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Stories That Bind Us
Stories That Bind Us
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This was my first time reading a book by Susie Finkbeiner, and I had no idea what I was walking into when I opened up her book. It with so much bittersweetness, and about finding joy in the everyday moments. Susie Finkbeiner took the bad things that happen and made them into a blessing in disguise. This book came out at the perfect time for the world today, it deals with loss, racism, and mental health. It takes those themes and shows God’s love through them in such a good way. A very heart-warming story filled with great life lessons and a great example of faith lived out. The synopsis does not do this book justice. Readers of historical fiction will enjoy this journey down memory lane.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars for the compelling story, the great characters, and the themes discussed within this book. The only thing that could have made it better was something that happened at the beginning of the book (I am NOT going to give a spoiler) but you will understand when you read it.
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
  
The Umbrella Academy - Season 2
The Umbrella Academy - Season 2
2020 | Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Contains spoilers, click to show
Following on from the end of season 1, the family escape the Apocalypse only to find themselves scattered throughout the early 60's. The time line is wrong and another Apocalypses looms as an unknown event leads to nuclear obliteration by the Russians. Can they stop this apocalypse and find out the connection between the Kennedy assassination and their father?
As the family struggle to find one another the are faced with the reality of the 1960's, conspiracy, racism/segregation and homophobia.
As with the first season music plays a big part, both with the sound track and the story.
One of the good thing that seems to have come from services like Netflix producing/ordering series is that they don't have to follow the normal 13 episode format that standard television uses, this means that there are less 'filler' episodes which helps the story flow.
Season one had to spend some time introducing the main characters and in season season two we get to find out more about some of the characters, including the handler and Sir Reginald Hargreeves, although, where Reginald is involved I don't think you take anything at face value.
Season two does have similar themes to the the first including drug and Alcohol use which are character appropriate.
  
My Life As A Rat
My Life As A Rat
Joyce Carol Oates | 2019 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
7
9.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
218 of 230
Book
My life as a Rat
By Joyce Carol Oates
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Which should prevail: loyalty to family or loyalty to the truth? Is telling the truth ever a mistake and is lying for one’s family ever justified? Can one do the right thing, but bitterly regret it?

My Life as a Rat follows Violet Rue Kerrigan, a young woman who looks back upon her life in exile from her family following her testimony, at age twelve, concerning what she knew to be the racist murder of an African-American boy by her older brothers. In a succession of vividly recalled episodes Violet contemplates the circumstances of her life as the initially beloved youngest child of seven Kerrigan children who inadvertently “informs” on her brothers, setting into motion their arrests and convictions and her own long estrangement.

This was one of those books that just had you shocked to the core from the start. It’s raw and hard to read in parts. It’s well written and up until the last quarter I was enjoying it but it just got a bit tedious. This does have a few triggers for abuse and racism! Overall it’s a good read.
  
Lair of Dreams (The Diviners, #2)
Lair of Dreams (The Diviners, #2)
Libba Bray | 2015 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is an epic book that is based in 1920's New York, and everything you can associate with that - including flappers, parties and racism, to name but a few. A sleeping sickness is sweeping New York, starting off in Chinatown. It is up to Evie and a cast of characters to figure out what is happening and how to stop it.

This is the second book in the series and as such I would recommend reading book 1, The Diviners. I haven't and will admit to feeling slightly lost when the characters would think about or discuss what had happened before. The characters are all well-established with their own quirks and foibles by the time this book starts, so it did take a while to actually feel like I knew these people. Personally, my favourite characters were Ling and Henry, and the friendship that developed between them.

A dark, gothic and creepy book that may give you shivers, definitely recommended if you are on the lookout for something a bit different.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 15, 2016
  
Heart of the Warrior (All The King's Men, #2)
Heart of the Warrior (All The King's Men, #2)
Donya Lynne | 2012 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Arion has it all... maybe. He has domineering parents who want what is their version of what is best for him. He has been best friends with Io for many years, but Io is a man-whore homophobic. Then Severin shows up at AKM and all of Arion's pre-set ideals get blown out of the water.

Donya Lynne deals with some serious subjects in this book - peer pressure, familial pressure, coming out, betrayal, one-parent families, and racism to name just a few. It never feels like it is forced in any way though. It is all relevant to the story of Ari and Sev, which makes it all the more poignant.

I loved how Micah got to show off his sagely wisdom, in his own inimitable style; with Trace and Sam there with him every step of the way.

Extremely well-written, packed full of emotion, and certainly no editing or grammatical errors that I found, this is a book to savour, to devour, and enjoy again and again! Highly recommended.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 13, 2016