Search
Search results
ClareR (5996 KP) rated My Name is Why in Books
Oct 29, 2019
If you can read this book and NOT get angry whilst doing so, then you’re a better person than me. My Name is Why is Lemn Sissay’s true story of his life in the English Care system. His Ethiopian mother handed her son into the care of Social Services whilst she finished her nursing course, only to have him permanently taken away and put in to long term foster care. She wrote letters begging for his return from after his birth, all to no avail. This was the start of a catalogue of failures for Lemn. The way his foster parents treated him after they basically abandoned him at the age of 12, putting him in to the care system and a series of unsuitable group homes, frustrated me to the point of tears. What was most upsetting was the complete lack of emotional support. He wasn’t treated as a child, a child who needed affection and emotional support, but as a problem to be solved. It seemed to me that his childhood was just a countdown until social services could get rid of him from off their books.
I’m so glad that Lemn wrote this book, because I’m sure that it speaks for all those children and adults who experienced life in care. And I hope that the right people read this: those who take care of all of those children. I’m full of admiration for Lemn Sissay and all of the work that he does: his poetry, his broadcasting, and the work that he does for care leavers at his Christmas dinners. I will have been to watch Lemn three times: heard him read his poetry, his one man play, and the third time will be when I see him talk about this book at my local library/ theatre/ cinema (Storyhouse in Chester, UK). And to be quite honest, he always inspires me whenever I see him. This is an inspirational book too - against the odds, Lemn has made something (quite a big something actually) of his life.
This is a wonderful book that I’d recommend all human beings to read.
I’m so glad that Lemn wrote this book, because I’m sure that it speaks for all those children and adults who experienced life in care. And I hope that the right people read this: those who take care of all of those children. I’m full of admiration for Lemn Sissay and all of the work that he does: his poetry, his broadcasting, and the work that he does for care leavers at his Christmas dinners. I will have been to watch Lemn three times: heard him read his poetry, his one man play, and the third time will be when I see him talk about this book at my local library/ theatre/ cinema (Storyhouse in Chester, UK). And to be quite honest, he always inspires me whenever I see him. This is an inspirational book too - against the odds, Lemn has made something (quite a big something actually) of his life.
This is a wonderful book that I’d recommend all human beings to read.
DH
Dubose Heyward: A Charleston Gentleman and the World of Porgy and BESS
Book
In 1924 DuBose Heyward (1885-1940) was a businessman absorbed in his Charleston heritage. One year...
100 Days of Sunlight
9.0
Rate It
Book
When 16-year-old poetry blogger Tessa Dickinson is involved in a car accident and loses her eyesight...
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Tides of Possibility in Books
Jan 12, 2018
[Tides of Possibility] is a anthology of science fiction short stories. I really enjoyed most of the stories and a few I would hope to see full length novels expanding on the stories.
A few of note:[The Color of Silence] by [Mandy Broughton] about compassion. [The Woman Who Wanted to Play Havisham] by [Haralambi Markov] which message seems to be, be careful what you wish for. [Imaginary Numbers] by [Corinn Heathers] which I would really love to see expanded to a novel with more a back story.
[Teachable Moments] by [Brandon Crilly] seemed to be my favorite though. Perhaps I am biased as a teacher and the title is a term we are not allowed to have in the classroom anymore thanks to the testing culture. The idea of a former teacher doing what is best for young people and by doing that he teaches them the biggest lesson of life.
I will be looking for more works from some of these authors. I could have done without the poetry though.
A few of note:[The Color of Silence] by [Mandy Broughton] about compassion. [The Woman Who Wanted to Play Havisham] by [Haralambi Markov] which message seems to be, be careful what you wish for. [Imaginary Numbers] by [Corinn Heathers] which I would really love to see expanded to a novel with more a back story.
[Teachable Moments] by [Brandon Crilly] seemed to be my favorite though. Perhaps I am biased as a teacher and the title is a term we are not allowed to have in the classroom anymore thanks to the testing culture. The idea of a former teacher doing what is best for young people and by doing that he teaches them the biggest lesson of life.
I will be looking for more works from some of these authors. I could have done without the poetry though.
Cumberland (1142 KP) rated And We Stay in Books
Apr 1, 2019
Powerful
This book follows the story of Emily Beam, a girl who has just transferred to a boarding school. This transfer takes place after her boyfriend threatens her with a gun then takes his own life.
Emily is a really interesting character. She is a mess, and spends the book trying to pull herself together. It takes a while for her to open up to other, and come to terms with everything that has happened.
One of the things I really enjoyed about this book is that Emily uses poetry to help express herself. Each chapter ends with a poem she has written. She feels connected to Emily Dickinson and that connect is explored throughout the book.
The one negative aspect of this book is that at times Emily's parents made decisions for her. This is in part because of her age. It may have also been that she was an unreliable narrator, so she was blaming her parents for some of the things that took place. I could never really decide which of these were the case.
Emily is a really interesting character. She is a mess, and spends the book trying to pull herself together. It takes a while for her to open up to other, and come to terms with everything that has happened.
One of the things I really enjoyed about this book is that Emily uses poetry to help express herself. Each chapter ends with a poem she has written. She feels connected to Emily Dickinson and that connect is explored throughout the book.
The one negative aspect of this book is that at times Emily's parents made decisions for her. This is in part because of her age. It may have also been that she was an unreliable narrator, so she was blaming her parents for some of the things that took place. I could never really decide which of these were the case.
Lindsay (1779 KP) rated The Blessings Of Friendship: A Friendship Treasury in Books
Feb 15, 2018
The Blessings of Friendship is book on friendship. There a poems about friendship. It fun the read. There are bible verses in the book as well. Your children may have heard of some of them. This is good book for children. The author makes it easy for children to read and enjoy. The pictures are wonderful and joyful. Children will love the pictures and want to have it read to them again.
The children will learn so good in learning to help others and for friends. They will also would learn kindness. This great book in return for it show what friendship is. The author did a wonderful job in the book. My rating is a 5 out 5 stars. I would recommend this for parents if they would like it for your children. If you like poetry this book great for it. It also great for children and parents a like. Though it for children mostly, it best for them to read though parents can read it to them as well.
The children will learn so good in learning to help others and for friends. They will also would learn kindness. This great book in return for it show what friendship is. The author did a wonderful job in the book. My rating is a 5 out 5 stars. I would recommend this for parents if they would like it for your children. If you like poetry this book great for it. It also great for children and parents a like. Though it for children mostly, it best for them to read though parents can read it to them as well.
Joelene Marie (28 KP) rated Gork, the Teenage Dragon in Books
Oct 1, 2018
Hilarious, cute (at least to me) adventure in finding love with the young Gork. The authors take on dragons is wholly original. These aren't your typical dragons, either as destructive creatures hording treasure and demanding maidens and being slain by knights or as respected creatures of magic and wisdom. Gork and his dragons are a very interesting alien species that have the characteristics of typical dragons with their wings and tails and scales and claws and breathing fire and just plain fierceness but with an intelligence similar to humans, a more militarized society, and a huge love of poetry. Have I mentioned it's hilarious? yes? well that's cause it is lol. My only problem, and it's not much of one, was the repetition of things like "scaly green ass," the first few times it added to the humor but after that it got a little annoying. Gabe Hudson has clearly shown his talent and I'm interested to see what he does in his (hopefully very long) career.
**Thanks to the publisher for inviting me to review the ARC!**
**Thanks to the publisher for inviting me to review the ARC!**
Roxanne (13 KP) rated Black Roses: The Killing of Sophie Lancaster in Books
Nov 14, 2018
Being a part of the Gothic subculture I have followed these events since they happened. I have donated to the charity and I have joined marches through Plymouth in memory of Sophie. This collection of poems truly moved me, it did not matter that the poetry wasn't written in a style I'm more used to, I still very much enjoyed them and believe more people should read them. The subject matter brought tears to my eyes and the last poem made my heart ache. After recently becoming a mum myself I can not even begin to imagine the pain her family felt when she slipped away from them. Even though I did not know Sophie I still feel connected to her and am unbelievably sad that she was taken from this world in such a brutal and disgusting way...just because she and her boyfriend were different.
This is a beautiful collection, handled in a very sensitive way, I hope for this to reach more people as things need to change.
Rest in peace beautiful Sophie.
This is a beautiful collection, handled in a very sensitive way, I hope for this to reach more people as things need to change.
Rest in peace beautiful Sophie.
The Australia Times App
Book and Entertainment
App
TAT App is the all new mobile interface to read The Australia Times publications. THE AUSTRALIA...
The Silver Spoon: Memoir of a Boyhood in Japan
Book
Perhaps the most admired childhood memoir ever written in Japan, The Silver Spoon is a sharp...