jedore's reviews
498 reviews

This is a story about an alien who inhabits the body of a Cambridge mathematician after being sent to Earth to prevent humanity from advancing too far. As he navigates human life and discovers the complexities of love, relationships and the beauty of imperfection, his cold, logical perspective shifts. It’s a heartfelt exploration of what it means to be human, filled with humor and wisdom.  

Matt Haig is known for his ability to blend genres and explore themes of mental health and existentialism in his work. This book was partly inspired by his own struggles with depression, which led him to reflect deeply what makes life both challenging and beautiful.  

This book surprisingly made my all-time favorites list. Even though it's sci-fi (my least favorite genre), it really just used the alien perspective as a vehicle to explore profound truths about being human.  

The character development, especially of the alien, was outstanding. Watching him evolve from a detached observer to someone deeply connected to the people around him was beautifully done. By the end, I was in love with all of the characters, even the lesser developed ones.  

What often makes a fiction book an all-time favorite for me is when it blends story with "self-help" elements. This book does exactly that—it calls you to think about your own life in an organic, non-preachy way simply by telling the story. There’s a chapter toward the end that clinched it for me. I won’t spoil it for you—you’ll just have to read this amazing book!  

This book is a rare gem that would resonate equally with men and women and a wide variety of readers. If you’re in the mood for a book that’s heartfelt, thought-provoking, and totally unique, pick this one up! It’s a story that will make you laugh, cry, and think about life in completely new ways.

This book begins with a visit to a fortune teller in 1969 New York City, where four siblings are told the exact dates of their deaths. The novel then unfolds in four interconnected sections, each focusing on one sibling’s life and how their prophesied end shapes their choices, relationships, and sense of identity. It’s a thought-provoking exploration of fate, free will, and the power of belief.  

Chloe Benjamin is a relatively young author whose first novel, <em>The Anatomy of Dreams</em>, was also well-received. She has mentioned in interviews that her writing often explores the intersection of science and spirituality, which is clearly evident in <em>The Immortalists</em>.  

In a way, this novel felt like four short stories connected by the thread of the siblings’ shared encounter with the fortune teller. Normally, I find short stories a bit exhausting, as they require reconnecting with new characters repeatedly. But, in this book, the shared experience of the fortune teller grounded the story and made the transitions between sections more cohesive.  

One of the most fascinating aspects of this book was its psychological depth. It made me constantly question how much of the siblings’ fates were shaped by the fortune teller’s predictions versus their own belief in them. Was it self-fulfilling prophecy or true destiny? This lingering question keeps you thinking long after the last page.  

Although the character development was pretty strong, I found it hard to deeply bond with any of the siblings. I suspect this is largely due to the segmented “short story” structure, which didn’t leave as much room to fully immerse in their lives. Still, each sibling’s story felt real and layered, even if the emotional connection wasn’t as deep as I might have hoped.  

I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy pondering the human condition. It’s not predictable or kitschy, and it kept me engaged from start to finish. While the characters didn’t completely steal my heart, the story left me with plenty to reflect on, which is a mark of a worthwhile read in my book. If you’re looking for something thought-provoking and uniquely structured, give it a try!

This book weaves together three timelines: a 17th-century Dutch painter named Sara de Vos, a modern-day art forgery in New York, and the tangled lives of those connected to her only surviving painting. It’s a story about art, identity, and the threads that connect us across time.  

What I found fascinating about Sara de Vos is that she was one of the very few women admitted to the prestigious Guild of St. Luke in Holland during her time. In an era dominated by men who often overshadowed or outright erased women’s contributions, she still managed to leave her mark—a mark that men, of course, tried to bury under their egos.  

Although I didn’t fall in love with this book, it’s historical fiction, so I gained something by reading it. I hadn’t heard of Sara de Vos before, and I’m grateful to have learned about her life and struggles. It’s another reminder of how often women’s achievements are hidden in history.  

The book itself is a very slow burn. The characters are flawed (which I always appreciate), but it dragged a bit for me, and I never felt like there were any real “high points” to grab onto. That said, the layers of the story and the connections between the timelines were intriguing, and the art and history details were beautifully done.  

If you’re a lover of historical fiction—especially stories centered around art or Danish history—this book is definitely worth picking up. While it wasn’t a personal favorite for me, I can see why others would love it for its interesting story and its look at the often-forgotten women of history.  

This book explores the concept of “dragons”—invisible, often subconscious influences like past trauma, anxiety, or toxic relationships that impact your thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. Through practical techniques and strategies, Amen teaches how to identify and tame these "dragons" to improve mental health, break negative habits, and find more happiness in daily life. 

Dr. Daniel Amen is a renowned psychiatrist, brain health expert, and founder of Amen Clinics, which specialize in brain imaging to diagnose and treat mental health issues. He’s a strong advocate for using brain scans to create personalized care plans, challenging the traditional “one-size-fits-all” approach to mental health. Dr. Amen has authored multiple bestsellers and is known for making complex neuroscience accessible to the general public. 

I was drawn to this book because of Dr. Amen's emphasis on brain diagnostics as a foundation for more effective mental health care. As someone who’s a chronic overthinker, the title also resonated with me, promising tools to help quiet the endless chatter in my head. 

While the book did offer some helpful information and coping strategies, I found the writing style a bit too simplistic and the inclusion of cartoonish drawings a detraction from the seriousness of the subject. That said, there were a few takeaways worth noting, especially the practical techniques and mantras for addressing specific behaviors and thought patterns. 

If you’re new to understanding mental health or want straightforward, easily digestible advice, this book could be a great introduction. While it might not satisfy readers looking for deeper insights or more advanced tools, it does provide practical tips for identifying and managing the "dragons" influencing your mind. 

The Push is a suspenseful psychological drama centered on the complexities of motherhood and generational trauma. The story is about Blythe, a woman struggling with her strained bond with her daughter, Violet. While her husband insists everything is fine, Blythe becomes convinced there’s something very wrong with Violet. The narrative peels back layers of Blythe’s fears and her own dysfunctional upbringing in a way that you don't know what’s real and what’s imagined. 

This book is really well written and had me hooked from start to finish. The tension builds perfectly, the twists are (mostly) unpredictable, and the psychological depth is fascinating. Audrain captures the darker sides of motherhood in a way that’s equally chilling and thought-provoking. 

The Push is an unsettling read that will stay with you long after you finish. If you love psychological thrillers with rich character development and plenty of twists, this one’s a must-read!

Set in a small Pennsylvania town in the 1930s, The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store dives into the lives of its Black and Jewish residents. The story kicks off when a skeleton is discovered in a well decades later, unraveling a tale of love, community, and defiance in the face of oppression. At the center is the grocery store, run by a Jewish woman whose compassion ties the community together in unexpected ways. 

Fun facts: James McBride is not just an award-winning author but also a talented musician and composer. He also won the National Book Award for The Good Lord Bird. 

Historical fiction is my favorite genre and this one was a unique story about a time and place I hadn’t read much about before. The story shines a light on a lot of struggles and triumphs of black and Jewish people in the earlier part of the 20th century. It's worth a read, but it’s not an easy one to get through. 

There are a lot of characters in this book. Just when I started to connect with one, the story would jump to someone else—or back to a character I’d already forgotten about. It made it hard to feel emotionally invested in the story, which is something I usually look for in a book. 

The plot bounces around as much as the characters do. The disjointed structure made it hard to stay engaged. Honestly, if McBride had focused on just one or two main characters, this could have been a much more powerful read. 

So, I recommend it to more patient readers who are willing to be challenged—it’s ambitious and rich in detail, but the scattered storytelling and character overload might leave you feeling more intrigued than moved.

This is a moving and educational work of historical fiction set in 1930s Kentucky. The story follows Cussy Mary Carter, one of the last living “blue people” of Kentucky and a dedicated packhorse librarian. As part of the WPA’s Packhorse Library Project, launched under FDR’s New Deal, Cussy rides through the rugged Appalachian terrain to deliver books and hope to impoverished families. Cussy faces prejudice due to her unusual blue-tinged skin (she's actually considered to be "colored" like her black neighbors) and her role as a working woman; her resilience and love for books help her to keep forging connections and transforming lives in her community. 

Kim Michele Richardson, a Kentucky native, is deeply connected to the region she writes about. She is also the author of a memoir, The Unbreakable Child, which explores her own experiences of abuse in a Catholic orphanage. Her personal history and love for her home state infuse her writing with authenticity and compassion.  

This book introduced me to two fascinating pieces of history I previously knew nothing about:  

1. The Packhorse Librarians: This program was part of FDR’s New Deal during the Great Depression and aimed to increase literacy in remote regions while giving people in need work so they could survive. The mostly female packhorse librarians rode miles on horseback, often through treacherous conditions, to bring books and education to families in rural areas who had little to no access to  them otherwise.  

2. The Blue People of Kentucky: Cussy Mary is based on a real genetic condition known as methemoglobinemia, which caused the skin of some families in Kentucky to appear blue. The condition, though harmless, made them the subject of ridicule and discrimination.  

While the plot was somewhat formulaic, I still enjoyed this book. The details about the packhorse librarians and the struggles of the blue-skinned people brought a new perspective on resilience, prejudice, and the transformative power of books.  

If you’re looking for a story that combines history, heart, and a unique heroine, this one is well worth your time!

This is a sweeping story of resilience, love, and survival set against the backdrop of 18th-century Saint-Domingue (modern-day Haiti) and New Orleans. It follows Zarité, a young woman born into slavery, who endures unimaginable suffering yet never loses her fierce spirit. Her life is deeply entangled with her owner, Toulouse Valmorain, a French plantation owner who is both dependent on and oppressive toward her. Through Zarité’s eyes, we experience the horrors of slavery, the Haitian Revolution, and her enduring quest for freedom and dignity.  

In addition to being one of the most celebrated authors in contemporary literature, Allende is also the niece of Salvador Allende, the former president of Chile who was ousted in a military coup in 1973. This event deeply shaped her life and her writing, accounting for her recurring themes of resilience, displacement, and the struggle for justice that are woven into her novels.  

Isabel Allende is hands down one of my favorite authors. She consistently delivers novels that are impeccably researched, beautifully written, and rich with complex characters. Her ability to transport readers to another time and place while delving into the deepest aspects of human nature is nothing short of amazing.  

This was a heart-wrenching read, particularly because of the relationship between Zarité and Valmorain. He is a pathetic excuse for a man—weak, entitled, and totally unscrupulous. While he depended on Zarité to keep him afloat, he viewed her as mere property, incapable of seeing her humanity. His broken promises and cruel secrets made him despicable, yet tragically reflective of the era’s harsh realities.  

Despite the heavy subject matter, Allende never leaves her readers without hope. Through Zarité, she paints a portrait of unwavering strength and resilience, showing how even in the darkest of circumstances, the human spirit can endure and find light.  

If you’re a fan of historical fiction, this book deserves a spot on your reading list. You'll learn so much about Haiti, New Orleans, and slavery. It's not an easy read, but it will teach you a lot while touching you emotionally.

This is a raw, deeply introspective memoir about grief. Written after her husband’s sudden death and her daughter’s grave illness (who died after the book was published), it chronicles her attempt to process unimaginable loss while confronting the fragility of life.

Joan Didion is celebrated for her literary analysis of societal and personal crises. Before her fame as a memoirist and novelist, she worked as an editor at Vogue and was part of the "New Journalism" movement, blending literary techniques with traditional reporting, which cemented her reputation as one of America’s most important literary figures.  

To me, the title of this book was a bit misleading. I anticipated a narrative about how Didion used “magical thinking” to pull herself through grief—a kind of personal empowerment story. Instead, I found the book to be a harrowing descent into her sorrow. I later learned that her “magical thinking” was actually her desperate belief that she could somehow control or reverse these events.

Didion’s typical New York literary style often alienated me. The text is sprinkled with niche cultural references and name-drops that even well-read people might struggle to grasp. These, combined with too much focus on the minutiae of her daily life, pulled me away from her grief and left me feeling a bit annoyed. 

I had hoped this book would offer insights into grief that would resonate even with those who hadn’t experienced the loss of a loved one—perhaps those grieving other life changes or struggles. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case for me. The book felt too specific and too personal to Didion’s experience to offer me much comfort or perspective.  

Although this book is a poignant exploration of loss, it’s not for everyone. It's not going to uplift you or deliver much accessible wisdom on grieving. I think it might resonate more with intellectuals who have lost someone close to them and who appreciate a more cerebral exploration of grief.  

I actually added this book to my reading list on three separate occasions…first more than 20 years ago when I started paying attention to strong women, again when I flipped through the pages of “1,000 Books to Read Before You Die,” and a third time last January after I finishing (and LOVING) the fictionalized version of Beryl’s life (“Circling the Sun” by Paula McClain).

I had two expectations about this book: 1) I thought it would be mostly about Beryl’s transatlantic solo flight (only the very end covered this incredible feat…and definitely in short) and 2) I thought I would love it (I much preferred Paula McClain’s story).

While Beryl was an excellent writer in terms of language, for me, too much of the book was focused on Africa and she skimmed over the relationships in her life. This is the biggest reason it didn’t get a higher rating from me. (My guess is that’s exactly why Paula McClain was inspired to write her version.)

Beryl’s love of Africa is infectious, so I would highly recommend that anyone going to East Africa read this book on the plane ride over. Although it’s doubtful I’ll ever get there, Beryl definitely made me question this decision. If I could time travel back to the 1920s-1930s, my choice would very likely be a different one!