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Morgan Sheppard (1037 KP) created a post

Jan 8, 2026  
January has a way of blurring fire and rain, of making the world feel caught between endurance and change 🌧️🔥✨ and it’s the perfect moment to step into a story where balance itself is under threat.

In Fire in the Rain, trouble rises once more on the island of Wraidd Elfennol, as failing waterways threaten land and folk alike, and the Chosen of Fire and Water—Afon and Necia, alongside their Partners Meinwen and Dai—must find the confidence within themselves and their Elements to stand against the growing shadow of Cysgod.

With mentors, friends, and ancient magic guiding their path, this final chapter of the series is steeped in Welsh-inspired myth, quiet strength, and the question January always seems to ask us: when the world is tested, will you rise to meet it? 🌊🔥📖

✨ Available now on Kindle Unlimited
📚 Begin the journey here:
👉 https://books2read.com/FireintheRain

#JanuaryReads #KindleUnlimitedFantasy #WelshMythInspired #EpicFantasy #ElementalMagic #FantasySeries #WinterReading
     
I Feel Pretty (2018)
I Feel Pretty (2018)
2018 | Comedy
Renee (Amy Schumer), a later, twenty something who lives in New York City. She works in a small division Lily LeClaire, a high end beauty product company. From a tiny ramshackle office, she dreams and one day working at the glamorous HQ in downtown Manhattan. She finds out that there is a position available, but she does not think that she is good enough to get the job.

 In her quest to look better and feel better, she enrolls in Soul Cycle class at her neighborhood gym. Within minutes, she had injured herself and her pride. Smarting from the injury, we see her looking into the mirror with disdain and self loathing. Schumer conveys the discomfort, embarrassment and self-doubt that every one of us have felt at some point in our lives.

 Renee does not give up, going to class the second day. In her enthusiasm, she forgets to tighten a bolt and is taken down by the bike. The event immediately changes how she looks at herself, immediately seeing her visage as everything she would want. The film highlights the all human issue of self-confidence, struggles of imperfection with our bodies and our overall self image, how our own perceptions are our own mental constructs than reality.

 Schumer is able to convey the negative thoughts we all have felt about ourselves when we don’t like how we look. However, externally, the self negativity is not noticed.. We can be own worst critic and take down our own self esteem without the help of bullies. Even though Renee’s self image is altered by an accident, her humor, intelligence doesn’t change, her extraverted confidence shines the light directly on her attitude.

 There were some moments where I expected a makeover montage. Cause, good 80’s alternative soundtrack and it’s a film about a woman’s lack of self esteem. Surprisingly, it was devoid of any fancy changing room quick changes. The movie addressed how we all have moments where our levels of self confidence and self esteem are reduced due to our own ideas because we all can be our own worst critic.

 The story had its moments where I would have liked to see more depth and connection in Renee’s relationships with her best friends Vivian (Aidy Bryant) and Jane (Busy Phillips). These are friends that have known each other for years and I would have like to see a little of the psychic shorthand friends develop over years of knowing each other. I did like how Vivian and Jane didn’t let Renee get away with behaving as an ass. They are not mean in their rejection which is more true to honest friendships.

 Amy Schumer’s humor at times can make us a bit uncomfortable because she holds the mirror up to us to teach us how to laugh at ourselves and to show that we are not alone in all these feelings. I enjoyed the movie, even though it would have been good to see more depth in the relationships. It is a perfect Girls Night Out film
  
    AMBOSS Knowledge USMLE

    AMBOSS Knowledge USMLE

    Medical and Education

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Natalie (23 KP) rated The Girls in Books

Nov 16, 2017  
The Girls
The Girls
Emma Cline | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
5
6.1 (17 Ratings)
Book Rating
Good concept (1 more)
Some interesting imagery/analogies
Lack of character development (2 more)
Slow build up with a sudden ending that feels rushed
Attempts to make socio-political commentary with disjointed (and again rushed) narrative
Underwhelming drama/mystery with the backdrop of a cult
It took me a while to get into the book itself, it wasn't a page turner and was very easy to get distracted. About a third to a midway through, it started to pick up pace and I became embroiled in the narrative of a young girl's induction into a full-blown cult, the crime they commit and her reflection on this as an adult. This momentum carried nicely for a while, until nearing the end where the narrative and characters suddenly seemed to become disjointed and it appears the author suddenly decided to turn fractions of what has previously been mentioned into an overall statement which I found to be a little ridiculous. The concept was seriously intriguing (the experience of drifting in and out of cult life) so it's a shame it wasn't followed through with confidence.
  
The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
Betty Edwards | 1979 | Art, Photography & Fashion, Reference, Technical
9
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
really great for building confidence and teaching basic exercises (2 more)
Perfect for people who think they "can't draw" (drawing is a skill, and perfectly learn-able)
Will help a whole lot if you are just starting
Will hold you back if you let it (1 more)
The neuroscience this is based on is sadly outdated
Great book, but FOR BEGINNERS ONLY
So this book is really, really good for beginners. I have bought multiple copies of it to give to people who are afraid to start drawing, and they loved how fast they improved. It also kind of helps you learn to learn more (if that makes sense)

If you cling to it afterwards, it will stunt you, though. It doesn't teach much in the way of perspective, color, composition, art historical precedents, or mastery of techniques and materials (but really, there are whole books and disagreeing theory families on each of those topics...)


To start drawing, I have yet to find something better. Just give it to someone else when you are done.