Tag: Little Sparks

Feb 17  –  Feb 23, 2025 | Little Sparks #92

TemidayoLeave a comment

Greetings,

This weekend flew by, and unfortunately, not in a good way.

Here’s my reading highlight:

Same as Ever: A Guide to What Never Changes by Morgan Housel
5 stars

This book should be a required reading. It gave me a lot of peace, especially during this socio-political climate, and reaffirmed why I love history so much. I was surprised to learn that it was published in 2023 (I thought it was published early this year/late last year).

Housel did a fantastic job detailing lessons for understanding an ever-changing world – by focusing on what always stays the same – and how to live your best life. They were all impactful and some have changed my brain chemistry since reading the book, such as how

  • Risk is what you don’t see – what’s left after you think you’ve thought of everything.  
  • Stories are always more powerful than statistics. The best story always wins, which is true across all sectors, from what makes us decide to pick a product to a president.
  • The world is driven by a force that cannot be measured.
  • Nothing is more persuasive than what you’ve experienced firsthand. Our experiences are all different and often shape the story we tell ourselves. Hence, also why there will always be disagreements.

I recommend coming back to the book often!

Feb 10  –  Feb 16, 2025 | Little Sparks #91

TemidayoLeave a comment

Hello!

You are not your job title; that’s a limiting belief!

Here’s my reading highlight:

Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
3 stars

The final third of the book redeemed it for me. I was taken aback to discover that receiving a diagnosis brought Martha substantial peace, and it was discussed quite thoroughly, despite the author’s choice not to disclose Martha’s condition. It seemed counterintuitive.

Feb 3  –  Feb 9, 2025 | Little Sparks #90

TemidayoLeave a comment

Greetings!

This weekend has been a joy. I attended my first-ever drag brunch, watched my friend perform, and had a blast. I tried a new sandwich place on my list (it wasn’t that great, to be honest) and baked focaccia bread (which was therapeutic). A surprising highlight of the weekend was Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show. The commentary, choreography, and symbolism were all masterpieces.

Here’s my reading highlight:

Onyx Storm (The Empyrean #3) by Rebecca Yarros
3 stars

Where do I begin? I was a little disappointed with the book.

13 chapters in, and I couldn’t help but give Xaden the side-eye. I had hoped he wouldn’t turn out to be a “Tamlin”, but after finishing the book, I’m not sure; it looks very likely.

I appreciated how we could delve into the thoughts of the other cadets and dragons; however, this only occurred towards the end of the book during the final battle, making it feel rushed and somewhat insignificant.

Jan 27  –  Feb 2, 2025 | Little Sparks #89

TemidayoLeave a comment

Hi there!

It’s a whole new month, starting with a snowing point of view, the Sun saying no to coming out, and me dreaming it’s summer.

Here’s my reading highlight:

The Witches by Roald Dahl
3 stars

The Witches is one of my (two) favourite Roald Dahl books, the other being Matilda. I’m not sure why; I liked it so much growing up, considering the Witches hate children, but it felt like a comfort read.

The grandson and grandmother have a beautiful relationship. It’s a great answer to the question, “Would you still love me if I were a worm?” that was popular on TikTok a few years ago. The grandmother still very much loved her grandson after he turned into a rat.

Jan 20  –  Jan 26, 2025 | Little Sparks #88

TemidayoLeave a comment

Hello!

The first month of January is about to end – how time flies. I’ve kept up with my New Year’s resolution, which I’m very proud of.

This weekend was beautiful. The sun was out, and the temperature was great, so I walked around the neighbourhood.

Here’s my reading highlight:

Men Have Called Her Crazy: A Memoir by Anna Marie Tendler
5 stars

In this memoir, Tendler recounts her experience in a psychiatric hospital after checking herself in following a year of crippling anxiety, depression, and self-harm, as well as the pivotal moments in her life that preceded and followed this event.

I enjoyed this memoir a lot – it was a riveting reflection of living as a woman under a patriarchal system while experiencing mental health issues.

Chapter 9 left me feeling quite emotional. It delved into the concept of “strain trauma” versus “shock trauma”, which I reflected on.  

Jan 13  –  Jan 19, 2025 | Little Sparks #87

TemidayoLeave a comment

你好,

最近我想裸职有点太平凡。。。还好我(目前)熬过去了

Here’s my reading highlight:

Cold Cold Heart by Karin Slaughter
4 stars

I’ve wanted to read Karin Slaughter’s work for a while now, so I took the opportunity when a short story of hers was available through my library.

At its core, this novel is about female rage. Pam takes revenge against her (ex-)husband of 20 years on his deathbed for his ridicule, disrespect and betrayal.  

Jan 6  –  Jan 12, 2025 | Little Sparks #86

TemidayoLeave a comment

Greetings!

I watched Wicked, and it was brilliant. The writers did a great job making the movie political without being political—Elphaba is misunderstood and called wicked because of her green skin, and animals experience prejudice from humans and have their speech stripped.

Here’s my reading highlight:

No Hard Feelings by Genevieve Novak
3 stars

It is a book about a sad millennial who gains confidence after finding a better sense of purpose, going to therapy, and learning to prioritise themself.

We sometimes need a reminder that it’s okay not to be okay.

Dec 30, 2024  –  Jan 5, 2025 | Little Sparks #85

TemidayoLeave a comment

Welcome to 2025!

I’m grateful for the start of the new year. I connected with friends, and we shared our gratitude for 2024 and our wishes for this year.

I’m also getting into a new and better routine and sticking to it.

Here’s my reading highlight:

The Young Queens by (Three Dark Crowns #0.2) Kendare Blake
4 stars

After so long, I’m finally continuing the series in the new year.

I’m glad I read the prequels before getting into the series. They’re great at providing context for the history and characters. I just hope they haven’t set my expectations high, especially for certain characters, such as Mirabella, who will likely be the Queen and who I expect to be a strong female lead.

I’m excited to see how politicking plays out in the rest of the series.

Dec 23  –  29, 2024 | Little Sparks #84

TemidayoLeave a comment

Hi there,

This is the last Little Sparks piece for 2024—how time flies. This year (as of today), I’ve read 121 books, 14 of which were 5-star reads. It’s been a pretty good reading year.

Here’s my reading highlight:

The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma
4 stars

A literary magic that took me on a rollercoaster of emotions and sometimes left me speechless.

Told by nine-year-old Benjamin, the youngest of four brothers, The Fishermen tells the aftermath of a meeting with a madman by a forbidden nearby river who persuades the oldest of the boys that he is destined to be killed by one of his siblings.

This was an excellent take on the genre of family literature meets historical fiction.

Dec 16  –  22, 2024 | Little Sparks #83

TemidayoLeave a comment

Hello!

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.”

Here’s my reading highlight:

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
5 stars

Another 5-star read for 2024!

The premise for the book: Justin and Emma both have a ‘curse’ where their ex finds their soulmate the second they break up.

Jimenez did a great job depicting PTSD and mental illness with empathy. This was further emphasised by how much agency Emma had throughout the book.

P.S. We are thankful for friends like Maddie, who was beside Emma through it all.