Hazy Romance & Mystery Stew 🪔 | August & September 2023 Wrap Up

TL;DR

In this video, Olive discusses her recent reading from August and September, including fiction and non-fiction books.

Transcript

hi guys Olive here here today to discuss the reading I did in August and September 2023. as I mentioned in my TBR video for the month of October the past few months have demanded a lot for May between new things going on in my life and sick cats and commitments here and there and everywhere I just wasn't doing much reading which is kind of unusual ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤩 "Crescent" by Diana Abu Jaber focuses more on character development and atmosphere than complex plot, receiving a four-star rating from Olive.
• 🫠 Olive DNF'd "The History of Living Forever" by Jake Wolfe due to the lack of forward momentum and feeling like a chore to read.
• 🫱 "The Red Badge of Courage" by Stephen Crane offers a realistic portrayal of the American Civil War, showcasing the harsh realities of war.
• 🤗 Olive remains open to poetry but feels that "What Kind of Woman" by Kate Baer didn't fully immerse her and made her appreciate the challenges of motherhood.
• 💱 "The Horde" by Marie Favreau provides a comprehensive history of the Mongol horde, examining the political and economic aspects as well as the cultural exchange within the empire.
• 😋 "National Dish" by Anya Von Bremson combines food, travel, history, and culture to explore the relationship between food and identity in a globalized world.
• 🦉 "What an Owl Knows" by Jennifer Ackerman sheds light on the awe-inspiring abilities of owls and discusses the efforts to protect them from negative cultural beliefs.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is "Crescent" by Diana Abu Jaber about?

"Crescent" is a novel centered around an Iraqi-American chef living in Los Angeles and her intense love affair with a professor exiled from Iraq. The book focuses more on character development and atmosphere than a complex plot.

Q: Why did Olive put down "The History of Living Forever" by Jake Wolfe?

Olive put down "The History of Living Forever" because it lacked forward momentum and felt like a chore to read. While the opening was interesting, the plot didn't progress, and Olive didn't feel a pull to continue reading.

Q: What is "The Red Badge of Courage" by Stephen Crane about?

"The Red Badge of Courage" is a classic work of historical fiction set during the American Civil War. It follows a young boy who goes off to fight with romanticized ideas of heroism but faces the harsh realities of war.

Q: What is "What Kind of Woman" by Kate Baer about?

"What Kind of Woman" is a poetry collection that explores women's experiences, particularly as wives and mothers, and the impact of these roles on their identities. Olive appreciates the collection but remains unsure about her preference for poetry.

Q: What is "The Horde" by Marie Favreau about?

"The Horde" is a history book that examines the Mongol horde, a section of the Mongol Empire established by loyalists of Genghis Khan's son. It delves into the political and economic happenings of the horde and discusses the trade and cultural aspects within the larger empire.

Q: What is unique about "National Dish" by Anya Von Bremson?

"National Dish" is a non-fiction book where the author travels to various countries to research dishes representing their national cuisines. Throughout the book, she explores the connection between food and identity in a globalized world, incorporating history, culture, and personal experiences.

Q: What is "What an Owl Knows" by Jennifer Ackerman about?

"What an Owl Knows" is a book solely focused on owls, their varying capabilities, and their relationship with humans. It also addresses misconceptions and cultural beliefs about owls, aiming to raise awareness about their importance and dispel any negative associations.

Q: What are the two books about turtles that Olive mentions?

The two books about turtles Olive recommends are "Dreaming in Turtle" by Peter Laufer and "Of Time and Turtles" by Sy Montgomery. "Dreaming in Turtle" explores the threats turtles face from humans, while "Of Time and Turtles" is a memoir and natural history book set in a turtle rescue facility.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Olive talks about "Crescent" by Diana Abu Jaber, a novel focused more on character development and atmosphere than a complex plot. She gave it four stars.

• She mentions "The History of Living Forever" by Jake Wolfe, a book she DNF'd because it lacked forward momentum and felt like a chore to read.

• Olive shares her thoughts on "The Red Badge of Courage" by Stephen Crane, a classic work of historical fiction set during the American Civil War.

• She discusses "What Kind of Woman" by Kate Baer, a poetry collection about women's experiences as wives and mothers. Olive remains open to becoming a poetry person but didn't fully connect with the collection.

• Olive dives into non-fiction books, including "The Horde" by Marie Favreau, a history of the Mongol horde, and "National Dish" by Anya Von Bremson, a unique book exploring dishes representing countries' National Cuisine.

• She reviews "What an Owl Knows" by Jennifer Ackerman, a book about owls' capabilities and their relationship with humans.

• Olive recommends two books on turtles: "Dreaming in Turtle" by Peter Laufer, which discusses the threats turtles face from humans, and "Of Time and Turtles" by Sy Montgomery, a memoir and natural history book about a turtle rescue.

• Olive expresses her gratitude for her summer reading and looks forward to getting back on track with her reading goals.