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katietotallybooked's reviews
741 reviews
Grace, Not Perfection: Embracing Simplicity, Celebrating Joy by Emily Ley
3.5
I enjoyed this book and it did help me get back into reading nonfiction as part of my morning routine.
I took some quotes from it as well. A lot of her ideas and insights wasn’t new to me. But I did enjoy her personal stories and experiences that she sprinkled throughout in this one.
Quotes I liked the most
p.2 • "Forget what the world is telling you. You don't have to constantly strive to be more. You are enough. You deserve simple, slow, and sweet. You are worthy of happiness. You deserve silly, extravagant joy, belly laughs, and rich memories worthy of being slowly retold in rocking chairs on front porches. This is attainable-where you are, as you are, with what you have right now."
p.8 • "Perfect doesn’t equal worthy. "
p.36 • "So how do we tactically set ourselves up for joy? It starts with grace, continues with a plan, and ends with grace. When you make a plan, wrap it up in a giant hug of grace, because it may not happen, or it may not happen the way you intended Let go of the perfect plan, and pursue a good and flexible plan-one that will give you the freedom to go with the flow and find the joy hidden in the in-between moments."
p.39 • "Don’t sacrifice the good to chase the perfect. "
p.66 • "“I’m slowly learning that my happiest, most special moments happen when the circus is at its peak.”
"
• "Our need to be in control, to orchestrate the perfect scenario for every journey of our lives, breeds anxiety in our hearts.
With each piece of the puzzle we release, we find true freedom and true joy. When we're able to let the pieces fall where they will, we free our hands for better purposes."
p.128 • "Give yourself grace to do what you can, where you are, with what you have. "
p.180 • "No matter what your passions are in this life or what road you're traveling or what goal you're chasing, know this: it's okay to get dirty. It's okay to try one thing, mess up, and try something else. It's also okay to keep trying to climb that same tree, even if you fall down ten times. The difference between people who achieve their goals and people who don't is their ability to dust themselves off and wear their dirty outfit proudly."
p.211 • "Stop right there. How is it supposed to look? When we create fantasy images in our heads, we slay the beauty in our lives. Comparison truly is the thief of joy. And we've established that standard of perfection in our work and our families based on what? Social media highlight reels? Perfect people? (I'm telling you-they're like unicorns. They don't exist.) Being a woman with many loves and responsibilities will test your patience, stretch your will, and make you love more fiercely than you ever thought possible-because time is your most precious commodity. Remember, though, that this part of life-this busy, crazy, circus-like place you're in -is but a season. It will come and go just like all the others."
p.213 • "Do what works. Forget the rest!"
I took some quotes from it as well. A lot of her ideas and insights wasn’t new to me. But I did enjoy her personal stories and experiences that she sprinkled throughout in this one.
Quotes I liked the most
p.2 • "Forget what the world is telling you. You don't have to constantly strive to be more. You are enough. You deserve simple, slow, and sweet. You are worthy of happiness. You deserve silly, extravagant joy, belly laughs, and rich memories worthy of being slowly retold in rocking chairs on front porches. This is attainable-where you are, as you are, with what you have right now."
p.8 • "Perfect doesn’t equal worthy. "
p.36 • "So how do we tactically set ourselves up for joy? It starts with grace, continues with a plan, and ends with grace. When you make a plan, wrap it up in a giant hug of grace, because it may not happen, or it may not happen the way you intended Let go of the perfect plan, and pursue a good and flexible plan-one that will give you the freedom to go with the flow and find the joy hidden in the in-between moments."
p.39 • "Don’t sacrifice the good to chase the perfect. "
p.66 • "“I’m slowly learning that my happiest, most special moments happen when the circus is at its peak.”
"
• "Our need to be in control, to orchestrate the perfect scenario for every journey of our lives, breeds anxiety in our hearts.
With each piece of the puzzle we release, we find true freedom and true joy. When we're able to let the pieces fall where they will, we free our hands for better purposes."
p.128 • "Give yourself grace to do what you can, where you are, with what you have. "
p.180 • "No matter what your passions are in this life or what road you're traveling or what goal you're chasing, know this: it's okay to get dirty. It's okay to try one thing, mess up, and try something else. It's also okay to keep trying to climb that same tree, even if you fall down ten times. The difference between people who achieve their goals and people who don't is their ability to dust themselves off and wear their dirty outfit proudly."
p.211 • "Stop right there. How is it supposed to look? When we create fantasy images in our heads, we slay the beauty in our lives. Comparison truly is the thief of joy. And we've established that standard of perfection in our work and our families based on what? Social media highlight reels? Perfect people? (I'm telling you-they're like unicorns. They don't exist.) Being a woman with many loves and responsibilities will test your patience, stretch your will, and make you love more fiercely than you ever thought possible-because time is your most precious commodity. Remember, though, that this part of life-this busy, crazy, circus-like place you're in -is but a season. It will come and go just like all the others."
p.213 • "Do what works. Forget the rest!"
Flying Solo by Linda Holmes
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
3.0
I found this book a bit too light and fluffy for me. I loved Evvie Drake so I was excited to pick this one up. However it just was pretty average.
I liked the wooden duck mystery element and I like the inheritance trope, but that’s about it. It was overall a pretty “meh” book. Second chance romances are ok but they aren’t my favourite either so that also probably impacted my feelings about it.
It’s very closed door, fade to black as well. Think a 1/5 on the spice scale, and 4/5 on the fluff one.
I liked the wooden duck mystery element and I like the inheritance trope, but that’s about it. It was overall a pretty “meh” book. Second chance romances are ok but they aren’t my favourite either so that also probably impacted my feelings about it.
It’s very closed door, fade to black as well. Think a 1/5 on the spice scale, and 4/5 on the fluff one.
The Bear House by Meaghan McIsaac
adventurous
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Typically I am not a high fantasy reader so I was very hesitant about reading this Canadian middle - grade novel. However, I was pleasantly surprised by my enjoyment of it! I think because it is middle-grade, the world building and storyline was written at a level that was easy for me to grasp and understand. I found that between my first and second reading sessions I had created a foundational understanding that carried me through reading the rest of the novel.
This is definitely a fantasy series I would recommend to readers! I think fans of the Warriors might enjoy the animal-themes. It also features dynamic and relatable sibling and friend relationships. It is medium-paced but full of adventure that keeps the storyline moving.
I will not hesitate to continue the series or pick up books by this author if I need to in the future.
This is definitely a fantasy series I would recommend to readers! I think fans of the Warriors might enjoy the animal-themes. It also features dynamic and relatable sibling and friend relationships. It is medium-paced but full of adventure that keeps the storyline moving.
I will not hesitate to continue the series or pick up books by this author if I need to in the future.
Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
I’m just not interested in this right now. It’s definitely a wrong book, wrong time, me problem.
The Guncle by Steven Rowley
2.5
I’m a bit disappointed that I didn’t enjoy this book. It’s been a highly anticipated read for me since a trusted book friend read it last year, and unfortunately it didn’t really hit right with me.
Turns out I do need to like a main character to really enjoy a book and I just wasn’t a big fan of Patrick. I also didn’t connect with the author’s humour or the writing.
However, I do appreciate the conversation of grief and the sibling dynamics/relationship portrayed. Those were the book’s greatest strengths in my opinion. I’m just sad that I didn’t enjoy this more and that I spent most of the book just pushing through to get to the end.
Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks
emotional
medium-paced
3.0
While I enjoyed reading this Nicholas Sparks book, it kind of missed the mark for me a bit. It follows two point’s of view, Colby and Beverly. We know from the synopsis that the two timelines are going to connect but we don’t know how.
I did enjoy both points of view. I liked Colby’s character a lot. But I didn’t really buy his instant romance with Morgan, although I did like Morgan as a character and love interest. I was much more engaged by Beverly’s timeline. It had some mystery, it was quickly paced. It was more entertaining overall.
But how the timelines connected at the end kind of made me feel sick to my stomach. I didn’t really like it. I didn’t think it was a good portrayal or representation.
Then the epilogue was too unbelievable for me too.
So overall, I’m giving this book a 3 star rating because I liked it but I was kind of bothered by the 2nd half of the book. It’s certainly not in my top favourites of his books that I have read. Since it’s his newest release too, I’m not even sure where his writing & stories will go next. But I’m sure I’ll still add them to my tbr. 🤣
I did enjoy both points of view. I liked Colby’s character a lot. But I didn’t really buy his instant romance with Morgan, although I did like Morgan as a character and love interest. I was much more engaged by Beverly’s timeline. It had some mystery, it was quickly paced. It was more entertaining overall.
But how the timelines connected at the end kind of made me feel sick to my stomach. I didn’t really like it. I didn’t think it was a good portrayal or representation.
Then the epilogue was too unbelievable for me too.
So overall, I’m giving this book a 3 star rating because I liked it but I was kind of bothered by the 2nd half of the book. It’s certainly not in my top favourites of his books that I have read. Since it’s his newest release too, I’m not even sure where his writing & stories will go next. But I’m sure I’ll still add them to my tbr. 🤣
Be a Triangle: How I Went from Being Lost to Getting My Life Into Shape by Lilly Singh
3.0
Since watching Canada’s Got Talent, I’ve become a fan of Lilly Singh. I love her sense of humour and her personality.
This is the first of her two books that I’ve read. I did enjoy it, but the ideas she presented aren’t new and life changing or earth shattering.
I did snag a couple quotes that I’ve saved in my Bookly app.
In the end, I’m not taking much from this short book other than those quotes and an enjoyable hour of reading time listening to Lilly narrate the audio and following along with the print.
This is the first of her two books that I’ve read. I did enjoy it, but the ideas she presented aren’t new and life changing or earth shattering.
I did snag a couple quotes that I’ve saved in my Bookly app.
In the end, I’m not taking much from this short book other than those quotes and an enjoyable hour of reading time listening to Lilly narrate the audio and following along with the print.
Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman
emotional
fast-paced
5.0
This is another great volume in this series. Honestly, I completely understand the hype these books receive, and it is so well deserved! These books appeal to such a large audience of readers and they are truly a joy to read. It makes me sad to think that Vol. 5 will be the last one in the series!
This volume specifically was an excellent read. It had such valuable mental heath representation in it. Along with Nick and Charlie being an adorable couple, they also demonstrate a healthy teenage relationship and that is so key for young people to witness. Also, I loved the role of both Nick's parents and Charlie's parents in this volume. While being opposite in their parenting techniques, they also demonstrated how parents might respond to the challenges and relationships of their teenagers. I think these differences are really important for readers to see portrayed on the page.
Heartstopper Vol. 4 is another dose of cuteness that you will want to soak up and enjoy again and again!
This volume specifically was an excellent read. It had such valuable mental heath representation in it. Along with Nick and Charlie being an adorable couple, they also demonstrate a healthy teenage relationship and that is so key for young people to witness. Also, I loved the role of both Nick's parents and Charlie's parents in this volume. While being opposite in their parenting techniques, they also demonstrated how parents might respond to the challenges and relationships of their teenagers. I think these differences are really important for readers to see portrayed on the page.
Heartstopper Vol. 4 is another dose of cuteness that you will want to soak up and enjoy again and again!
In My Dreams I Hold a Knife: A Novel by Ashley Winstead
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was actually my first thriller book of 2023, and wow it delivered!
I enjoyed the characters and the story so much. Jessica was such an interesting protagonist to follow. I never really trusted her and she was morally gray and hard to truly read. I also enjoyed the love triangle between Jessica, Mint, and Coop - #teamcoop though! I liked how we got a few chapters that were sprinkled in from the perspective's of other members of the 'East House Seven' because it really helped flesh out the story. I really liked the college reunion premise and the dark academia themes too.
The only reason this isn't quite a five star read for me is because the ending felt a little underwhelming and chaotic. But ultimately, this was an excellent read and I have added all of Ashley Winstead's book to my TBR list. I can't wait to read more of her books!
I enjoyed the characters and the story so much. Jessica was such an interesting protagonist to follow. I never really trusted her and she was morally gray and hard to truly read. I also enjoyed the love triangle between Jessica, Mint, and Coop - #teamcoop though! I liked how we got a few chapters that were sprinkled in from the perspective's of other members of the 'East House Seven' because it really helped flesh out the story. I really liked the college reunion premise and the dark academia themes too.
The only reason this isn't quite a five star read for me is because the ending felt a little underwhelming and chaotic. But ultimately, this was an excellent read and I have added all of Ashley Winstead's book to my TBR list. I can't wait to read more of her books!
Reading People: How Seeing the World Through the Lens of Personality Changes Everything by Anne Bogel
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
I have been a fan of Anne Bogel for years and I’m glad I finally read her debut book.
I love psychology and learning about personality frameworks. This was an enjoyable introduction to a few different frameworks, with Anne’s own personal insights and experiences with them thrown into each chapter.
I was familiar with some, like the Enneagram, but not all and now I want to make time to do all the tests and research to learn more about myself.
A great read if you love learning about personality and psychology!
I love psychology and learning about personality frameworks. This was an enjoyable introduction to a few different frameworks, with Anne’s own personal insights and experiences with them thrown into each chapter.
I was familiar with some, like the Enneagram, but not all and now I want to make time to do all the tests and research to learn more about myself.
A great read if you love learning about personality and psychology!