yvejr's reviews
134 reviews

Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

The Beans of Egypt, Maine by Carolyn Chute
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.

It made me a bit anxious - holding my breath. It was hard to understand what was happening and it felt like something bad was always on the next page. Well written; but not for me, right now anyways.

The Power of Ritual: Turning Everyday Activities Into Soulful Practices by Casper ter Kuile

hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.5

The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures by Dan Roam
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.

Not very engaging. I think a hard copy might be more engaging than the ebook. 

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

emotional funny 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

Strange Planet by Nathan W. Pyle

funny lighthearted

• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This Is Your Mind on Plants by Michael Pollan

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

Toy of the Gods by Sonja Dewing

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

3.0

The story is interesting, but the writing could be better. I think it’s a fun quick read if you have the right expectations. There was an emphasis on coffee at the start of the book as the heroine’s “reason for living,”  but a lack of details in many events that really deserve more descriptions. Astonishing key points in the story often seemed underwhelming. So I don’t regret reading it but there were some annoying things. However it was easy read and follow the story. 

I think I may read the sequel to see if the author has improved her writing. I think the story is promising and this deserves to be twice as long if she can ever rewrite it! 

How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence by Michael Pollan

challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work by Liz Fosslien, Mollie West Duffy

informative inspiring fast-paced

5.0

I listened to this audio book. It was very informative and covered a lot of ground in a light hearted, pragmatic way. I think I’ll buy a hard copy after checking out the resources on their website. I love that two women got together and wrote this book. It contains a lot of what I’ve been learning “the hard way” over the last 10 years of my professional life and had so many tips and perspectives I can immediately apply.