Memoir is always hard to rate or judge because it's the person's experiences, so take my review with a grain of salt.
It felt like I've read this befoMemoir is always hard to rate or judge because it's the person's experiences, so take my review with a grain of salt.
It felt like I've read this before. In some ways stories like Heavy or All Boys Aren’t Blue (a little less so) are provocative in their pointed and astute observations of their life but also meant to dig in and make a reader listen because of the crassness. Purnell's experiences are his own from the lens of where he grew up, how he loved, who he loved, and how he felt about himself and the world around him as a gay Black man. It's powerful and vivid, but a bit of an assault on the senses which means the writing is being responded to by the reader/listener.
I thought it was going to be a little more essay-like in the poetry of the "ten bridges I've burnt" but it wasn't so much that as vignettes of experiences. ...more
Nightschool is in session for weirn in addition to vampires and werewolves at this school. Regular kids during the day, fantastical creatures at nightNightschool is in session for weirn in addition to vampires and werewolves at this school. Regular kids during the day, fantastical creatures at night where there are portals to move in and out of and a mystery to unfold with the new girl who has been homeschooled before and is learning the ropes.
While it's written as a graphic novel, read left to right and read front to back, it has American manga vibes with the outsized facial features and panel movement in black and white. It works for the story that has action and mystery. ...more
A girl and her mother move back to an area they had lived in a while back- they don't have much money but what Kohane has is a mom who focuses on beauA girl and her mother move back to an area they had lived in a while back- they don't have much money but what Kohane has is a mom who focuses on beauty and hustles. Kohane has never known her father. She's the new girl in school and meets some lovely people then runs into the obnoxious boy whose family runs a cosmetic empire- he tells her she's ugly and prettifies her, now does she have to be one of his bunnies? She hopes not... or maybe she hopes so?
The push/pull is a tried-and-true approach and his crass behavior isn't even abnormal either.
It's entertaining, but I'm not sure I'd continue to the series. We'll have to see.
Merged review:
A girl and her mother move back to an area they had lived in a while back- they don't have much money but what Kohane has is a mom who focuses on beauty and hustles. Kohane has never known her father. She's the new girl in school and meets some lovely people then runs into the obnoxious boy whose family runs a cosmetic empire- he tells her she's ugly and prettifies her, now does she have to be one of his bunnies? She hopes not... or maybe she hopes so?
The push/pull is a tried-and-true approach and his crass behavior isn't even abnormal either.
It's entertaining, but I'm not sure I'd continue to the series. We'll have to see....more
They had to do something for the sixty-ninth issue of the comic, so there you have it. We've got a few flashbacks hearkening back to the old days thatThey had to do something for the sixty-ninth issue of the comic, so there you have it. We've got a few flashbacks hearkening back to the old days that'll freak a reader out and the excitement of Lying Cat. And then there's poor Squire who's having a rough go- he's done a little self-harm and Alana has to figure out how she can help the robot kid.
I had high hopes but I didn't like the way the book was written. It's about a serial killer in France who sought out women and when he killed them, goI had high hopes but I didn't like the way the book was written. It's about a serial killer in France who sought out women and when he killed them, got their money but it wasn't the primary motivation- instead it was his conceited world that he wanted the power over these women who were "feeble".
The trial and story would have sucked me in but I found the writing convoluted. I wanted more facts and less pomp and circumstance though it was vivid to have the photos from the trial in the story as Landru has a fascinating look.
I know it'll go out but it doesn't have the umph that a book like Fleming's Murder Among Friends. ...more
I probably would have enjoyed it more as an audiobook because I found the language difficult to get into and read- it didn't have the flow that other I probably would have enjoyed it more as an audiobook because I found the language difficult to get into and read- it didn't have the flow that other nonfiction does with a clear focus chapter by chapter, instead this was about making sure history is remembered correctly when it comes to Black ballerinas and in particular Arthur Mitchell who was a Black danseur who created a studio in Harlem to recruit and train Black ballerinas.
It's a sweeping history but because I don't have as much of an interest, I needed the storytelling to be stronger to keep me engaged. Certainly recommend for its sharing of history especially all of the hardworking men and women who fought back against racism and discrimination at every turn whether it was makeup and costumes or access to the best performances. ...more
An absolutely entertaining mystery that's long on dead bodies and intrigue and humor and short on boring. It's highly active for a reader whether listAn absolutely entertaining mystery that's long on dead bodies and intrigue and humor and short on boring. It's highly active for a reader whether listening or reading from the names of all of the Swift family characters and now the hijinks in another country, namely Paris, France as they investigate a museum heist with more bodies.
It's a good time from start to finish and the more unique and creative mystery to hit shelves in the last few years. Pay attention! ...more
I borrowed this because I always want to learn more about death culture and have varying perspectives and approaches. I didn't realize the two that wrI borrowed this because I always want to learn more about death culture and have varying perspectives and approaches. I didn't realize the two that wrote this book ran a podcast as I'm a reader/listener, not a podcaster person. But this one was basically one long podcast in a sense. The humor clearly expressed in the book is likely a mirror to how they approach the podcast, but in a book, it gets to be a little much. There are substantive elements of the book: body farms and decomposition, obituaries, people doing bad things, etc. but that was derailed oftentimes by their approach to sharing it. If they had taken themselves out of it, it would have been a nod to their podcast but added something in writing to compliment their podcast. In that sense, I wanted more from the book.
But it was a read that mixes the morbid with the humorous yet lacked a touch of decency and empathy.
They do cover a wide range of topics so it flits in and out of topics without a clear direction. They go from talking about a man who wanted to be buried in a glass coffin propped up riding his motorcycle and then they're talking about death photography. They cover last words of the famous and also a jock who profited by overstuffing a crematory and mixing cremains to give back to families. Death bed confessions. Hired strippers at funeral services. Tidbits upon tidbits like a coffee table book of death. ...more
For a book this size, I was expecting an epic and/or generational story, which existed but not in the way that I as a reader woulI'm in the minority.
For a book this size, I was expecting an epic and/or generational story, which existed but not in the way that I as a reader would have been sucked in. I can see how dropping in facts about Jude's life makes someone want to know just exactly what happened but I was impatient and (*gasp*) unsympathetic to knowing because I wasn't connected to the book the way others have become connected to it and fallen for the hardships and friendships throughout a lifetime.
It's in the category of books for adults that show the difficulty with little glimmers. Maybe that's not my life so I don't have the patience for it. Does that show I lack empathy? Maybe a little in tolerating the book, because there are others that I have fallen all over. Could also have been the difference between reading it versus listening to it as I listened to the audiobook. ...more
Nothing much happens in this manga which is a semi-romantic slice of life about a girl who wears a mask-- a figurative one for everyone around her. ChNothing much happens in this manga which is a semi-romantic slice of life about a girl who wears a mask-- a figurative one for everyone around her. Chitose has been relatively fine living this way until she meets Itsuki who can see right through it.
The story was disjointed so it didn't flow for me and I didn't connect with either of the characters to continue with this particular series.
Merged review:
Nothing much happens in this manga which is a semi-romantic slice of life about a girl who wears a mask-- a figurative one for everyone around her. Chitose has been relatively fine living this way until she meets Itsuki who can see right through it.
The story was disjointed so it didn't flow for me and I didn't connect with either of the characters to continue with this particular series....more
Everyone has a story to tell and Aziz wanted to share his story as a brown boy who felt misplaced often in a world but sought out people to uplift himEveryone has a story to tell and Aziz wanted to share his story as a brown boy who felt misplaced often in a world but sought out people to uplift him and focus him be it Obama when he took office or his family. There was always a battle within himself to fit in and find purpose which he did over the course of his life and career in law and politics. ...more
I know it's getting a lot of hype but I don't think the audience matches the writing and in reading it, the vagueness of the story from start to finisI know it's getting a lot of hype but I don't think the audience matches the writing and in reading it, the vagueness of the story from start to finish made me frustrated. I wanted more substance because it felt more ethereal than real though Quigley's message is one of taking back power and showcasing Indigenous folks who don't live on reservations in the middle of the United States but in urban areas like Tomah and Ariel, the two characters from the story. Ariel is struggling because her auntie is a missing woman. There's a lot of past and present to unpack and uncertainty about the future that maybe Tomah and Ariel can band together to help muddle their way through.
The verse works for the concept but I wish it was more literal than figurative to drive home the point of missing women in the community for a younger audience. I don't know if readers would come away with the knowledge and understanding if they didn't already have it before.
One of the last chapters "Survive and Breathe" in Tomah's words was one of my favorites. ...more
This story that would be perfect for a middle schooler or high schooler is a focused, brief autobiography of Lowe who experienced poverty and a disrupThis story that would be perfect for a middle schooler or high schooler is a focused, brief autobiography of Lowe who experienced poverty and a disrupted upbringing but kept her eye on excelling in track and field, saying to herself when she was very young that she wanted to be an Olympian after seeing FloJo on the screen.
Her mom tried to care for the family but it ultimately meant she moved to a few other family members' homes before living with her grandmother and taking advantage of opportunities to do track in California away from her mother. Her laser-like focus meant she wanted to get a track scholarship and succeed in the sport while studying hard and being surrounded by the love that she gave and was given back to her. Her positive outlook didn't fail her even in the darker times.
Page 26 when she meets her grandmother: "Driving the point further home, the woman pointed at me yet again and said, "I know my family, and that little girl right there is my granddaughter." Feeling that this woman was deeply mistaken, I waited for my mom to correct her. Then to my shock, my mom said, "Yes, Mrs. Booker, I think she is."
"All the happiness of new love faded when he began to drink heavily and started beating her. The last time he used her as his punching bag was so brutal that he left her bleeding with a fractured skull and spiraling into a deep depression." "Mrs. Yarborough," I said. "Does it have to be creative writing? can I write a nonfiction story?" Taking a minute to think about my question, she said, "Yes, if you're excited about writing it, I can't wait to read it."...more
My favorite guilty pleasure back for a 1-2 punch, volumes 11 and 12 in quick succession.
In volume 12, Tatsu is up to his usual. Dining with his old lMy favorite guilty pleasure back for a 1-2 punch, volumes 11 and 12 in quick succession.
In volume 12, Tatsu is up to his usual. Dining with his old lady group ready to take down the new chain tea/coffee places Starbox that moved into town. He's cooking up feasts and being treated to others. He's learning traffic and pedestrian safety with a bunch of kids and adults in which the mascot and then he get hit by a car and the best, the entertaining chapter for Halloween when Tatsu wants to shake down the kids who are looking for treats and then they go over to Masa's who thinks that anyone in a costume gets free stuff.
I continue to adore the humor, entertainment, and situations in this brain candy series and that was after my husband cooked me a killer breakfast sandwich- a brisket egg sandwich with Gouda on an everything bagel. I might like it more because I have my own fabulous househusband who's a little yakuza (military veteran) himself. ...more
Eh. I wasn't a fan I think because of the brash and wholly obnoxious way both Emma and Caleb came about things. I thought the crassness of their languEh. I wasn't a fan I think because of the brash and wholly obnoxious way both Emma and Caleb came about things. I thought the crassness of their language and swearing got in the way of a deeper story about relationships, friendships, dynamic, and expectations. I cringed every time there was a cheap joke or unnecessarily extra swearing and I'm not even prudish about it in general, it was misplaced.
Obviously the trajectory of the story is exactly what's expected and that comfort was the comfort and saved me from totally dropping the story at all....more
There was SO MUCH I didn't know about Washington Irving. Keenan's background and focused explanation to give context to the lore of the headless horseThere was SO MUCH I didn't know about Washington Irving. Keenan's background and focused explanation to give context to the lore of the headless horseman was the perfect lunchtime read for me. Plus, I've been to the cemetery and visited his grave (I'm a taphophile) and there were tidbits that I shared with others including the "knickerbocker" name and how he was the first American to make a living in publishing.
I always enjoy a good Who HQ story when done like this! ...more
I love the art in Fallon's books, particularly the look of the kid which is super adorable with his big square glasses and excitement at the anticipatI love the art in Fallon's books, particularly the look of the kid which is super adorable with his big square glasses and excitement at the anticipation of holidays (now Halloween) as the countdown begins.
Using the countdown and rhymes, he's undecided about what he wants to be but finally settles on his costume and enjoys the mounds of candy trick-or-treating.
Creepy and Ito-like, there's an underlying tension that's mixed with the tranquility of domestic life as Seiichi goes to school, hangs out with classmCreepy and Ito-like, there's an underlying tension that's mixed with the tranquility of domestic life as Seiichi goes to school, hangs out with classmates and friends, yet his mother is always a little off.
And then the family (and friends?) go on a hike and during this hike, tragedy strikes but in a traumatic and shocking way. *and scene* Literally the end of the volume is essentially "WTF happened? Find out in volume 2!"
I love the mood of the story. This would be an ideal manga to use to talk about mood in stories. ...more
A manga focused on demons and mythology. Inugami travels to a remote village as an investigator and immediately happens upon a boy named Dorotabo who A manga focused on demons and mythology. Inugami travels to a remote village as an investigator and immediately happens upon a boy named Dorotabo who works in the muddied fields. As he asks to have Dorotabo serve him, he wants to know more about him and figures out what he had suspected all along. The boy is a half khoular now named Kabane as Inugami takes him to Tokyo because he is a kemono and those specialist powers are required to help others. And that's exactly what happens when they get to the city-- Kabane's specialty helps save a family from bugs all because they are a poor family and one of the kids stole a pair of sneakers.
It's a creative, gently gory story about creepy crawlies and mythological folkloric half human or full yokai which is both intriguing and worthwhile. I like the creativity of the story as well as the characters and character development. I could see myself continuing to read the series....more
Writing this time for a children's audience in a picture book rather than his YA graphic novel memoir, this one talks about the same horrific details Writing this time for a children's audience in a picture book rather than his YA graphic novel memoir, this one talks about the same horrific details of Japanese internment. While many of these young readers won't know who George Takei is as a celebrity, they will be able to learn about the atrocities visited on those of Japanese descent during this time.
Takei had to move several times to different camps, including one forcible move because his parents were labeled "disloyal" when they answered "no" on the form that was distributed to all who could possibly serve because then they needed able-bodied people to serve in the military even though they were labeled as enemies by the state though war had changed their feelings in some way.
Takei paints a picture from a child's view. His mother made each place they were living in as much of a home as possible even when they were small rooms or converted horse stalls. He experienced snow and enjoyed movies, but the confinement still existed nonetheless.
A good introduction to the topic for a younger reader. ...more
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