ashleyholstrom's Reviews (1.38k)

Soul-crushingly poignant.

The part of this book that really shines is the history of National Parks and commentary on hiking safety.

I read Bored and Brilliant years ago and still think about all the time. Our devices have shattered the ability for us to feel bored. Every moment is commodified. Our brains no longer wander. Each chapter is filled with science and psychology and includes steps to take to win back your boredom.

If you’re looking for comprehensive guide on severing from your phone, this is it.

The immediate action I took from this book was so simple: Turn off the badge icon on any app other than phone and messages. I no longer have a red balloon screaming at me to open my email or Instagram or GrubHub or anything and it’s so freeing.

This delightful collection of short essays covers the seemingly mundane facets of life that no longer exist. The kitchen phone. High school reunions. Letters to the editor. Paul doesn’t take crotchety stances on these things; she’s merely reminiscing on things and sensations that have rapidly changed as technology has grown.

This is truly the best book on wedding planning I could get my paws on. It’s a list of more than 500 tips, but each one is given a mere paragraph or two of explanation. It breaks down budgets, traditions, and the aftermath, like how to change your name and not lose your rings while on your honeymoon.

From Mint to Be: Wedding Books, from Planning Guides to Romance Novels at Book Riot.

Quiet and sweet little essays about being sad and loving plants. I didn’t connect with it much, but it’s still nice.

Love, love, love everything about this delightfully fun book about figuring out first love nonsense.

I love Kabi Nagata. She’s been writing these manga diaries for years, and I eat them all up. This one, about her alcoholism and pancreatitis and recovery, is a gem, getting deeper into her mental and emotional state.

✨ From Get Inside the Mind of an Addict with These Memoirs at Crooked Reads.