2018/11/30

2018/11/29

BOOK HAUL:
NOVEMBER

November is drawing to an end and winter seems to have finally arrived. It is cold here in Oslo these days, although so far, the snow hasn't quite made it's grand arrival yet. It's only a matter of time though and I'm sure by Christmas time, we'll have loads of it.

I've got a very exciting collection of books this month; three of which were sent by publishers and the rest I bought myself. I'm so excited about all of these!












(affiliate links)
(*books sent by publishers)

I hope you're all doing well and that you're getting excited for December!
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2018/11/26

BOOK REVIEW:
SEVEN BRIEF LESSONS OF PHYSICS BY CARLO ROVELLI

Title: Seven Brief Lessons on Physics
Author: Carlo Rovelli, Simon Carnell (translator), Erica Segre (translator)
Published: 2014
Language: English (translated from Italian)
Pages: 83
Rating: 4/5


Summary:
This book simply explains seven lessons on physics and how these facts relate to the universe we live in.


Review:
I love these kinds of books, where an author manages to take something complicated and make it easily digestible.

I thought I knew nothing about physics, so I was actually surprised to find that some of the stuff in here was stuff I already knew. I still feel like a learned a lot though, and it's always helpful to repeat things you already know and may have forgotten a little. It is very basic though, and I kind of feel like I might need to read some longer books about physics to answer some of the questions I'm left with (there's a sentence I never thought I'd express).

I think this is a great little book that can spark curiosity in readers, which is a great thing, and if you're interested in learning a little bit about physics and have your brain hurt a little, you should definitely pick this up.
You can get this book at The Book Depository (affiliate link)
You can read more about it on Goodreads
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2018/11/25

2018/11/24

BOOK REVIEW:
MISSOULA BY JON KRAKAUER

Title: Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town
Author: Jon Krakauer
Published: 2016
Language: English
Pages: 398
Rating: 4/5


Summary:
In this book, Krakauer takes a look at sexual assaults at the University of Montana, taking a look at personal accounts as well as how cases like these are handled, not only in Montana, but in all of America.


Review:
This is obviously a quite distressing topic to read about, but it's also monumentally important and I felt like this book explored it in a critical, sensitive and interesting way.

I'm always impressed by the way Krakauer manages to write these books and convey so much information without it ever feeling like it's too overwhelming. It's factual without being boring, and at the same time, it doesn't shy away for the emotional parts, which are incredibly important. It's brutal, there's no doubt about it, but it's also interesting and makes you think.

I found it especially interesting when the book explored rape myths, the emotional trauma of having experienced a sexual assault, the culture of this particular town and the trials of the main cases in this book. I was absolutely infuriated by a lot of it, but I think this serves an important reminder that there is still conversation to be had and myths to debunk.

The very last chapter did lose my interest a little bit for parts of it, but otherwise, I think this is an incredibly powerful, fascinating and vital book, and the information in here could (and probably would) benefit any reader. I'd highly recommend it.
You can get this book at The Book Depository (affiliate link)
You can read more about it on Goodreads
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2018/11/23

2018/11/21

2018/11/20

THINGS I LIKE NO. 17

I mentioned this in the video I did this year where I talked about my skincare and make-up, but I've just gotten a new pot of this because it's so good, so I wanted to share it again!

I used to really struggle with dry patches, especially during the colder months and after having tried loads of different products, I tried the Magic Cream from Charlotte Tilbury, and it completely solved the problem. It sits beautifully under make-up; it sinks into the skin immediately and you don't have to wait to put anything on over it.

My only problem with this cream is the price. It literally breaks the bank every time I need to get a new one which is super annoying, but I can't find anything else that can compete with it, so I always end up getting a new one when I run out.
I will say though, a pot lasts for a really long time because you don't need a lot of it. I use it every morning and a 50ml pot lasts me for around six months and I once got the huge 150ml one and that lasted for almost two years, which is a lot compared to other creams I use, which is great!
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2018/11/19

BOOK REVIEW:
THE FEATHER THIEF BY KIRK WALLACE JOHNSON

Title: The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century
Author: Kirk Wallace Johnson
Published: 2018
Language: English
Pages: 308
Rating: 5/5


Summary:
In this true crime book, we take a look at the case of a young man who broke into a Natural History museum and stole close to 300 rare birds, as well as the development of evolutionary theory, endangered birds and the obsessives of the fly-tying community of the world.


Review:
The description of this book sounds completely bonkers, but there is a very good reason this book has gotten so many positive reviews; somehow, it's just incredible.

There are a lot of themes in this book that I'm already interested in; true crime, the beginning of evolutionary theory with Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace, the Victorian era and the preservation of nature. But there's also themes in it that I'm not (or at least, didn't think I was) interested in like... well, the art of fly-tying. Somehow though, the author weaves all of these things together and it sucked me right in. I don't think I've read something as engrossing all year.

It's an incredibly exciting story and it's so enjoyable to read. The writing is good, concise and never felt boring or dry, even though it easily could have been. There's also a discussions throughout the book about obsession, in particular humans obsession with beauty and owning it, which I thought was fascinating.

I can't say enough good things about this book. It's an electrifying and thrilling tale that I think anyone could enjoy. It's just so much fun!
You can get this book at The Book Depository (affiliate link)
You can read more about it on Goodreads
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2018/11/18

WINTER TBR

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2018/11/17

BOOK REVIEW:
HEART BERRIES BY TERESE MARIE MAILHOT

Title: Heart Berries
Author: Terese Marie Mailhot
Published: 2018
Language: English
Pages: 143
Rating: 2/5


Summary:
In this memoir, Mailhot explores her childhood growing up in an Indian reservation in Canada, her own identity as a mother and woman and her struggles with her mental health.


Review:
I had heard so many wonderful things about this book and seeing as I love reading memoirs by women, I was sure I was going to love it. I think my high expectations may have gotten the better of me, because I just didn't.

I do think this book has some great things in it; I really liked reading about the authors relationship with her mother and her own struggles as a mother, and I think mental health is discusses in an honest and raw way.

I struggled so much with the writing though. I think I'm just the type of reader that likes a more traditional format when it comes to memoirs, whereas this is experimental, non-linear and a bit up in the air. I felt like there was so much I didn't understand, so much that was left in between the lines and I just didn't get it. The story felt disjointed and it felt, to me, incomplete.

I do think there are people who will absolutely love this, but it just wasn't for me.
You can get this book at The Book Depository (affiliate link)
You can read more about it on Goodreads
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2018/11/16

2018/11/15

2018/11/14

PENGUIN ORANGE COLLECTION:
THE CRUCIBLE




I can never get over the penguin in the little pot on this edition of The Crucible by Arthur Miller.
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