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This is an incredible debut novel. Yamaye is a young black woman who is immersed in the Dub music scene of the 1970s and 1980s. She spends her free time clubbing at The Crypt (it really is a crypt) where Dub music is the music that young black people all want to listen and dance to. Yamaye works so that she can go clubbing and buy the clothes that she wants to wear there (which all sound very cool, by the way).
But there’s a cloud that hangs over Yamaye’s life. Her mother left when she was young, and she has been raised by a father who seems thoroughly heartbroken by his wife’s departure. There’s also the spectre of racism and police brutality looming over her. Yamaye becomes involved in police brutality protests, and then becomes embroiled in a gang in Bristol, leaving London and her troubles there behind. Or so it seems, because it looked to me like she was just swapping one set of problems for another.
I loved this book, and I wish that it had come with a playlist on Spotify (the actual book may well have a playlist, but I read the NetGalley download) - but never fear! I went looking myself, and was ably assisted by my 16 year old drumming mad son. Now he LOVED the music, and regularly drums along to these new bands and songs that he has discovered for himself.
This is an engaging, exciting story with a vibrancy through its descriptions of inner London as much as those of rural Jamaica. The Jamaican patois was for me the icing on the cake. It made such a distinctive voice (quite literally!), and I soon fell into it’s rhythms.
It’s a book that reminded me of how I felt about music as a young woman (ok, it was different music, but still!) and how it crept into everything in my life.
Themes include: race, misogyny, police violence, oppression of people of colour, gangs, the legacy of slavery, music and belonging. At least these are the themes that I could pick out!
It’s an amazing book - just read it!
But there’s a cloud that hangs over Yamaye’s life. Her mother left when she was young, and she has been raised by a father who seems thoroughly heartbroken by his wife’s departure. There’s also the spectre of racism and police brutality looming over her. Yamaye becomes involved in police brutality protests, and then becomes embroiled in a gang in Bristol, leaving London and her troubles there behind. Or so it seems, because it looked to me like she was just swapping one set of problems for another.
I loved this book, and I wish that it had come with a playlist on Spotify (the actual book may well have a playlist, but I read the NetGalley download) - but never fear! I went looking myself, and was ably assisted by my 16 year old drumming mad son. Now he LOVED the music, and regularly drums along to these new bands and songs that he has discovered for himself.
This is an engaging, exciting story with a vibrancy through its descriptions of inner London as much as those of rural Jamaica. The Jamaican patois was for me the icing on the cake. It made such a distinctive voice (quite literally!), and I soon fell into it’s rhythms.
It’s a book that reminded me of how I felt about music as a young woman (ok, it was different music, but still!) and how it crept into everything in my life.
Themes include: race, misogyny, police violence, oppression of people of colour, gangs, the legacy of slavery, music and belonging. At least these are the themes that I could pick out!
It’s an amazing book - just read it!
Michelle Serrano runs the chocolate part of Chocolate and Chapters, the combined chocolate and bookstore she owns with her best friend Erica. But one morning, she walks into their store to find their business neighbor Denise dead from a poisoned truffle. Now Michelle has to find the killer to clear her reputation.
These characters grew on me quickly, and I really came to care for them. I can’t wait to find out what happens to them in future books. The plot got a little sidetracked at the end, but it still had an exciting climax. Plus there were some twists along the way that confused me, but in a good way.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/03/book-review-death-is-like-box-of.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
These characters grew on me quickly, and I really came to care for them. I can’t wait to find out what happens to them in future books. The plot got a little sidetracked at the end, but it still had an exciting climax. Plus there were some twists along the way that confused me, but in a good way.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/03/book-review-death-is-like-box-of.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Sharpie0499 (114 KP) rated The Darkest Minds (2018) in Movies
Aug 9, 2018
Perfect casting (1 more)
Stayed true to the books
Great Adaptation
I have been waiting for this adaptation since I read the books a good few years ago. When it was finally announced, I was buzzing with excitement and for good reason. This film adaptation was pretty well done and felt like my vision of the book came to life. I originally had some doubts about the casting choices made, but those thoughts were immediately put out of my head when I watched the film; the casting choices were perfect and I now can't imagine anyone else playing those roles. Certain scenes did feel a bit rushed and should have been extended as I was left with a feeling of whiplash, but other than that, I was very happy with this YA adaptation.
Ross (3284 KP) rated The Boys Volume 9: Big Ride in Books
Oct 31, 2019
Exposition ahoy!
Hughie is back from his sabbatical and contemplating rejoining The Boys in their crusade against capes. He spends some time with Colonel Mallory, the man who set The Boys up in the first place, and learns more about the history of corrupt corporation Vought American, and their attempts to use superheroes in the military.
Meanwhile, one of the Seven, Jack from Jupiter, is being framed for the murder of a trans prostitute. This story was harder to read, because of the language used by Butcher in speaking to and about the trans people.
Things are starting to come to a head, and it feels like Ennis has his eyes on the finish line, and is now putting in all the back story and setting up the inevitable conflict.
Meanwhile, one of the Seven, Jack from Jupiter, is being framed for the murder of a trans prostitute. This story was harder to read, because of the language used by Butcher in speaking to and about the trans people.
Things are starting to come to a head, and it feels like Ennis has his eyes on the finish line, and is now putting in all the back story and setting up the inevitable conflict.
Playing to the Gallery: Helping Contemporary Art in its Struggle to be Understood
Book
'I have never read such a stimulating short guide to art. It should be issued as a set text in every...
Observing and Recording the Behvior of Young Children
Dorothy H. Cohen, Virginia Stern, Nancy Balaban and Nancy Gropper
Book
In the Sixth Edition of their classic text, the authors reiterate the critical importance of...
Skip the Guilt Trap: Simple Steps to Help You Move on with Your Life
Book
Free yourself from the guilt trap and move on with your life. Simple steps to free yourself from...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated A Tethered Duet in Books
May 13, 2020
78 of 200
Kindle
A Tethered Duet ( Tethered series book1)
By Jessica Wayne
Can love span centuries?Two hundred years ago, a jealous sorcerer robbed Aine and Aengus of their future together when he ended Aine's life. Now a spell will offer them a second chance...But when Aine returns as Abby to Ireland, can she and Aengus reignite their love? Have the lifetimes apart dampened the love they once felt for each other? Or have the centuries provided the sorcerer with enough power the keep them apart for eternity?
It was a very enjoyable read! A very sweet story with a few dramatic moments! The little prequel story after Was also very sweet! If you like a good old romance with a magical twist you will enjoy this Duet.
Kindle
A Tethered Duet ( Tethered series book1)
By Jessica Wayne
Can love span centuries?Two hundred years ago, a jealous sorcerer robbed Aine and Aengus of their future together when he ended Aine's life. Now a spell will offer them a second chance...But when Aine returns as Abby to Ireland, can she and Aengus reignite their love? Have the lifetimes apart dampened the love they once felt for each other? Or have the centuries provided the sorcerer with enough power the keep them apart for eternity?
It was a very enjoyable read! A very sweet story with a few dramatic moments! The little prequel story after Was also very sweet! If you like a good old romance with a magical twist you will enjoy this Duet.
Angelfire (Angelbound Lincoln #5)
Book
Someone is making life hell for our favorite royal couple, Lincoln and Myla. Natural disasters have...
Young Adult Fantasy