#15 When Breath Becomes Air - Paul Kalinthi 3.5/5
This is a non fiction book written by Paul Kalinthi about his own experience with cancer, which sadly he did not get to finish writing. It's a powerful thing to read the words of someone who you know didn't live to see his book get published. It is finished by his wife and her words really touched me (there were tears, of course).
Paul was a self-confessed workaholic and, as someone suffering from burnout, I found it difficult to read towards the end as he continued to push his body and brain to the absolute brink through his work despite being very poorly and having a young family.
I really wanted to like this book a lot more than I did and I hope you don't think I'm a terrible human being for not giving it top marks.
Paul was a self-confessed workaholic and, as someone suffering from burnout, I found it difficult to read towards the end as he continued to push his body and brain to the absolute brink through his work despite being very poorly and having a young family.
I really wanted to like this book a lot more than I did and I hope you don't think I'm a terrible human being for not giving it top marks.
#16 Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus - John Gray 4.5/5
There's a reason why this 1992 book is still going strong now and that's because it's a complete eye-opener into the world of men and woman, how different their brains work, and basically how we're all doomed (LOL J/K, but also not).
It feels a little repetitive towards the end but that aside I really enjoyed this book. It has taught me so much about why ex boyfriends did things they did, and why I do the things that I do. It gave me a little bit of faith that my newfound knowledge can help me to improve future relationships. They should make this book part of the GCSE curriculum or something. I wish I had read it a long time ago then maybe I wouldn't be 32 and a spinster...
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It feels a little repetitive towards the end but that aside I really enjoyed this book. It has taught me so much about why ex boyfriends did things they did, and why I do the things that I do. It gave me a little bit of faith that my newfound knowledge can help me to improve future relationships. They should make this book part of the GCSE curriculum or something. I wish I had read it a long time ago then maybe I wouldn't be 32 and a spinster...
#17 - The Princess Saves Herself In This One - Amanda Lovelace 4.5/5
I have been getting into poetry more and more recently so when I spotted Amanda's book giving off a similar vibe to Milk & Honey (by Rupi Kaur) I knew I had to have it. And I wasn't disappointed because it's an absolute beauty of a poetry book. Just like with Milk & Honey I connected with the words completely and wanted to devour it in one go. Recommend!
#18 - Make Your Bed (little things that can change your life... and maybe the world) - William H. McRaven 4/5
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This is a short but sweet read that I read in a couple of hours but it's a book I will read again in the future more than once. William is a retired Navy SEAL and all round bad-ass so not only is this a fascinating insight into his life but also how his experiences as a professional bad-ass can be applied to every day life to make the world a better place. i.e. make your bed (maybe not to the Navy's standards) every morning to feel a sense of achievement and to tick off your first completed task.
Quality over quantity for sure, and a nice little book to keep on your bookshelf or to give as a gift.
