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Marcus

Disabledbookbro@bookwyrm.social

Joined 1 year, 9 months ago

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Irvin D. Yalom: Existential psychotherapy (1980) 3 stars

Existential Psychotherapy is a book about existential psychotherapy by the American psychiatrist Irvin D. Yalom, …

Review of 'Existential psychotherapy' on 'Goodreads'

1 star

Once he started talking about "transvestitism" and suggesting it was all about "genital anxiety" and "being a true man" or whatever the fuck, I was done. I was already getting there because of his rugged individualist bootstrap theology. Hard pass.

Mackenzi Lee: The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue (Montague Siblings, #1) (Hardcover) 3 stars

Review of "The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue (Montague Siblings, #1)" on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

This is such a mixed bag. There's a lot to like here, and there's a lot that TRIED to work, but didn't really land for me, and there's a lot that just flat out didn't work. I'm going to be dissecting this book pretty heavily, so spoilers abound.

I guess let's start with what I like: The main 3 characters are very well written. They have a good chemistry with each other, snappy dialogue and comebacks that were entertaining to read. I remember at the start of this book that the depth and honesty with which they tackled Monty's vices was really engaging. Felicity and Percy also stand out as great characters and compliments to each other; Felicity being the fierce and assertive woman, while Percy is more of a quiet and calm dominance in the way he holds himself.

Percy being black felt like it had consequences and was …

Becky Chambers: To Be Taught, If Fortunate (2019, Harper Voyager) 4 stars

At the turn of the twenty-second century, scientists make a breakthrough in human spaceflight. Through …

Review of 'To Be Taught, If Fortunate' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Not a bad read. The writing was often too nebulous for me to have any concrete immersion, but I did enjoy the character moments. The notes and tone of isolation and coping with that is resonate during this pandemic we're going through.

Amy Gahran: Stepping Off the Relationship Escalator (Paperback, 2017, Off the Escalator Enterprises LLC) 4 stars

Review of 'Stepping Off the Relationship Escalator' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Read most of it but the ending chapters dragged on and retread information in earlier chapters for me. I will say that this book has shifted my views on relationships and pointed out things that used to be dealbreakers (like having kids) don't have to be dealbreakers, because social standards have dictated one person is supposed to be our everything.

That goes against our very nature as a social species. Our survival depends on community strengths and weaknesses. Why should our relationships (sexual and nonsexual) be any different?

Jessica Fern: Polysecure (2020, Thorntree Press, LLC) 5 stars

Attachment theory has entered the mainstream, but most discussions focus on how we can cultivate …

Review of 'Polysecure' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

A great continuation from Amir Levine's Attached book. Has great applications to polyamory in a way that's thoughtful and supportive of connection rather than pathologizing.

Review of 'Unlimited Intimacy' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

This book would have been way better if it focused on interviews and gathering qualitative data rather than relying on an outdated theory of psychology to interpret behavior. And often times the writing is pretentiously written to provide a sense of academic gatekeeping to keep out the "uneducated."

Yet, with all this, I found my views on barebacking have shifted a little. Talking about this particular subculture and how community exists here is oddly inspiring. It made me reflect on my own fears and stigma.

Blake Crouch: Recursion (Hardcover, 2019, Crown Publishing) 4 stars

Memory makes reality.

That’s what New York City cop Barry Sutton is learning as he …

Review of 'Recursion' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

DNF. Just when you think the story has a decent foothold and you know where it's going, it suddenly turns into Terminator, with the scientist character suddenly aware of knowing how to use a shotgun and be a generic Sarah Conner. The cop who should be trained in firearms and dangerous situations is useless and shot within the first few minutes of the scuffle.

Then when you think, "Okay, good. Now it's over and I can just pretend this ending spot didn't happen." there's more, and the "twist" lands with a wet, soggy thud.

So, I'm gonnna pass.