Never Broken: Songs are only half the story

I have long admired Jewel the Artist. We have aged together. We got travelled whilst young, got married, and had children around the same time (but thankfully I am not divorced – yet). Her book of Poetry remains my favourite.

The Red Queen: Sex and the Evolution of Human Nature

This book got me in a lot of trouble when I expressed the ideas contained within. It does not follow the woke narrative of the nature of sex. It gained a rare five star rating from me. I am so lucky this year to have read a number of books that have change my perspective on life, and given me a greater understanding of myself.

Touchstones

This was a frustrating read because Mascord had all the components of a really good memoir, but they are just so poorly assembled. I thought the book was about 100 pages too long, and at times it felt like Mascord was just writing to fill up “enough space”, rather than needing to have something to say.

The Emperor’s New Drugs: Exploding the Antidepressant Myth

This was interesting reading about the Anti-Depressants that I give to people as part of my professional life. Kirsch contention is that Anti-Depressants are not much better than Placebos in the Treatment of Depression, and that the “side effects” provide the actual therapeutic effect.

Fight Club

Brilliant, a description of masculinity in crisis. “What you see in fight club is a generation of men raised by women” (p – 41).

An Introduction to the History of Psychology

This 754 page book took me almost a year to get through (it seems almost criminal to give it such a small review). It started as an interesting and engaging book that encompassed the Origins of Philosophy, similar to a number of ‘all you need to know about philosophy’ books I have read since I have started taking a deep interest in philosophy.

Hillbilly Elegy

This book had me reflecting on my own climb upward the social ladder. I am also white and have come from a “humble” upbringing. I too saw that being disadvantaged was not primarily an issue restricted to race.

One Nation Under Therapy

The book arrives at the same conclusions as the philosophy underpinning the recovery movement. People are fundamentally well, and usually do not need help from Mental Health Professionals, unless they specifically ask for such help.

Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow

Profound and life changing – The book shifted how I see the world, my future, and has me contemplating how I can guide my children to having the best possible chance in their future.

The Course of Love

I have liked Alain de Botton as a philosopher for sometime, so when my wife’s book club assigned this as the book of the month, I decided to read it too.