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Ross (3284 KP) rated Empire in Black & Gold in Books

Sep 13, 2017

Empire in Black & Gold

Adrian Tchaikovsky | 2017 | Science Fiction/Fantasy

9.0

(3 Ratings)

Book Rating

This 10 book series deals with a future state of the human race where humans have evolved into different types of insect, each race taking on the traits of those insects (eg Beetles are hard-working but slow, Spiders are cunning and conniving, Moths are dark and mysterious, Wasps are evil and annoying etc).
This, the first in the series sees Stenwold Maker start to rediscover old fears of the Wasp Empire attempting to invade the peaceful, lowland city states. With nobody in his home city believing him he gathers together a crew of his students and old friend to find out what is happening on the borders of the empire.
This is one of the best books of the series, and a lot of action to come is set up here. I don't know if Tchaikovsky has intended to make this a whopping 10 books at this stage but it certainly felt like the start of something.
The action and fight scenes are well described but not laboured, and enough background to the world is given to understand it, though not in detail (just accept it and move on).
A large number of characters are introduced throughout the series, so it is worth getting to know them from the off.

Kudos

Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated The Red Red Car in Books

Apr 27, 2018

The red RED car is not just called red because of the color of his paint—he’s red with anger. He never follows the rules and always does what he wants. That gets him into trouble one day when he tries to be in a race. The red RED car gets hurt and goes to the hospital, and decides that he needs to change, and he works hard on controlling his anger. Then once he masters his anger, he wins every race.

The message in The Red RED Car was clear and very important for kids—anger is hurtful to others as well as to you.

I thought The Red RED car was really cute and showed anger for what it was: ugly and scary. The illustrations were very colorful and energetic, perfect for the book.

The only part I didn’t like was the fact that when the car got hurt he “heard voices” (his own voice in his head telling him it was his own fault that he lost) and fell unconscious, and that seems just a little odd for a children’s book.

Recommendation: Ages 4-8

to see this review with images, go here:

http://haleymathiot.blogspot.com/2009/12/review-red-red-car.html

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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging in Books

Mar 11, 2018

Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging

Afua Hirsch | 2017 | History & Politics, Philosophy, Psychology & Social Sciences

9.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

An important and necessary conversation

There is a wealth of insight crammed into this book about race and identity in Britain, describing how important it is to have a cohesive self by accepting that you may have other identities alongside being a UK citizen.

What hinders this process is the apparent racism that plagues British society, from being 'colour-blind' and thus ignoring the issue, to the awkward and troubled relationship with Britain's history and its origins. The author, Afua Hirsch, also discovers her own Ghanaian roots throughout her journey of self-awareness, making this book both a memoir and social commentary. Hirsch checks her privilege immediately, which makes a refreshing change.

While I can completely relate to her opinions on the racist structures in place and the microagressions that have become normalised, the historical and anthropological elements were the most fascinating parts for me. Learning about the racist views upheld by leading western thinkers such as Immanuel Kant and David Huhne, as well as how the 1919 race riots ensued over the perception of 'white cleansing' was deeply concerning.

Hirsch's call for change on Britain's selective amnesia is not new but it has a contemporary angle following the country's move to leave the EU. Incredibly engaging.

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Booksnthreads (19 KP) rated Americanah in Books

Jun 4, 2018

Americanah

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry

8.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

I think I’ve become too accustomed to reading plots designed for teenagers; I kept expecting this story to follow a traditional plot line, and while the evidence throughout was that Adichie was not following a typical narrative story line, I still found myself surprised at the end. I got to the end, and sort of thought, “Oh. That’s it?” Not in a negative way, like the author left me hanging (as many of these series writing author’s do, teasing me into reading the next book), but just in a sort of unexpected way.

I don’t know that I can even tell you my overall feeling about the book…it’s just too complex for that. I liked that the rhythm and pattern of the storytelling was like nothing I’ve read before. I like that it offered an unfamiliar (to me) perspective of race in America. I like that the book kind of was and was not all about race. (I know that last one is super confusing, but just read the book and then ask me what I mean if it’s still unclear.)

It’s a book that is just going to simmer a bit in my brain, and that is perhaps the very best sort of book.