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Merissa (11600 KP) rated Ruby in the Dust in Books
Dec 17, 2018
What a wonderful, heart-warming and realistic (in the best way) book! It takes place in Maidenhead, UK and some of the descriptions just of that had me sniggering to myself.
This is a romance book, a self-help book, full of humour, situations, trials and tribulations and friendship. And don't forget tea or coffee with cake! This book will make you laugh and will also make you cry. There was one bit (that I won't ruin) that came as a shock to me and what followed had me snuffling into my tissues. The very human characters in this book face their inner (and sometimes outer) demons and do it with the love and friendship of others and their own strengths that they don't even realise that they have.
Wonderful writing, with a twist, that completely drew me in. Made me laugh, made me cry and gave me more than a few good self-help quotes.
This is a romance book, a self-help book, full of humour, situations, trials and tribulations and friendship. And don't forget tea or coffee with cake! This book will make you laugh and will also make you cry. There was one bit (that I won't ruin) that came as a shock to me and what followed had me snuffling into my tissues. The very human characters in this book face their inner (and sometimes outer) demons and do it with the love and friendship of others and their own strengths that they don't even realise that they have.
Wonderful writing, with a twist, that completely drew me in. Made me laugh, made me cry and gave me more than a few good self-help quotes.
Becs (244 KP) rated Heart Talk in Books
Nov 1, 2018
An inspirational book that will help you gain that little push we all need every once in a while.
I was honestly not expecting to love this little book so much. As I first began the book, I was so iffy about it being just another self-help book and that it wouldn't really phase me. Boy, was I wrong! I got emotional. I got motivated. I got inspired. This book appeases to my feminist side. It is a wonderful inspirational poetry collection that I feel like everyone should read.
You can find more of this review on my blog at bookingwayreads.wordpress.com
You can find more of this review on my blog at bookingwayreads.wordpress.com
Alex Trybus (79 KP) rated Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus in Books
Jan 30, 2018
It is very well organized, and covers every important aspect of a relationship (2 more)
It is simultaneously rational, but filled with hope.
Relevant and applicable to every situation
This book got me through the worst breakup of my life
"I simply cannot recommend this book enough. It is a 'self-help' psychology book I suppose, but it is so much more than that. It is funny, witty, and more than anything: helpful. Whether you are in a relationship (happy or struggling), or recently single, this book will help you learn things about yourself you've never known. I hope this helps you our with 'your favorite Martian,' or 'your favorite Venusian.'" -from my Bookstagram account, rorythereader
ClareR (5542 KP) rated Anxious People in Books
Jan 25, 2022
I loved this - Anxious People isn’t so much about anxiety, but it is a book about mental health as a whole. It’s about finding a reason to keep going when you feel that there is no reason to keep going. It shows the strength and importance of human contact and understanding: how we can help those who are struggling with empathy and, sometimes, practical help.
But this isn’t a self-help book. Fredrik Backman weaves his magic and has written a book that has made me laugh and cry in equal measure. I keep telling myself that I shouldn’t like his books (please don’t ask me why, because I don’t think I really know!), but every Backman book that I’ve read has made me feel that humans are essentially decent and will come up trumps in the end. And we all need a bit of that sometimes, don’t we?
But this isn’t a self-help book. Fredrik Backman weaves his magic and has written a book that has made me laugh and cry in equal measure. I keep telling myself that I shouldn’t like his books (please don’t ask me why, because I don’t think I really know!), but every Backman book that I’ve read has made me feel that humans are essentially decent and will come up trumps in the end. And we all need a bit of that sometimes, don’t we?
Awix (3310 KP) rated White God (Feher Isten) (2014) in Movies
Feb 13, 2021 (Updated Feb 13, 2021)
Lassie meets Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Hungarian-style. A young girl and her faithful pet are forcibly parted, which is the stuff of many a tear-jerking melodrama. The dog raises an army of mongrels and sets out to take revenge on human civilisation, which is not.
Obviously scores quite highly on the 'never seen *that* in a movie before' front; excellent direction and storytelling, and a remarkably self-possessed performance by Zsofia Psotta. Never really overcomes a slightly self-conscious weirdness that keeps it from completely working as either horror or drama. It's not entirely clear what the moral premise of the movie is, other than 'be kind to dogs'; can't help thinking it's probably quite facile, anyway. But the dog trainers do a sterling job of keeping it interesting.
Obviously scores quite highly on the 'never seen *that* in a movie before' front; excellent direction and storytelling, and a remarkably self-possessed performance by Zsofia Psotta. Never really overcomes a slightly self-conscious weirdness that keeps it from completely working as either horror or drama. It's not entirely clear what the moral premise of the movie is, other than 'be kind to dogs'; can't help thinking it's probably quite facile, anyway. But the dog trainers do a sterling job of keeping it interesting.
Okay, I really wanted to love this book. Who wouldn't love a book that tells you that you're a badass in the title? Obviously, this girl didn't.
Now, I'm not saying that this book was awful but I'm not going to say that it was glorious and wonderful. The advice in here is good advice but it's nothing different than your stereotypical self help book.
Advice includes: Love yourself, send positive vibes to the universe, believe in yourself (now you really don't need to read the book).
Honestly, I was hoping that this book would help me in some way and I do know various people that this book could truly help but I was not one of those people. I did not get any epiphany moments except for the Blah Blah would love this part, and So and So would like this part.
Ultimately, I'm not a huge fan but it does have some good advice in a semi-sarcastic way.
Now, I'm not saying that this book was awful but I'm not going to say that it was glorious and wonderful. The advice in here is good advice but it's nothing different than your stereotypical self help book.
Advice includes: Love yourself, send positive vibes to the universe, believe in yourself (now you really don't need to read the book).
Honestly, I was hoping that this book would help me in some way and I do know various people that this book could truly help but I was not one of those people. I did not get any epiphany moments except for the Blah Blah would love this part, and So and So would like this part.
Ultimately, I'm not a huge fan but it does have some good advice in a semi-sarcastic way.
Patrick Williamson (6 KP) rated You're Not Alone by Andrew WK in Music
Mar 29, 2018
Partying in the modern age
Andrew W K took some time out of music to become a motivational speaker and learn some new tricks.
This has a grand epic sound compared to his debut album (I Get Wet).
Still sounds like a party but has elements from 70s prog rock (without the infamous solos) and the pseudo spiritual influence is thankfully not religious.
The songs are interspersed with a few short motivational speeches which mainly serve as positive self help interludes.
This has a grand epic sound compared to his debut album (I Get Wet).
Still sounds like a party but has elements from 70s prog rock (without the infamous solos) and the pseudo spiritual influence is thankfully not religious.
The songs are interspersed with a few short motivational speeches which mainly serve as positive self help interludes.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Leadership secrets of Attila the Hun by Wess Roberts, PhD
Read by James Lurie
Genre: Non-Fiction: Self Help, Instruction
Rating: 3.5/5
Review: Wess Roberts gives a brief summary of the life of Attila the Hun, and then shows how you can use simple character traits to be a leader in modern society. The advice is down to earth and easy to apply to many aspects of your life.
The only thing I felt was lacking was a Christian perspective, but the book was not a Christian book so I wasn’t expecting it. However, being a Christian myself, I look at self-help books very critically and from a different viewpoint than most people.
The writing was nice—it wasn’t J.K.Rowling, but it wasn’t Meg Cabot either. It was easy to read (listen too). The pacing was pretty good too, I enjoyed the life of Attila more than I thought I would :)
I listened to the audio edition of the book, and the reader did an excellent job.
Recommendation: Ages 14+ People looking to be good leaders at work, students looking to do well in school, people wanting to start an organization etc.
Read by James Lurie
Genre: Non-Fiction: Self Help, Instruction
Rating: 3.5/5
Review: Wess Roberts gives a brief summary of the life of Attila the Hun, and then shows how you can use simple character traits to be a leader in modern society. The advice is down to earth and easy to apply to many aspects of your life.
The only thing I felt was lacking was a Christian perspective, but the book was not a Christian book so I wasn’t expecting it. However, being a Christian myself, I look at self-help books very critically and from a different viewpoint than most people.
The writing was nice—it wasn’t J.K.Rowling, but it wasn’t Meg Cabot either. It was easy to read (listen too). The pacing was pretty good too, I enjoyed the life of Attila more than I thought I would :)
I listened to the audio edition of the book, and the reader did an excellent job.
Recommendation: Ages 14+ People looking to be good leaders at work, students looking to do well in school, people wanting to start an organization etc.
Gareth von Kallenbach (962 KP) rated I Feel Pretty (2018) in Movies
Jul 8, 2019
Renee (Amy Schumer), a later, twenty something who lives in New York City. She works in a small division Lily LeClaire, a high end beauty product company. From a tiny ramshackle office, she dreams and one day working at the glamorous HQ in downtown Manhattan. She finds out that there is a position available, but she does not think that she is good enough to get the job.
In her quest to look better and feel better, she enrolls in Soul Cycle class at her neighborhood gym. Within minutes, she had injured herself and her pride. Smarting from the injury, we see her looking into the mirror with disdain and self loathing. Schumer conveys the discomfort, embarrassment and self-doubt that every one of us have felt at some point in our lives.
Renee does not give up, going to class the second day. In her enthusiasm, she forgets to tighten a bolt and is taken down by the bike. The event immediately changes how she looks at herself, immediately seeing her visage as everything she would want. The film highlights the all human issue of self-confidence, struggles of imperfection with our bodies and our overall self image, how our own perceptions are our own mental constructs than reality.
Schumer is able to convey the negative thoughts we all have felt about ourselves when we don’t like how we look. However, externally, the self negativity is not noticed.. We can be own worst critic and take down our own self esteem without the help of bullies. Even though Renee’s self image is altered by an accident, her humor, intelligence doesn’t change, her extraverted confidence shines the light directly on her attitude.
There were some moments where I expected a makeover montage. Cause, good 80’s alternative soundtrack and it’s a film about a woman’s lack of self esteem. Surprisingly, it was devoid of any fancy changing room quick changes. The movie addressed how we all have moments where our levels of self confidence and self esteem are reduced due to our own ideas because we all can be our own worst critic.
The story had its moments where I would have liked to see more depth and connection in Renee’s relationships with her best friends Vivian (Aidy Bryant) and Jane (Busy Phillips). These are friends that have known each other for years and I would have like to see a little of the psychic shorthand friends develop over years of knowing each other. I did like how Vivian and Jane didn’t let Renee get away with behaving as an ass. They are not mean in their rejection which is more true to honest friendships.
Amy Schumer’s humor at times can make us a bit uncomfortable because she holds the mirror up to us to teach us how to laugh at ourselves and to show that we are not alone in all these feelings. I enjoyed the movie, even though it would have been good to see more depth in the relationships. It is a perfect Girls Night Out film
In her quest to look better and feel better, she enrolls in Soul Cycle class at her neighborhood gym. Within minutes, she had injured herself and her pride. Smarting from the injury, we see her looking into the mirror with disdain and self loathing. Schumer conveys the discomfort, embarrassment and self-doubt that every one of us have felt at some point in our lives.
Renee does not give up, going to class the second day. In her enthusiasm, she forgets to tighten a bolt and is taken down by the bike. The event immediately changes how she looks at herself, immediately seeing her visage as everything she would want. The film highlights the all human issue of self-confidence, struggles of imperfection with our bodies and our overall self image, how our own perceptions are our own mental constructs than reality.
Schumer is able to convey the negative thoughts we all have felt about ourselves when we don’t like how we look. However, externally, the self negativity is not noticed.. We can be own worst critic and take down our own self esteem without the help of bullies. Even though Renee’s self image is altered by an accident, her humor, intelligence doesn’t change, her extraverted confidence shines the light directly on her attitude.
There were some moments where I expected a makeover montage. Cause, good 80’s alternative soundtrack and it’s a film about a woman’s lack of self esteem. Surprisingly, it was devoid of any fancy changing room quick changes. The movie addressed how we all have moments where our levels of self confidence and self esteem are reduced due to our own ideas because we all can be our own worst critic.
The story had its moments where I would have liked to see more depth and connection in Renee’s relationships with her best friends Vivian (Aidy Bryant) and Jane (Busy Phillips). These are friends that have known each other for years and I would have like to see a little of the psychic shorthand friends develop over years of knowing each other. I did like how Vivian and Jane didn’t let Renee get away with behaving as an ass. They are not mean in their rejection which is more true to honest friendships.
Amy Schumer’s humor at times can make us a bit uncomfortable because she holds the mirror up to us to teach us how to laugh at ourselves and to show that we are not alone in all these feelings. I enjoyed the movie, even though it would have been good to see more depth in the relationships. It is a perfect Girls Night Out film
Platitudes put forward in an unpretentious way
This is a wonderful reflective source, with wisdom articulated in an unpretentious way. Unlike many 'self-help' gurus, Haemin Sunim is a Buddhist monk born in Korea and educated in the US, and he practices what he preaches.
Offering advice on everything from handling setbacks to dealing with relationships, he combines his teachings and translates them into simple messages. And while much of his advice are things that we may be aware of but dont necessarily put in place, it's laid out clearly in a non-obtrusive way. A pleasant read.
Offering advice on everything from handling setbacks to dealing with relationships, he combines his teachings and translates them into simple messages. And while much of his advice are things that we may be aware of but dont necessarily put in place, it's laid out clearly in a non-obtrusive way. A pleasant read.