reallivingthing's reviews
63 reviews

Grit: Poems by Silas Denver Melvin by silas denver melvin

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

4.25

I found the flow a bit difficult to follow at times, but it was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I adore Silas’s work, and I think this is a great initial representation of his writing. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia, Transphobia, Violence

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A re-read from my teenage years and it still holds up. Definitely harder to get through now that I’m not enthralled by mental illness though. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Self harm, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship

Moderate: Drug use, Fatphobia, Alcohol

How to Do the Work: Recognize Your Patterns, Heal from Your Past, and Create Your Self by Nicole LePera

hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.75

Real Self-Care: A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness by Pooja Lakshmin

informative medium-paced

3.0

I appreciate the intersectional approach this book took to self care, and that right off the bat the author explains their use of certain language in the book is for literary purposes and not for exclusion. That being said, some of the things the author touts as not being ‘real self care’ is just point blank not true. The world around us sucks, yes, but not everything all the time can be blamed on that and we have to take some of the responsibility for ourselves. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Racism, Sexism, Transphobia, Colonisation

The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.

I didn’t realize it was part of a series, and it just kind of dragged on. Wasn’t a story I ended up being particularly interested in. 

Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less than, Left Out, and Lonely by Lysa TerKeurst
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.

why can’t these books ever warn how much proselytizing they’re going to do 

Summary of The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz by Best Self Audio, Best Self Audio

2.75

Decent summary, not engaging whatsoever

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

challenging emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

5.0

This was a phenomenal read by an author I hold a lot of respect for. I watched Jennette growing up and, like most other kids, had no idea what was going on behind the scenes. This is a really insightful look into her life, a personal experience with child stardom and fame, eating disorders, and growing up in an abusive household. I’d recommend this read to pretty much everyone who enjoys nonfiction wether you’re familiar with Jennette or not, and people who are familiar with her should definitely give it a read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Eating disorder, Sexual assault

Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score
Did not finish book. Stopped at 82%.

Bad overhyped tiktok book. This book is like pulling teeth for me, honestly. I was reading fanfiction that had better written romance and smut when I was 12. I tried so hard to finish it but I just could not justify keeping my kindleunlimited subscription through the beginning of the year when this book, and every other one with that service, is so terrible. 

Maybe it’s sexy if you’ve never talked to a man about sex before, idk, the dude’s perspective in this book sounds like it was written by a middle schooler who just learned the word pussy. 

The other plot was decent. Would have actually enjoyed it if the romance was more well written. 

Project 333: The Minimalist Fashion Challenge That Proves Less Really Is So Much More by Courtney Carver

challenging informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.75