Marilyn Fitch

The only reason this didn't get a 5 is because I'm honestly not smart enough to track with a good 30% of the I'm-sure-were-very-funny-and-clever science jokes in this book and, thus, don't think I got the full effect of it's genius and hilarity.

Still, for someone as scientifically and mathematically challenged as myself, many of the concepts were pretty digestible and I found myself reading the entire thing with a smile on my face. I just breezed through the sections I REALLY didn't get and picked it back up when there was a stick figure that helped me understand. You will not regret reading this book, stirring the imagination, and opening your mind to new ideas. I highly recommend. The nerd in me bows to the nerd in you.

I am excited to try the index card method laid out in this book! I am eager to de-digitize my home systems and create something that allows for ebbs and flows of life, while maintaining structure and some external accountability. This seems like a great method that is very customizable and can grow and change with you over time.

I marked down a star mostly because of a section at the end about divorce that felt unnecessary - might have made more sense if it was titled an “Afterward.” It also got a bit new-agey with visualizations at the end, and I would have really preferred, overall, that the book just end two chapters sooner. Nonetheless, it was a quick read outlining a very interesting method that I will definitely be giving a “go” at myself.

This story convinced me that I want to continue to read more Macdonald, and left me with many things to chew and ponder. Compared to Princess and the Goblin, the overarching storyline was considerably bleaker and darker, and I wouldn't recommend it to younger readers who may have been able to handle and enjoy Princess & the Goblin (my 5 year old, for example). I think some more maturity is required to appreciate and glean the nuggets of wisdom that Princess & Curdie has to offer, and it may leave young readers feeling confused, upset, and disenchanted. Nonetheless, a brilliant story that I enjoyed and will have my kids read when they are a tad bit older. Finally, as a big fan of “Curdie's mother”, I was happy her name was revealed in this sequel :)