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sweetearlgrey's reviews
148 reviews
Feng Shui Modern by Cliff Tan
3.5
I adore Dear Modern's YouTube channel and the principles of Feng Shui. 'Feng Shui Modern' clearly explains and illustrates everything. It's a great pocketbook, and I'll definitely revisit it when designing my future home (wishful thinking!). The only downside was the formatting—too many pages were half blank, and the text was too small, which is ironic considering the book is about design ;)
What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat by Aubrey Gordon
3.75
This book is informative and written in a way that is easy to grasp, even as it tackles complex and deeply ingrained societal beliefs.
However, there are a couple of areas where the book could be improved. There is quite a bit of repetition throughout, sometimes with sentences or quotes repeated verbatim. Additionally, the book occasionally skips around too much, which made it feel a bit disjointed at times. A more focused approach would have improved the format and made for a smoother read.
Despite these minor critiques, What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat is a powerful and necessary contribution to discussions about fatphobia and body politics.
However, there are a couple of areas where the book could be improved. There is quite a bit of repetition throughout, sometimes with sentences or quotes repeated verbatim. Additionally, the book occasionally skips around too much, which made it feel a bit disjointed at times. A more focused approach would have improved the format and made for a smoother read.
Despite these minor critiques, What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat is a powerful and necessary contribution to discussions about fatphobia and body politics.
The Secret to Superhuman Strength by Alison Bechdel
The illustrations were also so visually captivating and really brought the story to life. I realise now that I should have probably read "Fun Home" first to get more of a background about Bechdel's family situation, but I'll be reading that next.
If you're someone who tends to overthink everything, The Secret to Superhuman Strength will be a very relevant read for you. Bechdel's realness and self-awareness make this book stand out, and I totally recommend it for anyone on their own journey of growth and self-discovery.
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.5
This was a really comforting read. What really got me was how Bechdel didn't just preach wisdom from on high - she laid it all out there that she's still a work in progress herself. That kind of honesty made her insights hit home even more for me.
The illustrations were also so visually captivating and really brought the story to life. I realise now that I should have probably read "Fun Home" first to get more of a background about Bechdel's family situation, but I'll be reading that next.
If you're someone who tends to overthink everything, The Secret to Superhuman Strength will be a very relevant read for you. Bechdel's realness and self-awareness make this book stand out, and I totally recommend it for anyone on their own journey of growth and self-discovery.
Babel by R.F. Kuang
informative
slow-paced
3.0
Babel is a literary foray into the complex topics of colonialism, racism, and the dynamics of power. R.F. Kuang’s narrative ambition is evident, as she attempts to encapsulate the vastness of these themes through allegorical storytelling. However, as the plot progresses, the allegory becomes increasingly explicit, leaving little room for interpretative subtlety.
The portrayal of colonialism is both a strength and a weakness of the book. It’s presented as an omnipresent force, shaping every aspect of the characters’ lives. This approach effectively highlights the pervasive nature of colonialism but also risks rendering the characters one-dimensional, as their actions and relationships seem solely driven by this central theme. I personally prefer characters who embody the complexities of real people. It felt like I was reading the author's message personified, rather than fully fleshed-out characters.
Despite my reservations about the use of allegory and character development, I recognize the book’s literary value and Kuang’s creativity/knowledge about a variety of topics. The footnotes on translation were particularly interesting, but I would prefer to have them fleshed out in a non-fiction book. This book is certainly someone's cup of tea but, unfortunately, it's not mine.
Friendaholic: Confessions of a Friendship Addict by Elizabeth Day
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
I picked up this book due to its intriguing premise. On the surface, it delves into the nuances of friendship, which I appreciated as it is an often underexplored topic. While the writing is wonderfully engaging and readable, the book leans heavily towards memoir rather than a comprehensive exploration of friendship dynamics. Day's attempt to draw universal conclusions from her personal experiences and minimal research comes across as somewhat self-indulgent. Instead of gaining deep insights into the concept of friendship, I was left with a glimpse into the author's glamorous social circle. There was an attempt to view things from a different perspective, with racism and class being addressed through the perspective of Day's friend Sharmaine. Still, I found this format quite lacking for my taste.
What It Means When A Man Falls From The Sky by Lesley Nneka Arimah
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
A captivating collection of short stories set in Nigeria, exploring themes from motherhood to cultural identity. I appreciated the seamless incorporation of magical elements, which provided a compelling counterbalance to the darker themes. While some stories resonated with me more than others, overall, it's a solid collection.
The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt
Ultimately, "The Righteous Mind" provides a thought-provoking overview of why morality varies among individuals and groups. It encourages readers to consider other worldviews more charitably. But it leaves much to be explored in uniting different moral foundations in practice.
challenging
informative
medium-paced
3.0
"The Righteous Mind" introduces its reader to the fascinating field of moral psychology through a blend of scientific research and political commentary. It aims to make complex ideas accessible to a wide audience, peppering the book with humour and engaging metaphors like the "elephant and rider", representing our emotional intuitions and rational minds respectively.
That said, my enjoyment of the book was somewhat undercut by its overly U.S.-centric perspective when it came to political analysis. As a European, comparisons between Republican and Democratic voters feel narrow for a book covering such universal human themes. His arguments favouring religious and conservative values also come across as biased at times. Furthermore, this discussion could have benefited from a deeper exploration of how to apply what we know about group and moral psychology in our age of social media echo chambers and polarization.
Ultimately, "The Righteous Mind" provides a thought-provoking overview of why morality varies among individuals and groups. It encourages readers to consider other worldviews more charitably. But it leaves much to be explored in uniting different moral foundations in practice.
How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
This book is a quick and impactful read. Narrated by Cara Romero, an immigrant navigating the 2008 recession, it's filled with vivid anecdotes full of humour. Being a second-generation immigrant myself, Cara's perspective on life reminded me of my loved ones, bringing me closer to the narrative. It's refreshing to see a character from this demographic take center stage in fiction. Excited for more from this author!
The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control: A Path to Peace and Power by Katherine Morgan Schafler
4.25
I picked this up feeling somewhat sceptical about the whole thing, but I finished it feeling seen (and somewhat called out). When Katherine introduced the different types of perfectionists in the beginning, I assumed that the book would be filled with oversimplifications and generalisations, but in reality the topic was handled with care. In viewing my perfectionism from an outside lens, I learnt a bit more about myself. I also like that the book does not preach getting rid of perfectionism, but instead encourages readers to work on cultivating a kinder and more patient inner voice.
Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi
As a Western reader, I found myself adrift in the sea of historical and political references that are crucial to fully grasping the context of the story. This gap in my understanding is a personal shortfall, and it has ignited a desire to further explore Iran’s complex history. Nafisi’s work has not only expanded my literary horizons but also challenged me to educate myself on the topic. At the same time, there was a genuine lack of focus, which made staying on-track all the more difficult.
In essence, this book is a beautifully chaotic symphony of defiance and introspection. It serves as a reminder of the enduring human spirit and the transformative power of literature.
3.75
Azar Nafisi’s Reading Lolita in Tehran is a mosaic of revolutionary ideas set against the backdrop of Iran’s changing political landscape. The book is a testament to the power of literature as a form of resistance and a beacon of hope amidst oppression. Nafisi’s prose is enchanting, weaving narratives that captivate the reader with their depth and beauty.
As a Western reader, I found myself adrift in the sea of historical and political references that are crucial to fully grasping the context of the story. This gap in my understanding is a personal shortfall, and it has ignited a desire to further explore Iran’s complex history. Nafisi’s work has not only expanded my literary horizons but also challenged me to educate myself on the topic. At the same time, there was a genuine lack of focus, which made staying on-track all the more difficult.
In essence, this book is a beautifully chaotic symphony of defiance and introspection. It serves as a reminder of the enduring human spirit and the transformative power of literature.