Why Everyone Is Raving about “I’m Glad My Mom Died” by Jennette McCurdy
American / audiobooks / Book Reviews / nonfiction / The Latest

Why Everyone Is Raving about “I’m Glad My Mom Died” by Jennette McCurdy

If you have a great relationship with your mother, this book might seem like it was written by an alien. For those who struggle with the relationships with their parents, then this book might help you think about your experiences in new ways. Continue reading

5 Life and Writing Lessons From A World Famous Author – Haruki Murakami
Book Reviews / Japanese / nonfiction / The Artistic Process / The Latest / writing

5 Life and Writing Lessons From A World Famous Author – Haruki Murakami

His latest work though is a very different kind of book. Instead of creating worlds in a well or alternate universes through tunnels, Murakami has released a book about his experiences as a career author, and in it, he details all the highs and lows of what it is really like to write books for over 35 years. In this book, he talks about each section being a speech rather than an essay or memoir, and I feel like that is perhaps the best way to think of this book. It does feel like Murakami is talking to you – delivering a speech at a graduation or event. Considering that Murakami rarely makes public appearances, he does this kind of speech writing well. Continue reading

An Authentic Memoir About Dying: “Walking Him Home” by Joanne Tubbs Kelly
American / Book Reviews / nonfiction / The Latest

An Authentic Memoir About Dying: “Walking Him Home” by Joanne Tubbs Kelly

While Kelly memoir is about Alan, it is also about her own journey with finding love in her partnership with Alan, but also being able to love herself. It is a story of discovery through love and loss, and Joanne writes candidly about what her life will be like once Alan is gone. In many ways, it honours Alan and also caries his memory forward. Continue reading

Michelle Zauner’s Best Seller “Crying in H Mart”: what can the fermentation process of kimchi teach us about grief and loss?
American / Book Reviews / korean / nonfiction / The Latest

Michelle Zauner’s Best Seller “Crying in H Mart”: what can the fermentation process of kimchi teach us about grief and loss?

I read Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner a few months ago now. It has rightfully been a best seller, a book of the year by all the major news outlets and reviews, and a general literary success across the globe. Everyone is talking about it. Everyone is reading it. In terms of algorithmic (internet) success – I should have written my ‘exclusive’ thoughts on the book long ago. But I didn’t. Continue reading

“True Friends” by Patti Miller: what does it mean to write a memoir about friendships lost and found?
Australian / Book Reviews / nonfiction / The Latest

“True Friends” by Patti Miller: what does it mean to write a memoir about friendships lost and found?

I think everyone experiences the loss of a friendship at some stage in their life, sometimes multiple friendships and the reasons for these losses are vast, complex, and sometimes confusing. It can be as simple as a friend moving to a different state and losing touch. It can be from a fight. And it can also be a slow unwinding that can be anything from ghosting to drifting apart. We have a lot of words to describe romantic love and breakups – we have song after poem, after novel after film about romantic love. Although very little about friendships. Continue reading

What do “The Code Breaker” & “Klara and the Sun”Have In Common?: Two books about the science and the fiction of gene editing
American / audiobooks / Book Reviews / British / nonfiction / The Latest

What do “The Code Breaker” & “Klara and the Sun”Have In Common?: Two books about the science and the fiction of gene editing

These questions are large and complex and cannot easily be answered, but I loved that Isaacson, like Ishiguro, asks us to address and think about these questions. It seems that many can agree that there is a possibility for gene editing to be used for the good of humanity, but where should we draw the line? Continue reading

Socktober and 5 Spooky Audiobooks to Listen to While You Knit Socks
audiobooks / Book Reviews / historical / Hobbies / nonfiction / Opinion Pieces / The Latest

Socktober and 5 Spooky Audiobooks to Listen to While You Knit Socks

I love October as a month completely dedicated to all things spooky. I love to read scary books, I love to watch scary movies and T.V. shows, and it also coincides with Socktober – knitting as many socks as you can. With still a few days to go before Socktober ends, I am currently sitting on 3 pairs of socks with a fourth pair on the way. I have loved the challenge, but am also very ready to go back to my neglected knitting and crochet projects. Continue reading

A Review of Peg Conway’s Memoir “The Art of Reassembly”: grief will always linger
American / Book Reviews / nonfiction / The Latest

A Review of Peg Conway’s Memoir “The Art of Reassembly”: grief will always linger

Note: This audiobook was provided by Books Forward for review purposes. Thank you to the team at Books Forward and the author for sharing their stories with me. This review is my own opinion, and while I was gifted the book to review, I was not paid for anything that I have written here. The … Continue reading

8 Books to Buy for your Plant and Gardening-Obsessed Friends
Book Reviews / Hobbies / nonfiction / The Latest / translation

8 Books to Buy for your Plant and Gardening-Obsessed Friends

Who doesn’t love plants? I mean really. They keep us alive – literally. Whether they are purifying our air, bringing colour and light into our homes, nourishing our bodies, or providing shelter and food for birds and bees, they are without a doubt, amazing. I wanted to bring together a list of some of my … Continue reading

A Review of Tabitha Carvan’s “This Is Not a Book About Benedict Cumberbatch”: unapologetically loving things
Australian / Book Reviews / nonfiction / The Latest

A Review of Tabitha Carvan’s “This Is Not a Book About Benedict Cumberbatch”: unapologetically loving things

Carvan’s book is about motherhood and the changes it brings with it. It is (despite what the title suggests) also a little about her love of Benedict Cumberbatch. And it is about losing yourself and then finding a way back to yourself by exploring and embracing the things that bring you joy. Continue reading