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ClareR (5726 KP) rated The Girl with the Louding Voice in Books
Mar 10, 2020
The story of a courageous girl.
The Girl with the Louding Voice is about the courage of a Nigerian girl. I finished reading this on International Women’s Day, and this book tells a story of WHY we need such a day!
All Adunni wants is an education and a way out of the poverty that she was born in to. This dream however, seems to be brought to an abrupt end with the death of her mother. Adunni’s father has relied on his wife’s wages (he doesn’t seem to work) and has managed to rack up debts that he can’t pay off. So he sells 14 year old Adunni in to marriage with a man who is far older than her, who already has two wives. Adunni is supposed to swap her ambitions from education and a career, to bearing male children to a man she can’t bring herself to look at (and I don’t blame her). She has a horrible life, made marginally better by her friendship with the heavily pregnant second wife. However, Adunni tries to help the second wife see a midwife because of pregnancy complications and something goes very wrong. Adunni runs away, knowing that if she is caught, it could mean her death.
She then finds herself working at a house in the city as a house girl: she’s basically a slave, working from 5am to midnight, for no wages. Big Madam, her ‘employer’ beats her for the slightest things. Reading these scenes was upsetting - that a child should be treated in such a way, that she should be raped by a man who should never have married her (it IS illegal in Nigeria), and then be beaten to unconsciousness by her ‘owner’ (because without wages, surely that’s what Big Madam is?). And then there are Adunni’s saviours: the chef who lives and works in the house, and a neighbour who is a doctors wife, Tia.
This book will probably break your heart, but you’ll also marvel at the strength, perseverance and bravery of Adunni. She never gives up. She knows what she wants, and she grabs her opportunities where she can. This is a book that everyone should read - it’s really that good.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book to read and honestly review.
All Adunni wants is an education and a way out of the poverty that she was born in to. This dream however, seems to be brought to an abrupt end with the death of her mother. Adunni’s father has relied on his wife’s wages (he doesn’t seem to work) and has managed to rack up debts that he can’t pay off. So he sells 14 year old Adunni in to marriage with a man who is far older than her, who already has two wives. Adunni is supposed to swap her ambitions from education and a career, to bearing male children to a man she can’t bring herself to look at (and I don’t blame her). She has a horrible life, made marginally better by her friendship with the heavily pregnant second wife. However, Adunni tries to help the second wife see a midwife because of pregnancy complications and something goes very wrong. Adunni runs away, knowing that if she is caught, it could mean her death.
She then finds herself working at a house in the city as a house girl: she’s basically a slave, working from 5am to midnight, for no wages. Big Madam, her ‘employer’ beats her for the slightest things. Reading these scenes was upsetting - that a child should be treated in such a way, that she should be raped by a man who should never have married her (it IS illegal in Nigeria), and then be beaten to unconsciousness by her ‘owner’ (because without wages, surely that’s what Big Madam is?). And then there are Adunni’s saviours: the chef who lives and works in the house, and a neighbour who is a doctors wife, Tia.
This book will probably break your heart, but you’ll also marvel at the strength, perseverance and bravery of Adunni. She never gives up. She knows what she wants, and she grabs her opportunities where she can. This is a book that everyone should read - it’s really that good.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book to read and honestly review.
Dust & Decay (Rot & Ruin, #2)
8.8
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Six months have passed since the terrifying battle with Charlie Pink-eye and the Motor City Hammer...
Logan Eccles (135 KP) rated A Dog's Journey (2019) in Movies
Oct 1, 2020 (Updated Oct 2, 2020)
A dogs purpose again
I love a good heartfelt dog movie. My dogs love them too, they will sit and watch with me and actually get invested. And though we enjoyed this one just as much as the others that fall in the dog tearjerker movies it loses some points in my opinion in just being a repeat of the film it follows. Yes, I know it has differences but they're too small. Literally, the same joke is made about when bailey comes back as a girl. It is funny but it was already told. Don't get me wrong I like the story. I like the small connections to the first film. However, A Dogs Purpose was so special and unique they were hardpressed to make a sequel. I get it, the premise of the story can go on forever. That's the point of reincarnation but that doesn't mean the story HAS to continue. Now I do recommend this movie it is enjoyable but in my honest opinion, it wasn't necessary especially when other movies with the same idea "Dog narrated dramas" keep popping up and being successful.
Alice (12 KP) rated The Suffragette Scandal (Brothers Sinister, #4) in Books
Jul 3, 2018
This is definitely the best book of the series and the only thing that disappointed was that it was the last of the series.
The Suffragette Scandal follows the story of Frederica “Free” Marshall and Edward Clark. Edward is a scoundrel of the highest order and I positively love him. His character is amazing, and he’s got flaws but he admits them – flaunts them even.
“Which of my myriad flaws is making you uneasy, Miss Marshall?” He gave her a long, slow smile. “Is it my arrogant conceit or my wicked sense of humour?”
“I’m Edward Clark. Born Edward Delacey. Now apparently, Viscount Claridge.” He shut his eyes “You can address me by my preferred title: you idiot.”
The thing with Edward is that he isn’t afraid of admitting he’s wrong about something. I like how this book was told from equal POVs and that the whole book was about winning the girl but was instead about saving the day, winning the girl and then trying to save their marriage.
∞
Free’s character was amazingly astute as well and so laid back but also very upfront – “Huzzah! Suffragettes!” – she meshes with Edward right from the beginning which was lovely, there wasn’t a massive overhaul of her principles after the marriage and in fact Edward tries to give her back her life.
The dynamic between them was amazing and Edward says the best thing about Free:
“I married her to unleash her on the world, not to keep her under wraps “
I’m pretty much just rambling about the characters because they were just that good. So well written and the relationship between them was amazing and it flowed expertly.
I’m kind of sad that the series has ended now after reading them all but they were very, very good. Highly recommended.
The Suffragette Scandal follows the story of Frederica “Free” Marshall and Edward Clark. Edward is a scoundrel of the highest order and I positively love him. His character is amazing, and he’s got flaws but he admits them – flaunts them even.
“Which of my myriad flaws is making you uneasy, Miss Marshall?” He gave her a long, slow smile. “Is it my arrogant conceit or my wicked sense of humour?”
“I’m Edward Clark. Born Edward Delacey. Now apparently, Viscount Claridge.” He shut his eyes “You can address me by my preferred title: you idiot.”
The thing with Edward is that he isn’t afraid of admitting he’s wrong about something. I like how this book was told from equal POVs and that the whole book was about winning the girl but was instead about saving the day, winning the girl and then trying to save their marriage.
∞
Free’s character was amazingly astute as well and so laid back but also very upfront – “Huzzah! Suffragettes!” – she meshes with Edward right from the beginning which was lovely, there wasn’t a massive overhaul of her principles after the marriage and in fact Edward tries to give her back her life.
The dynamic between them was amazing and Edward says the best thing about Free:
“I married her to unleash her on the world, not to keep her under wraps “
I’m pretty much just rambling about the characters because they were just that good. So well written and the relationship between them was amazing and it flowed expertly.
I’m kind of sad that the series has ended now after reading them all but they were very, very good. Highly recommended.
If I'm Found (If I Run #2)
8.0
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In this riveting sequel to the USA TODAY bestseller If I Run, evil lurks, drawing Casey out of the...
Christian Fiction Mystery
Paper and Fire (The Great Library #2)
6.3
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Let the world burn. With an iron fist, the Great Library controls the knowledge of the world,...
YA Young Adult Fiction Fantasy & Magic Action Adventure
Ross (3284 KP) rated 13 Reasons Why - Season 1 in TV
Feb 28, 2019
Deep personal story, gripping drama
On the surface this series looks to be all angsty teen drama. However from fairly early on, we see how a few instances of a nice sensitive person being slighted by the wrong people, or by those she trusts, can start to snowball.
Some of the "reasons" may seem fairly small and on their own not a reason for someone to take their own life. However, as the series tries to say, we never know what someone else is thinking or feeling. Without knowing that, and without true care over our own actions and interactions, small things can easily build up.
Small actions can have larger consequences and can make other people do things they wouldn't otherwise have done.
The cast are superb with all the main sterotypes of school personae covered (the rich kid, the poor but gifted kid, the nerd, the bookish girl, the talented jock etc). However, these aren't cartoon versions of those and are portrayed in a more human way than I've seen before. They all have their failings and in one way or another let someone down and resulted in them killing themselves.
Some of the "reasons" may seem fairly small and on their own not a reason for someone to take their own life. However, as the series tries to say, we never know what someone else is thinking or feeling. Without knowing that, and without true care over our own actions and interactions, small things can easily build up.
Small actions can have larger consequences and can make other people do things they wouldn't otherwise have done.
The cast are superb with all the main sterotypes of school personae covered (the rich kid, the poor but gifted kid, the nerd, the bookish girl, the talented jock etc). However, these aren't cartoon versions of those and are portrayed in a more human way than I've seen before. They all have their failings and in one way or another let someone down and resulted in them killing themselves.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Music of the Heart (Runaway Train, #1) in Books
Jul 12, 2018
This book was an entertaining novel but it really didn۪t speak to me. The fact that Abby was so quick to lose her morals did not impress me. I۪m one for smut, but it felt a little weird to have the heroine give up her moral stance so quickly.
ۏAnd just what do you plan to do? Rape me? ۏNo, I intend on making love with you ے Seriously?!? Agh!
It also seemed that Abby and Jake۪s romance was a little forced. I couldn۪t help but roll my eyes at the plot line and the actions of the characters. This girl is supposed to be angelic yet she gives lap dances to prove someone wrong۟ correct me if I۪m wrong, but that isn۪t very angelic.
While on the subject of angelicness I would like to point out that the religious part of the book also felt forced. The only time her religion came into play was when she was lecturing individuals on being too judgmental.
I liked the concept of the book but for me it felt like a cup of decaf coffee, has a similar taste to coffee but didn۪t give me anything to look forward to.
ۏAnd just what do you plan to do? Rape me? ۏNo, I intend on making love with you ے Seriously?!? Agh!
It also seemed that Abby and Jake۪s romance was a little forced. I couldn۪t help but roll my eyes at the plot line and the actions of the characters. This girl is supposed to be angelic yet she gives lap dances to prove someone wrong۟ correct me if I۪m wrong, but that isn۪t very angelic.
While on the subject of angelicness I would like to point out that the religious part of the book also felt forced. The only time her religion came into play was when she was lecturing individuals on being too judgmental.
I liked the concept of the book but for me it felt like a cup of decaf coffee, has a similar taste to coffee but didn۪t give me anything to look forward to.
Adam Lambert recommended track Zombie by The Cranberries in Something Else by The Cranberries in Music (curated)
6.0
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