I'm not particularly a fan of RuPaul, and I wasn't eager to learn more about him. But when I saw that he had a self-narrated memoir on audiobook I thI'm not particularly a fan of RuPaul, and I wasn't eager to learn more about him. But when I saw that he had a self-narrated memoir on audiobook I thought "well, that's gotta be interesting." While there were no bombshell revelations (aside from the fact his parents actually did name him RuPaul), it was nice to hear his gentle voice explain the moments that shaped his life and the opportunities he took to build his fame while being true to himself. Although his narration was peaceful, there were loud interruptions of vulgarity that caught me off guard, so be forewarned, especially if listening without earbuds....more
If you follow the author's social media accounts, it is unlikely that you'll take away any new information after reading this book. The refresher abouIf you follow the author's social media accounts, it is unlikely that you'll take away any new information after reading this book. The refresher about how far we've swayed from what the Republican party was about, just 20 years ago, was interesting. But again, it's nothing groundbreaking. I'm pretty sure the only people reading this book are the liberal MAGA-haters. This book preaches to the choir. I'm glad I bought it, as it might become an interesting reference as we see how history plays out, and for better or worse....more
This book was pretty lackluster, for me, and I typically enjoy WWII historical fiction. I did not realize until the epilogue that this is actually noThis book was pretty lackluster, for me, and I typically enjoy WWII historical fiction. I did not realize until the epilogue that this is actually non-fiction, and the author's grandmother was the title character. But I think a book about the real hero of the story, Carlota, would have been far more interesting. As it is, this was the retelling of a bunch of second-hand (and third-hand) stories about an Italian Jewish family that got separated during the Holocaust, and it turned out to be far less dramatic than the summary suggests. Throughout the book, Vittoria is unhappy with her husband, and even seems to have a crush on his brother. But in the end the reader is suppose to be convinced that they had this epic love story.
The storytelling was mediocre with too many characters and a storyline that was all over the place. And the editing mistakes here so numerous they were distracting, especially near the end of the book. But I reserve my 1⭐ ratings for books that make my physically angry, and I don't hate this one....more
There were a lot of valuable lessons in this book about how to reframe the things that tend to stress us out or make us unhappy, as well as tips on hoThere were a lot of valuable lessons in this book about how to reframe the things that tend to stress us out or make us unhappy, as well as tips on how to not skimp on taking care of ourselves and our well-being. I'm especially going to remember to start considering difficulties as just lessons that are helping us grow and improve. My gripe with this book, however, was how much the same messages were repeated time and time again, it seems, just to reach that magical number of *100* strategies. I wonder if the author was sweating over how many different ways he could write about setting aside time for oneself. The short chapters and the informal and casual prose were great. The repetition was not great....more
If not for the jarring outbursts in this audiobook, it would have put me to sleep. Maybe if I had read, rather than listened, I would have enjoyed itIf not for the jarring outbursts in this audiobook, it would have put me to sleep. Maybe if I had read, rather than listened, I would have enjoyed it more. But it was hard to feel compassion for this lost girl, and hard to discern what was actual and what were hallucinations. I knew nothing going into this, aside from it taking place in New Hampshire, and authored by Stephen King. I had high hopes for an edge-of-my-seat thriller. Unfortunately, the story felt lazy, to me....more
My daughter had to read this for English Comp her freshman year of college. Because it was short and because I'd never read Tolstoy before, I decidedMy daughter had to read this for English Comp her freshman year of college. Because it was short and because I'd never read Tolstoy before, I decided to read it after she was finished with it. I'm glad I did. A warning: if watching someone die is still fresh in your mind and your heart, this book may be a difficult read. My mother passed not quite 4 years ago, and reading the thoughts of someone completely aware that they are dying, made me recall the things my mom had said on her deathbed. But just as I learned when my mom passed, this book focuses on peace and acceptance, and the release that death bestows on us. This is a classic, of course. So some of the references and language are antiquated. But the message is timeless. I only wish some parts were not so drawn out. Particularly in the beginning, I feel I poured too much effort into familiarizing myself with Ivan's associates, when none of those details are really germane to the story....more
Took awhile for this book to draw me in, and I definitely was more enthralled with the second half, than the first. But the writing was lovely, the sTook awhile for this book to draw me in, and I definitely was more enthralled with the second half, than the first. But the writing was lovely, the story was intense, and the settings were perfectly imagined. The character development in this story is something I won't soon forget....more
This book was extra entertaining for me because I live near the setting and I'm familiar with this portion of south-central Wisconsin. But aside from This book was extra entertaining for me because I live near the setting and I'm familiar with this portion of south-central Wisconsin. But aside from that, the 1999 nostalgia mixed with family secrets and suspense made this a story I easily got wrapped up in. This was a quick, thrilling read and one of the best books I've read this year....more
A premise that sounded promising turned out to be a convoluted bore. There were a few nights when this book put me to sleep. I only ended up finishingA premise that sounded promising turned out to be a convoluted bore. There were a few nights when this book put me to sleep. I only ended up finishing it because I was reading it as a sleep-aid. The story was bogged down in unnecessary details and there was really nothing endearing about the mother or the daughter that made me care whether the mystery was ever solved. This book makes me wonder if Amazon First Reads vets their selections at all. ...more
This book wasn't completely unreadable, but it came close. I saw this book on a list of reads that make you feel miracles are possible. To me, this isThis book wasn't completely unreadable, but it came close. I saw this book on a list of reads that make you feel miracles are possible. To me, this is more a story of a creepy predator with a God-Complex. The descriptions of a young girl's physique and the way her clothes fit, were odd. Then we're treated to a completely unnecessary account of when a boy saw a girl get her first period. If a doctor kissed my child's forehead before performing a medical procedure on her, you best believe I'd file a complaint. But in this backwoods setting, it's all sweet and good. Even by the end of the book, I'm not sure if the main adult male character is about to profess his love to a woman, or a young girl. I'm not a doctor, but I know enough about illness, hospitalizations, and organ transplantation to know that the things happening in this book were completely unrealistic. Tho not terribly written, the story itself was cringy....more
I suspect I'm not the only one who became a fan of Katie Porter after her viral videos of schooling CEOs and bureaucratic talking-heads. When I saw tI suspect I'm not the only one who became a fan of Katie Porter after her viral videos of schooling CEOs and bureaucratic talking-heads. When I saw this audiobook, I had to snag it up.
I didn't know beforehand that Ms. Porter was from my home state of Iowa, or that she had previously taught at U of Iowa, and learning this made me even more eager to learn about her. I would like to say the revelations about how disfunctional and ineffective Congress is, was surprising. But, it really was not. That doesn't mean it wasn't still frustrating to hear about.
It was certainly disheartening to understand why it's only those with no real responsibilities who are the ones with the time to put up with the nonsense involved in being an elected official at the national level. And these are the same people who couldn't care less about actually improving the lives of their constituents. Thank you for keeping it real, Ms. Porter....more
I thoroughly enjoyed the lighthearted nonsense with which these stories were told. The obscenities might catch some people off guard, but it's just enI thoroughly enjoyed the lighthearted nonsense with which these stories were told. The obscenities might catch some people off guard, but it's just enough to keep it entertaining, while still being educational. Each chapter was only a few minutes long, and O'Brien covers a lot of ground, although some of the myths are about fictional historical American characters, so yeah..duh..of course they're "myths". He almost lost me when he suggested the moon landing was fake, but he didn't lose me enough to take my review down to 4 stars....more
I've been in the City Planning profession for 25 years now. Currently I work for a community where people (both residents and elected officials) are dI've been in the City Planning profession for 25 years now. Currently I work for a community where people (both residents and elected officials) are determined to do a combination of these 13 things. While the real-life examples in this book were both comical and disheartening, I didn't learn much about how myself, in my position, can do a whole lot to offset the issues caused by the ignorant and the stubborn. The takeaway for me is that my job is a thankless, uphill battle where everybody is battling because they all truly believe they know best. I'm on the cusp of burnout, and my job satisfaction is at an all time low. This book has me coming to terms with just how thankless jobs in local government can be....more
Science fiction isn't a genre I'm particularly fond of, but Hitchhiker's Guide has such a following I felt like I kind of HAD to read it. I went withScience fiction isn't a genre I'm particularly fond of, but Hitchhiker's Guide has such a following I felt like I kind of HAD to read it. I went with the audiobook, cause reading it was torturous for me. I've come to the conclusion this story is 100% not for me. I stuck with it, but It really just sounded like nonsense. The animated narration was annoying and the story was all over the place. I'm not sure you can even call it a story. I'm sure I'm in the minority, but listening to it was not enjoyable....more
After listening to this audiobook, I have some conflicting thoughts. I wasn't expecting such a deep, nearly academic explanation of how ethicists, pAfter listening to this audiobook, I have some conflicting thoughts. I wasn't expecting such a deep, nearly academic explanation of how ethicists, philosophers, and other writers quantify whether someone is "doing the right thing". While some of it was profounding interesting, I will never remember all the names of the theories or the names of who came up with them. Based on the book cover, the author's bio, and the celebrity narrators who pitched in, I was really expecting much more silliness. There were a few excerpts that had me giggling out loud. But most of it was dull, with a monotone delivery, which made it difficult to stay engaged. However, this book did leave me feeling confident that I am a good human being, and that feeling of superiority makes me rank this book slightly higher than I was at first inclined to....more
I'm a bit of a Seinfeld super fan, so I was already aware of some of these inside stories. But I learned a few new interesting things about the makinI'm a bit of a Seinfeld super fan, so I was already aware of some of these inside stories. But I learned a few new interesting things about the making of Seinfeld and the people who came and went throughout the show's run. I especially liked learning about how the fake movie titles were often real movies that someone involved in the show were trying to write, which were never made. Unfortunately the writing in Seinfeldia was awkwardly clunky. A scene in a particular episode would be referenced for comedic effect. Then a couple pages later the same episode would be introduced and referenced again, as tho the reader may be unfamiliar with it. Also odd was how sometimes the creators were referred to as "Larry and Jerry", and other times as "David and Seinfeld". It seems this author tried to squeeze as much info and anecdotes out of people who were barely involved on the pariphery of this show's production, as possible. Too bad what they had to say wasn't very interesting or insightful. The ending felt off as well, by rehashing Michael Richard's racist rant, and the subsequent shows the Seinfeld cast were involved in that failed. Lastly it focused on Larry and Jerry's disapproval of the various social media posts that contemplate plot ideas if Seinfeld were made today. *That's a shame.* But this was still a fun book to read, that made me miss the quality sitcoms of the 90s....more
I'd never heard of the Dionne Quints before, and thier story was both sad and fascinating. The idea of these human children becoming a roadside spectaI'd never heard of the Dionne Quints before, and thier story was both sad and fascinating. The idea of these human children becoming a roadside spectacle was nuts, compounded by how the money was mismanaged and these women were so severely taken advantage of. Even tho their story is interesting, the book was rather combersome. So many details added nothing to the story, and some parts felt repetitive....more
The fact this was published prior to Covid-19 makes it extra fascinating to read of the parallels between the two outbreaks, a century apart. I wouldThe fact this was published prior to Covid-19 makes it extra fascinating to read of the parallels between the two outbreaks, a century apart. I would have enjoyed a bit more "human interest" added to this book, and a bit less scientific and medical terminology. But the book was still interesting. If I'd read it prior to Covid-19 I would have thought "No way we'd let that many people die, nowadays." and I would have been very wrong. The book ends by saying statistical modeling shows a Spanish Flu type of outbreak today would kill up to 300,000 people in the United States alone, and that proclamation is suppose to shock us. That estimate was off by 1 million. :(...more
This book was cute, but totally predictable and forgetful. Fake relationship turns into something real. It's been done hundreds of times, but this is This book was cute, but totally predictable and forgetful. Fake relationship turns into something real. It's been done hundreds of times, but this is probably far from the worst take on this trope that's out there today....more
I'm not too proud to admit that I had no idea what was going on through the majority of this book. I wanted to read it because I understood it to be I'm not too proud to admit that I had no idea what was going on through the majority of this book. I wanted to read it because I understood it to be progressive at the time. And I appreciate the woman's perspective. But wow, this was difficult to get through....more
Loading...
