Taken from her journal, Eleanor Davis gives us a memoir of her biking trip from her parent’s home in Tucson, Arizona to her husband and home in AthensTaken from her journal, Eleanor Davis gives us a memoir of her biking trip from her parent’s home in Tucson, Arizona to her husband and home in Athens, Georgia. Her dad built the bike for her and she thought to bike home would be easier than shipping it. Also, her mood lately is only good while being on her bike.
This is a sparsely drawn book, without too many words either, but conveys ample meaning. Can’t help but root for her, and not just to finish this biking cross-country trip on her own terms. She encounters aggressive border patrol and amazing wonderful strangers that looks out for her and help her, even when she never asked.
I don’t read many graphic art books, but after reading this one, I do want to include more of these types of books. And of course, more of Eleanor Davis, maybe her artist husband too. ...more
This is mostly a book of poetry, but it is also a book of history of two of the seven men who called themselves The Last Poets. These two are the authThis is mostly a book of poetry, but it is also a book of history of two of the seven men who called themselves The Last Poets. These two are the authors Umar Bin Hassan and Abiodun Oyewole.
They formed their group in New York City on May 19, 1968, at Mount Morris Park during a birthday celebration for Malcom X. The group had a purpose, a call to African Americans to revolutionize, to see the truth of themselves, to love themselves, and to have power.
The beginning of the book has several essays, including an introduction written by Kim Green. Each of the authors wrote a long essay about themselves and how they came to form the group. The rest of the book contains their poems, with an introduction to each poem about why they wrote it, or what situation or feelings formed it. I’ve never encountered this format in a book of poetry before.
Poetry itself is always hard to rate, does it speak to you? These poems are more non-fiction than most poetry. I read these poems printed on the page, but suspect hearing these out loud would be more powerful.
This collection of 8 short stories took me longer to read than a typical book of similar length. It isn’t a long book either, under 250 pages. I thinkThis collection of 8 short stories took me longer to read than a typical book of similar length. It isn’t a long book either, under 250 pages. I think it is the format. It feels like the older I get the less I like short stories. Maybe I would have liked these better when I first got the book, over twenty years ago.
These stories had a little length to each, so they didn't feel like they ended entirely too early. One good thing about short stories is that if you don't like the characters, well it's over soon enough. My favorite in the group was the last one: Doris is Coming. Here a high school student, Doris is trying to come to terms with the differences of black and while people. She is black and this is the 60s with Martin Luther King giving speeches, sit-ins at lunch counters and other protests. Doris doesn’t understand why her skin color should dictate a different drinking fountain.
All of the stories are told from the point of view of an African American, usually a young woman or girl. They are complete enough, more than many other short stories are. Some feel like they could be the beginning of a longer story, a few feel like what was given was enough. ...more
A fascinating look at the big box store model and the environment. It began with Walmart and the rest followed the model. One section of the book is dA fascinating look at the big box store model and the environment. It began with Walmart and the rest followed the model. One section of the book is devoted to the big box stores that are outdoor retailers, such as REI, Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops.
I wrote a longer review which will be published in a forthcoming issue of the Electronic Green Journal.
Didn’t know what to expect with this historical fiction, and was pleasantly surprised by it
The location is in the title, Avignon, taking place duringDidn’t know what to expect with this historical fiction, and was pleasantly surprised by it
The location is in the title, Avignon, taking place during 1347-1348. The main character is Elanore, so the title describes the basics. What it doesn’t describe is she is a twin, and although they are identical they are vastly different people.
Eleanore takes after their mother, who was a healer, herbalist and midwife. The twins are still morning her passing. It wasn’t entirely clear how long ago that was, but probably not too long ago. Eleanore meets the most famous doctor in Avignon, who is interested in learning more about her herbal remedies. When the plague hits Avignon their world is turned upside down. An absorbing book with good pacing. Excellent debut novel.
I listened to the audiobook which was well narrated. Perhaps that’s why I found the book so absorbing, enjoyed listening to it. ...more
An enjoyable historical fiction book taking place in the 16th century, which begins in France. Marguerite is a noblewoman, but an orphan and all aloneAn enjoyable historical fiction book taking place in the 16th century, which begins in France. Marguerite is a noblewoman, but an orphan and all alone. She has servants, a large estate, lands and much riches, but no family other than a cousin who is serving as her guardian until she marries, then she will inherit her vast holdings and estate.
Marguerite is being raised by her nursemaid, her mother’s before she died in childbirth. After some time her guardian grants a teacher so Marguerite can learn to read and write, and the teacher brought her young daughter. The two become fast friends, more like sisters. But Marguerite’s life is ruled by her unscrupulous guardian and before long she is sent to live in a small portion of her house and the rest of the estate has been leased to another family. Her guardian has squandered her riches.
The book is thick with the how Marguerite has no control over her own life. The lives of her teacher and nursemaid, the women, have little options.
It says in the overview that Marguerite is stranded on an island in the New World, but what leads up to that and other aspects is best to be discovered by the reader.
Without giving away any more of the entire plot, I will say this was based on a true story that took place in the 1500s. Maguerite de la Rocque de Roberval’s story was written down by Queen Marguerite of Navarre and a priest. Their stories differ and not much is entirely known, so this is a fictional retelling of what happened and how the circumstances came to be.
Quite an enjoyable writing style. Haven’t read any of Goodman’s other works, but certainly will now.
What a book, quite atmospheric. Set partially on a remote island that is accessible only during certain times of the tides. There are multiple mysteriWhat a book, quite atmospheric. Set partially on a remote island that is accessible only during certain times of the tides. There are multiple mysteries but are introduced slowly. This is not a quick paced thriller, instead it is nuanced.
The book centers on the late artist Vanessa Chapman. She surprisingly willed all her creative works to the foundation run by Douglas Lennox. He was a sort of patron, and lover, of Vanessa before things turned very disagreeable.
Add in the director of the foundation, James Becker, who came from a working class background and still amazed at his fortune being among the upper class. And Grace Haswell, friend, doctor, and executor of Vanessa’s will, who lives in the house and island left to her. Grace hasn’t been the forthcoming with handing over the art work, her letters or journals, creating more disputes.
The book was well written. I found it hard to put down and just wanted to keep reading until the end.
Thanks to Mariner Books and NetGalley for an advance review copy of this book. ...more
There are three different story lines in the book. My favorite character is Arthur, named King Arthur of the Sewers and Slums. His name reflects whereThere are three different story lines in the book. My favorite character is Arthur, named King Arthur of the Sewers and Slums. His name reflects where he was born and grew up, in extreme poverty. Arthur was an unusual boy as he had perfect memory, could even remember his birth, near the River Thames. Arthur’s time line in in the mid-1800s. His chapters are marked as O for oxygen, as the book has water as one of the themes.
The other two main characters are H for hydrogen. There is Zaleekhah, also in London and the most modern timeline in 2018. She is undergoing a change, a recent split with her husband and is a water scientist who just moved onto a houseboat. Then there is Narin, a young girl in Turkey and Iraq in 2014. Narin's story is the most unsettling, as she her story is filled with one persecution and horrendous treatment by others in her area, particularly ISIS.
All of the characters stories revolve around Mesopotamia, and the epic poem of Gilgamesh. There is only a slight intertwining of the three stories. This was good storytelling and well written. Quite enjoyed this book.
Much of the novel is based in historical fact, which makes it all the more poignant, particularly with the tragedies.
What do you think of when you hear the phrase “The American Dream”? This book is finding out what young Americans thought about that.
This book came ouWhat do you think of when you hear the phrase “The American Dream”? This book is finding out what young Americans thought about that.
This book came out in the mid-1990’s, and the young adults interviewed were in their twenties. The author himself as well. This book is about the Generation X coming of age and finding out what they think the about American Dream, and if they can achieve it.
The author traveled around the country just a few months after the Los Angeles riots in April 1992. This was an important moment in time and the author did want to see what his peers thought about this as well, but not that many included in the book mentioned it.
Each entry started with the name of the person. A brief history of the person with their parents and upbringing was included and often what the parents did for work. Other important biography of the interviewed person was included then it would continue sometimes in the person’s own words, other times summarized by the author, and occasionally with the author’s questions to prompt more information. Each entry was several pages long.
The organization of the book was broken into two main parts, those who believed the American Dream still existed and was possibly attainable, and those no longer believed in the American Dream. Further chapters were organized loosely on some beliefs, such as what the dream contains: The House, the Car, the Kids. Or other chapters were Same City, Different Worlds so taking several people who lived geographically close together but had entirely different upbringing and view of the world.
Overall it should have been an interesting book, but I found it just mediocre. Not sure if it was the editing of the interviews not being well done, what. I kept thinking of Studs Terkel and his work how fascinating those interviews were and this was well short of that quality. Or perhaps the problem was just in timing. Perhaps if read in the mid-90s when the book came out it might have felt more propitious....more
This is the 4th book in the series: Middle Falls Time Travel, and was slightly different than the previous three. The author’s note at the end helps tThis is the 4th book in the series: Middle Falls Time Travel, and was slightly different than the previous three. The author’s note at the end helps to explain it as this story was something he had thought about for a very long while, since before he started writing novels.
The premise of each book in this series has an essential part, which is being called time travel: a character dies, then is reborn again as the same person, but at an earlier part of their life and they remember everything. I find this an interesting premise. What would someone do differently if they could change the trajectory of their life? The person always returns to a pivotal moment in their life. In this book there the main character, Nathaniel Moon is born as a new person and changed. The first glimpse of this is when he talks to his mother while still in the womb. At age four he discovers he can heal people.
This book brought in more philosophy or spirituality than the previous three books. This was a fairly short book and the ending seemed to come abruptly, but after finishing I can see that it was a good stopping point.
So far I'm still intrigued about this time travel concept and will continue the series. ...more
While this book takes place in a not so distant future, it speaks to today and where we might be headed. At the center of the story isBook rating: 3.5
While this book takes place in a not so distant future, it speaks to today and where we might be headed. At the center of the story is May Webb, who we first encounter getting paid for a micro-plastic surgery that will alter her face in such a small way, while her it will still evade facial recognition. She and her family desperately need this money.
This future is populated by robots called a Hum. They are helpful, do many things, such as the robot conducting the facial surgery. May splurges with the money to take her family on a vacation to stay in the botanical garden for a few nights. Something she feels she desperately needs, nature, a forest. We also sense May wants to find a deeper connection to her two kids, and hopes to get that with this vacation. To ensure that, she takes their “bunnies” away from them. (This becomes a major plot point later.) These bunnies are devices attached to children wrists that seem like they are like phones. In this future people are very attached to their phones, much like today.
The writing was good, and found that the kids are very well portrayed. Maybe one of the better portrayals of children I’ve read in a while.
This book tries to address several topics some more subtly than others, such as rich being able to afford to turn off the constant bombardment of advertising; or how mothers are being taken to account for their children’s welfare more than fathers. There were other topics raised but not fully addressed, which leaves these open hanging issues…such as that facial surgery. This glossing over key elements of the book detracted from the overall quality of the book.
I listened to the audiobook, which was well done. For myself I felt this was a better way to read the book, but may not be for everyone. If you do like audiobooks, this may be the way to go for you....more
This is not typical reading genre for me. A police procedural, and book 8 in a series, I have not read the previous. It didn't seem to matter this is This is not typical reading genre for me. A police procedural, and book 8 in a series, I have not read the previous. It didn't seem to matter this is the middle of a series as the book covered background material on the main characters. That made me wonder if it was annoying to people who have read the previous as that may be repeated info.
The book was okay, but it isn't something I'm going to read further in the series. I tend to not want to spend my reading time in the darker side of things, with murder, rape, child abandonment and so forth. (although a book here or there from time to time does come up.)
I was got a copy of this book at a library conference, and I could have just given it away or something, but decided to see what Slaughter's writing was like. I think she has a lot of fans. I also heard her speak and she's quite funny. This humor didn't really come out in this book. I may read another of her books, or more likely not, but at least now I know her writing....more
A novella for the holidays. This is a classic, published originally in 1894 taking place in England. Sir John Penlyon decShort Christmas related read.
A novella for the holidays. This is a classic, published originally in 1894 taking place in England. Sir John Penlyon decides that this Christmas some children should be around his lonely huge manor house. So a friend brings three children that were hired to have Christmas for a fortnight on the estate.
Sir John Penlyon had casted his only daughter out to never accept her as his daughter and definitely not give her any money. She had the audacity to elope and marry beneath her station, which her father would not forgive. Thus, this many years later he is an old man missing children at Christmas.
His friend then brings three children in for the holiday. The youngest which was nicknamed Poppet is so smart and advanced for her young years of four and Sir John and her grow very close in no time. All the children enjoy their time, and gifts at the estate. They go out one day a few days after Christmas to enjoy and play in the snow. The next day Poppet had developed a cold. It gets worse, then even worse, to where they must call in the mother.(view spoiler)[ Of course, the mother is the daughter that was cast out. At this point Poppet was starting to recover, with her mother there, so Sir John leaves for London for a while. He still does not want to see his daughter, and realized by this point who the children were. (hide spoiler)]...more
This short audio book is a character study of a small family: father, son, mother. The format is with audio tapes, and in different time periods, so fThis short audio book is a character study of a small family: father, son, mother. The format is with audio tapes, and in different time periods, so for the father, Nathan, we have the present providing tapes to a therapist. Rachel feels that Nathan isn’t properly bonding with their newborn son. Nathan is trying to get more in touch with his feelings, and it sounded to me like he may be on the autism spectrum. Maybe that was unintentional by the author?
The son, Ziggy, is the second section, and in the future. It’s 2032 and he has counseling sessions for hitting someone who made a derogatory remark about another. His sessions require him to talk, without any prompts to a psychology bot. The future is vastly different (it’s idealized and maybe more like 2050?).
Then the last section is Rachel, which is in the past during her first year of college sending audio tapes to her boyfriend who joined the army just after the September 11 attacks. We already know he dies, so that does add poignancy to this section.
The title refers more to Rachel than the other characters, although she attributes that to her boyfriend; though overall, this “saving the world” is somewhat subtle. During the different tapes we see the different sides to the characters, at least for the first two sections. With Rachel we see her embarking on her changing understanding of the world through her classes, such as the manipulation in advertising.
The psychology aspect to the book is to just let someone talk about anything, just stream of consciousness, and will heal thyself. (works for some) One reason why journaling is good therapy? Anyway, I found the book was okay, not spectacular or anything, and was happy it was on the short side of length. ...more
This was a full-production audiobook, blending history and fiction to tell the story of humans and their progress going to space. It is firmly focusedThis was a full-production audiobook, blending history and fiction to tell the story of humans and their progress going to space. It is firmly focused on the United States with Russia as the adversary, while in the end being a joint contributor to the International Space Station.
I enjoyed the historical aspect, not so much the fictional portion. It felt displaced and bit hokey to include that. I understand what the authors were trying to do, show where we may go in the far future, but still felt oddly placed with the rest of the book.
Kate Mulgrew was the main narrator and her role was much like a documentary tv show. There were numerous interviews with a multitude of people and voice actors for roles of people who could not be interviewed, such as past presidents or astronauts or scientists who have since died.
Each chapter focused on a specific part of the space history, generally starting with the race to get to the moon. The final chapters dealt with the International Space Station and plans for the future, such as going to Mars. However, this book is already a bit dated as private space ventures were not mentioned other than foreseeing what could happen in the future. Also, nothing was mentioned about Artemis, the plan of the United States returning to the moon, nor any of the other countries who have since gone to the moon. So the book isn’t fully encompassing of human-space ventures.
This was not a quick read for me, as I listened to it off and only mostly when going on road trips. It ended up taking about a year doing it this way. I finally decided to just finish the last bit, not on a road trip. It’s the type of book that it doesn’t matter too much of there are long delays between chapters. ...more
This isn’t really a review of the book, it’s my reading experience…there’s all sorts of reviews already written so didn’t feel like a summary of what This isn’t really a review of the book, it’s my reading experience…there’s all sorts of reviews already written so didn’t feel like a summary of what happened was necessary.
The first book in this series I had low expectations and was blown away by the book. I read it quickly and enjoyed it quite a bit. The second book took me years to get to, this is why I don’t like series, there can be a long time lag between reading the books and yep, I forgot the details of the book, but not the overall arch. Book two was a prequel type anyway, taking place many, many years before book one.
In any case I didn’t enjoy book two so much. Maybe it was the high expectations after book one. So going into book three I wasn’t sure how I would take it. Turns out somewhere in the middle. I definitely liked it more than the second book, but not nearly as enjoyable as the first. I think there was something unique with the first one and after that none of the other books could live up to it. In any case, I’m glad I didn’t wait many years, between book two and three. It was nearly a year between these two, but not so long ago that many of the details were forgotten.
I liked the conclusion to this book, it was quite satisfying.
There’s something about this book, the characters, that I really couldn’t connect to, and I felt distant. Maybe it had to do with how they were introdThere’s something about this book, the characters, that I really couldn’t connect to, and I felt distant. Maybe it had to do with how they were introduced, well you were thrown in like you knew who these people were and only later, after some interactions and such, it is revealed how they are related or who they are. It threw me off a little.
There are a few sections where the dialog lacks the tags of names or he/she said, which maybe flows better, but I lost track of who was saying what and had to go back over it a couple of times. This would be no problem in an audiobook, but I read the print.
Then there’s the six-year-old girl who is learning her alphabet. She writes this letter to her parents about keeping the windows closed and a longer letter to her uncle. Isn’t she learning how to read? There are these little things, and how you are made to keep guessing, not put down exactly what’s going on; it didn’t help for me to connect with the story.
I will say the writing quality is solid, it is a well written book as far as language and sentence structure. The plot is how I expected, as the title suggests, just one day, so we get minutia and dailyness that honestly got a bit tedious in the first section.
For me this was just okay, not great and certainly not bad. I wonder if I had listened to the audio if the book would have gone better for me, perhaps.
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