Books finished:

Emotional Agility by Susan David. This book rationalizes all emotions and encourages us to embrace and accept our negative emotions instead of suppressing them or overthinking them.

Books currently reading:

Greek Myths by Olivia Coolidge. This book consists of many short stories within Greek mythology, both in the mortal and god realm.

 

Book with the greatest impact on me:

The book Emotional Agility really changed my mindset on how I approached my negative emotions. I used to be extremely pessimistic and feel guilty when I had negative thoughts, a cycle of mental health depreciation, reading this book provided me with a new perspective on these “wrong” emotions I was feeling at the time and made me overall a happier person. I’m grateful for this book.

 

Book with the most creative language:

The book Greek Myths included the most creative language, the language used in this book has a classic and formal tone, especially the dialogue. Olivia Coolidge wrote character dialogue similarly to dialogue in ancient Greek plays, immersing the reader into the book.

A great example of this would be a conversation between a mortal mother and a son, where the son questions his half-god heritage:

“Give me some proof,” he implored her, “with which I can answer this insult of Epaphos. It is a matter of life and death to me, for if I cannot, I shall die of shame.”

“I swear to you,” replied his mother solemnly, “by the bright orb of the sun itself that you are his son. If I swear falsely, may I never look on the sun again, but die before the next time he mounts the heavens. More than this I cannot do, but you, my child, can go to the eastern palace of Phebus Apollo — it lies not far away — and there speak with the god himself.”

Their style of conversation really intrigues me.

 

What most surprised you about your books so far:

Emotional Agility:

Drawing randomness aggressively on paper is actually one of the most effective and least costly ways of relieving stress and anger, I would have never thought to try it before reading this book.

Greek Myths:

Almost every god, even married ones, has several mortal offspring apart from their legal families. It does make an interesting story reading how these half-gods either fail miserably in life or eventually become gods, but I did not expect married gods to have so many illegitimate children.