A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer

  • Twitter summary: The final instalment of the Cursebreakers series — will it be Rhen or Grey as the victor?
  • The good: I’ll admit that I am pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this last book. I didn’t have high expectations as I felt indifferent about Book #2. Maybe it’s because I needed a fantasy fix or I wanted to know what was going to happen to Rhen and Grey. I still can’t decide who I like more; Rhen might have a slight edge because of Lia Mara (sorry Grey!). I enjoyed Kemmerer’s portrayal of Harper (her tenacity), Tycho (his loyalty) and Noah (his demeanour) and felt genuinely invested in their character development. However, the biggest saving grace of the series is the relationship between Rhen and Grey — their ending is sweetly satisfying.
  • The bad: Lia Mara — I can’t stand her character. I was bored and annoyed with her throughout Book #2 and that carried on with the final book.
  • Recommendation: If you get past Book #2, then for sure, read this book.
  • Overall rating: 4/5 curses
  • Goodreads link

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

  • Twitter summary: Ideas are a living, breathing thing. Listen to it, answer its call because if not, it’ll find someone else.
  • The good: This book was an excellent reminder to say yes, trust myself and not every idea needs to be a big one. I enjoyed the audiobook because it sounded like one long podcast episode, rather than a lecture on “this is how to be creative”. Gilbert’s voice and narration is soothing and definitely made me feel inspired. The book is neatly organized into six parts (courage, enchantment, permission, persistence, trust and divinity) with a balanced mix of personal anecdotes and encouraging messages.
  • The bad: While I did enjoy this book, I probably won’t be re-reading it over and over again. My initial expectation was this could be a source of me evergreen encouragement, which if I think about it, defeats the whole purpose of Gilbert’s message…
  • Recommendation: Yes. I’m glad I listened to the audiobook rather than reading it myself.
  • Overall rating: 4/5 lightbulb moments
  • Goodreads link

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

  • Twitter summary: Separated twin sisters, leading completely opposite lives, are brought back together by their daughters.
  • The good: I loved the ongoing theme of connecting with oneself — for example, Desiree and Stella as one set of twins, Reese as himself, Kennedy as someone else (acting). I’ll admit that I didn’t know how the story would play out yet I was intrigued to find out how the twins would reunite and reconcile (or did they?). I also loved how this story spanned multiple decades but didn’t flip flop time periods because no one needs the unnecessary complexity. Bennett is a wonderfully descriptive writer whose words beautifully paint the story’s plot. I pictured Mallard and it’s small town tendencies (not like Stars Hallow though), felt Jude’s desire to belong and understood why Stella told her lies.
  • The bad: Be warned, this is a slow starter. It does pick up around 1/3 in and I felt invested enough to keep reading.
  • Recommendation: Yes.
  • Overall rating: 4/5 other halves
  • Goodreads link

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

  • Twitter summary: This is Nesta’s story of triumph.
  • The good: Oh my word. SJM, the Queen, has done it again. I was engrossed. I felt all the feelings — love, despair, guilt, fear, shame, friendship, family, happiness, triumph, pain, trust, helplessness, redemption… I’m still trying to think of words. I love Nesta’s story and the intricacies of her feelings. Just thinking about Nesta’s awareness about the sounds from a fire is giving me chills. There are so many details to unpack and I’m not sure where I should begin. I’ll start by saying that I called it: I knew Nesta and Cassian are meant to be. I want to go back and re-read for those fabulous SJM Easter eggs. Secondly, I love the parallels between Feyre finding her family (side note: I thoroughly enjoyed Amren calling Feyre and Rhys’ bargain an “idiocy”) and Nesta finding hers. Thirdly, we all can do hard things; the only requirement is that we must keep trying, trying and trying. I felt as though I was reading a self-help and training book at times. My hand is raised to be part of Cassian and Azriel’s training sessions. Me me me! I’m going to listen to the audiobook now. I need a second helping.
  • The bad: The book went by too quickly? I need Azriel’s book now, like yesterday.
  • Recommendation: Obviously.
  • Overall rating: 5/5 silver flames (haha, cop out, I know)
  • Goodreads link

Successful Aging by Daniel J. Levitin

  • Twitter summary: Detailed account of all the known ways to successfully age.
  • The good: I appreciated Levitin’s detailed explanations of how to slow down the aging process and why aging matters — start now! Put down that heavily processed snack food and go for a walk out in nature. Yes, I’m telling myself that. None of the tips were unexpected and yet, Levitin was still able to deliver valuable nuggets of information.
  • The bad: I had to speed up the narration to 1.5x because it was too slow for my liking. At normal speed, this book is over 18.5 hours!
  • Recommendation:
  • Overall rating: 3/5 unretirements (let’s hope that future me doesn’t unretire and finds something else to do with my time)
  • Goodreads link

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

  • Twitter summary: An commendable attorney tries to save people on death row.
  • The good: I have so much to learn about the world, to be a more informed human being. Stevenson narrates the honest and troubling stories of individuals wrongly convicted. My review can’t do his book and the stories justice. Read, read, read this book. I knew I would be amazed by each individual’s perseverance, vulnerability and hardships. People like Stevenson deserve societal praise and support so that they can, in turn, continue to help others. By the way, I’m still on my audiobook kick and I’m going to keep them coming!
  • The bad: The book was a bit long (the audiobook was about 11 hours).
  • Recommendation: Yes and now I am going to watch the movie.
  • Overall rating: 5/5 redemptions
  • Goodreads link

One Life by Megan Rapinoe

  • Twitter summary: One life to be who you are, no exceptions.
  • The good: I have followed women’s soccer on and off for years — I still heartbreakingly remember the Canadian loss at the 2012 Olympics to the USA — but I don’t recall directly hearing about Rapinoe (can’t blame me, I am Canadian). However, I’m glad I read this book: Rapinoe fights for justice and tells her story simply with no apologies. This book was easy to read, brutally honest and engaging. I am now going to spend a few hours watching her highlight reels, on and off the field.
  • The bad: At times, I wish Rapinoe went deeper into the injustices she experienced; I found the narrative a bit surface level.
  • Recommendation: Yes
  • Overall rating: 4/5 World Cups
  • Goodreads link

The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates

  • Twitter summary: Let’s work together to lift women up.
  • The good: Gates is a wonderful storyteller — I enjoyed how she wove together her personal tales and experiences while still remaining true to her message about empowering women to change the world. I am moved by the women and men Gates has encountered over the years and aspire to be a leader in my community and network. I thoroughly believe that women, together, will change the world for the better. It starts now. One person at a time.
  • The bad: I wish Gates explored more of the North American realities. Not that I don’t have my own experiences, but more so her perspective on how I, as a woman in a big city, can practically action.
  • Recommendation: Yes.
  • Overall rating: 5/5 female farmers
  • Goodreads link

Is This Anything? by Jerry Seinfeld

  • Twitter summary: A collection of Seinfeld’s jokes from the 70s to the 10s.
  • The good: I liked that the jokes were organized chronologically? I’m trying to think of something I liked about the book — it was read by the author. I suggest reading the synopsis so you know what you’re able to start reading/listening.
  • The bad: I started listening to this audiobook without any idea what the book is… I could barely listen to it and to be brutally honest, not a single joke / anecdote stood out to me. I can’t remember any of them — there was one about a dog, maybe another one about a plane? I have no idea. Be warned that this is literally a collection of his jokes throughout the past five decades. This was not for me.
  • Recommendation: No.
  • Overall rating: 1/5 funny anecdotes
  • Goodreads link

How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

  • Twitter summary: No other summary is necessary. How to be an antiracist. Read it. Learn. Put it into action.
  • The good: The last chapter gave me chills — pure perfection. I appreciated Kendi’s experiences and his historical narration. I’m still on my audiobook kick and enjoyed hearing the passion behind Kendi’s words.
  • The bad: I will freely admit that I still have my own personal development to endeavour and thus, found myself rewinding parts over and over again to truly grasp Kendi’s words. Although the main point of the book is simple, this book is deservedly complex and thought-provoking. I think I should have started with Kendi’s other books.
  • Recommendation: Yes.
  • Overall rating: 4/5 history lessons to not repeat
  • Goodreads link