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Civilization and It's Discontents
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Civilization and Its Discontents' is one of the last of Freud's books, written in the decade before...
Debbiereadsbook (1672 KP) rated DNA Demons N Angels in Books
Dec 3, 2021
well written but hard work in places
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
There comes along from time to time, a book that really pushes my ability to write a coherent review. This is such a book.
I could not see, or I had a picture in my mind that turned out to be so very wrong, where this was going for a long time. As I neared the end, it became clear that it would end round about when Evie gave birth. And I wasn't sure HOW it was gonna end, not til I ran out of book.
And herein lies my problem with this book.
I read it, I finished it. At NO point did I feel the need to dump it, even when it became clear only Evie is given a voice, it's her story after all. I enjoyed reading it, I really did. And then it finished! And I'm left kind of "well how do I write a review?!"
I mean, don't get me wrong, it's a very well written book. Hard work in places, but very good. It's original, I can honestly say I've never read such a book. It has many twists, some I saw coming, and some not so much. It led me on a merry dance across the States, and across the whole supporting cast, some of whom held my interest a little more than Evie in places.
Evie did well to fully grasp her situation, once Lucas told her what he was. Lucas was, in my opinion, a little too much too fast and I wanted to punch him a time or two! (please don't hate me, but I did!)
I just didn't get the whole point of it! A lot of things, actually, made me think, once I'd finished it. Made me question why that bit was even in the story. I'm not going to say which bits, because that's spoilers, though.
So, for originality and great writing, I'm giving it 4 stars, but taking one off, because I really would liked to have heard from Lucas, and maybe Melisa and maybe even Ken, when he's doing his research.
I think this will probably be one of "THOSE" books, you know? One that have a gazillion 5-star reviews, but you can't see what the fuss was about, and I'm sorry for that, because it was well written.
3 good solid stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
There comes along from time to time, a book that really pushes my ability to write a coherent review. This is such a book.
I could not see, or I had a picture in my mind that turned out to be so very wrong, where this was going for a long time. As I neared the end, it became clear that it would end round about when Evie gave birth. And I wasn't sure HOW it was gonna end, not til I ran out of book.
And herein lies my problem with this book.
I read it, I finished it. At NO point did I feel the need to dump it, even when it became clear only Evie is given a voice, it's her story after all. I enjoyed reading it, I really did. And then it finished! And I'm left kind of "well how do I write a review?!"
I mean, don't get me wrong, it's a very well written book. Hard work in places, but very good. It's original, I can honestly say I've never read such a book. It has many twists, some I saw coming, and some not so much. It led me on a merry dance across the States, and across the whole supporting cast, some of whom held my interest a little more than Evie in places.
Evie did well to fully grasp her situation, once Lucas told her what he was. Lucas was, in my opinion, a little too much too fast and I wanted to punch him a time or two! (please don't hate me, but I did!)
I just didn't get the whole point of it! A lot of things, actually, made me think, once I'd finished it. Made me question why that bit was even in the story. I'm not going to say which bits, because that's spoilers, though.
So, for originality and great writing, I'm giving it 4 stars, but taking one off, because I really would liked to have heard from Lucas, and maybe Melisa and maybe even Ken, when he's doing his research.
I think this will probably be one of "THOSE" books, you know? One that have a gazillion 5-star reviews, but you can't see what the fuss was about, and I'm sorry for that, because it was well written.
3 good solid stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
My Pregnancy Guide: Ensuring a Healthy Pregnancy & Labour
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My Pregnancy Guide is based on my 20 years clinical experience in helping women during pregnancy and...
pregnancy health bookbuzz families women's health
Rachel King (13 KP) rated Veiled Rose (Tales of Goldstone Wood, #2) in Books
Feb 11, 2019
I am always a fan of fairy re-tellings, even if it is for a fairy tale I am not actually familiar with, as that of Rose Red. It took me awhile, but I also gathered that the book is a kind of Christian allegory, and parts remind me of Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan.
Rose Red is by far the most intriguing character, as her birth is shrouded in mystery, her friends are animals with voices, and she cloaks herself in veils and layers to hide even the smallest scrap of skin from any prying eyes - including her own. The shame she bears for her own appearance is so great that her very existence is surrounded by grand tales of monsters and demons told by all of the local villagers, yet she bears a strength much greater than she appears to possess and she has a kind of magic that allows her to walk the secret Paths and face down death in all its forms. Even at the end of the book, I could not fully grasp who or what she is.
Leo manages to find and befriend Rose Red in boyhood, but he has a burden of his own as Prince Lionheart of Southlands, destined to become King. Leo knows his responsibilities, but he secretly just wants a friend and to make people laugh as a court jester. These polar opposites manage to pull him across the world again and again as he struggles with the simple question, "What do you want?"
Many other characters litter the pages of the book, which was at times confusing as I attempted to deduce which creature or character was on the side of good or evil, such as the Dragon - which became apparent at its occupation of Southlands. As an allegory for Christianity, some characters were clear - such as the Prince, but others were murkier, such as the Lady.
The structure of the book itself was off-putting for me. The book is divided into five parts, with chapters in each part, but in between each part a vague sense of time has passed, so that the reader cannot pick up where the last chapter left off. At each break, I would get the feeling that the plot was picking up, only to be let down that the climactic moments have been glossed over. I also really disliked the ending. Certain things are expected of classic fairy tales, and none of this was included in the ending of this book. Perhaps the author was aiming for something more "realistic" or to simply get the reader to continue the series, but loose endings this big make me feel like I wasted my time reading the book, only to get no satisfaction at the finale.
Rose Red is by far the most intriguing character, as her birth is shrouded in mystery, her friends are animals with voices, and she cloaks herself in veils and layers to hide even the smallest scrap of skin from any prying eyes - including her own. The shame she bears for her own appearance is so great that her very existence is surrounded by grand tales of monsters and demons told by all of the local villagers, yet she bears a strength much greater than she appears to possess and she has a kind of magic that allows her to walk the secret Paths and face down death in all its forms. Even at the end of the book, I could not fully grasp who or what she is.
Leo manages to find and befriend Rose Red in boyhood, but he has a burden of his own as Prince Lionheart of Southlands, destined to become King. Leo knows his responsibilities, but he secretly just wants a friend and to make people laugh as a court jester. These polar opposites manage to pull him across the world again and again as he struggles with the simple question, "What do you want?"
Many other characters litter the pages of the book, which was at times confusing as I attempted to deduce which creature or character was on the side of good or evil, such as the Dragon - which became apparent at its occupation of Southlands. As an allegory for Christianity, some characters were clear - such as the Prince, but others were murkier, such as the Lady.
The structure of the book itself was off-putting for me. The book is divided into five parts, with chapters in each part, but in between each part a vague sense of time has passed, so that the reader cannot pick up where the last chapter left off. At each break, I would get the feeling that the plot was picking up, only to be let down that the climactic moments have been glossed over. I also really disliked the ending. Certain things are expected of classic fairy tales, and none of this was included in the ending of this book. Perhaps the author was aiming for something more "realistic" or to simply get the reader to continue the series, but loose endings this big make me feel like I wasted my time reading the book, only to get no satisfaction at the finale.
Rachel King (13 KP) rated Finding the Light of Jesus in Books
Feb 11, 2019
When I first started to read this book, I realized very quickly how simply written this book is. The first ten chapters read as if I were sitting in a therapy session with the author and she were talking to me. They are written without much emphasis on detail, and seemed to focus largely on how a person feels in regards to stress and depression. Though the author writes extensively on the light of Jesus, she does not quote a single Bible verse, though she attempts to paraphrase a few - without citations. The beginning and end of each of these ten chapters also contain a poem she wrote and calls prayers, though the poetry is badly written and has little resemblance to an actual prayer, in my opinion. Also scattered through the chapters are activities that the author recommends for the reader, such as journaling and answering questions.
The final chapter is actually a collection of prayers and reflections that the reader is supposed to follow over the course of seven days. This is followed by a section of "Conversations With Jesus" that focus on different topics such as anger, jealousy, being overwhelmed, and fear. This is followed by five pages in which she quotes a scripture from the New American Bible, and leaves a blank space for the reader to journal the answers to her questions about the scripture verse. This is followed by more of her prayers and a further 30 days of prayer and reflection.
Overall, the author presents a Jesus that is only concerned about a person's feelings, whom the author seems to believe that everyone has inside of him or her from birth. She further indicates that everyone goes to heaven, and Jesus' strongest quality is being a "light." No mention is made of the basic precepts of Bible-based Christianity, such as sin, salvation, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Instead she writes things that seem to contradict parts of scripture, such as stating that Jesus does not judge us and that we are the "light," as well as what I previously mentioned about everyone going to heaven. In the context of that paragraph, I almost expected the author to write that we are all Jesus. I also noticed while reading that nowhere does she ever refer to Him as Jesus Christ either. The entire book has a vague New Age feel, as many of the things Tuttle writes mimic the doctrine of a New Age Jesus.
The author, Cindy Tuttle, has a background of working in the mental health industry for more than twenty-five years. Based on what I have read in this book, I have no doubt that she is good at her job and finds great success with her patients, but I do not find this book of the same calibur.
The final chapter is actually a collection of prayers and reflections that the reader is supposed to follow over the course of seven days. This is followed by a section of "Conversations With Jesus" that focus on different topics such as anger, jealousy, being overwhelmed, and fear. This is followed by five pages in which she quotes a scripture from the New American Bible, and leaves a blank space for the reader to journal the answers to her questions about the scripture verse. This is followed by more of her prayers and a further 30 days of prayer and reflection.
Overall, the author presents a Jesus that is only concerned about a person's feelings, whom the author seems to believe that everyone has inside of him or her from birth. She further indicates that everyone goes to heaven, and Jesus' strongest quality is being a "light." No mention is made of the basic precepts of Bible-based Christianity, such as sin, salvation, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Instead she writes things that seem to contradict parts of scripture, such as stating that Jesus does not judge us and that we are the "light," as well as what I previously mentioned about everyone going to heaven. In the context of that paragraph, I almost expected the author to write that we are all Jesus. I also noticed while reading that nowhere does she ever refer to Him as Jesus Christ either. The entire book has a vague New Age feel, as many of the things Tuttle writes mimic the doctrine of a New Age Jesus.
The author, Cindy Tuttle, has a background of working in the mental health industry for more than twenty-five years. Based on what I have read in this book, I have no doubt that she is good at her job and finds great success with her patients, but I do not find this book of the same calibur.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Summer of Salt in Books
Mar 6, 2019
Beautifully well-written with excellent characters and a powerful message
In Georgina Fernweh's family, it's just accepted: the Fernweh women have magic. Every female in Georgina's family has received their magic by age of eighteen. Georgina is almost eighteen, though, and she's shown no sign of getting her magic. Her twin sister, Mary, has floated since birth. Mary and Georgina live on an island, By-the-Sea, which isn't a regular place to grow up. Strange things happen here: it could snow one minute and be sunny and 70 the next. Their mother concocts sleeping potions when the girls can't sleep. And every summer people flock to the island to watch a three-hundred-year old bird who may or may not be a Fernweh ancestor. But when something terrible happens on the island, the Fernweh family (and their magic) comes under a suspicious light. And Georgina starts to wonder about her past--and future.
I picked up this book thanks to my Goodreads friend Melanie, whose review convinced me that this was worth reading. I so rarely read a book that wasn't planned, so thanks! This was totally worth it. This is a beautiful book--it's well-written, lyrical, and a magical read, both in content and writing.
The storyline on this one is amazing--I have a soft spot for tales about twins. I really liked the dynamic between Georgina and Mary: it was very realistic. The characters are well-developed, and I fell for Georgina immediately. There's also a wonderful lesbian storyline, which is always a plus. The book weaves a mystical, magical tale--if you can't suspend disbelief easily, it might not be for you. But it's so easy to get caught up in the plot, and at its core, it's a story about families and love.
"'Well, you won't have me at college, so you'll have to make some new friends.' 'Ugh. That sounds exhausting. They should assign you friends like they assign you a roommate.'"
There's also some serious parts to this book and some just freaking amazing quotes related to sexual assault and rape that I wanted to blow up and put on the walls of every high school everywhere. I won't quote most of them here, due to spoilers, but wow--this is a powerful, powerful novel that had me pumping my fist and cheering for the characters. There's some real strength here and a message everyone should read, especially in our current times.
"Because there was nothing in a girl's history that might negate her right to choose what happens to her body."
Overall, this was a great book. It's beautifully well-written with excellent characters and a powerful message. This is one where I would love a second book to follow these characters.
I picked up this book thanks to my Goodreads friend Melanie, whose review convinced me that this was worth reading. I so rarely read a book that wasn't planned, so thanks! This was totally worth it. This is a beautiful book--it's well-written, lyrical, and a magical read, both in content and writing.
The storyline on this one is amazing--I have a soft spot for tales about twins. I really liked the dynamic between Georgina and Mary: it was very realistic. The characters are well-developed, and I fell for Georgina immediately. There's also a wonderful lesbian storyline, which is always a plus. The book weaves a mystical, magical tale--if you can't suspend disbelief easily, it might not be for you. But it's so easy to get caught up in the plot, and at its core, it's a story about families and love.
"'Well, you won't have me at college, so you'll have to make some new friends.' 'Ugh. That sounds exhausting. They should assign you friends like they assign you a roommate.'"
There's also some serious parts to this book and some just freaking amazing quotes related to sexual assault and rape that I wanted to blow up and put on the walls of every high school everywhere. I won't quote most of them here, due to spoilers, but wow--this is a powerful, powerful novel that had me pumping my fist and cheering for the characters. There's some real strength here and a message everyone should read, especially in our current times.
"Because there was nothing in a girl's history that might negate her right to choose what happens to her body."
Overall, this was a great book. It's beautifully well-written with excellent characters and a powerful message. This is one where I would love a second book to follow these characters.
Bookapotamus (289 KP) rated Educated in Books
May 29, 2018
All the stars in the Idaho Sky! Tara Westover is so very brave. And her book is hands-down, 5+ stars amazing. This is by far the most riveting memoir I've ever read. I am so fascinated by cult-like religions, as well as homesteaders/survivalists and end-of-the-world preppers - and this quenched every thirst I've ever had for all those things and infinitely beyond. This was the extreme of both of those worlds. I cannot believe this is real life. The epitome of "you can't make this sh*t up," I imagine those words running through Tara's head often.
This is a story of growing up in middle-of-nowhere Idaho with Mormon anti-government parents, who "home-schooled" Tara and her brothers and sisters, while preaching these crazy ideals on these poor kids who just didn't know any better. They believed everything their parents said (who wouldn't believe their own parents?!), and the abuse and neglect she had to essentially endure because of it, was heartbreaking. These kids grew up with no birth certificates, never stepping foot inside a classroom or a doctor's office, zero modern medicine (including for severe burns and brain injury!), living in filth and squalor, and the constant pressure to be of extreme faith and a tireless servant of a God, that required way to much of these poor children. And all under the watchful eyes of a father who takes no less than their utter devotion to that God, no matter what the consequences.
It pains me to see them choose sides throughout - you really do get the sense that these parents love Tara in all the way they know how, and they honestly feel that what they are doing is right and just, but it's just so blatantly wrong. I applaud Tara for trying so very hard - throughout every victory in her life without them, and coming out on the other side, not bitter at all, still feeling love for her family.
I was enthralled by this memoir. There wasn't any second of this book that dragged, or lulled - I literally could not put it down. The writing is so well thought out, every person rich with description and character, and you root for this strong-willed little girl to get out, and make something of her life and triumph over the family who may love her, but believe her to be evil because she just wants to be free. And we know, because of this amazing book, she finally is.
Love. Love. Love!
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review and to Tara Westover for sharing her story.
This is a story of growing up in middle-of-nowhere Idaho with Mormon anti-government parents, who "home-schooled" Tara and her brothers and sisters, while preaching these crazy ideals on these poor kids who just didn't know any better. They believed everything their parents said (who wouldn't believe their own parents?!), and the abuse and neglect she had to essentially endure because of it, was heartbreaking. These kids grew up with no birth certificates, never stepping foot inside a classroom or a doctor's office, zero modern medicine (including for severe burns and brain injury!), living in filth and squalor, and the constant pressure to be of extreme faith and a tireless servant of a God, that required way to much of these poor children. And all under the watchful eyes of a father who takes no less than their utter devotion to that God, no matter what the consequences.
It pains me to see them choose sides throughout - you really do get the sense that these parents love Tara in all the way they know how, and they honestly feel that what they are doing is right and just, but it's just so blatantly wrong. I applaud Tara for trying so very hard - throughout every victory in her life without them, and coming out on the other side, not bitter at all, still feeling love for her family.
I was enthralled by this memoir. There wasn't any second of this book that dragged, or lulled - I literally could not put it down. The writing is so well thought out, every person rich with description and character, and you root for this strong-willed little girl to get out, and make something of her life and triumph over the family who may love her, but believe her to be evil because she just wants to be free. And we know, because of this amazing book, she finally is.
Love. Love. Love!
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review and to Tara Westover for sharing her story.
Alice (12 KP) rated The Dead Seekers (Dead Seekers, #1) in Books
Jul 3, 2018
<i>I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review </i>
Original review can be found on my blog Raptureinbooks <a href="http://wp.me/p5y0lX-1Jk">here</a href>
<i>The Dead Seekers</i> is the first in a new series from Barb & J.C. Hendee which follows in the same vein as their Noble Dead series with strong characters and a good storyline. The Dead Seekers follows Tris - or as he is known throughout the book The Dead’s Man – a ghost hunter with the ability to see, interact with and control the dead after he was stillborn; and Mari, a shape-changing gypsy/traveller (known as a <i>Mondyalitko</i>) whose parents were killed when Tris was a child outside of his ancestral home who is convinced that The Dead’s Man is responsible.
The story begins with the birth/death of Tris and subsequent miracle of his rebirth and with the slaughter of Mari’s family a few years later. It then follows Tris as he performs his job as a ghost hunter and banisher of nasty spirits; Mari manages to track him down after a prolonged period of hunting him herself and follows him to his next job which involves the banishing of a spirit who has been kept on this plane against her will by her mother.
Mari saves Tris’ life the first night they are together as no one else can kill her prey and then continues to save his life on many occasions throughout the remainder of the book which is at odds with her nature to kill him as she believes he is the one responsible for murdering her family when she was a child – in a way, he is which is explained really well later on in the book at the end when their investigations into the spirit of the town take them further afield to a city barracks where several people are dying in odd manners.
The depiction of the ghosts were in themselves quite good, particularly how they weren’t depicted as what I refer to as basic ghosts but instead each one had a description of how they actually died – for example head wounds or missing limbs etc. which I quite liked. I also liked the tension between Tris and Mari which was eventually eased towards the end of the book once Mari realised who and what Tris actually was. The description of Mari as her other side was also written exceedingly well with a more animal personality at the forefront rather than the human side of her as with most shape-changers.
In all, it was an interesting concept with a couple of nifty little bits here and there that I liked. I look forward to the next installment.
Original review can be found on my blog Raptureinbooks <a href="http://wp.me/p5y0lX-1Jk">here</a href>
<i>The Dead Seekers</i> is the first in a new series from Barb & J.C. Hendee which follows in the same vein as their Noble Dead series with strong characters and a good storyline. The Dead Seekers follows Tris - or as he is known throughout the book The Dead’s Man – a ghost hunter with the ability to see, interact with and control the dead after he was stillborn; and Mari, a shape-changing gypsy/traveller (known as a <i>Mondyalitko</i>) whose parents were killed when Tris was a child outside of his ancestral home who is convinced that The Dead’s Man is responsible.
The story begins with the birth/death of Tris and subsequent miracle of his rebirth and with the slaughter of Mari’s family a few years later. It then follows Tris as he performs his job as a ghost hunter and banisher of nasty spirits; Mari manages to track him down after a prolonged period of hunting him herself and follows him to his next job which involves the banishing of a spirit who has been kept on this plane against her will by her mother.
Mari saves Tris’ life the first night they are together as no one else can kill her prey and then continues to save his life on many occasions throughout the remainder of the book which is at odds with her nature to kill him as she believes he is the one responsible for murdering her family when she was a child – in a way, he is which is explained really well later on in the book at the end when their investigations into the spirit of the town take them further afield to a city barracks where several people are dying in odd manners.
The depiction of the ghosts were in themselves quite good, particularly how they weren’t depicted as what I refer to as basic ghosts but instead each one had a description of how they actually died – for example head wounds or missing limbs etc. which I quite liked. I also liked the tension between Tris and Mari which was eventually eased towards the end of the book once Mari realised who and what Tris actually was. The description of Mari as her other side was also written exceedingly well with a more animal personality at the forefront rather than the human side of her as with most shape-changers.
In all, it was an interesting concept with a couple of nifty little bits here and there that I liked. I look forward to the next installment.