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randamashnouk's reviews
154 reviews
The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts by Gary Chapman
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
This is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand relationships dynamics.
Why does one friend/parent/significant-other likes to do one thing with you, yet another does not?
You might feel loved when you spend quality time with them, but they feel loved by a totally different thing–like compliments and affirmations, or gifts. And the list of go on in this book. That's what love languages is about.
I've been wondering for a while now the concept of 'priorities' for each person, why they act and feel a certain way, how this effects people around them and themselves. While I can't have a solid understanding yet— for humans are complex and vulnerable creatures—this book definitely untangled many knots in my mind regarding that concept.
Why does one friend/parent/significant-other likes to do one thing with you, yet another does not?
You might feel loved when you spend quality time with them, but they feel loved by a totally different thing–like compliments and affirmations, or gifts. And the list of go on in this book. That's what love languages is about.
I've been wondering for a while now the concept of 'priorities' for each person, why they act and feel a certain way, how this effects people around them and themselves. While I can't have a solid understanding yet— for humans are complex and vulnerable creatures—this book definitely untangled many knots in my mind regarding that concept.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald
adventurous
relaxing
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? It's complicated
3.5
"But when his own time came, and he drifted with her out upon the changing floor to the music of the latest waltz from Paris, his jealousies and anxieties melted from him like a mantle of snow. Blind with enchantment, he felt that life was just beginning."
Why am I only now reading an F. Scott Fitzgerald book? His writing is emaculate. This one is especially good to get off of a reading slump, which I was on.
Why am I only now reading an F. Scott Fitzgerald book? His writing is emaculate. This one is especially good to get off of a reading slump, which I was on.
I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
"It’s hard to be calm in a world made for whiteness."
The journey demonstrated in this book is just what you need if you want to understand Blackness and all the racial implications –caused by white people– that comes with it.
Although I feel powerless to change a fraction of a (global) society filled with White supremacy and unconscious racist behaviors, I still want to keep that awareness to unlearn and relearn my own thoughts to exclude myself from such society.
Until this year, I've never had second thoughts on the ethnicities of employees in a company, nor how many Black actors/teachers/politicians/etc dominating the screen. It's a shame to exclude a whole personality out of and to only include it as a side character. This is all a part of a supremacy engraved in our brain to believe that White is "normal" and it's the way to be. We still have a long, long way to go.
The journey demonstrated in this book is just what you need if you want to understand Blackness and all the racial implications –caused by white people– that comes with it.
Although I feel powerless to change a fraction of a (global) society filled with White supremacy and unconscious racist behaviors, I still want to keep that awareness to unlearn and relearn my own thoughts to exclude myself from such society.
Until this year, I've never had second thoughts on the ethnicities of employees in a company, nor how many Black actors/teachers/politicians/etc dominating the screen. It's a shame to exclude a whole personality out of and to only include it as a side character. This is all a part of a supremacy engraved in our brain to believe that White is "normal" and it's the way to be. We still have a long, long way to go.
Memorial by Bryan Washington
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair by Pablo Neruda, W.S. Merwin, Cristina García
emotional
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
3.75
This Is Pleasure by Mary Gaitskill
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A novella talking about the #MeToo movement in a nuanced perspective.
I haven't read about this subject before, let alone read it in this different perspective. I love the differences though, the characters, how both the lives of the abuser and the friends/family around him are effected.
The abuser's perspective/character was rather peevish, disingenuous, and whimsical. I love the authenticity in the characters, how flawed and realistic they were.
It was definitely a light, fresh novella, yet emotionally charged and important to read.
Highly recommend!
I haven't read about this subject before, let alone read it in this different perspective. I love the differences though, the characters, how both the lives of the abuser and the friends/family around him are effected.
The abuser's perspective/character was rather peevish, disingenuous, and whimsical. I love the authenticity in the characters, how flawed and realistic they were.
It was definitely a light, fresh novella, yet emotionally charged and important to read.
Highly recommend!
How to Do the Work: Recognize Your Patterns, Heal from Your Past, and Create Your Self by Nicole LePera
informative
slow-paced
4.5
‘We don’t remember days, we remember moments,’ Cesare Pavese.
Of all the self-help and psycohological books I've read, I've never encountered the concept presented in this book, and it's so eye-opening.
In summary, this book explains how all your toxic traits; negative reactions/overreactions, and patterns are probably derived from memories/coping-mechanisms you've learned in your childhood—which ultimately the author rightfully calls them 'childhood wounds'—that you learned from your parent-figures.
It's crucial to stop denying that your childhood was perfect, because if it was you wouldn't have over/under-reacted to certain things (these triggers and behaviors don't just come out of thin air).
It's so easy to fall under the patterns you've seen from your parents since childhood (because you didn't know better), and —unless you became conscious of them and emotionally mature — you'll most likely reflect the same anger outbursts, emotional neglect, and whatever else onto your friendships, partners, and eventually your kids (No matter how much you say you won't do this to your partner/kids, you'll do so unconsciously).
We've gotten too comfortable with those toxic traits and patterns that we decided to say "this is who I am, so deal with it." instead of asking ourselves why and work towards healing our trauma.
We need to put on the effort to do the work in order to reach that conscious state and emotional maturity, and this book guides you to do so in comfortable baby steps.
'Every moment, we make a choice: we can live in the past, or we can look forward and envision a future that is different. Our tendency when we return to a system, regardless of how much work we do on our own, is to revert to old patterns. The temptation is to embrace the familiar subconscious conditioning. We can also decide to participate in the opening of an unfamiliar, uncertain door. I know now that if that path is not serving me well, I will know and can turn right around, close the door, and choose a new one to open.'
Of all the self-help and psycohological books I've read, I've never encountered the concept presented in this book, and it's so eye-opening.
In summary, this book explains how all your toxic traits; negative reactions/overreactions, and patterns are probably derived from memories/coping-mechanisms you've learned in your childhood—which ultimately the author rightfully calls them 'childhood wounds'—that you learned from your parent-figures.
It's crucial to stop denying that your childhood was perfect, because if it was you wouldn't have over/under-reacted to certain things (these triggers and behaviors don't just come out of thin air).
It's so easy to fall under the patterns you've seen from your parents since childhood (because you didn't know better), and —unless you became conscious of them and emotionally mature — you'll most likely reflect the same anger outbursts, emotional neglect, and whatever else onto your friendships, partners, and eventually your kids (No matter how much you say you won't do this to your partner/kids, you'll do so unconsciously).
We've gotten too comfortable with those toxic traits and patterns that we decided to say "this is who I am, so deal with it." instead of asking ourselves why and work towards healing our trauma.
We need to put on the effort to do the work in order to reach that conscious state and emotional maturity, and this book guides you to do so in comfortable baby steps.
'Every moment, we make a choice: we can live in the past, or we can look forward and envision a future that is different. Our tendency when we return to a system, regardless of how much work we do on our own, is to revert to old patterns. The temptation is to embrace the familiar subconscious conditioning. We can also decide to participate in the opening of an unfamiliar, uncertain door. I know now that if that path is not serving me well, I will know and can turn right around, close the door, and choose a new one to open.'
كافكا على الشاطئ by Haruki Murakami
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
قدرة ماروكامي في المزج بين الواقعية والسريالية قدرة تفوق الوصف!
ليس بالكتاب السهل وصفه أو شرحه، فالكتاب يحمل الكثير من النظريات والمعاني العميقة التي تحتاج إلى وقتٍ لاستيعابها بعد الانتهاء منه. أشبّهه بالمسلسل الألمانيّ دارك، لكن كافكا على الشاطئ أقل تعقيداً وأمتع من المسلسل. فالمسلسل يهدف إلى تداخلات الأزمان ببعضها والترابط بين الأشخاص، بينما يركز ماروكامي على عدة عناصر أخرى كالأفكار اليابانية السائدة بشأن الأرواح، والتأكيد على أن القدر يجرك إلى ما تحتاج إليه بشكلٍ أو بآخر، بالإضافة إلى وجود قدرات روحية أو خارجة عن الطبيعة، كالحديث مع القطط. لذلك لسببٍ ما، أرى الرواية منطقية أكثر من المسلسل.
وصف ماروكامي كتابه هذا بالاحجية التي سيختلف حلّها عند كل قارئ (وقد لا تستطيع حلها حتى)، اعتقد أن هذا هو الوصف الأدق لهذه الرواية.
رغم أن الشخصيات لا تربط بينهما أي علاقة، إلا أن عوالمهم متوازية ومتأثرة ببعضها بشكلٍ دقيق وجميل، حيث يجسد ماروكامي أثر الفراشة بشكلٍ غامض لن تراه واضحاً حتى تصل إلى آخر الكتاب.
ليس بالكتاب السهل وصفه أو شرحه، فالكتاب يحمل الكثير من النظريات والمعاني العميقة التي تحتاج إلى وقتٍ لاستيعابها بعد الانتهاء منه. أشبّهه بالمسلسل الألمانيّ دارك، لكن كافكا على الشاطئ أقل تعقيداً وأمتع من المسلسل. فالمسلسل يهدف إلى تداخلات الأزمان ببعضها والترابط بين الأشخاص، بينما يركز ماروكامي على عدة عناصر أخرى كالأفكار اليابانية السائدة بشأن الأرواح، والتأكيد على أن القدر يجرك إلى ما تحتاج إليه بشكلٍ أو بآخر، بالإضافة إلى وجود قدرات روحية أو خارجة عن الطبيعة، كالحديث مع القطط. لذلك لسببٍ ما، أرى الرواية منطقية أكثر من المسلسل.
وصف ماروكامي كتابه هذا بالاحجية التي سيختلف حلّها عند كل قارئ (وقد لا تستطيع حلها حتى)، اعتقد أن هذا هو الوصف الأدق لهذه الرواية.
رغم أن الشخصيات لا تربط بينهما أي علاقة، إلا أن عوالمهم متوازية ومتأثرة ببعضها بشكلٍ دقيق وجميل، حيث يجسد ماروكامي أثر الفراشة بشكلٍ غامض لن تراه واضحاً حتى تصل إلى آخر الكتاب.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
هايدي by Johanna Spyri, بثينة الإبراهيم, يوهانا شبيري
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75