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Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated Every Wicked Man in Books
Jun 5, 2019
With the book Write Yourself Happy: The Art of Positive Journalling, Megan C. Hayes reveals just how we can use practical and scientifically proven methods to increase our happiness through journalling. She’s an academic in Positive Psychology and Creative Writing, and that shows via her knowledge and understanding in this well-written and enlightening book.
I enjoy the process of writing and feel like I am quite a creative person. I’ve read many books like this, and ‘Artist’s Way’ by Julia Cameron and the companion workbook , are just two of them, so I was really happy to learn about this, and keen to read it myself.
The first thing I cannot help but tell you is how the cover has been printed in a way that is is raised in some places, making it very tactile. And yes, I can’t help touching it! The second thing I noticed, before I even began to read it, was how the pages inside are as colourful as the front cover, and filled with the same pastel shades within.
I found it quite amazing how we can use diary writing to discover more about ourselves, overcome difficulties and experience a positive way to reflect on our lives through both good and bad times. It makes sense, when you think about it, how talking to someone about problems can help, so why not express yourself in the form of writing? And this is just what this book encourages you to do in a way that we can reflect on our writing to positively assess our day. It’s not about bigging yourself up and writing only positive things, it’s about really letting go and understanding the psychology behind the case studies and ‘take-away’ lessons to practice for yourself.
Megan has an encouraging, reassuring and uplifting tone, and I really enjoy reading about the psychological and beneficial aspects of journalling. The author uses eight of our most commonly experienced and life-affirming emotions to journal about; joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride awe and love. Now some of these may sound a bit new-agey and put some of you off, but it’s set out in a down-to-earth way, that I found very inspiring and not preachy at all.
To conclude, I’d like to explain that writing this way is like reading an engrossing book. When you’re totally immersed it’s like you can actually feel the emotions, experiences and senses of your character. In the same way, writing down evokes similar sensations, memories, smells and feelings. It’s no wonder this positive journalling is a scientifically proven way to support our wellbeing, through personal expression and creativity.
Write Yourself Happy is a thoroughly researched, empowering, positive read.
I enjoy the process of writing and feel like I am quite a creative person. I’ve read many books like this, and ‘Artist’s Way’ by Julia Cameron and the companion workbook , are just two of them, so I was really happy to learn about this, and keen to read it myself.
The first thing I cannot help but tell you is how the cover has been printed in a way that is is raised in some places, making it very tactile. And yes, I can’t help touching it! The second thing I noticed, before I even began to read it, was how the pages inside are as colourful as the front cover, and filled with the same pastel shades within.
I found it quite amazing how we can use diary writing to discover more about ourselves, overcome difficulties and experience a positive way to reflect on our lives through both good and bad times. It makes sense, when you think about it, how talking to someone about problems can help, so why not express yourself in the form of writing? And this is just what this book encourages you to do in a way that we can reflect on our writing to positively assess our day. It’s not about bigging yourself up and writing only positive things, it’s about really letting go and understanding the psychology behind the case studies and ‘take-away’ lessons to practice for yourself.
Megan has an encouraging, reassuring and uplifting tone, and I really enjoy reading about the psychological and beneficial aspects of journalling. The author uses eight of our most commonly experienced and life-affirming emotions to journal about; joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride awe and love. Now some of these may sound a bit new-agey and put some of you off, but it’s set out in a down-to-earth way, that I found very inspiring and not preachy at all.
To conclude, I’d like to explain that writing this way is like reading an engrossing book. When you’re totally immersed it’s like you can actually feel the emotions, experiences and senses of your character. In the same way, writing down evokes similar sensations, memories, smells and feelings. It’s no wonder this positive journalling is a scientifically proven way to support our wellbeing, through personal expression and creativity.
Write Yourself Happy is a thoroughly researched, empowering, positive read.
QuietlyBookish (65 KP) rated Red Queen in Books
Jul 7, 2017
Plot (1 more)
Characters
So Many Plot Twists!
THE PLOT TWISTS IN THIS BOOK GAVE ME WHIPLASH!
My poor, poor heart has been put through the ringer with this book! I was apprehensive about this book, I had heard mixed reviews and it honestly took me a while to get into it but I am so glad I stuck with it because it got so much better! There was one plot twist that took me by surprise and then there was another one! AND THEN THERE WAS A THIRD PLOT TWIST AS WELL! It also ended on a cliffhanger because, of course it did!
Fans of The Hunger Games will definitely enjoy this! It is similar, but I found that there were enough differences that it didn't feel like an exact copy.
I will say that you should be prepared to find it a bit slow at times, but honestly the second half of this book is so action packed and fast paced it makes it so worth it!
I need to read the sequel immediately! I hope it's just as good!
As an added bonus, the physical hardcover is beautiful, the end papers are pretty and the dust jacket is shimmery! Plus in all the editions there is a map which I always like in books!
My poor, poor heart has been put through the ringer with this book! I was apprehensive about this book, I had heard mixed reviews and it honestly took me a while to get into it but I am so glad I stuck with it because it got so much better! There was one plot twist that took me by surprise and then there was another one! AND THEN THERE WAS A THIRD PLOT TWIST AS WELL! It also ended on a cliffhanger because, of course it did!
Fans of The Hunger Games will definitely enjoy this! It is similar, but I found that there were enough differences that it didn't feel like an exact copy.
I will say that you should be prepared to find it a bit slow at times, but honestly the second half of this book is so action packed and fast paced it makes it so worth it!
I need to read the sequel immediately! I hope it's just as good!
As an added bonus, the physical hardcover is beautiful, the end papers are pretty and the dust jacket is shimmery! Plus in all the editions there is a map which I always like in books!
ArecRain (8 KP) rated How to Ruin Your Reputation in Ten Days (Ladies of Passion #2) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
A friends to lovers historical romance that is as cute as it is frustrating.
Friends to lovers is one of my favorite subgenres and it was clear from the beginning that Francine and Julian were meant for each other. Sometimes you can just tell that two souls are two halves of a whole.
While the romance is both heartwarming and almost painfully cute, it was the characters that enraptured me. Francine is an absolute doll and Julian is everything the hero should be. In truth, it is the collective of characters that make this story, not just the leads. Francines friends are a force to behold, her mother surprisingly insightful, and the ton as transparent as they ought to be.
The author has a talent for pulling emotions from the reader. With every mishap, misunderstanding, and discovery, I found myself holding my breathing and worrying right along with the heroine. AT some points I had to place the book down because I was either so frustrated I couldnt deal or so shocked I needed to process.
I feel in the end, we got the end we wanted. But I was left wanting, mainly for Marys story. As one of Francines closest friends, I felt that Mary stole the show for me and I am very much looking forward to her own story.
Friends to lovers is one of my favorite subgenres and it was clear from the beginning that Francine and Julian were meant for each other. Sometimes you can just tell that two souls are two halves of a whole.
While the romance is both heartwarming and almost painfully cute, it was the characters that enraptured me. Francine is an absolute doll and Julian is everything the hero should be. In truth, it is the collective of characters that make this story, not just the leads. Francines friends are a force to behold, her mother surprisingly insightful, and the ton as transparent as they ought to be.
The author has a talent for pulling emotions from the reader. With every mishap, misunderstanding, and discovery, I found myself holding my breathing and worrying right along with the heroine. AT some points I had to place the book down because I was either so frustrated I couldnt deal or so shocked I needed to process.
I feel in the end, we got the end we wanted. But I was left wanting, mainly for Marys story. As one of Francines closest friends, I felt that Mary stole the show for me and I am very much looking forward to her own story.
David McK (3562 KP) rated The Ultimates, Volume 1: Super-Human in Books
Jan 28, 2019
I only picked this up recently out of curiosity when Marvel started doing a hard-backed comic-book collection, to see what it would be like.
Now I've read it, I have to say: I wasn't really that impressed by this. Written pre Joss-Whedon's Avengers movie (and even pre the Marvel Cinematic Universe), I found pretty much all of the characters within to be unlikeable and uninteresting: while you can get away with the former, the latter, however, is a major flaw (IMO) in any story.
I don't know whether that's because I associate the characters more with their big-screen counter-parts than with how they are presented here (both of which, incidentally, are designed to show how the team comes together), with Hank Pym, in particular, coming across as a bit of a jerk while Betty Ross (Bruce Banner's girlfriend) also comes across as, well, just not that pleasant at all.
On the plus side, I did like the (somewhat meta) panels where they were all discussing who would play themselves in the Hollywood adaptation ...
I also noticed that, unlike their movie counterparts, they are able to use the term 'mutants': a term which, I believe, Marvel are unable to use on the big (or small) screen as it is licensed to Fox instead .
Now I've read it, I have to say: I wasn't really that impressed by this. Written pre Joss-Whedon's Avengers movie (and even pre the Marvel Cinematic Universe), I found pretty much all of the characters within to be unlikeable and uninteresting: while you can get away with the former, the latter, however, is a major flaw (IMO) in any story.
I don't know whether that's because I associate the characters more with their big-screen counter-parts than with how they are presented here (both of which, incidentally, are designed to show how the team comes together), with Hank Pym, in particular, coming across as a bit of a jerk while Betty Ross (Bruce Banner's girlfriend) also comes across as, well, just not that pleasant at all.
On the plus side, I did like the (somewhat meta) panels where they were all discussing who would play themselves in the Hollywood adaptation ...
I also noticed that, unlike their movie counterparts, they are able to use the term 'mutants': a term which, I believe, Marvel are unable to use on the big (or small) screen as it is licensed to Fox instead .
Veronica Pena (690 KP) rated He's Just Not That Into You (2009) in Movies
Apr 2, 2020
the more i see it, the worse it gets
This film is just bad. Some acting is horrible, the plot entirely sucks, and the characters are so one-sided. I like movies like this, in the sense that its characters that are woven with each other through their relationships with others - in the same way, Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve were done. But this one, it's just not it.
I found Gennifer Goodwin's character to be the most annoying, along with Jennifer Connelly's. They were both just obnoxious and frustrating to watch. The way that GiGi was obsessed with literally every guy she ever went out with was just cringy and gross. And then when she threw herself at Alex? I literally muted it so I didn't have to hear their conversation, that's how bad I didn't want to watch that scene.
I think Neil was the best character of all of them. His only "flaw" really was that he didn't want to get married, but even then, he was still committed and loved Beth so much.
I feel like this is the movie you watch when you're going through a breakup and you're lonely and trying not to call your ex. Which I don't think is a good scenario to watch any movie so there's that.
I found Gennifer Goodwin's character to be the most annoying, along with Jennifer Connelly's. They were both just obnoxious and frustrating to watch. The way that GiGi was obsessed with literally every guy she ever went out with was just cringy and gross. And then when she threw herself at Alex? I literally muted it so I didn't have to hear their conversation, that's how bad I didn't want to watch that scene.
I think Neil was the best character of all of them. His only "flaw" really was that he didn't want to get married, but even then, he was still committed and loved Beth so much.
I feel like this is the movie you watch when you're going through a breakup and you're lonely and trying not to call your ex. Which I don't think is a good scenario to watch any movie so there's that.
Kazu Kibuishi recommended Seven Samurai (1954) in Movies (curated)
Kazu Kibuishi recommended Throne of Blood (1957) in Movies (curated)
Kazu Kibuishi recommended Kagemusha (1980) in Movies (curated)
Joey Santiago recommended Moog Indigo by Jean-Jacques Perrey in Music (curated)
Merissa (12906 KP) rated King (Nobel Reckoning #2) in Books
Feb 17, 2025
KING is the grand finale of this duology and absolutely needs to be read after Consort.
Rue has been found and is being taken back to her old Pack. Durin has to do his duty to the queen as it is the change of seasons. What a bleak beginning! But, oh man, it's also such a great beginning. I was immediately right back in the story, with all my hopes and dreams resting on their shoulders.
This author is simply amazing at character-led stories full of emotions, and this one is no different. Did I cheer for Rue when she stood up for herself? Why, yes, I did. Did I sob into my Kleenex when my heart was eviscerated? Yep, I did that too. And did I cry again when something happened to a brave illusionist Fae? Yep, you've got me again.
This is an action-packed story with highs and lows, building to a dramatic ending that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Such an amazing story and one I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 12, 2025
Rue has been found and is being taken back to her old Pack. Durin has to do his duty to the queen as it is the change of seasons. What a bleak beginning! But, oh man, it's also such a great beginning. I was immediately right back in the story, with all my hopes and dreams resting on their shoulders.
This author is simply amazing at character-led stories full of emotions, and this one is no different. Did I cheer for Rue when she stood up for herself? Why, yes, I did. Did I sob into my Kleenex when my heart was eviscerated? Yep, I did that too. And did I cry again when something happened to a brave illusionist Fae? Yep, you've got me again.
This is an action-packed story with highs and lows, building to a dramatic ending that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Such an amazing story and one I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 12, 2025