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Merissa (12058 KP) created a post

Nov 10, 2020  
"I did enjoy the switch in the online conversations from friendly to flirty to dirty."

TOUR, REVIEW & #GIVEAWAY - Type Dirty to Me by Roxanne D. Howard - @Archaeolibrary, @GoddessFish, @RoxanneDHoward, #Contemporary, #Erotic, #Romance, #ChicLit, #Multicultural, 3 out of 5 (good)

https://archaeolibrarian.wixsite.com/website/post/type-dirty-to-me-by-roxanne-d-howard
     
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Merissa (12058 KP) created a post

Dec 11, 2020  
"Wealthy reporter Simon Wilde is a former US Navy SEAL who uses his position to cover his covert action for a secret world enforcement agency."

BLITZ, EXCERPT & #GIVEAWAY - Walking on the Wilde Side by Ann Jeffries - @Archaeolibrary, @GoddessFish, @AnnAnnjeffries, #Multicultural, #RomanticSuspense,

https://archaeolibrarian.wixsite.com/website/post/walking-on-the-wilde-side-by-ann-jeffries
     
Tarka the Otter (1979)
Tarka the Otter (1979)
1979 | Action, Family
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"It’s a film about the lift story of an otter. It’s beautiful. If it’s just one otter playing the part, it is the James Dean of otters. There’s a heron and there’s a love interest, White- Tip. It’s multicultural because there’s an owl family. It’s an animal melting pot, by the side of a river."

Source
  
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Sherman Alexie | 2007 | Contemporary, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.9 (9 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book (audiobook) was recommended to me by one of my friends. I finally bought it and went into the book not knowing what to expect. The audiobook is narrated by the author Sherman Alexie and he did a good job narrating his biography.

I found the book interesting for the most part. I did find that it dragged a little and at times I was annoyed by the narrator. I honestly would have rated it 3 stars and I didn't think I was very invested in the book until 75% into the book and I started crying due to a scene. When a book can make me invested in the characters I always add a 1/2 star and then I round up.

Honestly, I'm not quite sure how to review this book. For the most part, I found it a little dull but I did love the multicultural part of the book. It was fascinating to hear about how alcohol has destroyed so many people's lives and how it seemed like a part of the Native American's culture.

Overall, I enjoyed the book but I would have a hard time rereading it or recommending it. It would be a good book for freshman in High School to read if the teacher is wanting to show multicultural issues.
  
The Perfection in Love
The Perfection in Love
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Have you ever just read a book and it felt … right? <i>The Perfection In Love</i> by Ronke Abidoye hit all the right notes for me. It was sweet, sarcastic, and REAL. Did I mention that it is her debut novel? I cannot even begin to imagine how God is going to use her as a writer!

   Oyin and Henry’s story is one unmarried people can smile about and married people will remember with abashed fondness. It is a story about choosing to love every day, remembering that you both want each other to be happy, and that Two are better than One so we need to work together. Ronke Abidoye took this situation one step further and added in the stress of visiting family, old friends, and multicultural relationships. I especially enjoyed her portrayal of Oyin and Henry’s weaknesses they were frank and realistic in their insecurities and while I have never been in a multicultural relationship, I thought that Ronke Abidoye explained the situation very well and brought it down to parents needing to learn love and acceptance; and in Henry’s case learning to give up his insecurities. Because in the end we are all Sons and Daughters of the Most High.

   I also enjoyed the continual turning to pray for answers by Henry and Oyin, it established an early reliance on faith and God to see things through. The pace and tension were done well and kept me unable to put the book down. A truly wonderful story. Plus, I loved the attention to detail through out the book from the tiny hearts to the <i>Yoruba</i> translated words, they were a unique addition that I wish more authors would do. I sincerely enjoyed this story and loved the unique perspective that Ronke Abidoye took. I definitely recommend reading this book if you like Victoria Bylin, or Beth Troy. 5 out of 5 stars.

*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
** Visit my IG for more indepth photos of the book! <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CIdM_omA3UL/">TravelersWife4Life</a>;
  
My Very First Story Time: Cinderella
My Very First Story Time: Cinderella
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Cinderella: Fairy Tale with picture glossary and an activity (My Very First Story Time) by Pat-a-Cake, Rachel Elliot, Tim Budgen is a retelling of a much loved story, only with a difference, this has a multicultural slant.

Cinderella, (along with many of the other characters in this book) is portrayed as mixed heritage. She is also more capable of looking after herself, and a much better role model for young girls since this story is less about her being a slave to her ugly sisters and her “woe-is-me” pity-party and more about how she makes things happen for herself as a valued member of her society. Albeit a magical one.

I’d say this is great reading for children three years and up, as this has paper pages and doesn’t seem to be for an early self-reader, despite the title, but you can still read this story out loud to younger children at bedtime.

A charming book, full of diversity, simple rhythmic words and brightly coloured illustrations.
  
Things Fall Apart
Things Fall Apart
Chinua Achebe, Biyi Bandele | 2001 | Essays
6
7.5 (11 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received this book as part of a book exchange for my book club. I was excited because it finally gave me a reason to read a book that has been on my "I should read this" list. I finished this book and I honestly have no idea what my thoughts are. I'm trying to put them into words and I'm failing.

I liked this book for the multicultural issues that it proposes. It had elements that I have never grasped or read before which I enjoyed. I loved learning about the culture and customs of this tribe. I also loved how complex the main character was. I loved how at moments you're wanting him to be shunned and at other moments you want him to be fully embraced by his tribe.

I didn't like how abrupt the ending was. It was leading to the climax of the story and then just halted leaving me extremely unsatisfied. I want a resolution and I want a cookie cutter ending where everything is wrapped up tight with a cute little bow. Unfortunately, that isn't this book.

All in all, I'm happy that I read this book. I'm thrilled that I finally found time to read it. I'm just not so sure how I feel about it either.
  
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Darren Fisher (2447 KP) rated Sandinista! by The Clash in Music

Dec 11, 2020 (Updated Jan 15, 2021)  
Sandinista! by The Clash
Sandinista! by The Clash
1980 | Rock
9
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Album Rating
'Music For People Who Work On For Oil Rigs'
At a time when only prog-rock groups released triple albums, The Clash went out on a limb, providing a multicultural mish-mash of musical styles. Ranging from dub reggae, funk, jazz, disco, rap and even gospel, this 36 track sprawling epic covered all the musical bases. Often compared as their equivalent of The Beatles 'White' album, Sandinista! finds The Clash at their most experimental. Featuring a vast range of guest artists from dub maestro Mikey Dread, Ellen Foley and various members of The 101ers, The Blockheads, Eddie & The Hot Rods, The Voidoids and Darts(!?!) this really is a melting pot of ideas and influences.
Sandinista! can be a tough call if you decide to listen to it from start to finish, clocking in at around the 2hr 20mins mark, but I would recommend doing this on the first listen. It sets a trippy, mesmerising, and (albeit) uneven journey of a group realising there is a much bigger world out there than just London.
One critic described the album as 'music for people who work on oil rigs'. I like that...

Album highlights:
The Magnificent Seven
Look Here
The Street Parade
  
Original Pirate Material by The Streets
Original Pirate Material by The Streets
2002 | Rock
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"I liked the intro really, it was so inspiring. ""I'm forty-fifth generation Roman,"" where did he come up with that?! Hip hop is massive in Nottingham. There's a massive black community, it's a multicultural city and people just mingle, you know, and share ideas. People were not sure about this idea of a white guy rapping. Even white guys were not sure about it. He's not rapping really - well he is, but he isn't. But you couldn't deny it really, it's all great. The second track, 'Has It Come To This', that kind of dubstep, garage thing. I never even listened to the second album. White people rapping, it needs to be done well. No offense to the guy, but I wouldn't view Professor Green as the same thing, it's more Americanised. Jake Bugg tried to do it on his last album and it just sounded terrible, what was he doing? I can understand him being inspired by stuff, but he needs to check himself. I liked the dry high street observations on this album, the stuff about eating a fry up in a greasy spoon. The stuff that would warm you to him straight away - fried tomatoes, scrambled eggs. That conversation he has with his dad: ""Hold it down son…"" We all do it, ""No, I'm going to be alright, it will work out."" I listened to this when it came out. I was still doing folky and acoustic stuff at this time, it wasn't very good. It took years for me to think about doing something like this. For a long time I thought it was out of my reach, I thought I couldn't do it."

Source
  
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James Koppert (2698 KP) rated Thorn in Books

Mar 29, 2020  
Thorn
Thorn
Intisar Khanani | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Every single word (0 more)
I had to finish it (0 more)
A Phenomenon
There are some young adults books, Harry Potter, Letter for the King, His Dark Materials that can be translated through the languages of the world and for decades or more, be held up as classics of young literature, deserved to be read and bring joy for all ages. Thorn deserves to be held up in equal company as these. I won't beat about the bush, this is an exceptional, beautiful entertaining tale deserving to be a global best-seller for many many years. If you read my reviews I don't thrust such extreme praise on everything I read, but Thorn is the type of book you end up taking a days holiday off work just to carry on engaging with this wonderful story.

Intisar Khanani is a very special writer, like Neil Gaiman, she takes the world and weaves an understated thread of magic and fantasy into the story that provides an undercurrent which bubbles to the surface. The fact it is understated brings you a acceptance without question of the world you are reading, so magic spells and talking horses are as accepted as characters eating a meal. Intisar Khanani's writing flows effortlessly. When you are reading a true master of the art, they write in a way where you forget you are reading at all and are simply viewing a world from the pages. This is such a book.

Thorn contains very human characters who you will feel a deep tenderness for. It contains morality and dilemma asking you to question whether you put your happiness first or the duty of bettering the world? What is justice and rule? Do you seek justice through revenge or lessons as just a few. Yet these moralities are not there to beat you round the head, they are part of the grain of the story where you raise the questions alongside that of the adorable lead character whose gentle female strength is ferocious, again in a beautifully subtle way.

I don't want to give away any of the plot, I want you t pick up the book and let it unravel before your eyes like I did. Be wicked away into a rich multicultural world full of what i hope are many stories yet to be told.

Thorn may not just be the best young adult book of the decade, it could well be one of the best fantasy novels as well, that will be read and then re-read for the next few decades and beyond. Intisar Khanani is about to be a global superstar and deserves every particle of light the spotlight is made up of shining on her.