I have #mecfs so I have a lot of time for reading, mostly #fantasy and #SciFi but I'm happy to dip into nearly anything.
Ratings: 1 star: I didn't like it 2 stars: it was okay 3 stars: I liked it 4 stars: I really liked it 5 stars: it was brilliant
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'Dazzling ... in her kaleidoscopic essays, memoir has been shattered into sliding and overlapping pieces …
Essays on the author's experience of schizophrenia (along with bipolar, PTSD & chronic Lyme!) in the US. Fascinating & unsettling view into psychiatric hospitals, mental health 'support' in Ivy League colleges, and what the hell a psychotic break feels like. Blimey.
Wild Woila
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This provocative perspective on America’s history claims that the country’s personality was defined not by …
Really interesting section on how the Italian mafia opened gay bars during the 50s and 60s - not just because they could profit off of them but also because several prominent mafiosos such as Fat Tony, who was known to have a long-term relationship with a Chinese drag queen, were themselves queer in some way. The raid on Stonewall was instigated by the Feds because the mob had been paying NYPD to leave the bar alone.
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A haunting, epic novel about betrayal, revenge, and redemption that follows three generations of Russian …
Interestingly, when I went to add this book, the spanish translation of it ("La muñeca de porcelana") popped up. But Bookwyrm doesn't seem to realize that these are translations of the same book, and I'm not sure how to indicate that. Any tips?
"Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street" is a short story by the American writer Herman Melville, first serialized …
Ann Leckie: Translation State (EBook, 2023, Orbit)
The mystery of a missing translator sets three lives on a collision course that will have a ripple effect across …
Egypt, 1912. In Cairo, the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities investigate disturbances between the mortal and the (possibly) …
To fix the world they must first break it, further. Humanity is a dying breed, utterly reliant on artificial labor …
The Broken Kingdoms is a fantasy novel by American writer N. K. Jemisin, the second …
A woman gets caught up in the manoeuvring of gods, godlings and grasping humans. Most notable for the protagonist's blindness, except for her ability to see magic.
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"Our Polyvagal World" is an accessible and thought-provoking exploration of the polyvagal theory and its implications for trauma, safety, and social connection. Written for a general audience, the book explains complex neuroscience concepts in a way that is clear and engaging without oversimplifying the science. The authors do a great job of reinforcing key ideas without feeling repetitive, making this an excellent read for anyone interested in understanding how our nervous system shapes our experiences.
One of the most striking takeaways from the book is its perspective on trauma: trauma isn’t about the event itself but about how our nervous system responds to it. This explains why two people can go through the same situation but react completely differently—our nervous systems are wired uniquely. The book also challenges the idea that trauma must stem from a singular, catastrophic event. Instead, trauma can result from an accumulation of smaller stressors over …
"Our Polyvagal World" is an accessible and thought-provoking exploration of the polyvagal theory and its implications for trauma, safety, and social connection. Written for a general audience, the book explains complex neuroscience concepts in a way that is clear and engaging without oversimplifying the science. The authors do a great job of reinforcing key ideas without feeling repetitive, making this an excellent read for anyone interested in understanding how our nervous system shapes our experiences.
One of the most striking takeaways from the book is its perspective on trauma: trauma isn’t about the event itself but about how our nervous system responds to it. This explains why two people can go through the same situation but react completely differently—our nervous systems are wired uniquely. The book also challenges the idea that trauma must stem from a singular, catastrophic event. Instead, trauma can result from an accumulation of smaller stressors over time, which I found eye-opening. Additionally, the authors emphasize that trauma isn't just psychological... it has a physical imprint on the body, shaping how we see, hear, and even interpret the world around us.
Another key concept is that our nervous system doesn’t care about logic—it responds to whether we feel safe. The book explains how our physiological state influences our perception, meaning that anxiety and stress can literally shape what we see and hear. This made me reflect on the ways everyday stressors (like traffic, doomscrolling, or even working under constant surveillance) can subtly create an ongoing sense of unease.
The book also highlights the profound importance of social connection, explaining that humans are wired for interaction. Studies show that strong social support networks contribute to happiness, better health, and even longevity. This resonated with me because I’ve noticed how much better I feel after social events, like my book club. The science behind this reinforces the idea that socializing isn’t just a luxury—it’s a biological necessity.
Reading "Our Polyvagal World" also made me reconsider my perfectionism. While I’ve long recognized that it causes stress, the book helped me realize that my perfectionism is actually an attempt to create a sense of safety. By structuring every part of my life into routines and spreadsheets, I’m subconsciously trying to shield myself from unpredictability. Of course, this strategy isn’t entirely effective, but understanding why I do it gives me a new perspective on how to work with my nervous system rather than against it.
Overall, "Our Polyvagal World" offers a fascinating look at how our nervous system shapes our experiences, emotions, and interactions. It’s a great read for anyone interested in trauma, mental health, or simply understanding why we feel the way we do.
Thou shalt kill.
A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery. Humanity …
A future where AI has created the perfect world without war, illness or death, and a select group keeps the population in check via 'gleaning'. Great premise but occasionally feels like a parody of itself and missed the opportunity for thought-provoking world building. Not much characterisation.
A murder mystery & coming-of-age story, with hefty lashes of abuse & racism, set in a small country town, 1960s Australia. Dark stuff, but leavened with teen romance and hilariously on-point best-mate banter (Jeffrey Lu is a legit superhero).
"It's the end of the world as we know it, but it doesn't have to be the end of the world." Provides an overview of the roots of the polycrisis (mostly separation & domination) and sketches out the shape of what must replace it: a grassroots democracy inspired by the systemic interdependency of ecology. Both reformism & revolution will just support the current, malignant system. Not much of it was new to me, but it provides a solid framework for many disparate ideas. Take the power back! (Disclaimers: I read this while low on brain juice, and Millie is thanked for her feedback in the acknowledgements.)
A homeless girl searches for identity while on the run from organised crime, expressing herself through art, finding solace in dreams of a glorious future, with support from Brisbane's idiosyncratic 'houseless' community. A rivetting, energetic story with a distinct & under-heard voice.
Worn out after decades of packing steel and raising hell, Viv the orc barbarian cashes …
A lovely little story about an ex-adventurer who turns her orcish hand to opening a coffee shop. Everyone is nice except for the odd dickhead who provides narrative tension. Imagine the Discworld with hygge instead of satire.
Autobiography of an Indigenous woman who was taken from her family & country as a teenager and 'cared for' (i.e. exploited) by the Aborigines Department. She lived a life full of hard work and undeserved prejudice with grace & strength. Simply told but surprisingly engaging.
