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September 27, 2024

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

September 27, 2024/ Jess van Roekel
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

An absolute GEM for your TBR list. I’d highly recommend it for anyone searching for a breezy, light book that’ll warm your heart and still give you plenty to think about.

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September 27, 2024/ Jess van Roekel/ Comment
Book Review
August 30, 2024

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

August 30, 2024/ Jess van Roekel
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

560 pages and I still want more. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver is a work of fiction, but the characters felt real, and will now live rent-free in my head forever.

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August 30, 2024/ Jess van Roekel/ Comment
Book Review
August 16, 2024

Go as a River by Shelley Read

August 16, 2024/ Jess van Roekel
Go as a River by Shelley Read

Every now and then, I read a book that leaves me speechless. A book that is so moving, so eloquent, so layered, that I do not feel called to review it — but to simply admire its existence.

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August 16, 2024/ Jess van Roekel/ Comment
Book Review
July 26, 2024

Everything is Beautiful and Everything Hurts by Josie Shapiro

July 26, 2024/ Jess van Roekel
Everything is Beautiful and Everything Hurts by Josie Shapiro

Everything is Beautiful and Everything Hurts by local New Zealand author Josie Shapiro is a love story about running. For the novel’s protagonist, Mickey Bloom, running is community, self-care, grit. It’s pain but it’s also what lies beyond pain: strength.

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July 26, 2024/ Jess van Roekel/ Comment
Book Review
July 19, 2024

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

July 19, 2024/ Jess van Roekel
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Ann Patchett's latest novel is bathed in quiet wisdom and unexpected nostalgia.

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July 19, 2024/ Jess van Roekel/ Comment
Book Review
November 26, 2021

Book review: Wintering by Katherine May

November 26, 2021/ Jess van Roekel
Book review: Wintering by Katherine May

The book I wish I’d read sooner.

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November 26, 2021/ Jess van Roekel/ Comment
Book Review
March 02, 2021

‘This One Wild and Precious Life’ by Sarah Wilson will make you angry – in a good way

March 02, 2021/ Jess van Roekel
‘This One Wild and Precious Life’ by Sarah Wilson will make you angry – in a good way

I share my take on Sarah Wilson’s brave and confronting memoir about climate change.

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March 02, 2021/ Jess van Roekel/ Comment
Book Review
December 23, 2020

4 books that will probably make you a better person

December 23, 2020/ Jess van Roekel
4 books that will probably make you a better person

Yes, I get excited about a lot of books. But I’m really, truly, deeply, intensely excited about these ones.

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December 23, 2020/ Jess van Roekel/ 2 Comments
Book Review
October 14, 2020

Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman

October 14, 2020/ Jess van Roekel
Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman

Bregman shows that humans are inherently kind, decent, and caring - it’s not idealism, it’s science.

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October 14, 2020/ Jess van Roekel/ 1 Comment
Book Review
July 25, 2019

Word Love: 13 thought-provoking podcasts

July 25, 2019/ Jess van Roekel
Word Love: 13 thought-provoking podcasts

Podcasts to stretch the mind and delight the soul.

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July 25, 2019/ Jess van Roekel/ Comment
Book Review
Podcasts, Motherhood, Business, Spirituality, Musings
May 03, 2018

Get Remarkably Organised by Lorraine Murphy

May 03, 2018/ Jess van Roekel
Get Remarkably Organised by Lorraine Murphy

Lorraine Murphy’s latest book – Get Remarkably Organised – speaks straight to my nerdy, stationery-loving, type-A soul. An entire book dedicated to planning ahead and getting your sh*t together? Yes, please.

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May 03, 2018/ Jess van Roekel/ 2 Comments
Book Review
March 16, 2017

Unwritten by Jack Delosa

March 16, 2017/ Jess van Roekel
Unwritten by Jack Delosa

A refreshing reflection on entrepreneurship, Unwritten by Jack Delosa explores what it means to live a life on purpose. Here's what I learned.

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March 16, 2017/ Jess van Roekel/ Comment
Book Review
Business Books, Learning, Book Review

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