KJK Reads

Rating: 4 Stars  Themes: Short Stories, Death, Fantasy Thoughts: I was given free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I came into this book with zero preconceptions but great intrigue as I had never read something like this before. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and found the concept very interesting. I enjoyed reading the different approaches to death and what happens after from so many different viewpoints. Despite being all about death the note at the beginning is right it didn’t leave me with any morbidity or sadness, instead a sort of hope.  Favourite Quote: "Game. You’re born into the world in a family, in a culture, that believes in a god. If you’re very lazy, you believe in that god all your life, never questioning, always betting on the accident of your birth. If you’re a little less lazy, you check out some of the other religions. You make a decision based on some criteria you make up in your head to move to one of them. If you’re extremely energet...

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Short Stories, Memoirs, Identity Thoughts: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was my first introduction to Shari's work and felt so unique. The use of short stories, poetry and personal essays gave an insight into the writer and the way in which they function that traditional memoirs don't tend to achieve. I also liked the technique feeling the underlying loneliness bleeding through some of the works.  Favourite Quote: "It's amazing how small a family can become."

Rating: 2 Stars Themes: Mystery, Short Story Thoughts: This book was way too short for me, it just started to wet my appetite for a short mystery and was answered and over almost instantly. This also left me wanting more as there was no reactions or consequences for who they realised was sneaking around and why. 

Rating: 3.5 Stars Themes: Poetry, Mental Health Thoughts: This was a great poetry book. As someone who had mental health struggles as a young teen and am working on healing after a few years, the poems written both as a struggling teen and years later trying to talk to her ‘little me’ show realism to me. It’s refreshing to read both sides of the struggle back to back in a way and I think the alignment to show the rough time periods was unique and a great touch. Favourite Quote: "The scars of your soul cannot be ugly; your existence is a blessing, your body a holy place."

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Medicine, Mental Health, Politics, Sociology, True Crime, Sociology Thoughts: This is a difficult but important book. As a chronic pain patient myself I have been frustrated at how difficult it is to get doctors to take pain seriously and treat me appropriately but reflecting on the Purdue scandal and the aftermath still being fought today I understand GPs reluctance to prescribe. It also infuriated me reflecting on how much of society treats these individuals just for using when for so many people shown in the book, they followed the rules and got addicted after some form of injury, having to swap to different and harder drugs as laws come into force,  not just decided to do try something as strong as Heroin for no reason. Favourite Quote: "It’s important to note, it’s really not just the unemployed and the poor who are vulnerable today; it’s really everybody, especially underchallenged youth's or youths who aren’t engaged in school or oth...

Rating:  3 Stars  Themes:  Non-Fiction, Psychology, Self-Help Thoughts: Thoughts This book provides explanations of stress and the types of stress before going into what methods can be used to help combat the long term effects of stress on the body and mind.  Overall, this book while concise contains many important and useful methods to help manage stress. However, a major sticking point for me is the ignorance of the comment if you can’t pronounce the ingredients the food is bad for you, most people cannot pronounce the elements that make up an apple but no one doubts the benefits of fruit and veg in a balanced diet. 

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Self-Help, Non-Fiction, Psychology Thoughts: This book is a must read for anyone who wishes to make their brain work for them. Huth breaks down the key elements to improving brain health and function such as sleep and mental stimulation in a concise way in which he is able to make a short but useful read for even the most busy individual.

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Self-Help, Parenting Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I think this book is an excellent read for new parents and veteran parents alike. Dixon gives evidence based advice, citing most sources in text and a reference list at the end to prove the advice is based in fact and not a random opinion. These references are also up to date with some even citing 2020 as well as older core research, which follows the research advice I was given of within the past 5 years unless its backing another paper or a core experiment. It also manages to get the point of the importance of these methods across without talking down to or attacking parents who didn’t use other methods, just explaining the benefits of these without demonising anyone. 

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Short Story, Steamy Romance Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The relationship between April and Nick burns over the space of 4 nights, with intense feelings developing and culminating in sex. There’s also a 3 months later update which gives us the impression of how things have developed and leaves us to speculate how much it may in the future. I did like Nick and April and found their insecurities (and its inclusion) realistic.  Favourite Quote:  "I spent a lot of time working on myself. To make sure I was strong on my own. Capable. But that sort of consumed me to the point where now it’s hard to even imagine letting someone into my life."

Rating: 5 Stars Themes: Romance, Disability Representation, Young Love, Multiple POV, Chronic Illness Thoughts: I loved this book. First off I felt really represented for the first time in a long time, between chronic pain and fatigue to constant doctors visits, I’ve never seen my life/sickness represented this accurately before. This book can also show me the other side with Archie’s support and how he handles supporting Eloise. Their love story felt natural in a young love slow burn sort of way which perfected the story for me.  Favourite Quote: "It feels like I’m constantly drowning in my own body, Archie. Every breath is a struggle, every movement feels like a battle. Sometimes, it feels like there’s no escape. Like I’m trapped in this fragile vessel that’s slowly falling apart."

Rating: 5 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Memoir, Jewish Stories by Jewish Voices, Relationships, Family Life  Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I found this a very intriguing read. Lang uses her own experiences to explore the feelings of home and rootlessness whilst negotiating differing levels of religious devotion with a partner. Through her experiences we can analyse our own relationships in a more balanced and fair manner, seeing how she and Philippe handled these differences over 20 years.  Favourite Quote: "To remind myself that change can be difficult. That it means loss. But that we are fortunate. We have choices. Change can also bring good. The good bart is up to me. To us."