On the back of a self-improvement title that did not work for me, I jumped straight into this one. The audiobook measured in at just over five hours aOn the back of a self-improvement title that did not work for me, I jumped straight into this one. The audiobook measured in at just over five hours and I appreciated how little waffle or repetition was included. Instead, this focused on a steady stream of scientific backing and a multitude of studies in different areas to prove the lifestyle alterations it was promoting.
Merged review:
On the back of a self-improvement title that did not work for me, I jumped straight into this one. The audiobook measured in at just over five hours and I appreciated how little waffle or repetition was included. Instead, this focused on a steady stream of scientific backing and a multitude of studies in different areas to prove the lifestyle alterations it was promoting....more
This non-fiction was created to aid novice writers in their first full-length writing projects. It delves into a myriad of topics - such as if a proloThis non-fiction was created to aid novice writers in their first full-length writing projects. It delves into a myriad of topics - such as if a prologue is beneficial, how to deal with adverbs, and what foreshadowing exactly is - although its brief length means each is only really glanced at. It does provide a good overview of topics to consider, as well as very sound advice on each.
Whilst I am not an expert by any means, I have already penned a full length novel. I'm in the process of starting another and doing some major reworking to the former. I thought this brief volume would give me some inspiration and some titbits of advice to aid me with these two tasks. It did give me some new ways to consider things but as I am not the intended audience I garnered no new host of information I had not already gathered from my own previous experiences and other writing guides. For that reason I won't provide a star rating but did close this feeling eager to go away and create, so I will give it full credit for that.
Merged review:
This non-fiction was created to aid novice writers in their first full-length writing projects. It delves into a myriad of topics - such as if a prologue is beneficial, how to deal with adverbs, and what foreshadowing exactly is - although its brief length means each is only really glanced at. It does provide a good overview of topics to consider, as well as very sound advice on each.
Whilst I am not an expert by any means, I have already penned a full length novel. I'm in the process of starting another and doing some major reworking to the former. I thought this brief volume would give me some inspiration and some titbits of advice to aid me with these two tasks. It did give me some new ways to consider things but as I am not the intended audience I garnered no new host of information I had not already gathered from my own previous experiences and other writing guides. For that reason I won't provide a star rating but did close this feeling eager to go away and create, so I will give it full credit for that....more
This was both a brief yet well-rounded introduction to some basics of Greek mythology, including the places, the monsters, the Olympic gods, the demi-This was both a brief yet well-rounded introduction to some basics of Greek mythology, including the places, the monsters, the Olympic gods, the demi-gods, and humans who most frequent the ancient Greek tales. It was suitable for young readers but I had much fun with this easily digestible guide and would recommend it any age reader looking to immerse themselves in the Greek myths.
Each individual was provided with a brief biography, a nickname, a food symbol, an associated colour, an icon, and a day or season. This was just enough for me to understand each iconic name without overwhelming me with details about their lives, despite already having read much fiction and non-fiction containing them.
A breakdown of the reams, domains, and territories in the ancient world was also also provided, allowing the reader to better visualise the tales told across it. Following this was an overview of the creatures, beasts, and monsters who were the villains to be defeated in these stories.
Once these basics were covered the book then went on to translate some ancient stories in a simplified language for all age ranges, which I enjoyed reading immensely.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, L. J. Tracosas, and the publisher, Z Kids, for this opportunity....more
Characters tiptoeing across Actual rating 2.5/5 stars.
"If you cut me open,
You would find only words wrapped around scars,
Bookshelves carved out of bones,
Characters tiptoeing across my heartstrings, voyaging through my veins, and digging deep within me in search of buried treasure.
They have built a home within me, welcoming refugees from our cruel world."
This collection of poems was split into four parts, relating to each of the four seasons. I saw limited alteration, at first, in the style or theme of poetry featuring throughout each of these sections and wonder why the poet sought to split them as such. The collection begun in Autumn and the poems were bleak in nature, so too in Winter and largely the same in Spring.
The poems were very personal, relating to the author's personal struggles and past tragedies. I find I relate more to poems that deal with universal themes and feelings rather than personal anecdotes, but that is merely my preference and understand many others who pick this anthology up will find this an illuminating volume, rather than one lacking in what I had been personally looking for.
Many of the poems were beautiful however, and these were, for me, the ones that focused on natural imagery and the changing of the seasons. I wish there had been more of these. The others felt exhaustingly sorrowful. The only source of illumination, throughout much of this, came from the annotations that were included alongside many of the poems. These were addressed to 'Friend', the poet, but I am unsure if they were supposed to come from the poet's present self, addressing his past self as he spoke of his historic struggles, or from an actual other individual. Either way, I found their optimism a little cheesy rather than uplifting as it opposed the poems' tone so resolutely.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, S. K. Williams, and the publisher, Andrews McMeel Publishing, for this opportunity....more
"I slept the sleep of the just; I lived the life of a criminal slowly repaying an impossible debt. And I died having answered for one species of ruthlessn"I slept the sleep of the just; I lived the life of a criminal slowly repaying an impossible debt. And I died having answered for one species of ruthlessness."
A few days before discovering this anthology, I read Glück's Winter Recipes from the Collective and adored it. It was very autobiographical in nature and I took great interest in learning about the poet's experiences and in discovering the clever wordplay featured throughout it. I assumed his anthology was to be penned in a similar vein but was mistaken.
The contents here are far more abstract in design and, quiet honestly, were harder for me to relate to or explore the messages of. I appreciated the mythological inclusions and found these to be a great joy. They aided in my understanding and immersion but still the anthology, as a whole, had no cohesive theme that I could discern. That is not to say that it lacked one but merely that it needed a reader of more brainpower than my own to find it. I assume other poetry readers would find more beauty here and this is a volume I hope to return to, and better appreciate in the future....more
"This book contains only recipes for winter, when life is hard. In spring anyone can make a fine meal."
This contained fifteen poems, each of which felt"This book contains only recipes for winter, when life is hard. In spring anyone can make a fine meal."
This contained fifteen poems, each of which felt like quiet contemplations; meditative moments in time persisting on the page. There was beauty and sadness present in equal quantity, even when it was hard to discern exactly where each stemmed from. I adored this small anthology, the snapshots of life it presented to the reader, and how I felt I lived each of them alongside Glück at the anthology's close....more
Exactly as the title suggests, this is a guide for beginners to tarot. I found this very accesible and illuminating, with an easy-to-follow layout andExactly as the title suggests, this is a guide for beginners to tarot. I found this very accesible and illuminating, with an easy-to-follow layout and diagrams and examples featuring heavily, which further aided in my comprehension.
A brief overview for what tarot is and the history of it was provided before a guidance on how to chose and cleanse a new deck. I found this of interest but as I already own my own tarot deck this wasn't the information I had come for. The next section contained an intimate understanding for each card in the major and then minor arcana, complete with illustrations and activities for each. I found this highly interesting and took many notes. The last section contained spreads for different goals, such as daily insights, decreasing blockages, or finding love. I, again, found myself taking many notes meaning this has been a highly informative guide for this beginner tarot reader.
I received a copy o f this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Ann Crane, and the publisher, Quarto Publishing Group, for this opportunity....more
This is an illustrated guide to the geography, history, culture, customs, religions, notable figures, and beauty of the African continent. It is very This is an illustrated guide to the geography, history, culture, customs, religions, notable figures, and beauty of the African continent. It is very accessible for a younger audience, due to the vivid illustrations featured on every page and the limited wording per paragraph, but also has much to educate all aged readers about. I personally found much new information to take away from this.
This book introduced Africa as a continent of diversity and opposites. There are so many differing languages, religions, musical genres, dress styles, animals and so much more dwelling there that it would be impossible to encounter everything inside of such a slim volume (it measures in at under 100 pages). However, enough was covered that I felt I got a flavour of and basic understanding for much of it.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Kim Chakanetsa, illustrator, Mayowa Alabi, and the publisher, Wide Eyed Editions, for this opportunity....more
"On this quest around the world, you will discover lost kingdoms, phantom islands, and even legendary continents once sought by explorers but now beli"On this quest around the world, you will discover lost kingdoms, phantom islands, and even legendary continents once sought by explorers but now believed to be mythical."
Is there any more intriguing first line for a synopsis? This one sentence alone intrigued me and the contents inside did not fail to deliver the fascination and beauty I was anticipating. I had heard of most of the areas covered but not all the facts surrounding them that this divulged. Each heavily illustrated page was a delight to pore through and the contents here were suitable for old and young readers alike, providing a source of information and a place where imagination could soar.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Emily Hawkins,...more
Exactly as the subtitle suggests, this book is an anthology of influential female and non-binary figures who shaped the occult world. The historical pExactly as the subtitle suggests, this book is an anthology of influential female and non-binary figures who shaped the occult world. The historical period explored here is vast, extending from the Salem witch trials to the modern-day WitchTok audience. A handful of pages are dedicated towards each figure and facts are provided about their person, the period they resided in, the politics surrounding their actions, what they enacted, and the resulting outcome. I found this a fascinating and beautiful book, perfect for any modern witch or those with an interest in the history of occult practises.
I especially appreciated the focus on why so many ostracised individuals felt the call for witchcraft in the first place. They often resided in societies that did not value them and sought an alternative source of power. On other times their status as 'other' made the collective easily make the leap to labelling them 'witch' for their own gain in disregarding or further demoting them in the societal hierarchies.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the authors, Lisa Kröger and Melanie R. Anderson, and the publisher, Quirk Books, for this opportunity....more
After adoring this author other non-fiction title, Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism, I was eager to begin this book, which explored how gendered laAfter adoring this author other non-fiction title, Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism, I was eager to begin this book, which explored how gendered language has become and the ways in which wording associated with females often becomes slurs were as those associated with males often denotes power, instead. For example, swear words seem harsher when they refer to female, as opposed to male, genitalia. Why is this??
I appreciated the broad topics discussed, as well as how the roots for many of the included words were also provided. It instructed the reader on how to do better, regarding their own speech, and how to reclaim language for their own purposes and not to degrade others....more
I've spent a lazy hour, over the past few mornings, perusing the pages of this encyclopedia and have thoroughly enjoyed it!
The book is split into chapI've spent a lazy hour, over the past few mornings, perusing the pages of this encyclopedia and have thoroughly enjoyed it!
The book is split into chapters dedicated to a particular individual and their mission/s to the North and the South poles, all set out in chronological order. I appreciated how the focus continued to remain on the expidition without giving lengthy and (at least for me) forgettable information regarding the lives of those manning the missions. Every detail remained on the adventure, the discoveries, the tragedies, and the triumphs.
Each page was also heavily adorned with artwork of what was witnessed on these voyages, often by those venturing into the unchartered territories themselves, alongside photographs of the brave and adventurous souls. ...more
I have read one book all month, so busy has my life been lately and so shifted have my attentions been away fr"Accept nothing less than a revolution."
I have read one book all month, so busy has my life been lately and so shifted have my attentions been away from reading. I am so glad I made time for this slim, important, and highly impactful novel. I tore through it in one sitting but will return to it on many occasions.
The title demonstrates the contents of this book, the anger of the tone featured, and the message it hopes to impart. Everyone should read this volume for the problems that female-identifying individuals face and how to correct where society has failed us....more
I eat up anything, both fiction or non-fiction, that focuses on fandoms, social media, or influencers. It is a topic I find endlessly fascinating and I eat up anything, both fiction or non-fiction, that focuses on fandoms, social media, or influencers. It is a topic I find endlessly fascinating and so knew I would be easily impressed with this book's contents. I knew little of the focus before diving in and nothing of the influencer who penned it, Bella Younger, or Deliciously Stella as she is known on Instagram.
Bella's Instagram account sought to gently poke fun at those who seem to mostly reside online and whose carefully curated squares promote their seemingly effortless beauty and the perfection of their lives. Fans came flooding in to congratulate her on showing an apparently authentic and actually relatable representation of what many influencers were promoting. However, she too started to become obsessed with her responses, like ratio, and follower number. Despite in an entirely different vein to them, she too morphed into two people in one body - one who everyone thought they knew but who was a character curated for an online presence, and the real Bella, whose thoughts were spiralling and anxieties creeping in.
This was a very raw novel to read. There were moments of utter hilarity and dry wit but these came in-between the self-doubt, the dark thoughts, the declining mental health, and so much more. The balance of the two made this both a compulsively readable as well as a very relatable read. I commend the author on both her honesty and in making the reader aware of the very real individual who lies beyond the images they post. Kindness to them is necessary, but kindness to themselves first is vital....more
I needed to know nothing more about this book's contents to be certain I was going to become invested in it after reading thActual rating 4.5/5 stars.
I needed to know nothing more about this book's contents to be certain I was going to become invested in it after reading the tagline - "ambition and deceit in the new influencer economy."
The crazy and corrupt world of social media fame and the influencer status is a ceaselessly intriguing one and I will take any book - either fiction or non-fiction - that allows me uninterrupted access to it.
It is not something I have personally vied for but I can certainly see the allure, especially for younger generations, and the seemingly easy access to fame and wealth that it also affords. The 'like' button is the gateway drug to it all though. Symeon Brown explored many different avenues that online creators can take and I really appreciated the different topics covered within them. This did not hate for the sake of hating but felt like a very raw and honest account of all that is occurring in the new business that is selling our souls in tiny pixels.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Symeon Brown, and the publisher, Atlantic Books, for this opportunity....more
I have not technically completed this journal as it contains journalling prompts for all 52 weeks of the year. However, asides from quarterly extras, I have not technically completed this journal as it contains journalling prompts for all 52 weeks of the year. However, asides from quarterly extras, these prompts remain the same and so I'm classing this as read despite continuing to complete the prompts.
I have dropped a star rating due to the repeated nature of these prompts. This remains a thoughtful and valuable resource but I personally would have preferred less weekly prompts on a larger variety of themes.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Mariëlle S. Smith, and the publisher, Mariëlle S. Smith, for this opportunity....more
Brigid Lowry shares her personal experiences and coping mechanisms with her readers, in the hopes of inspiring them to lead a more tranquil, fulfilledBrigid Lowry shares her personal experiences and coping mechanisms with her readers, in the hopes of inspiring them to lead a more tranquil, fulfilled and contemplative life. I would definitely say she succeeded as I listened to this audio throughout the course of one day and definitely felt the calm emanating from her words and the contents.
This was a very quick yet very rewarding and educational read. I did not find it to contain much new information for me personally but it remained a pleasant reminder to be more present, kind, grateful, and positive, throughout. I especially liked the affirmations that were littered throughout this, as well as the tips for simple and quick ways to return to yourself when times get tough and thoughts turn dark.
I appreciated the focus on the author's anecdotes a little less, I'm afraid to say. I anticipated, before beginning, a read focused on more general information and would have more strongly regarded a book that either contained these experiences alongside more of an in-depth analysis on the exercises that followed them, or focused on the abstract absolutely.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Brigid Lowry, and the publisher, Orange Sky Audio, for this opportunity....more
This is one of The Met's titles, that chronicles the life and work of one artist. This illustrated volume focuses on Georgia O'Keeffe.
I have a love foThis is one of The Met's titles, that chronicles the life and work of one artist. This illustrated volume focuses on Georgia O'Keeffe.
I have a love for many different artists without being aware of anything other than the briefest of details for their lives outside of the canvas. This simple and brief guide has allowed me to become acquainted with who the artist was, where she resided, and facts about her life from infancy and up until death.
I appreciated how this was laid out chronologically but also contained a timeline for some of O'Keeffe's most infamous pieces at the end. This volume was illustrated on every page, in a bright and vivid style, and also contained many ideas for younger readers to look at the world with an artist's eye. It is a great read for a younger audience but I also found it highly interesting, as I knew very few of the facts it contained.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Gabrielle Balkan, the illustrator, Josy Bloggs, and the publisher, DK Children, for this opportunity....more
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