BOOK REVIEW: Atomic Habits by James Clear

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Title: Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

Author: James Clear

Audiobook Length: 5 hours and 35 minutes

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Genre: Nonfiction, Self-Help

Read Start Date: August 1, 2023

Read Finish Date: August 7, 2023

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving—every day. James Clear, one of the world’s leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.

If you’re having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn’t you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don’t want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you’ll get a proven system that can take you to new heights.

Clear is known for his ability to distill complex topics into simple behaviors that can be easily applied to daily life and work. Here, he draws on the most proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible. Along the way, readers will be inspired and entertained with true stories from Olympic gold medalists, award-winning artists, business leaders, life-saving physicians, and star comedians who have used the science of small habits to master their craft and vault to the top of their field.

Learn how to:
– Make time for new habits (even when life gets crazy);
– Overcome a lack of motivation and willpower;
– Design your environment to make success easier;
– Get back on track when you fall off course;
…and much more.

Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits–whether you are a team looking to win a championship, an organization hoping to redefine an industry, or simply an individual who wishes to quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress, or achieve any other goal.

My Review: Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear is a self-help book that provides practical insights and strategies for creating lasting positive changes in one’s life through the power of habits. The book emphasizes the idea that small, incremental changes, or “atomic habits,” can lead to significant transformations over time.

James Clear breaks down the process of habit formation into a comprehensive framework that explores the psychology behind habits, how they work, and how they can be effectively harnessed for personal growth. The book is divided into four parts, each addressing a different aspect of the habit-building process.

In Part 1, Clear introduces the concept of the “habit loop,” which consists of a cue, a craving, a response, and a reward. He delves into the science of how habits are formed and offers insights into why certain behaviors become ingrained over time. This section sets the foundation for understanding how habits can be modified.

Part 2 focuses on the “Four Laws of Behavior Change,” which are key principles that underlie habit formation. These laws are: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. Clear provides practical strategies for incorporating these laws into daily routines to create positive habits while simultaneously breaking negative ones.

Part 3 delves into the idea of habit stacking, which involves linking new habits with existing ones. This strategy leverages the natural associations between activities to reinforce positive behaviors. Clear also discusses the importance of social influences and the role of the environment in shaping habits.

Part 4 explores the concept of identity and how it relates to habit formation. Clear argues that lasting change occurs when individuals adopt a new self-image that aligns with their desired habits. He discusses the power of belief and how personal narratives influence behavior.

Throughout the book, Clear provides numerous real-life examples, case studies, and anecdotes to illustrate his concepts. He also draws from research in psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral economics to support his ideas. Additionally, each chapter ends with practical action steps, encouraging readers to apply the principles discussed in their own lives.

I have already started implementing some of James Clear’s advice on habit formation. I can’t wait to see where this takes me! If you are a person who struggles with the formation of good habits, this is a great book!

Stats: As of writing this post (August 8, 2023) Atomic Habits has a 4.37 rating on Goodreads. My 5 star rating is a bit higher than the average, but it is well deserved!

Recommended? Absolutely!

BOOK REVIEW: The Stranger Times by C.K. McDonnell

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Title: The Stranger Times

Author: C.K. McDonnell

Book Length: 424 pages

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Mystery, Crime, Magic

Read Start Date: May 28, 2023

Read Finish Date: June 15, 2023

No. of Book in Series: 1

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: There are Dark Forces at work in our world (and in Manchester in particular) and so thank God The Stranger Times is on hand to report them. A weekly newspaper dedicated to the weird and the wonderful (but more often the weird) of modern life, it is the go-to publication for the unexplained and inexplicable . . .

At least that’s their pitch. The reality is rather less auspicious. Their editor is a drunken, foul-tempered and
-mouthed husk of a man who thinks little (and believes less) of the publication he edits, while his staff are a ragtag group of wastrels and misfits, each with their own secrets to hide and axes to grind. And as for the assistant editor . . . well, that job is a revolving door – and it has just revolved to reveal Hannah Willis, who’s got her own set of problems.

It’s when tragedy strikes in Hannah’s first week on the job that The Stranger Times is forced to do some serious, proper, actual investigative journalism. What they discover leads them to a shocking realisation: that some of the stories they’d previously dismissed as nonsense are in fact terrifyingly, gruesomely real. Soon they come face-to-face with darker foes than they could ever have imagined. It’s one thing reporting on the unexplained and paranormal but it’s quite another being dragged into the battle between the forces of Good and Evil . . .

My Review: I had never heard of this book and found it sitting on a shelf at the public library. The synopsis was intriguing, so I decided to give it a shot. I am so glad I did. This book is freaking hilarious! It is not often that I find myself laughing out loud while reading, but I definitely did just that several times while reading this book.

Hannah, a newly divorced woman with no job experience, had quite a peculiar job interview for The Stranger Times, a newspaper that reports on the weird, extraordinary, and supernatural event. The editor of the paper, Vincent Banecroft literally shot himself in the foot with an old blunderbus while trying to get one of his employees not to jump from the building (something that he threatens to do every week). The bizarre occurrences didn’t end there, as she soon joined the eccentric team at the newspaper as the “new Tina” a.k.a the new assistant editor.

Hannah’s colleagues were a colorful bunch. Banecroft, known for his foul-smelling and foul-mouthed ways, lived in the office, along with Manny, who had an interesting dress code (if he wore clothes at all, that it). Grace, the office manager, had her hands full managing Banecroft’s temper. Stella, the young runaway teen taken in by Grace was a constant presence even if it wasn’t clear what she actually did at the paper. Reggie served as the paranormal consultant, and Ox was the ufologist and resident “general paranoid.”

Meanwhile, the man standing outside the building, Simon, desperately wanted to work for The Stranger Times but faced a peculiar hurdle with their “No Simon” policy. When he is killed under mysterious circumstance, and the police are left scratching their heads, the newspaper staff takes it upon themselves to solve the case.

In the greater Manchester area, Simon’s death is not the only strange occurrence that the police are investigating. Little does anyone know at the beginning, but magic is afoot and rules of the magical underworld are being broken, leading to chaos in the mortal realm.

This book has it all. Fantasy, crime, mystery and most of all humor. If you haven’t read this book yet, you must!

BOOK REVIEW: The Astronaut Dream Book by William Pauley III

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Title: The Astronaut Dream Book

Author: William Pauley III

Audiobook Length: 2 hours and 1 minute

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Bizarro Fiction, Horror, Novella

Read Start Date: July 6, 2023

Read Finish Date: July 8, 2023

Number of Book in Series: 3

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads:  A poisoned man dreams of astronauts.

My Reivew: I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. In The Astronaut Dream Book, we are granted a fascinating glimpse into the psyche of a poisoned man trapped within the confines of the enigmatic Eighth Block Tower. Through his dreams, we are taken on an otherworldly journey where he envisions himself as an astronaut, but these dreams are far from serene. Instead, the astronaut finds himself bombarded with negative waves, creating a haunting and surreal experience (including a weird church on an abandoned planet).

When the astronaut finally awakens from his reverie, the narrative skillfully transitions back to the Tower, seamlessly connecting with a familiar scene. Here, we encounter the young boy who was bitten in the first book, further deepening the interwoven nature of the stories. The tension mounts as the boy rushes to his mother, and we brace ourselves for a confrontation between her and the imprisoned man. The intricate web of connections within the Eighth Block Tower continues to unfold, captivating us with its strangeness.

One of the standout features of the book is undoubtedly the superb narration and masterful descriptions. The author’s ability to paint vivid and evocative scenes with words left an indelible impression on my mind. Each sentence is crafted with precision, immersing us fully into the surreal world of dreams and the ominous reality of the Tower.

Another highly recommended installment of the Bedlam Bible series.

Other Books in the Series (that I have read):

See my review of The Tower here.

See my review of Fight Tub here.

See my review of The Ballad of Old Joe Booth here.

Reviews Published
Professional Reader
10 Book Reviews

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday July 11, 2023: Worms by James R. Montague

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First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday! Hosted by Socrates Book Reviews this is where you share the first paragraph of one of the books that you are currently reading.

“When I used to tell people that I lived on the north Norfolk coast they would always say ‘How nice’ and begin to quote those qualities for which the area is most justly praised: the sea and the sailing , the bracing air, the perfection of light, the magnificent skyscapes, the wild birds and the sturdy, independent character of the local people. There was a time when I would have agreed with them wholeheartedly.”

Worms by James R. Montague

BOOK REVIEW: Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors

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Title: Cleopatra and Frankenstein

Author: Coco Mellors

Book Length: 384 pages

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Literary Fiction, (Romance)

Read Start Date: May 8, 2023

Read Finish Date: May 28, 2023

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: Twenty-four-year-old British painter Cleo has escaped from England to New York and is still finding her place in the sleepless city when, a few months before her student visa ends, she meets Frank. Twenty years older and a self-made success, Frank’s life is full of all the excesses Cleo’s lacks. He offers her the chance to be happy, the freedom to paint, and the opportunity to apply for a Green Card. But their impulsive marriage irreversibly changes both their lives, and the lives of those close to them, in ways they never could’ve predicted.

Each compulsively readable chapter explores the lives of Cleo, Frank, and an unforgettable cast of their closest friends and family as they grow up and grow older. Whether it’s Cleo’s best friend struggling to embrace his gender queerness in the wake of Cleo’s marriage, or Frank’s financially dependent sister arranging sugar daddy dates to support herself after being cut off, or Cleo and Frank themselves as they discover the trials of marriage and mental illness, each character is as absorbing, and painfully relatable, as the last.

As hilarious as it is heartbreaking, entertaining as it is deeply moving, Cleopatra and Frankenstein marks the entry of a brilliant and bold new talent.

My Review: When I first read the title, I thought this book was a clever reimagining/love story between Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and the Egyptian Queen. I picked it off the shelf at the bookstore on my birthday, wondering whether this would be the book I gifted myself. The synopsis quickly dissuaded me from the notion that this would be a parody horror love story set in ancient Egypt. Although, that sounds like an awesome book. Just saying.

I won’t get into the book too much, as the synopsis lays out the plot nicely. “Cleopatra” and “Frankenstein” are the pet names that Cleo and Frank give each other. I thought, ok, eh, and left without buying the book.

When I saw it on the shelf at the library, however, I decided to give it a go and was pleasantly surprised (almost enough to regret my decision not to buy it).

Having read mostly commercial fiction of late, the literary style of Mellors writing was a welcome change.

Written in the third person (mostly), Mellors not only gives us the POV of the main characters Frank and Cleo, but also their closest friends. The ensemble of characters is highly intriguing, but some of their interactions exhibit toxic dynamics. The only chapters which were in the first person was for the POV of a woman named Eleanor, and to be honest, I am not a fan of alternating from third to first. I know it is a legitimate style of writing, but its just not my thing.

Trigger warning for animal death, drugs and alcohol abuse.

What Others Have Said that Resonated With Me: Sophie’s Edit: “Anyway, the bit I really wanted to write about was the fact this novel is a letter to New York. And although this may be to contrary opinion, I actually think it is quite a clever one. It highlights that some people thrive in the city and some people are destroyed by it. Mellors, in conjunction with the theme of growing up, shows how addiction and success are in the veins of such a place, which is why Cleo struggles so much to find herself. The younger characters spend the novel ‘finding’ themselves in a city which has too much of a personality for you to find yourself with any ounce of integrity. Whereas the older generation are in a state of success but also unhappiness and discontent with the decisions they’ve made – Franco turns to alcohol and Santiago is enamoured by his weight loss journey and how he appears to others. It makes you wonder if any of them can be truly happy in the world they live in. New York breeds unhappiness and problems, and in that sense, it makes you fit into a mould that truly, only some people are made for.”

Stats: At the time of writing this review (July 6, 2023), this book has an average rating of 3.85 stars on Goodreads. My rating of 4 stars, therefore, falls a little higher than the average, but is still within range of the general audience.

Recommended? Yes!

BOOK REVIEW: The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama

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Title: The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times

Author: Michelle Obama

Audiobook Length: 9 hours and 59 minutes

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir, Self-Help, Autobiography, Politics

Read Start Date: May 11, 2023

Read Finish Date: May 23, 2023

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: There may be no tidy solutions or pithy answers to life’s big challenges, but Michelle Obama believes that we can all locate and lean on a set of tools to help us better navigate change and remain steady within flux. In The Light We Carry, she opens a frank and honest dialogue with readers, considering the questions many of us wrestle with: How do we build enduring and honest relationships? How can we discover strength and community inside our differences? What tools do we use to address feelings of self-doubt or helplessness? What do we do when it all starts to feel like too much?

Michelle Obama offers readers a series of fresh stories and insightful reflections on change, challenge, and power, including her belief that when we light up for others, we can illuminate the richness and potential of the world around us, discovering deeper truths and new pathways for progress. Drawing from her experiences as a mother, daughter, spouse, friend, and First Lady, she shares the habits and principles she has developed to successfully adapt to change and overcome various obstacles–the earned wisdom that helps her continue to “become.” She details her most valuable practices, like “starting kind,” “going high,” and assembling a “kitchen table” of trusted friends and mentors. With trademark humor, candor, and compassion, she also explores issues connected to race, gender, and visibility, encouraging readers to work through fear, find strength in community, and live with boldness.

“When we are able to recognize our own light, we become empowered to use it,” writes Michelle Obama. A rewarding blend of powerful stories and profound advice that will ignite conversation, The Light We Carry inspires readers to examine their own lives, identify their sources of gladness, and connect meaningfully in a turbulent world.

 My Review: I read Michelle Obama’s other book last year (you can see the review of Becoming by clicking on the link here). While I liked this book, I thought that it paled in comparison to the author’s first book (which is why I only gave it 4 stars). Don’t get me wrong, I think that says more about her first book than her second i.e., that her first book was so good, it is a hard act to follow.

The Light We Carry is less of a political memoir and more of a self-help book. The title encompasses the over arching theme of her book. “I believe that each of us carries a bit of inner brightness, something entirely unique and individual. A flame that’s worth protecting. When we are able to recognize our own light, we become empowered to use it. When we learn to foster what’s unique in the people around us, we become better able to build compassionate communities and make meaningful change.”

and: “One light feeds another. One strong family lends strength to more. One engaged community can ignite those around it. This is the power of the light we carry.”

Giving practical advice on overcoming adversity, Michelle Obama lets readers take a look into her “toolbox” for getting through the world we live in today. From parenting to anxiety, the author uses stories from her life and childhood to illustrate her points.

I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by Michelle Obama herself. I always love it when the author can narrate their own novel. It’s like hearing it from them personally.

Stats: At the time of writing this review (July 4, 2023), this book had an average rating of 4.29 on Goodreads, so my review seems to be right on par with the general populace.

Recommended? Yes!

Friday 56, June 23, 2023: The Stranger Times by C.K. McDonnell

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Welcome to Friday 56! Hosted by Freda’s Voice, you turn to page 56 or 56% in any book or reading device and pick a sentence that grabs you.

“Once inside the pub, Hannah realized that beneath its gruff exterior, the Admiral’s Arms’ interior was even gruffer. It wasn’t a 1970s-themed pub; it was a pub that had been built in the 1970s and had remained exactly the same, only somehow it had also grown worse. The carpets were threadbare, the wallpaper was peeling, and the leather of the booths was the texture of Keith Richards’ face.

The Stranger Times by C.K. McDonnell, page 54