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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood in Books
Jan 3, 2018
An insider's view of Apartheid
It seems unlikely that comedian Trevor Noah would have ever made it out of the prison of colonialism, apartheid, poverty and violence, yet now he's regarded as one of South Africa's biggest export. His memoir is brutal and harrowing, describing how because of the illegal interracial relationship between his Xhosa mother and his Swiss-German, his birth was actually a crime.
It's hard to imagine that this legal segregation only ended 26 years ago, yet Noah then faced the turbulent legacy of post-apartheid. Being mixed race posed its own problems, as Noah describes never fitting in anywhere, but being accepted to a certain degree because of his 'whiteness' and his chameleon-like ability to adapt to his surroundings.
There are moments which are truly disturbing, as Noah speaks about his violent stepfather and going hungry. In this way, his life can be seen as a story of personal survival, through intelligence and humour, which millions have come to love.
It's hard to imagine that this legal segregation only ended 26 years ago, yet Noah then faced the turbulent legacy of post-apartheid. Being mixed race posed its own problems, as Noah describes never fitting in anywhere, but being accepted to a certain degree because of his 'whiteness' and his chameleon-like ability to adapt to his surroundings.
There are moments which are truly disturbing, as Noah speaks about his violent stepfather and going hungry. In this way, his life can be seen as a story of personal survival, through intelligence and humour, which millions have come to love.
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated Girls Made of Snow and Glass in Books
Sep 5, 2017
One of my best books of 2017!
I received an ARC of this book through Goodreads and got to read it before the release date (September 5th! GO GET IT!) and I was SO excited to read it. It did not disappoint! This is her debut novel, and the story is absolutely fantastic. It’s billed as a “fantasy feminist fairy tale” and I think it lives up to that pretty well. There are no princes in this story. There are a couple of men – the King, the Queen’s father, and the Huntsman, but they are not who the story is about. The story really is about the relationship between the Queen/stepmother and her stepdaughter, the Princess.
You can read my full review here: https://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com/2017/09/05/book-review-girls-made-of-snow-and-glass/
You can read my full review here: https://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com/2017/09/05/book-review-girls-made-of-snow-and-glass/
Lindsay (1793 KP) rated Leaving Everything Most Loved (Maisie Dobbs #10) in Books
Sep 9, 2017
Jacqueline Winspear is a new author to me. I so nice to find a new author I have not ever read or though try. Her book was refreshing and enjoyable to read.
It nice to see that a woman is a hero and having her own life and having a career she loves to do. Massie Dobbs loves to solve crimes and investigate around her home. She now struggles with if she should travel or stay.
She seems like she loves adventures and want to find out about herself. I loved the fact that you get to go on adventures with her. She one that will not give up on any crime or miss a boy. She will get to the bottom of the crime or murder if that the case.
She also struggles with her relationship with James. James seem ready to marry but is Massie? You will follow her and her trials to find out.
It nice to see that a woman is a hero and having her own life and having a career she loves to do. Massie Dobbs loves to solve crimes and investigate around her home. She now struggles with if she should travel or stay.
She seems like she loves adventures and want to find out about herself. I loved the fact that you get to go on adventures with her. She one that will not give up on any crime or miss a boy. She will get to the bottom of the crime or murder if that the case.
She also struggles with her relationship with James. James seem ready to marry but is Massie? You will follow her and her trials to find out.
Mekkin B. (122 KP) rated Sorcerer to the Crown (Sorcerer Royal #1) in Books
Sep 13, 2017
Fabulous Magical Regency Romp
Sorcerer to the Crown is a Regency era fantasy novel packed with romance, mystery, and adventure. Fans of historial fiction and gaslamp fantasy like Jonathan Strange & Mister Norell, the Chrestomanci series, or A Great and Terrible Beauty will enjoy this romantic romp through an alternative London where magic is a gentleman's sport and issues of race, class, and gender are as worrying as the general decline of magic in England.
Zacharias Wythe charms as the stoic Sorcerer Royal and Prunella Gentleman, the snarky orphan with a troubling amount of magical talent, is easily his match. The relationship between the two has a Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet quality that still manages to feel fresh and unique.
Cho has crafted a wonderful fantasy world replete with interesting characters and intriguing mysteries, it's easy to see why this book gained a nomination for 2016's Locus Award for Best First Novel.
Zacharias Wythe charms as the stoic Sorcerer Royal and Prunella Gentleman, the snarky orphan with a troubling amount of magical talent, is easily his match. The relationship between the two has a Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet quality that still manages to feel fresh and unique.
Cho has crafted a wonderful fantasy world replete with interesting characters and intriguing mysteries, it's easy to see why this book gained a nomination for 2016's Locus Award for Best First Novel.
Domonique (0 KP) rated Little Fires Everywhere in Books
May 12, 2018
I just finished this book and it was so good. I loved the way they weaved the stories of the different characters throughout the book, especially how they started with the fire and then went back so we could know how they got to that point, and then circled back around to the beginning with Mrs. Richardson herself. [SPOILER ALERT] I think it was less about the big fire and more about, as the title says, the little fires everywhere from Mrs. Richardson finding out the truth about Mia, to Mia trying to help her friend, Bebe trying to get her baby back after she gave up her, to Pearl and Trip trying to figure out who they were to each other and it eventually causing a riff between Pearl and Moody to Izzy and her relationship, not only with her mother but also with Mia and how that ultimately led to the decisions she made that changed everyone's lives forever. #AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2474 KP) rated Without a Doubt in Books
May 18, 2018
Jewelry Robbery at Christmas
Reporter Carol Childs is in the right place at the wrong time when she witnesses a jewelry store robbery. Since it is the start of awards season in Los Angeles, the store had plenty of jewels on hand. With Eric, her FBI agent boyfriend, working the case, it creates issues in their relationship. Carol is certain that socialite Carmen Montague is involved in some fashion. Is she correct?
The book starts off quickly, and the pace never lags as the story continues. I was turning pages as quickly as I could to keep up with the twists and turns of the plot. The characters are strong, which includes the new characters. I would have liked to see a bit more of the series regulars, but that’s a minor complaint overall. There were a few minor editing issues in the book, but again they are minor and didn’t impact the story at all.
The book starts off quickly, and the pace never lags as the story continues. I was turning pages as quickly as I could to keep up with the twists and turns of the plot. The characters are strong, which includes the new characters. I would have liked to see a bit more of the series regulars, but that’s a minor complaint overall. There were a few minor editing issues in the book, but again they are minor and didn’t impact the story at all.
Ruth Frampton (577 KP) rated The Secret of the Wooden Chest in Books
Apr 10, 2018
When Mrs Oberto arrives at the nursing home where Hannah and her nurse and odd job man parents live it is the beginning of a whole new adventure for them both. Hannah, a friendly and curious schoolgirl, is inquisitive about the new lady and although things don't get off to the best of starts they soon work things out and a school project creates a close friendship. But the mystery of the chest that stays on Mrs Oberto's bedside is a constant draw to Hannah and when she is given the opportunity to see what's inside, then a whole new world is opened up to her.
A good read for middle school age boys and girls, especially if an elderly relative is spending time in a hospital or a nursing home, this first part of a series of stories shows them how special and rewarding a close relationship with an older person can be.
A good read for middle school age boys and girls, especially if an elderly relative is spending time in a hospital or a nursing home, this first part of a series of stories shows them how special and rewarding a close relationship with an older person can be.
Ruth Frampton (577 KP) rated What Does Consent Really Mean? in Books
Apr 10, 2018
Where to start? Well, this is certainly the book I wish I'd had when I was growing up and when my own children were of the age to need this advice for that fact. This book, "What does consent really mean?" is presented as a graphic novel and shows multi-cultural characters discussing and growing in knowledge about the topic of consent. This inclusion of such a range of opinions, yet, still coming to a consensus, also demonstrates to young people how you can and should be able to discuss matters openly in a healthy relationship. I found especially good the part where the teenage girls were more able to discuss this area than the teenage lads although through their clearly good friendships they worked through this, once again demonstrating a mature attitude to the audience.
I can certainly recommend this book as a reference book for any teenagers, schools or those involved with working with this age group.
I can certainly recommend this book as a reference book for any teenagers, schools or those involved with working with this age group.
Ruth Frampton (577 KP) rated What Does Consent Really Mean? in Books
Apr 10, 2018
Where to start? Well, this is certainly the book I wish I'd had when I was growing up and when my own children were of the age to need this advice for that fact. This book, "What does consent really mean?" is presented as a graphic novel and shows multi-cultural characters discussing and growing in knowledge about the topic of consent. This inclusion of such a range of opinions, yet, still coming to a consensus, also demonstrates to young people how you can and should be able to discuss matters openly in a healthy relationship. I found especially good the part where the teenage girls were more able to discuss this area than the teenage lads although through their clearly good friendships they worked through this, once again demonstrating a mature attitude to the audience.
I can certainly recommend this book as a reference book for any teenagers, schools or those involved with working with this age group.
I can certainly recommend this book as a reference book for any teenagers, schools or those involved with working with this age group.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Night Embrace (Dark-Hunter #2) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Night Embrace was a fun book with likable main characters and great side characters. While I liked Sunshine and Talon, I felt their relationship needed to be developed more in the first half of the book. I wasn't too into the story until it picked up in the second half, where I found myself suddenly addicted to the rest of the book. Even though it's fiction, I found myself hurting for these people, especially Ash and Zarek; it really tugged at my heart. As I said before, the last half, particularly the last one-hundred or so pages was wonderful. And yes, while I enjoyed the side stories more, I really liked Sunshine and Talon by the end of the book and was so happy for them I could burst. All the characters felt like real people and I have already started the next book with Zarek. A great read that I think I'll keep for a while yet.