Book Review: Positivity: Groundbreaking Research Reveals How to Embrace the Hidden Strength of Positive Emotions, Overcome Negativity, and Thrive by Barbara L. Fredrickson, Ph.D.
Posted by Cyn | Filed under Book Reviews
Positivity: Groundbreaking Research Reveals How to Embrace the Hidden Strength of Positive Emotions, Overcome Negativity, and Thrive by Barbara L. Fredrickson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I first read Fredrickson’s second book, Love 2.0: How Our Supreme Emotion Affects Everything We Feel, Think, Do, and Become. It blew me away, and I’ve recommended it hither and yon. I was definitely interested in her first book, but for one reason and another it took me a while to get around to it.
This is an excellent audiobook. I enjoyed the presentation, and the information was absolutely fascinating. I’m going to have to go back and read (instead of listen to) some of the sections and take notes, but I’m definitely interested enough to do so!
I’m particularly interested in the science-backed techniques Fredrickson recommends for improving one’s positivity ratio. I’ll be tracking mine as I try these techniques to see what happens. I strongly recommend the book, especially to anyone who is interested in combating negativity or the science of positive psychology.
Book Review: Storm Front by Jim Butcher
Posted by Cyn | Filed under Book Reviews
Storm Front by Jim Butcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I just re-read Storm Front, after first reading it — well, I don’t even know how many years ago! Shortly after it was first released, I think.
Now, it’s important to know that I simply don’t re-read books. I find that too boring, most of the time. There are a scant few exceptions. The Liaden Universe books by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller are the most remarkable of them. The fact that I would even consider a re-read speaks very, very highly of Butcher’s work.
I’d forgotten far more than I expected, but I suppose that happens, with at least 15 years and goodness knows how many books in between readings. I knew it was a good book, I knew one important part of the ending (I mean, come on — there are many more books in the series, so you KNOW that Dresden lives!), but all else was lost. I wasn’t sure I would like reading about old Harry with recent Harry fresh in my mind (I just read the short story “Jury Duty”).
If anything, I enjoyed it even more spiced by the knowledge of who Dresden (and Murphy) will become in the future books. I enjoyed the setting, the craft that went into building the whole novel, and seeing how Butcher’s skill grew from the first book to the more recent works.
I’m going to go on with re-reading the entire series — I hadn’t committed to it before, but now I’m looking forward to it!