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hotlizard's reviews
368 reviews
Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson
informative
fast-paced
4.0
I didn't actually have loads of hope for this but it turned out to be insightful. Still has the failings of most of these "You can fix it yourself" type of self help books, which is ignoring the structural etc obstacles that can't be surpassed individually. But otherwise, nice. Would recommend this very quick read.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
5 stars for the magic, 0 for the shitstain of an author
Lightfall: The Dark Times by Tim Probert
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
I didn't believe my 9 year old nephew when he said this didn't feel like the end of the series (because he is 9) but he was right. Definitely more adventure to come, light to bring back!
I can't explain what a balm this series has been so far. It explores the idea of managing emotions and worst case scenarios in a way a therapist (I imagine) would be proud of.
Definitely not giving these back to my nephew (they're his).
I can't explain what a balm this series has been so far. It explores the idea of managing emotions and worst case scenarios in a way a therapist (I imagine) would be proud of.
Definitely not giving these back to my nephew (they're his).
You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero
medium-paced
1.0
Author being a "success coach" should have been a red flag. This book started well but ended up being insufferable. Some of the highlights:
- zero to no understanding of poverty, generational wealth
- you CHOOSE to be depressed
- poorly veiled "if you just pray/manifest" it'll happen - dumbassary that neglects to address structural determinants that trap MOST people in where they are
This book was written for relatively wealthy people who need to pay someone this annoying to get them to do other rich people things that do nothing for the rest of society.
- zero to no understanding of poverty, generational wealth
- you CHOOSE to be depressed
- poorly veiled "if you just pray/manifest" it'll happen - dumbassary that neglects to address structural determinants that trap MOST people in where they are
This book was written for relatively wealthy people who need to pay someone this annoying to get them to do other rich people things that do nothing for the rest of society.
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
The premise of the book is an interesting one, and the truth unfolded in onion-like layers. A dead language tied to a futuristic computer virus that renders hacker brains into soup. The story of Babel adapted into essentiall biological editing. Really neat.
This was my first Neal Stephenson novel and won't be my last. I'm curious to see how what other human ticks might his sci-fi explore. This 1992 book suffered from what most sci-fi did back then, which is dryness and over specification.
I took off a bit because for literally no reason, he decided to sexually pair a 15 yo child with a man in his 30's. It's gross. Stop doing that dudes.
This was my first Neal Stephenson novel and won't be my last. I'm curious to see how what other human ticks might his sci-fi explore. This 1992 book suffered from what most sci-fi did back then, which is dryness and over specification.
I took off a bit because for literally no reason, he decided to sexually pair a 15 yo child with a man in his 30's. It's gross. Stop doing that dudes.
Shadow of the Bird by Tim Probert
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Another lovely installment. I really truly don't want to give these back to my nephew. The art is so beautiful. Bea and Cad grow and do some excellent emotional regulation. Love this story. On to the next, third installment.
The Girl & the Galdurian by Tim Probert
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
What an absolute gem of a light but still exciting graphic novel. Some excellent lessons in conquering anxieties and kindness in here too.
The art is also pretty amazing. Excited to dig into #2 and #3.
Shoutout to my nephew for picking it out and me not letting him take it home with him, even though I bought it for him.
The art is also pretty amazing. Excited to dig into #2 and #3.
Shoutout to my nephew for picking it out and me not letting him take it home with him, even though I bought it for him.
In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
I think this is my lowest rated TJ Klune but I obviously still loved it. For the last 25% of the audio book I was a little distracted and I suspect I'd be 5 star-ing if I wasn't. Sometimes it be like that. It's just all feelings anyway.
Heavenbreaker by Sara Wolf
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Humour, Seriously: Why Humour is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life by Jennifer Aaker, Naomi Bagdonas
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.75
Well put together, the importance of levity and humor in the workplace is explained along with supporting research/evidence.
Cons: using examples of awful companies that may have had levity filled inspired positive world aspirations at first have come to be the root of evil: racism, waste, pollution, surveillance, hate, etc.
Cons: using examples of awful companies that may have had levity filled inspired positive world aspirations at first have come to be the root of evil: racism, waste, pollution, surveillance, hate, etc.