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alisarae's Reviews (1.65k)
DNF @ 10%
Interesting concept, I liked that each chapter was written and illustrated by different ppl. I might revisit this later since it is totally up my alley. Just not feeling it rn.
Interesting concept, I liked that each chapter was written and illustrated by different ppl. I might revisit this later since it is totally up my alley. Just not feeling it rn.
Uma história linda e melancólica sobre um fillho, Aleksy, que cuida da sua mãe no último verão dela. No começo Aleksy é violento, repugnante, e acha a mãe feia e abusiva. Tive medo que ele fosse psicopata e abusaria a mãe.... parece que literatura deprimente assim virou uma febre... mas precisamente o oposto aconteceu e um relacionamento de amor e carinho brotou entre os dois. O desenvolvimento do relacionamento é sutíl e muito bem escrito. É uma delícia ler esse livro e me sinto privilegiada pra ter essa oportunidade, pois o livro ainda não foi traduzido para o inglês.
Lido pelo Clube de Livro Feminista que ocorreu em março 2024.
Lido pelo Clube de Livro Feminista que ocorreu em março 2024.
Two impressions while reading this:
1. It is impressive that these were written in the 80s-90s with a head full of knowledge about the prior decades, and yet they could have been written yesterday. We got the same problems as before: war in the middle east, community and environmental destruction related to globalism, capitalism, and US imperialism, etc. Ugh, I wish I could say this was no longer relevent. Because little has changed and we are still in the thick of it, these essays are an incredible mirror and insight into the way our society works and what our values as a culture are.
2. The author has a political stance that would not fit in either of the two political parties we know today. I don't know if he was an old school republican -- I remember a time when republicans cared deeply about the environment and natural respurces -- or if he was always a bit of an outlier. Even if you don't agree with all of his beliefs, I think you can respect a unique, passionate, and logical thinker. The other day my friend Jeevan and I were lamenting how little room there is for variations in belief nowadays. There is no spectrum within the parties. It is sad we are so intolerant and have so little respect for others. Ironically, or perhaps not, this book addresses that problem too.
1. It is impressive that these were written in the 80s-90s with a head full of knowledge about the prior decades, and yet they could have been written yesterday. We got the same problems as before: war in the middle east, community and environmental destruction related to globalism, capitalism, and US imperialism, etc. Ugh, I wish I could say this was no longer relevent. Because little has changed and we are still in the thick of it, these essays are an incredible mirror and insight into the way our society works and what our values as a culture are.
2. The author has a political stance that would not fit in either of the two political parties we know today. I don't know if he was an old school republican -- I remember a time when republicans cared deeply about the environment and natural respurces -- or if he was always a bit of an outlier. Even if you don't agree with all of his beliefs, I think you can respect a unique, passionate, and logical thinker. The other day my friend Jeevan and I were lamenting how little room there is for variations in belief nowadays. There is no spectrum within the parties. It is sad we are so intolerant and have so little respect for others. Ironically, or perhaps not, this book addresses that problem too.
This book is like people watching but in a book form. I liked the stories of the different clients that Rental Person has had. They are often mundane and ordinary but it is still interesting to learn about them.
I liked thinking about the concepts too. A first impression makes it seem like many of the clients are lonely or solitary - people asking a stranger to say a prayer for them at a temple - but many of them just don't want to burden their friends and family with their requests.
Listening to a difficult or awkward personal story and talking about your problems can be a burden on others. They feel obligated to say something positive, to check back on you later, or to worry about you. Maybe you don't want that attention and you just want to tell somebody your issue so you can get it off your chest. If that sounds like "maybe they should pay a paychologist" ... maybe. But a psychologist requires a longer and more expensive commitment. Plus you are expected to do work to improve yourself. Rental Person is nearly free and will not ask anything of you in return. So, I can see the appeal.
Other people need the energy that a person's presence can bring: someone to commute to work with them the morning after a fight with their boss, or to be a neutral audience for a rehersal, or to change up the air in a business meeting.
My favorite story was the lady who was being sued for accusing her boss of sexual harrasment. She didn't want her friends and family to hear all the details of what happened but she really wanted to talk about the trial with someone afterwards. So she invited Rental Person to watch the trial and then talk about it over dinner.
Some of the appeal in Japan might be because there is such a strong culture of not being a burden on others. It's a kind of independence that is less about individualism (I don't need anyone's help) and more about how others will feel (If I ask, they will feel obligated to say yes). In cultures that rely heavily on relational debt, a small ask can really be a big ask. But even so, I think the idea of Rental Person would be interesting in Western cultures too.
I liked thinking about the concepts too. A first impression makes it seem like many of the clients are lonely or solitary - people asking a stranger to say a prayer for them at a temple - but many of them just don't want to burden their friends and family with their requests.
Listening to a difficult or awkward personal story and talking about your problems can be a burden on others. They feel obligated to say something positive, to check back on you later, or to worry about you. Maybe you don't want that attention and you just want to tell somebody your issue so you can get it off your chest. If that sounds like "maybe they should pay a paychologist" ... maybe. But a psychologist requires a longer and more expensive commitment. Plus you are expected to do work to improve yourself. Rental Person is nearly free and will not ask anything of you in return. So, I can see the appeal.
Other people need the energy that a person's presence can bring: someone to commute to work with them the morning after a fight with their boss, or to be a neutral audience for a rehersal, or to change up the air in a business meeting.
My favorite story was the lady who was being sued for accusing her boss of sexual harrasment. She didn't want her friends and family to hear all the details of what happened but she really wanted to talk about the trial with someone afterwards. So she invited Rental Person to watch the trial and then talk about it over dinner.
Some of the appeal in Japan might be because there is such a strong culture of not being a burden on others. It's a kind of independence that is less about individualism (I don't need anyone's help) and more about how others will feel (If I ask, they will feel obligated to say yes). In cultures that rely heavily on relational debt, a small ask can really be a big ask. But even so, I think the idea of Rental Person would be interesting in Western cultures too.
This is a slow burn, character-based thriller. The characters were so well written, especially the MC Marin and her internal dialogue. Very believable. I tore through this in less 24 hours and I will definitely read other books by this author.
This one was a bit awkward and less cute than the first one. But at least there was a confession!
I thought this story was well written for what it is proposing to be. I just get a bit bored and impatient with cozy books so it wasn't really to my taste. The audio narrators had cute accents at least!
Journaling the Tarot: Evolutions: 78 Paths to Deepen Your Relationship with the Cards and Yourself
I’ve been eyeing this book for several months and so I decided to finally go for it. I got this book bc it seems to be the biggest and most complete of the author’s books so far, with like 50 journal prompts per card as well as interesting quotes.
My plan is to pair it with Tarot for Change since both books are based on the traditional interpretations using the Smith Waite deck. That said, you don’t need any deck to use either book. It is just fun to look at the pretty card and let the randomness of the universe direct your journaling that day.
Every time I do a daily draw and response, I have never regretted it and I usually wonder why I don’t do it more often. With this book I am sure I will have enough questions to keep me busy for the rest of my life.
My plan is to pair it with Tarot for Change since both books are based on the traditional interpretations using the Smith Waite deck. That said, you don’t need any deck to use either book. It is just fun to look at the pretty card and let the randomness of the universe direct your journaling that day.
Every time I do a daily draw and response, I have never regretted it and I usually wonder why I don’t do it more often. With this book I am sure I will have enough questions to keep me busy for the rest of my life.
Awww Sen is such a good friendy to Bon! I like the sunny grumpy pairing. And the train trip, cute!
Really enjoyed reading this! Unfortunately the audiobook doesn't have all the stories, though the narrator is great.
My favorites:
- The Yellow Wallpaper -- if you like Shirley Jackson as much as I do, you should like this too.
- Her Housekeeper -- A homily on how men ought to treat women.
- When I Was a Witch -- A grumpy city dweller is grumpy about all the things that she sees in the city, but suddenly her silent wishes are granted.
My favorites:
- The Yellow Wallpaper -- if you like Shirley Jackson as much as I do, you should like this too.
- Her Housekeeper -- A homily on how men ought to treat women.
- When I Was a Witch -- A grumpy city dweller is grumpy about all the things that she sees in the city, but suddenly her silent wishes are granted.