Elizabeth Tai
3.5 stars. I was extremely put off by Marcelline at first - I almost felt sorry for Clevedon to be saddled with her. But eventually she won me over. She was a strong, capable, albeit manipulative woman for a good reason - she had to take care of her family, so why not employ her guile and wits to do so?
Clevedon is, even towards the end, a little bit of an empty-headed ass. He was obviously out of touch with the working class and made it painfully clear that he didn't get Marcelline's reluctance to embrace an affair.
Still, as we all know, it works out well in the end. An enjoyable romp with a strong, capable heroine.
I have to confess to having a certain fascination for hoarders. When I decided to move to Australia in 2012, I had to clear my apartment for renters. I was quite alarmed by the amount of things I had collected over the years - hundreds of books & DVDs, many of them I had not had the time to read or watch.
While I konmari-ed my stuff I would watch episodes of “Hoarders” in absolute horror/fascination/compassion.
What I saw in that series scared me into becoming a minimalist, methinks. Although I am far from the “33 pieces of items in my wardrobe” person, I have far, far less things now.
But why do people hoard? Could you end up as one?
These questions haunted Susannah Walker, who was left with the unpleasant task of clearing up her mother's home after her death.
Her mum, Pat, spent her last years in a house so broken and filled with filth it should have been condemned. Yet, to the outside world, she appeared as a well-dressed woman who seemed in control of her life.
Thanks to reality shows like Hoarders, people who have this affliction are almost always viewed as freaks. Susannah, however, gives us an a compassionate and emotional insight into her mother's life as she tries to understand what led her to slowly destroy a home she once so adored.
“These people become hoarders because they have suffered so much loss already that disposing of even a single object would be too hard to bear.”
In the end, theorised Susannah, her mother manifested the pain of her tragic life outwardly - in her stuff.
A must read.
I love how I got to know more about why make-up is so important to a woman's freedom and sense of pride in this book. To imagine that cosmetics were considered sinful once upon a time!
After reading oodles of historical romances set in the Regency or Victoria periods, it's refreshing to read about the Gilded Age.
Our hero and heroines' love affair is believable and lovely. I particularly enjoyed the hero's development, how he gained his confidence as he got out f his father's shadow.
❤️
It's heartbreaking that men who proclaim they love God rob from the poor to spend money on stuff that don't last forever. Costi's account of life with Benny Hinn isn't surprising to me, but it's still painful to read about the excesses and the broken dreams that the prosperity gospel pundits left behind.
Disclaimer: Adam is a personal friend and I received a copy for an honest review.
I loved the book and couldn't put it down. It was fascinating to explore the entire “supply” chain of the secondhand market, and how seemingly good movements such as banning “plastic waste from the West” has a surprisingly long-term negative effect on the environment and on the economies of developing nations. Basically, don't take things at face value - there's more to the recycling, secondhand business than meets the eye. We need to move beyond reacting to well-intentioned propaganda from “green” folks by banning things to really, really exploring how the world can manage stuff (and all the things it's made of) sustainably.
I wrote an article on his book: https://www.elizabethtai.com/blog/secondhand-adam-minter
An inspiring book about how one needs to have the right perspective of live on Earth from the Christian perspective. So often we live for ourselves rather than for God, and Dale discovers just how one needs to adjust to living for God. It takes a lot of sacrifice, faith and the ability to trust God in all challenges.
I love this book, and I am appreciative that the author was so transparent of his financial mistakes - some of which was massive. From this, we can learn a lot!
Yes, some complain that he is privileged and lucky to have come out on the other side in good shape anyway, but the author made it clear that he does have privilege that many do not have. Still, it's not the kind of over-the-top privilege aka “my dad is a bazillionaire and gave me an apartment building as a birthday gift” kind of privilege.
I think in the end, the book teaches us that managing finances - it is full of challenges. Sometimes you make mistakes. Pretty bad ones, at times. But in the end, it's your attitude to the challenge that determines how you will succeed in the end.
See, the author spent YEARS ignoring his spiralling financial mess. If he hadn't decided to settle that mess one year, he would've been in worst shape. So whatever situation you are in today - you have to act. You may not end up in the heights of victory or success, but at least you would be changing your life.
It highlighted lots of concerns I have about having an unhealthy relationship with money, but I feel that it was scant on solutions. Overanxious about your financial situation or a bit of a Scrooge when it comes to money? Be grateful with what you have, says Honda. Unfortunately the roots for these attitudes go very deep and while gratitude and cultivating relationships and a community is a great first step, it isn't enough to change it.
The story just didn't work for me. It was way, way too dramatic - our hero Dougan had issues with a capital I, and although I can't blame him, seeing that he had a sucky past, I felt it was way over the top. Also, our heroine is a Mary Sue - everyone loves her, she has a heart of gold etc. I wish I could love this book more but, meh.
An above average novella with a terribly rushed and improbable ending (hence the 3 stars instead of the 3.5 I would've been inclined to give). Call me cynical, but I can't help but think that back in those times, Felicity would have been viewed as a gold digger for the circumstances surrounding their love affair. I would think that the book would have been greatly improved if a few more chapters were added towards the end, fleshing out their romance. Still, Linden writes really well and it was a breeze to read through the book.
This should be read by every teenager confused about the “What shall I do with my life?” question. Even if you aren't, read it anyway - because what you think is right for you may not be right at all. Avoid making a costly mistake! For adults, it's never too late. It's a great guide for those wondering how to go about a change of career and lifestyle.
PS: Be sure to do the exercises. They are invaluable.
Read this book when I really needed its message. My church had an 8-week study on the book and I literally implemented what I learned during those weeks, and it changed my outlook and situation quite a bit. For some, it's a message they've heard already - admittedly, there's really nothing new as this has been spouted by self-help gurus for a long time. However, Geri's personal experiences, which are highlighted in this book, shows how insidious wrong thinking and behaviours can permeate your life without you being aware of it. A book that needs to be read more than once!
3.5 stars. Great writing made me zoom through the book. However, the author overcomplicated the plot by throwing ever twist she could think of at it. It made it unbelievable at times! A simpler plot would have made the story more believable.
Also, although it's called “romantic” suspense, I really didn't feel that our couple's relationship was developed at all. They seem like cardboard figures going through the motions - though, I'd have to say it's rather hot. Still, a romance novel needs more than a couple of smutty scenes strung together. We need a REASON - why are there couple together? What motivated them to move their relationship beyond “friends with benefits”?
So, as a romance novel, it fails in that aspect. As a thriller, it's above average.
“Talent is not a gift. Talent is a responsibility.” As a writer and fellow creator, this struck a chord with me.
In this book he recounts the various persecutions he suffered just because he drew the truth. Many would have given up long before, but not him. And Malaysia is better for it.
The only criticism I have is that I really wanted to know his thoughts & experiences of the pivotal GE14. What did he think of the developments ? How did he feel seeing a new government being installed? As a result I felt the book seemed truncated.
Still, I enjoyed the book immensely & cant wait to read his cartoons!
