KJK Reads

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Memoir, Non-Fiction, Psychology, Mental Health, Autism Thoughts: This is an amazing and extremely informative read for anyone who worlds with or lives with an individual with autism. Naoki gives us all a real insight into the lives and experiences of those living with autism, especially those with non-speaking autism who can’t communicate in the same way we are used to. This is great for helping us better understand how to interpret the actions with them such as the dropping hand holding is (for him) out of an attraction to something around him not trying to stop the physical contact. Favourite Quote: "To give the short version, I've learnt that every human being, with or without disabilities, needs to strive to do their best, and by striving for happiness you will arrive at happiness. For us, you see, having autism is normal -- so we can't know for sure what your 'normal' is even like. But so long as we can learn to love ourselves, I'm ...

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Mental Health, Depression, Short Story Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a beautifully raw account of a nearly lifelong battle with depression. I think this is a really important read for those in the mental health field as it can help teach them a thing or two (such as the MAOI being more effective thus important for some patients despite our beliefs that they are outdated and inferior compared to SSRIs). It was also extremely helpful to see the lifelong journey with ups and downs that Garry went through to help readers with depression feel less alone if they still have more severe episodes themselves. Favourite Quote: "Somehow, through all the dark times, I have persisted. So much struggling, but so much life has followed my near-death experience on that snowy bridge nearly five decades ago. I must have had some underlying faith that I could find my way to a better...

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: LGBTQ+, Non-Fiction Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is the most broadly inclusive book on the queer community I have read so far with a few identities I didn’t know much of yet. I thought the activities were a great way to reinforce the information and especially loved the colouring pages and word search. The questions section is awesome for tackling the more intricate issues such as internalised homophobia and coming out and I also liked the presence of a support section.  Favourite Quote: "Confusion and slip-ups are a common part of the learning process, which is why it’s important to allow yourself (and others) the space to grow with support and forgiveness."

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Self-Help Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. It definitely felt a little weird being spoken to by a bear. Some of the elements discussed I already knew and enjoy practicing such as the body scan but I was also introduced to new ones such as RAIN (Recognise Accept Investigate Nurture). Stanley’s words of the day spread throughout the book are cute and are even better once I read their origins, and the images accompanying them gave me a warm and homey feel. Having the hyperlinks such as to the meditation teacher were great for further learning and having what would Stanley do journal prompts as well as the extra ones at the end were a great way to apply the concepts. Favourite Quote: "If you would forgive a friend for something, you should be able to forgive yourself for that same thing. If you would comfort and support a friend in a certain situation, you should be able to comfort and ...

Rating: 4 Stars  Themes: LGBTQ+, Children's Non-Fiction Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book is a great short introduction to LGBTQ+ symbolism that introduces the importance of them on the first page and then touched upon the persecution of the community throughout the years in an age appropriate, non-traumatising manner such as how the pink and black triangles were handled. The images throughout the book look great however there was a serious lack of disability representation which stuck out more to me as races and the LGBTQ+ community were divinely represented. The questions for discussion at the end is helpful to all ages to get them thinking and promote open conversations. Favourite Quote: "Throughout history, LGBTQIA2s+ people could not always be open about their lives. At various times, queer people used different symbols to communicate who they were to each other. Other symbols were used as sources of ...

Rating: Stars Themes: Horror, Short Stories, Novella, Thriller Thoughts: This is an interesting short story. I have to admit I wasn’t 100% sure what was or what was inside the pram until the last moment. It is a great depiction of how grief and anger can eat you up while keeping readers on their toes. Favourite Quote: "The Sin-Planters believed wild spaces were more holy than any church a man could build? He thought they had a point."

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: True Crime, Non-Fiction Thoughts: This is a difficult read. I liked that the history and more psychological aspects of Clifford Olson Jr were explored (especially his PCL score) and really appreciated how the details of each attack were handled seemingly as respectfully as possible. Favourite Quote: "Justice Harry McKay was presiding and during sentencing, he had a great deal to say about Clifford Olson Junior. 'No punishment that any civilised country could impose would be adequate for the severity of your crimes. You should never be granted parole for the remainder of your days. It would be foolhardy to let you at large.'"

Rating: 2 Stars Themes: Short Stories, Mystery, Fiction, Thriller Thoughts: This was a weird one for me. I thought the build up and the writing was good and it really felt like it was going somewhere then just as the confrontation was about to begin it ended. I think this book, for me at least, maybe would be better than taking part in the getaway series as there was no ending and I’d have rather had a longer book with a more finally developed story.  Favourite Quote: "The secrets of Newport, Clea thought. The way money and power could buy a way out of any trouble and into someone else’s fortune. All that was really necessary was luck and complete lack of conscience."

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Classics, Psychological Fiction, Children's Books Thoughts: This is such a sweet and heartwarming book. Although I knew there was a death from watching the film as a child, I still wasn’t prepared for it when it came and this may be the first book that made me tear up in a while. I also loved the ending with the passing of the guard style approach to Terabithia. Favourite Quote: "Sometimes it seemed to him that his life was delicate as a dandelion. One little puff from any direction, and it was blown to bits."

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Cozy Mystery, Christmas Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a cute cozy read for christmas time. Although there is an assault, no one was seriously hurt and most of the actual mystery was generally harmless. I liked the characters and appreciated that there was only a hint of romance instead of trying to push loads into a short story like I have struggled through in other books before.  Favourite Quote: "Receiving a phone call in the early morning hours before daybreak never meant good news."

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Multicultural Interests Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great book that I think maybe everyone should read at least once. It is important for people to actively educate themselves rather than relying on the minority groups to educate us and this book is full of information to make a great start.  Favourite Quote: "Making a conscious decision to raise awareness of our internal and external narrative allows us to be deliberate in the way we communicate, be it with words or through our behaviour."