rachelelizabeth's Reviews (1.21k)

I recently read "A Queer and Pleasant Danger" by Kate Bornstein, a memoir that explores the author's journey through Scientology, gender identity, and queer liberation. I found the book to be humorous and easy to read, especially as Bornstein shares their experiences in Scientology and their eventual realization of their own gender identity.

The second half of the book focused heavily on queer liberation and kink, which may be of interest to those specifically seeking out those topics in a memoir. However, it didn't necessarily resonate with me personally. Despite this, I still appreciated learning about Kate's experiences and what it was like to be transgender during a much less accepting time.

Overall, I would recommend "A Queer and Pleasant Danger" to those who are interested in learning about Bornstein's unique experiences and insights into the queer community and kink culture. However, if you're looking for a more general memoir, this may not be the best fit. I rated it three stars, but it's definitely worth a read if the subject matter interests you.

"Heir to the Empire" by Timothy Zahn has been hailed as one of the best books in the Star Wars extended universe and is now considered part of the Legends universe. The book follows Luke, Leia, and Han, as well as some new characters, on a journey after Episode 6. While I had high hopes for this book, it fell flat for me.

Zahn is a skilled writer, particularly when it comes to military strategy and battle scenes, but I realized that those are not my preferred aspects of Star Wars stories. I prefer character-driven narratives that delve into the thoughts and motivations of the characters. That being said, if you enjoy reading about military tactics and space battles, then this book might be right up your alley.

I listened to the audiobook version to see if that helped and while I understand why the book is so beloved by the community, it just wasn't my cup of tea. However, I recognize that personal preference plays a role in one's enjoyment of a book. There are plenty of readers who will love this book for what it is, even if it didn't resonate with me. If you're a fan of the original Star Wars movies and enjoy action-packed stories, then "Heir to the Empire" might be a great fit for you.

I rated this book five out of five stars. Despite being short, it packed a huge punch. Through reading it, I gained a deeper understanding of not only the benefits of meditation but also the negative effects of being attached to outcomes. One of the most impactful passages for me was about the importance of expressing our hurt when someone hurts us, instead of sulking or hiding from them. Overall, I highly recommend "No Mud No Lotus" to anyone interested in mindfulness and personal growth.