Nafiza

An earth changing event known as the cataclysm, a daughter searching for the truth behind her father's disappearance, a world where superheros and villains are commonplace. It's a classic comic setup but told with a heart that I've rarely seen. A stubbornly strong black female lead jumping down the rabbit hole as she tracks down the last baddie that saw her father alive. What's not to love? The plot is simple but not boring or condescending. Art style in Sherlock Frankenstein is quality without the over polished look of the DC/Marvel tradition and features crisp coloring, wonderful shade complements. I'‘m not a big superhero person with my comics. I prefer darker themes, slice of life, drama....but Lemire really pulled me in with this one.

So I put aside my personal feelings for Onision/Greg hoping that this book might show he has a deeper creative side outside of the kneejerk world of social media. I was very wrong. Remember that broody gothtard kid back in high school that you knew would eventually grow up and out of his cringe filled attitude? Yeah, here he is for you to relive the experience. It's painfully obvious that the author is not only basing a large part of the protagonist on himself but also gives his character a huge dose of his real life ego. Such cringe. I won't give away any spoilers: If I had to sit through this trash and lose an hour of my life then so do you.

I'll admit I did go in to this book thinking I was going to love it straight off the bat.

Unfortunately.....no.

Yes, it was worth the time to read just for a few interesting glimpses in to the life of those behind Manos as well as the interesting first viewing and premier. But overall bout 2/3rd of this work isn't needed. It's dry and flat until you reach a handful of buried gems inside the heap. So while I did like Growing Up except for the first two chapters and section on the man who played Torgo, you might be better of skimming it rather than reading.

I'll admit I did go in to this book thinking I was going to love it straight off the bat.

Unfortunately.....no.

Yes, it was worth the time to read just for a few interesting glimpses in to the life of those behind Manos as well as the interesting first viewing and premier. But overall bout 2/3rd of this work isn't needed. It's dry and flat until you reach a handful of buried gems inside the heap. So while I did like Growing Up except for the first two chapters and section on the man who played Torgo, you might be better of skimming it rather than reading.

The Indian political system is a monster of a machine even more so than most systems which makes it very daunting to tackle, especially for people that aren't from India to comprehend. And while this book only looks at a tiny glimpse at a small side of party politics it's very well done, a great jumping off point towards understanding.

The focus is on the author's family through the lens of her uncle: his beginnings, struggles through life in the Indian caste system as an untouchable, early communist party activities and fighting in a young India. Too much to describe without ruining a lot of what there is to discover through the book itself.

The narrative did tend to drag at a lot of points however the information was worth the time to drive through it. Those outside of India like myself might have to do some look ups to fully understand some of the historical context of stuff but the good side of course is he learning.

Pantheon has always done a wonderful job of publishing comprehensive and engaging volumes with their series of folklore works and Schwab's work carries on the tradition perfectly.

There's not much I really can say considering the stories represented here are age-old and known throughout countless generations. Rather I'll praise the thorough job done in compiling all the stories. There's no need to jump from book to book anymore when studying the different tales or history making it wonderful for a reference as well as entertainment. The language it's presented in isn't stuffy like so many anthologies of mythology tend to be making a classic subject very approachable.

Pantheon has always done a wonderful job of publishing comprehensive and engaging volumes with their series of folklore works and Schwab's work carries on the tradition perfectly.

There's not much I really can say considering the stories represented here are age-old and known throughout countless generations. Rather I'll praise the thorough job done in compiling all the stories. There's no need to jump from book to book anymore when studying the different tales or history making it wonderful for a reference as well as entertainment. The language it's presented in isn't stuffy like so many anthologies of mythology tend to be making a classic subject very approachable.

The story of Alfred Packer is rather interesting and gripping. Unfortunately this piece about him is not.

Yes, true crime can be dry especially when dealing with the 19th century turn-of-phrase and style of dictation, I'll admit that. But the books layout presents a jumpy narrative which interrupts what little flow the book has going for it making it hard to get caught up in the events being discussed. Added to that is the overly plodding pace set by the author which makes it feel like a textbook rather than look inside the lives of living people.

On the good hand I have to give enough credit that the research was very well done which offered up a very nice bibliography for other sources to look up later. Schechter did try to do justice to the subject but it just didn't have the grip to make me want to finish the book for the sake of enjoyment but rather to be able to say I'd done it and never again.

I am just stunned by this cookbook!

Plenty of cookbooks just highlight themselves with well done food photography and a catchy cover. Happily, tho there are lots of beautiful pictures, Bharadwaj goes above and beyond to present an inviting and stress free introduction to Indian cooking. Many cookbooks will call themselves a teaching book, bible of.... and lesson of .... But few actually COULD be used in a textbook way of sorts.

Bharadwaj dispels the misconceptions of Indian cooking at the same time explaining regional foods, explanations of terminology then goes on to masterclass explanations and skills right down to traditional and common Indian housewares. And the recipes? Not only were there classics like your favorite kormas and rotis but they're alongside ones I've never heard or tasted in the US. Coconut green beans? YES! You might have to adjust some to taste like the samosas and add a bit extra spice. But other than adding or taking away heat I had no issues.

Not a bad read, not great. Pleasantly in the middle offering something to read between more intense books much like a palette cleanser.

The plot is well paced and the writing direct with likable characters that have decently formed personalities. The story isn't overall cliche like many of the child abduction plots out there which is a huge plus. While the book's storytelling is simple there are a couple of good twists in there that I found interesting even if there are moments here and there that are a little hokey.

Overall Searching for Faith was a rather quick and light read that wasn't rushed or half done even if not overly gripping.

I wanted to like this. I really did. I bought in to the hype and excitement of finally seeing the X Files resurrected...then totally forgot audible was a thing. Which, in the long run, is great because now I can come back to Cold Cases with a clean slate without needing to worry about the popularity push influencing how I saw things.

Hated it.

Don't get me wrong, Duchovny and Anderson are very talented along with the other key narrators/actors but something about this volume is just....off. The story itself feels overly hokey and cheesy which I know is part of the fun of the X Files to begin with. But it's not in the same way as the show was/is but in an underdone production kind of way. The narration is unemotional, reading like the first read through on a script that no one is sure they want to be involved in. The story itself doesn't flow, lacking any real personality which only makes the hammy voice acting stick out even more. I see many reviewers commenting on how close it is to a radio show which yes, I'll give some credit, the sound editor did well. However years of podcasts and audiobooks on streaming/demand have conditioned us away from the more obvious exposition and audio devices and in to focusing on the quality of the voice actors themselves. A plotline that didn't develop characters, motive or personality left it feeling as if the author was trying to shoehorn in every popular character as a means to just have them there. Fanservice instead of quality.

It just made for a disappointing listen and a hope that the next chapters are better....if I decide to buy them.

I'm not much of a fantasy novel type simply because of the overdone tropes but I wound up loving this story!

Looking back it's a pretty basic concept: Two rogue adventurers get in to trouble and things are't what they seem. Add in a couple damsels in distress and there you go. BUT once I actually sat down and got in to the story I was hooked by the depth of the characters. Witty writing, humor and realistic personalities shined through along with the twisting storytelling. the pacing was excellent with plenty of action so while the usual fantasy hallmarks were present they wove in very well.

I'm very likely to read the next book in the series which is very unlike my usual reading habits but that just attests to how unusually good I found this tory.

I wanted to like this. I really did. I bought in to the hype and excitement of finally seeing the X Files resurrected...then totally forgot audible was a thing. Which, in the long run, is great because now I can come back to Cold Cases with a clean slate without needing to worry about the popularity push influencing how I saw things.

Hated it.

Don't get me wrong, Duchovny and Anderson are very talented along with the other key narrators/actors but something about this volume is just....off. The story itself feels overly hokey and cheesy which I know is part of the fun of the X Files to begin with. But it's not in the same way as the show was/is but in an underdone production kind of way. The narration is unemotional, reading like the first read through on a script that no one is sure they want to be involved in. The story itself doesn't flow, lacking any real personality which only makes the hammy voice acting stick out even more. I see many reviewers commenting on how close it is to a radio show which yes, I'll give some credit, the sound editor did well. However years of podcasts and audiobooks on streaming/demand have conditioned us away from the more obvious exposition and audio devices and in to focusing on the quality of the voice actors themselves. A plotline that didn't develop characters, motive or personality left it feeling as if the author was trying to shoehorn in every popular character as a means to just have them there. Fanservice instead of quality.

It just made for a disappointing listen and a hope that the next chapters are better....if I decide to buy them.

Within an hour of putting GSAW on my currently reading shelf I had someone already complain to me about how racist and horrible it was. So I knew I was already in for a long story or so I thought.

I should say first what this book isn't: It isn't a sequel to To Kill A Mockingbird. It's easy to see how people would assume that because of the same characters we grew up with in TKAM being in this one. In reality this is a draft OF TKAM that Lee decided to rewrite and then went on to become the novel we grew up with in schools for about 50 or so years. So we have to put things a little in to perspective when we go through Watchman.

Yes, even tho it's a draft Watchman fits VERY well as a continuation of the story begun with Mockingbird. So well in fact that people assume it is which is just an indication to Lee's ability to stay engaging and consistent as an author. The only downside to an alluring story is that we tend to hold it in such high esteem than anything which tries to view that book in a new light or change any bit becomes a point of contention.

Atticus....is a racist. People screamed and howled about it totally forgetting a few important points: Eventually, Scout is going to grow up and people change.

Once you get beyond the shallow controversy you find a slow and sleepy narrative that mirrors the hometown of Scout herself as she visits her family and society that shes left for New York. It doesn't take long before she realizes her father has changed: He's getting older, his health is not what it once was and worse of all Scout expect everything to remain the same. She doesn't accept that change is a constant thing but works in its own ways and that she herself can't control it, even if she has good intentions. It's a much slower pacing without any big climax as one might expect tho it flows well painting Scout in a way I hadn't expected to see her. She is an example of the restlessness of the time it was written in when people were ready to push forward yet had no real idea on HOW. The clash between Scout's mindset and the approach of atticus to the issues of the day are a startling contrast that overlaps the uneasy politics they were grappling with at large.

Very rich personalities and spirit against a cross section of mindsets makes Watchman very likable as long as one's ready to let it stand on its own and stop comparing it to Mockingbird. We've grown up since first reading it in school, so should we let Scout and Atticus grow up as well.

Just on hold a while until I get the urge back

Child pornography. Right at the beginning, a pedophile grooming a child into sex. I don't care if it's fantasy And the amount of people whom make excuses for it because it's “queer inclusion” need their hard drives checked.

A book that hides under the well-meaning concept of inclusivity and compassion.Audience aimed at is very young children and instead of talking of biological facts or sex vs gender it paints an unscientific and insulting view of pregnancy and men.If you're ready to talk to your kids about pregnancy, anatomy and childbirth there are some very good and accurate books out there like: [b:Mommy, What's Inside Your Tummy?! 58270261 Mommy, What's Inside Your Tummy?! Julia Jackson https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1622962505l/58270261.SX50.jpg 91343573] [b:What's in There?: All About Before You Were Born 14850532 What's in There? All About Before You Were Born (Let's Talk about You and Me) Robie H. Harris https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1367256756l/14850532.SX50.jpg 20504228] [b:My Body Is Me! 49098291 My Body Is Me! Rachel Rooney https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1575515942l/49098291.SX50.jpg 74535780] [b:How Big is Our Baby? 52679507 How Big is Our Baby? Smriti Prasadam-Halls https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566855789l/52679507.SX50_SY75.jpg 70046638] [b:Who Has What?: All About Girls' Bodies and Boys' Bodies 11448145 Who Has What? All About Girls' Bodies and Boys' Bodies (Let's Talk about You and Me) Robie H. Harris https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320565283l/11448145.SX50.jpg 16381987]