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peppypenguin's reviews
207 reviews
Sex in Canada: The Who, Why, When, and How of Getting Down Up North by Tina Fetner
informative
reflective
fast-paced
3.25
I really appreciate that there was a study conducted in Canada! It was interesting to see some trends and insights. Some solid explanations of gender studies and culture make the reading more interesting.
I'm not a research professional, so maybe it's not fair of me to say, but I'm not sure a sample of less than 3,000 people is enough for me to take the trends found as extremely official. I think this is an excellent start to open dialogue, educate Canadians, and hopefully encourage more studies in this field of research.
I'm not a research professional, so maybe it's not fair of me to say, but I'm not sure a sample of less than 3,000 people is enough for me to take the trends found as extremely official. I think this is an excellent start to open dialogue, educate Canadians, and hopefully encourage more studies in this field of research.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
To be read with a critical eye.
I feel like a lot of the advice is tailored for the entrepreneur. The book does provide tips for the 9-5ers that are very helpful, such as time management and being efficient versus just working for work's sake. The idea of designing your ideal life is also very handy. But it's hard to imagine this applying to certain positions that require regular live collaboration on projects.
It feels a little sleazy at times. The section that provides advice to manipulate your boss into thinking you're more efficient working from home and eventually anywhere in the world... The example of someone who used an assistant overseas that has less labour cost to help with their professional and personal life (I mean, come on, even to send your wife flowers and an apology because you can't be bothered to develop basic skills to do it yourself?). Perhaps these aspects didn't age well, but I'm sure they were revolutionary at the time.
Despite my hesitations, I feel this can be a very beneficial read/listen if you absorb the information with a critical eye/ear! Many specific tips are super helpful, and it's very inspiring to know that if you dedicate time to it, you can live a life you intentionally design, and you don't need to have millions of dollars to do it. I feel it's just important to keep in mind that for people to join the 'new rich' and live the life of their dreams, someone has to be the assistant fielding those calls all day and answering emails.
I feel like a lot of the advice is tailored for the entrepreneur. The book does provide tips for the 9-5ers that are very helpful, such as time management and being efficient versus just working for work's sake. The idea of designing your ideal life is also very handy. But it's hard to imagine this applying to certain positions that require regular live collaboration on projects.
It feels a little sleazy at times. The section that provides advice to manipulate your boss into thinking you're more efficient working from home and eventually anywhere in the world... The example of someone who used an assistant overseas that has less labour cost to help with their professional and personal life (I mean, come on, even to send your wife flowers and an apology because you can't be bothered to develop basic skills to do it yourself?). Perhaps these aspects didn't age well, but I'm sure they were revolutionary at the time.
Despite my hesitations, I feel this can be a very beneficial read/listen if you absorb the information with a critical eye/ear! Many specific tips are super helpful, and it's very inspiring to know that if you dedicate time to it, you can live a life you intentionally design, and you don't need to have millions of dollars to do it. I feel it's just important to keep in mind that for people to join the 'new rich' and live the life of their dreams, someone has to be the assistant fielding those calls all day and answering emails.
Anna O by Matthew Blake
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The storytelling in this thriller is so good and I genuinely enjoyed the ride, but it stumbled across the finish line in the last quarter.
The author did an excellent job of switching between character POVs, managing unreliable narration, and adding a neat twist that makes you rethink the way you've digested the entire story. Great, I loved it, couldn't put it down. I was questioning motivations and developing theories galore. It was exciting I loved it.
Then there is the final part where all is revealed in a lackluster explanatory unsatisfying narrative dump that I felt did not dive nearly enough into the final motivations of the character that we needed it from most. Based on the first twist I mentioned, it's logical that this is how it was done. It just wasn't entertaining and it felt like something was missing.
I also didn't care for the way some of the themes were handled, for example women in the spotlight and how their stories are determined by everyone except themselves. It was a bit heavy handed, with characters actually directly pointing these things out, pulling me out of the state of suspended disbelief.
Despite this feedback I do recommend this read because the ride is enjoyable. Other readers may also completely disagree with my sentiments about the ending!
The author did an excellent job of switching between character POVs, managing unreliable narration, and adding a neat twist that makes you rethink the way you've digested the entire story. Great, I loved it, couldn't put it down. I was questioning motivations and developing theories galore. It was exciting I loved it.
Then there is the final part where all is revealed in a lackluster explanatory unsatisfying narrative dump that I felt did not dive nearly enough into the final motivations of the character that we needed it from most. Based on the first twist I mentioned, it's logical that this is how it was done. It just wasn't entertaining and it felt like something was missing.
I also didn't care for the way some of the themes were handled, for example women in the spotlight and how their stories are determined by everyone except themselves. It was a bit heavy handed, with characters actually directly pointing these things out, pulling me out of the state of suspended disbelief.
Despite this feedback I do recommend this read because the ride is enjoyable. Other readers may also completely disagree with my sentiments about the ending!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Suicide
The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I absolutely love how meta this book is. It's an excellent concept that I feel is handled well as a character driven action-filled story. It does go over the top but I think that was part of the point as a slasher/mystery set in a world difficult to really define. That makes it hard to suspend disbelief but if you just roll with it it's great.
The meta analysis of Final Girls versus their monsters is cool. The author explores this in a fascinating way and it works well, as unhinged as it is.
I enjoy Lynette's character arc and the author's take on how each of the Final Girls would handle their traumatizing experiences years later. The plot itself has some nice twists and turns and there is never a dull moment, which made the read fun.
It's extremely cheesy in many ways, but I like the themes of sisterhood, fighting until the end, there is more to life than fearing death, etc.
The meta analysis of Final Girls versus their monsters is cool. The author explores this in a fascinating way and it works well, as unhinged as it is.
I enjoy Lynette's character arc and the author's take on how each of the Final Girls would handle their traumatizing experiences years later. The plot itself has some nice twists and turns and there is never a dull moment, which made the read fun.
It's extremely cheesy in many ways, but I like the themes of sisterhood, fighting until the end, there is more to life than fearing death, etc.
Unstoppable: Harnessing Science to Change the World by Bill Nye
A bit outdated as this was written in 2015, but this is an excellent introductory breakdown of the science of the climate crisis and possible technological, political, economic, and sociological solutions. At the same time as he explains the dire situation we are in, Bill Nye writes with the hope that we will make a difference and pivot to make positive changes. Grounded in realism but remaining optimistic, I think the writing style is very digestible and not too technical. I still found myself skipping over a lot of the science because that is simply something I have trouble absorbing, but despite that I finished the book with a better understanding than I did when I started and that's what counts.
If you're interested in a journey to learn more about the topic I think this is a solid place to start.
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
If you're not optimistic, you will not accomplish much.
A bit outdated as this was written in 2015, but this is an excellent introductory breakdown of the science of the climate crisis and possible technological, political, economic, and sociological solutions. At the same time as he explains the dire situation we are in, Bill Nye writes with the hope that we will make a difference and pivot to make positive changes. Grounded in realism but remaining optimistic, I think the writing style is very digestible and not too technical. I still found myself skipping over a lot of the science because that is simply something I have trouble absorbing, but despite that I finished the book with a better understanding than I did when I started and that's what counts.
If you're interested in a journey to learn more about the topic I think this is a solid place to start.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I find this story to be more horrific than Dracula. Everyone around you falling to terrible fates one by one because of your actions is terrifying. There is horror in the overzealous pride and obsession of humans circling around to haunt them and subject them to a miserable state where only death is the only rest they can receive. While fantastic it really is a universal story. The complex relationship between Frankenstein and his monster, and the pity you are made to feel for them both, is plenty to stimulate profound discussion.
I first read this novel in 2016. My re-read was this edition illustrated by Bernie Wrightson. These illustrations were so powerful in adding to the atmosphere, that I strongly recommend looking them up or obtaining a copy to enjoy for yourself.
I first read this novel in 2016. My re-read was this edition illustrated by Bernie Wrightson. These illustrations were so powerful in adding to the atmosphere, that I strongly recommend looking them up or obtaining a copy to enjoy for yourself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Death of parent, Body horror, and Murder
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Animal death, and Classism
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
4.0
This was a great read! I fell in love with Neil Gaiman after I read the Sandman comic series he wrote/scripted. His writing has a wonderful rhythm to it, and he accentuates it with phrases, dialogue and narrative that at times makes me say, "Oh snap" (to myself of course not out loud). He laces his work with philosophical inquiries that make the reading even more interesting. As with the Sandman series the book is rather dark and it's certainly not lacking in themes of sex and violence (perhaps younger readers should beware).
I wonder what it's like in the man's head.
Specifically for this book, I felt it dragged towards the middle, but it's all worth it in the end, where everything read has in someway a significance. The entire concept of gods that Gaiman presents is very interesting, at times confusing and not very clear or obvious, but this can be fixed with a little research. and if anything it helps you to relate to the confused position of the main character. The ending is nicely rounded and well done, though perhaps a little extended and a touch cliché. But other than this it's a great story and journey and I believe most will enjoy every step.
I wonder what it's like in the man's head.
Specifically for this book, I felt it dragged towards the middle, but it's all worth it in the end, where everything read has in someway a significance. The entire concept of gods that Gaiman presents is very interesting, at times confusing and not very clear or obvious, but this can be fixed with a little research. and if anything it helps you to relate to the confused position of the main character. The ending is nicely rounded and well done, though perhaps a little extended and a touch cliché. But other than this it's a great story and journey and I believe most will enjoy every step.
Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente
5.0
This was an amazing read! I think its strength comes from its uniqueness. It's written like an old fairy tale: beautiful, poetic, rhythmic. It is based off of Russian folklore, and the way it was modernized was very interesting and I feel well done.
It was also very, very, very messed up. One of my friends recommended this book to me and she put it perfectly: the relationship between the two main characters is one that you simply do not see in many novels. It's horrible yet beautiful, and it works.
There is also a lot of character development for the female lead, which I feel is very important. Though she is at first weak and helpless she soon becomes a strong force to be reckoned with. I love strong female leads.
So, just as my friend strongly recommended this to me, I strongly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a unique story, and who loves the rhythms of a good fairy tale. Slowly ingest every word and enjoy.
It was also very, very, very messed up. One of my friends recommended this book to me and she put it perfectly: the relationship between the two main characters is one that you simply do not see in many novels. It's horrible yet beautiful, and it works.
There is also a lot of character development for the female lead, which I feel is very important. Though she is at first weak and helpless she soon becomes a strong force to be reckoned with. I love strong female leads.
So, just as my friend strongly recommended this to me, I strongly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a unique story, and who loves the rhythms of a good fairy tale. Slowly ingest every word and enjoy.
The Scorch Trials by James Dashner
4.0
A very exciting sequel where you learn a lot more, but where you're also left with many questions.
In a way I can see why people are frustrated with the series because there's a lot of unanswered questions, and sometimes the way the answers come out does not feel natural, but I really enjoyed reading this and I couldn't put it down.
It's action packed like its predecessor but it's very different at the same time in terms of the trials they go through. I don't think anyone who liked the first book won't like this one. I look forward to reading the next instalment!
In a way I can see why people are frustrated with the series because there's a lot of unanswered questions, and sometimes the way the answers come out does not feel natural, but I really enjoyed reading this and I couldn't put it down.
It's action packed like its predecessor but it's very different at the same time in terms of the trials they go through. I don't think anyone who liked the first book won't like this one. I look forward to reading the next instalment!
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
5.0
This was an absolutely amazing read. It's one of those books where the underlying themes are very relatable. Who can't relate to the trouble of responsibility, and growing up, and being conflicted with your very being, caught between who you are and who you want to be?
I felt the characters were very interesting, but what really intrigued me was the brilliance of the story and the plot. The writing but simple but brilliant as well.
I'm not sure what else to say, except that to was a thoroughly enjoyable read that I couldn't easily put down. I had never even intended to read this book: it was there at this little store when I needed something to pass a few hours, but it was a great thing that I did. I don't know if the movie can do this book justice, just because there's so much emotion and internal turmoil going on within Ender that it's difficult to display visually. But I hope they do a good job, and I strongly recommend this book to everyone, adults and teenagers alike.
I felt the characters were very interesting, but what really intrigued me was the brilliance of the story and the plot. The writing but simple but brilliant as well.
I'm not sure what else to say, except that to was a thoroughly enjoyable read that I couldn't easily put down. I had never even intended to read this book: it was there at this little store when I needed something to pass a few hours, but it was a great thing that I did. I don't know if the movie can do this book justice, just because there's so much emotion and internal turmoil going on within Ender that it's difficult to display visually. But I hope they do a good job, and I strongly recommend this book to everyone, adults and teenagers alike.