Invisible Women reviews places in society where women are entirely overlooked for the default human condition: being male. When women are included in decisions and research, better outcomes are found across the board. Women‘s perspectives find solutions men don‘t see, women account for other women‘s needs in times of disaster and humanitarian aid, outcomes in car accidents — overall providing for the needs of families and communities better.

This is a book of finding good in humans. The author argues where good people stood up at bad points in history. I liked his arguments against some of Jared Diamond‘s theories in his book Collapse. Overall pick, enjoyed his perspectives of good.

I enjoyed this book. Partly thought it could be about 200 pages shorter, but I also liked how it brought the characters through their lives. I disliked Rachel more and more as the book went on, and this probably brought me to tears at least four times. Loved the multi character all women‘s perspective, and political histories of African nations through their experiences.

I think this is my new favorite opening paragraph.

I enjoyed this audio for insights on the connection of disease, thought processes, mental health and health outcomes. I do believe the brain and thought can be a powerful tool, but I thought sometimes Mate stretched the correlations a little too far. I enjoyed listening to his experiences psychedelics and various celebrities he‘s worked with, normalizing addiction and mental health problems, with some relatable stories.

Finished this a couple nights ago… yes I cried. Have been wanting to read this so I can finally watch the movie. Creatively intertwines a murder mystery, love story, sad family dynamics, nature and science. Really enjoyed it and recommend.

Just finished this chonk. I couldn‘t stop til I got to the end. Some mixed reviews here, but I enjoyed it. Gave me a few weird dreams, which can be fun. Very imaginative story about overcoming demons within. The end left my imagination reeling. Some spots were maybe over the top & some people said it‘s too long, but to me it was worth every word. Hope there‘s a movie someday. Perks ended up as a great film adaptation, this one is so different tho.

This was good… he talked about his experience as a resident over the course of 5 years becoming a brain surgeon. He talked about successes, challenges and loss of life in the OR. One of the most interesting cases to me was a meningioma, which my mom had removed in 2015. Was good to hear it is one of the easiest to remove.

A beautiful book of text and imagery I‘ve picked up through each of my first two pregnancies. Now starting again…

I just cried onto the pages finishing this tonight. It is a beautiful sad story. Loved it, loved the characters and wanted them all to live, love and be happy. Most don‘t get that chance. Death tells the story with care and compassion, gently lifting away the souls lost and collecting colors.

Telling this story & transitioning in the public eye is brave & admirable. Elliot‘s story will give hope to others struggling with gender for a happier future. It makes me sad that others will disparage some who already are struggling because they don‘t understand & are scared of things they don‘t know. The world needs more acceptance & empathy. Difficult stories like this helps both sides who choose to read, listen & open their hearts.

Posting to save and listen to when I‘m not at work, and to share an interview with with Litsy of one of my favorite authors on Wisconsin public radio. https://www.wpr.org/listen/2114876?mibextid=Zxz2cZ

This was good & well written, mostly telling from her point of view & feelings from the times in her life she was recounting. I‘d seen this pop up a few times, and the title intrigued me, but made me a bit uncomfortable. Jeannette was made to be uncomfortable her whole life, scarred by things her mother did to her, and sounds like it‘s been a long journey to become a healthier person. This was tough & sad to listen to, but glad I finally did.

The story of a young girl‘s interpretation of life and a tragic misunderstanding of an autistic boy who was her friend.

Entertaining audio memoir of a girl growing up as the daughter of one of Andy Warhol‘s actresses, Viva Superstar, in the Chelsea Hotel. I enjoyed the shenanigans of Viva, some questionable parenting, and the lives of Alexandra and her baby sister Gaby Hoffman.

This is a heartbreaking account of women seen as disposable by industry fighting for their lives & justice while corporations made millions. A nonfiction following the short lives of women doing glamorous work painting clock & watch faces & military instrument dials with glowing radium paint. The women‘s history spans before WWI to WWII, telling stories of their friendships, families & fight for future industrial hygiene & workers‘ compensation.

Happy beach day in Pensacola! Although glowing, not so bright for the girls of Orange, NJ and Ottawa, IL in the 1920s.

Forgot about this one I read in my spam posting last night… it was pretty good, if just for the fact you want to figure out who did it. The author makes you think at some point it could have been any of them. The cover has always intrigued me, so when I saw it at Goodwill, I snagged it. I‘m between pick and so-so on this.

I spent way too much on this hard to find, out of print book, on recommendation from a Jonathan Carroll character. IRL, Terry Andrews was the pseudonym of children‘s book author George Seldon & seems like it could be somewhat autobiographic, but I don‘t know anything about him. It is very dark & sexual, written in the form of a journal, telling a story of a single man, Terry Andrews, children‘s author, and his wish for death, love, murder & sex.

The title of this boon caught my attention, not knowing much of Kate Mulgrew, she‘s Red in Orange is the New Black, she was the first woman Star Trek captain, as well as many other earlier roles in TV, stage and film. She had a tragic, wild upbringing, encouraged and inspired by her intuitive mother to pursue acting. I really enjoyed this and wanted to hear more about Kate.

Ended up finishing this one as an audio after bailing on the hard copy over 200 pages in. I‘m glad I finished it, during my audio commute to work. Previously gave this a bail, but upgraded to so-so. Had a unique plot. Would be cool to see as a movie.

Nice book about the power of introversion, quiet, sitting with yourself and pondering, in a world where being an outspoken extrovert is recognized and rewarded.

I thought this one would be more self-help, but was more of an autobiography. Still very good, but not what I was expecting. I really enjoyed the incorporation of Amanda Palmer‘s music, Dresden Dolls and other music throughout the audiobook.

And surrealist as ever, Jonathan Carroll‘s newest book takes a look at what if we took a different path, how we‘re connected through time and history and future, and the mysterious tattoo that made the magic happen. Read this a while ago… catching up on book posts.

When you‘re at the pool with the kids and hope no one recognizes and has read the book you‘re reading 😅🫣

I don‘t think I have EVER bailed on an audio, but I really cannot take 10+ more hours of this outdated, misogynistic “future” talk. I wanted to enjoy this, as it was recommended by a local environmental communications professor I highly respect, but this 1970‘s book rants on and on about how the future is speeding up and what MEN will be like in societies of the future. I think I gained everything important from the intro and Part 1.

Lovely audio about the process of forgiveness. There are activities in each section for journaling and a stone exercise to help visualize moving on from a hurt, forgiving someone or yourself.

Great collection of short stories. Many of these end leaving some gaps for the imagination, which I really enjoyed. The first is Mr. Fiddlehead, which is also embedded in one of his novels (I forget which). I can‘t think of any story in this collection I didn‘t like, most all good.

Finally starting this book after waiting soooo long for an English version of the newest novel from my favorite author. I am feeling good about it. I enjoy when something starts with a quote that could be foreshadow, and so many feelings of where this could go with these quotes.

Shared from Goodwill Librarian on Facebook 🥰💙📚

Another psychology audio that covers the power of rethinking our perspectives, beliefs and even exam questions — Encourages thinking things through like a scientist. The book also discusses ways we can persuade others to think again. Really enjoyed this and I can see myself using the tools presented in my career to help convince colleagues of the value of environmental sustainability.

Enjoyed this audio, as I am navigating difficult times and trying to understand my own emotions better. Also had a chance to page through the hard copy, and it is beautiful. Brené Brown narrates and ad libs anecdotes throughout. Another part I loved in the audio is when she has one of her staff read her own essay she wrote in the book about being an undocumented minor. This audio provides a separate experience from the book, both are lovely.

I think this is my favorite cartoon quote. My son added the last line in agreement.

From the story Uh-Oh City in this collection of short stories. Kinda lol‘d.

Finished this puzzle my mom gave me a while ago… it was a mystery, no picture of the puzzle with it, but a murder mystery that describes the crime scene. It was pretty neat, I did the puzzle first and just read the little short story about the three suspects. Got to try out my new puzzle board I got for Christmas. Happy new year everyone!

I got 250 pages into this book and I just can‘t do it. It jumps around too much for me and the main storyline isn‘t captivating me. I typically enjoy multiple storylines, but at 250 pages in, I still don‘t see how they connect… bye.

On recommendation from a Brené Brown allusion in Rising Strong. This book is borderline pick for me. I think as an audio, I wasn‘t that fond of the author as the narrator. I can see how Brené gets fuel for her research and inspiration from Harriet Lerner. This book being a decade or two older seems a little dated but still relevant.

This is a follow up to Daring Greatly, and I loved this as much as the first. Some great analysis that continues the Daring Greatly conversation. Definitely some information I will circle back to in my hard copy and use toward my personal and professional growth.

A little haunt in the usual theme of Jonathan Carroll‘s books, crossing through reality, the dream world and death. This is probably the first so-so I‘ve given any of his books. It is a short 90 page novella, which is maybe why. Maybe I just don‘t feel like I get enough with a novella. He packs a bit into this little book though.

This was a quick, sexy read. Starts with a crazy tragedy and the tragedy continues to unveil itself throughout the story. I was 😮🫢 through about 90%. I give an 7/10, and overall pick. Giving it to my husband to read. Hope it doesn‘t freak him out too much 😂😅

This is 1 of those books I want to get a copy for everyone I know. Just finished the audio this morning & now want a hard copy for myself, my sister, mom, aunts, friends & coworkers. This book impacted me-crying on my audiodrive home from work. Now to check out her website for the downloads & maybe ordering 10 copies for Xmas gifts. Working on my courage, vulnerability & overcoming anxiety. It‘s been a hard year for me & this was a necessary read.

God of War: Ascension by Roxanne Lando… My 6th grader had to do a report on a Greek god, so I read this book on Libby with him last night. It was pretty horribly written, typos, and an odd pattern of illustrations (maybe cause it was a digital version) but not sure if this book actually exists in hard copy. It did, however, provided a nice chronological story easy for an 11 year old to follow and paraphrase for a report.

I was intrigued when I got this odd novella from my local used book store when I went to swap some books. Having just finished the last page, I ended this thinking what the F? I mean, I guess that is a place to end a story, but it just feels so unfinished. And he really left the protagonist in an unfortunate position. Wild and sometimes disturbing, and peppered with illustrations, I‘ll say I was entertained, but also, WTF 🤔 🧐 🤨

So honestly, (and apologies to Ms. Doris) this book was pretty bad. The most interesting thing about it is her about the author & that she gave it to my grandma with this note, “To my long-time friend, Marvel.” I did not know my grandmother was friends with a CIA agent & diplomat to Pakistan… if it hadn‘t been almost a year since she passed, I‘d like to talk to Grandma about her friendship with Ms. Doris. My family is passing around this odd gem.

I feel like this was a (self inflicted) required reading to get through. Thank goodness for audiobooks and a 30 minute commute. This book provides good histories of where people came from and how we are stratified in society today, and argues against some evolutionists racist explanations. In the academic sense, this book is fantastic, however as he does in Collapse, Diamond beats a dead horse at times. Not always captivating and entertaining.

My most recent audio… this was so good, and when I googled to look up some pictures, it looks like Scorsese making a movie with Keanu Reeves and Leonardo DiCaprio. I can‘t wait… I bet it will be so good! Psychotic murderer loose along with history of the construction of the Chicago World‘s Fair.

This was creepy and weird. Two great qualities in fiction.

This book contains three short stories. “A Gentle Creature” is a sad story of a young woman who was orphaned and is married off to an older man with some love and other unfortunate events. “White Nights” is another sad pseudo love story of a painfully introverted man. “Dreams of a Ridiculous Man” is a little cheerier, also the reason I got this book after reading Master and Margarita, which is supposed to be inspired from this story.

Not my usual kind of read but okay for a romance novel. Made me laugh and cry a little. Overall good story.