booktalkwithkarla's reviews
1324 reviews

Sociopath: a Memoir by Patric Gagne

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hopeful informative medium-paced

4.75

Sociopath or not, read this memoir about Patric Gagne’s experiences “learning” emotions with a sociopath diagnosis. Gagne channels her frustrations and deep desire to understand and be understood in her story. She states her goal as giving hope and I say she accomplished that for people who are sociopaths and those who are trauma broken - wanting to learn more about self acceptance, emotional growth, clearer communication, and better relationships. This memoir is not skippable if you are interested in psychology and in people. 
A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny

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emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Wow! This is my favorite of the series so far. I listened to the audio mostly and occasionally noted something in my paperback copy. 


The title, the mystery, the character development, the interactions, the art, the references to light - all of it was perfect. Louise Penny writes about a topic - alcoholism - with compassion and care. Penny weaves important relational elements into her mysteries which elevates them greatly. 

I love these people. I was thoroughly entertained by this novel as I moved about my home and town these past few days. Ready for the next one in the series and super happy that there are so many more to discover.
The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family by Ron Howard, Clint Howard

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emotional informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

After reading Henry Winkler’s recent memoir I was curious to hear Ron Howard’s story. According to Winkler, the two men have a deep and abiding friendship but I was curious to hear the other side (spoiler: it’s true). I didn’t know about Clint Howard. 

Reading about the Howard family and the brother’s relationship plus their Hollywood careers was interesting. I loved the behind the scenes takes and Ron Howard’s enthusiasm for “the wizardly craft of creating moving-picture illusions”. It was fun to learn more about Ron’s early acting and then trajectory as a director. Clint’s story was also engaging. Their writing collaborator alternated their voices so it felt like an ongoing conversation. If you like behind the scenes, give this one a try. Especially if you are old enough to remember Mayberry. 😉

“Andy directed his writers to model the Andy-Opie relationship more on the Rance-Ronny one. I was flabbergasted to learn about this conversation; Dad had never breathed a word of it to me. But I was also moved - more than moved. This was a key moment in my life, revealed to me years after the fact: in the distant past of my early childhood, when they still barely knew each other, the two men who effectively charted my future, had held this conversation, and they had come to a mutual understanding, derived from mutual respect.”
Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science by Atul Gawande

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informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

“Like the tennis player and the oboist, and the guy who fixes hard drives, we need practice to get good at what we do. There is one difference in medicine, though: it is people we practice upon.”

“That our efforts succeeded at all is sometimes still a shock to me. But they do. Not always, but often enough.”

Complications is such a phenomenal book told by one trusted doctor who is paying attention to an entire industry. Atul Gawande shares his experiences, plus what he gleaned from research and interviews to tell a compelling story. The fact that this was written 20 years ago shocks me. Gawande was ahead of his time. Yet still the system is flawed and fails. One of my favorite parts was about the improvements done with anesthesia processes. I also loved how the incredible stories told in each chapter show the truths of Gawande’s claims. And of course I appreciate the authors writing skill and his respectful treatment of people throughout. Brilliant book all the way around. 
The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

“I was wondering… How could I be a woman of such good fortune and have the worst luck of all when it came to the men I loved.”

Yes, me too. I wondered how she could leap so quickly into relationships and then exit quickly too. Allison Pataki must have noticed that theme too, and structures the book around Marjorie Post’s marriages. I found this very interesting and enjoyable. I appreciated the history and found myself searching online as I read to confirm facts. Pataki writes in an honoring and honest way about Post’s successes and failures. I recommend this historical fiction novel and will read more by Pataki. 
Scarcity Brain: Fix Your Craving Mindset and Rewire Your Habits to Thrive with Enough by Michael Easter

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challenging informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.25

I loved The Comfort Crisis and heard author Michael Easter speak about Scarcity in a podcast. The topic of recognizing scarcity loops and converting to abundance loops for meaningful life is intriguing. Easter writes narrative nonfiction is a way that draws you in - layering interviews, research, and stories (his and others) in an impressive way. 

In this book, I much prefer the relational stories to the science and evolution sections. I am fully on board with the premise that our brains are trying to keep us safe, created to function more fully (leading to meaningful life) when resources are scarce. And I was super excited to see the author more open (slightly) to God in his life and writing - because I am a Jesus follower and because it is important to the conversation (dare I say the missing link). 

The organization of the book is good and Easter is good at leaving you wanting more which he delivers in the next chapter. The epilogue helped tie it all together. I likes several chapters and especially the Information chapter which offers many insights including this one - “… our online middleman also alters the rewards we get from discovery. Searching everything we do before we do it kills new experiences.”

I am grateful to Easter who is out there interviewing fascinating people and making discoveries that are helpful. Then to articulate it well in a book we can read. Well, wow! This book grew my awareness and is in alignment with my goals to live more authentically to how humans were created and therefore thrive. 
House Rules: How to Decorate for Every Home, Style, and Budget by Myquillyn Smith

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informative inspiring slow-paced

4.5

Myquillyn Smith came to my attention from multiple podcasts. I bought Cozy Minimalist Home and haven’t read it yet. When she promoted this book House Rules I knew it was time. This book is accessible. I implemented some of the rules as I was reading and have referred back to the beginning rules already too. Mostly, reading this book grew my confidence in taking risks. I found this book inspiring, helpful, and practical. Bonus, I am loving my home more because of the changes prompted by my reading experience. 

“Creating an environment on purpose is powerful. And the environment we spend the most time in is our home. It’s a reminder of the truth we already know: our surroundings deeply affect our mood, actions, thoughts, and feelings.“

“Creating an environment of home isn’t about high-end choices and keeping up with trends. It’s not about pursuing one particular style. It’s about creating an atmosphere where we feel seen, loved, and heard.”

As a “beginner” I am grateful for all the rules. Here are some of my favorite rules - things I needed to hear right now. 
  • Home is a feeling. 
  • Home exists to serve people, not the other way around
  • Inspiration leads to motivation
  • Let it be easy
  • If it sits out, it’s a decoration
  • Round it off, and add curves
Madwoman by Chelsea Bieker

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dark informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Clove is seeking the perfect life, far different from how she grew up. And she’s doing it, pursuing health in her marriage, parenting, friendships, and body. Until a letter arrives -  bringing with it her past, giving her the summer to tell the truth - threatening not just her present but her entire future. 

Chelsea Bieker writes honestly about domestic abuse and society’s blind eye toward women and children. She writes so well that I read parts of the novel with a stomach ache and tears ready to spill. Even though it’s hard, I didn’t want to turn away and ignore the realities in many homes. Bieker’s writing is sharp and smart. Those parts were the best part. I liked the thriller part less, although I understand its necessity. And watching Clove spin out and obsess over was difficult to read. 

I’m glad this book exists and hope it brings clarity, understanding, and action from all of us to not turn a blind eye. Bieker does a phenomenal job of showing the truth in its complexities and inviting us to do better from top down and the ground up. 
From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley

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emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

“This has been one of the most profound experiences I’ve had. Learning to hold joy and suffering and indifference and hope simultaneously.”

My plan for this memoir was to listen to the audiobook, narrated by Julia Roberts and Riley Keough. Then while at a bookstore I saw the cover and the photos inside. I bought the book, started it, and finished it the next day. This is a heartbreaking story and also a story filled with love. Well worth the time it takes to read… even twice. The audiobook is still on hold via my library so I plan to listen too. Riley does a great job added to her mom’s words. The different font styles made it easy to know who was speaking. Addiction, grief, family, trauma, and love are major themes of this memoir drafted by Lisa Marie Presley and finished by her eldest daughter Riley Keough. 
You Like It Darker by Stephen King

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I’ve read just a few of Stephen King’s books / On Writing and The Stand. So this third book - and the first of short stories - was a new experience. I took it slow, mostly because I couldn’t read the stories at night. I read expecting to be freaked out so day time reading was better. I didn’t always want to pick this book up but each time I did I was right in the middle of the story. King is a phenomenal writer and brings characters and situations alive. 

I liked The Answer Man the best followed by Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream. 

“…the sense of impending doom is so strong it’s an actual taste in his mouth, like sucking on a clump of pennies.”

“Maybe creativity is supposed to remain a mystery.”

“Do you see what I mean about how easy it is to ask questions that don’t aid understanding? It devalues the whole process of asking, doesn’t it? Of delving into matters?”