Tag: nonfiction

Categories
Uncategorized

Wired for Love

A Neuroscientist’s Journey Through Romance, Loss, and the Essence of Human Connection

written by Stephanie Cacioppo, book 18 of 2022

Warning: There is a strong potential that this book will make you cry. Dr. Stephanie Cacioppo describes both her scientific and romantic evolution in a way that makes it impossible not to become invested. Cacioppo enriches descriptions of the neurological components of love with personal anecdotes. If you are curious about biology and a romantic this is the book for you! Though not my favorite science book, or my favorite memoir both components were very well done.

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

Content Warnings: Illness, Death, Grief 

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.

Categories
Uncategorized

The Insect Crisis

by Oliver Milman, book 14 of 2022

I was a bug kid, as in I could often be found collecting and carrying around live bugs that I thought were interesting. I outgrew this as peers made it clear that the hobby was “gross”. Nonetheless, I still have a soft spot for the smaller creatures in our daily lives and this book provided an interesting take on how insects and climate change intersect. I found some parts a bit repetitive but overall I enjoyed learning about the most recent studies and potential implications, especially regarding food production and health. Regardless of your preconceived opinions on bugs, I think this book provides a lot to consider as far as how we as humans influence our shared world.

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

Recommended for: anyone interested in the current state of the insect world or climate change.

Categories
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

Categories
Blog Nonfiction

Losing Our Minds

By Dr. Lucy Foulkes, Book 5 of 2022

This book brought something wonderful to the conversation around mental health: context and nuance. There’s a lot of hype around mental health and the mental health crisis of modern times and Dr. Foulkes does a great job presenting the data in its complexity. Having worked in public health during the COVID-19 pandemic, I realize that people don’t want the messy, complex reality of science but thankfully this book gives us what we need, not what we want.

It’s impossible for me to distill the messages in this book down to a few sentences but I do think anyone interested in the topic will gain an important and necessary perspective.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ALC and thank you to the author for sharing your personal and professional knowledge.

Recommended for: anyone interested in mental health, has mental health concerns, or cares for someone with mental health challenges, especially parents, teachers, and health professionals.

Content Warnings: Mental Health, Self Harm, Stigma, Suicide

Categories
Blog Nonfiction

A Year of Loving Kindness to Myself

written by Brigid Lowry, book 68 of 2021

Let me start by saying I don’t read a lot of spiritual works so I’m not sure my opinion on this should be given a lot of weight. That being said, I enjoyed listening to this book tremendously. The writing is comforting and delightful and the narration was warm and soothing. Lowry’s realistic attempts at implementing her spiritual practices during trying times made me feel seen. Over the last week it was a joy to listen to one of the many micro chapters of this book and smile. This will definitely be an audiobook I will want to revisit over and over. Would also make a great holiday gift! 

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ALC. 

Recommended for: anyone needing a little extra love and compassion, so everyone. 

Content Warnings: Divorce, Grief, Religion/Spirituality

Categories
Blog Nonfiction

Somebody’s Daughter

written by Ashley C. Ford, narrated by the author – book 42 of 2021

I was nothing and nobody cared what happened to nothing and everything happened to girls who were nothing.

Ashley C. Ford

This raw and vulnerable memoir by Ashley C. Ford challenges the traditional expectations of what families owe each other. Ford was raised primarily by her mother and grandmother after her father’s incarceration as a young child. Her tenuous relationship with her mother is highlighted in contrast to her conflicted feelings about her devoted but isolated father. Ford does not shy away from discussing the difficult parts of her childhood and adolescence and left me in awe of her resilience. She unwaveringly explores the feelings of shame and uncertainty inherent in childhood and their long lasting effects. As an adult that works in health and human services, I found this to be a moving example of the tangible consequences trauma can have. I would highly recommend the audiobook as it is read by the author and includes an excellent conversation between Ashley C. Ford and fellow author Clint Smith that adds another layer of complexity and a new lens through which to view Ford’s story. Smith’s book, “How the Word is Passed” is also expected out on June 1, 2021.

Recommended for: lovers of memoirs, adults working in social or human services work, anyone who wants to experience a glimmer of the human experience from Ford’s perspective.

Content Warnings: Physical and sexual violence, abuse, rape, parent/child conflict

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for early access to this very moving audiobook!

Categories
Blog Nonfiction

Rebel Ideas

written by Matthew Syed, Book 32 of 2021

Companies founded by immigrants grow faster and survive longer. Immigrants make disproportionate contributions to technology, patent production and to science.

Matthew Syed

I found this book to be successful in treading the line between academic and genuinely engaging. Syed makes compelling points about the inherit value of both diversity and structures that encourage all voices to be heard. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who has a leadership role within an organization or creates and manages teams.

I have seen a lot of people comparing this book to “Range” by David Epstein and I would agree that there are many commonalities that lead this book to feel a bit redundant at times. Nonetheless, I did find this book engaging and I appreciated that the focus of this book was more about how the outsider mindset was valuable to groups and not just valuable within the individual.

Recommended for: Anyone who works on teams, especially those tasked with forming them and those who make decisions.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced copy of the audiobook.