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Lindsay (1771 KP) rated Let's Talk! A Story of Autism and Friendship in Books

Apr 11, 2021

Let's Talk is about a story of a girl that meets a new girl that has Autism. So this book is about Autism and friendship. It is a sweet story; I enjoyed it. Though I have Autism Spectrum Disorder, it is a disability. Many people have it, and each person is on a different spectrum. Some are on the high end, some are somewhere in the middle, and some are on the lower side.

We may look standoffish or even act strangely or act differently than usual. I have Autism and am on the high end of the spectrum. Though I was different from my cousins when growing up and acted differently than them. I still do.

Autism is something we all need to learn and understand and accept, as it is still hard to see or understand. This book helps in a way or at least spotlights on the communication part of Autism. I can relate to this book, and I know quite a few people with Autism. We all act differently and our interests. I get along with them all.

This book hit Autism on one aspect but shows that we can enjoy some fun and form friendships even though we are different. Will they last well? That depends on the friends who want to understand and do not mind our quirks and the way we commute.

This book shows how a girl learns about Autism and understands and communicates with another little girl named Emma. The pictures are down well. It an excellent book to have on any child's bookshelf; It will teach parents and children or introduce them to Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder. The story is down well and sweet. I cannot wait to see what these girls do on their adventures.

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ClareR (5911 KP) rated The Wife Who Got A Life in Books

May 25, 2021

The Wife Who Got A Life

Tracy Bloom | 2021 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry

7.5

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

I loved this book. I’ll be honest and say that I thought I’d made a mistake when I first started reading it, but the further I read, the more I laughed (and cried), and the more I loved it!

Cathy the main character, is a 48 year old version of Adrian Mole. I’m sorry, but I had to go there! There are a lot of similarities: the humour, the long-suffering diary writer, the clueless and self-absorbed family. But this is most definitely written by a 48 year old woman.

Cathy is very relatable in an exaggerated way - but hey! This is fiction, not a memoir! She’s dealing with older teenagers, a husband that works away from home in the week and is utterly clueless as to what’s going on in his family’s lives, ageing parents, one sister who thinks she’s hard done by and should have everyone running around after her, and another who is detached from her parents and siblings and doesn’t understand what’s going on with them! Communication is a key skill in any family, and sadly lacking in this one.

When Cathy decides to put herself first for a change, I practically cheered out loud, and her cooking solution was genius!

I think I laughed through most of this book, had a good cry a couple of times, and by the end I was sure that Cathy Collins should have another book. I’m not sure though - I like where this ended. But I’d still read it (I’m beginning to sound like Cathy). It was a perfect balance of humour, sadness and the ridiculous - how can anyone not want more of that?!

Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for helping me out with my NetGalley reading (again!), Tracy Bloom for reading along, and Harper Collins for my e-arc through NetGalley.

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Tim Booth recommended 1992-2002 by Underworld in Music (curated)

1992-2002 by Underworld

2003 | Electronic, Pop

(0 Ratings)

Album Favorite

"With the compilation albums, I am cheating. It meant I didn't know which album to choose. I sometimes DJ. When I DJ, I use a system to take people into an ecstatic trance through music. I might start with Brian Eno and some ambient music and then move to other genres. I might use classical music or Indian music. But, invariably, when I get to the third rhythm of trance and when I really want to take people into that state, I am almost forced to go to Underworld again and again. Underworld brought together song and dance in a way that I have not heard anyone match. The Chemical Brothers are great and New Order are obviously great, but Underworld take me to a tribal edge that is so ferocious and yet, simultaneously, so intelligent. 'Rez' is one of my favourite songs – even though that is not one of their most tribal. 'Moaner' and 'Born Slippy' are their more tribal tunes. I find their textures and landscapes and vocals – which don't get in the way and help you lose yourself when you are dancing – make Underworld difficult to surpass. I was so proud of them when they got to do the Olympics in 2012. I felt that was their due. I contacted them before the Olympics and had a lovely communication with them. I told them that I thought they were the most revolutionary and iconoclastic band of the last 20 years. Then, about a year later, Danny Boyle used them during the opening ceremony. I saw them play recently at the Hollywood Bowl and I danced so much that I badly twisted my ankle and couldn't walk for about two weeks. It was still worth it. Dancing injuries are to be worn like medals of honour."

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