kaitlyncookies's reviews
94 reviews

Ultra-Processed People Why We Can't Stop Eating Food That Isn't Food by Chris van Tulleken

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informative medium-paced

4.25

I picked up this book after finding it difficult to stop eating some ultra-processed foods that I knew were not supporting my health. It reminded me of the importance of eating real food and demonstrated that I am drawn towards UPF because that is the intention of the makers of these foods, not because I lack "willpower". This book is worth reading to better understand where UPF comes from, and how when it comes to regulation around these foods it is the wild west. I also really appreciated the nuanced opinion of the author. He agrees all UPF is not equally bad, and the amount of UPF typically consumed by people has a lot to do with their economic situation. For a science-y book I found this easy to read & approachable.

If your food is made by a transnational conglomerate owned by large institutional investors, they will prioritize making money over your health, and the best way of making money is to have an addictive product, which you can make using the cheapest possible raw materials. When you are eating UPF, ask yourself who made it and what they were trying to achieve. Is it real food, made to nourish you, or is it an industrially produced edible substance made to turn your health into money for someone else? - Ultra-processed People: Why We Can't Stop Eating Food That Isn't Food
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

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dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

I think this is one of those books I will keep thinking about as time goes by. It was so haunting and I haven't really read anything like it. In a way it is a simple story that leaves you with big things to consider. I felt a similar disorientation as the novel Piranesi by Susanna Clark, and similar level of empathy to the main character.

Also, I loved the audiobook, the narrator embodied the main character so so well. It was basically like listening to a memoir. I can see why some people may have an issue with the ending, but I think it was a fair way to end the novel.
In some ways it's the ultimate way to make you empathize with the main character because you both don't get any answers.
Fangirl, Vol. 4: The Manga by Gabi Nam, Rainbow Rowell

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emotional funny relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I loved this book…right up until the ending. Compared to the actual Fangirl book, the ending here felt more sudden and less satisfying.
It was one of those times where you turn the page and the book is just over when you were expecting more 😬
all in all I feel that this adaptation left too many threads open
such as Cath/Wren’s relationship with their mother and the ending to Carry On
, but I’d have to re-read the novel to see how much it differed.
Delicates by Brenna Thummler

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dark emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

A lovely follow up with heavier, important themes. I really liked Eliza as a character. I was wanting more Wendel, but the point of the story was him being neglected so his absence made sense. This is the rare graphic novel series with amazing art & a really deep story line. 
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Somebody's Daughter: A Memoir by Ashley C. Ford

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

4.5

This is a powerful, beautifully written memoir. I really admire the author’s honestly in talking about her complex relationships with family members, and past traumas. I highly recommend the audiobook in particular. Although she reads it slowly, it is worth it for the poetic rhythm of Ford’s voice. It made the story much more emotionally impactful. The scene where
Ashley visits her father in prison
is what really broke me, it was very touching. There is also a wonderful interview with the author at the end of the audiobook.
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Funny Story by Emily Henry

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funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This was my first Emily Henry and I really enjoyed it! As someone who doesn't usually pick up romance novels, I had a great time. The main things I want in a romance novel are warm fuzzies and writing that doesn't distract me, and this hit the mark. For me the romance level was good, nothing too over the top, but still steamy. I also really liked the characters and the love interest. There was more going on in this book that just a conflict centred around the romance, as the book also dealt with making/keeping friends as an adult and parental conflict. With scenes at farmers markets and in the outdoors of northern Michigan I think this is a great summer read. Romance tropes:
Forced Proximity / Friends to Lovers / Fake Dating
Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Pérez

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informative medium-paced

5.0

I rate non-fiction books 5 stars when they've made an impact on me and changed the way I fundamentally think about something. Invisible Women fits the bill. This book elicited so many emotions in me, but the main one was anger. Reading this book is like realizing you were living in the matrix. In the short time since I've read it I've already become less accepting of the male "defaults" around me. Being a woman is dangerous on so many levels and you don't even realize them until you are confronted by them in this book. I hope more people read this book (and for a piece of non-fiction that is essentially about a data gap it was incredibly readable!), but mostly I hope more men read it. 
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Inside Voice by Lake Bell

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funny informative lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

This is a fun & informative audiobook! I specifically picked it up because I have a hard time paying attention to audiobooks. Because this one was more like a podcast, featured several interviews, and was about an interesting, niche topic it really held my attention. It definitely changed the way I think about voice. I really enjoyed the chapter about how actors prepare to do an accent for a movie. 
My Body by Emily Ratajkowski

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dark emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced

4.5

This was a really excellent audiobook, the fact that it was read by the author made it much more potent and memorable. This book humanizes beautiful people and does a good job of revealing the imbalance of power in the modelling industry. 
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The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver

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emotional funny hopeful reflective relaxing sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

A beautiful book with Kingsolver’s signature humour, loveable characters, and amazing writing. Although the plot was not very dramatic, I kept reading because I was invested in the characters. I liked Demon Copperhead more, but this does still have Kingsolver’s highly endearing writing style. 
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