“When supporting others, we need to offer the comfort of Kirk and the intellect of Spock.” – 3.5/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: baseball bats, diaries, teddy bears, distancing, Star Trek, rituals, the power of words and an inner voice.

An award-winning psychologist reveals the hidden power of our inner voice and shows how to harness it to combat anxiety, improve physical and mental health, and deepen our relationships with others.

Tell a stranger that you talk to yourself, and you’re likely to get written off as eccentric. But the truth is that we all have a voice in our head. When we talk to ourselves, we often hope to tap into our inner coach but find our inner critic instead. When we’re facing a tough task, our inner coach can buoy us up: Focus–you can do this. But, just as often, our inner critic sinks us entirely: I’m going to fail. They’ll all laugh at me. What’s the use?

In Chatter, acclaimed psychologist Ethan Kross explores the silent conversations we have with ourselves. Interweaving groundbreaking behavioral and brain research from his own lab with real-world case studies–from a pitcher who forgets how to pitch, to a Harvard undergrad negotiating her double life as a spy–Kross explains how these conversations shape our lives, work, and relationships. He warns that giving in to negative and disorienting self-talk–what he calls “chatter”–can tank our health, sink our moods, strain our social connections, and cause us to fold under pressure.

But the good news is that we’re already equipped with the tools we need to make our inner voice work in our favor. These tools are often hidden in plain sight–in the words we use to think about ourselves, the technologies we embrace, the diaries we keep in our drawers, the conversations we have with our loved ones, and the cultures we create in our schools and workplaces.

Brilliantly argued, expertly researched, and filled with compelling stories, Chatter gives us the power to change the most important conversation we have each day: the one we have with ourselves.

This was a very insightful and interesting read. This book is focused on how our inner chatter influences our lives positively or negatively – well, according to what we do consciously and unconsciously. I think the most memorable and useful thing I took from this book is how creating some distance with our thoughts helps putting situations in perspective. I never thought very deeply about this until now, but it makes total sense! I know some people who do this unintentionally and it’s very interesting to see their internal dialogue. I’m definitely applying this to my own life!

I like how he showed a lot of studies made by his team and gave real-life examples from other people – and even himself! – to prove his points.

Another thing I also loved was how the author mentioned how important it is to take walks and look at green (trees, bushes, plants). I already read some books that said the same thing about the power of nature, and I’m very glad he mentioned this as well because I think it’s something we overlook often. 

It’s a very nice book that touches a lot of important topics. It was nice to review some of the concepts and also learn a few new perspectives coming from the stories and studies presented. I recommend the audiobook version for this. It’s a great way of working on yourself while doing a mindless task such as driving or cleaning!

“But diet and exercise are not fifty-fifty partners like macaroni and cheese. Diet is Batman and exercise is Robin. Diet does 95 per cent of the work and deserves all the attention; so, logically, it would be sensible to focus on diet. Exercise is still healthy and important—just not equally important. It has many benefits, but weight loss is not among them. Exercise is like brushing your teeth. It is good for you and should be done every day. Just don’t expect to lose weight.” – 5/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: human studies, vinegar, processed carbohydrates, fibers, calorie restriction, hormones, easy recipes, sugars, intermittent fasting, sleeping hours and meal planning.

Everything you believe about how to lose weight is wrong. Weight gain and obesity are driven by hormones—in everyone—and only by understanding the effects of insulin and insulin resistance can we achieve lasting weight loss.

In this highly readable and provocative book, Dr. Jason Fung sets out an original, robust theory of obesity that provides startling insights into proper nutrition. In addition to his five basic steps, a set of lifelong habits that will improve your health and control your insulin levels, Dr. Fung explains how to use intermittent fasting to break the cycle of insulin resistance and reach a healthy weight—for good.

I read this book a while ago, but I couldn’t write a review right after finishing the book because I wanted to let the teachings sink in first.
I want to start this review by saying I was a little scared of going into this knowing it’s a medical book. I was afraid of not fully understanding the author’s message because of the (possible) use of medical and technical language. My fear quickly vanished after reading the first part of the book: the author addresses this concern and says he wrote the book in a way that everyone could understand, because this is a book intended for everyone interested in the subject, no matter their background and education. And it was true. I went through this book quickly and I absorbed the information easily.
This was a life changing book for me. I’ve struggled with overeating and being overweight for a few years now, and I’m always looking for new information and new things to read on the subject. This was a very important read for me because I learned a lot and I applied a lot of the teachings to lose weight… and guess what? It worked perfectly! I still have weight to lose until I reach my goal, but I’m happy to say my habits have changed and I’ve lost a lot of weight so far!
Ok, now back to the book: what makes it so amazing? To me it was the fact that the author uses A LOT of human studies to back up every claim. This book is full of references to relevant studies on human behavior. It’s the kind of book that you will definitely take something from, even if you’re an expert in the subject because he covers a lot of areas. Not only does he explain what works and what doesn’t for weight loss, but it uses a lot of proof to back it up. For example, one of the things you’ll read in this book is the fact that calorie restriction does not influence weight loss. Another big thing is that what makes us gain weight is the unbalanced hormone levels. These two simple facts were very surprising to me, but after reading about the science behind it and the studies made on the subjects, I gained a new (and life changing) perspective which is now a huge part of my successful weight loss journey. I’m also very thankful for the author to end the book with a conclusion for what we should do for weight loss.
I cannot explain how important this book was in my life. I’m truly grateful this doctor took the time to explain all the science behind it for us to lead a healthier life. This is an amazing book and an essential read with anyone struggling with losing weight! I already added to my TBR list the other two books from this author: “The Cancer Code” and “The Diabetes Code”. Definitely recommend this one, it’s probably the best book I’ve read in 2022.

“Blessed is the snow that hides my path. Blessed is the lie that saves a life. Blessed is the woman who helps her kind.” – 5/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: tall towers, a protective circle, memory loss, black curls, tailored dresses, figurines, true love, daggers, witches, fainting spells, golden eyes, midwives, wolf skin, rare fruits, true love and brave young women.

Everyone knows the story of Rapunzel in her tower, but do you know the story of the witch who put her there? Mary McMyne’s spellbinding debut reveals the truth behind the fairy tale—the truth they never wanted you to know, as only a witch might tell it.

“Smart, swift, sure-footed and fleet-winged, The Book of Gothel launches its magic from a most reliable source: the troubled heart. Mary McMyne is a magician.”—Gregory Maguire, NYT bestselling author of Wicked

Germany, 1156. With her strange black eyes and even stranger fainting spells, young Haelewise has never quite fit in. Shunned by her village, her only solace lies in the stories her mother tells of child-stealing witches, of princes in wolf-skins, and of an ancient tower cloaked in mist, where women will find shelter if they are brave enough to seek it.

When her mother dies, Haelewise is left unmoored. With nothing left for her in her village, she sets out to find the legendary tower her mother spoke of—a place called Gothel, where she meets a wise woman willing to take Haelewise under her wing. There, she discovers that magic is found not only in the realm of fairy tales.

But Haelewise is not the only woman to seek refuge at Gothel. It’s also a haven for a girl named Rika, who carries with her a secret the church strives to keep hidden. A secret that reveals a dark world of ancient spells and murderous nobles, behind the world Haelewise has always known.

“McMyne’s shimmering debut… is a sprawling epic, full of magic, love, and heartbreak. Fans of Circe and The Wolf and the Woodsman will devour this taut, empowering fairy tale.”—Publisher’s Weekly (starred review)

I don’t know what it is about retellings, but I just love them with all my heart! Especially when they are about well-known “villains” and their backstory. We all know about Rapunzel’s story and how she was stolen by a witch and kept locked in a tower. But in this book, we get a backstory for the witch who stole her: the infamous Mother Gothel. She was just a “normal” girl who wanted to live her life and who wanted to be with her best friend Matthäus… but she is far from normal. Her village sees her as a witch, and when her mother dies and her father abandons her, she has no choice but to run from the village and seek refuge in the Gothel tower. This is just the gist of it, because there’s a lot going on in this story so if I were to describe everything… we would be here for a while!
I’m very surprised this is a debut novel, because it’s absolutely stunning and well written. Every single element of this book created a beautiful and immersive reading experience. I would describe this book as young adult fantasy, but it definitely matures as the story goes, so keep that in mind if you decide to pick it up. It’s nothing too graphic (in my opinion), but it definitely talks about more serious topics as the book progresses.
There’s a bit of romance in here, but it’s not the main focus of the book. The focus of this book is 100% the main character’s development. It’s a coming-of-age story with a touch of feminism, folklore and paganism.
I was surprised with the way the story ended, regarding Rapunzel. I don’t want to spoil anything with this review, but I was hoping that the end would make a connection to the well-known story of Rapunzel. Still, I was pleased and it was a very satisfying ending!
Fortunately for me, I believe I read this at the perfect time of the year: Fall! This is a very cozy read, and I highly recommend reading it while it’s cold outside. Grab a blanket and a cup of tea/coffee and enjoy this masterpiece! I just love how original, creative and inspiring this story was! If you like retellings, this is definitely a must-read!

“Don’t focus on the what ifs. Focus on what is.” – 3/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: desks, new job opportunities, ongoing investigations and homeless men.

Reese
The first time I met Chase Parker, I didn’t exactly make a good impression.

I was hiding in the bathroom hallway of a restaurant, leaving a message for my best friend to save me from my awful date.

He overheard and told me I was a bitch, then proceeded to offer me some dating advice.

So I told him to mind his own damn business—his own tall, gorgeous, full-of-himself damn business—and went back to my miserable date.

When he walked by my table, he smirked, and I watched his arrogant, sexy ass walk back to his date.

I couldn’t help but sneak hidden glances at the condescending jerk on the other side of the room. Of course, he caught me on more than one occasion, and winked.

When the gorgeous stranger and his equally hot date suddenly appeared at our table, I thought he was going to rat me out.

But instead, he pretended we knew each other and joined us—telling elaborate, embarrassing stories about our fake childhood.

My date suddenly went from boring to bizarrely exciting.

When it was over and we parted ways, I thought about him more than I would ever admit, even though I knew I’d never see him again.

I mean, what were the chances I’d run into him again in a city with eight million people?
Then again…

What were the chances a month later he’d wind up being my new sexy boss?

Not gonna lie, this wasn’t the most memorable book ever, but I found it entertaining in the end.
To be completely fair to the book, this is probably a “me” problem. The reason for this is because I don’t really care about the boss/employee trope in romance, so that’s probably why I wasn’t super invested in the story. For this reason, I think it’s important to take my opinion of this book with a grain of salt.
I had a hard time connecting to the characters, especially Reese. She kept punching Chase away all the time and for no reason, so that got old quickly. I thought Chase was a little better because he had more of a personality, but in the end both characters felt a little flat for me. Fortunately, I think the backstories helped a little with this, especially with the Peyton situation! I wish they had more chemistry and the romance was developed more to make the story better.
I just felt like something was missing in this book. I wanted more. I thought it was entertaining for the most part, but it felt kind of average to be honest.

“It is definitely annoying that straight (and white, for that matter) is the default, and that the only people who have to think about their identity are the ones who don’t fit that mold. Straight people really should have to come out, and the more awkward it is, the better. Awkwardness should be a requirement.” – 4/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: band t-shirts, Harry Potter references, blackmailing, friendship, an old couch, eyeliner, surprise bands, cheerleading uniforms, waffles, teenage hormones, Oreos, Tumblr, good music and a lot of emails.

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.

With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met.

This was a cute book! I have some good things I really want to point out:
1. The writing style. It was very easy to read, especially because of the slang. Their dialogs were very realistic and relatable. This is not a “formal” book, and I’m glad it’s not because the characters gained more dimension.
2. (…speaking of) The characters. I honestly feel like I was put in their high school during this book. All the characters felt realistic. Not just because of the way they spoke, but also for their attitudes and feelings. A great example of this is the first time Simon went to school after Martin posted on Tumblr that he was gay. The fact that he went to his locker and everyone was acting normal (until the douches appeared, of course) felt realistic.
3. Simon’s perspective. I really loved how close I felt to Simon. Being in his head and seeing his struggles made me realize how lucky I am. It was great to see a different perspective on this subject, and I was so happy he finally got his well deserved happiness at the end!
See, the thing is… even though it’s a good book, I didn’t think it was anything extraordinary. I know it deals with a (yet) sensitive topic and it was great to see how Simon dealt with positive and negative attention, but other than that… It was a very simple contemporary book. I enjoyed it!

“I tried to convince myself that my secret chats with Jade were nothing more than friendly banter. But I knew better. I was likely headed to hell in a handbasket. I lived for her messages—fucking addicted to talking to her. I knew it was wrong, but I’d managed to convince myself that it wasn’t cheating.” – 3/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: pixie cuts, snuggies, Broadway, baby nephews, treehouses, awkward dinners and accidental friend requests.

From New York Times bestselling author, Penelope Ward, comes a new novelette.

The first time I met Jade Jameson, I lost my words and accidentally dropped a beer bottle, smashing it to the ground.

The Broadway star sister of my brother’s wife had paid us a surprise visit on Christmas. Quite simply, she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen; I was mesmerized.

I’d made a fool of myself, though, and to make matters worse, my girlfriend was standing right there when it all happened.

Jade went back to New York, and we didn’t cross paths again for a year—until one night when a Facebook notification lit up my screen, setting off a chain of events that would change my life forever.

I was very excited when I found out this book existed because when I finished reading “Neighbor Dearest” I wanted to read more about Jade (Chelsea’s sister) and Tyler (Damien’s brother). Then my disappointment came when I found out this is only a novella and not a full length book. Still, I picked up the book to finally read the story I was so curious about.

I think the quote I picked above describes this book perfectly. After a few months from their memorable encounter during the family dinner, they start texting each other and their connection deepens online… and in secret.

The characters were interesting, but the romance wasn’t the best. I was a little uncomfortable with all the emotional cheating going on since Tyler was in a “serious” relationship with another girl the entire time. Not only that, but I also consider the romance between Jade and Tyler insta-lovey. They only met a few times in person and they were dating other people most of the time. I didn’t feel a true connection between them.

In the end, it wasn’t what I envisioned for them as a couple, but it was entertaining nonetheless.

“You can’t always get what you want. But don’t be afraid to ask.” – 3.25/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: new landlords, unicorns, homemade pizza, steamy books, fires, painted murals, hospital stays, ripped shirts and rottweilers.

After getting dumped, the last thing I needed was to move next door to someone who reminded me of my ex-boyfriend, Elec.

Damien was a hotter version of my ex.

The neighbor I’d dubbed “Angry Artist” also had two massive dogs that kept me up with their barking.

He wanted nothing to do with me. Or so I thought until one night I heard laughter coming through an apparent hole in my bedroom wall.

Damien had been listening to all of my phone sessions with my therapist.

The sexy artist next door now knew all of my deepest secrets and insecurities.

We got to talking.

He set me straight with tips to get over my breakup.

He became a good friend, but Damien made it clear that he couldn’t be anything more.

Problem was, I was falling hard for him anyway. And as much as he pushed me away, I knew he felt the same…because his heartbeat didn’t lie.

I thought my heart had been broken by Elec, but it was alive and beating harder than ever for Damien.

I just hoped he wouldn’t shatter it for good.

I read “Stepbrother Dearest” by Penelope Ward a couple of years ago but at the time I didn’t know there was another standalone romance associated with it. I found out about “Neighbor Dearest” recently and I was excited to pick it up knowing it was about the girl Elec rejected.

Personally I think this book was okay. I’m not the biggest fan of “artistic” male leads in NA/YA romances, but this worked out nicely in the end. Chelsea was a good character, and so was Damien, but there was something about the couple dynamic that was a little off. Not only that but I found it weird that at first everyone (neighbors and random people) thought Damien was rude, but that… just evaporated throughout the book.

The romance is on the steamier side, and it was nicely done. I enjoyed watching their relationship flourish with time!

One thing that made me curious while reading this book was Tyler and Jade. I did some research and I found they have their own little novella named “Jaded and Tyed”, so I immediately added it to my reading list!

At the end of the day, it wasn’t the best romance I have ever read, but it was definitely an entertaining read.

“A broken heart is still a beating one.” – 4.5/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: hot sauce, stolen underwear, anagrams, clove cigarettes, gaming sessions, shamrock tattoos, bowls of ice cream, clubbing outfits, poker chips and unfinished books.

You’re not supposed to want the one who torments you.

When my stepbrother, Elec, came to live with us my senior year, I wasn’t prepared for how much of a jerk he’d be.

I hated that he took it out on me because he didn’t want to be here.
I hated that he brought girls from our high school back to his room.
But what I hated the most was the unwanted way my body reacted to him.

At first, I thought all he had going for him were his rock-hard tattooed abs and chiseled face. Then, things started changing between us, and it all came to a head one night.

Just as quickly as he’d come into my life, he was gone back to California.

It had been years since I’d seen Elec.

When tragedy struck our family, I’d have to face him again.

And holy hell, the teenager who made me crazy was now a man that drove me insane.

I had a feeling my heart was about to get broken again.

That last sentence of the book before the epilogue killed me… I wish I could put it here, but it would be a spoiler. I was in the mood for a good romance book, and this sounded super good. This story portraits the romance between two non-related step brothers, who don’t like each other – at first. And I like how even though the book has a taboo topic, it was not an important thing in this book. The story does not revolve around the taboo aspect like in most stepbrother romance books, but it revolves around other serious topics like abuse and depression.

I really liked the story and the romance in it. Even though I would consider this an “enemies to lovers” kind of story – at least in the beginning -, it’s definitely a lighter kind of hate. It’s also a very steamy book, so I would only recommend it for a mature audience.

The only thing I wish I knew was who sent that mysterious text to Elec. It was never mentioned again, and there was no logic behind it… other than that, I don’t have any other negative things to say. It was so entertaining that I read it in one sitting, and I MAY have cried… a lot.

“Why do we romanticize the dead? Why can’t we be honest about them? Especially moms, they’re the most romanticized of anyone. Moms are saints, angels by merely existing. No one could possibly understand what it’s like to be a mom. Men will never understand, women with no children will never understand. No one buts moms know the hardship of motherhood and we non-moms must heap nothing but praise upon mom because we lowly, pitiful, non-moms are mere peasants compared to the goddesses we call mothers.” – 5/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: screenplays, hush money, crying on cue, auditions, eating disorders, jealousy, child stardom, gift baskets and abusive parents.

A heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former child actor—including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother—and how she retook control of her life.

Jennette McCurdy was six years old when she had her first acting audition. Her mother’s dream was for her only daughter to become a star, and Jennette would do anything to make her mother happy. So she went along with what Mom called “calorie restriction,” eating little and weighing herself five times a day. She endured extensive at-home makeovers while Mom chided, “Your eyelashes are invisible, okay? You think Dakota Fanning doesn’t tint hers?” She was even showered by Mom until age sixteen while sharing her diaries, email, and all her income.

In I’m Glad My Mom Died, Jennette recounts all this in unflinching detail—just as she chronicles what happens when the dream finally comes true. Cast in a new Nickelodeon series called iCarly, she is thrust into fame. Though Mom is ecstatic, emailing fan club moderators and getting on a first-name basis with the paparazzi (“Hi Gale!”), Jennette is riddled with anxiety, shame, and self-loathing, which manifest into eating disorders, addiction, and a series of unhealthy relationships. These issues only get worse when, soon after taking the lead in the iCarly spinoff Sam & Cat alongside Ariana Grande, her mother dies of cancer. Finally, after discovering therapy and quitting acting, Jennette embarks on recovery and decides for the first time in her life what she really wants.

Told with refreshing candor and dark humor, I’m Glad My Mom Died is an inspiring story of resilience, independence, and the joy of shampooing your own hair.

It’s impossible not to be curious about this book after reading the title. Like everyone else who came across this book, I was hooked by the words “I’m Glad My Mom Died”. That sounds very scandalous… and intriguing!

This book is Jennette McCurdy’s memoir, and trust me: it’s a good one. I watched iCarly occasionally (not religiously), so I was already familiar with Jennette’s work as an actress, but I would have never in a million years guessed what was behind her success. 

She shares a lot in her book so there are a lot of things she talks about, but here are the things that stood out to me the most:

1. The family dynamics – how her parents were always fighting, how she didn’t have a close relationship with her father and how she would rather spend time at church than at home because it was her happy place away from home.
2. The abuse, manipulation and exploitation from her mother – this is probably the main focus of the book. From a very young age she had her hair bleached, eyebrows done and etc because her mom wanted her to be perfect for acting roles. Jennette was constantly stressing and worrying about not getting her mother upset and that took a big toll on her mental health. Not only that but her mother knew she would feel bad, so she would take advantage of her daughter.
3. The child stardom – the fact that she never wanted to act in the first place – was a very important thing in this book. Her mother made her act because it was her dream to become famous, but it wasn’t Jennette’s dream. She did a lot that she doesn’t want, including having to deal with that “Creator” creepy guy (allegedly Dan Schneider).
4. The body image issues and eating disorders – another big thing about her story is that her mother created her bulimia. If this sounds weird to you, I am sure you haven’t read the book, but it’s true. It’s very sad that she developed a very serious eating disorder because her mother made her starve constantly.

This is a very personal memoir, but mostly – it’s an important one. This is just a real life example of what so many child actors go through growing up. They frequently are abused and exploited by parents and people in the business, and they’re scarred for life – just like Jennette was. 

It’s a very impactful and tough book to read, and I’m very impressed with what was achieved with this book. I congratulate Jennette for sharing her story and for being brave to speak about her experience as a child actress. It is one of the best memoirs I have ever read – so that’s saying a lot!