What Made Me Who I am
Book
Powerful and moving stories of inspiration, adversity, and triumph from the Washington Speakers...
The Virtue of Defiance and Psychiatric Engagement
Book
What is defiance, and when does defiant behaviour impede one's ability to aim at flourishing? People...
Who Is The Killer (Episode I)
Games
App
"We would personally recommend everyone to try this game, especially those who love brain teasers....
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable in Books
Jul 12, 2018
I do understand the concepts in this book and I can see how they can be beneficial but I also struggle with how this book can be used to justify being an asshole. I understand that a management staff needs to be able to trust that they can be honest and candid when it comes to personal responsibilities but I also fear (due to seeing this book in action) that this book can be used as a way to bully your way into the management staff.
There are some people that this book would work wonders for and other people that will not be able to handle it. I think I'm one of those people. It seems that this book talks of trust, and very simple concepts but it does not explain ways to truly create any sort of buy in from a employee. I think that it is a good thing to be honest but I also think that you need to take people into consideration. Just saying that it isn't personal does not help if the statement is personal.
Ultimately, I think that the concepts can be good but I also see this book as another way to create bullies and unneeded conflict.
Dry: Life Without Water
Ehsan Masood and Daniel Schaffer
Book
Water is in the air we breathe and beneath the ground we walk on. The very substance of life, it...
Kyera (8 KP) rated World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie Wars in Books
Feb 1, 2018
You learn about the experiences of everyday people just prior to the outbreak. This is a time when no one knows what is happening. People are dying, becoming infected, and turning into violent cannibals. Is it some strange new disease that modern medicine has yet to find a cure to, or something worse?
Then, the stories become more dire, strained, broken; as the population begins to figure out the absolute devastation that this event will wreak. Suddenly, the stories are just people trying to survive or those attempting to combat the enemy. No one knows how to halt the impending storm. The absolute destruction such an enemy poses.
Unlike humans and their armies, the undead need no respite. The undead don't feel pain, hunger, anguish, or lose moral. And as the military's forces dwindle in battles, the zombies swell in ranks. Each loss to you is a welcome addition to their force. An enemy that is unknown cannot easily be beaten.
Will the human race even survive long enough to worry about rebuilding, destroying every trace of the plague, or even what brought it to the world to begin with?
The novel was a unique take on the zombie/war genre and interestingly written. I did find my attention wandering at times and would have to reread sections. Although I prefer reading physical books, this novel has an incredible voice cast for its audio-counterpart. Their talents brought this book to an entirely new level, giving each character a unique voice and story (and I'm not just saying that because there was a different person voicing each one.) I've never read a book before (or listened to one) that had such a diverse cast to bring the book to life.
If you like historical fiction or zombie novels, than you're likely going to enjoy this. If zombies and historical/realistic fiction (regardless of the fact that zombies are involved) are not your style, than you may not enjoy this.
How would you react if the dead began to rise, attack, and devour your neighbors, overrunning your town - could you survive?
Miguel Covarrubias (143 KP) rated We Cast a Shadow in Books
Apr 30, 2019
So many don't realize the struggle of a parent trying to find one's identity amidst the current racism. Especially for Latin-x people during the reign of Trump and Trumpian ideals within the United Sates. We are being equated with animals and the worst of the worst that share our heritage. Yes, there are some bad people out there, but there are bad people of every skin color or heritage. I want so much to protect my son, and ensure that he gets every opportunity without the problems that this evil presents currently.
This is a near future story, that says so much about who we are today. Especially for those of us who are Multi-Racial. Many of us aren't even accepted in either societies that are full heritage-ly made up. This book was not without it's issues, but it is a very important story. It is a great read for those trying to understand the struggle of Multi-Racial Parents and children. Highly recommend.
ClareR (5674 KP) rated Beneath the World, a Sea in Books
Jul 26, 2019 (Updated Jul 28, 2019)
The writing style and the language used in this book really appealed to me - it’s poetic, descriptive and the story meanders along as we learn about the characters and the Submundo Delta. This is no action packed story, and that’s just fine with me. Instead it looks at how these characters deal with knowing their innermost thoughts, desires and fears. It also briefly looks at the morals of bringing science and technology to a shut off part of the world.
What really appealed to me, is how our memories construct our views of ourselves, and how we portray ourselves to others. It also looks at those parts that we keep hidden from others, and what happens when they are laid open to everyone. Rather scary, to be honest! We don’t always like those parts of ourselves.
This was my first Chris Beckett book, and I don’t think it will be my last.
Many thanks to Readers First for my copy of this book.
Civilisations: How Do We Look / The Eye of Faith
Book
The idea of 'civilisation' has always been debated, even fought over. At the heart of those debates...