It's a rare occasion to read an adult title that's of the adult romance variety with all that that entails in the category. But when I see Julie MurphIt's a rare occasion to read an adult title that's of the adult romance variety with all that that entails in the category. But when I see Julie Murphy's name, I knew I'd have some fun, so I dove in to the audiobook (which is the second in the Christmas Notch series) and enjoyed the brain break it provided. Kallum and Winnie are the two main characters, movie or music stars that will be starring in a new more "adult" version of a Hallmark Christmas movie. But Winnie's reputation has always been squeaky clean because she wasn't given any choice in her career trajectory in addition to marrying very early and divorcing after he cheated. That all leads to Christmas Notch and the new movie where Kallum is asked to help Winnie learn how enjoy sex to be able to have a more realistic experience in the movie they're about to act in- but of course- the energy between them is something that can't be ignored.
There is a conflict- no book could do without one- though it's a good ol' fashion holiday romance. ...more
Visually appealing with the heavy black and white with streaks of blue, yellow, and red as needed, sets the tone for the 1980s in the city. Layla is tVisually appealing with the heavy black and white with streaks of blue, yellow, and red as needed, sets the tone for the 1980s in the city. Layla is the featured character, a runaway on the streets who is now pregnant and Jerome is searching for her. She wasn't searching for the information she stumbled upon which is that there's an underbelly of the city run by the Rat King and she's a siren and the city is full of incubi, vampires, and sirens.
Lots of action, movement, anger, and angst. ...more
I like what it's putting out in the world but I don't necessarily need it right now in my life. It covers a range of topics like children and work butI like what it's putting out in the world but I don't necessarily need it right now in my life. It covers a range of topics like children and work but also the holidays since it has a religious leaning. The meditative nature of the reminders is uplifting. ...more
I will read ANYTHING Montgomery likes and I've become enamored with her meditations-- these short novellas about an animal because they become more poI will read ANYTHING Montgomery likes and I've become enamored with her meditations-- these short novellas about an animal because they become more poignant because they are short and focused. It leaves room for personal reflection for a reader and juxtaposed with Montgomery's experience with the animal. In this case: chickens!
Living in rural New Hampshire, she touches on her farmstead with animals previously written about and then her hens. As she shares, everyone who owns chickens has a nickname for the flock-- Rangers, The Girls, My Ladies. And then most also have individual names for each because they have distinct personalities and attributes including the dozens of types of domestic chickens.
Montgomery shares details about how she ordered them and how they shift from the fluffiness to their feathers. Roosters. Their nesting habits. Their predators. Their daily habits. Food. She shares her one "slow" chicken, Pickles, and the last survivor of the flock. Details are sprinkled in that teach about chickens like them being fierce to one another if they see red (like pecking each other or themselves if they're bleeding/injured), what kind of noises they make from happiness to making the flock aware of a predator, and studies about how they recognize their images and generally "see" the faces and recognize other hens.
The book is a delightful reflection that appreciates a chicken- the animal, not the food. Montgomery is an animal lover with a heart for connection and brain for science. I love her perspective and will seek it out always. ...more
Conceptually I think it came from the right place but listening to an audiobook of TOO MANY people telling me the story of Hercules didn't let anythinConceptually I think it came from the right place but listening to an audiobook of TOO MANY people telling me the story of Hercules didn't let anything gel enough for me to get was Rogerson wanted to share. Mythology is where it's at, so much to mine, but the execution fell short for me to engage with it. ...more
Maybe if I hadn't listened to the audiobook version and stuck with the print version like I did with Overstory. Either way, I wasn't pulled in by the Maybe if I hadn't listened to the audiobook version and stuck with the print version like I did with Overstory. Either way, I wasn't pulled in by the lush explanations and thought it would be a deep exploration of ocean life but instead it focuses on technology, environmentalism, and a Ready Player One-like experience with the disjointed stories that readers have to be patient to see how it all comes together.
There were glimmers of beautiful writing that Powers has but I didn't have the patience this time to wade through it to get to the reward. I needed more time with each of the characters and their stories before moving on to the next one and circling back to get comfortable in the story Powers was sharing. Alas, it was not my Powers book this time and I always am keenly aware of the messages shared in a book which could have skewed my perspective. ...more
In the span of a few days of reading this nonfiction book, I went from knowing nothing about the existence of phages to reading about it AND in a car In the span of a few days of reading this nonfiction book, I went from knowing nothing about the existence of phages to reading about it AND in a car ride with a fifteen year old who is doing research ABOUT phages. Who knew? Of course, history concludes by Zeldovich's accounts that no one really wanted to know and poo pooed the scientists who discovered this living virus that can kill bacteria.
Well, it's not going anywhere because it is effective. There is one pause for concern, which is brought up but the book is amazingly sensitive to the politics of scientific discovery, research, collaboration, and of course about the money involved. Zeldovich introduces the lifesaving effectiveness of phages and then dives into the lives and history of the discovery and those that discovered it before circling back to the importance of using it to our full capacity since antibiotics are seemingly running their course and are not able to effectively manage issues because there are too many resistant.
It relies on the science, not talking down to readers which means that some of the presented material is out of my league, however I liked being a seat at the table to learning about this. It feels like I got smarter by reading this science story. Not only coming out of the pandemic, is this an important book but also it felt a little like reading a "race to space" type science and politics showdown. I know TWO people I'm going to immediately recommend it to and of course buy a copy for my HS library.
"When my son has a sore throat, he gargles with Pyophage," Pavlenishvili says. "He really likes the ttaste. Actually, I don't know why, but it seems that all kids like how phages taste." Adults don't necessarily agree, he adds. "It's not a bad taste, just a different taste, and for some reason, kids like it. After he gargles, he can spit it out, but he likes to swallow it."
"The Iraqibacter: The Iraq War was a very different type of combat for the US military. Never before had so many American soldiers fought in desert conditions. And that meant very different types of injuries. In most prior wars, the majority of injuries came from bullet wounds, which usually have small entry points and relatively small contamination from bacterial organisms... During the Iraq War however, the vast majority of injuries were caused by explosions, so these wounds were not only large but often covered in soil and sand. Many soldiers also had burn wounds, with dead tissue that served as food for the incoming organisms. The sand blasts caused by improvised explosive devices seeded broken, bleeding, and burnt tissues with massive amounts of nasty soil bacter, letting them spread wide and penetrate deep... Nicknamed "Iraqibacter" and impervious to many antibiotics, A. baumannii was the worst of them all. It cost some American soldiers an arm or a leg. "Some would eventually die or have a very miserable life because of the infection that no one can get rid of," Young says."...more
It's a curious book because it isn't so much a book about Bill Gates as a book about billionaires. Featuring prominently in the story include Warren BIt's a curious book because it isn't so much a book about Bill Gates as a book about billionaires. Featuring prominently in the story include Warren Buffet, Jeffrey Epstein, ex-wife Melinda French Gates, and the rest of the billionaires that have come to shape the economy, politics, and philanthropy like Bezos, Musk, and Zuckerberg. It doesn't mine the work ethic of the billionaires or provide similarities and differences between billionaires and average people. It shares more about the money trail and influence.
While there were focal points that individually fascinated me, as a whole, the book isn't what it sets out to do in the title/subtitle/description. It paints a curious picture of America's richest. It poses the ethical question about using wealth for good whether in other countries or related to scientific development. Though Das does focus on how Gates' worldview has shaped the world because he can put money to shape that influence. ...more
Watson is a master storyteller and this one blew me away with it's mix of historical and contemporary. Lena is the main character, mom to Aaliyah, ex-Watson is a master storyteller and this one blew me away with it's mix of historical and contemporary. Lena is the main character, mom to Aaliyah, ex-longtime girlfriend to Aaliyah's dad Bryan, longtime friend to Aspen and Kenda, pastor's daughter, soon-to-be wife to Malcolm. Librarian now in charge of DEI. Portlander. Big woman. Black.
And on the morning of her wedding, Malcolm tells her something that means Lena will no longer choose to marry him. What unfolds in the story is how Lena finds herself through triumphs and tribulations. She's working on a project that means she's learning about Blacks in Portland and she's trying to find a way to find herself again which includes a major scare with Aaliyah regarding beauty standards. She learns to take up space and advocate. How to reflect and how to love.
It's contemplative and beautiful. Watson has a way with structure and the short boxy chapters create community and connection with all of the characters in the story. Watson's words make it easy to visualize. Readers feel all of the emotions. Adored this adult literary fiction title. Watson's range is remarkable but unsurprising! ...more
An epic tale set in Appalachia in present time as a retelling of Dickens' David Copperfield. I haven't ever read David Copperfield but knowing enough An epic tale set in Appalachia in present time as a retelling of Dickens' David Copperfield. I haven't ever read David Copperfield but knowing enough (and will probably read it eventually) this stands on it's own. The audiobook narrator brought it to life for me. Demon's life story is one marred with tragedies that must be overcome whether extreme poverty, foster care, or drug addiction, there was more desperation than there were good times like playing football or befriending a girl like Angus.
It's descriptive in its dark humor and that's a reason it pulled me in. It's a teen going about his daily life narrating things like being horny or finding a way to get a job so he has food for his next meal. I often got to thinking about Hazel, the child narrator (who is growing up as the story continues to be written) in the comic Saga. The power of a young narrator in an adult novel cannot be discounted, providing an insight and understanding so different than an adult themselves. While I don't have any firsthand knowledge of any of Demon's experiences, I thought Kingsolver's writing pulled me right into the living room, the car, the conversations.
I can see why it is a book to be read. Insightful. ...more
One of my favorite issue covers because all readers know that Squire is going through stuff-- this is a picture-perfect element where art imitates lifOne of my favorite issue covers because all readers know that Squire is going through stuff-- this is a picture-perfect element where art imitates life imitates art.
Elements are already in motion that are going to come to a head very shortly-- Alana is being sought after and there are several turncoats willing to share where she's been. Alana meanwhile is distracted by Squire's sadness and anger. Hazel is doing her narrator-business in sharing all the ways that life is sucks, then we die, but there are glimmers of hope along the way.
And the reappearance of spider-like teacher of Hazel named Noreen being cornered by Petrichor who wants back into the jailhouse madness that she had left.
It's a chess game and I eagerly await each issue. ...more
This was an unbelievable memoir and how-to manual that Ito shares with the world. As the premier horror mangaka, Ito explains his upbringing and life This was an unbelievable memoir and how-to manual that Ito shares with the world. As the premier horror mangaka, Ito explains his upbringing and life and then contextualizes how he approaches creating his art and the stories from character, motivation, fear, etc. It's a peak inside his world and one that every amazing creator must do in their career to pull back the curtain.
It's a beautiful work of art in itself- I just wish that in the earlier chapters when he shares his art and other impactful works that it was bigger. While I recognize I'm reading a digital version, I don't know if it's that much bigger if I had the print version. Thank you, Ito for sharing your genius for all of the lovers of your horror manga. ...more
The premise of an asexual woman with a love for BL stories marrying a gay man who has a secret crush on an oblivious childhood friend of his is a littThe premise of an asexual woman with a love for BL stories marrying a gay man who has a secret crush on an oblivious childhood friend of his is a little bland. And as a more mature manga, it's not something I'd recommend because the context of the marriage isn't a topic teens would connect with. But they find friendship in this marriage (expected and therefore not an exciting revelation).
It didn't do anything for me as a reader other that promoting a love of reading (between the two of them!) ...more
Framed in a way that makes it accessible for any reader, Brooks lays out examples and understanding about connecting with a person in order to know thFramed in a way that makes it accessible for any reader, Brooks lays out examples and understanding about connecting with a person in order to know them. Like the fact that we regrettably underestimate the power of a conversation, thinking that the person we wish to have a conversation with doesn't actually want to talk to us, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. Similarly, telling life stories provides an opportunity to have someone think about their life from the questions being asked of them and is a conversation most WANT to have with other people.
It's also how to sit with a person experiencing grief or depression. Not every moment requires commentary or suggestions, but simply being there. It could be a note when needed though too.
It's no-nonsense and common sense which is why it's a valuable book to read. Of course, I bookmark passages in the audiobook and return it before I remember that I bookmarked passages. Alas, the takeaways are still working their way around my brain. ...more
What does it say about the state of relationships and the medical/political establishment that so many bodies go unclaimed yearly in the United StatesWhat does it say about the state of relationships and the medical/political establishment that so many bodies go unclaimed yearly in the United States? Zooming in right in the first chapter, Prickett shares the work of two men who yearly deposit thousands of boxes of cremains into a hole in the cemetery-- they are the unclaimed of a years worth of dead bodies from three years prior (because their practice is keeping them for three years). Those boxes will begin to be filled up immediately with the newly cremated remains of other unclaimed.
An investigation began with the two authors from a previous project where they asked themselves about the unclaimed. They rewound the clock on four lives, two men and two women, one a military veteran who appeared on America's Got Talent, another of Mexican descent who might have had upwards of fifteen actual siblings, but that's unclear. They dug into their backgrounds but also about the system that creates this cycle of abandonment in Los Angeles that can be really any place in the United States-- questioning both our societal relationships to one another but also the systems that have gotten us to this point.
It's a 2024 book so it references events like COVID19 and other epidemics like drugs to arrive at conclusions about how we've gotten here and what things have and haven't changed.
Quote at the beginning of part one by Antonio Porchia in Voces "One lives in the hope of becoming a memory."
Quote in another section by John O'Donohue "On Passing a Graveyard" - "May perpetual light shin upon / The face of all who rest here. / May the lives they lived / Unfold further in spirit. / May all their past travails / Find ease in the kindness of clay."
Reading the book for the first time was pre-Goodreads so I've never rated it here, however it was a reread for my fortieth year and it was all the warReading the book for the first time was pre-Goodreads so I've never rated it here, however it was a reread for my fortieth year and it was all the warm fuzzies from what I remember from the first time I read it as well as watching the movie with Chris O'Donnell and Minnie Driver- which followed the book and was a beautiful nod to Binchy's work.
It's an intricate and oh-so-average but above average story of life. Friendships, relationships, motivation, sincerity, romance, connection. Benny is the most delightful main character in her first year of uni but commuting to Dublin each day from Knockglen because as an only child of average means, that's the best the family could do while her dad runs their menswear shop. And she's an encouraging friend to Eve, a girl who grew up without parents but with nuns in a convent. There's also Nan, who wants to move into society and finds means to do that even, eventually, at the cost of friendships. Then there's Jack. He's the aloof friend, maybe boyfriend, until he makes an awful choice and gets himself into a situation.
It's rich with description and character that carries the entire book. You want to tuck yourself into Knockglen and never leave. It's a meditative read.
"Benny decided she would be thin on Thursday week. She would have hollows in her cheeks and a long narrow neck. It would, of course, involve eating nothing. Not easy to do at home where Patsy would put a bowl of porridge, a jug of cream and the silver sugar basin in front of her to start the day... Benny realized you'd need great ingenuity if you were to lose an ounce of weight as a resident of Lisbeg in Knockglen."
"Do a postgrad diploma and be a librarian, I think," Benny said. "What about you?"
"His face was surprised and sad. More sad than surprised. He began to say something. 'I only did what..' Then he stopped. 'I never meant it to.." He stopped again. 'It's all right, Jack," Benny said. 'Honestly, it's all right." She thought she saw tears in his eyes and looked away quickly. She didn't want to be reminded of that day on the canal bank."...more
Phone-based childhood versus play-based childhood has rewired how kids are growing up and having teens in For educators and parents, a necessary read.
Phone-based childhood versus play-based childhood has rewired how kids are growing up and having teens in this generation (and teaching them as well) makes me stop and think many times over. Haidt shares plenty of data and graphs and explains how this phenomena isn't only an American shift, but a shift of other countries too when specific data is analyzed making it a stark understanding of how a phone connected to the internet and apps is shifting away from a realized community and into the virtual community where are relationships are disposable and tenuous. And it isn't reserved for thinking about how we need to shift parenting and teaching to help save this, but also my personal, adult use of social media and my phone. I, as Haidt explains as well, would go back and change the amount of attention I gave screens while my kids were growing up but it's a far cry from what I see now where every kid travels with a tablet glued to their face and sees little of the awe of nature, enjoys few authentic face-to-face conversations, and can't regulate emotions.
The argument is laid out and the only frustration was the constant recentering of what he was doing and how he was doing it in the book- to the point of distraction. Though I get why he presented it step by step this way. ...more
The storytelling is why McCarthy is who he is. I listened to the audiobook and it was the melodic, dark mood that sucked me in. The conversations betwThe storytelling is why McCarthy is who he is. I listened to the audiobook and it was the melodic, dark mood that sucked me in. The conversations between individuals. The situations which included a vivid and desperate Texas setting, drug money, plenty of death and more blood than you'd see during Halloween festivities, and human motivation.
The cast of characters is what makes the story and then how its told, how it unfolds absolutely makes it next level horrific as wheels are set into motion with deaths, heroin, and money. It just needs to be read to be experienced!
I probably would have enjoyed the book more if I listened to the audiobook version because it is an intricately woven tale of Anderson's depression anI probably would have enjoyed the book more if I listened to the audiobook version because it is an intricately woven tale of Anderson's depression and his nod to nature at every turn for healing, understanding, love, and thoughtfulness. It's a mix of natural wonder, which I adore, with chapters on flowers and plants, animals like squirrels and herons and crows, and fungi like morels.
In particular, when Anderson talked about the walks in his neighborhood cemetery and the trees and animals and quiet solitude, I had to pause because it's so true. His observations were entrancing but his paragraphs and pages of mental health challenges paled in comparison to his nod to nature. ...more
Using his adventurous spirit to fight the internal life that he battled from an early age, Richards details his climbing, the harrowing experiences anUsing his adventurous spirit to fight the internal life that he battled from an early age, Richards details his climbing, the harrowing experiences and near death trials that kept him getting back up again.
He had mental health crises from a teen through adulthood and used climbing as a tool. He details both in a way that was introspective and kind to all who have similar experiences.
Not coming from a perspective and understanding of either, it was an empathetic approach and his personal experience that he wanted to lay bare. ...more
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