celiarl's reviews
355 reviews

the #1 most inspiring book i have ever read. as in i got an aquatic center membership within a week of reading and am loving my time in the pool. gorgeous mix of personal history, anecdotal evidence, personal knowledge, and facts from experts. i loved feeling so immersed in the book, looked so forward to picking it up each day, and have not stopped thinking about it since. this book has truly changed my life!! <3

idk julia... i have heard nothing but 5 star reviews about this and didn't not enjoy it by any means. i felt like it was needlessly over-sexual and belittled her entire past to one that has been trampled on by sex. maybe that's what she was going for but around page 200 i found it became a bit tasteless. but still entertaining and it pains me what she's gone through. but stop with the italian accent!

had to stop and re-read this at 60% because I didn't catch it was 2 POVs and thought it was the same girl talking about her present/past selves. i am embarrassed and therefore do not think i have the right to say too much here. loved the creativity of this story and how immersive the egyptian setting was. at times it got a bit too 'ivy league poet' for me that i tuned out, but loved the story and the ending was fascinating!

oooohhh loved this. great reporting on each facet of the "grocery" economy: truckers, grocery store employers, farmers, etc. at times it felt a bit Trader Joe's heavy... but lucky for Benji I love me some tjs!!!! really fascinating from beginning to end and I am really impressed on his reporting. loved the PC takes on shrimp farming too!!!!

there were parts of this book that were a bit inspiring, but mostly it was one of those where I couldn't tell the author's purpose behind writing it. I captured a bit of "relax so when the revolution comes you're ready" and that is not at all what the jacket is giving. was hoping for an anti-consumption/anti-screen, etc. etc. take and just felt like that was the content minority here. honestly don't think any of this will stick with me :/ and for that... a 1.5.

this book was so lovely and amazing. the ennui of the virgin suicides meets the prosaic style of normal people meets the culture of derry girls. i was utterly obsessed each and every moment. current #1 romance pick!! go lesbians go!!!!!

omfg I loved this. it has single-handedly encouraged me on my "undying love for nature" journey. adored the mix of psychology with anecdotal evidence with in-depth studies, and its honesty about outcomes. love love! would love to buy and re-read... so much wisdom that you can only grip on to 10% at a time.