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oliviahamilton's reviews
102 reviews
Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence by Anna Lembke
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Such an interesting, thought-provoking book. I appreciated the examples from all sorts of dopamine addictions/habits, both the ones we generally consider "bad" (drug abuse, p*rn addiction) and the less obviously bad (reading cheap erotica, obsessive exercise).
The book broke down a complex scientific topic into digestible, interesting chapters and stories, with no dull portions, yet was still rooted in facts and studies. That's a feat. The author's own honesty really shone through as well, as evidenced especially later in the book.
Worth a reread at some point.
The book broke down a complex scientific topic into digestible, interesting chapters and stories, with no dull portions, yet was still rooted in facts and studies. That's a feat. The author's own honesty really shone through as well, as evidenced especially later in the book.
Worth a reread at some point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Drug abuse, and Sexual content
Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond the Clock by Jenny Odell
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
I want to finish in the future, love Jenny Odell, but my Libby audiobook rental was running out and I felt it might be a book better absorbed through reading anyways, so I'll wait to get my hands on a copy!
Say You'll Be Mine by Naina Kumar
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A fun romantic read. Great chemistry, interesting relationship dynamics, and a whole world of characters outside of the two leads. I liked the cultural details too: North/South Indian & immigrant culture, NYC vs Dallas, the Nashville songwriting world.
I didn’t buy the drama at Seth & Julie’s wedding. Maybe I’m ruined by knowing too much about songwriting splits, but I feel like those scenes & Julie’s quick turn could have been more developed/gone down differently. I feel like Julie would have fought for her credit already if it really bothered her, and that it would have been even better if they had found out that one of them had gotten credit and the other hadn’t, or that a third person had gotten credit for less work (so the two women wouldn’t be pitted against each other). That detail & lack of resolve on Seth’s storyline bugged me, but clearly I was invested in the characters for that detail to bother me.
Lots of daddy issues as others have warned, be aware! But I loved how the parents’ stories tied into this. Overall would recommend.
I didn’t buy
Lots of daddy issues as others have warned, be aware! But I loved how the parents’ stories tied into this. Overall would recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
A deeply personal and vulnerable account of a life as a person of size. Wrangles with a lot of uncomfortable conflicting truths about body image, self confidence, weight loss and gain, food, and the ways that fat people are dehumanized. It is not a self-pitying book, but it does examine the ways the fat people are taught to feel about their bodies, how they might actually feel, and what it’s like before one loses “the weight.”
I went to a book event around the time of this book’s release, and while I admired Roxane’s writing and presence, I think I was afraid to read it, having struggled with my own weight and body image but never in a morbidly obese body. I found it to be incredibly vulnerable, and listened from start to end in a day. It made me reflect on the stories I tell myself about my own body, and the history my body holds. Needless to say, a worthwhile read.
I went to a book event around the time of this book’s release, and while I admired Roxane’s writing and presence, I think I was afraid to read it, having struggled with my own weight and body image but never in a morbidly obese body. I found it to be incredibly vulnerable, and listened from start to end in a day. It made me reflect on the stories I tell myself about my own body, and the history my body holds. Needless to say, a worthwhile read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Rape
Moderate: Eating disorder and Vomit
Minor: Ableism
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Quarterlife: The Search for Self in Early Adulthood by Satya Doyle Byock
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
There's a lot of food for thought in this book. It felt like a more in-touch version of The Defining Decade, in the sense that it looked at the lives of people 16-36 through anonymized versions of the author's therapy patients.
I thought the distinction between meaning and stability types was interesting and useful, especially how it manifests in sibling/romantic relationships.
The intro and conclusion are fairly academic and political, which I enjoyed because it gave me ideas of what to read next, but I could see it being off-putting for some readers. Political/social justice parts felt a little preachy/forced too, even though I agree with the author and appreciate that she recognizes the unique stressors facing present-day quarter lifers.
I liked that while each therapy patient had a clear arc, there was no prescriptive one-size-fits-all answer. If you're looking for a "how-to" book, you might look elsewhere, but if you're up for something a bit more philosophical, this is it. Overall would recommend!
I thought the distinction between meaning and stability types was interesting and useful, especially how it manifests in sibling/romantic relationships.
The intro and conclusion are fairly academic and political, which I enjoyed because it gave me ideas of what to read next, but I could see it being off-putting for some readers. Political/social justice parts felt a little preachy/forced too, even though I agree with the author and appreciate that she recognizes the unique stressors facing present-day quarter lifers.
I liked that while each therapy patient had a clear arc, there was no prescriptive one-size-fits-all answer. If you're looking for a "how-to" book, you might look elsewhere, but if you're up for something a bit more philosophical, this is it. Overall would recommend!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Medical trauma
Mother Nature by Russell Goldman, Karl Stevens, Jamie Lee Curtis
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Interesting climate themes, concept, and setting. Way too many characters which made the primary drama confusing. It could be three books (or films). Beautiful (though often very graphic) drawings, though sometimes felt disconnected from the words. Overall excited to see more people tackling these themes, especially Jamie, and the indigenous elements were well done (thanks to Diné consultants!) but I hope the story gets clarified in the film adaptation.
The In Between by Hadley Vlahos
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
fast-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Eating disorder, Vomit, and Abortion
Minor: Emotional abuse
The Last Diet.: Discover the Secret to Losing Weight - For Good by Shahroo Izadi
4.5
Similar map prompts to The Kindness Method, though not all identical. If (like me) you read the Kindness Method with an intention around weight loss/body image, I think both are worth your time. I enjoyed the more specific body-related anecdotes in this book/Shahroo's personal story, and the broader look in The Kindness Method. Helpful for changing your mindset and self-talk and avoiding the common pitfalls of yo-yo dieting. I don't read many books about diet because I find them toxic/triggering, this was a good antidote. Definitely would like to return to it in a few months if I ever veer off track.