Court

Not what I expected and was surprised and was relieved. So glad the author could share her experiences.
I really liked her (brief) explanation of her feelings about her gender: “It wasn't that I saw myself as a man; it was more like I hated belonging to a gender at all. I was excessively afraid of being defined as a woman...before I was seen as myself.”

This was amazing.

“The right to dissent is essential to freedom. Only when all views are heard can citizens make informed decisions, and only when minority voices are empowered can we find the best ideas.”

4.5
I read it all in one day, which I haven't done in ages. Laughed and gasped out loud several times.

So the book is sometimes information dense or a little difficult to understand, but it's very interesting stuff.

Being from California, when I hear Humboldt I think of Humboldt county in California, which is named after him and two other states also have counties named for him.

Feels like I've read this before, but I've forgotten where...

Here's a link: https://eng102qk.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/the-swim-team-july.pdf

Read at: https://subterraneanpress.com/magazine/summer_2011/younger_women_by_karen_joy_fowler

It's good and makes you think, but it just ends; it doesn't satisfy.

Endings are hard. Beautiful writing throughout with a grandmother character that made me say “damn” out loud.

I cried when he discussed the repeal of “don't ask, don't tell”.

So glad I read this, much stronger than Sheets.

Reading this in 2020 it seems a little dated, but most of it holds up. I've never owned a car so I didn't need to be sold on the idea and already familiar with public transit. I was hoping for some additional ideas - didn't really find much, but some parts were a bit interesting such as Seattle's ‘The One Less Car Challenge'.

Wish there had been a pronunciation guide as my German is so rusty/poor.

I saw an Instagram post where someone in the autism community was upset that this book (or a segment of it

Pretty good.

Still mad at Steve Martin for Roxanne.

Enjoyed that it started with a Baku, eater of nightmares & dreams and ends with a creature that causes nightmares — well done.

Kinda gave off Lisa frank vibes

Oh man I loathe Chyna's backstory and find her unreal, she defies suspension of disbelief and it pisses me off. Vess was well done, although I do find the combination of synesthesia and being super literal a bit much. Ariel is okay, but she's more of a plot device than an actual character and find the lack of therapy that she receives at the end of the book to be criminal.
With all that being said the genre work of it was well done, I wanted to keep reading.

Oh man, love that Millie (the sister with Downs) is the hero, she's the one that gives Grace the sleeping pills. So, did Ester shade in the words in the book? I think she did

Did love the part of using one demon to trick another and have a series of three boons. And the reveal of what Dora is

pretty good. Wish the book would have also included terminology/synonyms such as paws, flippers, etc.

Watched the movie ‘Sleepwalk with Me' while I was reading this as well.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speech_to_the_Troops_at_Tilbury

I forget with year in high school we read this.

one of the editions:


My loving people.

We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit our selves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery; but I assure you I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear. I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects; and therefore I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust.

I know I have the body but of a weak, feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm; to which rather than any dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field.

I know already, for your forwardness you have deserved rewards and crowns; and We do assure you on a word of a prince, they shall be duly paid. In the mean time, my lieutenant general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting but by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over these enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.

Loved the pub scene.

helpful for siblings and also for friends/classmates

So this book is difficult to read, so much so that the book has two pages at the back that have all the text. I could see some kiddos loving that and others (such as those who may already struggle with books) loosing interest. The illustrations are a mixed bag, some are lovely, most are strange, all appear white/pale.
Also for a book about words the words seem pedestrian to me, what a missed opportunity... and now I'm changing the review from 3 to 2.