Boom! - Mark Haddon

Title: Boom!
Author: Mark Haddon
Genre: childrens, sci-fi
Rating: 3/5
# pages: 208
Date read: August, 2015

Jim and his best friend Charlie bug the staff room, and overhear two teachers speak in a strange language. What does "spudvetch" mean? Why do Mr Kidd's eyes flicker with fluorescent blue light when Charlie says spudvetch to him? A high-powered adventure can end only with a Boom!


A fun story that I would probably have liked a LOT more if I'd been closer to the target age group. It was well written and focused on elements that kids would find amusing. A fun read that I'd recommend to my nieces and nephews in a heartbeat if it got translated into Danish.

Rising Strong - Brené Brown

Title: Rising Strong
Author: Brené Brown
Genre: Non-fiction
Rating: 3.5/5
# pages: 288
Date read: August, 2015


This is the first book I've ever read by Brené Brown, but I've already gotten hold of "Daring Greatly" as I definitely want to read more of what she has to say.

"Rising Strong" is all about getting back up again, after life has brought us to our knees (or face down in the arena). It's about realizing that the stories we tell ourselves aren't necessarily based on truth, but are usually based on fear and shame instead; and that we need to reckon (identify our feelings after a fall), rumble (find the truth of what caused the fall) and use these to inspire a revolution (using these findings to move forward and get back up again).

The concept of "telling ourselves stories" really resonated with me, as I find myself doing this far too often. Hopefully realizing it for what it is, is a good first step for me, and I can use Brené Brown's inspirating of "not skipping the second act", but instead rumble with my story to find the truth in it, and use it to move onwards in a constructive manner.