“Colleen Hoover’s ‘Verity’ is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. From the moment you start reading, you’re drawn into a world of suspense, mystery, and unexpected twists.
The story follows Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer who is tasked with completing the bestselling series of the injured author, Verity Crawford. As Lowen delves deeper into Verity’s life to gather material for the books, she uncovers dark and disturbing secrets hidden within Verity’s autobiography.
Hoover expertly weaves together a complex narrative filled with tension, intrigue, and psychological depth. The characters are flawed and multifaceted, adding layers of complexity to the story. The exploration of truth, obsession, and manipulation is masterfully executed, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with each revelation.
What sets ‘Verity’ apart is its ability to keep readers guessing until the very end. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Hoover throws another curveball that leaves you reeling. The suspense is palpable, making it nearly impossible to put the book down.
Overall, ‘Verity’ is a thrilling rollercoaster ride of a novel that will leave you breathless. Colleen Hoover proves once again why she is a master storyteller, delivering a captivating and unforgettable reading experience.”
“Courting India” by Nandini Das is a captivating exploration of the intricate dance between literature, culture, and politics in colonial India. Das skillfully navigates through the historical backdrop, weaving together narratives of power, identity, and resistance. Her meticulous research and engaging prose make this book a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of colonialism and its impact on Indian literature and society. Through a series of insightful analyses, Das sheds light on how colonial encounters shaped literary production and reception, highlighting the agency of Indian writers in negotiating their cultural and political identities. “Courting India” is not just a scholarly work; it is a compelling journey through the literary landscape of colonial India, offering fresh perspectives and inviting readers to rethink conventional narratives of colonial history.
“It Ends with Us” by Colleen Hoover is a powerful novel that delves into complex themes of love, resilience, and personal growth. Hoover’s compelling storytelling captivates readers from the very first page, weaving a poignant narrative that explores the intricacies of abusive relationships and the importance of self-love and empowerment. The characters are vividly portrayed, and their struggles feel achingly real, evoking empathy and understanding from the reader. Through Lily’s journey, Hoover delivers a profound message about the strength it takes to break free from toxic patterns and forge a path toward a brighter future. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant story.
This story is, in short, about a monster meeting another monster.
One of the monsters is me.
Yunjae was born with a brain condition called Alexithymia that makes it hard for him to feel emotions like fear or anger. He does not have friends, but his devoted mother and grandmother aren’t fazed by his condition. Their little home above his mother’s used bookstore is decorated with colorful post-it notes that remind him when to smile, when to say “thank you,” and when to laugh. Yunjae grows up content, even happy, with his small family in this quiet, peaceful space.
Then on Christmas Eve—Yunjae’s sixteenth birthday—everything changes. A shocking act of random violence shatters his world, leaving him alone and on his own. Struggling to cope with his loss, Yunjae retreats into silent isolation, until troubled teenager Gon arrives at his school and begins to bully Yunjae.
With time, tormentor and victim learn they have more in common than they realized. Gon is stumped by Yunjae’s impassive calm, while Yunjae thinks if he gets to know the hotheaded Gon, he might learn how to experience true feelings. Drawn by curiosity, the two strike up a surprising friendship. As Yunjae begins to open his life to new people—including a girl at school—something slowly changes inside him.
It’s a beautiful coming of age story, with a very comforting fairytale-like ending. If you are into ya and east asian translated fiction definitely go for it. Alexithymia, bullying and first crush, mother child bond are beautifully written in the story. Just the all goodie goodie ending might be off putting to some readers but I loved it.
Title: “The Body Keeps the Score” Author: Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.
“The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D., is an insightful and groundbreaking exploration of trauma and its profound effects on the human body and mind. Dr. van der Kolk, a renowned psychiatrist and trauma specialist, draws upon his extensive research and clinical experience to shed light on the intricate relationship between trauma, the brain, and the body.
This book delves into various forms of trauma, including but not limited to combat-related trauma, childhood abuse, and the experiences of survivors of natural disasters. Through vivid case studies and personal anecdotes, Dr. van der Kolk illustrates how trauma can persistently shape one’s emotional and physical well-being, often resulting in conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
One of the book’s central themes is the idea that trauma isn’t solely a psychological phenomenon; it is deeply embedded within the body’s physiology. Dr. van der Kolk explains how trauma can manifest as physical symptoms, chronic pain, and even influence an individual’s capacity for intimacy and connection. He explores the concept of “bottom-up” healing, emphasizing the importance of therapies and practices that engage the body in the healing process.
“The Body Keeps the Score” also provides a comprehensive overview of various therapeutic approaches and treatments for trauma, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), neurofeedback, yoga, and mindfulness. Dr. van der Kolk argues that these modalities can help individuals regain a sense of control over their bodies and minds, ultimately fostering resilience and recovery.
In a world where trauma is often misunderstood or stigmatized, this book serves as a crucial resource for both professionals in the mental health field and individuals seeking to understand their own experiences better. Dr. van der Kolk’s compassionate and holistic approach to healing makes “The Body Keeps the Score” an essential read for anyone interested in the complex interplay between trauma, the body, and the path to recovery. This book offers hope and insight into the transformative power of healing from trauma and reclaiming one’s life
The Heir and the Spare—there was no judgment about it, but also no ambiguity. I was the shadow, the support, the Plan B. I was brought into the world in case something happened to Willy. I was summoned to provide backup, distraction, diversion and, if necessary, a spare part. Kidney, perhaps. Blood transfusion. Speck of bone marrow. This was all made explicitly clear to me from the start of life’s journey and regularly reinforced thereafter.
In the book “Spare” Harry recounts his story from the aftermath of his mother’s death and his often rocky relationship with his father and brother, his time in the military, his relationships earlier with Chelsy Davy and ultimately his marriage with Meghan Markle, and his groundbreaking decision to leave the royal family in order to protect his wife and children.
Major themes in the book are trauma, sibling rivalry and dysfunctional families. The role the media played in death of princess Diana, she trying to run away while the media hunted behind her and as Harry remembers is in the book as the last thing his mother probably saw before passing away was a media camera flash. And his later experiences with the media dissecting his every mistake kind of justifies his hatred for British media.
Contrary to popular anticipation he doesn’t speak bad of his family, not from my point of view anyway. He puts Charles, the late queen and many of the royals in an amazing light, kind of humanize the royals in a way.
To me personally Prince Harry came across as a person who is really hurting, I couldn’t help but feel really bad for him. And I hope he get to live his life the way he wants. The part of the book where he tries to find closure by visiting the tunnel in Paris where Princess Diana met her fate but it kind of never comes was so heartbreaking.
I remember the mounds of flowers all around us. I remember feeling unspeakable sorrow and yet being unfailingly polite. I remember old ladies saying: Oh, my, how polite, the poor boy! I remember muttering thanks, over and over, thank you for coming, thank you for saying that, thank you for camping out here for several days. I remember consoling several folks who were prostrate, overcome, as if they knew Mummy, but also thinking: You didn’t, though. You act as if you did…but you didn’t know her.
As a book I really appreciate the honesty and I understood why he took the decision to leave the royal family. The book is well written, feels honest and I hope it’s a big hit.
Side note – I understand why people cannot help but think of both him and Markle as very privileged and probably never have to worry about “how I’m going to pay the emi/bills for xyz this next month!” Or things like these we normies worry about and everything and there’s always some sort of public opinion and intrest with that great of a fame and money and as someone who is so affected so much by media attention why would you try to get your interview and book and show may be one thing was enough to take charge of the narrative, but ultimately I feel he suffered a massive loss probably and no amount of money and privilege can take the place of someone you love and only they can decide where to draw the line on how much public eye they want on their life.
This is such a charming little book. It has the most beautiful and cute illustrations and a wonderful message in its story which is about a ghost.
Ghosts are supposed to be sheets, light as air and able to whirl and twirl and float and soar. But the little ghost who is a quilt can’t whirl or twirl at all, and when he flies, he gets very hot.
He doesn’t know why he’s a quilt. His parents are both sheets, and so are all of his friends. (His great-grandmother was a lace curtain, but that doesn’t really help cheer him up.) He feels sad and left out when his friends are zooming around and he can’t keep up.
But one Halloween, everything changes. The little ghost who was a quilt has an experience that no other ghost could have, an experience that only happens because he’s a quilt . . . and he realizes that it’s OK to be different.
Its such a sweet Halloween story, definitely recommend 🎃
“a ghost who refuses to cross over and the ferryman he falls in love with”
This book is such a soft exploration of dark themes, tw death/of a child, suicide, murder and what comes after it.
If you have experienced that deep loss of loosing someone you loved I’m sure you would have wondered alot of things mentioned in this book, ofcourse we can never know for sure but the author provides a very helpful and hopeful picture of what comes next.
I love that this book has diverse character representation. Also how kind and patient everyone in the tea shop is, while they deal with death all the time.
This book has many things to love but somehow I didn’t felt the profound impact like in the reviews I read. I mean it’s an amazing book one of the best books I read this year but it didn’t hit me like that at the end. I’d definitely give this book a 4⭐/5
I’m personally not a very big fan of ‘Self-Help’ books, no hate to the genre but sometimes I feel the books are too out there for my taste personally, so if you are like me, this is not one of those self help books. The book is actually believable and grounded in reality and presented with research and scientific backups.
I loved the real life instances and lessons from lives of everyday people from different walks of life and also global role models like Eleanor Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, and Gandhi.
The book is aptly described as a “user manual for life”. As the author explains
” My goal in this book is to help us find universal laws of human nature that can guide us to our true nature—our highest potential—and to demonstrate that when we live in harmony with these laws, we create the conditions for outer success and impact.”
The main teachings of the book can be summarised in the idea of what the author calls the “five Core Energies”—purpose, wisdom, growth, love, and self-realization, and how to work with them in everyday life to live a more concious, harmonious and purposeful life. One thing if I could change would be making the book little shorter otherwise a great book.
Thank you so much @wandering_diaries and the author for the review copy all opinions and pictures are my own.
In Ecce Homo Nietzsche writes: My formula for greatness in a human being is amor fati: that one wants nothing to be different, not forward, not backward, not in all eternity. Not merely bear what is necessary, still less conceal it… but love it.
If you could go back in your life and change something, what would you do? Erase something that you regret. It seems as though there were options to have done differently, for things to go differently.
Would it change anything? Well according to Nietzsche .. No
There was no option to have done differently and there is no other way for things to go for the fundamental things to life in general, you have no control over it and cannot change it. Idea is things we perceive and interpret as negative and somehow avoidable are part of much bigger picture and everything we are and have done is bound closely together in a web of consequences. It assumes that even if somehow we change those decisions and things went differently, we would not still find ourselves in a similar state.
To believe that every decision you’ve made is the best and only decision you could’ve made at the time with the information you had and the state. So there’s no point in loathing and it’s best to accept things just as the are completely.
So comes the Idea of “amor fati” ‘love for the whole of it’. One of the most beautiful aspects of Nietzsche’s thinking that we recognise that things really could not have been otherwise. And for Nietzsche, achieving this state is the greatest gift of life. This idea can then be used to construct the lens through which we see the beauty and acceptance in everything. Not blaming yourself or anyone for what happened or entertaining the thoughts of ‘what if?’ but thinking about how much you can love your life right now and how! And perhaps sometimes the only way to experience the beauty of things is to think about things in a beautiful way.
drficticity 