seawarrior's reviews
1651 reviews

This is a book I probably never would have sought out for myself- but the magic of the library ensured that it crossed my desk and caught my eye. Kotler's seemingly impossible quest to find the origin of a legend was engaging and often hilarious. Reading this book allowed me to learn about social and spiritual movements from my parent's generation that I wouldn't have learned about otherwise. I especially liked learning about the deep and spiritual connection that different groups of people seek with the ocean. Like Kotler, I am not a religious person but have been searching for something to believe in after recovering from a chronic illness that wrecked my life. I enjoyed learning about belief from a scientific and cultural perspective, and felt buoyed throughout my reading experience. 

Becoming a Project Leader was an interesting, if not somewhat irrelevant, read. I had hoped the book would focus on cultivating skills for workers who are not yet project managers, though it mostly focused on dispensing advice to those who are already managers on high-profile projects. Thankfully the book was engaging and not overly repetitive, and the stories offered unique insight into what makes a project a success. 

Every Heart a Doorway is a fresh take on the modern fairytale that brims with potential. I enjoyed how the book focused on characters from darker worlds, who endured significant horror, but still felt at home there. The writing felt more like a young adult book to me though, the characters felt largely one dimensional and their personalities were spelled out for us by the author. The way the story was narrated was a little jarring to me too, as the narrator often inserted their perspective into the story. Regardless, this was an engaging mystery with creative worldbuilding, and I immediately picked up the next book in the series once I had finished this one.

How Far the Light Reaches is a brilliant and imaginative memoir that connects central experiences in Imbler's life with the incredible resilience and survival of marine life. Though Imbler profiles many difficult periods in their life, their ability to weave appreciation of these animals through the threads of their lived experiences creates a collection that abounds with appreciation for the relentless nature of animal life to survive hostile environments and nourish those who outlive them. This is a unique and valuable memoir that will open your eyes to new ways to view both the brutality and the wonder of our world.