Kumar
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A fun romantic read. Great chemistry, interesting relationship dynamics, and a whole world of characters outside of the two leads. I liked the cultural details too: North/South Indian & immigrant culture, NYC vs Dallas, the Nashville songwriting world.
I didn’t buy the drama at Seth & Julie’s wedding. Maybe I’m ruined by knowing too much about songwriting splits, but I feel like those scenes & Julie’s quick turn could have been more developed/gone down differently. I feel like Julie would have fought for her credit already if it really bothered her, and that it would have been even better if they had found out that one of them had gotten credit and the other hadn’t, or that a third person had gotten credit for less work (so the two women wouldn’t be pitted against each other). That detail & lack of resolve on Seth’s storyline bugged me, but clearly I was invested in the characters for that detail to bother me.
Lots of daddy issues as others have warned, be aware! But I loved how the parents’ stories tied into this. Overall would recommend.
I didn’t buy
Lots of daddy issues as others have warned, be aware! But I loved how the parents’ stories tied into this. Overall would recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
A deeply personal and vulnerable account of a life as a person of size. Wrangles with a lot of uncomfortable conflicting truths about body image, self confidence, weight loss and gain, food, and the ways that fat people are dehumanized. It is not a self-pitying book, but it does examine the ways the fat people are taught to feel about their bodies, how they might actually feel, and what it’s like before one loses “the weight.”
I went to a book event around the time of this book’s release, and while I admired Roxane’s writing and presence, I think I was afraid to read it, having struggled with my own weight and body image but never in a morbidly obese body. I found it to be incredibly vulnerable, and listened from start to end in a day. It made me reflect on the stories I tell myself about my own body, and the history my body holds. Needless to say, a worthwhile read.
I went to a book event around the time of this book’s release, and while I admired Roxane’s writing and presence, I think I was afraid to read it, having struggled with my own weight and body image but never in a morbidly obese body. I found it to be incredibly vulnerable, and listened from start to end in a day. It made me reflect on the stories I tell myself about my own body, and the history my body holds. Needless to say, a worthwhile read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Fatphobia
Moderate: Vomit and Eating disorder
Minor: Ableism
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Quarterlife: The Search for Self in Early Adulthood by Satya Doyle Byock
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
There's a lot of food for thought in this book. It felt like a more in-touch version of The Defining Decade, in the sense that it looked at the lives of people 16-36 through anonymized versions of the author's therapy patients.
I thought the distinction between meaning and stability types was interesting and useful, especially how it manifests in sibling/romantic relationships.
The intro and conclusion are fairly academic and political, which I enjoyed because it gave me ideas of what to read next, but I could see it being off-putting for some readers. Political/social justice parts felt a little preachy/forced too, even though I agree with the author and appreciate that she recognizes the unique stressors facing present-day quarter lifers.
I liked that while each therapy patient had a clear arc, there was no prescriptive one-size-fits-all answer. If you're looking for a "how-to" book, you might look elsewhere, but if you're up for something a bit more philosophical, this is it. Overall would recommend!
I thought the distinction between meaning and stability types was interesting and useful, especially how it manifests in sibling/romantic relationships.
The intro and conclusion are fairly academic and political, which I enjoyed because it gave me ideas of what to read next, but I could see it being off-putting for some readers. Political/social justice parts felt a little preachy/forced too, even though I agree with the author and appreciate that she recognizes the unique stressors facing present-day quarter lifers.
I liked that while each therapy patient had a clear arc, there was no prescriptive one-size-fits-all answer. If you're looking for a "how-to" book, you might look elsewhere, but if you're up for something a bit more philosophical, this is it. Overall would recommend!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Child abuse, Medical trauma, Drug abuse, and Domestic abuse
Mother Nature by Jamie Lee Curtis, Russell Goldman, Karl Stevens
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Interesting climate themes, concept, and setting. Way too many characters which made the primary drama confusing. It could be three books (or films). Beautiful (though often very graphic) drawings, though sometimes felt disconnected from the words. Overall excited to see more people tackling these themes, especially Jamie, and the indigenous elements were well done (thanks to Diné consultants!) but I hope the story gets clarified in the film adaptation.