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| 1509889175
| 9781509889174
| 1509889175
| 3.80
| 83,055
| Aug 30, 2012
| Sep 20, 2018
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liked it
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We’ve all heard the expression, “Sell your soul to the devil” where one throws out all morals and ethics in order to receive something desired. What w
We’ve all heard the expression, “Sell your soul to the devil” where one throws out all morals and ethics in order to receive something desired. What would you do if you found out that your time on Earth was expiring in the immediate future but you could prolong your demise by making a deal with the devil to remove one ‘thing’ a day from the humankind? Would you agree? This is the dilemma-theme in Genki Kawamura’s international best-selling novel (now translated into 13 languages), “If Cats Disappeared from the World”. Kawamura’s “If Cats Disappeared from the World” follows a simple premise with a young Japanese postman (30 years old) discovering that he has advanced cancer with little time left to live. He wakes to the ‘Devil’ (who is actually portrayed as the opposite of his own self/personality versus a red guy with pitchfork and tail) who claims that he can gain him an additional day of life if he agrees to erase something from the world each day. This leads to a thought-provoking journey in a stream of consciousness style revisiting personal memories, learning life lessons and fighting the inner battle of selfishness versus altruism. Although this sounds like a ‘deep’ multi-level novel in concept and theme; the execution fails slightly. Kawamura’s tone, storytelling and literary language are too modern, casual and almost best described as Gen Z in style. This takes away from the emotive and psychological essence from “If Cats Disappeared from the World” and therefore makes it less effective. It also appears that Kawamura held back and teeters on the edge of brilliance but wanted to welcome a broader audience. This, in turn, alienates older readers or those seeking more literary depth. On the other hand, if this is indeed Kawamura’s target, then “If Cats Disappeared from the World” succeeds and does well with introducing younger readers to the stream of consciousness genre. This isn’t to say that Kawamura fails completely as there are very stimulating discussions within “If Cats Disappeared from the World” that do enlighten the reader and cause self-reflection and understanding. Again, the radiance in the text is evident but is too beneath the surface and needs to be excavated. It can also be argued that this means “If Cats Disappeared from the World” is slightly inconsistent in its presentation. This shaky ground takes a monumental turn at the climatic chapters where the narrator’s cat, Cabbage, begins to talk (as a result of the devil’s maneuverings) and then - cue the screeching record - the devil proposes to make cats disappear. This is when, as the kids say: shit gets real! The narrator simply cannot imagine the world without Cabbage nor wants to eliminate cats from humankind knowing how important the bonds with felines have been throughout history. But if he doesn’t snuff out cats : he will die! During this stressful decision on the part of the narrator; not only is the text engrossing but especially for readers who consider cats their religion (I.E. ME). These pages are certainly heartbeat inducing but luckily the narrator makes the correct decision (won’t spoil it) which also concludes “If Cats Disappeared from the World” in an emotional and memorable way, albeit, also a bit cut off as though there would be a sequel. “If Cats disappeared from the World” is a quick, existentialist novella that is perfect for young adult readers or those obsessed with cats. Although I expected ‘more’; Kawamura’s writing is still inviting and worth reading especially as a useful conversation-starter. ...more |
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1
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Aug 28, 2024
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Sep 2024
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Aug 10, 2024
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Paperback
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| 0751536601
| 9780751536607
| 0751536601
| 4.13
| 9,495
| Nov 03, 2005
| 2006
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really liked it
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If you ever find yourself as a contestant on Jeopardy with the answer being, “The greatest knight in history”; make sure to answer, “Who is William Ma
If you ever find yourself as a contestant on Jeopardy with the answer being, “The greatest knight in history”; make sure to answer, “Who is William Marshal?” William Marshal continues to captivate both historians and Average Joe history-lovers even with lapse of multiple centuries since his lifetime. History-fiction writer Elizabeth Chadwick follows up “A Place Beyond Courage” (although the aforementioned novel was published later even though a prequel); with “The Greatest Knight” which highlights William Marshal’s servitude to King Henry, the king’s son the Younger King (also named Henry) and King Richard (the Lionheart) at the death of the Younger King. Also enriching the pages are a showcasing of William’s personal life in the vein of his marriage to Isabel de Clare. Although suggested to read after “A Place Beyond Courage”; Chadwick’s “The Greatest Knight” holds its own to readers as a standalone alone novel or starting the William Marshal books in Chadwick’s repertoire. Chadwick dives into William’s character and life from the onset of the novel ‘grabbing’ reader attention. A young William Marshal is new to the courtier life and humble in his beginnings but is not without his share of struggle and situations that demand courage. Chadwick’s storytelling is crisp and poignant weaving an illustrative tapestry that compels to read on. Although easily digested; “The Greatest Knights” eschews page filler fluff to instead focus more on historical fact told through the eyes of a fictional narrative. Readers will be both educated and entertained by “The Greatest Knight”. This isn’t to say that “The Greatest Knight” is without its fair share of “As you know, Bob” – character conversations where events are discussed versus actually being lived; but, “The Greatest Knight is noticeably lesser muddled with this famous Chadwick habit. Also less potent (but still making an appearance) are the sexually-charged events (and always revolving around a maiden losing her virginity but having the best sex, ever – us women know that is DEFINITELY fiction!) that Chadwick seems to feel are necessary in her novels. These always come off as surprising if you follow Chadwick in ‘real life’ on socials – I wouldn’t think she is of such lusty nature! The character arcs in “The Greatest Knight” are worth noting as they display ample growth and regeneration especially with William. This allows “The Greatest Knight” to feel more ‘real’ and helps serve as a character study, of sorts. Chadwick also excels at introducing Eleanor Aquitaine and her children as whole portrayals even deviating from the standard stereotypical obsession with Richard the Lionheart in which panties are dropped and he is ‘perfect’. Chadwick offers a new look at Richard which stresses his negative traits, as well, and therefore being closer to the reality of the actual person. There are some unnecessary sprinkles in “The Greatest Knight” such as William’s love affair with a mistress, Clara. Chadwick mentions in her ‘Author’s Note’ that Clara is a completely imagined character and there are no historical proofs of William ever having a mistress. This plot arc simply didn’t add to the plot or the context of William and could have been omitted. The second half of “The Greatest Knight” enters Isabel de Clare and her marriage to William which emphasizes William’s romantic bones and causes those readers in love with him already to fall in even deeper. These chapters are not without a bit of an over-exaggeration in William’s devotion to love and his wife; but luckily “The Greatest Knight” doesn’t fall into the categories of sap or smut. Coming in especially strong in “The Greatest Knight” are battle scenes, warfare and angry entanglements which are vibrant and jump off the pages making readers feel like they are in the midst of warfare and can virtually hear the metal clanking of swords and horse whinnying in protest. These add meat to the skeleton of “The Greatest Knight” and up the ante in its glittery force. The concluding chapters of “The Greatest Knight” lay the coursework for the follow-up novel, “The Scarlet Lion”, and encouragingly leave cliff-hangers that cohesively roll into the opening of the subsequent novel. Chadwick also supplements with an ‘Author’s Note’ relaying the historical liberties taken versus genuine fact throughout the text and some sources for further research/reading. “The Greatest Knight” is a strong historical fiction novel that invites readers into the lives of William, Eleanor of Aquitaine and the ‘Devil’s Broad’ (her sons) and is recommended for readers of Chadwick or those with an interest in the period/history events. ...more |
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Jul 17, 2024
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| 0062825232
| 9780062825230
| 0062825232
| 4.44
| 5,747
| May 14, 2024
| May 14, 2024
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it was amazing
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When I was a pint-sized 4-year old in the late 80s living in the heart-shaped state of the US (Ohio); I wasn’t playing with Barbie dolls or pretending
When I was a pint-sized 4-year old in the late 80s living in the heart-shaped state of the US (Ohio); I wasn’t playing with Barbie dolls or pretending to be a princess and instead developed my first musician crush (Axl Rose) and was ballsy enough to ask my mother if I could attend a Guns N Roses concert (clearly, that was a ‘no’). As we entered the 90s, I wore Chucks and plaid, watched “Daria” and “Beavis and Butthead” and my favorite bands were Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Blind Melon. I was in elementary school learning basic subjects but was already a full-blown grunge rocker chick. Aside from a detour when I was obsessed with boyband 98 Degrees in high school (I still am!); I never outgrew this version of myself. During this time, I started to listen to punk music, become interested in the punk movement and was introduced to feminist punk band, Bikini Kill. Lead singer Kathleen Hanna fascinated me and I thought she was simply the coolest. Flash forward to my college years when I was now working in the music industry and I heard about a band, Le Tigre from the music magazine I was working under. Who was in the band? None other than Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna! It also came on my radar that Kathleen had married Adam Horowitz (Ad-Rock) of Beastie Boys fame. So, obviously, she was still cool as eff. Well, ladies and gents, Kathleen Hanna (currently touring with Bikini Kill at the time of this review) has stepped forward ready to offer new revelations of her punk rock life with her first memoir, “Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk”. Musician memoirs tend to fit two camps: they are either terribly written and are overflowing with heavily-inflated, entitled stories about sex, drugs and rock n roll or they are penned considerably well but are monotone and ‘boring’ in terms of content often begging the question, “Why did you even write this? Did you need extra cash?” It is fair to go into such reading with an open state of mind but not necessarily expecting the best. Well, fear not because Hanna delivers one of the best celebrity memoirs actively in the top of its class – and I’ve read MANY. Although chronological in format, “Rebel Girl” takes a narrative story approach and flows like a collection of perfectly assembled literary short stories. Her writing is concise but image-laden, to the point but offering the perfect ratio of details at the same time, spunky but also sweet and thoroughly engrossing the reader. I was often late to my engagements and even over-boiled a pot of water because I couldn’t stop reading. Hanna allows the reader to jump into the pages and feel as though they are living the events with her being genuinely emotive with her writing. None of this should be surprising as Hanna is a songwriter and a creative; but “Rebel Girl” is truly outstanding when it comes to famous figure memoirs. Hanna doesn’t censor herself from divulging hot topics such as drugs, rapes, borderline inter-family incest/sexual assault, abortions, the feminist movement and fellow musicians like the late Kurt Cobain, Ian MacKaye of Fugazi, Joan Jett and Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth. Unlike her memoir-writing peers, however, Hanna doesn’t name drop or attempt to create sensationalism – this was simply her life. In fact, Hanna often glosses over details regarding these big names (how they met, her inner thoughts/feelings toward these individuals, etc) leaving readers with some unanswered questions that is obviously meant to make sure she DOESN’T come off as boastful. This does bleed over to other topics in “Rebel Girl” where Hanna drops a bomb nonchalantly and doesn’t elaborate leaving some reader dissatisfaction and chaos in her trail but I suppose this is very punk rock of her and she can discuss (or not discuss) whatever the hell she wants. “Rebel Girl” features very short chapters (some as condensed as 1-2 pages) which generally create a disjointed and clunky piece in the hands of other writeres but just like everything else Hanna does: it works to the benefit of “Rebel Girl”. The memoir is smooth and makes perfect sense with a timely and exciting heartbeat. Also noticeable, although luckily not overdone, is Hanna’s habit of over explaining herself and overly wanting to show that she is ‘woke’ and not racist and how the Riot Grrl movement she started got out of hand. I understand her need to show her sensitivity but calm down, we get it. You don’t have to be so defensive. No one is accusing you of being a bad person. “Rebel Girl” does suffer from a slight cool down in the latter chapters revealing the timeline of falling in love with Adam while he was still married (BAD!!!!) and the days of Le Tigre and Julie Ruin. Something about the storytelling seemed ‘empty’ in comparison to the former pages and was missing the same magical pizzazz even being repetitive. This is redeemed as Hanna highlights her medical issues and Lyme Disease diagnosis but it is fair to say the concluding chapters aren’t as titillating. Hanna concludes “Rebel Girl” with a sort of self therapy analysis of her life/ways and cements that she is STILL a work in progress even in the fifth decade of her life and as a mom of an adopted son, Julius. This felt slightly abrupt and cut- off but also made sense in the context. “Rebel Girl” is buttressed with black and white photos throughout and a section of color photo plates (although the captions/descriptions for the photo plates are in the back of the book and not conducive to flipping back and forth just to decipher who/what is in each photo). Hanna’s “Rebel Girl” is a stunningly, crisply constructed memoir that packs a punch with vivid storytelling but also stays in its lane. Even though "Rebel Girl" isn't 'perfect'... it is certainly teetering on the edge. “Rebel Girl” is recommended for all Bikini Kill/Kathleen Hanna fans, early 90s music aficionados, those interested in the feminist movement and general celebrity memoir seekers. ...more |
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Aug 17, 2024
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Jun 30, 2024
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| 1847440517
| 9781847440518
| 1847440517
| 4.17
| 4,432
| Oct 04, 2007
| Oct 04, 2007
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liked it
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William Marshal: the name still causes hearts to go pitter-patter even centuries later as a man of virtue, chivalry, loyalty and every other descripto
William Marshal: the name still causes hearts to go pitter-patter even centuries later as a man of virtue, chivalry, loyalty and every other descriptor that encompasses a perfect knight. But his story began in his childhood at a meager 5 years old when he was held as a hostage by King Stephen in retaliation against his father, John FitzGilbert the marshal of England. Who was John and how did he essentially cause his son to tip-toe into greatness so early? Elizabeth Chadwick follows their story in the novel, “A Place Beyond Courage”. “A Place Beyond Courage” serves as a prequel to Chadwick’s William Marshal novels (although it was published at a later date); focusing on the timeline in English history during which King Stephen and his cousin Empress Matilda battled for the ownership of the crown and scepter after the death of King Henry. John FitzGilbert served as marshal under King Henry (he inherited the role from his own father, Gilbert) and managed to maintain his position even after Henry was laid in his grave. John was quite the hardworking fellow and was hell-bent on proving his worth which was a trait carried onto his son William (with his second wife Sybilla after the annulment of his first marriage to Aline). In typical Chadwick style, “A Place Beyond Courage” flourishes with rich, historical detail and illustrative, colorful settings that successfully feel period appropriate and archival. Chadwick’s writing flows easily and sweeps the reader away as if watching a film. The issue with “A Place Beyond Courage” isn’t with the descriptive storytelling but with the narrative, itself - or rather, the lack thereof. Nothing truly feels like it is ‘happening’ in “A Place Beyond Courage” and the tale is dull and one-note. Somehow it is still better than many other historical-fiction novels of the same stature; but it follows a heavy, “As you know, Bob” – style in which the characters discuss the plot versus carrying it. Furthermore, there are multiple sections that are bluntly filler material, at best, and take away from any of the sensational attributes of the novel. Also absent in “A Place Beyond Courage” is a true character study as none of the figures express substantial growth, change, development and reader connection (except for tiny William). The characters are equally stagnant as the plot and lack action with their existence. It isn’t that the figures aren’t likable; they simply don’t mature as a reader would expect. What you will find in “A Place Beyond Courage” is numerous steamy love scenes and much sexual talk. Although this isn’t on a bodice-ripper romance novel level (and is common with Chadwick’s writings); it is still a bit cringe-worthy for those readers more interested in the history than about the imagined sex lives of the character figures. These happenings are not necessarily to the essence of the story and again, doesn’t aid in character growth, either. Chadwick takes approximately 150 pages until “A Place Beyond Courage” begins to be lit with some spark and excitement. Even though not much happens in the text, when it does, it really does with battles jumping off the pages and virtually hearing the metal armor clanks in your ears to wanting to rush and save 5 year old William as he is held hostage and almost meets his end hanging from gallows. If only the entirely of “A Place Beyond Courage” was this vibrant and emotive than it would stand as a much masterful work. The conclusion of “A Place Beyond Courage” isn’t the most memorable on the charts but Chadwick does cohesively lead up to the successive William Marshal novel (“The Greatest Knight”) making it a smooth transition even though published afterwards. Chadwick supplements “A Place Beyond Courage” with an ‘Author’s Note’ to discuss some of the historical liberties taken on the pages plus a source material list for further research/reading. “A Place Beyond Courage” isn’t awful; it simply isn’t mind-blowing or a flurry of emotive events. It does, however, serve as a good introduction to history lovers to the period and the historical events on-hand; plus, as a prologue to the story of William Marshal and the man he becomes. “A Place Beyond Courage” is recommended for fans of William Marshal but the novel isn’t as strong as Chadwick’s later works. ...more |
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Jun 18, 2024
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Jul 05, 2024
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Jun 18, 2024
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Hardcover
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| 1250290538
| 9781250290533
| B0C1X9675L
| 4.52
| 1,499
| 1950
| Jan 23, 2024
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it was amazing
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The atrocities of the Holocaust have been the subject of countless novels, memoirs, documentaries, movies, exhibits, poems, classroom lectures, etc; a
The atrocities of the Holocaust have been the subject of countless novels, memoirs, documentaries, movies, exhibits, poems, classroom lectures, etc; and will continue on into the indefinite future (as it should: never forget!). Although there are few Holocaust survivors living today; many left behind their stories and memoirs using their voice as a weapon and as a means of vindication. Countless explorations of torture, near-death and the fight for survival have graced our ears and eyes with each being unique and crippling anyone with an ounce of empathy to the core (I’m the granddaughter of a concentration camp survivor but you don’t have to be Jewish to understand the horrors of the Holocaust). One of these stories comes from Jozsef Debreczeni: a Hungarian Jew from the Hungarian region of Serbia who not only survived the Holocaust but painstakingly remembered every detail to tell his tale. Although Debreczeni found it difficult to publish his piece in the 1950s due to political upheaval; his words are now a worldwide best-seller translated into English for the first time by Hungarian translator (and a friend of mine!) Paul Olchvary. Debreczeni’s words will forever stand in the Holocaust memoir, “Cold Crematorium: Reporting from the Land of Auschwitz”. Prior to the Holocaust in his ‘old life’, Debreczeni was a leader in the world of journalism and known for his writing in local publications. All of this changed and his life was turned upside down when the deportation of Hungarian Jews began. Debreczeni was lucky – if you can even call it ‘lucky’ – that when he reached the Land of Auschwitz (Auschwitz was comprised of a multiple camp network under its jurisdiction versus just the Auschwitz camp in Poland we are all familiar with); he wasn’t led to the gas chambers but to an existence of slave labor, torture, disease, starvation and mental distress.”Cold Crematorium” follows his journey and offers readers one of the most enthralling Holocaust memoirs on the shelves standing out stylistically. Being a professional writer/journalist, Debreczeni is incredibly detailed, manages to stay rather objective and pragmatic while still being vivid with his imagery and implied thoughts/feelings. This ratio of a journalistic piece but somehow drumming with the heartbeat and plotline of a masterful novel; “Cold Crematorium” is breathtaking and enthralling, to say the least. It’s shocking that Debreczeni wasn’t a Nazi working at the camps due to his deep understanding of the inner bureaucracy of the Nazi/camp staff and behind-the-scenes revelations. Even those readers familiar with the Holocaust will find new pieces of information and jaw-dropping disclosures. “Cold Crematorium” is equally a fantastic read and educational. There is truth to the expression that “Little is more” as Debreczeni doesn’t dive too deep into the horrific details of camp life or his time at a job site in terms of emotions but even this doesn’t feel as though he held back but rather a beautiful, graceful expression of language and his story. What he does explain concerning the worst of the worst is very emotion-inducing and visual to the reader. “Cold Crematorium” does occasionally require a break from the reading as it is it quite heavy to read about all the terrors inflicted upon the Jews – but this also gives readers food for thought to appreciate their current life circumstances. There is never a dull moment in “Cold Crematorium” and it is most certainly a page-turner but yet accessible to the average reader who isn’t previously well-informed on the subject. It is difficult to fully give “Cold Crematorium” its proper due/credit because it is that THAT GOOD that we are almost not worthy to even speak on it. Debreczenci heightens the pace and tension in “Cold Crematorium” when he is taken to an abandoned portion of Auschwitz which serves as a sanatorium to the sick when nearing the days of liberation. Here, we find Debreczeni almost succumbing to the mental crisis to want to give up and resort to suicide, his feelings of losing his fellow prisoners to death, his battle with Typhus, the constant obsession with hunger and lice and his reaction to the actual liberation. Debrecenzi is slightly less journalistic at this junction and allows his personal emotion to shine through making this the climatic center of “Cold Crematorium”. The only negative of “Cold Crematorium” is its finality which is somewhat abrupt and concludes when the Nazis fled and the camp is liberated. What happened after that? Where is Debreczenci go? How did he feel? What his life like? Understandably, this was a highlight of the Holocaust but readers become attached to the man and are left with unanswered questions on his post-Holocaust life. That said, perhaps Debreczenci wanted to keep that private and cherish it within himself. “Cold Crematorium” contains a post-script glossary of terms and a brief afterword from his now-living nephew who is the benefactor behind the English-language translation. “Cold Crematorium” is a masterpiece Holocaust memoir that truly opens the window to sides of the Holocaust that few have seen outside of the Nazis, themselves. “Cold Crematorium” is absolutely recommended for ALL readers, whether Jewish or not, interested in the Holocaust or not – as it is necessarily for mankind to remember and understand the horrible sides of our nature and what we are capable of (and to try to never repeat). ...more |
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Sep 04, 2024
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Sep 06, 2024
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Feb 25, 2024
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Kindle Edition
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| B0C7RPB2SX
| 4.12
| 1,932
| Jan 23, 2024
| Jan 23, 2024
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it was ok
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People tend to fall into two camps when breaking down “the way the world works”: 1) “Everything happens for a reason” – be it fate, God, universe, kar
People tend to fall into two camps when breaking down “the way the world works”: 1) “Everything happens for a reason” – be it fate, God, universe, karma, etc or 2) Everything is a jumbled, chaotic mess that can be thrown off by one little twist BUT it is all due to science and pre-determined by atoms and your ancestors, cavemen, the beginning of time, the beginning of our solar system, yada yada (although, doesn’t that mean it happens for a reason? Hmmm). In an age where we all want to control EVERYTHING from our lives to economies to even the weather; it certainly boggles the mind as to why things happen. Exploring this play on Chaos Theory, String theory and even philosophy; Brian Klaas offers his thoughts in, “Fluke: Chance, Chaos and Why EVERYTHING We Do Matters”. “Fluke” is a combination social science, pop psychology, philosophy, evolutionary biology, and borderline neuroscience piece in which Klaas, according to his own words, attempts to answer why things happen, that “flukes matter”, how people came to be the way they are across evolution and how we effect EVERYONE and EVERYTHING. I’m sure you’ve at least once had the thought, when in a particularly low moment, “I wish I hadn’t been born” or that if your existence was eliminated no one would care or notice. Or, you may have been blown away by a ‘coincidence’ or ‘right place at the right time’ event. Klaas theorizes that there are no such things as coincidences, everything is predetermined by the dawn of man/science but yet a small change can, literally, change the course of all things. Are you confused? Does it sound like Klaas is as well? Well, then you aren’t alone because that’s exactly how it seems as “Fluke” is a messy and chaotic (pun intended) thesis. Don’t misunderstand, the actual writing style, format and presentation is concise enough and breaks down the social science puzzle in a way that is easily digested for the general audience and those new, but interested, in the subject. “Fluke” serves as strong introduction to Chaos Theory and it opposing theories. There is no argument that Klaas isn’t credible or an academic – he most certainly is – and yet, he also manages to infuse the text with a modern, millennial prose that brings the material to life. The problem, herein, lies with the actual content. Klaas doesn’t seem to realize that his hypothesis and thesis is utterly unclear and he jumps back and forth between being a pure science believer and of thinking we can and do have free will and things “just happen”. Either Klaas doesn’t know which side of the fence he is on; or he simply doesn’t know how to express himself well enough. Of course it is opportune, and scholarly, to present both sides of the case but that isn’t exactly what “Fluke” is doing. Honestly, it’s unclear what is being proposed because again, Klaas seems to toggle. Little is gained from “Fluke”, nothing is learned and similar books on the shelves simply cover the subject 100 times better and in a more crystal - clear way. None of these complaints compares to the major catastrophic downfall that can be pinpointed to page 83 of “Fluke” that sours the entire duration of the text, thereafter. Bear with me as I lay this out: On page 83, Klaas discusses locusts, how they ‘march’ and ruin crops and the possible reasons behind ‘why’ (or lack thereof) they act in such a destructive manner. Klaas states, “Locusts are a bit like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”. For much of their lives, they flit about in their solitary state, harmless grasshoppers moving somewhat at random, happily munching when they get hungry. If left to their own devices, they will avoid fellow locusts. But if locusts get forced together – often by food shortages – the crowding brings out their inner Mr. Hyde. They transition into their “gregarious” state, ditching their green-brown camouflage and morphing instead into a much brighter yellow, or even black. Despite the apparently friendly “gregarious” description, these are not guests you’d want at a dinner party, unless you like visitors who eat everything but your mortgage”. I was instantly interested in the color change of locusts and Googled, “Locusts yellow, locusts black” and the very first link (and thus a .5 second result) was a Wired.com article by Mary Bates from December 2013. Does the following sound familiar? “In their solitary phase, locusts are unassuming insects that generally keep to themselves. But when they transform into what’s known as their gregarious phase, they move faster and are attracted to other locusts. It is in this phase that locusts form the oppressive swarms that can blacken the skies and decimate crops. A new study looks at what happens in the insects’ brains as they undergo this Jekyll and Hyde transformation. “In their solitary phase locusts are unassuming insects. Their brown-green bodies are camouflaged to blend into the background and they walk slowly with a low, creeping gait. They generally avoid other locusts unless they are mating – or if they are forced together by a food shortage. When this happens, the crowding of solitary locusts together induces a change. The insects transform into what’s known as their gregarious phase. Gregarious locusts are colorful, move faster, and are attracted to other locusts”. Now, to get a bit personal for a moment, I am a published writer/journalist who has appeared in mainstream media publications and as a historian working with the Historic Royal Palaces in England. There is no law against paraphrasing and in fact, being that most everything has already been written; this is the norm to showcase previous studies, statements, works, writings, etc. The issue here is that Klaas didn’t paraphrase very well and this is borderline plagiarism. As this article on Wired.com dates from 2013; it is obvious which comes first and it isn’t Klaas. The only thing he did do, was put ‘gregarious’ in quotation marks. This could also be slightly placed on a “let it slide”- scale, had Klaas sourced the article in his notes section. I double checked three times the notes for the chapter and nothing, nada, zilch. If I were to have written such a piece in my professional endeavors without even sourcing; I would be ‘canceled’ or fired. This hinders the rest of the “Fluke” in a detrimental way. Not only is Klaas unclear on his views but now we don’t even know what to trust as being his own words! It was at this point that I didn’t even want to finish “Fluke” but as Klaas stipulates, cavemen and science determined that I will, indeed, finish. “Fluke” does do well, on a positive note”, of offering case studies that discuss various fields from weather to acts of terrorism, wars to accidents, love stories to survival and everything in between. Sadly, even though the author blurb on the book jacket of “Fluke” maintains that “Klaas has conducted field research across the globe”; the pages of “Fluke” don’t feature a singular research study conducted by Klaas and instead discusses the experiments of others. This isn’t to say he hasn’t personally performed studies on the subject (I cannot verify) but the inclusion would have clarified and progressed his narrative forward. The highlight and strongest pages of “Fluke” are the concluding chapters which meander on a philosophical stream exploring the concept of ‘free will”, our souls and existence separate from our physical bodies and our minds. These discussions teeter on addressing theology vs. science, the metaphysical and spiritual realms. This is the most engaging Klaas presents himself in the entirety of “Fluke” and ends the piece in a memorable way although it is a little too late for redemption. “Fluke” is suitable enough for an average Joe Schmo desiring an induction to the topic but it simply doesn’t ‘wow’ readers, doesn’t serve as a conversation starter or change minds. In fact, I can’t even remember much of what I read being it was so convoluted, unresolved and repetitive. You can decide for yourself whether or not to read “Fluke” (Klaas would argue that it has already been decided for you before the existence of man) but I wouldn’t recommend it. ...more |
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1
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Apr 12, 2024
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Apr 22, 2024
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Feb 07, 2024
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Kindle Edition
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| 0806542853
| 9780806542850
| 0806542853
| 4.21
| 1,571
| Dec 26, 2023
| Dec 26, 2023
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really liked it
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As a Hungarian Jew and Holocaust survivor descendent – my maternal grandfather survived Buchenwald concentration camp and his name is in the directory
As a Hungarian Jew and Holocaust survivor descendent – my maternal grandfather survived Buchenwald concentration camp and his name is in the directory of survivors at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. – I admittedly hold an eternal grudge against Germany, the Nazi figures in power at the time of the Holocaust; etc. I simply can’t overcome my anger, rage and pain in an effort to view these figures who committed such horrendous acts with a softer, compassionate side. Maria Mandl, the young female SS Overseer of Auschwitz-Birkenau (she began her career at Ravensbruck), is forever known in history as one of the most evil, cruel and abusive murderers of the Holocaust (thankfully she was put to trial after the war for her crimes and paid her guilty sentence with death by hanging at the age of 36). Did she, however, have another side to her or was she intrinsically evil? Even though I have a arduous task at viewing Mandl with any rehabilitation; historian and professor Susan J. Eischeid attempts to offer a macro biography of in, “Mistress of Life and Death: The Dark Journey of the Women’s Head Overseer of the Women’s Camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau”. Eischeid’s approach to “Mistress of Life and Death” spanned a two-decade journey of academic research, interviews, scouring documents/source material and personal visits to key Holocaust locations in Europe. To say the least, “Mistress of Life and Death” was not a weak undertaking and is entrenched with credible resources. Eischeid’s main thesis of the text surrounds an all encompassing biography of Maria Mandl’s path to becoming an accomplice to the murders of thousands of Jews while exploring the potential psychological backdrop of Mandl’s mind and actions (psychologists and psychotherapists were consulted). “Mistress of Life and Death” begins with a preliminary exploration of Maria Mandl’s childhood, hometown, family background/members and schooling in order to begin to view Mandl as a whole and ascertain a possible causation of what led her to career of murder (answer: Nothing - There was no childhood trauma or hardship. She had it easy). Eischeid reinforces an unbiased attitude highlighting all aspects of Mandl’s personality alongside interviews of both friends and foes in order to put the entirety of Mandl on display versus just her evil deeds. There is a slight sway towards rehabilitation that is noticeable as Eischeid unconvincingly and rather pathetically blames Mandl’s ‘switch’ to evil as a result of being stood up by a fiancé. Um no, Eischeid. All of us have terrible romantic partner break up stories… If something so minor triggered Mandl, then clearly she had mental issues prior. Following the background biography, “Mistress of Life and Death” ventures to the crux of the text with Mandl’s entrance into working at the concentration camps and her time at Auschwitz. Even though Holocaust texts are always difficult to read due to the emotional elements involved; “Mistress of Life and Death” is quite readable and accessible with a fast tone being almost visual with its storytelling. Yet, Eischeid also augments “Mistress of Life and Death” with a journalistic and scholarly tone akin to a highly-credible documentary. Some readers may find themselves deterred by the striking variation in chapter length (some being as short as two pages); but this somehow ‘works’ in “Mistress of Life and Death” and isn’t a dock in strength. “Mistress of Life and Death” certainly drives homes the essence and severity of Mandl’s time as overseer at Auschwitz which can be difficult to digest although critical for all humankind to read. The stories are all sourced from actual survivor-interviews conducted by Eischeid (side note: it became cumbersome when Eischeid would refer to herself as “The author did this and did that” during the research interviews). Adding substance to Mandl’s story is the inclusion of other famous survivors, camp prisoners and SS staff who interacted with Mandl truly looking at the entirety of Auschwitz rather than just Mandl. Comparatively, though, even with some of the tears that flow while reading “Mistress of Life and Death”; there is an emotive component that is ‘missing’ within the text that seems to be more pronounced in other Holocaust history books sitting on the same shelf as “Mistress of Life and Death”. It is complex to diagnose the reasoning behind this but perhaps it is because of Eischeid’s prerogative to remain as neutral/objective as possible within the text. In keeping with the research journalistic threads, Eischeid is an expert at unraveling truth from gossip and any logistical discrepancies making “Mistress of Life and Death” not only a biography but a substantial source for subsequent researchers. Although an unexpected way to describe a Holocaust-centric text: “Mistress of Life and Death” is a pleasure to read. There are occasional slip-ups within “Mistress of Life and Death” such as repetition of facts/passages and the misspelling of ‘thirty’ as ‘thrity” in the last line on page 180. The concluding chapters of “Mistress of Life and Death” streams Maria Mandl’s arrest for war crimes, imprisonment, court trial and death sentence by hanging followed by a look at the aftermath of her death toward family and friends. This portion of “Mistress of Life and Death” is just as gratifying, transparent and informative as the chapters detailing Mandl’s tenure at Auschwitz and finalizes the piece in a memorable and provocative manner. “Mistress of Life and Death” is supplemented with a section of photo plates and images with further illustrations throughout plus notes and a bibliography. “Mistress of Life and Death” is a recommended Holocaust piece but did not answer its thesis of of ‘why’ Mandl turned into a murderess of Jews. Granted, we can’t truly psychoanalyze her posthumously. “Mistress of Life and Death” is a scholarly but easily absorbed look at Maria Mandl and the Holocaust with it being a critical read not only for those interested in the Holocaust and Maria Mandl; but for humankind, itself – especially as the Israeli - Palestinian war/conflict rages in the Middle East at the time of this review. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jan 29, 2024
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Feb 03, 2024
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Nov 28, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 1668009048
| 9781668009048
| 1668009048
| 3.86
| 466,189
| Oct 24, 2023
| Oct 24, 2023
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really liked it
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The current pop princess – and probably owner of the planet – may be Taylor Swift; but she inherited that bejeweled crown from Britney Jean Spears. Br
The current pop princess – and probably owner of the planet – may be Taylor Swift; but she inherited that bejeweled crown from Britney Jean Spears. Britney was EVERYWHERE in the late 90s/early 2000s: men wanted her and women wanted to be her. Her star may have dimmed slightly; but she never left the hearts of my generation. In most recent times, Britney was in the media due to the #freeBritney movement coordinated by her fans to remove her conservatorship held by her awful, evil father (yes, I went there. I hate him even more after reading this text) which won Britney her freedom after 13 years. Now was the time for Britney to finally tell her side of the story and it came in the form of the eagerly-anticipated, highly publicized memoir, “The Woman in Me”. Even though the media feeding frenzy behind “The Woman in Me” (even without Britney ever doing any press) basically spoiled the entire memoir by disclosing all the juicy tidbits; a general sense of urgency and excitement still surrounds the memoir. “The Woman in Me” follows a standard, chronological timeline starting with Britney’s family tree, childhood and upbringing in Kentwood, Louisiana. Initially, “The Woman in Me” brings a slight wave of disappointment as Spears doesn’t seem to effectively detail her life nor reveal her inner psyche/emotions either at the time of the events or in hindsight. The narrative is glossed over and is too vague: less than what readers would expect (I will return to this later). It is said that several ghostwriters participated in the compilation of “The Woman in Me” and therefore their writing skills can be questioned over that of solely placing the blame on Spears. On the other hand, “The Woman in Me” manages to capture her tone and voice and this successfully builds a connection with Spears even despite the light start. Spears remedies this filtered storytelling by becoming more comfortable with her chronicle as “The Woman in Me” proceeds. She acknowledges all the key points, salacious gossip and events fans are familiar with; while unveiling what was simultaneously happening behind the scenes that were hidden from view. This not only makes events more clear; but unwraps the person that Spears is, overall, making her more relatable and understood. “The Woman in Me” stands out among celebrity memoirs in a couple ways that also highlights the moral code that Spears seems to hold herself to: 1) Traditionally, most celebrity memoirs name drop other celebrities and try to make their own popularity strengthen with their Hollywood ties/friends. Spears rarely does this and even when mentioning other famous figures; it is almost in-passing or simply not in an obnoxious way. This is exemplary as Spears could have certainly spilled scandal on EVERYONE. 2) High-profile figures fill their memoirs with a ‘woe-is-me’ – attitude never taking accountability for their own deeds (including drug use) and point fingers at everyone else wanting a pity party. Spears is not guilty of this in “The Woman in Me” and instead makes it a point to express that she knows she isn’t perfect, has had her fair share of wrong-doing but that her ‘punishments’ aren’t in-line with her actions and have been over the top/undeserved. Spears could have also stormed on a rage-filled binge cussing everyone and anyone out for all of the negativity in her life (including the conservatorship) – I know I would have if I was behind the pen of the memoir! In fact, the media made it appear as this would be the case: Britney finally getting revenge! This is not how “The Woman in Me” goes down at all with Spears being cautious and polite in her telling of events. Actually, she is TOO nice! The figures in her life would have deserved some of the crass comments that could have filled the text. This not only elevates “The Woman in Me” above some tabloid fight on the memoir shelves; but also demonstrates the strength of character and maturity that Spears encompasses. The metaphorical volume reaches a crescendo when Spears dives into discussing her existence during her conservatorship, the roles her mother, father and sister, Jaime Lynn, played; her reactions to learning of the #freeBritney movement in real time and her eventual court case and freedom to where she stands today. It is at this point that Spears (and perhaps her ghostwriting team) shout everything from the rooftops. The text is emotive (I admittedly shed a tear at one point, truly feeling for her grief), resonating, philosophical and multi-layered with depth. These latter chapters of “The Woman in Me” are clearly the star of the entire piece. To return to the earlier point about the former portions of the text being rushed, thin and vague: it becomes obvious with the chapters focusing on the conservatorship and her current life; that this was done with intention. It is obvious that “The Woman in Me” isn’t a true memoir. Spears didn’t really care to talk about her entire life and the fans basically know it all, anyway. The whole point of “The Woman in Me” was to finally expose her side of the conservatorship and how it killed her entire spirit and almost made her suicidal. The biography pages are merely to set-up to solidify how awful her family and the people around her already were within the roots. When viewed in this way, “The Woman in Me” is very powerful and critical for all women (and men, too) to read in order for a victim to have a voice. “The Woman in Me” most definitely concludes in a manner that forces readers to consider those around them and that the expression holds true that, “We don’t know what others are struggling with”. “The Woman in Me” does NOT contain a section of photo plates as common in memoirs but it isn’t necessary as everyone has seen a million photos, videos, etc; of the likeness of Britney Spears since 1998. “The Woman in Me” is a super-fast read and isn’t a literary masterpiece; but it is a vital read for all fans of Britney Spears and pop culture. It is also important on the level of feminism as “The Woman in Me” touches upon the double-standards in today’s society against women and the privileges that men hold. Note:“The Woman in Me” was toggling at 3.5 but in lieu of half-stars and due to the strength of the latter chapters; I have rounded up to 4 stars. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Dec 16, 2023
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Dec 17, 2023
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Oct 24, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 1639365842
| 9781639365845
| 1639365842
| 4.35
| 182
| Feb 29, 2024
| Feb 29, 2024
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liked it
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Even if you don’t hold a university degree in psychology; you are probably well aware that a child’s upbringing, environment and traumas yield the com
Even if you don’t hold a university degree in psychology; you are probably well aware that a child’s upbringing, environment and traumas yield the complete adult that they become. This is simply an inescapable fact, be it something that rears its head occasionally or as an active everyday component. The Great Gloriana, Queen Elizabeth I, is a shining example of this; having grown up motherless after the beheading of Anne Boleyn, enduring multiple stepmothers, health issues, mental distress about her future when declared illegitimate, imprisonment, house arrest and a strained relationship with her half- sister, Queen Mary. Source material on Elizabeth is hardly fragmentary with what feels like millions of biographical portraits available on the history book shelves. Yet, it has been 20 years since a youth-focused account has been added to the accounts. Renowned English historian Nicola Tallis focuses on the early years of Elizabeth’s life in, “Young Elizabeth: Elizabeth I and Her Perilous Path to the Crown”. Nicola Tallis, working with the Historic Royal Palaces, is no stranger to English history readers having written several books, been the key source for many projects and working in tandem with other famous English historians. In fact, Tallis is a colleague of my own friends/colleagues (I’ve been featured in a 16th century history summit alongside her) although we have never personally conversed. All of this means that she is a credible writer of English history. That said, “Young Elizabeth” encompasses the same highs and lows that readers of Tallis’s previous works will find familiar. “Young Elizabeth” is a highly-promoted piece that has been shouted from the rooftops by Tallis, the above-mentioned colleagues and publishers as being a fresh, revelatory and indulgent look at the younger years of Elizabeth’s life, her assent to the throne and the psychological ramifications on her character. Yet, as always with Tallis, this simply isn’t the case. “Young Elizabeth” begins with a history of Tudor court life and Elizabeth’s parents (King Henry VIII and Queen Anne Boleyn) which is indeed particularly important to lay the foundation that will be Elizabeth in a metaphorical sense. There is nothing new here and readers of the subject will merely find this to be a historical recap. This is at least off-set by the actual writing style that Tallis always exemplifies with a fast-flowing, detailed and visual narrative but still heavy on the academia. “Young Elizabeth” is certainly readable. Unfortunately, as “Young Elizabeth” progresses into Elizabeth’s actual life highlights; it continues to merely recall history. This is absolutely nothing earth-shattering or ‘new’ in “Young Elizabeth” with regards to information or even a fresh perspective presentation. Everything that graces the pages of “Young Elizabeth” has been discussed millions of times and is everything that English history lovers already know. Now, this isn’t to say that history books are ‘supposed’ to break such boundaries and offer anything that hasn’t been done before – sometimes we simply need to introduce readers to the subjects or provide reinforcement and that’s okay! The issue here that Tallis and the book blurbs made such lofty claims and didn’t live up to the thesis. Be honest and say “Young Elizabeth” is simple a biography of her childhood days and we move on. We will still read it! However, acting like it is something it isn’t is hugely disappointing. Additionally, there is something about “Young Elizabeth” that can’t quite be pinpointed per cause; but sort of keeps Elizabeth aloof and distanced from the readers. There isn’t an opportunity to really get to know Elizabeth, her psyche or see/understand her in a way that jumps out from other books on the subject. There is a missing element in “Young Elizabeth” which may be due to the history recall aspect. On a positive note, Tallis sticks to her habit of block quotes and heavy sourcing from primary materials, letters, documents and private writings which does in some sense aid in bringing “Young Elizabeth” to life. Tallis also succeeds in not forming a definitive bias and showcasing both sides of Elizabeth’s story by sourcing both those who didn’t favor her and those who held her in high regard. This conceptualizes a more complete picture of Elizabeth versus the typical worshiping at her feet. The highlights of “Young Elizabeth” are the discussions of the conflict and alleged sexual harassment in the hands of Thomas Seymour and the ill-treatment from Elizabeth’s half-sister, Mary. Tallis is concise but also entertaining allowing readers to be both interested and informed. “Young Elizabeth” concludes with Elizabeth gaining the throne and summarizes her path to wearing the crown. This isn’t as memorable as the appendices in which Tallis quickly mentions her thoughts on Elizabeth’s health problems (having consulted health professionals) and the modern-day state of actual real estate Elizabeth passed through during her time. Tallis always crafts unique and compelling appendices and the only sore spot is that these aren’t longer in “Young Elizabeth”. Tallis supplements “Young Elizabeth” with not just one but TWO sections of photo plates, although like the rest of “Young Elizabeth”: there aren’t any images readers haven’t seen 800 times. Tallis also offers lightly annotated notes and a list of primary and secondary sources. “Young Elizabeth” is a solid and readable account of the juvenile years of Elizabeth Tudor but don’t expect it to live up to its claims of anything revolutionary. Despite this, “Young Elizabeth” is still suggested for Tudor history lovers as it serves as a firm recap or to those seeking an introduction. I will continue to read Tallis as I always do for this reason, alone. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Apr 27, 2024
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Apr 29, 2024
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Oct 20, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 0374294488
| 9780374294489
| 0374294488
| 4.18
| 939
| 2023
| Aug 15, 2023
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it was amazing
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Unless you’re living under a rock; you will have noticed the uptick in the history text sub-genre comprising of the study/comparison of key figures in
Unless you’re living under a rock; you will have noticed the uptick in the history text sub-genre comprising of the study/comparison of key figures in relation to one another (usually be that of queens of royal women) both socially and politically. Typically, these works tend to result in mini-biographies or a broad history spectrum versus truly providing coverage of the webbed silk strings. Leah Redmond Chang joins this history trend with a study of the formidable and glorious Catherine de Medici, her daughter Elisabeth de Valois and Catherine’s one time daughter-in-law, Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots. Each of these three women were Queens in their own right, holding immense power; but each also had to ‘give up’ certain aspects of themselves to retain it. Chang explores their connections in, “Young Queens: Three Renaissance Women and the Price of Power”. Chang instantaneously opens “Young Queens” with a compelling and completely absorbing narrative that envelops the reader with an illustrative, visual tapestry that is maintained throughout transporting back in time. This isn’t a stylistic formula used simply to fill the page with fluff, however, as “Young Queens” is quite scholarly/academic and rich with research: it is the dictionary definition of ‘page turner’! Readers are enticed to keep reading and yet will be encouraged to take breaks in order to preserve “Young Queens”. Chang doesn’t fall victim to the typical flaw of penning mini-biographies and is extremely successful at emphasizing each figure but in relation to the broader scenes and interactions even on psychological and philosophical spheres. “Young Queens” is simply incredible. “Young Queens” unearths mountains of information that even expert readers of the topic will find riveting and never-before-discussed. These new facts and nuances surrounding Catherine, Elisabeth and Mary almost reveal new women entirely and allow readers to view them in fresh, newborn ways. As a bonus, all of Chang’s groundbreaking material is credible and based on sourced material. Fear not that this makes “Young Queens” overwhelming as it is much easier to understand and ‘stickier’ than most other comparable works while also being entertaining. “Young Queens” is filled with “a-ha!” moments, clearly untangling any confusions readers held prior to reading the text. Due to the format exploring Catherine, Elisabeth and Mary in ‘real time’ and their corresponding intricacies; there are occasional back-and-forth jumps in chronology within “Young Queens”. Initially, this is slightly difficult to grasp but then it becomes second nature and of no consequence. Chang perfectly infuses “Young Queens” with full quotes and document source material that flows into the narrative and helps with ‘the story’, so to speak. Traditionally, these additions would feel overly-contrived or inserted but that is not the case with “Young Queens”. There is also an absence of the usual biases, snark, personal opinions and speculative statement that can litter similar history texts with Chang remaining observant and objective but not boring. The analysis of highly-publicized events within the lives of Catherine, Elisabeth and Mary are remarkably fresh in their perspectives and unlike the usual coverage in that readers will explore uncharted interpretations and revamp their thinking. “Young Queens” aids in understanding history in a marked way. There are a few – very few- moments when Chang’s views are questionable such as when she either barely addresses a topic or completely goes against the commonly agreed upon conclusions. This is noticeable, for instance, in the case of the “Casket Letters” (Mary, Queen of Scots) which most historians/writers believe are forged at best or tampered with, at least; but Change implies as real. Even so, Chang is entitled to her opinions/beliefs and the reader can make his/her own call based on personal research. The conclusion of “Young Queens” rounds up with Catherine de Medici (fittingly, as she was the last to suffer death) but also completes the textual circle as she was also the opener of “Young Queens”. This finality, and equally the Epilogue, are emotionally-charged, memorable and genuinely emphasize the “Price of Power” portion of the book’s subtitle expounding on what the three women went through both solo and together in order to gain and retain power. “Young Queens” isn’t just a historical study but also a feminist discourse underneath it all: a double-edged sword to the finest gleam. “Young Queens” even excels with its section of color photo plates that includes some rare images and is presented on black background pages which is stunningly enchanting and has never been done in a history text. Such small details amp “Young Queens” even higher. The Notes are annotated and the list of primary sources is credibly long versus solely depending on secondary material. Chang includes an afterword that addresses the latest groundbreaking history of 2023 uncovering letters written by Mary, Queen of Scots during her English captivity that are currently being decoded and the discovery of a letter that she “letterlocked” (folded so intricately, that if the seal is broken by an intercepted spy; the recipient would be immediately aware of the invasion). There is no shortage of books focusing on queens and with the growth of the latest trend of joint-biographies; but “Young Queens” certainly stands out. There is something very magical about “Young Queens” that can’t accurately be described. Chang’s writing is epic but subtly epic in an organic way with exemplary pacing and a lovely blend of narrative and history. Chang doesn’t fall victim to pretending to discuss the interplay of the figures while merely offering mini-biographies but instead truly meets her intended aim while also investigating the price of power. The text is illustrative and riveting with its storytelling but also with its new looks at history (and new information). “Young Queens” is a marvelous work and is recommended for all readers interested in Catherine de Medici, Elisabeth de Valois, Mary, Queen of Scots, French history, Spanish history and Scottish (and English) history. “Young Queens” is a must read and I am hopeful Chang will gift us with another book in the future! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 2023
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Oct 14, 2023
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Sep 24, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 1250890977
| 9781250890979
| 1250890977
| 3.81
| 22,280
| Oct 24, 2023
| Oct 24, 2023
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it was amazing
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I don’t care what you claim as your gender, sexual orientation or sexual identification; I am convinced that EVERYONE is either in love with or wants
I don’t care what you claim as your gender, sexual orientation or sexual identification; I am convinced that EVERYONE is either in love with or wants to be John Stamos. My ex-boyfriend worked as a Set Dresser on the show, “Grandfathered” starring Stamos and he would text me from on-set with stories or sneaking photos. This is something he would normally never do because it is below his professional grade; but my ex knew it made me squeal with jealousy. I even learned that Stamos married his current wife a couple miles from my apartment here in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles. Stamos began making girls scream in the 80s as a teen heartthrob on “General Hospital”, capitulated to fame with “Full House” and showed off his musical chops while touring (and still touring) with the Beach Boys and other musical acts. He’s performed on Broadway, produced sitcoms and started in several television programs and films. Is there anything Stamos HASN’T done?! Writing a book is one; but this can be checked off the list with the heavily-anticipated memoir, “If You Would Have Told Me” where Stamos invites readers into his life and shows that he is more – much more – than just a handsome face. Most Hollywood celebrity memoirs follow the same exact format either A) a straight forward from-birth-to-now autobiography or B) essays expounding on various life lessons or humor incidents experienced in the said individual’s life. These memoirs are either very poorly-written (stick to your day jobs, celebs!) or too far ‘off’ from their real ‘voice’ due to an external ghostwriter. Plus, the texts usually try too hard to be comedic, overly name drop other famous people in a grossly narcissistic way and/or have a pity party about substance abuse. Even though “If You Would Have Told Me” fits into the B option of formatting; it is NOT a victim of the latter crimes. Stamos DOES begin “If You Would Have Told Me” with an intro into his life starting with his highly-publicized DUI and peppers the story with details mentioning his fancy car or popularity which can be off-putting for some readers (myself included); but bear with Stamos. Once you breeze past this, it is obvious that Stamos isn’t fishing for compliments or avoiding fault but rather is doing the opposite: laying his obvious insecurities on the table. Stamos is NOT the typical Hollywood douchebag and is actually ‘a good guy’ with depth that goes far beyond that gorgeous, dark complexion. Beware that the urge to mention expensive cars or hot spot restaurants does continue to occur within “If You Would Have Told Me” but it is tolerable due to its low ratio opposite much more substantial text. “If You Would Have Told Me” follows a chronological timeline but doesn’t highly focus on a straight-forward life or career re-telling. Stamos highlights both these personal and professional stories but infuses the text with psychological and even philosophical meanderings. Using this method, Stamos reveals his inner self and surprises readers with his complexity and spirituality. Don’t fret that Stamos is pretentious, as that is not the case. “If You Would Have Told Me” is quite organic, accessible and personable. Stamos is intelligent and nuanced but he also has his humorous side and is conversational with readers. There is something very special about “If You Would Have Told Me”; but perhaps this is because there is something very special about Stamos, himself. Stamos has been very forward during the entire writing process that he worked alongside ghostwriter Daphne Young and has paraded her writing prowess in being able to capture his voice. This is 100% true of “If You Would Have Told Me”. Instead of the typical dissonance between ghostwriters and celebrities where readers can obviously tell, “So-and-so doesn’t talk like this!”; “If You Would Have Told Me” is so aggressively the embodiment of Stamos that readers can hear his voice through the text. It is truly a surprise that there is a ghostwriter, at all. Daphne Young certainly deserves props! The narrative of “If You Would Have Told Me” is compelling, gripping and is a strong page-turner. I found myself distracted and ‘running late’ to appointments because I had to read a few more pages of this magical memoir! Stamos is raw and shares the lessons he’s learned but isn’t above admitting his faults, fears, pains and confusions with life. These truths carry “If You Would Have Told Me” and is empowering to readers in a healing sort of way. Ironically, “If You Would Have Told Me” can be compared in substance and style to his “Full House” co-star Andrea Barber’s memoir, “Full Circle: From Hollywood to Real Life and Back Again” (sidenote: I wrote Barber a raving review on here and she personally thanked me for my review!). Stamos exemplifies a mature, grown-ass man by not focusing on sex, drugs, rock-n-roll, gossipy celebrity party stories or salacious rumors. Yes, Stamos mentions of some of this; but it is somewhat in passing and not glorified. In fact, Stamos sometimes cuts stories off or doesn’t dive into deep enough detail leaving readers with some unanswered questions but this could be due to privacy reasons which is understandable as Stamos doesn’t have to tell us everything (even if we wish he did!). Related to this, don’t expect countless “Full House” (or “Fuller House”) behind-the-scenes stories as Stamos hardly discusses that aspect of his life excluding his relationships with Bob Saget and Dave Coulier which he mentions often. This might be disappointing for fan readers of “If You Would Have Told Me” but again, the highlight of “If You Would Have Told Me” is the ability to go above the glitz and glamour and dig deeper. There IS a major “Full House” blunder, however. Page 123 recalls Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen playing Michelle Tanner, “As identical twins, they can take turns sharing short takes without spending long hours on the set.” Mary Kate and Ashley are FRATERNAL twins and NOT identical! This has been discussed about 29084578956089234897509 times. How the heck did Stamos, Ms. Daphne Young and an editor allow that to make it to publishing!? Yikes! Stamos kept the most emotive chapters for last, surrounding such events as the death of his mother, the passing of his ‘brother’ and co-star Bob Saget and his marriage to Caitlin and birth of their son, Billy (named after his father). Stamos is unfiltered and human in his expressions and readers will shed tears (at least, I did). This concludes “If You Would Have Told Me” in a memorable and magnetic way that truly reveals the humble and amazing man that is John Stamos. "If You Would Have Told Me" contains not just one but TWO sections of glorious photo plates. “If You Would Have Told Me” is an engaging and entertaining memoir but also hits the deeper, soul points that elevate it above fellow celebrity memoirs. Stamos is ‘real’ and more than the compartmentalized ego that Hollywood tries to make him. He is relatable with both talents and flaws and his actively learning alongside the rest of us. Although a relatively fast read; “If You Would Have Told Me” is a wonderful memoir and is recommended for all fans of John Stamos, “Full(er) House”, readers ripe with 80s and 90s nostalgia and those seeking a celebrity memoir with some depth. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 16, 2023
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Nov 19, 2023
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Sep 19, 2023
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Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||
| 0880451181
| 9780880451185
| 0880451181
| 3.80
| 10
| 1990
| 1991
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it was amazing
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Queen Henrietta Maria, the queen consort of King Charles I, was not only born into royalty but also withstood insurmountable events during her lifetim
Queen Henrietta Maria, the queen consort of King Charles I, was not only born into royalty but also withstood insurmountable events during her lifetime. Yet, like most powerful women, Henrietta Maria is often ridiculed as a “Popish Brat” or a trivial and troublesome wife; due to the fact that she was the Catholic wife of Charles during a civil war (and subsequent royal regicide) in a mostly Protestant England. On the contrary, Henrietta Maria was a fearless, calculated, intelligent, ambitious, hardworking warrior with a loving and feminine edge and most certainly doesn’t deserve the poor reputation that history (written mostly by men) have ascribed. Historian Rosalind K. Marshall opens this marvelous queen’s life in, “Henrietta Mara: The Intrepid Queen”. “Henrietta Maria” is a glossy-paged, short (so far as typical history books go), compact, biographical essay showcasing the life of Henrietta Maria on a mostly chronological timeline alighting with a look at her family background and childhood. Marshall doesn’t fail at instantly grabbing reader attention with intricate, colorful and vivid writing that creates moving visuals as one reads. The text soars and history comes alive with ease. Although Marshall occasionally slips into an informal tone that is better suited for young adults; a concrete level of scholarly academia is achieved making “Henrietta Maria” ideal for both novice and expert history readers. Marshall is a master at tempo and pace resulting in an accessible read. This doesn’t mean that “Henrietta Maria” is translucent on the history surrounding Henrietta Maria and her time in England’s as King Charles I’s queen. Quite the opposite, as Marshall achieves in a small space what most writers take several hundred more pages to produce; by genuinely educating readers on Henrietta Maria revealing and unsheathing new facts traditionally unfamiliar even to readers well-versed on the subject. This is quite admirable when considering that “Henrietta Maria” was published in 1992 without the ease of research logistics of today. Rosalind attributes the perfect ratio of historical detail to the pages but knowing when to move onto the next subject. The pages of “Henrietta Maria” are filled with credible research and primary quote source material allowing for Marshall to remain unbiased and propose an objective essay of Henrietta Maria. “Henrietta Maria” is not an outright rehabilitation of character but it accomplishes this by letting Henrietta Maria speak for herself, based on fact, and allowing readers to decide on their interpretations. Marshall’s writing is almost effortless at perfection. There are occasional slips in the chronological retelling of events but this isn’t due to writer or editor error; but merely to provide layered context or revisit an idea that impacts the topic on hand. This doesn’t disrupt reader attention and is easy to traverse and absorb. Naturally, “Henrietta Maria” is most riveting when exploring her machinations during the onset and duration of England’s civil war and exile fighting for her husband to retain his throne. It is impossible to hate Henrietta Maria at this juncture or not to be intimidated by her plight and ‘fight’. Henrietta’s strength of character shines by Marshall’s pen and “Henrietta Maria” is glorious and riveting. The conclusion of “Henrietta Maria” is succinct enough but a deeper insight into her legacy and descendants would have been welcomed. Regardless, “Henrietta is well-rounded and doesn’t fade out with any confusion. “Henrietta Maria” is filled with what feels like hundreds of images/illustrations/documents that swing the text into an almost coffee table book varietal. This adds to the beauty of the material and is flawless in its ability to add depth. Rosalind doesn’t include annotated notes but does offer some source material for additional reading. “Henrietta Maria” is quick read and shorter on the pages and yet, that is what adds to the stunning complexity and punch that is given in a small space. “Henrietta Maria” is both educational and entertaining recommended for both novice and expert level readers of Stuart England. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jan 13, 2024
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Jan 17, 2024
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Sep 07, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 1399062948
| 9781399062947
| 1399062948
| 4.23
| 35
| unknown
| Aug 31, 2023
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did not like it
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When asked to associate a number with the Tudor Dynasty; one would naturally think of the number ‘6’ in relation to King Henry VIII’s six wives. Even
When asked to associate a number with the Tudor Dynasty; one would naturally think of the number ‘6’ in relation to King Henry VIII’s six wives. Even those without a snippet of English history under their belts are familiar with the six wives. There are more numbers and patterns that can be attributed to the Tudors than that just of six, however. Carol Ann Lloyd explores this idea while looking at Tudor history with, “The Tudors by Numbers: The Stories & Statistics Behind England’s Most Infamous Royal Dynasty”. At this point, there isn’t much left to be discovered regarding the Tudors as the subject has been discussed to death. The only way to bring any fresh perspectives into account is by offering a revisionist history be it by focusing on lesser-known side figures, adding a philosophical/analytical thread or presenting the history in a ‘new’ way. This is precisely the angle that Lloyd follows in “The Tudors by Numbers” with a bold and ambitious approach of searching for number patterns and statistics of the Tudor dynasty. From the sounds of this, readers can expect nothing short of detective code-deciphering breakdown of the Tudors that is riveting with each page. Is that that how “The Tudors by Numbers” can be described? No. Hard no. Lloyd compartmentalizes the content of “The Tudors by Numbers” into ten chapters of a thematic approach but also a (mostly)chronological path of the reign of the Tudors and highlights the key events, monarchs, behaviors, pregnancies, meals, etc; by emphasizing how many of these took place. There is absolutely nothing groundbreaking on the pages of “The Tudor by Numbers” and it does NOT take Tudor readers on a journey they haven’t traversed hundreds of times before. Lloyd simply retells Tudor history – and on a brief, vague level – but counting the happenings and adding the silly, juvenile phrase, “Let’s find out! “Let’s roll the numbers!” before each discussion. Don’t misunderstand, a charming and ‘cute’ history isn’t always something to be scorned at and can be quite endearing. However, “The Tudors by Numbers” fails at this and at its actual thesis. Adding to this bluntly ‘bad’ book is the poor level of writing from Lloyd. Everything from the writing style, language used and formatting is terrible and comparable to my university freshman term papers in 2003/2004. Either Lloyd is targeting young adult readers or was hoping to land in the discounted bargain bin of unwanted books on retailer’s sales floors because that is the quality achieved within “The Tudors by Numbers”. Readers will find themselves taking a lengthy amount of time to finish the text and it isn’t because they don’t want the compelling material to conclude -- but because it is painful to read. Pairing with these failings are the NUMEROUS editing errors that will baffle readers on how they made it to final publication pressing. Was there no editor or did they simply not care? Page 99 boasts the typo, “It was tradition for a new monarch spent the night before her coronation at the Tower of London” – this should be “to spend”. Page 133 adds, “But out understanding might be affected by who kept the records” – this should be “our”. Another example comes in the form of using ‘that’ versus ‘than’. How is this acceptable?! This is detrimental to “The Tudors by Numbers” as it completely weakens the credibility of the actual material/content. If you can’t trust grammar editing; then how can you trust anything else? Repetition is the name of the game in “The Tudors by Numbers” with Lloyd regularly discussing the same topics and not even in accordance with a new statistic. This isn’t because she wanted readers to truly grasp the material – it appears to be more because each section was written separately and Lloyd was grasping at straws to lengthen the manuscript. Lloyd also partakes in the pet peeve offender of using Shakespeare as a history source: No! Just no! The only remotely compelling piece of information in “The Tudors by Numbers” comes from the concluding chapters in which Lloyd highlights recent Tudor history discoveries/advances that have graced the media news outlets as of late and excited the English history community. “The Tudors by Numbers” contains a section of photo plates (the same old photos readers have likely seen 800 times), notes (not annotated) and a source list. Agreeably, Lloyd ventured upon a creative attempt at presenting an absorbing perspective of Tudor history but failed miserably instead resulting in a juvenile, poorly written, repetitive piece rife with editing mistakes. “The Tudors by Numbers” is only suggested for young adult readers new to the subject and even that recommendation is made with skepticism. “The Tudors by Numbers” can be skipped and I would have quit before completing it myself had it not been for the fact that the book was a gift. ...more |
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1
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Feb 24, 2024
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Feb 27, 2024
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Aug 09, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 0593815718
| 9780593815717
| B0C5Q9YKFR
| 3.90
| 5,615
| Aug 11, 2021
| Oct 10, 2023
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liked it
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It’s no secret that the Japanese culture adores, romanticizes and borderline-worships felines. They are believed to not only bring good luck; but are
It’s no secret that the Japanese culture adores, romanticizes and borderline-worships felines. They are believed to not only bring good luck; but are also thought to be in touch with the paranormal and metaphysical/spiritual realms. These feelings and beliefs cross over into the ever-booming genre of “Japanese Cat Lit” which attracts cat lovers/readers worldwide with its depth, emotion and hints of humor. Author Hiro Arikawa reached international fame with the off-the-chart fabulous, “The Travelling Cat Chronicles” and is back with a follow-up, “The Goodbye Cat”. Unlike the novella format of “The Travelling Cat Chronicles”; Arikawa’s “The Goodbye Cat” is a collection of seven short stories featuring a cat/human connection. Arikawa aims to tackle the theme of the human life cycle and how our kitty friends not only enrich but remedies our lives in the process (although, it can be argued that this thesis isn’t achieved within “The Goodbye Cat). “The Goodbye Cat” immediately tugs at heartstrings with the first story (grab those tissues!) in true Hirokawa fashion; but is quick to drop with the second story. Consistency is temperamental and borderline absent from the pages of “The Goodbye Cat” as this up-and-down pattern is noticeable throughout the stories versus the steady heightened emotion of “The Travelling Cat Chronicles”. Arikawa beautifully possesses the ability to translate the thoughts and actions of cats even beyond the average cat lover/owner. One would think she is part cat or is capable of communicating with felines with a lingual tongue. “The Goodbye Cat” is organic and believable which allows it to genuinely speak to readers in an authentic way without being overly contrived. Arikawa’s writing is never ‘cutesy’ or whimsical but is somehow psychologically sound. Readers are drawn to the cats (and humans but mostly the cats) within the stories of “The Goodbye Cat” and build relationships with each one. This extends to the Zen-like flow of the narrative throughout “The Goodbye Cat” which is calming and smooth and is precisely what encourages page-turning. Sadly, the positives seem to end there with “The Goodbye Cat”. Unlike “The Travelling Cat Chronicles, the sophomore release isn’t as commanding, influential, or emotive; nor does it flutter upon philosophical and humanity streams. Arikawa grazes these threads with a soft touch of her pen but stops short of reaching the same crescendo as previously. The flickering light of “The Goodbye Cat” finally beams brightly with the concluding two stories featuring a child named Satoru and his cat Hachi and a grown Satoru and his cat Nana, respectfully. This is the lightening strike moment as readers of “The Travelling Cat Chronicles” will remember Satoru and Nana as the subject/main characters of the text. Arikawa offers a prequel of sorts/origin story establishing Satoru in this way and then adds to the context of “The Travelling Cat Chronicles” with the concluding adult-Satoru story. It is at this juncture that readers are met with the heavily-craved intensity and nuances; while also having the familiarity of the beloved characters from the preceding book. It’s quite evident that Arikawa should have ‘stuck with’ Satoru and Nana in a follow-up versus attempt new stories - and perhaps she realized this finalizing “The Goodbye Cat” with a cliff-hanger from Nana that sets up a potential third book. “The Goodbye Cat” is a decent addition to the Japanese Cat Lit genre but lacks the power, mastery, imagery, substance and sentiment that made “The Travelling Cat Chronicles” so significant. It is suggested that only readers of “The Travelling Cat Chronicles” proceed to read “The Goodbye Cat” as it is weaker as a standalone story collection and ‘works’ better when re-examining Satoru (and Nana) from “The Travelling Cat Chronicles”. “The Goodbye Cat” has charm and isn’t terrible; but as the majority of reviews reflects: it simply doesn’t hit the same spot. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 21, 2023
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Nov 28, 2023
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Jul 30, 2023
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ebook
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| 0593298888
| 9780593298886
| 0593298888
| 4.16
| 4,412
| Jun 13, 2023
| Jun 13, 2023
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liked it
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I’ve had an obsession with owls for almost the entirety of my life (I even have an owl tattoo!) – even before it was a favored fad. Even though I have
I’ve had an obsession with owls for almost the entirety of my life (I even have an owl tattoo!) – even before it was a favored fad. Even though I have a connection to ALL birds; owls are one of my two spirit animals (the other is a bear, for those who are curious) and thus hold the top contender spot. Despite their popularity; owls are one of the least, if not THE least, studied birds in the field of ornithology due to their dusk-to-dawn lifestyles. Although much has already been gleaned about these beloved birds of prey; there are endless unanswered questions. Expert naturist and best-selling author of the astoundingly well-received, “The Bird Way” (and may I personally add: absolutely mind-blowing) returns with an exploration of the current state of owl research in, “What an Owl Knows: The New Science of the World’s Most Enigmatic Birds”. In “What an Owl Knows”, Ackerman presents an expose of current state of affairs in owl research and recent revelations atop a foundation of owl facts and a personal field-study memoir. Those familiar with Ackerman’s writing style can attest that she does it well; equally drenching academia with an accessible format suited for all audiences. The first two sections of “What an Owl Knows” set an owl foundation exploring owls in general and their ways of existing. Rather than be a boring factual recall; Ackerman infuses the information with obvious passion and respect for the birds which translates onto readers. The only downfall is that this is more targeted towards those unfamiliar with the bulk of owl facts as fellow owl-lowers will not encounter any new information. The third section of “What an Owl’s Knows” begins the reveal of current owl studies/research, organizations involved and how these affect the future. Ackerman spent years (the bulk of the pandemic) gaining first-hand experience in the field among owl experts and therefore doesn’t just present a journalistic recall in “What an Owl Knows” but shares first-hand experience adding both credibility and excitement to the text. Ackerman’s research is thorough and views the material through the lens of a scientist and also an owl-lover thereby answering all questions and perspectives packing meat onto the skeleton of “What an Owl Knows”. The extensive list of experts and organizations that Ackerman consulted and worked with is not only impressive; but brings awareness to readers. Effortlessly, “What an Owl Knows” encourages readers to Google various owl species, regions, etc; while reading the text which helps solidify the information and heighten interest. Occasionally, this does make for a bit of an overwhelming pace but nothing that is too detrimental to readers. On the hand, Ackerman is guilty of selective repetition whether this is to solidify information or the absence of a staunch editor is unknown but it does impede the flow, slightly. The glaring void in “What an Owl Knows” is the magnetic attraction and chemistry found within Ackerman’s “The Bird Way” and “The Genius of Birds”. It is difficult to pinpoint why “What an Owl Knows” isn’t as glittery and memorable but it simply doesn’t stack up. Personally, I was in a heightened state of glee while reading “The Bird Way” talking about what I learned to anyone who will listen meanwhile recommending left and right (my ‘victims’ also loved it). That isn’t the case with “What an Owl Knows” with it not encouraging page-turning as eagerly. Bluntly, I didn’t learn ‘that’ much but perhaps this is because I’m up-to-date with owl science. “What an Owl Knows” is better suited as an introduction to the field. “What an Owl Knows” become more engrossing in the final chapters discussing owl anthropology/cultures, the future of owl species and what humans can do to help owls prosper due to the relatable characteristics of the content. These sections are fast-paced and a highlight of the text resulting in a solid and emotive finality. Ackerman supplements “What an Owl Knows” with illustrations/images throughout, a section of photo plates and a list of references/further reading. “What an Owl Knows” is a solid-enough read that it is critical in highlighting the importance of owls and preserving their species in a world of deforestation, climate change and over-agriculture. “What an Owl Knows” isn’t ‘bad’ but it simply lacks the magic of Ackerman’s other texts. “What an Owl Knows” is best suited for owl lowers still new to the field and obsession. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jul 12, 2023
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Jul 22, 2023
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Jul 02, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 0593422619
| 9780593422618
| 0593422619
| 4.32
| 951
| unknown
| Jun 27, 2023
|
really liked it
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You are probably dimly aware that all the products we use day in and day out contain harmful, toxic chemicals that cause autoimmune illnesses, skin co
You are probably dimly aware that all the products we use day in and day out contain harmful, toxic chemicals that cause autoimmune illnesses, skin conditions, neurological disorders, endocrine/reproductive troubles and even cancer/death. Yet, you probably don’t overly dwell on these evils and may go so far as to smirk at those who search to eliminate these toxins and anything not organic from their lives. Luckily, I live in California where Prop 65 requires all products/services/dwellings to disclose any use or containment of a hazardous material. Companies, brand and businesses can be sued by any civilian if found to be toxic without a label declaration. Did you know, however, that our CLOTHES we wear, work, play and sleep in are FILLED with these toxic chemicals beginning with the dying/process all the way to shipping/imports? Your clothes are literally killing you and the US government is aware but simply doesn’t care as it is barely regulated (unlike, of course, Europe which takes a stricter stance in the matter). In fact, I own pieces of clothing which were recently involved in a class action litigation due to undisclosed toxic chemicals but I continue to wear them and was rather excited about the cash check I received (this case is mentioned in this book). It is due time that the general audience is made better aware of this alarming situation. This is precisely the goal of award-winning investigative journalist Alden Wicker in, “To Dye For: How Toxic Fashion is Making Us Sick – And How We Can Fight Back”. “To Dye For” is a combination journalistic and industry exposé partitioned into sections exploring the who, what, why, how, and where of the world of toxic dyes and chemicals on our textiles/clothing. Wicker introduces a history of the toxic use of chemicals within the fashion industry and clothing production; alongside the current status and case studies to mesh together a critical social concern with that of complex science. In this way, readers are educated using hard-hitting evidence while also finally removing their blinders on how the fashion industry and the government are essentially trying to kill us without any empathy; due to an eye on profits. Even though “To Dye For” is filled with chemical formulas, names and jargon; Wicker’s writing style melds a smooth, fast narrative that is easy-to-read, absorb and grasp even for the Average Joe- reader. In this way, “To Dye For” is the ideal method to truly gain attention to this grave subject. In the primary chapters of “To Dye For”, Wicker is ever-so-slightly clumsy with her journalism bouncing back-and-forth between her sub-headings causing some reader frustration and confusion. These threads are always revisited and come full circle; plus, Wicker finds her flow in writing but the weakness can’t be ignored. Wicker is a wealth of knowledge in “To Dye For” awakening readers who know little on the topic and successfully causes them to re-think EVERYTHING around them, to never be viewed the same way again. The text is certainly a conversation-starter in an objective and credible manner as Wicker doesn’t insert any personal bias into the text and doesn’t garner any person gain, either way (although, obviously, she is on the side of the common man and not the fashion industry). The hiccup in “To Dye For” arises in an evidence of repetition both when discussing individual cases and the material as a whole. Often, Wicker is simply expressing the same idea or situation but in a new way causing the reader to want to respond, “We get it!” and yet there is a missing sense of urgency which would be expected of a multifarious, dire situation that effects everyone around the world on all rungs of the social ladder. This is a conflicting dichotomy that is a slight hindrance and handicap to “To Dye For”. After the principal discussion of toxic chemicals and dyes in clothing; Wicker moves into help mode offering tips on how to eliminate these health hazards from everyday lives. These suggestions take into consideration that income is the primary barrier of entry into these ‘fixes’ and therefore Wicker is reasonable with her forays. Wicker also presents changes directed toward the fashion companies and government as she emphasizes that they are the faulted characters in this story and not the consumer so therefore it is they that should be held liable to make positive shifts rather than on the common individual level. Wicker concludes “To Dye For” with a conclusion that revisits and reflects upon all the case studies in the former portion of the text with updates wrapping up “To Dye For” in a solid and sensible way. This is followed by a glossary of terms (with page listings) and a combination notes/source list. “To Dye For” is a quick read but heady with information that exposes the censorious reality of the fashion/textiles industry and is important to both new readers of the subject and those with some understanding but seeking more background. “To Dye For” isn’t flawless but is still a concrete text that stands above much of the crowd. Note: I want to leave you with something to ponder from Wicker (p.10), “At least forty thousand chemicals are used commercially world-wide, yet only a small percentage of them have been checked for human and animal safety”. Let that sink in… ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Dec 08, 2023
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Dec 12, 2023
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Jun 28, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 1250878357
| 9781250878359
| 1250878357
| 3.75
| 63,396
| Jun 06, 2023
| Jun 06, 2023
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liked it
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Most of us discovered Elliot Page in his titular lead role in the 2007 film, “Juno” (although he’d been acting since he was a small child). Nowadays,
Most of us discovered Elliot Page in his titular lead role in the 2007 film, “Juno” (although he’d been acting since he was a small child). Nowadays, the “Umbrella Academy” star graces the pages of the press for his declaration of being gay and his highly-publicized transition into a male body in order to match the gender he’s felt he should have been born. As an advocate on such subjects (Page is also fighting personal demons and promoting self-growth); Page certainly has a lot to say. Some of these truths are declared in Page’s debut memoir with, “Pageboy”. “Pageboy” is not the typical Hollywood memoir in that readers will discover less of a behind-the-scenes La La Land sensational romp and more of a therapy-session journal. Meaning, “Pageboy” takes on a thematic approach to Page’s life in which he mostly discusses his self-journey to come to terms with being gay and wanting to surgically transition into a male. Yes, there are some celebrity name-drops (Kate Mara, anyone?); but overall, “Pageboy” is a more complex memoir. Some readers have responded negatively to this stylistic format; but, in reality the mish-mosh chronology -essay style versus the straight biography timeline is becoming quite popular among celebrity memoirs and frankly helps alleviate boredom. The foundation is structurally sound and readers mentioning a difficulty in “following along” should accept that as a personal problem as it is truly not present in “Pageboy”. Page’s actual writing is quite elevated in comparison to his fellow celebrities who typically pen memoirs on an elementary-level and hire poor editors. However, “Pageboy” still suffers from some blatant flaws. Firstly, Page has the tendency to deviate from the topic on hand and over-detail tangents such as the architectural history of buildings. These paragraphs literally have nothing to do with his life or stories and are better fit for stage notes or for art department’s production call sheets. It is simply unnecessary and makes readers question the integrity of the editor in “Pageboy”. Second, Page is so massively guarded and insecure; that the majority of “Pageboy” is a retelling of his journey but without truly revealing his feelings, analysis of the situations or psyche. “Pageboy” is a therapy exercise of self-reflection rather than really being an asset to readers. Occasionally, the text comes off as ‘pointless’ if Page isn’t willing to “let readers in”. Isn’t that the whole point of a memoir – to allow readers to truly get to know and connect with the individual? There is an absence of a true acquaintance with Page. This can possibly be due to the fact that he is still on the path to truly discovering his own self-worth (his emotional struggle is still so evident) but again, that is the point of writing such a piece and not just to recall events. It isn’t until approximately page 160 that Page allows some of the walls to disintegrate but still not enough to resurrect “Pageboy”. Even though the media has promoted “Pageboy” as being a collection of juicy, sex stories – this is a total fabrication, misconception and marketing ploy. Yes, Page does mention sexual encounters, cum and body parts; but honestly, it is on a much more prude level than the memoir has been advertised. The most openly-sexual portion is the reveal of Page’s relationship with actress Kate Mara (while she had a boyfriend); but other than that, “Pageboy” is not at all raunchy. You will find more people doing the nasty in a hip hop video. The prime disappointment with “Pageboy” is Page’s negativity and, for the lack of a better term, whining. Page HAS, without a doubt, experienced bullying, hate, threats and discomfort from fans, family, friends and Hollywood executives/peers and obviously this was undeserved and NOT acceptable. There is no reason why, in the year 2023, the LGBTQIA2+ community has to deal with ANY of this. Who cares about anyone’s sexual orientation, preference or gender as long as they aren’t hurting anyone?! However, the rest of Page’s life hasn’t been ‘that bad’. My father was killed when I was only four years old, my mother brutally physically and emotionally abused me, she remarried several times with one stepfather raping me regularly at age eight, I have NO extended family as both mother and father were only children, I am first-generation in the US which makes it virtually impossible to succeed (it generally takes 2-3 generations for immigrants to truly be successful) and my list goes on. My life has been 100x worse than Page in these regards and yet she hardly EVER mentions anything positive, happy or joyful in “Pageboy”. It would be far more beneficial to readers if Page demonstrated a range of emotions and thus made “Pageboy” more complete. Again, I understand that Page struggled and still is with his sexuality and body and “Pageboy” serves as a mere reflection of this journey. My own memoir would also be a ‘Debbie Downer’. Even so, this makes Elliot seem a bit entitled, immature and ungrateful for the privileges he does possess. On the other hand, I did come away from “Pageboy” with a grasp of my own Cis-gender privilege which I never realized I have because it isn’t something I think about or notice. “Pageboy” is certainly helpful in this regard especially to those readers who reside in superficial Los Angeles like Page and I (I live in North Hollywood). Much of the content within “Pageboy” is repetitive in that the essays are basically the same experience/story but a different time/day serving to make “Pageboy” tedious and less eventful while reading. Page missed the mark on effectively reaching readers both on an emotional level or educating on the topic of transgender transformations. I learned more during an episode of TLC’s reality dating show, “90 Day Fiancé” when a male described his surgeries and feelings experienced while transitioning from a female. Page’s conclusion of “Pageboy” is equally ill-footed in the emotional realm and doesn’t truly stir readers. “Pageboy” is simply not as emotive, memorable and ally-building as suspected or expected. “Pageboy” is like a magazine editorial interview but without revealing his inner-self. Unlike standard Hollywood memoirs; “Pageboy” is devoid of a section of photo plates. This may be because Page doesn’t like viewing photos of his old body but even some images of his family, city in Canada he grew up, current photos, etc; would have been helpful while reading. “Pageboy” is not ‘bad’ and is most certainly better than many celebrity memoirs in the field. Page composed the proper foundation for a wonderful piece but he needed to let go and expand: be fearless! “Pageboy” is missing the magic that some of his peers managed to flare in their own memoirs. Despite this, “Pageboy” is suggested for fans of Elliot Page or those interested in the journey of a trans- individual. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jun 28, 2023
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Jul 03, 2023
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May 22, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 9781534111769
| 4.16
| 172
| unknown
| Mar 15, 2023
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really liked it
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When you think of ‘summer treats’, you probably think of ice cream, sno cones or perhaps: watermelon. But, what other sugary goodness is the dessert o
When you think of ‘summer treats’, you probably think of ice cream, sno cones or perhaps: watermelon. But, what other sugary goodness is the dessert of the summer? S’mores, of course! The gooey, campfire roasted marshmallow, topped with a block of milk chocolate and smashed between two, crunchy graham cracker squares. Combining soft, melt-y, and crunchy textures; makes S’mores a culinary experience AND a fun activity for the kiddos when actually making them. Who could turn down S’mores?! Certainly not the woodland creatures in Cathy Ballou Mealey’s, “Make More S’mores” illustrated by Ariel Landy. “Make More S’mores” is a GORGEOUSLY illustrated children’s book (kudos to Ariel Landy!) which flood the entire page in cuddly, sweet but detailed imagery using colorful evening and nighttime tones. “Make More S’mores” follows Roscoe the Raccoon as he sits by a warm, glowing fireplace roasting a marshmallow that he is about to turn into his favorite treat, S’mores. Soon enough, along comes Grizzly Bear who asks for the S’more with Roscoe happily sharing and making himself another. But, then come two bear cubs who ALSO want S’mores and then Mama Bear! Roscoe isn’t upset at all and happily has a S’more feast with all of his new friends. Mealey effortlessly teaches children the value of generosity and sharing solidifying the message with the conclusion of the story when the bears leave an exhausted and sleeping Roscoe the Raccoon with a thank you note for making them S’mores. “Make More S’mores” isn’t just a staunch moral and ethics lesson as it is also a charming story on its more merit especially with the accompanying stunning illustrations. Another delightful trait of “Make More S’mores” is the rhyming pantomime text that makes the story easy-to-read for children due to the sing-song text. The only qualm with “Make More S’mores” which keeps it from being ‘perfect’; is the very abrupt ending. It feels like readers are in the middle of the tale and then suddenly it is just poof: over. Additionally, it would have served “Make More S’mores” well if Mealey had included several species/types of woodland animals interacting with Roscoe the Raccoon for S’mores versus just four bears. Essentially, “Make More S’mores” slightly misses the typical children’s book pattern. “Make More S’mores” is a visual treat (pun intended) perfect for the summer or camping trips that teach children the joys of generosity. Plus, you will most DEFINITELY crave some S’mores after reading! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Aug 05, 2023
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Aug 05, 2023
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May 14, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 1662640382
| 9781662640384
| 1662640382
| 4.60
| 10
| unknown
| Apr 18, 2023
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it was amazing
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Received as a winner of a Goodreads Giveaway
We are often reminded to encourage creativity and artwork in children especially when art funds are re Received as a winner of a Goodreads Giveaway We are often reminded to encourage creativity and artwork in children especially when art funds are readily being cut from schooling budgets. Although this is indeed super important; we should also encourage imagination and the creation of ‘stories’ which can grow into the literary arts. Aya Watanabe addresses this niche need in her charming offering to small children with, “Paper Stories: A Snip-and-Glue Activity Book”. “Paper Stories” is a colorful, scrapbook-paper quality activity book that feature various ‘prompts’ highlighting animals, people, food, etc; where children can cut and paste paper illustrations to complete a story. For example, adding stripes to a zebra, ice cream scoops to cones, umbrellas into children’s hands or decorating a bedroom. Using this method, children can practice scissor skills, arts/crafting and utilize using their imaginations to ‘write’ a story. Being both educational and entertaining while also exercising interaction; makes Watanabe’s “Paper Stories” beloved by children and parents, alike. “Paper Stories” even has a folder pocket in the inside back cover to collect scraps! Watanabe truly thought of everything! I ‘played’ with “Paper Stories” with a six-year-old who is very much a budding artist and creative; and he was thrilled with the interaction and the feeling of being to make decisions that create his own version of events/stories. To be honest, even as a grown adult, I was itching to do some of my own cutting/pasting! “Paper Stories” is absolutely delightful. Watanabe discloses at the conclusion of “Paper Stories” that some of the pages include hidden icons! This additional aspect of “Paper Stories” gives an extra ounce of fun to go back and look for the images that were missed during the first viewing. “Paper Stories” is a high-quality and charismatic activity book that is perfect for small children. Watanabe is simplistic and yet truly unique with her piece making “Paper Stories” a winner and a must-have! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Apr 29, 2023
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Apr 29, 2023
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Apr 29, 2023
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Unbound
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| 1982154306
| 9781982154301
| B0B3Y948PF
| 4.11
| 227
| Apr 18, 2023
| Apr 18, 2023
|
it was amazing
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It often seems all of Tudor history has been ‘discovered’ and the monarchs, battles, treaties, beheadings, feasts, figures, cultures, laws, etc; have
It often seems all of Tudor history has been ‘discovered’ and the monarchs, battles, treaties, beheadings, feasts, figures, cultures, laws, etc; have been replayed over and over again. There isn’t much left to unearth and the only ‘new’ conversations occur when historians devise fresh perspectives in presenting the information. Behold, as Tudor history is turned upside down with an entirely new ‘story’. Vanessa Wilkie, the Senior Curator of Medieval Manuscripts at the Huntington Library, Museums and Gardens in Pasadena (Los Angeles), California makes her history debut with, “A Woman of Influence: The Spectacular Rise of Alice Spencer in Tudor England”. Alice Spencer (yes, as in Diana Spencer, the former Princess of Whales – Diana was a descendant) was a truly remarkable and formidable creature who lived a rags-to-riches life as a daughter of a sheep farmer rising to be the matriarch of a noble family. Alice married twice, each time increasing her status and landed wealth (compare her to Bess of Hardwick) while promoting that of her blood and marital relations. Alice overcame the sudden death (rumored poisoning) of her first husband, Ferdinando, the Earl of Derby plus the religious plot to destroy him, a battle for Ferdinando’s inheritance, an unhappy second marriage, dramatic ups and down of her familiar relations and her daughter and granddaughter’s sensational sexual assault trial finding Alice’s son-in-law guilty of rape. It is a severe disservice against all Tudor history lovers that Alice’s life has not been previously highlighted which is why Wilkie did just that. *Quick tangent: The Huntington Library is the largest research library in the United States and is the primary resource center for most English History texts welcoming historians onto its compound of library, botanical gardens and museums, daily. It houses artifacts and manuscripts in the fields of science, medicine and English history; such as letters written by King Charles I and II, Mary, Queen of Scots, an original Tyndale Bible and the “Ellesmere Canterbury Tales” which is an original in-tact and glorious manuscript of “The Canterbury Tales” owned by Alice Spencer, herself. The Huntington houses several artifacts from the life of Alice Spencer and Vanessa Wilkie is the go-to expert concerning the material making “A Woman of Influence” top-tier credible. The Huntington is my FAVORITE place in Los Angeles and I am honored to live near it. I even celebrated a birthday, there! However, I digress.* The challenge facing writing a biography/portrait of a lesser-known historical figure is the tendency to offer fluff material and over-speculation due to the lack of resources surrounding the individual (especially women). This results in a piece that discusses the events circumferential to the figure subject without truly bringing him/her to life. That is NOT the case with “A Woman of Influence”. Well, not entirely. “A Woman of Influence” initially struggles slightly with his impairment as Wilkie explores Alice’s childhood with many “could have” and “would have statements”. However, if readers overcome this weakness; they will be rewarded threefold. Quite quickly, as Alice marries the Earl of Derby, “A Woman of Influence” embarks on a magnetically entertaining, riveting, highly theatrical and dramatic journey gliding readers through a fast-paced narrative supported by Wilkie’s extensive research adding the academic touch. Although most of us have never heard of Alice; the amount of extant material is baffling and Wilkie seamlessly pieces her life together. It would be a spoiler to discuss the content in specifics (who would have thought that a history text could have a spoiler alert?!); but everything that played out in Alice’s life is jaw-dropping. Readers truly come away with a sense of her psyche and the material is memorable and ‘sticky’ and thus, educational. “A Woman of Influence” is a fast read but not because it is thin and on the contrary is very dense in scope. Simply, Wilkie is a master at presenting the content in a readable and page-turning way that is easy to digest and addicting. Wilkie’s tone is academic but simultaneously visual in a way that few writers can successfully navigate. Wilkie occasionally peppers “A Woman of Influence” with psychological interpretations of events but this isn’t in a condescending way nor with any biases; but rather based on research and make absolute sense. These meanderings add value to “A Woman of Influence” and to Alice, herself. On a related note, Wilkie’s language and writing style is absolutely delicious (terminology, sentence structure, formatting). “A Woman of Influence” an infinite joy to read. Wilkie does occasionally fall victim to repetition of facts (did she think we didn’t grasp it the first time? We did) and to chronological time line back-and-forth jumps. “A Woman of Influence” doesn’t lose it champion status and these are few and far between. Interestingly, Alice Spencer (and her extended family) had close ties/friendships/patronage with some of the Tudor era’s biggest names i.e. Queen Elizabeth I, Robert Dudley and the Cecils (William and Robert) to name a few. This makes it even more flabbergasting that no other texts have previously mentioned Alice. It is due time that she received her bright spotlight. “A Woman of Influence” concludes in a memorable way that summarizes Alice’s life and impact while an Epilogue briefly discusses her family after her departure from Earth. All reader questions are answered and there is certainly an enticement to explore and research further. Wilkie fortifies “A Woman of Influence” with a section of photo plates, Notes (not annotated) and Bibliography. “A Woman of Influence” is a riveting and significant text in both Tudor and Women’s’ history and is the definition of “must-read” for all English history lovers. Wilkie’s debut is beyond terrific and we can only hope for more pieces from her in the future (or perhaps I’ll run into her at The Huntingon!). ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jun 11, 2023
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Jun 19, 2023
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Apr 11, 2023
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Kindle Edition
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my rating |
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| 3.80
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liked it
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Sep 2024
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Aug 10, 2024
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| 4.13
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really liked it
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Aug 10, 2024
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Jul 05, 2024
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| 4.44
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it was amazing
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Aug 23, 2024
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Jun 30, 2024
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| 4.17
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liked it
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Jul 05, 2024
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Jun 18, 2024
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| 4.52
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it was amazing
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Sep 06, 2024
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Feb 25, 2024
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| 4.12
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it was ok
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Apr 22, 2024
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Feb 07, 2024
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| 4.21
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really liked it
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Feb 03, 2024
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Nov 28, 2023
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| 3.86
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really liked it
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Dec 17, 2023
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Oct 24, 2023
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| 4.35
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liked it
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Apr 29, 2024
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Oct 20, 2023
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| 4.18
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it was amazing
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Oct 14, 2023
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Sep 24, 2023
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| 3.81
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it was amazing
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Nov 19, 2023
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Sep 19, 2023
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| 3.80
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it was amazing
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Jan 17, 2024
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Sep 07, 2023
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| 4.23
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did not like it
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Feb 27, 2024
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Aug 09, 2023
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| 3.90
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liked it
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Nov 28, 2023
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Jul 30, 2023
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| 4.16
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liked it
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Jul 22, 2023
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Jul 02, 2023
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| 4.32
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really liked it
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Dec 12, 2023
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Jun 28, 2023
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| 3.75
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liked it
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Jul 03, 2023
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May 22, 2023
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| 4.16
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really liked it
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Aug 05, 2023
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May 14, 2023
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| 4.60
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it was amazing
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Apr 29, 2023
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Apr 29, 2023
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| 4.11
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it was amazing
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Jun 19, 2023
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Apr 11, 2023
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