A Grid and a Conversation: Morris Adjmi Architects
Morris Adjmi, Diane Ghirardo, Jimmy Stamp and Bill Higgins
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A Grid and a Conversation presents a survey of work by the New York City-based firm Morris Adjmi...
All Our Waves are Water: Stumbling Toward Enlightenment and the Perfect Ride
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In this meditative memoir-a compelling fusion of Barbarian Days and the journals of Thomas...
Now and at the Hour of Our Death
Susana Moreira Marques and Julia Sanches
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"This book is fearless and luminous and full of grace; it travels to the edge of death and finds...
Gordon Gano recommended track Sweet Jane by Lou Reed in Live in Italy by Lou Reed in Music (curated)
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated More Than Words in Books
Apr 22, 2021
Nina Gregory has always been a loyal daughter. After her mother's death, she was raised by her father, the owner of the Gregory Hotels, a renowned chain in New York City. She knows she will take over the family business someday. And her father has always taught her that family (and reputation) come before everything. But when Nina's father dies, she finds herself adrift. Not even her boyfriend, Tim, whom she's been raised with since childhood (his parents work with her father) can provide comfort. When Nina finds out something about her father that causes her to question everything, she finds herself turning to her boss, mayoral candidate Rafael. Nina's always been cautious and proper. But now, she's not so sure what to believe.
"Not only was she going to lose her father, she was going to lose the life she'd imagined for herself. The future she'd expected would be hers."
This was a good read about love, loss, and politics. I think parts of it might have annoyed me more, but I read it at a good time. Nina honestly came across as self-centered at moments, but she was certainly going through a lot, trying to find herself in the wake of her father's death. With her family legacy, she was under a lot of pressure. The book did a good job of capturing grief and loss. I also really liked Rafael--he was a character I could root for. The story seemed to meander a little and could be heartbreaking, but it was a book centered around death, after all.
Overall, I enjoyed this one. It's sad, but hopeful too. A good read if you go in with the right mindset. 3.5 stars.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Love, Hate, and Other Filters in Books
Apr 15, 2021
Maya Aziz feels like she lives two lives. In one, she's the dutiful daughter to her Indian Muslim parents: attending college near home, marrying a suitable Muslim boy, and becoming a lawyer. In the other, she goes to school in New York City to become a filmmaker and falls in love with whomever she wants--maybe even Phil, the boy she's loved forever. And in Maya's real world, horrible things happen, often hate crime motivated, that can turn her world upside down.
This is such a beautiful book, and I completely fell in love with Maya and her voice. As the child of the only Indian Muslim family in her small suburban Chicago town, she's always felt different. She dreams of making films, not conforming the way her parents desire. But she also wants to please them. And she's scared, as she deals with all the terrible bigotry and Islamophobia that her family faces.
Ahmed writes so lyrically, weaving her story about Maya finding her way in the world, while still painting a stark and timely picture of racism. It's a bit of a love story, yes, but also one of discovering yourself and finding strength in yourself and the people around you. Maya and Phil's relationship is sweet, and it's so easy to root for her on all levels.
I found this to be a profound read. In many ways, it's simply about a teenager trying to stand up for herself, but it also speaks deeply about Islamophobia. It's often sad, but it's quite hopeful too. I found myself tearing up a bit while reading. Definitely worth a read. 4.5 stars.
Nevertheless: A Memoir
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Drawing on his characteristic charisma, intelligence, and honesty, Alec Baldwin—one of the most...
Biography memoir entertainment
Isle of Dogs
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The Wes Anderson Collection: Isle of Dogs is the only book to take readers behind the scenes of the...
A Terrible Country
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When Andrei Kaplan’s older brother Dima insists that Andrei return to Moscow to care for their...
Beaches, Bungalows, and Burglaries
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Mae West, a far cry from the Hollywood actress, has been thrown for a loop. Her plush lifestyle in...


