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sebby_reads's reviews
242 reviews
Diary of an Oxygen Thief by Anonymous
2.0
The title is pretty alright but not knowing the writer is somewhat intriguing. Besides, it said “Fitzgerald for the iPad generation,” so I bought this book. Although I can reflect and/or agree on some parts with the narrator, I dislike the tone of narration. It’s unappealing.
Regardless, I found many modern-day “relationships” in this book (cause I saw a bit of myself in there, too.
Regardless, I found many modern-day “relationships” in this book (cause I saw a bit of myself in there, too.
Heads You Win by Jeffrey Archer
3.0
Another good book by one of my favourites, Jeffrey Archer. Heads You Win told a story of the fate of a boy named Alexander in Leningrad, Russia, changed over the toss of coin. When his father was assassinated by the KBG, he and his mother tried to escape from Russia. At the docks, they have to choose to board onto a container ship bound for America or Great Britain. Alexander tossed the coin to choose his fate.
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Through his majestic storytelling, Jeffrey Archer gives the readers both sides of the coins. In alternating chapters, I got the chance to explore how life would be for Alexander if the fate chooses to either of the ships. With his wits, Jeffrey Archer delivered the entire biography of a character in two different lives with his usual twist and turns. I’ve always been a fan of him but this one seems a bit slacking. I’d rate 3 out of 5
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Through his majestic storytelling, Jeffrey Archer gives the readers both sides of the coins. In alternating chapters, I got the chance to explore how life would be for Alexander if the fate chooses to either of the ships. With his wits, Jeffrey Archer delivered the entire biography of a character in two different lives with his usual twist and turns. I’ve always been a fan of him but this one seems a bit slacking. I’d rate 3 out of 5
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
3.0
Eleanor Oliphant lives a very simple and organised life. She does everything in accordance with her own schedule and own pace. People at her work think she’s weird and whisper at her back. But Eleanor doesn’t care about their opinions. She thinks she’s fine and her life is normal. Except she isn’t fine. Her childhood trauma is the key factor making her how she’s living her life and it’s been haunting her entire life. But it’s not all sad and tears. Slowly, her life unfolds on her own palms and she’s started making the changes with a little help from a friend.
Despite having many raving reviews from its readers, I honestly don’t enjoy reading this book. The story was interesting but storytelling and the writing isn’t fluid enough for me. I’d give a very generous 3 stars rating out of 5.
Despite having many raving reviews from its readers, I honestly don’t enjoy reading this book. The story was interesting but storytelling and the writing isn’t fluid enough for me. I’d give a very generous 3 stars rating out of 5.
Giving Alms by Khin Chan Myae Maung
4.0
Giving Alms is a thin book with three short stories based on the narratives of the people of Myanmar. ‘Stillborn’ and the titled story, ‘Giving Alms’ were very moving yet my favourite piece was the last on, ‘Plants that Grow in Shade.” All thee stories were told beautifully and brilliantly.
To be honest, I wasn’t expecting it to be this good. Unexpectedly good in many ways cause I thought it would be a bit ostentatious when it comes to the writing. (Apologies for being a little prejudiced.) But the storytelling was pretty satisfying and in each story, the writer depicted her characters through torment and tribulations with such brilliance. I’d rate 3.5 out of 5.
To be honest, I wasn’t expecting it to be this good. Unexpectedly good in many ways cause I thought it would be a bit ostentatious when it comes to the writing. (Apologies for being a little prejudiced.) But the storytelling was pretty satisfying and in each story, the writer depicted her characters through torment and tribulations with such brilliance. I’d rate 3.5 out of 5.
Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling
4.0
I had been meaning to read this since around April when I heard about this book in a podcast. But I only managed to get this in my hands in July and finished it last month. This is the second non-fiction book of 2019 but it is as remarkable as the first in I read which was 21 Lessons by Yuval. In Factfullness, Hans Rosling, with the collaboration of his son and daughter-in-law, gave us ten staggering reasons we’re wrong about the world and why things are better than we think. This book has been recommended by both Obama and Bill Gates (I dropped enough names, I guess) as well as many of the renowned researchers.
In the introduction chapter, Rosling asked the reader to test with his/her own knowledge about the world through 13 fact questions which many of the readers answered or guessed wrongly. He informed us the dramatic instincts and the overdramatic worldview we human have such as things are bad and feel like the world is getting worse—war, violence, natural disasters, man-made disasters, corruption.
In each chapter, Rosling shared about how to control the instincts with what to do, what not to do, and challenge yourself with new and updated data. A very insightful read indeed and I’d rate 4 out of 5.
Rosling patiently explained the reader with the resourceful facts about the world through easy-to-understand charts with very little jargons. His ten reasons spread out to be the ten instincts we need to comprehend: the Gap Instinct, the Negativity Instinct, the Straight Line Instinct, the Fear Instinct, the Size Instinct, the Generalization Instinct, the Destiny Instinct, the Single Perspective Instinct, the Blame Instinct, and the Urgency Instinct.
Let me list down a few of these.
In the Gap Instinct, he informed us the way we compared things/facts differently and told us to beware acomparisons of averages, comparisons of extremes and the view from up here.
In the Negativity Instinct, he taught about our instinct to notice the bad more than the good which led us to three things: the misremembering of the past; selective reporting by journalists and activists; and the feeling that as long as things are bad it’s heartless to say they are getting better.
In the Fear Instinct, he said it is a terrible guide for understanding the world. It makes us give our attention to the unlikely dangers that we are most afraid of, and neglect what is actually most risky. Because “frightening” and “dangerous” are two different things. Something frightening poses a perceived risk whereas something dangerous poses a real risk.
In the Size Instinct, he taught that factfulness is recognizing when a lonely number seems impressive (small or large), and remembering that you could get the opposite impression if it were compared with or divided by some other relevant number.
In the Destiny Instinct, he reminded us to keep track of gradual improvements, to update our knowledge, to talk to elders how the values have changed, and to collect examples of cultural change.
Rosling mentioned that, ‘Factfulness, like a healthy diet and regular exercise, can and should become part of your daily life. Start to practise it, and you will be able to replace your overdramatic worldview with a worldview based on facts.”
In the introduction chapter, Rosling asked the reader to test with his/her own knowledge about the world through 13 fact questions which many of the readers answered or guessed wrongly. He informed us the dramatic instincts and the overdramatic worldview we human have such as things are bad and feel like the world is getting worse—war, violence, natural disasters, man-made disasters, corruption.
In each chapter, Rosling shared about how to control the instincts with what to do, what not to do, and challenge yourself with new and updated data. A very insightful read indeed and I’d rate 4 out of 5.
Rosling patiently explained the reader with the resourceful facts about the world through easy-to-understand charts with very little jargons. His ten reasons spread out to be the ten instincts we need to comprehend: the Gap Instinct, the Negativity Instinct, the Straight Line Instinct, the Fear Instinct, the Size Instinct, the Generalization Instinct, the Destiny Instinct, the Single Perspective Instinct, the Blame Instinct, and the Urgency Instinct.
Let me list down a few of these.
In the Gap Instinct, he informed us the way we compared things/facts differently and told us to beware acomparisons of averages, comparisons of extremes and the view from up here.
In the Negativity Instinct, he taught about our instinct to notice the bad more than the good which led us to three things: the misremembering of the past; selective reporting by journalists and activists; and the feeling that as long as things are bad it’s heartless to say they are getting better.
In the Fear Instinct, he said it is a terrible guide for understanding the world. It makes us give our attention to the unlikely dangers that we are most afraid of, and neglect what is actually most risky. Because “frightening” and “dangerous” are two different things. Something frightening poses a perceived risk whereas something dangerous poses a real risk.
In the Size Instinct, he taught that factfulness is recognizing when a lonely number seems impressive (small or large), and remembering that you could get the opposite impression if it were compared with or divided by some other relevant number.
In the Destiny Instinct, he reminded us to keep track of gradual improvements, to update our knowledge, to talk to elders how the values have changed, and to collect examples of cultural change.
Rosling mentioned that, ‘Factfulness, like a healthy diet and regular exercise, can and should become part of your daily life. Start to practise it, and you will be able to replace your overdramatic worldview with a worldview based on facts.”
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
4.0
I tried this book six months ago but at that time, I couldn’t wrap my mind around it after first few pages. After seeing the trailer of its film adaptation, I was eager to get my hands on it again. Published in 2013 and winner of Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 2014, The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt was a marvellous read and impossible to put down once I really get into it despite its length 784 pages.
Theodore Decker and his mother entered into an art museum in New York and from the exhibition, his mother showed him one of her favourite paintings, The Goldfinch by late artist Carel Fibritius. There was a sudden explosion at the museum which killed his mother but Theo survived miraculously. He didn’t understand why he did it back then but Theo took the Goldfinch along with him when he walked out of the museum. He was only 13 years old at that time. Following the death of her mother and absence of his father who abandoned them, he was staying with his schoolmate’s family, the Barbours while the States was looking for a solution whether to put him in the foster home or continue searching for his father.
Told from Theo’s perspective, the narrative is very moving and it gives an old-school vibe and classic feel. Haunted by the death of his mum, Theo had gone through the craziest life events, sometimes up but mostly down. Tartt told a common American coming of age story involving broken families, addiction and drug abuse but what makes the story more intriguing is that Tartt crafted an exhilarating story that includes wealth disparities, PTSD, and a mixture of getting caught for a stolen art piece and constant fear of losing it.
What I really like about this book is the drastic changes in its tempo and the reader gets to experience the rollercoaster ride of Theo Decker’s life. Sometimes it can be a quiet verbose. Heck, the entire book can be cut it down a hundred pages. Nonetheless, it was a great read and I enjoyed it vastly much. Although I was a bit disappointed about how things turned out for Theo, I love how Tartt wrote, through Theo’s contemplation, near the ending pages of the book with an argument on the meaning of life and what life is and is not. 4.5 out of 5 stars for the book and eagerly anticipating the film.
Theodore Decker and his mother entered into an art museum in New York and from the exhibition, his mother showed him one of her favourite paintings, The Goldfinch by late artist Carel Fibritius. There was a sudden explosion at the museum which killed his mother but Theo survived miraculously. He didn’t understand why he did it back then but Theo took the Goldfinch along with him when he walked out of the museum. He was only 13 years old at that time. Following the death of her mother and absence of his father who abandoned them, he was staying with his schoolmate’s family, the Barbours while the States was looking for a solution whether to put him in the foster home or continue searching for his father.
Told from Theo’s perspective, the narrative is very moving and it gives an old-school vibe and classic feel. Haunted by the death of his mum, Theo had gone through the craziest life events, sometimes up but mostly down. Tartt told a common American coming of age story involving broken families, addiction and drug abuse but what makes the story more intriguing is that Tartt crafted an exhilarating story that includes wealth disparities, PTSD, and a mixture of getting caught for a stolen art piece and constant fear of losing it.
What I really like about this book is the drastic changes in its tempo and the reader gets to experience the rollercoaster ride of Theo Decker’s life. Sometimes it can be a quiet verbose. Heck, the entire book can be cut it down a hundred pages. Nonetheless, it was a great read and I enjoyed it vastly much. Although I was a bit disappointed about how things turned out for Theo, I love how Tartt wrote, through Theo’s contemplation, near the ending pages of the book with an argument on the meaning of life and what life is and is not. 4.5 out of 5 stars for the book and eagerly anticipating the film.
A History of Loneliness by John Boyne
3.0
.: Book 19 of 2019 :.
A story based in Ireland, John Boyne told a detail narrative of Odran Yates’ life in a messy chronological order. I found it a bit hard to grasp in first few chapters but this arrangement somehow put a special essence in the way of Boyne’s storytelling. Father Yates is a good man and has dedicated to his vocation since entering to seminary at the age of seventeen. His childhood traumatic event, his teenage struggles and his endeavour to remain firm in his belief when he became the priest.
Later in the story, through Father Yates’ life events, the horrible stories of children who suffered abuse and molest in churches in the hands of perverts and paedophile. Yates is a dedicated and honest one yet his life and vocation were tarnished by the actions of the dirty colleagues of his.
This is my fourth book by John Boyne so I know he wouldn’t write something light or fun for the heart. Still, I have prepared—expect the unexpected. No surprisingly intricate twist in the story but that didn’t ease the occasional whirlwind of emotion while reading it. Boyne brilliantly tugs the reader’s heartstrings in some pages and ended with a valuable message. I’d give a deserving 3.5 of 5.
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[***SPOILER]
Father Odran Yates convinced himself that he’s a man of higher character. However, he had noticed these wrongdoing activities from the beginning but never acted on any of it. He had said nothing when he should have spoken out. In his silence, he was just as guilty as the rest of them.
A story based in Ireland, John Boyne told a detail narrative of Odran Yates’ life in a messy chronological order. I found it a bit hard to grasp in first few chapters but this arrangement somehow put a special essence in the way of Boyne’s storytelling. Father Yates is a good man and has dedicated to his vocation since entering to seminary at the age of seventeen. His childhood traumatic event, his teenage struggles and his endeavour to remain firm in his belief when he became the priest.
Later in the story, through Father Yates’ life events, the horrible stories of children who suffered abuse and molest in churches in the hands of perverts and paedophile. Yates is a dedicated and honest one yet his life and vocation were tarnished by the actions of the dirty colleagues of his.
This is my fourth book by John Boyne so I know he wouldn’t write something light or fun for the heart. Still, I have prepared—expect the unexpected. No surprisingly intricate twist in the story but that didn’t ease the occasional whirlwind of emotion while reading it. Boyne brilliantly tugs the reader’s heartstrings in some pages and ended with a valuable message. I’d give a deserving 3.5 of 5.
.
.
.
.
.
[***SPOILER]
Father Odran Yates convinced himself that he’s a man of higher character. However, he had noticed these wrongdoing activities from the beginning but never acted on any of it. He had said nothing when he should have spoken out. In his silence, he was just as guilty as the rest of them.
Uncommon Type: Some Stories by Tom Hanks
4.0
I didn’t know the Tom Hanks, the exceptionally talented actor, also writes stories. Uncommon Type is the collection of short stories by Mr. Hanks and the interesting thing about this book is that each story featured something related to typewriter—sometimes just a brief mention, sometimes as a key part of the story. He is also a typewriter fanatic and he collects them, as well.
From the first short story, he takes us to a different places with his brilliant storytelling. He marvels at telling stories in different era with such poise. Be it past, or present, or even the futuristic fiction, he gets it. He knows the facts about the past as well as the modern day’s technology and uses them effortlessly in each of his stories.
Christmas Eve 1953, story about a World War II veteran grappling with his emotional and physical scars, is my absolute favourite. My second favourite would probably be The Past is Important to Us which is a story about time travelling. Another story, A Junket in the City of Light, story of a B-list actor plunged into sudden stardom and a whirlwind press junket, is a fantastic read, too. I like A Month on Green Street, These Are the Meditation of My Heart, and Go See Cotas.
He is, without a doubt, a brilliant writer and I’d love to read more of his works. Indeed, a wonderful new voice in contemporary fiction. Reading his stories was like having a warm mug of cocoa with perfect amount of marshmallows in it. It is also a warm hug you didn’t know you needed after a fatiguing day. Wouldn’t it be nice if he could just tell me these stories in person in his impeccable voice?
From the first short story, he takes us to a different places with his brilliant storytelling. He marvels at telling stories in different era with such poise. Be it past, or present, or even the futuristic fiction, he gets it. He knows the facts about the past as well as the modern day’s technology and uses them effortlessly in each of his stories.
Christmas Eve 1953, story about a World War II veteran grappling with his emotional and physical scars, is my absolute favourite. My second favourite would probably be The Past is Important to Us which is a story about time travelling. Another story, A Junket in the City of Light, story of a B-list actor plunged into sudden stardom and a whirlwind press junket, is a fantastic read, too. I like A Month on Green Street, These Are the Meditation of My Heart, and Go See Cotas.
He is, without a doubt, a brilliant writer and I’d love to read more of his works. Indeed, a wonderful new voice in contemporary fiction. Reading his stories was like having a warm mug of cocoa with perfect amount of marshmallows in it. It is also a warm hug you didn’t know you needed after a fatiguing day. Wouldn’t it be nice if he could just tell me these stories in person in his impeccable voice?
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
5.0
The touching story of friendship between Amir and his boyhood friend Hassan in a small town in Afghanistan was told with such poignancy. At the same time, Khaled wrote the usual tense yet strong relationship with father and son brilliantly, as well. Amir ruined his friendship with Hassan just to receive a hint of recognition from his father. It turned out to be guilt he carried for the rest of his life. As he migrated to America, his relationship with his father improved and his life went on. After many years, he received a phone call to amend the mistake he made.
I heard about this book from a friend around 2007 I guess. She couldn’t stop talking about it for days and she insisted me to read it, too. I checked out that book and a couple of other books from school library but didn’t manage to finish reading it before its due. Back in 2013, I borrowed it from another friend and started reading. But I couldn’t continue after one third of the book. I returned it to my friend saying it was too devastating and shattering to read. I suppose it was 2017 when I happened to read an interview with Khaled Hosseini in a magazine and I grew interest in his works. Since then I’ve been looking for his books.
Last weekend, I bought the 10th anniversary edition of the Kite Runner. I started reading it and this time, I managed to finish it. As expected, it was too gripping and exhausting to finish. Every chapter was poignantly written and I was taken to the landscape of Amir’s old neighbourhood and tasted his youth, felt his pain and despair. I cried along with the characters, mourned with them and pray for them. It was like a stab to your heart. The writer pushed in the dagger and when you feel like there’s no blood remaining, he twisted the dagger again to exacerbate you suffering. 5 out of 5 stars.
I heard about this book from a friend around 2007 I guess. She couldn’t stop talking about it for days and she insisted me to read it, too. I checked out that book and a couple of other books from school library but didn’t manage to finish reading it before its due. Back in 2013, I borrowed it from another friend and started reading. But I couldn’t continue after one third of the book. I returned it to my friend saying it was too devastating and shattering to read. I suppose it was 2017 when I happened to read an interview with Khaled Hosseini in a magazine and I grew interest in his works. Since then I’ve been looking for his books.
Last weekend, I bought the 10th anniversary edition of the Kite Runner. I started reading it and this time, I managed to finish it. As expected, it was too gripping and exhausting to finish. Every chapter was poignantly written and I was taken to the landscape of Amir’s old neighbourhood and tasted his youth, felt his pain and despair. I cried along with the characters, mourned with them and pray for them. It was like a stab to your heart. The writer pushed in the dagger and when you feel like there’s no blood remaining, he twisted the dagger again to exacerbate you suffering. 5 out of 5 stars.
21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari
5.0
I like this book a lot more than his first book, Sapiens. It’s not that Sapiens isn’t good. It’s just my weird feeling towards its in-your-face straightforwardness. You know you feel a little uneasy or insulted when someone points out all the flaws you have and mistakes you’ve done. That’s what I felt when I was reading Sapiens. I have yet to read Homo Deus but I’m certain that I will enjoy reading it in near future.
Anyway, in this book, 21 Lessons were compartmentalised into five parts—the Technological Challenge, the Political Challenge, Despair and Hope, Truth, and Resilience—and each lesson provides facts and answers for the questions we have been asking ourselves over the past few years.
The genius work of YNH is that he states the most obvious facts I’d normally think or believe and then provides me the unknown facts or some aspects that I hadn’t thought. Then he makes me question myself on how I think about all the various points he had made. What I really like is that he doesn’t force me to believe in this and that. He just showcases the various scenarios with substantial proof.
I absolutely loved reading all four chapters in the first part, the Technological Challenges. The other topics I enjoyed reading are Community, Nationalism, Immigration, Terrorism, Humility, Secularism, Justice, Education, and Meaning. I regret that I stopped reading it after a few chapters and picked up other books. This is clearly the best non fiction I have read in years. I believe many of us should read this as it definitely provides insights on various topics and answers to the questions many of us wonder. Definitely 5 out of 5 stars.
Anyway, in this book, 21 Lessons were compartmentalised into five parts—the Technological Challenge, the Political Challenge, Despair and Hope, Truth, and Resilience—and each lesson provides facts and answers for the questions we have been asking ourselves over the past few years.
The genius work of YNH is that he states the most obvious facts I’d normally think or believe and then provides me the unknown facts or some aspects that I hadn’t thought. Then he makes me question myself on how I think about all the various points he had made. What I really like is that he doesn’t force me to believe in this and that. He just showcases the various scenarios with substantial proof.
I absolutely loved reading all four chapters in the first part, the Technological Challenges. The other topics I enjoyed reading are Community, Nationalism, Immigration, Terrorism, Humility, Secularism, Justice, Education, and Meaning. I regret that I stopped reading it after a few chapters and picked up other books. This is clearly the best non fiction I have read in years. I believe many of us should read this as it definitely provides insights on various topics and answers to the questions many of us wonder. Definitely 5 out of 5 stars.