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Trigger Warnings: Racism, colorism, misogyny, sexism, violence, transphobia, homophobia, gun violence, mentions of drug and alcohol addiction, sexual assault, sexual violence, bullying, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempt, religious bigotry *

*The author has marked biographies at the beginning of the novel with * to indicate profiles that detail trigger experiences

From activists to sporting icons, bakers to scientists, journalists to actresses’, We Go High tells the stories of 30 influential women of color who have strived to overcome challenges in their lives. Paired together with stunningly beautiful portraits from Natasha Cunningham, Nicole Ellis celebrates these women of color’s achievements as well as their personal beliefs, attitudes, and determination that drives them to be remarkable.

I loved all the different types of women and their stories that were given in mini biographies - there were a lot of details given in the short amount of pages. This works great because this book is aimed for a younger audience (middle grade/young adult) that opens the door for more research to dive into.

I have known about 90% of the women mentioned in this book, but there were a handful of them I didn’t know. Such as Dr. Kissmekia Corbett, or Kizzy Corbett, who was a leading viral immunologist to help create the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine. Or Sônia Guajajara, a Brazilian Indigenous activist, environmentalist, and politician.

Overall, I feel like this is an amazing book about amazing women of color for those of all ages to enjoy, though especially those in middle or high school as a stepping stone to further research and knowledge.
  
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ClareR (5721 KP) rated Gold Rush in Books

Oct 8, 2024  
Gold Rush
Gold Rush
Olivia Petter | 2024 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Gold Rush explores the cult of celebrity, and how so many seem to believe that being famous means that you can do whatever you like, with no repercussions.
Rose is a character with very little self confidence as it is, and when a world famous pop star, Milo Jax, shows an interest in her, she can’t believe it. Why would he want to see her? Well, it seems that he has a nose for a willing victim. He has recognised an easily coerced, shy young woman and he sexually assaults her.
This is a very introspective novel, and we see a lot of Rose’s inner thoughts where she constantly argues with herself: did something happen, did Jax rape her, or did she allow it? She’s a young woman who is obsessed with the way she looks - as are most of her peers. The scenes at the hen party honestly made my toes curl.
This should probably come with trigger warnings for sexual assault, rape, domestic violence, eating disorders and suicide. There may be more, because everything was thrown at this book.
I did somewhat enjoy Gold Rush, and especially the character of Minnie (Rose’s boss), who took no nonsense from anyone. I read it really quickly, due to the fact that I didn’t want to put it down, in the hope that Rose would tell someone or report Milo Jax as a sexual predator, I think.
This didn’t quite hit the mark for me, and I think it may well be that I’m not the right demographic for it.
  
Becoming Magic (Sleight of Hand #5)
Becoming Magic (Sleight of Hand #5)
Michelle Garren Flye | 2018 | Contemporary, Romance
6
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Not really one for me :-(
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

I'm jumping straight in here, because this is one of those reviews that is going to be difficult to write!

Overall, I liked this book. Mostly.

It's reasonably well written, from both Carole and Connor's points of view, so that was good. I didn't see any spelling or editing errors to spoil my reading.

It just didn't grab me! I found myself wanting more, from Connor, about that break up with his ex-co-star. From Carole about what happened all those years ago in Hollywood. From them both, about each other, their feelings. . . . I. . . . just . . . .

Wanted MORE!!!! And I can't word just WHAT I wanted, and that's why this is a hard review to write, cos I cannot, for the life of me, find the right words, and you know how much that PAINS me!

It does deal with some difficult topics: being drugged and a sexual assault. It deals with these in a sensitive manner, but needs to be mentioned. I also found the assault story arc a little bit too much like what's going in the the REAL Hollywood right now, with the growing list of high powered Hollywood men being accused of various assaults. Maybe that's where the author got the inspiration from, I dunno, but I found it a little too much like it, you know??

This is book 5 in the Sleight of Hand series, and I have not read the others. I did not feel I was missing anything, by not reading them And although Sabrina and Walter (book4) play a huge part here, I didn't feel I HAD to have read their story before this one.

So, I'm sorry, but not one for me.

3 stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
13 Reasons Why  - Season 1
13 Reasons Why - Season 1
2017 | Drama
Detail to the book (1 more)
Spot on casting
Changed key themes (0 more)
I just finished the first season of this show last night and though there were some major issues that turned me away from giving this a higher rating, overall it was a good show and one that i intend to share with my teenage sister. This show may be extremely difficult to watch for someone who may be suicidal, or who has experienced sexual assault. The casting was done extremely well and in a manner that really makes you hate the characters you're supposed to hate.

Unfortunately the last few episodes really turned the story from about about WHY the main character killed herself and instead turned it into a revenge story of sorts. It really took quite a bit away from what I felt was the take-home message of the book. It certainly didn't glorify suicide, but it turned the story away from looking at the deeper issues and how one small event can lead down a very dark path and into making it feel like it was drama for the sake of drama. I don't know if I'll continue on to Season 2.