reneenavarra's reviews
17 reviews

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

dark emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

5.0

What a celebration of culture, food, family, and identity. I cried really hard from this.

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk

informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

5.0

Mental illness is related with society’s ills. I appreciate the highlight of poverty as a cause of trauma, and the call on providing social support in addressing mental illnesses. I also liked the discussion on the diverse forms of treatments. Lastly, I found the annecdotes from actual patients very moving. 

Overall, this was a good read not only on the topic of trauma but on how we as a society should talk about mental illness. Read with a critical lens though and mind the trigger warnings. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Rape, Self harm, and Sexual violence

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

3.75

Easy read and the characters were interesting which kept me hooked throughout the changing POVs.

This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar

adventurous challenging mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I was slow to warm up to the book, but overall it was beautiful and poetic. 

Just Kids by Patti Smith

dark emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

4.5