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bubblegumfactory's reviews
696 reviews
Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport
4.0
I heard 80% of the book and read the rest.
Digital Minimalism is a mix of a new gen podcast on technology use (sometimes sounding like a sermon but most of the time presenting a logical argument) and a well researched thesis on role of technology and attention economy in our lives mixed with the wisdom of out yester years.
It draws from previous works on leisure, mindful living, community building and such. It is peppered with various case studies and profiles of individuals who have strived to do something extraordinary. For this, I'd recommend digital Minimalism to anyone who might want to become more mindful of their technology usage.
PS read/listen and take some notes about the actionable steps, this book is only as useful as you'd make it.
Digital Minimalism is a mix of a new gen podcast on technology use (sometimes sounding like a sermon but most of the time presenting a logical argument) and a well researched thesis on role of technology and attention economy in our lives mixed with the wisdom of out yester years.
It draws from previous works on leisure, mindful living, community building and such. It is peppered with various case studies and profiles of individuals who have strived to do something extraordinary. For this, I'd recommend digital Minimalism to anyone who might want to become more mindful of their technology usage.
PS read/listen and take some notes about the actionable steps, this book is only as useful as you'd make it.
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
4.0
I read this book several years ago for school work. On a recent revisit, I found myself enjoying this much more! It started off slow but the maturity and the clear thought process that Anne walks the reader through is truly commendable for someone her age. She truly would have come out an extraordinary woman if she would have survived past war. What a wonderful young writer got lost in this long sad war.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
3.0
I read this book a long time ago. My freshman year roommate and I watched the movie and then I read this book on my laptop. That was in my first year, fast forward five years and here I am re-reading this. A lot of things have changed in that time and I was reminded of how the relationship with a book changes with time. My last read focused on Charlie forming new relationships and finding his tribe, his people and that joy was my takeaway, my desire as a freshman. Now, as all familiar faces part ways at the end of college, I was invested and curious to see how Charlie deals with the distance and having his friends move away from him. The second reading carried a darker tone, a more sober feeling. This wasn't on my 2019 list but I surely was a happy accident. Didn't know I needed to read this again but hey, I am glad I did. :)
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
4.0
Medium: audiobook plus paperback
2019 will definitely go down at the year of Gaiman for me.
So far I have read: Graveyard Book, Coraline, Half of good omens and all of Norse Mythology.
He is a captivating story teller, there's no news there.
I really enjoyed how Neil took time to properly introduce us and get us acquainted with all the characters before taking us along their stories and adventures.
As someone who's only exposure with Norse mythology elements has been through the Marvel movies with Thor in it, I enjoyed the non silver screen version of these Gods and their tales with Giants, Dwarfs; clashing of their egos and battles and trickery.
The relations are very different than what Hemsworth and Hiddleston version of these Gods would show on the screen. These are all very very flawed characters, their virtue and vices are all quite on the nose but that doesn't bother much because it's their adventures and journeys and battles that are the main attraction of the book.
Hearing Neil do voices for all the characters and narrate this book added so much value to it! I honestly enjoyed the audio version far more than the book.
2019 will definitely go down at the year of Gaiman for me.
So far I have read: Graveyard Book, Coraline, Half of good omens and all of Norse Mythology.
He is a captivating story teller, there's no news there.
I really enjoyed how Neil took time to properly introduce us and get us acquainted with all the characters before taking us along their stories and adventures.
As someone who's only exposure with Norse mythology elements has been through the Marvel movies with Thor in it, I enjoyed the non silver screen version of these Gods and their tales with Giants, Dwarfs; clashing of their egos and battles and trickery.
The relations are very different than what Hemsworth and Hiddleston version of these Gods would show on the screen. These are all very very flawed characters, their virtue and vices are all quite on the nose but that doesn't bother much because it's their adventures and journeys and battles that are the main attraction of the book.
Hearing Neil do voices for all the characters and narrate this book added so much value to it! I honestly enjoyed the audio version far more than the book.
Becoming by Michelle Obama
4.0
medium: audiobook
This book was a long journey, like that of Michelle. This book could be divided into two major sections: pre and post Barack.
I, for one, enjoyed her stories and tales of her life before Barack far more. Due to Barack's skill and ambition, the later half was heavily influenced by his political career and how it altered the very fabric of Michelle's life.
I thoroughly enjoyed the stories of her growing up on the south side and tales of her wonderful parents, sibling love, community bond - it was all very wholesome and also very inspiring. Michelle is a force of a woman, this book brought to light many reasons to support that statement. She is driven, ambitious, kind, caring, vulnerable and a total badass.
I respected her and look up to her in awe even more now.
Second favourite autobiography of the year, for sure!
"... becoming isn't about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim, I see it as a forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuosly to a better self. The journey doesn't end" - this line at the end sums up the message of her life quite well.
I hope to write a longer, I detail piece on this book. The way she covered several topics (including Trump) were done with such grace and dignity. Yupp, not getting over her for a while.
Also, slightly sad that she confirms not ever wanting to run for office :'/
This book was a long journey, like that of Michelle. This book could be divided into two major sections: pre and post Barack.
I, for one, enjoyed her stories and tales of her life before Barack far more. Due to Barack's skill and ambition, the later half was heavily influenced by his political career and how it altered the very fabric of Michelle's life.
I thoroughly enjoyed the stories of her growing up on the south side and tales of her wonderful parents, sibling love, community bond - it was all very wholesome and also very inspiring. Michelle is a force of a woman, this book brought to light many reasons to support that statement. She is driven, ambitious, kind, caring, vulnerable and a total badass.
I respected her and look up to her in awe even more now.
Second favourite autobiography of the year, for sure!
"... becoming isn't about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim, I see it as a forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuosly to a better self. The journey doesn't end" - this line at the end sums up the message of her life quite well.
I hope to write a longer, I detail piece on this book. The way she covered several topics (including Trump) were done with such grace and dignity. Yupp, not getting over her for a while.
Also, slightly sad that she confirms not ever wanting to run for office :'/