I didn't start getting into the story until around the 40% mark and even then, I felt like I had to make myself read it. If it hadn't been a book club pick, it'd probably be a DNF. I'm glad I stuck with it until the end. It was worth it from a literary and historical standpoint. But that ending felt incredibly depressing to me and I'm not sure it was meant to be? Was there meant to be little to no growth of the main character? Did he grow, but my own views are just so vastly different I can't see it? I have a lot of feelings to think about before my book club's discussion.
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Eclectic reader, classical musician, unschooling parent, anarchist. 🖤🤍💚 They/she.
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Monika reviewed The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro (FF Classics)
In the summer of 1956, Stevens, the ageing butler of Darlington Hall, embarks on a …
Review of 'The Remains of the Day' on 'Storygraph'
3 stars
I didn't start getting into the story until around the 40% mark and even then, I felt like I had to make myself read it. If it hadn't been a book club pick, it'd probably be a DNF. I'm glad I stuck with it until the end. It was worth it from a literary and historical standpoint. But that ending felt incredibly depressing to me and I'm not sure it was meant to be? Was there meant to be little to no growth of the main character? Did he grow, but my own views are just so vastly different I can't see it? I have a lot of feelings to think about before my book club's discussion.
Monika reviewed Novecento by Alessandro Baricco
El Virginian recorría las rutas entre Europa y América, con su carga de millonarios, de …
Review of 'Novecento' on 'Storygraph'
4 stars
This novella about an ocean liner pianist was the first time in 30 years that I've read adult fiction in Italian (usually I stick with middle grade). It took me forever to read, but I liked the story and it was a good challenge for me. Loved its clever humor!
This novella about an ocean liner pianist was the first time in 30 years that I've read adult fiction in Italian (usually I stick with middle grade). It took me forever to read, but I liked the story and it was a good challenge for me. Loved its clever humor!
Monika reviewed The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
Review of 'The Snow Child' on 'Storygraph'
5 stars
Wow, what a mysterious, magical, poignant, stunning novel. Set in 1920s Alaska. Themes of grief, nature/the elements, found family, connecting with others while still respecting their autonomy, and community. A 5-star read for me.
Wow, what a mysterious, magical, poignant, stunning novel. Set in 1920s Alaska. Themes of grief, nature/the elements, found family, connecting with others while still respecting their autonomy, and community. A 5-star read for me.
Monika reviewed Falling Upward by Richard Rohr
Review of 'Falling Upward' on 'Storygraph'
3 stars
I love Richard Rohr but oof, his privilege as a well-off cis man came through often enough that sometimes this felt condescending. Still contained some wonderful takeaways and food for thought, but overall this one was just "meh" for me.
I love Richard Rohr but oof, his privilege as a well-off cis man came through often enough that sometimes this felt condescending. Still contained some wonderful takeaways and food for thought, but overall this one was just "meh" for me.
Monika reviewed Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Review of 'Pachinko' on 'Storygraph'
5 stars
A bit of a slow start, but once I settled in I was captivated to the very end. Beautiful book. Racism was handled with nuance and care.
Some good quotes, too:
"In the end, your belly was your emperor."
"Life is shitty, but not all the time."
A bit of a slow start, but once I settled in I was captivated to the very end. Beautiful book. Racism was handled with nuance and care.
Some good quotes, too:
"In the end, your belly was your emperor."
"Life is shitty, but not all the time."
Some good quotes, too:
"In the end, your belly was your emperor."
"Life is shitty, but not all the time."
Monika reviewed Flesh & Blood by N. West Moss
"A healing balm, this inviting memoir lights a path through grief and illness." -- Kirkus …
Review of 'Flesh & Blood' on 'Storygraph'
5 stars
This medical memoir is as delicate as it is powerful. N. West Moss perfectly captures the heartache of infertility and chronic illness – and the fears, hopes, and frustrations that come with major surgery and its recovery – all with a gentle sense of humor and a lovely way of looking at the world, even the smallest little details. Moss has written this book in very short chapters consisting of beautifully engaging prose, making it difficult to put the book down once you pick it up. I grew to love the people she loves (and a praying mantis!), and felt like I was right there with her each step of the way. What a stunning memoir, and with so many unexpected moments of joy.
Wwhen Algonquin Books sent me a copy of Flesh & Blood for the Instagram tour, they included a little notebook, recipes by @PickYourPotions for basil …
This medical memoir is as delicate as it is powerful. N. West Moss perfectly captures the heartache of infertility and chronic illness – and the fears, hopes, and frustrations that come with major surgery and its recovery – all with a gentle sense of humor and a lovely way of looking at the world, even the smallest little details. Moss has written this book in very short chapters consisting of beautifully engaging prose, making it difficult to put the book down once you pick it up. I grew to love the people she loves (and a praying mantis!), and felt like I was right there with her each step of the way. What a stunning memoir, and with so many unexpected moments of joy.
Wwhen Algonquin Books sent me a copy of Flesh & Blood for the Instagram tour, they included a little notebook, recipes by @PickYourPotions for basil syrup and hibiscus syrup, and a packet of wildflower seeds. I recently read a book about guerrilla gardening, so I’m excited to put the seeds to unexpected use!
Wwhen Algonquin Books sent me a copy of Flesh & Blood for the Instagram tour, they included a little notebook, recipes by @PickYourPotions for basil syrup and hibiscus syrup, and a packet of wildflower seeds. I recently read a book about guerrilla gardening, so I’m excited to put the seeds to unexpected use!
Monika rated The Space Between Worlds: 4 stars
The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson
‘My mother used to say I was born reaching, which is true. She also used to say it would get …
Monika reviewed Book of Pride by Mason Funk
Review of 'Book of Pride' on 'Storygraph'
It's good, and I love that the "LGBTQ heroes" part of the title truly covers all those letters! But I've been feeling drawn to other books recently and have been neglecting this, so decided to set it aside for now.
It's good, and I love that the "LGBTQ heroes" part of the title truly covers all those letters! But I've been feeling drawn to other books recently and have been neglecting this, so decided to set it aside for now.
Monika rated Lost at Sea: 4 stars
Monika reviewed Everything Belongs by Richard Rohr
This popular and bestselling book of the renowned Franciscan challenges people to move beyond the …
Review of 'Everything Belongs' on 'Storygraph'
4 stars
I’ve only ever read Fr. Richard Rohr’s work in audiobook format, but honestly, I need to be buying his books in print so I can underline and put sticky notes everywhere. In Everything Belongs, he explores the radical freedom that comes through believing “that we have no real access to who we really are except in God.”
He discusses how civil religion and cultural Christianity miss a sense of the whole. They’re perfunctory. “The great commandment is not ‘thou shall be right,’ it is ‘be in love.'” When he reminds us that God receives all, he means literally all. Our ego is constantly comparing and dividing. It’s responsible for our dualistic thinking. Our true self—our soul—gives space for all.
I found his thoughts on avoiding groupthink and getting caught up in religious dogma especially inspiring and hopeful. The way our group experiences and knows God it not the …
I’ve only ever read Fr. Richard Rohr’s work in audiobook format, but honestly, I need to be buying his books in print so I can underline and put sticky notes everywhere. In Everything Belongs, he explores the radical freedom that comes through believing “that we have no real access to who we really are except in God.”
He discusses how civil religion and cultural Christianity miss a sense of the whole. They’re perfunctory. “The great commandment is not ‘thou shall be right,’ it is ‘be in love.'” When he reminds us that God receives all, he means literally all. Our ego is constantly comparing and dividing. It’s responsible for our dualistic thinking. Our true self—our soul—gives space for all.
I found his thoughts on avoiding groupthink and getting caught up in religious dogma especially inspiring and hopeful. The way our group experiences and knows God it not the only way to experience and know God, and believing it is is idolatry. He warns against playing the power, control, and domination game, no matter what “side” we’re on. He reminds us that our egos will find new ways to be right and moral and superior, so we have to keep that in check.
Activists need to be careful not to become power-seeking and dominating, or they become part of the problem and the movement self-destructs. A transformation of souls must occur in order for a revolution to happen. That desire to control others must be exorcised.
He also brings up the follow point: “Individualism makes church almost impossible. It makes community almost impossible. It makes compassion almost impossible.” Especially when thinking about the way people have responded to the pandemic, I think we can all say we’ve seen how destructive individualism can be.
These are just some of my favorite aspects of this book, but it’s hard to express them briefly enough for review purposes. Rohr’s explanations in the book are very deep and thoughtful, and he ties all his points together in profound ways. Everything Belongs is perfect for anyone who believes, as Rohr puts it: “We need less reformation and more transformation.”
He discusses how civil religion and cultural Christianity miss a sense of the whole. They’re perfunctory. “The great commandment is not ‘thou shall be right,’ it is ‘be in love.'” When he reminds us that God receives all, he means literally all. Our ego is constantly comparing and dividing. It’s responsible for our dualistic thinking. Our true self—our soul—gives space for all.
I found his thoughts on avoiding groupthink and getting caught up in religious dogma especially inspiring and hopeful. The way our group experiences and knows God it not the only way to experience and know God, and believing it is is idolatry. He warns against playing the power, control, and domination game, no matter what “side” we’re on. He reminds us that our egos will find new ways to be right and moral and superior, so we have to keep that in check.
Activists need to be careful not to become power-seeking and dominating, or they become part of the problem and the movement self-destructs. A transformation of souls must occur in order for a revolution to happen. That desire to control others must be exorcised.
He also brings up the follow point: “Individualism makes church almost impossible. It makes community almost impossible. It makes compassion almost impossible.” Especially when thinking about the way people have responded to the pandemic, I think we can all say we’ve seen how destructive individualism can be.
These are just some of my favorite aspects of this book, but it’s hard to express them briefly enough for review purposes. Rohr’s explanations in the book are very deep and thoughtful, and he ties all his points together in profound ways. Everything Belongs is perfect for anyone who believes, as Rohr puts it: “We need less reformation and more transformation.”
Monika reviewed Laziness Does Not Exist by Devon Price
From social psychologist Dr. Devon Price, a conversational, stirring call to “a better, more human …
Review of 'Laziness Does Not Exist' on 'Storygraph'
3 stars
When I picked up Laziness Does Not Exist, I was expecting a book that counters capitalistic thinking—maybe along the lines of David Graeber’s Bullshit Jobs. The opening of the book got my hopes up and I was excited to dig in deep. Instead, this ended up feeling more like a self-help book for people who have economic and class privilege. It focused on fairly privileged people in traditional workplace environments, with suggestions on setting boundaries, having realistic expectations, and avoiding burnout. That’s important stuff for people who are in those environments, but there are so many people working jobs where there is no HR to talk to or negotiate with, where working from home isn’t possible at all, and who can’t afford to turn down work/independent contractor gigs. If you are in any of those categories, especially if you live at or close to the subsistence level, I …
When I picked up Laziness Does Not Exist, I was expecting a book that counters capitalistic thinking—maybe along the lines of David Graeber’s Bullshit Jobs. The opening of the book got my hopes up and I was excited to dig in deep. Instead, this ended up feeling more like a self-help book for people who have economic and class privilege. It focused on fairly privileged people in traditional workplace environments, with suggestions on setting boundaries, having realistic expectations, and avoiding burnout. That’s important stuff for people who are in those environments, but there are so many people working jobs where there is no HR to talk to or negotiate with, where working from home isn’t possible at all, and who can’t afford to turn down work/independent contractor gigs. If you are in any of those categories, especially if you live at or close to the subsistence level, I think you’ll be as frustrated by this book as I was.
I did appreciate Price’s points on information and the internet and social media, about letting go of the need to learn and know everything (and share everything). They talk about how data and information overload is just another type of consumerism, and how that affects society. They mention being thoughtful about the info we share online, as well as the info we gather. Are we really learning something we need, or unnecessarily traumatizing ourselves? How does this impact our mental health?
But overall, the target audience seems to be workaholics and people pleasers with a hefty dose of privilege… not so much those of us barely surviving capitalism. I never got a solid, cohesive feel for “laziness does not exist” because Price mostly ignores a huge chunk of the population. When you’re barely surviving capitalism, there’s a lot of hinting around that you’re in this situation because you aren’t trying hard enough, you aren’t working hard enough—you’re lazy. Laziness Does Not Exist had an opportunity to counter that messaging, but catered to the the bourgeoisie instead.
I did appreciate Price’s points on information and the internet and social media, about letting go of the need to learn and know everything (and share everything). They talk about how data and information overload is just another type of consumerism, and how that affects society. They mention being thoughtful about the info we share online, as well as the info we gather. Are we really learning something we need, or unnecessarily traumatizing ourselves? How does this impact our mental health?
But overall, the target audience seems to be workaholics and people pleasers with a hefty dose of privilege… not so much those of us barely surviving capitalism. I never got a solid, cohesive feel for “laziness does not exist” because Price mostly ignores a huge chunk of the population. When you’re barely surviving capitalism, there’s a lot of hinting around that you’re in this situation because you aren’t trying hard enough, you aren’t working hard enough—you’re lazy. Laziness Does Not Exist had an opportunity to counter that messaging, but catered to the the bourgeoisie instead.
Monika rated Zenobia July: 4 stars
Zenobia July by Lisa Bunker
The critically acclaimed author of Felix Yz crafts a bold, heartfelt story about a trans girl solving a cyber mystery …
Monika rated The Lamb Will Slaughter the Lion: 5 stars
The Lamb Will Slaughter the Lion by Margaret Killjoy (Danielle Cain, #1)
Searching for clues about her best friend’s mysterious suicide, Danielle ventures to the squatter, utopian town of Freedom, Iowa, and …