Category: Nonfiction

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Blog Nonfiction

Life is Short

by Dean Rickles, book 93 of 2022

In Life is Short Dean Rickles makes a case for why the limitation of a short life makes living meaningful. I’m not sure who the target audience of this book would be. It’s too complicated and technical for most people to read casually, and not novel or complex enough for those who are typically interested in philosophy. I didn’t dislike reading this but compared to 4,000 weeks, another short book covering the same material, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for access to the audiobook in exchange for my opinion.

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Blog Nonfiction

The Gospel of Wellness

by Rina Raphael, book 69 of 2022

This is an entertaining investigation of the merits and limitations of the wellness industry. I’d recommend this to any woman who’s ever felt like there aren’t enough products in the world to solve the problems society has made for them. 

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC!

Content Warnings: Body Image, Medical Gaslighting

Categories
Blog Nonfiction Social Justice

What We Owe the Future

by William MacAskill, Book 62 of 2022,

William MacAskill asks a lot more questions than he answers in this lengthy read. This book describes some of the biggest threats to humankind’s long term future including AI, nuclear warfare, environmental catastrophe, and pandemics. It’s a tough journey with a lot of difficult subject matter that ultimately ends with a call to action to consider how our current societal choices will impact the many potential generations beyond the present. I wouldn’t say I enjoyed reading this but I will definitely be thinking about its subject matter for a long time to come. 

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC!

Content Warnings: Nuclear War, Pandemics, Extinction, Artificial Intelligence, Animal Cruelty 

Categories
Blog Nonfiction Social Justice

Heal Your Way Forward

by myisha t. hill, book 57 of 2022

A great read for any white person who wants to re-energize their anti-racist practice. During the “Great White Awakening of 2020” many folks recognized the need to act on social justice issues but fell out of practice as time has gone by. This book is for those of us who want to sustain a long term commitment to those values, especially in between episodes of public outcry. Hill’s words and story are inspiring, practical and timely. This is not the book for a person who’s just starting to learn about white privilege and supremacy but instead fulfills a need for those who are committed to a lifelong practice. 

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC!

Content Warnings:  Suicide, Racism  

Categories: Nonfiction, Anti-racism 

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Blog Nonfiction

All the Living and the Dead

by Hayley Campbell, book 55 of 2022

I found this book almost impossible to put down despite its dark and graphic content. Campbell does a wonderful job taking the reader behind the scenes with folks in a variety of death related industries. From a crime scene cleaner to a death doula, Campbell’s writing treats every situation with honesty and care. Ultimately, I found this to be a hopeful book, and I’d recommend this investigative work to those who are interested and brave enough to uncover the secrets of what happens to us after we die. 

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC!

Content Warnings: DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU ARE GRIEVING, ANXIOUS, DEPRESSED OR SQUEAMISH. Death (all kinds, all ages), Gore, Violence, Grief, Miscarriage

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Blog Nonfiction

The Viral Underclass

by Steven W. Thrasher, book 52 of 2022

Book Cover, tan colored background with black text reading The Viral Underclass. Center has a red virus symbol with a black silhouette of a human inside. Subtext says The human toll when inequality and disease collide.

Dr. Thrasher provides some extremely timely and insightful criticisms of how our society fails to protect the most vulnerable and suffers for it. He mixes personal stories with his analysis to discuss the factors that contribute to the sickness and death of the “viral underclass”, the people our society discriminates against, incarcerates, or otherwise neglects. This is an extremely relevant look into the modern concerns of public health policymakers and I’m eager to discuss it with other public health professionals. That being said, I’d recommend it to anyone interested in broadening their understanding of viruses and the social factors around health, the info shared here is relevant for all of us.

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC!

Content Warnings: Death (COVID/HIV), Drug use, Police Violence/Murder, Racism, Mental Health/HIV/LGBTQ Discrimination and Stigma, Suicide, Ableism, Ageism, etc.

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Blog Nonfiction

Ways of Being

by James Bridle, Book 44 of 2022

Cover of book "Ways of Being" - abstract colorful art suggesting a landscape.

The perfect book for someone who wants to look at the world through a different lens. Exploring intelligence through Bridle’s curious eyes was a joy.

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC!

Recommended for: anyone looking for new ways of thinking and living

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Blog Nonfiction

Bitch: On the Female of the Species

By Lucy Cooke, book 35 of 2022

I found this book unexpectedly delightful. Definitely one of the most engaging nonfiction works I’ve listened to this year. Cooke’s narration was excellent and I was surprised to find myself laughing out loud while learning. Would recommend this to anyone interested in animals, gender and sexual issues, or just science in general. 

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC!

Categories
Blog Nonfiction Social Justice

The Altar Within

written by Juliet Diaz, book 15 of 2022

I am definitely not up to date on the spiritual development/growth industry so I’m not sure I understood that aspect of this book (crystals, manifestation, etc). I requested this guide from Netgalley because I know the author is published through Row House, a publishing entity that specifically is working to be an antiracist alternative to the traditional big names. Going into this as a spiritually novice, I personally enjoyed Juliet Diaz’s candor and relaxed and informal tone. In the early audio edition I’m reviewing there were even “mistakes” that I found endearing considering the content. I thought Diaz did a wonderful job explaining the importance of authenticity and caring for oneself and I will definitely put into practice many of her rituals (with my own spin of course). I especially love the community care aspect of this book. Though not something I’d normally choose to listen to, I’m glad I did. 

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC.

Recommended for: anyone already invested in spiritually and self help or looking for self care tips.

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Blog Nonfiction

The Expectation Effect

by David Robson, Book 10 of 2022

Having studied psychology in college, I felt that I had a fairly good grasp of the ways expectation can affect experience and was skeptical that I’d learn much from this book. While I did come to the topic with a solid foundation, I was pleasantly surprised that there was still much to learn and consider. In this book David Robson provides some surprising research about just how much additional control humans may have over their experiences through mental framing with applications to subjects such as pain, age, sports performance, hunger, and others. Each chapter ends with some tips to try to put the concepts into action which I’ve enjoyed practicing over the last few days. 

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC.

Recommended for: anyone who enjoys psychology and interdisciplinary applications.

Categories: Nonfiction, Psychology, Self Help