natreadthat's reviews
383 reviews

A stark memoir on what happens after death, straight from a mortician. 

The majority of people don’t really talk about what happens to their bodies after they die. It’s a bit taboo, isn’t it? That’s exactly Caitlin Doughty’s point. 

In this lively exploration of death, Doughty shares pointblank what happens in the crematories of the western world: how a body gets picked up, is stored in a fridge, cleaned, fluids removed, embalmed and perfected for presentation, then cremated. With dark humor, this book challenges our cultural aversion to morality and begs us to invite death into our door. By examining death rituals from around the world, both past and present, Doughty’s goal is to desensitize the average human from death. Thus, encouraging people to have more open and honest conversations about death and the wishes people and their loved ones have for after death. 

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes is an unflinchingly, honest read. It invites readers to embrace the inevitability of death, positivity change their relationship with mortality, and challenge the current widespread views of it. It definitely did so for me. But be aware, it is not for the faint of heart. 

Shout out to Walker for recommending this and letting me hold onto it for literal years. The recommendation sure did stand the test of time. Cheers who friends who read together (albeit at different times) and cheers to a good death!

 

An immigrant child. A wounded veteran. A recent divorcee. A recent divorcee’s son. Four different stories intertwine in one deadly split-second. 

 

Honestly, this story was tragic with a tiny smidge of hope mixed in. It’s a good reminder to be kind to people despite not knowing what they’re going through. McBride did a great job showcasing how the lives of ordinary people can weave into others in surprising ways. The characters are explored deeply and it’s done well, to the point where you’re rooting for them. But do take note that there are many pieces that are often heavy, full of triggers, and quite sad. 

Juliette lives a safe albeit boring life. She grew up with put together parents, got her degree, and now works at a real estate office. On the metro to and from work she watches those around her read books day after day, creating stories about them in her head. Until one day she finds herself on a different route to work. 

It’s quite obvious that the author loves all things literature, books, and reading. She did a good job showing how cozy it can be to be a book lover. Unfortunately, I spent a good portion of this book confused about what was actually happening. I wish the ending had been expanded on, that’s when I really started to enjoy the book. I think I enjoyed the idea of the plot, but not the actual story. Perhaps a bit was lost in translation. 

 

Ricki is the outcast of her wealthy, perfect family. Ezra is the mysterious  hottie on the block, with an aura Ricki can’t quite stay away from. What plays out is a love song one hundred years in the making, one leap day at a time. 

 

I went into this mostly blind, it was available immediately from Libby and I was most definitely intrigued by the beautiful cover. I stayed for the Harlem-era journey, genre-bending between romance and magical realism, musical landscape, and sassy characters. I especially loved the minor characters and their stories. What didn’t quite stick for me was the romance, it felt rushed and a bit shallow. That said, I enjoyed it as a quick summer read! 

“Please find a way to make our story help someone else.”

Through the lens of a scientist, Alan Townsend’s memoir walks through the nearly impossible odds of both his daughter and wife getting diagnosed with unrelated, rare brain cancers. Forced to tread through the most harrowing moments of his life, Townsend does so—at times—with grace, science as his friend, and other times wading through near-total darkness, science seemingly against him. 

The memoir itself is a courageous, deeply vulnerable look at the joy, suffering, sickness, and health we’re all guaranteed in life. It weaves science, faith, love, and grief together. Devastatingly beautiful. 

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the gifted copy. 💌

Elizabeth Zott is your average housewife. 

Wait, no, she most definitely is not. Elizabeth Zott is a chemist, plagued with the need to do her work despite constantly battling sexism, misogyny, judgment, and stolen work to do so.

Set in the 1960s, the story portrays the difficulties women face working outside of the home. Sound familiar? Despite those hardships, Lessons in Chemistry is a book about science, resilience, feminism, passion, love, and loss.  

I knew I had to read this when I saw Bonnie sharing how men often talked over her and stole her ideas to the point where she got fed up and wrote the first chapter. I love a strong female character, and this book did not disappoint. When Elizabeth takes a job cooking on live TV, her show is as much about chemistry as it is cooking. She is unyielding in reminding her audience, mostly stay at home moms, about what it means to be a woman. If you’re into STEM, love a badass feminist, a quiet love story, or feel like you don’t quite fit in, this one’s for you. 

“Despite what Elizabeth Zott will tell you, Supper at Six is not just an introduction to chemistry, he wrote that day on the plane. It’s a thirty-minute, five-day-a-week lesson in life. And not in who we are or what we’re made of, but rather, who we’re capable of becoming.”

“Even when the world seems to stop, threatening to crumble, and the hour feels dark as the siren rings… it isn’t a crime to feel joy.”

Iris is devastated when her brother goes off to war and begins writing him letters, slipping them into her wardrobe. Unbeknownst to her, the wardrobe is enchanted and just so happens to deliver them to her rival: Roman. Roman, a pompous rich kid, is vying for the same coveted columnist position Iris is going for. As they go head-to-head, the gods have risen from their slumber and soon a war rages on around them. 

With a little bit of everything—academic rivals to lovers, magical type writers, vengeful gods—this isn’t your typical enemies to lovers trope. As Iris and Roman’s mysterious connection is forged, we vicariously grow with them through their letters. It was such a unique way to bring this book to life. 

I really enjoyed it—except for that cliff-hanger ending!!!!

 

Imagine being blindsided by your fiancé when he dumps you for his childhood best friend…and then moving in with his new girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend simply because you need a place to live. Yikes. 

 

This felt like reading a rom-com movie—witty banter, lovable characters, and summertime vibes. Daphne and Miles are both mourning their respective breakups alone until their living situation forces them to interact. From there, they somehow, accidentally tell their exes that they’re happily dating and, of course, they’ll attend their swiftly upcoming wedding. 

 

I just couldn’t put it down. I loved the chemistry, the emotional baggage, the real-life struggles. It felt like the characters had real substance to them. As soon as I read the last chapter, I was sad it was over. I guess I like romances after all?? In case you’re wondering… my ranking of Emily Henry books is Funny Story tied with Book Lovers. Happy Place was super meh. And I’ve been told I have to read Beach Read. 

I wish I had read this sooner. It feels almost dystopian after the overturn of Roe v. Wade (what doesn’t feel dystopian lately?). As you can imagine, this isn’t a fun read you chit-chat about. It is, however, a crucial book, especially in today’s political climate. Why are the decisions of pregnant people—often made together with their partner—political? Who the hell knows. 

What I do know is that abortion has become a major political argument, and the loudest voices are not the people who have actually had the procedure done. One in four American women will have an abortion, for a multitude of reasons, at some point in their lives. You’re the Only One I’ve Told shares the accounts of people who have. People who were young, people who couldn’t financially support another child, people who were in abusive relationships, people whose babies wouldn’t survive or would only know a life of pain, people who so badly wanted a baby. People shouldn’t have to be vulnerable in order for the world to listen and it shouldn’t be considered brave for doing so, but these people are. It’s the least we can do to listen. 

As a Texan/US woman, it’s been horrifying to have my rights stripped away. As a woman who has fortunately never had to make this decision, I learned so much from this book and what people seeking reproductive health care truly face. Stats, high costs, arbitrary waiting periods, time limits, restrictions, state-sponsored scripts not based on medical science, misinformation. 

Written by Dr. Shah, a reproductive health doctor, believes that medical care should be patient-centered and evidence-based. I’m not sure how you couldn’t agree with that. As someone who’s obviously pro-choice, I believe people who live in the Land of the Free deserve the freedom to choose what happens with their body. I hope you take the time to read this book and do so with an open heart.

Book club pick of the month! This one was definitely a slooooow burn, but in the end, it burned bright. 🔥

Martha Ballard is the town of Hallowell’s midwife and healer. In a place full of secrets, gossip, and drama, Martha knows everyone and knows a little bit about everyone too. She keeps her diary in meticulous order, noting births, deaths, and general happenings in the town. So when a body is found on the frozen river, Martha is called to examine it and provide the cause of death in court, and her diary is at the center of it all. 

I love a ‘based on true events’ story where the author takes some liberties here and there. Martha really was a renowned 1700s midwife whose diary was passed down for generations. As mentioned in the author’s note, Martha Ballard is the great-aunt of Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, and great-great-grandmother of Mary Hobart, one of the first female physicians in the United States. She is an outstanding woman in America’s history, but one we rarely, if ever, learn about. Will we ever know what really happened in the town of Hallowell? Probably not. But we do get to see Lawhon’s version. And it’s a damn good rendition. What a story.

“Memory is a wicked thing that warps and twists. But paper and ink receive the truth without emotion, and they read it back without partiality. That, I believe, is why so few women are taught to read and write.”