Rue's Book Review

Welcome to my corner of the internet, where I explore the magic of books through honest reviews, favorite quotes, and reflections on stories that inspire, challenge, and transport me. Let’s turn the pages together!

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Title: Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life Authors: Héctor García and Francesc Miralles

Review: Ikigai changed how I think about purpose, happiness, and how I want to spend my time. The idea is clear and powerful: everyone has an ikigai, a reason to wake up each day with excitement. It’s about finding where what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what can support you all meet.

What I loved most is that this book doesn’t push success in the traditional sense. It focuses on simple things done with care—like gardening, talking with friends, eating well, moving daily, and staying curious. It made me realize that happiness doesn’t come from chasing big goals, but from building a life full of flow, balance, and meaning.

The stories from Okinawa’s centenarians hit me hard. These people live long, joyful lives not by being rich or famous, but by staying active, having a sense of community, and doing what they love every single day. It made me reflect on how fast I’ve been living and how disconnected I’ve felt at times.

A big shift for me was seeing purpose not as something you find once but something you build slowly over time. Ikigai is quiet, not loud. It shows up when you’re consistent with the things that matter to you.

This book is not just about living longer—it’s about living better. It’s calm, inspiring, and deeply human.

Core Findings

Ikigai is Personal: Your purpose is unique and grows with you. It doesn’t have to be grand or flashy—just something that gives your life meaning and joy.

Flow Over Fame: Getting into a state of flow—where time disappears because you’re so immersed—is one of the strongest sources of happiness and fulfilment.

Routine Builds Resilience: Long, happy lives are built on small daily habits like walking, cooking, socializing, and being present. Simplicity sustains longevity.

Stay Curious, Stay Alive: People who live the longest never “retire” from life. They stay mentally and physically active by doing what they enjoy—even into old age.

Community is Medicine: Strong relationships, social ties, and a sense of belonging are just as important as diet or exercise when it comes to health and happiness.

Purpose Beats Perfection: You don’t need to have it all figured out. Consistently living with intention and care matters more than chasing an ideal version of success.

My Favourite Quotes

“Only staying active will make you want to live a hundred years.”

“Essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.”

“The happiest people are not the ones who achieve the most. They are the ones who spend more time than others in a state of flow.”

“Wabi-sabi teaches us to appreciate the beauty of imperfection as an opportunity for growth.”

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Title: The Psychology of Money

Author: Morgan Housel

Review: The Psychology of Money shifted my entire outlook on wealth, success, and how I think about financial decisions. The premise is simple but powerful: how we behave with money matters more than what we know about it. It’s not about spreadsheets, it's about mindset, habits, and emotions.

What hit me the hardest is the realization that people’s financial choices don’t always make sense—they reflect their life experiences, fears, and goals. What may seem irrational from the outside might be totally rational based on what someone’s been through. That changed how I judge, compare, or even pressure myself to meet certain standards.

One of the most powerful takeaways for me is the idea that doing “pretty good” consistently beats trying to do something “perfect” once. In other words, financial success is about patience, not brilliance. I’ve started focusing more on my time horizon and habits, not chasing the next big win. That shift in mindset alone has reduced a lot of the anxiety I used to feel about money.

This book isn’t just about finances—it’s about how we make decisions under pressure, how we relate to risk, and how peace comes from living within our means, not impressing others. The psychological part makes it timeless. It’s not about what the market does next—it’s about what you do next.

Core Findings

Behavior > Knowledge: Success with money is more about how you behave—saving consistently, staying patient, avoiding debt—than about how much you know. Smart people can still make poor decisions if their mindset is off.

Everyone Has a Different Story: Your financial behavior is shaped by your personal history. There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for success, and judgment or comparison is often unhelpful and unfair.

Save for the Unknown: Planning for surprises is more important than trying to predict the future. Building a financial cushion gives you freedom, flexibility, and peace of mind.

Wealth is What You Don’t See: True wealth is often invisible. It’s not the flashy car or house—it’s the money not spent. Resisting the urge to show off leads to lasting financial health.

Independence is the Goal: Money isn’t just about buying things. It’s about gaining control over your time and decisions. Freedom is the highest dividend money pays.

My Favourite Quotes:

"Doing well with money has little to do with how smart you are and a lot to do with how you behave."

"Wealth is the nice cars not purchased. The diamonds not bought. The watches not worn."

"The highest form of wealth is the ability to wake up every morning and say, 'I can do whatever I want today.'"

“Independence, at any income level, is driven by your ability to live below your means.”

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Title: Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think

Author: Hans Rosling

Review: Reading Factfulness completely changed how I see the world. I used to believe poverty, disease, and inequality were only getting worse, but this book proved my assumptions wrong with hard data. Hans Rosling explains how our brains are wired to focus on dramatic, negative stories rather than real, steady progress. He shows that in the last 20 years, extreme poverty has dropped from 29% to 9%, child mortality has fallen from 15 million deaths per year in 1950 to 5 million today, and global life expectancy has increased from 50 years in 1960 to 72 years today. These facts made me question how much I let fear-based headlines shape my worldview.

One of the most eye-opening lessons was the gap instinct—the idea that we divide the world into “rich” and “poor” when, in reality, 75% of people live in middle-income conditions. The negativity instinct also hit me hard; we naturally focus on disasters and problems while ignoring improvements, like how 80% of children are now vaccinated against deadly diseases, compared to 22% in 1980. I started realising how often I fell for media exaggerations, assuming the worst without checking the full picture.

What I love most about Factfulness is how it replaces fear with knowledge. It doesn’t deny global problems but proves that progress is happening. Instead of reacting to every alarming news story, I now take a step back, check the numbers, and remind myself that the world is improving. This book didn’t just make me more informed—it made me more hopeful.

Core Lessons:

The Gap Instinct – The world isn’t divided into “rich” and “poor.” 75% of people live in middle-income conditions, and only 9% live in extreme poverty, down from 29% in 1997.

The Negativity Instinct – We focus on bad news, but global child mortality has dropped from 15 million deaths per year in 1950 to 5 million today. 80% of children worldwide are now vaccinated, compared to just 22% in 1980.

The Straight Line Instinct – We assume trends will continue forever, but they don’t. Global population growth is slowing, and it’s projected to stabilise at 11 billion people by 2100.

The Fear Instinct – Fear makes us overestimate dangers. The global risk of dying in a natural disaster has dropped from 453 deaths per million people per year in 1930 to 10 per million today.

The Size Instinct – We misjudge numbers without context. Over 40 million flights happen yearly with fewer than 10 fatal crashes, yet we still fear flying more than driving.

The Generalisation Instinct – We tend to group countries unfairly. For example, Africa consists of 54 diverse nations, with some having higher literacy rates than European countries.

The Destiny Instinct – We believe cultures never change, but they do. South Korea’s GDP per capita was similar to Ghana’s in 1960, but today it rivals Italy’s.

The Single Perspective Instinct – We prefer simple explanations, but reality is complex. Economic growth, healthcare, and education must be seen together, not in isolation.

The Blame Instinct – We look for one person or group to blame, but poverty, climate change, and inequality have systemic causes, not single culprits.

The Urgency Instinct – We rush decisions out of panic. Instead, looking at long-term trends allows for better, fact-based thinking.

Impactful Quotes:

"Things can be both bad and better."

"The world can’t be understood without numbers, and it can’t be understood with numbers alone."

"When we have a fact-based worldview, we can see that the world is not as bad as it seems."

"Slow change is still change."

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Title: The Let Them Theory

Author: Mel Robbins

The Let Them Theory transformed how I handle stress and relationships in such a short period. The concept is simple: when people act in ways you don’t like, let them. Let them make their choices, let them learn from their mistakes, and let them live their lives. It’s about stepping back from trying to control the situation whether that is to keep the peace or any other motive; then focusing on your own peace of mind.

For me, this shift has been life-changing. I’ve always felt the need to step in or overthink why someone acted a certain way. Now, I remind myself to let them. It’s not my job to fix their behaviour, and it’s not my responsibility to make everyone happy. The result? I feel lighter, calmer, and more in control of my own life.

This approach has also helped with everyday stress. Instead of stressing over things I can’t change, I let them play out. I focus my energy on what I can control—my reactions, my choices, and my peace. It’s made a huge difference in how I handle difficult situations.

This isn’t about being passive or indifferent—it’s about prioritizing my mental well-being. For me, peace is at the core of everything, helping me stay clear, balanced, and grounded in all areas of my life. Letting go of what’s not mine to control feels like reclaiming my energy, and it’s one of the most empowering changes I’ve made.

Core Findings:

Let Them Be Themselves: The idea that allowing others to make their own decisions without interference creates healthier relationships and emotional freedom. When you stop trying to control or fix others, you give them the space to grow and make choices.

Let Me Own My Decisions: Focusing on yourself and trusting your own choices is crucial. By embracing the idea of "Let Me," you take full responsibility for your actions, which empowers you to make decisions with confidence and clarity.

Peace Comes From Letting Go: True peace comes from letting go of the need to control others or your circumstances. When you apply both "Let Them" and "Let Me," you create a balance between respecting others' autonomy and owning your own personal boundaries, leading to more emotional peace and self-respect.

Impactful Quotes:

"Letting them isn’t about losing control; it’s about gaining peace."

"There is a second, critical part of the Let Them theory—Let Me. When you say Let Me, you're tapping into that power by taking responsibility for what you do, think, or say next."

"You don’t need to hold everything—some things are not yours to carry."

"By stepping back, you create space for yourself and others to thrive."

"Growth begins when you let go of what’s not yours to fix."

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Title: The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage into Self-Mastery

Author: Brianna Wiest

I went into The Mountain Is You expecting a typical self-help book with the usual “be positive” advice. Instead, I found something that shook me to my core. It’s not about quick fixes or motivational quotes—this book makes you sit with yourself and face the uncomfortable truths about why you keep getting in your own way. And trust me, I needed to hear it.

Brianna Wiest doesn’t sugarcoat things. She dives deep into self-sabotage, explaining that the destructive behaviors we fall into aren’t random—they’re coping mechanisms. When she said that self-sabotage is actually self-protection in disguise, something clicked for me. It made me realize that every time I procrastinate, avoid conflict, or downplay my own goals, I’m really just trying to stay safe. But staying safe isn’t helping me grow.

This book felt like a mirror, showing me all the ways I’ve held myself back—sometimes without even realizing it. It’s not always easy to face that reflection, but Wiest does it in a way that feels compassionate, not critical. She makes it clear that emotional healing isn’t about fixing yourself, but about understanding yourself.

One of the biggest takeaways for me? Growth is painful because it means letting go of what’s familiar and comfortable. I’ve often resisted change because it felt uncomfortable, but this book made me see that discomfort is where transformation happens.

I’ve read a lot of books about self-improvement, but The Mountain Is You hit differently. It gave me both clarity and practical steps to make lasting changes. It’s not just a book you read—it’s a book you experience.

Core Findings:

Real change starts with emotional healing, not just changing habits.

Discomfort is necessary for growth. If I want to become my best self, I have to let go of my old self.

The mountain isn’t out there somewhere—it’s me. And I’m the one who can move it.

Impactful Quotes:

“Your new life will cost you your old one. That’s why it’s so hard to change.”

“When you resist change, it’s not because you’re lazy or incapable. It’s because you’re afraid.”

“Healing isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about becoming who you’ve always been beneath the pain.”

“The most important relationship you’ll ever have is the one you have with yourself.”

“If you want to change your life, you have to be willing to let things fall apart before they can come back together.”

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Title: The Secret History

Author: Donna Tartt

Review: When I picked up The Secret History, I expected a dark, captivating dive into academia and mystery, and in some ways, it delivered. Donna Tartt’s writing is stunning, pulling me into a world that felt both rich and suffocating. The atmosphere she creates is haunting, with every word dripping in tension and foreboding. It’s a story that lingers in your mind long after you close the book.

But the characters were something else entirely. They’re weird, privileged, and so far removed from reality that I struggled to relate to them. Their elitism and cold detachment made it hard for me to care about their fates, even as their lives unraveled. While they’re fascinating to observe from the outside, I never felt like I was truly in their world—more like a distant onlooker watching chaos unfold.

That said, one thing I appreciated was how the book explored different aspects of human behavior, even the darker, more destructive sides. It’s uncomfortable at times, but there’s something fascinating about seeing how ambition, guilt, and the pursuit of beauty can drive people to unimaginable places. Tartt’s portrayal of these flawed, complex characters raises questions about morality and how far people are willing to go for their desires.

In the end, I admired The Secret History more than I enjoyed it. The writing is exceptional, and the story is layered and complex, but the cold, unrelatable characters made it difficult to connect emotionally. It’s a book I respect for its craft, but I’m not sure I’d rush to revisit it.

Favorite Quotes:

"It is better to know one book intimately than a hundred superficially."

"The dark charm of the world is stronger than the bright innocence of youth."

"We think we have many desires, but in fact, we only have one. What is it?"

"I suppose the shock of recognition is one of the nastiest shocks of all."

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Title: Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain

Author: John J. Ratey

Review: As someone who has struggled with anxiety and moments of feeling low, Spark felt like an eye-opener. It helped me truly understand how exercise isn’t just good for physical health but is a game-changer for mental well-being. Dr. Ratey’s research shows how regular movement combats depression and anxiety in a way that feels both empowering and achievable.

One of the most profound insights for me was how exercise creates the same chemical changes in the brain that some medications do. It’s not just about feeling better after a workout—it’s about rewiring the brain to handle stress, fear, and sadness more effectively.

I loved how accessible this approach feels. You don’t need to train for a marathon—just walking or a light jog can make all the difference. The book reframed how I think about exercise; it’s no longer a chore I must do 5 times a week but something I look forward to because of how much better it makes me feel mentally. Spark isn’t just a book—it’s a reminder that we have more control over our minds than we might realise.

Favourite Quotes:

"Exercise can work as effectively as medication for some people by enhancing the same neurochemical pathways."

"When you exercise, you’re not only moving your body—you’re changing your brain."

"Chronic stress shrinks the hippocampus, but regular aerobic activity not only stops the damage but can reverse it, improving memory and emotional control."

"Physical activity sparks a cascade of positive changes, from boosting neurochemicals to creating the ideal environment for neuroplasticity."

"The prefrontal cortex—the brain’s command center—lights up during exercise, improving decision-making and creativity."

"In people with depression, exercise doesn’t just lift the mood temporarily—it creates lasting change."

"Anxiety responds to exercise because it lowers the body's baseline level of arousal and enhances stress tolerance."

"Movement is deeply embedded in our biology. Our brains evolved for motion, and exercise is fundamental to maintaining its health."

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Title: Essentialism

Author: Greg McKeown

Genre: Non-Fiction / Self Help

Review: I picked up Essentialism hoping for a transformative guide to help me focus on what truly matters, and while it had its moments, it didn’t fully deliver. The core concept of simplifying and prioritizing resonates deeply—McKeown makes a compelling case for saying "no" to distractions and "yes" to what’s essential.

However, the book felt repetitive at times, stretching a simple idea into too many chapters. Some examples felt a bit idealistic, as if living this way were more straightforward than it often is in real life. I appreciated the clarity of McKeown’s message, but I found myself wishing for more actionable steps or real-world applications beyond broad advice. I guess it’s more about the philosophy and mindset than the practical application.

Overall, Essentialism is a solid read if you're new to the concept of simplifying your life, but it might leave you wanting more depth or nuance if you're already familiar with similar ideas. It’s thought-provoking, but not necessarily ground breaking.

Favourite Quotes:

"If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will." "Only once you give yourself permission to stop trying to do it all, to stop saying yes to everyone, can you make your highest contribution towards the things that really matter." "Clarity about what is essential fuels us with the energy to say no to the nonessential." "You cannot overestimate the unimportance of practically everything." "The way of the Essentialist means living by design, not by default." "Sometimes what you don’t do is just as important as what you do."

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"All you have to do to diminish your fear is to develop more trust in your ability to handle whatever comes your way."

This quote hits home for me because I’ve often let fear take over when I didn’t feel ready or capable. It’s a reminder that the way forward isn’t to avoid tough situations but to trust myself more. When I focus on my ability to adapt and overcome, fear loses its grip, and I feel a sense of calm, even when life is unpredictable.

"The secret to handling fear is to move yourself from a position of pain to a position of power."

I’ve felt stuck in fear before, like it was holding me hostage. This quote encourages me to step back, acknowledge what I’m afraid of, and then take a small action to shift my mindset. It’s about reminding myself that I have the power to change how I respond to fear. Whenever I do this, I feel a weight lift, like I’ve reclaimed control over my life.

"Underlying all our fears is a lack of trust in ourselves."

This one feels deeply personal because, if I’m honest, most of my fears boil down to doubting myself. I’ve realized that when I believe in my ability to handle things, the fear feels smaller. It’s not easy, but building self-trust has helped me face challenges with more confidence and less hesitation.

"YOU’RE NOT A FAILURE IF YOU DON’T MAKE IT; YOU’RE A SUCCESS BECAUSE YOU TRY."

This quote is like a breath of fresh air for me. I’ve always been scared of failing, but reframing success as the act of trying is empowering. It reminds me to celebrate my efforts rather than obsess over the outcome. Every time I step out of my comfort zone, I’m succeeding, even if it doesn’t go perfectly.

"Everything can be taken away from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s way."

This one stays with me because it reminds me that no matter what happens, I always have a choice in how I respond. There have been times when life felt out of control, but shifting my perspective has given me a sense of strength and peace. It’s not always easy, but knowing that my mindset is mine to control has helped me face challenges with resilience.