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The Woman with Nine Lives
Book
Iby Knill is a simply remarkable woman. An Auschwitz holocaust survivor originally from Bratislava,...
Recipes for Life: My Memories
Book
Linda Evans's unique memoir combines her love of cooking with tales of living and working in...
The Last Black Unicorn
8.7
Rate It
Book
From stand-up comedian, actress, and breakout star of Girls Trip, Tiffany Haddish, comes The Last...
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Are We There Yet? in Books
Jul 1, 2021
A heartfelt look at parenting and growing up
Alice Sullivan is an interior designer and mom whose nearly perfect life goes off the rails when her son Teddy gets in trouble bullying at school. The same day she learns her daughter Adrian is having trouble keeping up in second grade. Soon Alice learns Teddy is caught up in a social media battle with another kid and she's rapidly being subjected to the judgement of the other moms. This includes her good friend, Meredith, whose daughter Sadie may be more involved than Meredith realizes. Then, Alice finds herself reeling further when her mom, Evelyn, reveals a long-held secret. Alice needs to stop caring what other people think--and starting focusing on her family. Fast.
This book was one of those happy surprises, where it was even better than I expected. It was real and captivating, highlighting how difficult it is to be both a parent and kid in the digital age. The story is expertly told from a variety of perspectives--Alice, Meredith, Teddy, Evelyn, and Sadie.
West does such a great job of portraying the interconnected people, both kids and parents, in her tale. All are mostly trying their best but often failing while some are judging others. Yet it seems like their world falls apart anyway. Everyone's story was told in such a unique voice, and I could not help but feel so sorry for these kids trying to survive in a digital age, and their parents attempting to maintain some type of control.
Overall, this is excellent book--very timely, realistic, and both heartbreaking and hopeful. 4.25 stars.
This book was one of those happy surprises, where it was even better than I expected. It was real and captivating, highlighting how difficult it is to be both a parent and kid in the digital age. The story is expertly told from a variety of perspectives--Alice, Meredith, Teddy, Evelyn, and Sadie.
West does such a great job of portraying the interconnected people, both kids and parents, in her tale. All are mostly trying their best but often failing while some are judging others. Yet it seems like their world falls apart anyway. Everyone's story was told in such a unique voice, and I could not help but feel so sorry for these kids trying to survive in a digital age, and their parents attempting to maintain some type of control.
Overall, this is excellent book--very timely, realistic, and both heartbreaking and hopeful. 4.25 stars.
Wedding Salon - Girls Makeup, Dressup and Makeover
Beauty, Education and Games
App
Can you help these adorable girls get ready for their big day? Start with a soothing spa treatment...
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis in Books
Oct 22, 2017
An untold story of white working-class poverty in the US
J. D. Vance's homage to his poverty-stricken, working class roots in America is essential reading for those attempting to understand how a person like Trump can end up in power.
Without attributing the 2016 election results to Vance and his family himself, the author paints a picture of a total disconnect between establishments and white working class voters. From education, to opportunities in climbing the social ladder, Vance can be seen as an exception due to the lack of outreach from these institutions.
His story can appear both depressing and uplifting at the same time. From experiencing trauma through a broken home, poverty, and an abusive addict mother, to having supportive grandparents who are able to push him into believing in himself. Vance breaks the mould eventually studying at Yale and becoming a venture capitalist. But his doubts in himself are ever present.
Vance, however, also blames 'hillbilly' culture and it's encouragement of social rot. Likewise, he recounts stories about lack of work ethic, and the notion of blaming others for their own misfortune. It highlights the need for stability in families in order for upward mobility.
It is a raw, emotional portrait of growing up in and eventually out of a poor rural community riddled by drug addiction and volatility.
Without attributing the 2016 election results to Vance and his family himself, the author paints a picture of a total disconnect between establishments and white working class voters. From education, to opportunities in climbing the social ladder, Vance can be seen as an exception due to the lack of outreach from these institutions.
His story can appear both depressing and uplifting at the same time. From experiencing trauma through a broken home, poverty, and an abusive addict mother, to having supportive grandparents who are able to push him into believing in himself. Vance breaks the mould eventually studying at Yale and becoming a venture capitalist. But his doubts in himself are ever present.
Vance, however, also blames 'hillbilly' culture and it's encouragement of social rot. Likewise, he recounts stories about lack of work ethic, and the notion of blaming others for their own misfortune. It highlights the need for stability in families in order for upward mobility.
It is a raw, emotional portrait of growing up in and eventually out of a poor rural community riddled by drug addiction and volatility.
Leila (5 KP) rated Gwendy's Button Box in Books
Feb 3, 2019 (Updated Feb 3, 2019)
I'll admit, I checked this book out of the library and let it sit for a few months (I'm terrible, I know), but not for lack of interest, I just didn't have the time to sit down and read. Once I finally got around to it, I had completely forgotten why I had grabbed it up! The cover did not immediately scream "Stephen King" so I was a bit apprehensive starting out, willing myself to push through the first couple of pages.
To my surprise, I needn't have given myself such a talking to, as the book drew me in from first word. The main character has relatable relationships with the people around her, portrayed as the kid we all knew (or were) growing up, the one that just wanted to fit in and was always just on the outskirts. Things change of course, with the help of a special box, and we get a very real glimpse into how humanity deals with great power and responsibility.
My only criticism is that for once, I wasn't satisfied at the end of a King book, wishing there was a bit more, especially concerning the box itself. But then, if we always got all the answers, it wouldn't be a King book, now would it?
To my surprise, I needn't have given myself such a talking to, as the book drew me in from first word. The main character has relatable relationships with the people around her, portrayed as the kid we all knew (or were) growing up, the one that just wanted to fit in and was always just on the outskirts. Things change of course, with the help of a special box, and we get a very real glimpse into how humanity deals with great power and responsibility.
My only criticism is that for once, I wasn't satisfied at the end of a King book, wishing there was a bit more, especially concerning the box itself. But then, if we always got all the answers, it wouldn't be a King book, now would it?
Saffy Alexandra (89 KP) rated Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in Books
May 23, 2019
Character Development (3 more)
Continuation of Characters
Descriptive
Completing the long journey
I Open at the Close
A book that will put you through your paces, you will go from laughing, to hanging on from the edge of your seat to sobbing.
These books have been a part of my childhood, growing up reading these books and following Harry, Ron and Hermione through the ups and downs of their adventures.
Rowling knew what we all wanted but instead she gave us the book that we needed instead. As much as we wanted all the characters to live on and be happy, she knew (and we did too) that to complete Harry's and everyone's journey that certain sacrifices needed to be made. As much as I tell myself that those characters aren't actually gone I understand why Rowling did what she had to (doesn't mean I have to like it).
This last book tied everything together beautifully and I don't think any of us could honestly thank Rowling enough for not destroying the story as some authors accidentally end up doing. She kept true to her characters and the story and took us all on a journey.
Such a sad but beautiful way to end the long story, I'm thankful she let us all be a part of it with her!
These books have been a part of my childhood, growing up reading these books and following Harry, Ron and Hermione through the ups and downs of their adventures.
Rowling knew what we all wanted but instead she gave us the book that we needed instead. As much as we wanted all the characters to live on and be happy, she knew (and we did too) that to complete Harry's and everyone's journey that certain sacrifices needed to be made. As much as I tell myself that those characters aren't actually gone I understand why Rowling did what she had to (doesn't mean I have to like it).
This last book tied everything together beautifully and I don't think any of us could honestly thank Rowling enough for not destroying the story as some authors accidentally end up doing. She kept true to her characters and the story and took us all on a journey.
Such a sad but beautiful way to end the long story, I'm thankful she let us all be a part of it with her!
Ainsley Lewis (3 KP) rated Facebook in Apps
Jun 11, 2019
Social interaction (1 more)
Groups when you find a good one
Facebook fame
Facebook has been around for years and has become one of THE biggest social media platforms of the 21st century. You won't find many people that do not have an account and becomes almost the new socialisation. Yes... there are bad points to social media... lack of human interaction, online bullying has become a big problem, becoming dependant on mobile devices. But I have found with being away from family and friends, a comfort to keep in touch and up to date with what is going on. (I am one of these people that are terrible for keeping in contact) so it's comforting to be able to just click open my Facebook and see my little nieces growing up and brothers doing what they do best. Watching my friends grow and become the amazing people they have always been. The features of Facebook are getting better as it grows. Having your own ability to create groups and pages especially for small businesses, the fun little way of using a short snippet of a video for your profile picture. So yes I do prefer face to face interaction but with apps like Facebook becoming a more prominent part of day to day life, why not enjoy it!!
Micah Ulibarri (79 KP) rated The Peace and The Panic by Neck Deep in Music
Mar 26, 2018
Peace Panic Pop Punk
Neck Deep, most well known for their song, "December", came to turn the amps up to 11. Mostly known for a more acoustic sound that lends itself to pop punk, the Welsh five-piece has brought a full electric, high-energy album to bear on an audience that didn't know we needed more pop punk anthems.
The album mostly deals with mature themes of growing older, as well as the state of the world and losing people close to you. The lead singer, Ben Barlow's, father died during their writing of this album and it shows in the emotional lyrics and texture of the songs.
The album starts out with the more jump-up-and-down and blast-your-car-stereo tunes until getting in the last half of the album with a couple more ballad-y titles like "Wish You Were Here" and "Nineteen Seventy-Something".
Some favorite tracks of mine are the more Alt-rock sounding "Happy Judgement Day" and "Don't Wait, as well as the emotional "Nineteen Seventy-Something" and the deceptively Happy-sounding "Where Do We Go When We Go".
Considering I had been under the impression that this genre had died, this album is a breath of fresh air from a vista of young adult, relatable angst that I had forgotten how to express.
The album mostly deals with mature themes of growing older, as well as the state of the world and losing people close to you. The lead singer, Ben Barlow's, father died during their writing of this album and it shows in the emotional lyrics and texture of the songs.
The album starts out with the more jump-up-and-down and blast-your-car-stereo tunes until getting in the last half of the album with a couple more ballad-y titles like "Wish You Were Here" and "Nineteen Seventy-Something".
Some favorite tracks of mine are the more Alt-rock sounding "Happy Judgement Day" and "Don't Wait, as well as the emotional "Nineteen Seventy-Something" and the deceptively Happy-sounding "Where Do We Go When We Go".
Considering I had been under the impression that this genre had died, this album is a breath of fresh air from a vista of young adult, relatable angst that I had forgotten how to express.