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ClareR (5996 KP) rated The First Woman in Books
Aug 11, 2021
What I most like about a good book is being transported to a time and a place, and that’s exactly what The First Woman did for me. I love reading books that are set in countries and cultures that are completely different to my own, and I always hope that I’ll finish the book having learnt something new.
The First Woman taught me so much that I didn’t know about the clan system in Uganda, and about what it means to be a woman there. To be honest, it seems something of a minefield to live in a system of not just clans, but also class and ethnic groups.
Kirabo, the main character, also has to deal with the patriarchal system, colonialism and the hardships of Idi Amin’s regime.
But this is essentially a coming of age story. It’s the story of how Kirabo lives and grows up, about her longing fo the mother she has never met, about how she wants to find a place for herself in the world. It’s about mwenkanonkano - feminism - and how hard it is for Ugandan men to accept it. And finally, it’s about kweluma, and how people police, instead of support, one another. As Nsuuta says to Kirabo: “That is when oppressed people turn on each other or on themselves and bite. It is a form of relief. If you cannot bite your oppressor, you bite yourself.”
I loved this book: I empathised with Kirabo and her grandmothers friend Nsuuta. I admired that children were always first and foremost in a family and a clans mind, and I have to admit to struggling a little with the fact that women didn’t seem to have any rights over their children.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, I would. It’s a book that I’m glad came up on the Jellybooks programme, so thank you Jellybooks!
The First Woman taught me so much that I didn’t know about the clan system in Uganda, and about what it means to be a woman there. To be honest, it seems something of a minefield to live in a system of not just clans, but also class and ethnic groups.
Kirabo, the main character, also has to deal with the patriarchal system, colonialism and the hardships of Idi Amin’s regime.
But this is essentially a coming of age story. It’s the story of how Kirabo lives and grows up, about her longing fo the mother she has never met, about how she wants to find a place for herself in the world. It’s about mwenkanonkano - feminism - and how hard it is for Ugandan men to accept it. And finally, it’s about kweluma, and how people police, instead of support, one another. As Nsuuta says to Kirabo: “That is when oppressed people turn on each other or on themselves and bite. It is a form of relief. If you cannot bite your oppressor, you bite yourself.”
I loved this book: I empathised with Kirabo and her grandmothers friend Nsuuta. I admired that children were always first and foremost in a family and a clans mind, and I have to admit to struggling a little with the fact that women didn’t seem to have any rights over their children.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, I would. It’s a book that I’m glad came up on the Jellybooks programme, so thank you Jellybooks!
Sentence Reading Magic Deluxe for Schools-Reading Short Vowel CVC words
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Sentence Reading Magic provides the missing link between reading words and reading books-reading...
The Complete Adventures of Pan (Books 1-7)
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Includes ALL 7 BOOKS of Complete Series The Adventures of Pan (#1 Best Seller in App Store Kids &...
tonidavis (353 KP) rated The Fault in Our Stars in Books
Jun 30, 2017
Everything (3 more)
Johns writing style
Hazel and Gus
Isaccs friendship
On A Roller Coaster That Only Goes Up My Friend
Although I say books are emotional and heart breaking this is actually the only book ever to make me cry. I cried probably not at the point most people did. I cried at an Issac scene. John is the only person I've come across that can make you want to laugh and cry at the same time he writes the most dramatic scene and then puts in something out of character yet thoughtful and makes you over explode with emotion.
Its hard to explain the book to people without going well the main character has cancer but at the same time its not about cancer its about people. That's what makes John such a great writer is that he always see's people first and what ever problem they have wrong with them second.
This is a beautiful book with love friendship joy and pain its about life and death and everything in between. On Johns youtube channel vlogbrthers he always reminds everyone "Don't forget to be awesome." This book certainly doesn't.
Its hard to explain the book to people without going well the main character has cancer but at the same time its not about cancer its about people. That's what makes John such a great writer is that he always see's people first and what ever problem they have wrong with them second.
This is a beautiful book with love friendship joy and pain its about life and death and everything in between. On Johns youtube channel vlogbrthers he always reminds everyone "Don't forget to be awesome." This book certainly doesn't.
ClareR (5996 KP) rated Little Fires Everywhere in Books
Jan 14, 2018 (Updated Jan 14, 2018)
A slow burner
Slow to start, this book drew me in and made it very difficult to put down. It seems to be a story of opposites: the wealthy and the poor, people who live their lives as they have been 'taught' and expected to and those who live a freer life without pandering to the expectations of others. It's about growing up as a teenager, about being a parent. It's hard to judge the characters in the book, they act as they feel they should to benefit themselves, their friends or their family. This book shows you what it is to be human, to make mistakes and to live with the repercussions. I loved it. There were times where I thought I should dislike a character for their actions/ opinions, but the situation was portrayed in such a way that you could understand what they did and why they did it. This is what I really like about the two Celeste Ng books that I've read. She shows the real human side of her characters.
Thanks to Netgalley for my copy of the book to read and review.
Thanks to Netgalley for my copy of the book to read and review.
jmercado (1 KP) rated Eliza and Her Monsters in Books
Jan 15, 2018
I don't know how to feel about this.
It was a little everywhere at the beginning and it took me about 100 pages to actually get the hang of it and start enjoying it.
I really did enjoy Eliza and Wallace at the beginning.
But towards the end i didn't really feel their connection anymore.
I was more concerned about Eliza and her anxiety and depression and holy shit did that hit me in the feels.
I think if this would have been one of the books that she would have done well had they just stayed friends and she worked on herself more than being in a relationship.
I would really love to see Monstrous Sea be a real thing . I would pay big bucks for that lol
I also want more on Max and Emma. They are my favorite side characters and they weren't even physically with Eliza.
To me, with the hype going around this, it missed its mark for me ( I didn't really feel the relationship aspect of it) But that aside i loved the concept, the art and looking forward to reading more from this author.
It was a little everywhere at the beginning and it took me about 100 pages to actually get the hang of it and start enjoying it.
I really did enjoy Eliza and Wallace at the beginning.
But towards the end i didn't really feel their connection anymore.
I was more concerned about Eliza and her anxiety and depression and holy shit did that hit me in the feels.
I think if this would have been one of the books that she would have done well had they just stayed friends and she worked on herself more than being in a relationship.
I would really love to see Monstrous Sea be a real thing . I would pay big bucks for that lol
I also want more on Max and Emma. They are my favorite side characters and they weren't even physically with Eliza.
To me, with the hype going around this, it missed its mark for me ( I didn't really feel the relationship aspect of it) But that aside i loved the concept, the art and looking forward to reading more from this author.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy: Curiouser And Curiouser in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy is a collection of essays by various contributors, many of which have contributed to other books in the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series. Many questions that went unasked are brought forth and argued, and many things that you never thought twice about are exposed.
I am a long-time Alice lover, having read and listened to the stories my whole life and played a part in the Disney-ballet. I love Carroll’s stories for what they are, and I see the beauty in chaos and nonsense. However I did enjoy reading through these essays, and gaining a new perspective on the classic adventure of Wonderland.
Although, to a certain extent, I can’t help but side with the party that it’s just a sweet silly story about a girl who wasn’t quite ready to face reality, until she realized what a mess nonsense can be.
This collection of intriguing essays will leaving you wondering about Wonderland more than you ever have before.
Recommendation: Ages 12+ for Alice lovers who want to think outside the box and deeper than before.
I am a long-time Alice lover, having read and listened to the stories my whole life and played a part in the Disney-ballet. I love Carroll’s stories for what they are, and I see the beauty in chaos and nonsense. However I did enjoy reading through these essays, and gaining a new perspective on the classic adventure of Wonderland.
Although, to a certain extent, I can’t help but side with the party that it’s just a sweet silly story about a girl who wasn’t quite ready to face reality, until she realized what a mess nonsense can be.
This collection of intriguing essays will leaving you wondering about Wonderland more than you ever have before.
Recommendation: Ages 12+ for Alice lovers who want to think outside the box and deeper than before.
Joelene Marie (28 KP) rated I'm Glad About You in Books
Oct 1, 2018
I struggled with what rating to give this book, if I could I'd give it 2.5 stars. lowest rating I've given a book in a very long time. it started off great, hooked me from the start. Kyle and Allison were easy enough to identify with and relate to in the beginning. however, this is one of the most redundant books I've ever read. in the dialogue someone was always using an annoyed tone, then every other thought or action was a "betrayal" for one reason or another. Allison and Kyle were increasingly whiny about everything, with Allison constantly thinking about how smart she was and how many people were treating her like a moron at any given time and her looks (how thin she was and did u know her eyes are a beautiful green) and how "Midwestern" she was with her manners and morals and values, even tho she's a thief and basically a whore. then Kyle was whining and complaining about his job, his family, Allison, his religion, etc. that's basically the sum of the story, a lot of repetitive whining with no real action. seriously disappointing after such a promising start.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2436 KP) rated The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! in Books
Aug 14, 2019
Is Pigeon Ready for a New Experience?
Pigeon has just learned that he has to start attending school. Surely, he doesn’t have to do that. After all, he already knows everything. Will there be math? There are too many letters! And Pigeon is not a morning bird. Will anything be able to change his mind?
Author Mo Willems continues to find ways to tell stories using only pictures and dialogue that keep us engaged. This is another fast yet entertaining read. Most kids are excited about getting to go to school, but this book should help those who might be more reluctant and will entertain all kids. While Pigeon presents some reasons to not go to school that kids might not have thought of, by the end he is very excited about the prospect. (Personally, I still understand Pigeon’s concern about not being a morning bird.) I appreciated the nod to one of Pigeon’s earlier books. The stylized illustrations are a delight as always and really do help tell the story. Whether you have a kid starting school soon or not, you and your kid will enjoy this book.
Author Mo Willems continues to find ways to tell stories using only pictures and dialogue that keep us engaged. This is another fast yet entertaining read. Most kids are excited about getting to go to school, but this book should help those who might be more reluctant and will entertain all kids. While Pigeon presents some reasons to not go to school that kids might not have thought of, by the end he is very excited about the prospect. (Personally, I still understand Pigeon’s concern about not being a morning bird.) I appreciated the nod to one of Pigeon’s earlier books. The stylized illustrations are a delight as always and really do help tell the story. Whether you have a kid starting school soon or not, you and your kid will enjoy this book.
The Prison Book Club
Book
When Ann Walmsley was asked to take part in a book club in a men's prison, she was initially...