Book Review: Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives,

Disclaimer: I received this book free from Birchbox for their Birchblogger book club.

I don't remember exactly when I received the book, but I do think I tried to start reading it a few times before I finally put my brain to it and started reading in June. I got pretty into it and was reading fairly consistently, until I wasn't. Life got really busy (new puppy, bought a house, life itself) so the reading dwindled. And finally, yesterday, I finished it. Oh what a sweet relief to finish a book.

As far as the book was concerned, it was only OK to me. I definitely had a struggle to finish it the more I read through it. The text just seemed to get a little repetitive. I think the information was well presented and very thorough.

If I could have made a change to the text, I think that once I had laid out the 4 tendencies, I would have then broken the rest of the book down by those tendencies and how habit forming works best for them. As an "obliger" (according to the mini test at the back), I don't really care about how Rebels and Questioners and the 4th category (Which I can't remember the name) form habits. If I needed to interact with them to form a habit, then I would indulge in that section.

If you're interested in reading this, click here for the author's page about the book.

I'm not a huge fan of Self Help books. I feel they're not quite as helpful to me as they may be to others. While I did highlight a few things in the book, I'm not sure it's one I'll be going back to read again and again.

I'm thankful for Birchbox to have been able to receive it and read it.

I know this is probably one of my less thought out reviews, but I just don't know what to say about a book I didn't love.

So I'll call this good here.

Until next time.

-S

Book Review: Dark Places - Gillian Flynn

Dark Places was one of the three books I received complimentary of birchbox through their birchbloggers book club program. Having better expectations for this book after liking Sharp Objects, it didn't take me long to tear through it.

 

After finishing it, I can say that the book moved slower than SO. The book is broken up based on different character's perspective: Libby, the only surviving daughter; Patty, the mother's perspective from the night of; and Ben, the suspected and convicted killer who everyone is trying to prove innocent, and at the end a very brief chapter of the killer's rationale for the night (I can neither confirm nor deny that Ben is or is not the killer). Like I mentioned in my review of The Help, it's more difficult for me to get through a story when it's told from different characters. Unlike The Help, however, this book switched between flashbacks of Ben and Patty, to present day view of Libby.

Libby's perspective was the most prevalent throughout the book. I found myself going back and forth with liking her as the narrator, and dislike her thinking she may have partaken in the killing. She is a disturbed klepto character trying to unravel the mystery of what happened the night her mother and two sisters were murdered. It leads her to some interesting locations included an area of strip clubs at a trucker stop and a hazardous homeless camp likened to Hooverville. There's also Satanic practices that some of the characters take part in, which is an interesting idea because it is one I know nothing about.

The amount of gruesome detail Gillian Flynn puts into this novel is so exquisite, it made my stomach turn over. Her word choices are on point. The research for this novel is extensive and I do give the author props for writing what may be perceived as a controversial topic. But controversial makes the for the most interesting material.

Ranking these novels I'd put SO first, then DP and finally GG. Thank you to birchbox for the opportunity to read these novels.

If you want to follow brief ratings and reviews on books, you should look for me on Good Reads (link opens in new window). It's a great way to track books in your life: Books you've read, want to read and are currently reading. 

Until next time,

-Samantha