A
To celebrate this halloween i've read Frankenstein! Finally! The tale of horror of who's the monster? Creation or creator. Also the duality of humanity of it being of welcoming kindness and warmth to the alternative hatred and fear, also driving creatures of difference into enemies.
I noticed an interesting thing with his mention of Adam (& Eve) and the parallels of creator making a man then a woman companion. Instead of a creator providing, frankenstein destroys her mid-making thinking about the horrors of two monsters, what if she doesn't like him and there is fighting, and if they should have children. The two ideas are something to consider...the making of children seems like something he could fix while making her...so no too much thought to that one. Rip.
A book mentioned also is Paradise Lost, which i haven't read yet, but i'm sure that also has something to say about the larger text and events.
Bri's got a talent for poetry and has ambitions to become a great rapper. Through the book Bri must over come many hardships, feelings, and embrace the success of her talent. Some good and some bad, It helps build her as a character having the challenge to find herself through these events. Even in her success will have her challenges of people trying to take advantage, people misinterpreting her words to use against her. Even the tough acceptance consequences and the power that can happen through speech, and more important to find what matters in her life and the people in her life and use the powerful words to bring it together. Finding herself was a journey.
Bri is passionate and sensitive. Her reactions to her world and events feel real and genuine, I really got attached to her and rooted for her the whole time. Great book, I recommend on audio!
I kind of forgot this was made by adults, the poetry that reflects a child's memory and thoughts and illustrations flow so seamlessly together, I really thought about the relationship of a child's friendship.
A story about a white girl and black boy, strangers to each other and each aware of race difference, slowly but surely write open and honest poetry project together and become friends. The illustration has a slowly building blossoming flower theme through-out their growing friendship. The poetry comes from child life events and the child's own perspectives and thoughts. Each with unique life perspectives to bring and understand friendship.
What I like about this book is the audiobook narrator was great and Queenie brings a black perspective which I want to explore, and eventually Queenie gets herself together a bit by going to therapy.
I mostly found this book really frustrating.
Even though Queenie is black and will stand for some principles but become flimsy at anything else. She can not stand up for herself. Also there is a line that said she refused to date black men (this is when I checked to make sure the author isn't white?? they're not!) and queenie will just white men can do whatever harm they want to her the entire fucking book. I'm not sure if this the intentional hypocrisy to provide an example of how bad queenie needs to get her life together...or just a hypocritical sentiment. What am I missing?
It's a rough journey with Queen's discover of self-worth because you'll read over and over her failures as white men keep emotionally and sexually use her up. She just lets these white men abuse her it is extremely disturbing when health professionals tell her about internal bruises and rips. So, essentially this masquerade of consensual sex is not at all. The casual sex thing i'm not a fan because I think it strengthens male privilege compared to female empowerment - but this is more of an opinion thing
I put this in the romance bookshelf because I thought maybe this is a common dating problem? All the book is literally about casual sex and men. (although, the sex sense are not satisfying because of the abuse) And maybe a hint of love your self! IDK
If you're looking for a bad ass feminist, this isn't for you. If you are looking for a rough loooong journey with somewhat satisfying ending then I would recommend!
There is an audiobook available but I wouldn't recommend it. I think you could get more from this to read it or skim.Reminds me a bit of [b:52 Small Changes for the Mind: Improve Memory * Minimize Stress * Increase Productivity * Boost Happiness 27750595 52 Small Changes for the Mind Improve Memory * Minimize Stress * Increase Productivity * Boost Happiness Brett Blumenthal https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1447042273l/27750595.SX50.jpg 43980061]
Very bland, but it reiterates the important points and lessons I've learned in past, so it's good review.
It also throws in some parenting advise, so that's ok too.
There's a more helpful books out there, i'm sure this was super great when it came out originally. I personally get tired of hearing about millionaires and billionaires. I get tired of hearing about $80,000 yearly salary likes it's nothing too...so this book is rather meh for me
This goes from...This isn't for me but i'd recommend it to people who have a really toxic mindset with accepting money in their life to no one really quick. If you're going to read this I'd only read about the first third or so. This is only worth it if your relationship with money is flat out not accepting it and romanticizing being poor. I think taking the time to ask what your relationship with money is is practical and good advise. so far so good...THENBelieve in the universe and stay in tune with universe intelligence and money will just come to you! Just like that, just do the thing and you'll get money! It's actually so easy, guys! let's forget about social and economic reasons why money might not just magically appear in front of you, trust me I've been there~ just spend thousands of dollars on life couching sarcasm sarcasm sarcasm There really is not a single great advise on how to manage money. Money is such a slow growing thing for a majority of people - there is a reason why money growth is shown as a tree, slow to grow but will grow slowly into something strong. You will def. need another book to read I might suggest [b:Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping by and Get Your Financial Life Together 32335700 Broke Millennial Stop Scraping by and Get Your Financial Life Together Erin Lowry https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1488693307l/32335700.SY75.jpg 52973003] or [b:The Index Card: Why Personal Finance Doesn't Have to Be Complicated 25361911 The Index Card Why Personal Finance Doesn't Have to Be Complicated Helaine Olen https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1452283412l/25361911.SX50.jpg 45105512]
A much needed read in the 2020 realm, with an election close approaching, after listening to my first lady I was given a much needed reminder of hope. I miss the grace of this family. I enjoyed listening and learning more about Michelle and her family, her history, and her voice! I recommend this book! Michelle is a strong advocate for women's education - be sure to read [b:I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban 17851885 I Am Malala The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban Malala Yousafzai https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1375414895l/17851885.SY75.jpg 24987300] if you enjoyed this book. - Book rec by Shay
Seems done deaf and out of touch - reminds me of [b:Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies about Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be 35542451 Girl, Wash Your Face Stop Believing the Lies about Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rachel Hollis https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1513038393l/35542451.SY75.jpg 56965748] 4 hour work week was only a 4 hour listen for me - I abandoned the audio book
I'm listening to the authors interview at the end (I did this on audiobook btw, which was excellent) and Alex talks about how he read and took inspiration from Agatha Christie...which I've just picked up. And with my experience with unreliable narrators like Shirley Jackson, I think this was really easy to piece together the who-done-it. I like that these two characters are together, possibly fate. You feel uncomfortable that he is so willing to dig into her life but will not even address the problems in his own. The dynamic between the two characters will help paint a picture of murder~If you liked this you may also like [b:The Girl on the Train 22557272 The Girl on the Train Paula Hawkins https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1574805682l/22557272.SX50.jpg 41107568] or the authors of Agatha Christie or Shirley Jackson.
This is about religion like Moral Orel is about religion...It's there and it's a part of it, but not about it. This book is about growing and learning, much how Orel grows through life experiences you'll take a journey of Tara's experience and find the goodness of improvement and education. Un-like Orel Puppington, Tara is a REAL person. I was on the edge of my seat, I was scared, I was angry, I was outraged, and most importantly I cared about Tara through this whole thing. I hope she is doing well, and I can't help but wonder about the state of her family.
It's bizarre to me how this is modern day. There is a ton to un-pack through this whole memoir and I can only imagine the hell it was to live through it. I could feel the real emotions of this book, through the entire thing I was wondering where it would end up. As the family disowned and spread lies and gossip about her, Tara remembered the question “Who writes history?” and her reply was “Me” I knew that was at the core of this book. She gets the last word and a work that will long live her family's side of the story of her. The power!
I highly recommend this book - audio had great narration!
It's one of those things where I will continue to read these because the art is so fucking fantastic. Wonderful water colors for character and backgrounds. The story is meh, just enough to get me to finish. There is A LOT of potential here which gives me hope.
So, this would get 5 stars if it didn't fall for the typical pitfalls of noir mystery genre, come on let's be a bit modern here. It has everything going for it... interesting time period with enough historical perspective to throw in more interesting events or commentary, animal characters to show natures of characters, fun scenes (like the turtle in the hare playing poker), and for the audience to connect. Best of all the art!!!
What's holding this back - the story to me is lacking. There's not much of a mystery element for me here, it's one of those where it's a mystery BUT you just kinda stick around and watch Blacksad solve it. Additionally, there isn't world building...when I first saw the arctic clan I thought this world was going to based on our world/time period with artistic liberty and inspiration. They instantly toss with what they created with the Arctic Clan when they establish Hitler. Why bother making a fictional kkk when a real one exists? Just use that!
To me it seems one sided and sloppy, but to give the benefit of the doubt maybe they just didn't know what they wanted from the world yet?
The world currently revolves around Blacksad, which is boring. I think this would work much better - like mad max fury road - if Blacksad was an explorer in the enriched world. Following Blacksad sets up only scenarios and doesn't give me much satisfaction.
The biggest pit fall is the sexism. Look at the diverse animals, nature, and design ...of the male characters! Seriously, in the Arctic Klan series you have a polar bear husband/wife. The husband is a fucking polar bear and I thought the wife was a mouse - NOPE! She honestly looks like just some lady. This is ridiculous, just lazy designs. There was a stork and a hippo background women getting shoes that had more character and design than the main women in the story.
Anytime you see a woman involved in the story she will be used as a plot, killed, to show weakness, heartbreak over blacksad, or sexualized (even by our Blacksad has no respect for them). The ladies that are introduced, might as well not bother putting them in...oh wait we need some tits. It seems the more human they look the more likely they will be naked, that's the only point of designing them this way.
It's old & tiresome...it's a shame in a beautiful and modern written noir novel that it's so prevalent. I have high hopes that this will be get better, because it really was worth the read and I do plan on reading a bit more before I'll probably drop it.
Practical guide and study of habits to incorporate into your life style or developing a better lifestyle. I definitely liked this one better than The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business and found it to be what I was looking for.
I recommend this read, very insightful about habits.
Amazing~ What a great read I devoured it! It had everything i love and more! Creative and likable characters, beautiful color pallets, crafted designs, and fun story that builds into a more meaningful end. Also perfect for Halloween! If you liked this you might like [b:Taproot 35833506 Taproot Keezy Young https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1570462987l/35833506.SY75.jpg 57340135], [b:The Witch Boy 31193426 The Witch Boy (The Witch Boy, #1) Molly Ostertag https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1488508665l/31193426.SY75.jpg 51838873], or [b:Estranged 31193404 Estranged (Estranged, #1) Ethan M. Aldridge https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1511472336l/31193404.SY75.jpg 51838813]
Get this on audiobook! Fucking get this on audiobook! The narrator has an incredible voice - Listen to this smooth deep voice break down and call out racism.
This is a history, not history, book. You know the history, but here is the background you never got and sometimes never even heard of. I usually speed up my audiobooks a bit, not this one. I wanted to hear and absorb everything I could. This is a re-read for sure.
I recommend this to everyone. It's about 4 hours on audio and the tone will grab you immediately. This is suitable for pretty much everyone. I would say older Juv thru Adult, so I hope to see this book in classes. (whenever those happen). I've seen Jason Reynold's books go out frequently so i'm confident that these will get into the hands of young readers.
GET THIS BOOK! READ IT! LISTEN TO IT!
I think I've read 3 versions of Miles as spiderman? Still as sweet as ever, he's a fantastic spiderman! This has some great at in this, story telling is light and shows off some casual Miles that I really liked. It hinted about ICE putting kids in cages with his mom reading the paper and Miles put in question what super hero is he...So I wonder if this will put a political spin on it later? Or if was just meant to get the reader thinking. I really hope they continue down that line, it's what I really have been craving from superheros lately. Breaking the law to protect people is exactly what I want and wish for right now.
I hope to see more!