jon3535's reviews
92 reviews

Tara Westover’s first book, “Educated: A Memoir,” recounts her unique upbringing. Born in 1986 to two parents and a large family, Tara’s upbringing was far from the norm. Religion was overemphasized, and her family believed the world was ending within their small land. Her father’s bipolar disorder often caused family trauma and further demanded their devotion to Mormonism. Through Tara’s perspective, we learn how she couldn’t escape her family’s indoctrination and endured extreme trauma as a result.

Tara’s story is inspiring, yet anxiety-inducing and infuriating. While she’s not the only child with this story to share, Tara shares it in a beautiful way that leaves the reader hopeful for resolution, even if it means sacrificing family.

The title “Educated” holds deep significance for Tara. She was homeschooled, limited to learning from the religious artifacts. Later, she pushed herself to obtain not only a degree but eventually a PhD in history. This education allowed her to reflect and realize that her family was far from typical and mentally unstable, making it impossible to raise them as a true family unit. 

My only critique of the memoir is that the initial 60% was challenging to read, as it was a slow burn. However, once education came into play, I enjoyed seeing Tara transform from a brainwashed follower to an independent, educated free-thinker who transformed her life for her own well-being. Thank you for being brave and sharing your life story. I’m grateful that I wasn’t able to resonate with the traumas, but I’m certain there are many others who can. 

I first came across the “Let Them Theory” while scrolling endlessly on social media. I stumbled upon a clip from the Mel Robbins Podcast where she shared the theory’s fundamental principles. It was easy to comprehend and practical to apply in various aspects of life. Mel Robbins is an exceptional speaker, and I often pause on her posts to reflect and absorb her wisdom. The same was true for the “Let Them” theory. I wanted to delve deeper and acquire even more skills to apply to different areas of my life. Mel delivered on this promise with an incredible book that not only encourages us to “Let Them” but ultimately empowers us to “Let Me” take control of our lives and make the positive changes we desire for ourselves.

This book is suitable for individuals from all walks of life, as there’s undoubtedly something valuable to gain from its extensive self-help content. Mel covers practical topics such as friendships, relationships, work-related dynamics, family challenges, and most importantly, the relationship with oneself. Every aspect of this book resonated with me on some level.

Occasionally, there comes a self-help book that strikes a perfect balance between being down-to-earth, enjoyable to read and learn, and actionable. (Another favourite author of mine, @Jen Sincero, with her “Badass” series, exemplifies this.) Mel Robbins delivers this exceptional combination in this must-read novel. I can’t help but envision a world where we all embrace the “Let Them” mindset and take control to “Let Me.”

Everyone should add this book to their reading list. It’s an incredibly therapeutic read, and it offers a fraction of the cost of therapy (although, therapy is still highly recommended!). 

Thanks to Mel and her team for continuing to have such a positive impact! 

“A Marvellous Light,” Freya Marske’s debut novel, is filled with magical queer moments. The lead characters, Robin and Edwin, were charming and relatable. However, I found the numerous background characters overwhelming. With their repeated names and nicknames, it was challenging to keep track of who was who throughout the story.

The plot also failed to captivate me. Perhaps my disinterest in fantasy magical novels is at play, but it simply didn’t resonate with me. The magical elements felt underwhelming. Magic required a simple piece of string to work, which I found puzzling and distracting. 

On a positive note, I thoroughly enjoyed the blossoming gay romance between Robin and Edwin. I appreciate an author who builds a magical novel centred around queer characters. Since this is the first instalment of a trilogy, I commend Marske for continuing to explore queer themes in subsequent novels. However, I must admit that I’m not entirely sure if I’ll continue reading the rest of the series. It just didn’t quite satisfy my expectations.

If you’re a fan of queer fantasy magical literature, I recommend giving this novel a try. It’s highly acclaimed, and I could be the only one who doesn’t enjoy it. 

“The Push” by Ashely Audrain delves into profound themes of grief, motherhood, and the complexities of raising a daughter. Written in the first person, the narrative unfolds from Blythe’s perspective as a mother and a child to her own mother in flashbacks. Additionally, the novel incorporates snippets of historical context regarding Blythe’s mother’s mother’s relationship. Overall, it presents a story spanning generations, exploring the challenges and grief of motherhood.

While the novel centres around motherhood, it is not a lighthearted tale. Instead, it delves into darkness, encompassing grief, hatred, and even death. I must admit, I was left questioning the nature of what I had just read, yet I found myself compelled to continue turning the pages, seeking answers to the underlying darkness. Ultimately, I craved a more satisfying resolution to the challenging mother-daughter relationship, but Audrain leaves us with the possibility of further exploration, even if that may be self-exploration. 

This psychological thriller may not be suitable for everyone. I would advise against reading it if you have experienced the loss of a child, as it plays a significant role in the book and is not handled in a healthy manner by the main character.

Despite being Audrain’s debut novel, I commend her for crafting this gripping psychological thriller that kept me engaged and eager to discover its secrets. 

George Stephanopoulos takes us on an exclusive inside look of the Situation Room, one of the most infamous rooms in the White House. Established during President John F. Kennedy’s administration, the Situation Room was created to enhance communication and streamline the sharing of information with the President and other key staff. It operates 24/7, serving as a centralized hub for intelligence gathering and sharing, as well as a space for the highest-ranking official to make the most difficult decisions. As Stephanopoulos aptly describes, “the decisions made in the Situation Room are inherently the most challenging ones to make, because any easy solution would have already been found by someone at a lower level.”

Stephanopoulos delves into how Presidents have responded to crises by utilizing or neglecting the Situation Room. It’s an intriguing read, offering insights into how each administration has approached leveraging the Situation Room to stay informed and make the most difficult decisions. Examples include managing the aftermath of 9/11, executing missions to eliminate terrorists, and managing the pandemic.

I was particularly drawn to this book in light of the upcoming Inauguration, eager to gain an inside look at how a President manages a crisis. Throughout history, there have been many great leaders who have made the most of the Situation Room. However, during the Trump administration, it was often overlooked or even disregarded.

“This book examines crisis management in the modern presidency. During the Trump administration, the President was the crisis to be managed.”

The interviews within the novel provide a vivid portrayal of life within the Situation Room and the various challenges faced under different administrations. We can only hope that the Situation Room will remain apolitical and driven by its original mission during Trump’s second administration, as it served as a stronghold of truth during his first. Time will tell, and history will undoubtedly be made. 

Kristin Hannah’s “The Nightingale” is another incredibly captivating historical fiction novel. I’m at a loss for words to describe its immense impact, but I’ll give it my best shot because this book has a profound and transformative effect on readers.

“The Nightingale” is set during World War II, spanning from 1939 to 1942. It interweaves moments of flash-forwards to the present day in 1995. The story follows two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, with Isabelle earning the title of “the Nightingale.” The novel is set in France and delves into the brutal occupation of Nazi forces in the region. It vividly portrays the horrific and unforgettable torture inflicted on the French people during the war.

Isabelle, the Nightingale, has always been a defiant child, and this trait continues into her pivotal role during WWII. She risks her life to lead hundreds of men to safety, returning them to safer locations to continue fighting alongside the French. Her actions are driven by the hope of restoring France’s freedom someday. Vianne, on the other hand, faces her own challenges as she takes in Jewish children while German soldiers billet within her home. This makes an already daunting task even more daunting.

“The Nightingale” is a profoundly moving and emotionally charged novel. It evokes a range of intense feelings, from heartbreak to hope. Hannah’s writing is raw and honest, and the tears shed while reading make it difficult to read the words at times. Despite the emotional turmoil, it is a read that is worth every moment. I considered adjusting my rating scale for this book, as I would give it more than five stars if possible. It is a novel that should be on everyone’s reading list, but be prepared for the emotional impact it may have.