Saturday, March 31, 2018
Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
Alice In Wonderland,
The Chronicles of Narnia,
Peter Pan,
and Every Heart a Doorway...
All follow a similar vein in which the characters are transported to another realm full of fairy tales and make believe. Eventually, they are returned back to their homes wondering if they will ever find their way back to these mystery worlds. In "Every Heart a Doorway," the children falling through these portals prefer the alternate world to their real-life home. When they are returned back to reality, they are struggling to find people who understand what they have been through. An even bigger issue is dealing with the disappointment and frustration of not being able to find their doorways again. Their time spent on the other side of their doorway has changed them. They will never stop looking for a way back. Their confused parents, who mainly think their child is having a mental breakdown or suffering some traumatic incident, decide to send their children to Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children. Eleanor tells the parents she can fix the children. In reality, she herself has experience with her own doorway, and she has since opened a school to bring support and community to other children who are suffering.
The book falls under the category of a novella. The difference between a novella and a novel is the size. The typical novel is around 80,000-100,000 words while a novella is closer to 30,000-60,000. Although it is significantly shorter than the average book, it is full of world building, character development, and even includes a murder mystery. To be honest, I didn't think the murder mystery was even necessary to the story. The characters and the concept of these various fantasy lands is fascinating enough to carry the story. The author gives you glimpses into different character's experiences, and you find yourself wanting to know and understand more as you read. The murder mystery just creates movement for the plot line.
From the beginning, I loved the resemblance of the wayward children to people who read books. There are a few individuals out there who stick to strictly non-fiction, but most of us enjoy a good story that transports us to another place. I could be at Hogwarts with Harry Potter or on a boat at sea with Pi and the tiger. When you finish a fabulous book, there is a part of you that feels disappointment that you won't be able to experience that world again. I couldn't imagine a life where I read one book that truly spoke to my soul, finishing the book, and then realizing that I may never be able to read another one every again. How devastating would that be!
Seanan McGuire currently has two other books out in the Wayward Children series. The second books is called "Down Among the Sticks and Bones" and the third is "Beneath the Sugar Sky." The fourth book is already in the works, and it sounds like she may have as many as seven by the end. I finished book number two shortly after finishing the first. I'm wait-listed for the third one with my library, but I can't wait to read that one! I'm hooked.
Rating: 5 out of 5
* Positives: Fascinating story; love the characters and enjoyed their diverse representation
* Negatives: Too short!! I want more!
Thursday, March 1, 2018
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
What a rollercoaster...
I came across Donna Tartt while watching a BookTuber -- a YouTuber who makes book specific videos -- named BooksandLala. She had read Donna's book “The Secret History” and raved about how fantastic it was. When I pulled up all of Donna Tartt’s books, I noticed that “The Goldfinch” had just started filming in New York and is due for release in 2019. I’m a sucker for book to film adaptations. You know the book must be good if they want to make a movie out of it. An extra bonus was my timing. They already have most of the casting in place for the movie. While reading about a new character, I would pull up the cast list pictures to help visualize what they might look like.
The book opens with Theo Decker, a thirteen-year-old, and his mother preparing to have a conference at his New York prep school due to some behavioral issues. On the way, they stop at an art museum to see one of his mother’s favorite art pieces, Carel Fabritius’s The Goldfinch. While casually walking through the art gallery, Theo notices a red-headed girl and a grandfatherly figure with her. He continually catches her eye but never works up the courage to talk to her. As they prepare to leave the museum, a bomb explodes knocking him unconscious. Theo comes to, covered in rubble and dust, and sees the grandfather of the red-head close to him. In the old man’s last moments, he hands Theo the ring he is wearing and seems to signal to The Goldfinch, which has been blown out of it’s frame, and tells him to take the ring to a specific location. In his altered and concussed state, Theo grabs the painting and the dying man’s ring and exits the museum out a side door with no idea where his mother is. He then returns to his apartment to wait for his mom, hoping that she will meet him there. Sadly, she never comes home. The rest of the book follows Theo as he battles grief, post-traumatic stress disorder, and hiding The Goldfinch painting.
I decided to read this book on my e-reader versus the physical book. I seem to be drawn towards larger 400+ page books, if you haven't noticed from the majority of my previous reads. This one is no exception. The e-reader had it listed as 515 pages. It was reserved from my library, so I only had two weeks to finish it before I would need to renew it. I buckled down and tried to fly through it. Luckily, the plot was drama-filled enough to keep me entertained and kept me flipping quite easily. I finished the book with mere hours to spare before a renewal was needed. Mind you, I would stay up until 2AM many a night, but what book-lover doesn't do that to begin with?
Bathing in my glory of finishing the book, I glanced at a few other reviews to see if my thoughts fell into the general consensus. I saw a lot of reviews saying that it was "too long" or that it dragged in sections. I was confused as to how people believed that entire chunks of the book could have been edited out, when I saw that the physical book is actually 800+ pages...... You mean to tell me that I just flew through an 800 page book in 2 weeks? I was baffled by the page difference between my e-reader and the physical copy. It made me wonder if it would have been a more difficult read if I knew there were an extra 300 pages to get through. It can be daunting looking at the size of a book or seeing the never-ending numbers flipping in the corner of the page. Perhaps some people just lost interest due to the size alone and less their connection with the story line.
In conclusion, this book is a chore to take on. I wouldn't consider it a casual beach read by any means. But I think it will make a fabulous movie and is well worth the time spent. The plot is thick with twists and turns and never lets the characters settle into comfort. I'm very interested in Donna Tartt's other books now.
Rating: 5 out of 5
* Positives: Exciting plot; author's investment to research and attention to detail when writing about specific subjects (ex: art history, grief, substance abuse); and it is so well written!
* Negatives: Size of the book and the number of snacks consumed while reading this behemoth
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
Strange the Dreamer has peaked my interest for a month or two now. I've seen a lot of people talking about it and reviewing it, all raving about how wonderful the story is. It also has a beautiful blue and gold cover that immediately draws your attention. As I thought about my 2018 reading goals, I realized that reading "Strange the Dreamer" would allow me to tick off two of my boxes. 1) Listen to a book as an audio book. "Strange the Dreamer" falls into the fantasy genre. With fantasy writing, there tends to be some odd names. Some of my struggle with reading fantasy is that it can be hard for me to follow because I can't grasp the pronunciation of the names, cities, and it makes the dialogue tricky. If I can listen to someone do that for me, it may make it easier for me. 2) Read more "current" or "trendy" books. A lot of people listed this book on their top reads for 2017. I may be a little behind, but I'm hoping I can still ride the wave since it was just published March 2017.
I found an app called "Overdrive" for audio books. I could plug in all of my library card information once, and then I had access to my library's e-book and audio book files without having to re-login every single time. You still have to make sure that something is in your library's collection, wait for it to be available, and follow the check-out guidelines, but it just seemed more convenient than going through my library's website.
For me personally, I find it difficult to listen to audio books without the text in front of me. I need the visual in front of me to focus. Otherwise, I find myself a half hour into an audio book, and I realize I've been thinking about my grocery list, the laundry that needs done, how the weather is outside... and I have absolutely no idea what I've just listened to. But it was a massive help that the audio book narrator was the one who had to struggle through the foreign names and wacky pronunciations. Luckily, I found the e-book online and was able to read along while I listened to the audio book to help keep my concentration and focus. The only other issue I found with that, was that I visually read faster than the narrator talked. Sometimes when a big plot twist was coming, I would spoil myself by speed reading ahead and then wait for him to catch up.
With about 50 pages left, I had to check to see if it was a stand alone or a series because there was NO WAY it was all going to wrap up in just a few pages. It sounds like she is in the midst of writing the second book, and we aren't sure if it will be a duology or a trilogy by the end. As of now, it doesn't appear that there is a release date for the second book. Be prepared for things to feel unresolved at the end of this first book.
I loved the layout of the book. It is broken into four parts, but I obviously don't want to spoil the book by covering all of them. Part One covers the introduction and basics for one of the main characters named Lazlo Strange. You find out that he is an orphan who has an affinity for this lost city of "Weep." Weep actually had a different name at one point, but it was attacked and the true name of the city was stripped away and all that remained was Weep. Most people don't really care or remember much about Weep, but Lazlo wants to learn all he can about it. The book follows Lazlo's journey to learn about Weep as well as his own past. You meet some other people along the way, but I think it's best to go into the book a little blind. It helps when you let your idea of the world build with Lazlo's knowledge.
I thought the ending was really rushed. I read that she had intended for it to be one book and then decided to extend it, and I think that really shows. We also meet a love interest later on in the book, but I thought their dynamic was so-so. I think the author was trying to portray them both as very innocent and naive but to me that came across as lacking depth. The plot and character developments just started out so strong, and I felt it started to decline by the end. Regardless, I'm still really looking forward to the other book(s) in the series!
Rating: 3.75 out of 5
* Positives: Lazlo's character growth and development, layout of the first half of the book, and really most things surrounding Lazlo. I loved his character.
* Negatives: There were a few times I felt lost which were usually cleared up later, the rushed ending, and the "romance."
I found an app called "Overdrive" for audio books. I could plug in all of my library card information once, and then I had access to my library's e-book and audio book files without having to re-login every single time. You still have to make sure that something is in your library's collection, wait for it to be available, and follow the check-out guidelines, but it just seemed more convenient than going through my library's website.
For me personally, I find it difficult to listen to audio books without the text in front of me. I need the visual in front of me to focus. Otherwise, I find myself a half hour into an audio book, and I realize I've been thinking about my grocery list, the laundry that needs done, how the weather is outside... and I have absolutely no idea what I've just listened to. But it was a massive help that the audio book narrator was the one who had to struggle through the foreign names and wacky pronunciations. Luckily, I found the e-book online and was able to read along while I listened to the audio book to help keep my concentration and focus. The only other issue I found with that, was that I visually read faster than the narrator talked. Sometimes when a big plot twist was coming, I would spoil myself by speed reading ahead and then wait for him to catch up.
With about 50 pages left, I had to check to see if it was a stand alone or a series because there was NO WAY it was all going to wrap up in just a few pages. It sounds like she is in the midst of writing the second book, and we aren't sure if it will be a duology or a trilogy by the end. As of now, it doesn't appear that there is a release date for the second book. Be prepared for things to feel unresolved at the end of this first book.
I loved the layout of the book. It is broken into four parts, but I obviously don't want to spoil the book by covering all of them. Part One covers the introduction and basics for one of the main characters named Lazlo Strange. You find out that he is an orphan who has an affinity for this lost city of "Weep." Weep actually had a different name at one point, but it was attacked and the true name of the city was stripped away and all that remained was Weep. Most people don't really care or remember much about Weep, but Lazlo wants to learn all he can about it. The book follows Lazlo's journey to learn about Weep as well as his own past. You meet some other people along the way, but I think it's best to go into the book a little blind. It helps when you let your idea of the world build with Lazlo's knowledge.
I thought the ending was really rushed. I read that she had intended for it to be one book and then decided to extend it, and I think that really shows. We also meet a love interest later on in the book, but I thought their dynamic was so-so. I think the author was trying to portray them both as very innocent and naive but to me that came across as lacking depth. The plot and character developments just started out so strong, and I felt it started to decline by the end. Regardless, I'm still really looking forward to the other book(s) in the series!
Rating: 3.75 out of 5
* Positives: Lazlo's character growth and development, layout of the first half of the book, and really most things surrounding Lazlo. I loved his character.
* Negatives: There were a few times I felt lost which were usually cleared up later, the rushed ending, and the "romance."
Monday, January 15, 2018
2018 New Year's Goals:
1. An author you'd like to read (that you've never read before).
Donna Tartt. I've heard wonderful reviews for both "The Secret History" and "The Goldfinch." Not sure which one I want to read first.
2. A book you'd like to read.
"Wild Beauty" by Anna-Marie McLemore. The synopsis on Goodreads says:
For nearly a century, the Nomeolvides women have tended the grounds of La Pradera, the lush estate gardens that enchant guests from around the world. They've also hidden a tragic legacy; if they fall in love too deeply, their lovers vainsh. But then, after generations of vanishing, a strange boy appears in the gardens. The boy is a mystery to Estrella, the Nomeolvides girl who finds him, and to her family, but he's even more a mystery to himself; he knows nothing more about who he is or where he came from than his first name. As Estrella tries to help Fel piece together his unknown past, La Pradera leads them to secrets as dangerous as they are magical in this stunning exploration of love, loss, and family.
3. A classic you'd like to read.
"The Illiad" and "The Odyssey" by Homer. In high school, I took Latin as my foreign language of study. Partially to help bump my SAT scores... the other part because I love all things surrounding Greek history and mythology. I have the two (Illiad and Odyssey) combined into one book, so it's rather daunting to look at on my shelf. I suppose that is the only reason I haven't picked it up yet.
4. A book you'd like to re-read.
Such a typical answer for my age group, but this will always be the Harry Potter series. I've lost count of the number of times I've re-read the books, but I will always go back to them. They just feel like home.
5. A book you've had for ages and want to read.
"The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well" by Meik Wiking. I don't actually own the physical copy of this book, but it's been on my to-be-read list for about a year now. From what I've gathered, it's basically a book to help set an atmosphere of comfort and coziness at all times. A book that tells me to buy more blankets, candles, and snuggle more?? Sounds like a win to me!
6. A big book you'd like to read.
"Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor. It has 536 pages. Nothing compared to the 1,000 plus that "Atlas Shrugged" had, but still pretty substantial.
7. An author you've previously read and want to read more of.
I've got two answers for this one -- Dan Brown and C.S. Lewis. I've previously read "Angles and Demons" and "The DaVinci Code" by Dan Brown, which I LOVED. I would like to finish his Robert Langdon series and see I like any of his other works. I previously read about two or three of the Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis, but I'm interested in his other works outside of that series like "A Grief Observed."
8. A book you got for Christmas and would like to read.
I actually didn't get any books for Christmas. BUT, I got some money, which is even better. So I'll probably make a trip to a book store to pick up some books soon!
9. A series you want to read (start and finish).
I don't know about this one! I don't really have any set series that I'm dying to read. Maybe the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer or The Diviners Series by Libba Bray. Honestly, I think I'd be fine without either one of those though. I need to be on the look-out for one that really appeals to me.
10. A series you want to finish (that you've already started).
"A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin. I powered through the first four books pretty quickly through 2016-2017, and then I started fizzling out on the fifth book around August 2017. I'm about 600 pages in, which mind you is only 55% of the way through the book, but haven't made much progress on it in awhile. It's been collecting dust for a few months now. I just need to finish the current book and wait for George R.R. Martin to release the final books in the series.
11. Do you set reading goals? If so, how many books do you want to read in 2018?
My goal was 20 books in 2017, which I met just by the skin of my teeth. However, I would like to read more this year. I think bumping it up to 25 is a safe bet, even if that still feels low. Maybe someday I'll be a speed reader who can fly through 6-7 books a month.
12. Any other reading goals?
1. An author you'd like to read (that you've never read before).
Donna Tartt. I've heard wonderful reviews for both "The Secret History" and "The Goldfinch." Not sure which one I want to read first.
2. A book you'd like to read.
"Wild Beauty" by Anna-Marie McLemore. The synopsis on Goodreads says:
For nearly a century, the Nomeolvides women have tended the grounds of La Pradera, the lush estate gardens that enchant guests from around the world. They've also hidden a tragic legacy; if they fall in love too deeply, their lovers vainsh. But then, after generations of vanishing, a strange boy appears in the gardens. The boy is a mystery to Estrella, the Nomeolvides girl who finds him, and to her family, but he's even more a mystery to himself; he knows nothing more about who he is or where he came from than his first name. As Estrella tries to help Fel piece together his unknown past, La Pradera leads them to secrets as dangerous as they are magical in this stunning exploration of love, loss, and family.
3. A classic you'd like to read.
"The Illiad" and "The Odyssey" by Homer. In high school, I took Latin as my foreign language of study. Partially to help bump my SAT scores... the other part because I love all things surrounding Greek history and mythology. I have the two (Illiad and Odyssey) combined into one book, so it's rather daunting to look at on my shelf. I suppose that is the only reason I haven't picked it up yet.
4. A book you'd like to re-read.
Such a typical answer for my age group, but this will always be the Harry Potter series. I've lost count of the number of times I've re-read the books, but I will always go back to them. They just feel like home.
5. A book you've had for ages and want to read.
"The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well" by Meik Wiking. I don't actually own the physical copy of this book, but it's been on my to-be-read list for about a year now. From what I've gathered, it's basically a book to help set an atmosphere of comfort and coziness at all times. A book that tells me to buy more blankets, candles, and snuggle more?? Sounds like a win to me!
6. A big book you'd like to read.
"Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor. It has 536 pages. Nothing compared to the 1,000 plus that "Atlas Shrugged" had, but still pretty substantial.
7. An author you've previously read and want to read more of.
I've got two answers for this one -- Dan Brown and C.S. Lewis. I've previously read "Angles and Demons" and "The DaVinci Code" by Dan Brown, which I LOVED. I would like to finish his Robert Langdon series and see I like any of his other works. I previously read about two or three of the Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis, but I'm interested in his other works outside of that series like "A Grief Observed."
8. A book you got for Christmas and would like to read.
I actually didn't get any books for Christmas. BUT, I got some money, which is even better. So I'll probably make a trip to a book store to pick up some books soon!
9. A series you want to read (start and finish).
I don't know about this one! I don't really have any set series that I'm dying to read. Maybe the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer or The Diviners Series by Libba Bray. Honestly, I think I'd be fine without either one of those though. I need to be on the look-out for one that really appeals to me.
10. A series you want to finish (that you've already started).
"A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin. I powered through the first four books pretty quickly through 2016-2017, and then I started fizzling out on the fifth book around August 2017. I'm about 600 pages in, which mind you is only 55% of the way through the book, but haven't made much progress on it in awhile. It's been collecting dust for a few months now. I just need to finish the current book and wait for George R.R. Martin to release the final books in the series.
11. Do you set reading goals? If so, how many books do you want to read in 2018?
My goal was 20 books in 2017, which I met just by the skin of my teeth. However, I would like to read more this year. I think bumping it up to 25 is a safe bet, even if that still feels low. Maybe someday I'll be a speed reader who can fly through 6-7 books a month.
12. Any other reading goals?
As much as I like including non-fiction and self-help, I recognize that most people currently interested in reading don't sway towards that genre. I also had one or two comments that people didn't recognize the books I was reading. So I want to be more "on trend" and read some more current books.
Friday, December 29, 2017
Stanyan Street & Other Sorrows by Rod McKuen
My grandmother had a box of books, none of which initially interested me, that have been sitting on the bottom of my bookshelf. Shamefully, I'll admit that I was looking for the shortest book I could find, when I stumbled across Stanyan Street. The inside of the dust jacket said that the author, Rod McKuen, was one of the best contemporary song writers of the current time. A list of fifteen records were all outlined on the back flap of the book. I then noticed my great grandmother's signature and date on the first page - Peg Phelps 1967. Intrigued, I decided to start reading.
Before I give my opinion on his collection, I have to say that I'm not the biggest fan of poetry as a genre. I probably appreciate it more than the average person, but I certainly do not go out of my way to read it. I find that most poets feel the need to play up an aesthetic doused in melancholy, angst, and futile relationships. Mr. McKuen followed that trend. What may come across as sensitive and introspective to some just seems despondent and woe-is-me personally. He starts out the book diving straight into his father-son abandonment issues. Then seems to point out multiple times that he won't even give a romantic relationships a real chance because he knows they will eventually fail. It reminds me a little of "The Catcher in the Rye." Some people can read that book and feel empathetic and relate to Holden, while other readers just want him to get over his attitude and grow up. In the same vein, I just wanted Rod McKuen to get over his depressive drama and realize there is more to life. As a positive, I think his poetry stands the test of time. I think that a lot of poetry lovers would still appreciate his work today. I don't think there is anything wrong with his style of writing, the expressiveness, or his skill level. I just think he needs to cheer up and get over himself a little!
My great grandmother had bookmarked a poem called "Spring Song", but that one was still a little too depressing for me. The one that seemed to peak my interest was called "Camera." I've copied it down below for you all to read. I hope you enjoy!
I stand just so.
Your camera winks me into permanence
acne scars
tired eyes
wrinkles on my forehead
more naked than I have ever been
(especially to one
I love so very much).
I used to be afraid to look completely real
the sun was just my friend sometimes
when brown from sea and sky made things all right --
always afraid to be anything but young
and envying beauty
even on the face of strangers
Is this what growing up means
the reality of lighting over public mirrors?
Or is my confidence in love so great
that I worry not
to let you see me at my worst?
Thursday, November 30, 2017
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
When people describe the fall season, some quintessential moments may be the chill air, crisp leaves in an array of colors, football games, apple cider, cozy flannels, and maybe even some scarier Halloween related activities. Evidently, "The Night Circus" is a part of that category as well in the book-reading community. I had heard quite a few recommendations for the book, but never really felt inspired to pick it up. It just so happens that the book captures a lot of those classic fall motifs and really draws you into the spirit of the season. Since reading the book, I have seen multiple readers coming out of the woodwork saying they are preparing for their annual fall re-read of this book. I'm grateful that I happened to read it at the opportune time. I highly recommend reading this book during the fall/colder season versus spring or summer.
It is reported that the author starting writing the book for NaNoWriMo, which is short for the National Novel Writing Month. This is more of an internet spread idea in which people attempt to write a novel (50,000 words) during the month of November. Wikipedia states that she wrote the book over the span of three NaNoWriMo's.
This is a fantasy novel written about a circus that will appear in different cities without warning and perform for a short amount of time before packing up and moving to a different unannounced location. Within the circus, there is a competition that has been in the works for years. There is mystery surrounding the circus performers, the rivalry, and a peculiar charm that seems to envelope the reveurs (devoted fans) of the circus. I don't want to spoil the mystery and allure of the story, so I won't delve into the plot any further.
The writing is glorious. I feel like I've read a lot of books that have been character driven lately, where the plot and "world" that the author creates were a little lack-luster. It was refreshing to dive into a book that seems to sweep you away from reality. You really feel transported to the Night Circus and can imagine being there, even with all of the fantasy aspects. There are some people who may not appeal to the fantasy genre, but I think the fact that it takes place in a circus helps with that. People expect wonderment, intrigue, and mind games in a circus so adding some additional fantasy story lines to the normal slight of hand tricks isn't too far of stretch.
It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I definitely think it's well worth the read if it sounds like it follows your normal interests.
It is reported that the author starting writing the book for NaNoWriMo, which is short for the National Novel Writing Month. This is more of an internet spread idea in which people attempt to write a novel (50,000 words) during the month of November. Wikipedia states that she wrote the book over the span of three NaNoWriMo's.
This is a fantasy novel written about a circus that will appear in different cities without warning and perform for a short amount of time before packing up and moving to a different unannounced location. Within the circus, there is a competition that has been in the works for years. There is mystery surrounding the circus performers, the rivalry, and a peculiar charm that seems to envelope the reveurs (devoted fans) of the circus. I don't want to spoil the mystery and allure of the story, so I won't delve into the plot any further.
The writing is glorious. I feel like I've read a lot of books that have been character driven lately, where the plot and "world" that the author creates were a little lack-luster. It was refreshing to dive into a book that seems to sweep you away from reality. You really feel transported to the Night Circus and can imagine being there, even with all of the fantasy aspects. There are some people who may not appeal to the fantasy genre, but I think the fact that it takes place in a circus helps with that. People expect wonderment, intrigue, and mind games in a circus so adding some additional fantasy story lines to the normal slight of hand tricks isn't too far of stretch.
It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I definitely think it's well worth the read if it sounds like it follows your normal interests.
Monday, October 30, 2017
Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone by Brene Brown
Brene Brown is one of my go-to authors for self-help and non fiction books. Rather than covering the classic self-help topics like weight loss or anxiety, her research covers vulnerability, courage, shame, and empathy. Brene helps shine a light on common humanity, a concept that we are all experiencing and suffering with the same issues, to remind the reader that we are all working on bettering ourselves rather than suffering through embarrassment alone.
This book in particular was supposed to cover themes on fitting in and authenticity. This is something that I've really been focusing on in my own life, so I was highly anticipating this read. Unfortunately, I wasn't really that blown away by the book. It was certainly well written, and it's okay as a stand alone book, but I feel like her other books are stronger.
I felt like Brene continued to revert back to politics when trying to describe things. As an example, she talks about how fitting in can feel difficult when you are surrounded by people with different political ideals than you. It's true. We can be a very divided country in this day and age. But.... politics, in general, can be a very touchy subject. I can tell that she feels very passionate about the political vibe of our country, but I just didn't appreciate how she continued to tie it into all of her subject matter. I also saw a different review on Goodreads from someone outside of America who said she couldn't follow all of the political references.
To be entirely honest, I think this would have made a better master class or TED talk than a brand new book. I don't think she had enough new content for a $28 book.
A lot of the concepts or ideas she brings to the table are valid and thought provoking. Truly, she is a fabulous researcher. It just wasn't enough new data, her views were a little biased, and it wasn't always in the right context to constitute the book. It was a strike for me. I would highly recommend her other works like "Daring Greatly" or "Rising Strong" if you're going to pick up one of her books.
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