Review: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Has there been a camera in my room my whole life?

This book just explained my entire childhood. Back then, mental health was not something that was talked about or even considered to be a reason why I never felt the same way my classmates did about certain things. My mother once described it to someone as "marching to her own drummer."

Now that I am learning the roots of my anxiety and depression (and the fact I unknowingly had them in childhood), I find myself wishing I knew then what I know now. (I know, hind insight is 20/20.) Now, I also play the what-if game with myself. If I had known then what I know now, would I have made different decisions? Would I have approached life differently?

In high school, we took a version of the Meyers-Brigg test. When I got the results, all I could say was, "That is absolutely me." We weren't really directed how to use those results to our own benefit. It wasn't until I had some real life experience that the test results came back to haunt me.

I am well into adulthood at this time. Earlier this year, I decided it would be my mental health year. I had so much stress buildup that it was affecting my physical health to the point where multiple doctors were adamantly requesting that I take a leave from work. During said leave, I stumbled on this book. It has given me some good ideas of what I can do to help myself. For example, now I know I need to be more consistent with taking my lunch breaks. I need to break the habit of working through them. This is also something I have discussed with my therapist, but this book puts into action through anecdotes and science.

While reading this book, I felt pretty special. Back the real world, not so much. I hope to change that by putting some of the tips into lessons from the stories into practice.

I recommend this book to both introverts and extroverts. This book helps introverts understand themselves better. It also help extroverts to understand the introverted mind.

View all my reviews

Amazon Kindle Reading Challenge - Year End Kindle Challenge

 

Amazon has started the Year End Kindle Challenge. It started October 1, 2022 and runs through December 31, 2022.

Days Read:

✔ Bronze Reader - Unlock this achievement when you read for any 15 days during the Year End Kindle Challenge days don't have to be consecutive to count.

Silver Reader - Unlock this achievement when you read for any 40 days during the Year End Kindle Challenge. Reading days don't have to be consecutive to count.

Gold Reader - Unlock this achievement when you read for any 75 days during the Year End Kindle Challenge. Reading days don't have to be consecutive to count.

Books Read:

✔ Bookish - Unlock this achievement when you complete a Kindle books during the Year End Kindle Challenge.

✔ Bookworm - Unlock this achievement when you complete two Kindle books during the Year End Kindle Challenge. 

Bibliophile - Unlock this achievement when you complete three Kindle books during the Year End Kindle Challenge.

Streaks:

✔ Head Start - Unlock this achievement when you read any day during the Year End Kindle Challenge.

✔ Perfect Week - Unlock this achievement when you read each day for a full week Sunday through Saturday. Tip: You can level up this achievement if you read multiple perfect weeks during the Year End Kindle Challenge.

Perfect Month - Unlock this achievement when you read each day for a full month. Tip: You can level up this achievement if you read multiple perfect months during the Year End Kindle Challenge.

Mystery:

Mystery - Hint: A Prime time to read. Reveals 10/10

✔ Prime Early Access - Unlock this achievement by reading on October 11 or October 12.

 

Mystery - Hint: You'll be on the edge of your seat. Reveals 10/24

Chills and Thrills - Unlock this achievement when you complete one of our top picks for mystery, thriller, and suspense Kindle books between now and December 31.

 

Mystery - Hint: There's something for everyone. Reveals 11/7

 

Mystery - Hint: Skip the crowds. Reveals 11/23

Mystery - Hint: Get the inside scoop. Reveals 12/5

Mystery - Hint: Cozy up for the holidays. Reveals 12/14

 

Review: The Ballad of Never After

The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book almost became the first book to make me cry.

Stephanie Garber writes excellent stories that you feel part of. I can't wait to see where she goes next, but I truly hope this isn't the last we see of Jacks. Truth be told, he was my favorite. 

I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2022 - A duology (2).

View all my reviews

Review: Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday by Paula McLain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had no idea that this was based on a true story about a school fire in Collinwood, OH. The author's note referenced the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire (which happened years after the tragedy this book is based on) and oddly enough, I read a book on it a few years ago (Triangle: The Fire That Changed America). Now, I have to see if there are any nonfiction books about this school fire. This story has piqued my interest.

Amazon Originals - A Point In Time Collection Book 2

View all my reviews

Review: Naomi's Gift

Naomi's Gift by Martha Hall Kelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a very touching story set near the end of WWII told through letters. The ending could be taken two ways, but I don't want to give spoilers.

Amazon Originals - A Point In Time Collection Book 1

View all my reviews

Review: Skipping Christmas

Skipping Christmas by John Grisham
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love watching the movie; I try to watch it at least once per year. I decided to read the book to back fill some of the background and to understand some references. The book served it's purpose for that, but honestly, the movie was a lot better.

I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2022 - A book that can be read in one sitting.

View all my reviews

Review: Unspeakable Things

Unspeakable Things by Jess Lourey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm not sure how to explain what reading this book was like. It was a pager turner in a fashion, but not because I was on the edge of my seat; it was simply that I needed to know how it ended. Most of my favorite page turners are page turners because I not only needed to know what happened, but because I was fully immersed in the story. It is a feeling of connection. You are in the action with the characters. I did not feel that way reading this book. All I wanted to know is how it ended.

I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2022 - A book that features a party.

I read this book as part of the Amazon Epic Summer Reading Challenge - Topshelf - Unlock this achievement when you complete one of our Editor's Picks for Amazon Original Stories. There's something for everyone and Kindle Unlimited subscribers borrow for free.

View all my reviews