Highly contrived and wildly fanciful, but I'm committed to these characters, so I keep coming back for more.
I think this is the last book she wrote aHighly contrived and wildly fanciful, but I'm committed to these characters, so I keep coming back for more.
I think this is the last book she wrote alone before R.W. Green took her place as the author of the series I enjoyed listening to Penelope Keith narrate the audiobook edition....more
This is a thought-provoking book about the randomness and chaos in the world and man's search to find meaning in it. I really enjoyed listening to theThis is a thought-provoking book about the randomness and chaos in the world and man's search to find meaning in it. I really enjoyed listening to the author narrate the audiobook edition.
interesting quote:
"Accidents, mistakes, and above all, arbitrary neutral changes create species, shape societies, and divert our lives. Conversely, research has shown that people will happily accept randomness or chance as satisfactory explanations when they experience an unexpected positive, such as winning the lottery. In those moments of surprising joy, we are like a dog attending its own birthday party, unsure why chicken and cheese are suddenly and inexplicably abundant, but happy to gobble them down unquestioningly. Yet when we try to explain anything important, randomness and chance fly right back out the window." (Chapter 3)...more
This book tells a slightly fictionalized tale of a dog who was rescued from the Lamplugh Glacier after escaping from his family. The narrative is a biThis book tells a slightly fictionalized tale of a dog who was rescued from the Lamplugh Glacier after escaping from his family. The narrative is a bit long for younger children, but the illustrations help tell the story. And while somewhat dramatic, the story has a happy ending....more
This is a candid, intimate, and sincere memoir about the author's early years, experience with gender dysphoria, time in the military, frustration witThis is a candid, intimate, and sincere memoir about the author's early years, experience with gender dysphoria, time in the military, frustration with the military's actions and the country's policies, and subsequent arrest and confinement.
The narrative ends once her sentence is commuted and we will have to see how she manages her life a free woman. Her activism and willingness to stand up for her rights is inspiring, especially in a time when her community is being targeted and vilified....more
I've been meaning to listen to this audiobook for awhile and I've even started it a few months back. But I'm just so tired of hearing about this con mI've been meaning to listen to this audiobook for awhile and I've even started it a few months back. But I'm just so tired of hearing about this con man PT Barnum. So when I finally listened to the sudiobook, I sped it WAY up and only replayed a few sections at a slower pace.
There were a few new tidbits of info, but on the whole, it's just the same old story. The difference with this book is that the details and the span of time covered are very comprehensive and are only matched by Mary L. Trump's books.
Unfortunately, so much of what Ms. Haberman wrote in this book was reported on, and I really didn't need to bother. Nevertheless, it's an important book and we should never forget the damage to our country caused by this man....more
This book offers a fascinating perspective on opportunities and challenges we face in the 21st century. I was very impressed with Yuval Noah Harari's This book offers a fascinating perspective on opportunities and challenges we face in the 21st century. I was very impressed with Yuval Noah Harari's previous books, Homo Deus: A History of Tomorrow and Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, so I expected good things from this book as well.
The narrative covers many touchy topics ranging from politics to religion to climate change to social justice to the role of technology in our lives. He does not shy away from providing his opinion in a highly convincing manner, and while I agree with most of what he has to say, I'm sure the book may anger many.
Overall, I really enjoyed listening to Derek Perkins narrate the audiobook edition and I look forward to Mr. Harari's next book.
interesting quote (page number from hardcover edition with ISBN13 978-0525512172):
"Many pedagogical experts argue that schools should be switching to teaching 'the four Cs' -- critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity." (p. 266)...more
While nothing in this book truly surprised me, it really solidifies how this administration was nothing less than a dumpster fire. I will mention thatWhile nothing in this book truly surprised me, it really solidifies how this administration was nothing less than a dumpster fire. I will mention that the fact that we were a hair's breadth away from withdrawing from NATO took my breath away. As we rapidly approach the midterm elections, I wish with all my heart that the voters realize how close we have come to losing our democracy and the soul of our nation.
It's a long audiobook and I had to listen to it at a rapid playback speed in order to finish it before my loan expired. I really enjoyed listening to Michael Quinlan narrate the book.
interesting quotes:
"Kelly was beyond furious, recalled a close colleague. He pressed Trump to reverse himself. 'If you don't support John McCain's funeral, when you die, the public will come to your grave and piss on it,' an angry Kelly told the President. 'This guy's a hero, regardless of what you think about it.'"
"Even in death, though, McCain had the last word. He left a farewell letter, 'To my fellow Americans,' to be read by Rick Davis, his former campaign manager. It was his final rebuke to Trump and all that he represented. 'We weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence in all the corners of the globe. We weaken it when we hide behind walls, rather than tear them down; when we doubt the power of our ideals, rather than trust them to be the great force for change they have always been. "
I really enjoyed listening to
[image]
's narration for the audiobook edition of this biography. It's a long book, but well worth the time I spent lI really enjoyed listening to
[image]
's narration for the audiobook edition of this biography. It's a long book, but well worth the time I spent listening to it (even though I had to borrow it twice from my local library.
Speaker Pelosi gets quite a bad rap, but I came to appreciate her dedication, her drive, her effectiveness, and her leadership skills.
interesting quote (page number from edition with ISBN13):
"Legislation, like fish, tends to smell worse.. (p. )...more
This book focuses on a relatively short period of time for these five former Presidents. The author discusses other former Predidents, too, but highliThis book focuses on a relatively short period of time for these five former Presidents. The author discusses other former Predidents, too, but highlights the activities of Presidents Carter Bush 41, Clinton, Bush 43, and Obama. It quickly became dated, following the 2020 Presidential election, but is very enlightening nonetheless.
This is a powerful memoir, especially for veterans who have experienced trauma, explaining the lengths to which the author went to avoid facing and adThis is a powerful memoir, especially for veterans who have experienced trauma, explaining the lengths to which the author went to avoid facing and admitting that he was suffering from PTSD. I learned about his memoir from a podcast interview and I am so glad that I was able to listen to him and his wife narrate the audiobook edition.
interesting quotes (page numbers from hardcover edition with ISBN13 978-0358658962):
"Trauma is like credit card debt. The payment is bad enough, but the interest will ruin you." (p. 184)
"...That's what happens when you don't treat an injury, and trauma is no different. It's not wine. It doesn't age well. It's more like an avocado. Nobody builds 'avocado cellars.'" (p. 184)
"Thinking 'other people have it worse' doesn't actually diminish your own trauma, it just diminishes your power to heal." (p. 185)
"Treat yourself as you would a good friend." (p. 185)...more
I really appreciated hearing LtCol Vindman's perspective and about his experiences as an Army officer. Our career paths crossed for a short time, but I really appreciated hearing LtCol Vindman's perspective and about his experiences as an Army officer. Our career paths crossed for a short time, but the Pentagon is a big place...
I salute his patriotism, integrity, and dedication to the profession of arms. I applaud his candor and his ability to concisely tell his tale. I didn't remember if I was able to finish the audiobook before my loan was due, so I relistened to it a few months later. It was worth listening to for the second time.
interesting quote (page numbers from edition with ISBN13):
"Without Ukraine, Russia is a country. With Ukraine, Russia is an empire." (p. )...more
This is not the most engaging history book I've read recently (I'd love to see Steve Sheinkin take on this topic!), but it's likely one of the most imThis is not the most engaging history book I've read recently (I'd love to see Steve Sheinkin take on this topic!), but it's likely one of the most important.
The book covers women's entry into American politics through its publication date in 2014 (I read the original, not the edition revised and updated in 2020). And while women have continued to make inroads in attaining political position and power, it is helpful to remember those who have come before to make today possible.
interesting quotes:
Mark Hanna: "There are two things that are important in politics. The first is money and I can't remember the second." (p. 23, 25)
"Hattie Caraway didn't care for public speaking, even though she was a witty woman. When asked why she avoided giving speeches, she once said wryly, 'I haven't the heart to take a minute away from the men. The poor dears love it so." (p. 34)
"[Margaret Chase] Smith then stood up to make what she called a 'Declaration of Conscience.' She accused Joe McCarthy of 'selfish political exploitation of fear, bigotry ignorance, and intolerance.'" (p. 38) (sounds familiar?)
Clare Boothe Luce: "[M]en have decided to die together because they are unable to find a way to live together." (p. 40)
Helen Gahagan Douglas: "I became active in politics because I saw the possibility, if we all sat back and did nothing, of a world in which there would no longer be any stages for actors to act on." (p. 42)
"And in 1970, Martha Griffiths got the votes needed to bring the Equal Righrs Amendment to a vote in the House of Representatives. The ERA, as it was called, said neither local, state, nor federal law could deny equal rights on account of six. Getting the vote was the first step in making the ERA a part of the United States Constitution." (p. 55) (this happened before I was born - will I ever see it ratified?)
Barbara Jordan"'We, the people.' It's a very eloquent beginning. But when that document was completed on the seventeenth of September in 1787, I was not included in that 'We, the people.' I felt somehow for many years that George Washington and Alexander Hamilton just left me out by mistake. But through the process of amendment, interpretation, and court decision, I have finally been included in 'We, the people. '" (p. 66)
"In this election year, we must define the 'common good' and begin again to shape a common future. Let each person do his or her part. If one citizen is unwilling to participate, all of us are going to suffer. For the American idea, though it is shared by all of us, is realized in each one of us." (p. 67)
"Now that women throughout American society were demanding their rights instead of asking for them, many men were getting hostile. This was true in Congress as well. When Pat Schroeder was appointed to the Armed Services Committee, thechairman, Edward Hébert from Louisiana, actually made her and Ron Dellums, an African-American representative from California, share one chair during the first meeting because, he said, 'women and blacks were worth only half of one regular Member' and deserved only half a seat!" (p. 73)
"For our daughters and granddaughters, the sky is the limit. Anything is possible for them." (p. 103)...more
This is an interesting and informative book about the food chains that exist in desert regions. The narrative is short and does not overwhelm the readThis is an interesting and informative book about the food chains that exist in desert regions. The narrative is short and does not overwhelm the reader with too many facts, but is still very educational about this one topic.
Large, colorful photographs are included on every page, helping to depict the food chain and/or the concept described. The pictures are a bit gruesome in some respects, as many of them show the food chain in action.
Parents of very sensitive children should be cautious when showing their children this book, but I think the majority of children will think the images are actually pretty cool.
The desert creatures featured in the book are typical of those found in the deserts of Arizona, although other desert regions are mentioned as well.
Additional information, including a glossary, an index, a website for further research and an activity to create a 'breakfast food chain' are included in the back of the book. It's a quick read, and I thought it was designed to appeal to elementary school-age children.
interesting quote:
"What happens if a type of plant or animal dies out? The food chain will change. For example, if insects disappear, desert toads will have nothing to eat. They will die, too." (p. 20)...more
Dramatic tale of friendship, courage, and the heartache of a child seeing his mother detained and not knowing what to do. After an accident, he makes Dramatic tale of friendship, courage, and the heartache of a child seeing his mother detained and not knowing what to do. After an accident, he makes a friend who will give him the courage and support he needs to find someone who can help.
Jason's mother is an Afghani citizen with undocumented immigrant status, overstaying a a student visa due to tragic circumstances. When he sees her taken away from her place of employment, he is devastated and embarks on a journey to find a family friend.
I loved the riddles and brain teasers Ms. Hashimi included in the book. For example, "I am the thing that falls on water without getting wet and falls to the earth without breaking. What am I?" (p. 199) (view spoiler)[Light (hide spoiler)] Another example: "You have to fill in the blanks. Fifty-two C in a D." (p. 117) (view spoiler)[Fifty-two cards in a deck (hide spoiler)]
Overall, it's an engaging read, although I cautioned the children in our local library book club never to follow his example - it would cause too much worry and heartache for parents and loved ones and could end up ending very badly. Still, like the adventures in many of the books we read, it was exciting to live vicariously through his journey.
interesting quotes:
"Do you know why people look to the sky when they pray, Shah-jan? Do you know why we hang flags so far above our heads? Because we want to touch that sky, the sky that turns from blue to purple to pink and orange. You can find all colors in the sky. The sun, the moon, the stars, and the clouds - it has room for them all. That's why I love this country, my king. It is like the sky at our feet." (p. 26, 264)
"It's a lot easier to be scared together." (p. 142)
"My teacher totally flipped. She tried to be cool while she asked me why I'd brought in spiders and worms but her voice was as squeaky as a mouse. I told her it's what special and brave kids do." (p. 154)
"I like that about Max - she only smiles when there's something to smile about." (p. 172)
"Mr. Fazio once told me that necessity is the mother of invention. It means that people start getting really smart when they need to - when there's something that's forcing them to think creatively." (p. 194)...more
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