Reviews and Comments

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Matt

mattb@bookwyrm.social

Joined 2 years, 7 months ago

I'm in Canberra, Australia. My favourite genres are fantasy and sci-fi. Lately enjoying books by Brandon Sanderson, Tamsyn Muir and Becky Chambers. I like drawing, table-top role-playing games (TTRPGs), cats and trying not to injure my aging body while trying to run far. I live on Ngunawal & Ngambri land.

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reviewed How Powerful We Are by Sally Rugg

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Sally Rugg: How Powerful We Are (2019, Hachette Australia)

Review of 'How Powerful We Are' on 'Storygraph'

This was a tough read. I mean, it was well written, it just chronicles a lot of horrible events, and what concessions/compromises were made. All those beautiful souls put through such torment. The worst people given way too big a platform to spout their hate. I know it was meant to give hope, about what we can achieve when we work for what's right. But I'm mostly sad, and anxious thinking back to those days, and the battles still to come.

Sally Rugg is a treasure though! And it's a good and important book.

reviewed Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir (The Locked Tomb, #1)

Tamsyn Muir: Gideon the Ninth (Hardcover, 2019, Tordotcom)

Tamsyn Muir’s Gideon the Ninth unveils a solar system of swordplay, cut-throat politics, and lesbian …

Review of 'Gideon the Ninth' on 'Storygraph'

I loved the writing so much - the dialogue especially. The whole ancient universe of sci-fi necromancers is chock-a-block full of flavour. Can't wait for the 2nd in the series!

That's it. That's the review.

reviewed The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo (The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, #1)

Marie Kondo: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (Hardcover, 2014, Ten Speed Press)

Despite constant efforts to declutter your home, do papers still accumulate like snowdrifts and clothes …

Review of 'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up' on 'Storygraph'

I think it was a bit too harsh on books (full bookshelves make me happy), and some of the attributing feelings to possessions and your home were a slight hurdle to go along with, but it was a good book and lit a fire within me.
She's obviously very experienced and knowledgeable in the area, having devoted her whole life to the subject. It's always a delight reading a nerd nerding-out on their nerd subject. And I can see that focusing on things "sparking joy" helps you recognise what makes you happy in a broader sense, and thanking items before letting them go could help alleviate the guilt or fear associated with keeping stuff. I will find out myself when I start the process soon (need to rescue "the room no one talks about" in our house!)