Smashbomb

Search

Search results

All (1684)

Content

LilyLovesIndie (123 KP) rated Watersheds of World History in Books

Nov 5, 2018

This book was provided as a complimentary signed copy from the author, and I am very grateful to be finally fulfilling my promise to review the book.

Firstly, I have to be honest, world history from start to finish in 200 pages? I know, I asked myself that question so many times before I sat down to finally read this and I was highly sceptical whether it could be achieved. How very wrong I was.

Taylor has a unique take on history, succinct and incredibly to the point. I read a lot of history books and most historians get a little 'flowery' with their language in an attempt to make the reader love the history but Taylor takes a completely contrasting methodology in being almost blunt with the delivery of the historical facts. Usually, I would prefer more description but in this book it is much more apt to have this short, sharp burst approach as it keeps the reader hooked to the very end, even if they already know the history being told. That being said, I'm a self professed history enthusiast who reads history like fiction, and Taylor, in this masterpiece, managed to teach me a thing or two about periods of history I thought I knew inside out.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough for anyone interested in getting a beginners knowledge of world history, whether to help decide options for school, find a new hobby or even brush up on quiz knowledge. Taylor has written an immensely useful and informative text that I would, if I were a teacher of history, make a compulsory text for all my children. As it is, I'm in primary teaching and I can see myself recommending this to colleagues who are less confident in general historical knowledge to make sure they meet the grade! A fantastic talent has emerged in the literary world of non-fiction history, and I look forward to reading more from this incredibly talented and unique author.

Kudos

Phil Leader (619 KP) rated The Crow (A Red Grouse Tale) in Books

Nov 11, 2019

The second of The Red Grouse Tales sees David recounting a story from his youth. He is aware of local politician Reginald Monday, having heard the story of his self-made rise from rags to riches, the tragic loss of his wife and child and his fight for compensation for those affected by the flooding of a local valley to make a reservoir.

However on a visit to a local hospice with his mother, she leaves him talking to an old priest, who is known as 'Mad' Father Patrick. The old man is dying but David cannot help but as him about Monday, as the old priest would have known him from his youth.

What follows is an entirely different account of Monday. Father Patrick did indeed know him, and indeed took pity on him when he was so poor he couldn't even afford shoes and was being bullied by the other children at school. Father Patrick gave him his first glimpse at a better life, but according to the priest, Monday turns his talents to destroying those who mocked him.

The account Father Patrick gives is riveting but one-sided, so for the reader David supplies the facts as they are known to him. The old priest's rambling account is full of fire, brimstone and biblical quotes. But is his version the real one, or the paranoid fantasy of someone who blames Monday for the loss of his church to the reservoir?

Whichever is closest to the truth - the public account or Father Patrick's - forms a central idea here. Who is right and who is wrong? Whichever it is the other has been guilty of allowing a festering dislike turn into open hatred and revenge.

The least obviously paranormal of the Red Grouse tales, this will make the reader ask themselves who and what they can believe to be the truth.

Kudos

Kristy H (1252 KP) rated What Kind of Girl in Books

Mar 19, 2020

What Kind of Girl

Alyssa B. Sheinmel | 2020 | Crime, Young Adult (YA)

8.0

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

The rumors spread quickly at North Bay Academy. Popular track star Mike Parker's girlfriend has accused him of hitting her. She even told the principal. But, they wonder, why not the police? Why did she wait so long to tell? Why hasn't Mike been expelled? Some students at the school want to hold a rally--to expel Mike. But others aren't so quick to believe his girlfriend.

"But (of course), by lunchtime everyone at school knows, as easily and quickly as if they'd announced it over the loudspeaker: Sad Girl accuses Golden Boy of abuse."

This was an interesting book. It tackles a lot of heavy subjects within its pages. It also presents an intriguing format. The beginning of the book is told via archetypes: think popular girl; nerd; sad girl; the girlfriend, etc. It's a strange, almost gimmicky, format and meant it took some time for me to warm to any of the characters (especially since you don't know their names). Over time, the book grew on me, but it was hard to overcome that slow start.

There's so much going on in this one. Abuse, self-harm, drug use, mental health, eating disorders, and more. Please keep this in mind in terms of trigger warnings. I applaud Sheinmel and all she takes on. It's a very brave book, and the characters have a lot of depth. I think it might have had even more if the book maybe shortened its focus on just a few issues, versus trying to take on so many. Still, it's a very relevant story, and you can't help but appreciate how it tackles such big themes and emotions. I can see how it would be helpful to young adults. Even I found myself identifying with one of the characters and growing to root for all of them. 3.5 stars; rounded to four here for the powerful topics and messaging.