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book review. Reset by Ellen Pao

4/21/2020

Published: 19 Sep 2017 by Random House
Format: Audiobook, 11 hours, Narrated by Emily Woo Zeller

We're either silent or a buzzkill.

★★★★★ (5 / 5) Reset tells the true story of Ellen Pao’s experience as a victim of sexual harassment (of varying degrees) from law school to tech startups to the VC world. This book is well worth the read, and forces readers to confront how they contribute to a dysfunctional system—in this case, a standard of sexism nearing “Mad Men” levels.

Having read this and seen women firsthand experience atrocious discrimination and condescension from men in a professional environment, I challenge you (along with Ellen) to think differently about discrimination of all kinds in the workplace and find solutions that will make a real change for the better.

book review. Sea Witch by Sarah Henning

3/24/2020

Published: 31 July 2018 by Katherine Tegen Books
Format: Audiobook, 8.5 hours, Narrated by Billie Fulford-Brown

Perhaps fantasies are only meant to come true for a moment.

★★★ (3.2 / 5)

This was a very enjoyable story. I loved the interwoven retelling of The Little Mermaid and the added depth we got with Evie, Anna, and the other characters. There are third-person flashbacks thrown in throughout, too, and I feel like they really elevated the story and characters.

The author's writing felt fluid and pleasant to read, and the dialogue felt natural (which can be hit-or-miss for me sometimes). Plus, the narrator for the audiobook edition was fantastic. All-around a great book. I’m only giving it three stars because it’s pretty short and the ending left a little something to be desired. But, I would recommend for anyone who wants a magical, nautical mermaid story.

book review. Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa

9/17/2019

Published: 2018 by Harlequin Teen
Format: Hardcover, 409 pages, English

It is very hard to be human, little fox. Even the humans themselves don’t do a great job of it.

★★★★ (4 / 5) I absolutely LOVED this book. It took me a while to get past the first 50-60 pages, but I think that was more because of my own slump than the actual quality of the story. There were a lot of elements that reminded of the anime One Piece, which made it all the more enjoyable.

book review. When's Happy Hour? by Betches

6/11/2019

Published: 23 Oct 2018 by Gallery Books
Format: Hardcover, 352 pages, English

★★★★ (4 / 5) My expectations for Betches’ new book on careers went something like this: “I’ll breeze through it, learn a little, and maybe enjoy some silly satire.” But When’s Happy Hour? gave me so much more. I laughed out loud at nearly every page and found their scenarios and suggestions extremely real and relatable.

What especially surprised me (in the best way) was the use of actual career stories from Betches founders Aleen, Jordana, and Sami. Plus, each chapter’s “Dear Betches” write-in has a helpful response written in true Betches fashion.

Don't believe that this book is really that hilarious? Listen to me #obsess over it in this episode of the "Currently Obsessed" podcast.

Ultimately, I suggest you pick up this book and jump to the career stage that most applies to you. Here are just a few of the helpful guides you might need sooner rather than later:

Happy Hours, Retreats, and Work Events: How Drunk Should I Get?
Dealing with Your Boss: Types of Managers and How to Manage Them
How to Speak Like a Mature Adult and Not Sound Like You’re at a Frat Party
Working From Home: Everyone Knows It’s a Joke
Show Me the Money: How to Ask for a Raise
Your Employee Literally Just Sucks: How to Fire Them Without Getting Sued

Read This Book and More on Scribd

book review. This Will Only Hurt a Little by Busy Philipps

5/13/2019

Published: 16 October 2018 by Simon & Schuster
Format: Audiobook (unabridged), 8 hours
Narrated by the author, Busy Philipps

I've determined that just about everyone feels left out; it just comes down to how you handle it.

★★★★ (4 / 5)

Right from the start, Busy proclaims for herself that she is an excellent storyteller, and let me tell you, it's the truth. And her no-nonsense candor doesn't end there. While Busy is hilarious with on-point voices for every "character" and comic relief moments, this book felt like a hulking iceberg of emotion you didn't would sink you when you hit the surface. The only deception she might have given the reader is the title because it did hurt. And it hurt a lot.

book review. Red Rising by Pierce Brown

4/24/2019

source: @_mkarys on Instagram

Published: 28 January 2014 by Del Rey (Random House) and Recorded Books
Format: Audiobook (unabridged), 17 hours
Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds

So much pain. I had thought it would be over, but not all scars heal. Not all sins are forgiven.

★★★★★ (5 / 5) HO-LY CRAP. I am at a loss for words. If I were talking to you in person, it would just be a nonstop stutter because I don't even know how to form sentences at this point. You're lucky my fingers are even strong enough to be typing this right now. Can we just— I mean— I feel so— Darrow just— my heart...

Here's the truth: I had heard of Red Rising and heard great things about it specifically. For whatever reason, I never actually knew someone who had read it. So the series, and Pierce Brown, simply went under my radar for a long time. Now that I have Scribd, though, I am constantly diving into the books that have been on my TBR pile for years. Thus, began my journey with Darrow: Helldiver, Reaper, Savior. Ultimately, the opening novel to this saga of a story exceeded all my expectations.

book review. The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur

1/23/2019

The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur

Published: 23 October 2018 by Andrews McMeel Publishing
Format: Hardcover, 256 pages, English

why is it
that when the story ends
we begin to feel all of it

★★★★ (4 / 5)
This is a beautiful collection of poetry. Part of what struck me is the raw honesty and difficult topics that are so akin to the poetry my friends and I wrote in college, I was immediately taken aback. They're little love notes and scraps of memory left on the pavement for us to find and cherish and tape together, hoping the patchwork lives up to the real thing.

Rupi Kaur’s work may be overhyped—some reviewers claiming ‘every human on Earth needs to read it’—but I felt something like this: 25% I absolutely LOVED and made not of pages I wanted to digest again and again; 45% I liked because it felt

familiar, relatable, and honest in a way I wouldn’t have thought of and often accompanied by striking illustrations; 30% felt too familiar and nearly unnecessary, particularly short stanzas taking up a whole page but not adding much value to my reading experience.

book review. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

1/3/2019

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern Book Review

Published: 13 September 2011 by Doubleday
Format: Hardcover, 387 pages, English

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.

★★★★★ (5 / 5)
There was nothing about this book I didn't like. It was immersive, and I loved the writing—the way Morgenstern captured the most beautiful ambience with her words. Plus, I love stories with time jumps that make you wonder how it all comes together—how all the stars align for that specific ending. This book was just so full. It made me feel so many emotions—the full spectrum. From wanting to sadness, to frustration, to love, to joy, to peace. I wish I could list highlights for you for this book, but even the highlights are too much to capture in a simple bullet point.

book review. Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

12/21/2018

Girls of Paper and Fire on Instagram

Published: 6 November 2018 by Little Brown and Company
Format: Hardcover, 385 pages, English

I don't want an easy life. I want a meaningful one.

★★★★ (3.8 / 5)
I want to start off by saying this is an important novel. The levels of emotion and passion written into the pages of this story are so potent and so high, I could practically taste it while I read. Not only does this novel tackle sensitive issues with a raw openness worthy of all our respect, but also it presents what I think we need more of: development of strong female friendships, and a variety of them! In fact, there are really only three men named and cared about throughout the book, and they’re relatively one-dimensional. While I would’ve liked to see a deeper dive into their characters (especially Kenzo), I don’t feel like I needed it.

book review. Caraval by Stephanie Garber

12/11/2018

Published: 31 January, 2017 by Flatiron Books
Format: Hardcover, 407 pages, English

Every person has the power to change their fate if they are brave enough to fight for what they desire more than anything.

★★★★ (4/5)
While Caraval couldn't hold a candle to The Night Circus, this was a fun story with mystery, magic, and a great carnival setting that kept me hooked page after page. I look forward to reading the sequel Legendary as soon as I can get my hands on it!

hello and welcome.

dee. // xxv // lover of winter, books and bookish things, badass females, and all things crimson // ravenclaw // marketing specialist for Entrepreneur Press // creative weirdo // owlcrate subscriber and book addict

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