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Hannah (27 KP) rated Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind in Books
Jun 6, 2017
Succinct and simple telling of human history (1 more)
Motivating
Interesting and stimulating account of human history
This book is absolutely a must-read for anyone interested in the history of humankind, the development of societies, language, money and patriarchy, and what the future might hold for humankind.
This book is a simple retelling of what we currently know about the history of humankind. It follows a path from our common ancestor with apes through the stages of revolution to our modern era. It takes a deeper look at the Argicultural and Cognitive Revolutions, and at the progressions of human society over thousands of years, including the development of writing, money and laws.
The author challenges many of the beliefs and myths we hold in our age, asking us to question why things are as they are. Why has society typically been patriarchal throughout our long history? Why, with a closer look at the structure of other species' societies, do we not live in a matriarchal society? He raises many questions that I never previously realised or thought about, and really has the capability of changing the way you look st society and how it developed.
This is a fascinating, well-written work sure to keep you hooked for the entirety of the book. I can't recommend this book enough to anyone with a curious or enquiring mind.
This book is a simple retelling of what we currently know about the history of humankind. It follows a path from our common ancestor with apes through the stages of revolution to our modern era. It takes a deeper look at the Argicultural and Cognitive Revolutions, and at the progressions of human society over thousands of years, including the development of writing, money and laws.
The author challenges many of the beliefs and myths we hold in our age, asking us to question why things are as they are. Why has society typically been patriarchal throughout our long history? Why, with a closer look at the structure of other species' societies, do we not live in a matriarchal society? He raises many questions that I never previously realised or thought about, and really has the capability of changing the way you look st society and how it developed.
This is a fascinating, well-written work sure to keep you hooked for the entirety of the book. I can't recommend this book enough to anyone with a curious or enquiring mind.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated The Cuckoo's Calling in Books
Apr 27, 2018
I read (listened to) The Cuckoo’s Calling before I knew who the real author was. Here I was so excited about finding a new author for my author watch page, and it turns out it’s J.K. Rowling! I mean, I guess I can’t complain, as long as she keeps writing books like this one.
I really liked The Cuckoo’s Calling. There were so many little details and hints that brought the whole thing together in the end (typical of Rowling, and I see that now) and it made for a wonderful detective novel. It wasn’t very “gripping,” though. It was “put-down-able.” At any given time I could stop and move on to something else. It kept me interested while I was reading, but when I needed to stop, it didn’t drag me back to my chair for another chapter. I feel like that gripping aspect is needed in a detective novel, and that’s the only thing that was missing. That being said, I still really loved the book. I loved Strike, the main character, and the supporting character he hires as his P.A. (unwillingly at first, but then he realizes how totally awesome she is). I really hope “Galbraith” continues with another book with these characters!
Content/Recommendation: Little language, no sex. Ages 15-adult
I really liked The Cuckoo’s Calling. There were so many little details and hints that brought the whole thing together in the end (typical of Rowling, and I see that now) and it made for a wonderful detective novel. It wasn’t very “gripping,” though. It was “put-down-able.” At any given time I could stop and move on to something else. It kept me interested while I was reading, but when I needed to stop, it didn’t drag me back to my chair for another chapter. I feel like that gripping aspect is needed in a detective novel, and that’s the only thing that was missing. That being said, I still really loved the book. I loved Strike, the main character, and the supporting character he hires as his P.A. (unwillingly at first, but then he realizes how totally awesome she is). I really hope “Galbraith” continues with another book with these characters!
Content/Recommendation: Little language, no sex. Ages 15-adult
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf (Naked Werewolf, #1) in Books
Apr 27, 2018
How To Flirt with a Naked Werewolf was a cute fun quick read. I was sucked into the story right away by the fun witty voice of the interior monologue, relaxed writing style, and likeable characters (oh ok and drool-worthy male protagonist). I don't often find such a fun writing style or voice from romance novels, but Molly Harper has surprised me. She used creative descriptions, character, and personality in her writing.
(minor spoiler alert, this paragraph only!) The plot itself was a little "twilight-esque" with the whole "we can't be together so I'm going to leave and be emo" thing, the "I'm too dangerous for you" thing, and the constant nausea and realizing she's pregnant thing. But I liked Mo a lot better than Bella (who, can I just say, deserved an emo masochist) so I'm not too bothered by it. Plus, these 370 pages had just as much plot—and maybe more—than the entire twilight saga combined. Then again that's not hard to do.
I really enjoyed this book and would pick up the next ones in the series if I had money and a job. Alas, I have $0.70 in my checking account and no income. I'll have to pick it up over the summer when I get my job back…
Content: some sex, mild language. Ages 18+
(minor spoiler alert, this paragraph only!) The plot itself was a little "twilight-esque" with the whole "we can't be together so I'm going to leave and be emo" thing, the "I'm too dangerous for you" thing, and the constant nausea and realizing she's pregnant thing. But I liked Mo a lot better than Bella (who, can I just say, deserved an emo masochist) so I'm not too bothered by it. Plus, these 370 pages had just as much plot—and maybe more—than the entire twilight saga combined. Then again that's not hard to do.
I really enjoyed this book and would pick up the next ones in the series if I had money and a job. Alas, I have $0.70 in my checking account and no income. I'll have to pick it up over the summer when I get my job back…
Content: some sex, mild language. Ages 18+
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated The Dead House in Books
Apr 27, 2018
This is one of the best, most intense, creepiest books I’ve ever read. I would read it again in a heartbeat. I would buy it for myself and for my friends. I would buy copies for a local library and make sure they always had one on the shelf.
This book is filled with mystery, magic, and incomprehensable events that never fully resolve themselves but still leave you feeling resolved at the end. It plays with concepts I don’t see often in YA, and doesn’t shy away from hard questions. There is some questionable content, so I wouldn’t recommend it to all ages. But I am totally adding Dawn Kurtagich to my Author Watch list and hope you will too!
I don’t want to say too much about the story itself because I don’t want to spoil it. I requested the book, forgot about it, and then picked it at random having absolutely no idea what it was about. Suffice to say I was completely enthralled and enjoyed every moment of it. I can’t stress this enough: GO GET A COPY OF THIS BOOK IMEDIATELY. Audio, print, e-book, whatever. You will not be sorry.
Content/recommendation: some language, some sex, some violence. Most of the violence is mental torture the main character endures. Some witch-craft. Ages 16+.
This book is filled with mystery, magic, and incomprehensable events that never fully resolve themselves but still leave you feeling resolved at the end. It plays with concepts I don’t see often in YA, and doesn’t shy away from hard questions. There is some questionable content, so I wouldn’t recommend it to all ages. But I am totally adding Dawn Kurtagich to my Author Watch list and hope you will too!
I don’t want to say too much about the story itself because I don’t want to spoil it. I requested the book, forgot about it, and then picked it at random having absolutely no idea what it was about. Suffice to say I was completely enthralled and enjoyed every moment of it. I can’t stress this enough: GO GET A COPY OF THIS BOOK IMEDIATELY. Audio, print, e-book, whatever. You will not be sorry.
Content/recommendation: some language, some sex, some violence. Most of the violence is mental torture the main character endures. Some witch-craft. Ages 16+.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated The Good, the Bad and the Smug in Books
Apr 27, 2018
I love Tom Holt’s sense of humor and writing style. He is sarcastic, quirky, fun to read, entertaining, light-hearted, and hilarious. I fell in love with his world and his style when I read (listened to) Doughnut way back in 2013. Apparently TGTB&TS is book 4 in the series and I missed all the ones in between. But not once did I feel lost or confused. Actually I didn’t even know it was part of the series until I recognized the sound of “The Very Very Large Hadron Collider.”
That being said, I’d recommend reading book 1 before you read this, otherwise you will be so confused it would distract you from how funny the book is.
Tom Holt has managed to take something so absolutely ridiculous and impossible and make it totally real. The characters are well built and real (even if they are goblins and elves and stock brokers pretending to be rumplestiltskin). The plot had my heart racing (trying to figure out why The Dark Lord is crying over patterned curtains is a serious matter) and the conclusion, though open to interpretation and somewhat confusing, was still fulfilling. I’m very happy with this book and look forward to going back (and forwards) to enjoy the others in the series!
Content/Recommendation: some language, some mention of eating body parts. no sex. Ages 18+
That being said, I’d recommend reading book 1 before you read this, otherwise you will be so confused it would distract you from how funny the book is.
Tom Holt has managed to take something so absolutely ridiculous and impossible and make it totally real. The characters are well built and real (even if they are goblins and elves and stock brokers pretending to be rumplestiltskin). The plot had my heart racing (trying to figure out why The Dark Lord is crying over patterned curtains is a serious matter) and the conclusion, though open to interpretation and somewhat confusing, was still fulfilling. I’m very happy with this book and look forward to going back (and forwards) to enjoy the others in the series!
Content/Recommendation: some language, some mention of eating body parts. no sex. Ages 18+
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Eat Pray Love: One Woman's Search for Everything in Books
May 10, 2018 (Updated Apr 9, 2019)
Eat, Pray, Love is the story of one woman's journey through Italy, India and Indonesia in a quest to find peace, harmony, and to become a better person. She takes a year to make this journey. Starting in Italy to eat amazing food and to learn to speak Italian. In India she visited an ashram and met her guru. In Bali, Indonesia, she is returning to see Katut, a medicine man she had met before an had told her that she would return to Bali and teach him English.
Elizabeth Gilbert is one brave lady. First, to be able to dedicate a year of your life to traveling the world. Making stops in places where you don't know anyone or even speak the language.. It sounds like an amazing time.
I had seen the movie when it was first released, but didn't know there was a book as well. I try to read the book before the movie as much as possible. This has been on my library wish list for a while. When it finally became available I couldn't wait to listen to it. Having it being read by the author herself made it that much more enjoyable. It made me feel as though I was there with her. Tasting food in Italy, doing hours of meditation in India, and even more in Indonesia.
Elizabeth Gilbert is one brave lady. First, to be able to dedicate a year of your life to traveling the world. Making stops in places where you don't know anyone or even speak the language.. It sounds like an amazing time.
I had seen the movie when it was first released, but didn't know there was a book as well. I try to read the book before the movie as much as possible. This has been on my library wish list for a while. When it finally became available I couldn't wait to listen to it. Having it being read by the author herself made it that much more enjoyable. It made me feel as though I was there with her. Tasting food in Italy, doing hours of meditation in India, and even more in Indonesia.
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Wifey in Books
May 10, 2018
OMG Judy Blume!! Seeing as most of what I have read by Ms. Blume is about adolescence, this book was quite shocking.
Sandy Pressman has been married to Norman Pressman for 11 years. They have two children. Norman runs a chain of dry cleaners and Sandy stays home with the kids. They have the "perfect" life.
It's the summer and the kids are away at camp. Sandy is just starting to feel better after being sick for months. She needs something to keep her busy. Norman suggests that she take golf and tennis lessons at The Club, but Sandy has never been very coordinated. As the summer continues, and strange things begin to happen, Sandy realizes this is not the life she dreamed of. She needs more than the same weekly menu and Saturday night sex. And I think she finds it, but it may be more than she bargained for.
If you have never read one of Judy Blume's novels for adults, you will be surprised by some of the language used. Blume allows Sandy's thoughts and desires be heard and Sandy has a dirty mind. I would suggest all fans to read the introduction by Blume. It helped me to get a better understanding of this author that I have loved for so long.
Sandy Pressman has been married to Norman Pressman for 11 years. They have two children. Norman runs a chain of dry cleaners and Sandy stays home with the kids. They have the "perfect" life.
It's the summer and the kids are away at camp. Sandy is just starting to feel better after being sick for months. She needs something to keep her busy. Norman suggests that she take golf and tennis lessons at The Club, but Sandy has never been very coordinated. As the summer continues, and strange things begin to happen, Sandy realizes this is not the life she dreamed of. She needs more than the same weekly menu and Saturday night sex. And I think she finds it, but it may be more than she bargained for.
If you have never read one of Judy Blume's novels for adults, you will be surprised by some of the language used. Blume allows Sandy's thoughts and desires be heard and Sandy has a dirty mind. I would suggest all fans to read the introduction by Blume. It helped me to get a better understanding of this author that I have loved for so long.
ClareR (5874 KP) rated The Colour of Bee Larkham's Murder in Books
Apr 11, 2018
After the first chapter, I didn't think I'd like this AT ALL. It's a grower though! Once you fall in to the rhythm of Jasper's life and the way that he sees the world, it's all rather beautiful. He has synaesthesia - he sees sounds and voices as colours. Numbers and words have colours too. To add to his interesting world, he also has prosopagnosia (face blindness) and autism. He paints pictures of the sounds he experiences, and they sound as though they'll be beautiful.
I really felt for his father: it can't be easy parenting a child with Jaspers complex needs. However, I feel he comes across as being a very capable, loving man. He struggles to understand his son sometimes, but I think he appears to work very hard to help Jasper. And honestly, it must be hard to be Jasper as well.
As someone who works in education, I found it difficult to see how Jasper has slipped through the net of support for his conditions - but it does say in the novel that they have moved around a lot. So this might be the reason (and I'll allow for poetic licence!).
The descriptive language in this novel surrounding Jaspers synaesthesia really is beautiful, and well worth a read purely for that. Then you can stay for the murder mystery event!
I really felt for his father: it can't be easy parenting a child with Jaspers complex needs. However, I feel he comes across as being a very capable, loving man. He struggles to understand his son sometimes, but I think he appears to work very hard to help Jasper. And honestly, it must be hard to be Jasper as well.
As someone who works in education, I found it difficult to see how Jasper has slipped through the net of support for his conditions - but it does say in the novel that they have moved around a lot. So this might be the reason (and I'll allow for poetic licence!).
The descriptive language in this novel surrounding Jaspers synaesthesia really is beautiful, and well worth a read purely for that. Then you can stay for the murder mystery event!
MaryAnn (14 KP) rated Made for the Journey: One Missionary's First Year in the Jungles of Ecuador in Books
Mar 5, 2019
In this deeply personal account of her first year as a missionary, Elisabeth Elliot shares the challenges she faced as she worked in the jungles of Ecuador to bring the Word of God to a people virtually untouched by the outside world. With fascinating detail, she captures the stark realities of life in the jungle, the difficulties she encountered while developing a written language for the tribe, and her confusion when God didn't "cooperate" with her efforts to accomplish what she believed was His will.
More than just a memoir, Made for the Journey is a beautifully crafted and deeply personal reflection on the important questions of life and a remarkable testimony to authentic Christian obedience to an unfathomable God.
My Thoughts: First written in 2004 as "These Strange Ashes"; this book give s the account of Elizabeth Elliot's first year as a missionary. Well written and very insightful, it gives the reader a closer glimpse of a woman who devoted her life to missions and serving God.
This is an enjoyable read and gives a comprehensive look at what a missionary can face in a foreign country.
It's a book of encouragement to those who are thinking or looking into following God's call to taking His word out into the world.
This is a book that all will enjoy
More than just a memoir, Made for the Journey is a beautifully crafted and deeply personal reflection on the important questions of life and a remarkable testimony to authentic Christian obedience to an unfathomable God.
My Thoughts: First written in 2004 as "These Strange Ashes"; this book give s the account of Elizabeth Elliot's first year as a missionary. Well written and very insightful, it gives the reader a closer glimpse of a woman who devoted her life to missions and serving God.
This is an enjoyable read and gives a comprehensive look at what a missionary can face in a foreign country.
It's a book of encouragement to those who are thinking or looking into following God's call to taking His word out into the world.
This is a book that all will enjoy
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated DAT Poker Podcast in Podcasts
Jun 15, 2019
A news and gossip podcast focusing on the world of poker. Hosted by poker legend Daniel Negrenu, Terrance Chan and Adam Shwartz. Adam is a veteran of the poker podcast world having formerly hosted the long-running Two Plus Two podcast.
This podcast is light on the poker strategy talk but if you want all the details on all the latest gossip you have come to the right place. Daniel offers a good look into the world of high stakes poker with no holding back (language can be very colourful.) We get to hear not just about the action on the felt but also a lot on the gambling that goes alongside whether it’s golf, fantasy leagues or hockey (there is a lot of hockey talk - they are Canadian!) All the latest scandals get a good going over.
It doesn't usually bother going over too many tournament results unless they are significantly interesting or it’s World Series of Poker time. As well as the news in the poker world they also cover the best of the tweets (generally hilarious ones) in the poker world and answer questions from listeners. I enjoy it to keep up to date with what’s going on and find it generally entertaining if sometimes a little grating when they get too opinionated or side tracked.
This podcast is light on the poker strategy talk but if you want all the details on all the latest gossip you have come to the right place. Daniel offers a good look into the world of high stakes poker with no holding back (language can be very colourful.) We get to hear not just about the action on the felt but also a lot on the gambling that goes alongside whether it’s golf, fantasy leagues or hockey (there is a lot of hockey talk - they are Canadian!) All the latest scandals get a good going over.
It doesn't usually bother going over too many tournament results unless they are significantly interesting or it’s World Series of Poker time. As well as the news in the poker world they also cover the best of the tweets (generally hilarious ones) in the poker world and answer questions from listeners. I enjoy it to keep up to date with what’s going on and find it generally entertaining if sometimes a little grating when they get too opinionated or side tracked.