The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell tackled many issues such as “race relations; fatherhood; the state of law enforcement today; comedians and superThe Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell tackled many issues such as “race relations; fatherhood; the state of law enforcement today; comedians and superheroes; right-wing politics; failure; his interracial marriage; his upbringing by very strong-willed, race-conscious, yet ideologically opposite parents; his early days struggling to find his comedic voice, then his later days struggling to find his comedic voice; why he never seemed to fit in with the Black comedy scene . . . or the white comedy scene; how he was a Black nerd way before that became a thing; how it took his wife and an East Bay lesbian to teach him that racism and sexism often walk hand in hand; and much, much more.”
Honestly, I had ever heard of W. Kamau Bell when I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. After reading up a bit on him, I was expecting some side-splitting, laugh out loud comedic lines that would leave me wanting more. That was not this book for me. Bell’s anecdotes are of that rambling style where you think they’ve gone far afield of where the story began until they unexpectedly close the loop. For me, that was a difficult style to read. I kept thinking that I would rather hear him perform the words on the page that I was reading, as I am sure they would be so much more powerful or comical in person. This book feels almost like two shorter books that have been awkwardly joined into one. There’s his personal life in the first part, and then he slips in current administration politics at an awkward and unfinished feeling place in the second part of the book. I did like his essay on Doc McStuffins. (It made me want to go watch cartoons.)
Bell really nails home that you have to do more than just show up, though obviously, that's a good place to start if you haven't already. You've got to speak out, especially to friends and family. Maybe you won't change their minds right away but planting seeds of truth can work over time to affect change. If you're already organizing and getting your voice heard, you've gotta do more and expect less (less sleep, or leisure time, etc.), as well as many other tiny gems.
Again, maybe reading Bell just wasn’t the right media for me, and his messages and comedy would be better in person. Overall, it was an interesting set of essays to read.
Thank you to NetGalley and W. Kamau Bell for the ARC and opportunity to read this interesting novel. I would rate this a 3.5 out of 5 stars (maybe higher once I read the final published edition and all the editing issues are corrected.)...more
Arthur, a spry eighty-five-year young man, has lunch with his wife Nola every day of the week. He brings his lunch and a little folding chair to the cArthur, a spry eighty-five-year young man, has lunch with his wife Nola every day of the week. He brings his lunch and a little folding chair to the cemetery every noontime so that he can talk to Nola while eating. He stops to visit her neighbors, reading their headstones and imagining the lives they had lived when alive. Some would say that Arthur is pretty obviously ready to give in and join Nola in her heavenly abode – and maybe there’s some truth there. But then Arthur meets Maddy, a teenager who spends almost as much time at the cemetery as he does, and his life becomes extraordinary.
Maddy, whose mother died in an auto accident when Maddy was just two weeks old, is as lonely as Arthur. She is comforted by the graveyard. In life, she is a loner, a loser, a motherless girl with a distant father. As the friendship between the old man and the teen becomes more important to each of them, Maddy (seeing how Arthur embodies true love not only for his lost Nola but also for the lost Maddy and unloved Lucille) tags him with the nickname “Truluv.” Things really get interesting when Arthur’s elderly next-door neighbor Lucile, having observed the new relationship between Maddy and Arthur, decides that she wants to become a part of this new beginning as well. Luckily Arthur's untapped capacity for love expands and embraces Maddy, as well as his cranky elderly neighbor Lucille.
The Story of Arthur Truluv is one of those rare coming-of-age novels that are just as much about the end of life as they are about growing up. Two of its three central characters are very near the end of their lives, and the third is just on the brink of beginning hers. The beauty of the novel is that all three of them bring something unique to the communal relationship, something that adds to the feeling of family that soon develops between them. It also probes the depth of loneliness and depression in the elderly and the young, bringing disparate characters into clear focus, revealing their common humanity and mutual need.
This charming, quiet novel will appeal to many readers. It reminds us to love one another... the cranky, the misfits, the girl with the nose ring, the ineffectual father, the unborn… and ourselves. Though a predictable novel, it’s “feel good” rich characters make this a must-read for all of us who still believe in magic.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley, Elizabeth Berg and the publishers for allowing me to experience a feel good world with Mr. Arthur Moses (TruLuv). ...more
A short, fun read that will have you thinking about the pure evil that can be attributed to total power, and what you would do should you be given theA short, fun read that will have you thinking about the pure evil that can be attributed to total power, and what you would do should you be given the chance at total control. Stephen King and Richard Chizmar are a dream combination! Constant Readers will recognize the subtle innuendos throughout Castle Rock, and with the Man In Black. The initials RF ring a bell?
Come on, live a little. And remember that whatever you do, don't press the black button!...more
Deadmen Walking, by Sherrilyn Kenyon, takes us through the 1700s Caribbean life, where the Pirates reigned the seven seas, and all manner of creatures (alive and dead) roam about plundering for spoils. The book opens up with a war torn and doomed pirate ship heading to the wreckage of Davy Jones’s locker. The battered crew escapes the wreckage, and the captain -as good ones do- goes down with his ill-fated ship.
Next, you meet a young woman seeking the help of the notorious pirate Devyl Bane, under the guise of a young man, to find her missing (presumed dead) brother. When Bane sees a trinket that is linked to the blood of the archangel Michael, he quickly sets about escorting Cameron Jack to his ship to render aid to her cause. At this juncture, you may be thinking that the main story is centered around young Cameron Jack, her quest to be reunited with her captured brother, and the pirate Devyl, however, in doing so, your ship has been sorely steered asunder by the crafty Kenyon.
Devlyn Bane and his cursed crew of Deadmen (Hellchasers) are a varied group of mermen, hell bound creatures and demons all brought back from their deaths by the enigmatic son of Lucifer, Thorn. Thorn and Bane have their own bloody and twisted history together, yet Thorn has assembled the crew from the depths of hell despite the “bad blood” between them. Thorn has agreed to give them each a chance to redeem their own souls by becoming crew members. The crew had all lead lives that were beyond redemption, but they all had something good as well they had done before their death. That one act of kindness, or compassion, earned them the right to prove they were worthy of redemption. If the crew of the ship can redeem their souls, they will have another chance at life. But to get their chance, they must keep the gates that protect the human world from the ancient monsters.
You learn that the vilest demon attempting escape is Vine, a particularly nasty creature, that Bane sold his soul to the devil to trap her in her hellish prison. Vine also happens to be Bane’s ex-wife. She is hell bent to see that Devyl gets his due.
Traversing the seas with his sister-in-law Marcelina (who is also the Sea Witch, the ship that they sail upon), Bane and the Deadmen fight to return the wayward demons to hell as well as keep Vine in her own dark prison. Centuries of being trapped in a hole in the world, Vine is not one to stay there quietly. Little does Bane know, Cameron Jack (with her bloodline coming from the archangel Michael) is exactly what Vine needs to crack open the gates and reign hell on earth. There is much tension between Bane and Marcelina, but then again their history is also bloody and dark.
The storyline was captivating, spellbinding, and fascinating. The characters heart wrenching, gut-punching, and maddening. The tone overall racked with humor, beauty, and with a fun spirit. Deadmen Walking is so elaborate, you are really sucked in and left wanting to know what will happen next.
FULL DISCLOSURE!!! This may not be for everyone. There is a lot of character play from many other of Kenyon’s novels and her different worlds that causes some bulking and what could be considered information overload. I kept in mind that this was the first novel in her new series, and some ground laying and history was needed. If you love a steamy love scene, a brawling bunch of pirates, angels and demons and people trying to escape from hell (wait, this sounds like a movie!), then this novel is for you! Overall, I rated this novel a 4 out of 5 stars, as once again, in my opinion, Kenyon has knocked it out of the universe....more
I Found You by Lisa Jewell is a very highly recommended novel of suspense. This page-turner held my rapt attention from the mysterious beginning to thI Found You by Lisa Jewell is a very highly recommended novel of suspense. This page-turner held my rapt attention from the mysterious beginning to the satisfying conclusion.
One features a fortyish single mother/artist named Alice Lake, who has moved with her three kids and three dogs from London to Ridinghouse Bay, a fictional town on the North Sea. Alice is impulsive, extra casual, and very lonely; she is also kind, sexy, humorous, intuitive and talented (her self-created business is one of creating collages out of maps). A rescuer of people and dogs, as well as the long-distance caretaker of her Alzheimer’s-stricken parents, she displays a definite altruistic streak.
One day Alice sees a man sitting on the beach and alone for hours. Eventually, she brings him a raincoat. After talking with him she learns the man hasn't a clue where he came from, what his name is, and has absolutely no memory of his life whatsoever. Despite “stranger danger, “ Alice invites him to stay in a small shed she has behind her house. She feeds, and clothes him, and gives him the name Frank, despite her best friend Derry’s disapproval.
The next thread in the novel brings in a newlywed woman named Lily Monrose, whose husband has disappeared. Lily is from the Ukraine, which is where she met her bridegroom, Carl. Seemingly, they are an ideal, if not a bit isolated couple, when, without warning, he vanishes. Police investigation reveals that Carl’s passport is a sophisticated fake. Betrayed, deserted and a stranger in a strange land, Lily sets out to find him.
Could Frank be the missing Carl?
Jewell next introduces a third strand, a flashback to 1993. It is summer, and a family of four (including a teenage sister and brother, Kirsty and Graham, known as Gray) are on vacation. On the beach, they meet an intense young man named Mark, who is instantly enamored with Kirsty. Rejection causes him to become violent, and an otherwise idyllic vacation turns tragic.
Could Frank be Gray? What happened to Kirsty? This tangled past starts to play out in the present as Lily’s search for her husband crashes paths with that of Alice and Frank. The women in this novel push forward determined to bring the true identity of the men to the light despite the inherent risk to their love life and lives in general.
I Found You is not just a mystery to be solved, it is also about families and strangers, love and loss, and above all...memories. If you love character driven mysteries, money in the bank, or a new sports car to drive, then this is the novel for you. This was a 4.5/5 star novel for me.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Net Galley, Atria Books and Lisa Jewell for this fast paced reading treasure!...more
This is an interesting book that brought many questions to my mind: The biggest question for me is are todThis is billed as a Lemony Snicket author?.
This is an interesting book that brought many questions to my mind: The biggest question for me is are today's teens that much more aware of their own sexuality and experiences? Is this a book one we could recommend to a mature teen in good conscience? And what will younger teens think (and their parents should they pick this book up) if they read it because they are Lemony Snicket fans? I think there is a lot of confusion as to WHICH audience this author is targeting.
This is most definitely a book with explicit adult content, even if the main character is a teen. I found the novel to be almost too graphic for me to plow through. I have teenage daughters, and the whole time I was reading this novel, all I could think was "would I let my girls read this?" For me, the answer was no. With that answer being a no, it is hard for me to push or promote this book in either market (adult or mature teen.)
Saying all of that, I do not think that the authors writing was bad. I think a lot of the graphic situations in the book (which was most of the book) was written with the intent of shock value, and to me, that does not equal necessarily a totally enjoyable reading experience.
Thank you so much to Net Galley, the publisher and Daniel Handler for the ARC and opportunity to provide feedback....more
The Human Wilderness, by S. H. Livernois, is a novel set upon the premise of “would you face monsters for the ones you love.”
The first characters we mThe Human Wilderness, by S. H. Livernois, is a novel set upon the premise of “would you face monsters for the ones you love.”
The first characters we meet in The Human Wilderness are Eli Stenz and “Squirrel” are residents in a settlement called rather ironically "Hope". Eli and Squirrel are out hunting for meat for the other people in Hope. Everyone that lives in Hope has a job to do, Eli's and Squirrel's jobs are to hunt for food and to kill parasites if they see them. Squirrel ends up being caught by the parasites and is bitten. Eli is close by and attempts to kill the parasite before it bites Squirrel but he is a second too late. Eli faces returning to Hope, having to tell Squirrels family and the other residents what happened. People are busy with preparations for the anniversary celebration and don't take the news very well. Some of the residents of Hope blame Eli. Eli becomes an “outsider.”
Later in the book, we learn that Lily has disappeared. Her father’s first thought is to go after her and he asks for people to go with him. Sadly the community attitude is if Lily is on the outside of Hope's walls if she isn't dead already, she will be soon. Eli, Frank and the doctor Jane go in search of the missing Lily. Lily is quite clever as she leaves strands from her friendship bracelet for her family to find and to help guide them to her.
As a whole, I struggled to get through this novel, and could not connect to Eli as I felt his whining and self-loathing left a lot to be desired. Though an interesting spin on the whole zombie phenomenon right now (they could work together, use tools, retained some higher functions, etc), I am not overly zealous about reading the next book in the series. I gave this novel 3 out of 5 stars as I liked the concept, I just think there should be a bit of character review.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of the novel. I appreciate NetGalley, S.H. Livernois, and the publisher for the opportunity to review this zombie thriller....more
American War, by Omar El Akkad, tells the story of yet another civil war in the United States in the late 21st century that has fractured it once again into North versus South. The premise of this imagined future clash is not race and slavery, but science and the environment. We learn that as climate change ravaged the Earth, the Northern states abandoned fossil fuels, while the South maintained their excavation and use of them. This causes the North to decide to wage war, utilizing devastating biological weapons attacks that have reduced the United States to a weakened status in the world.
The novel is focused on the members of one ill-fated family in Louisiana, starting in 2075, when the country is enjoying a fragile, if often violated, peace. Sarat Chestnut lives with her parents and siblings in a corrugated steel container salvaged from the shipyard, where supplies periodically arrive from the new superpowers in Asia and North Africa. Hearing rumors of good jobs, her father has plans to move the family North for a better life. With one ill-placed suicide bomber, those dreams are slaughtered and Sarat and her siblings are forced to leave their small steel world to become refugees.
From the refuse of war and scraps of charity, Sarat and her fellow survivors create a faux simile of normal life, but their efforts are constantly interrupted by “warbirds” and militia raids. The children of war and their widowed mothers are trapped between warring factions, exploited for news propaganda, used as human shields or recruited to wear “farmers suits” and become suicide bombers.
American War is an illustration of how resentment ferments in boredom and produces an acid that could poison any peace. But this story is always Sarat’s. This is the painful journey that reveals how a curious girl evolves into a pitiless fighter. This transformation is all the more horrifying because you sympathize with her so deeply and feel so viscerally at the outrages she endures. Sarat’s acts of retribution, lead you through the murky moral realm of a place plowed by murder and seeded by torture. In places, the book’s description was so real, so raw, that I had to step away and remind myself that the world outside was not the one I was reading about. With all of the heated political issues being raised today, this book may not be for everyone. I personally found that the narration and story were highly plausible as to where we could be headed if caution, as well as history, is not heeded. El Akkad, in my opinion, has produced a literary gem. I gave this book 5/5 stars....more
BREATHE is a collection of twelve twisted tales, from erotic shorts to the truly dark and twisted. While not necessarily mainstream reading, it’s defiBREATHE is a collection of twelve twisted tales, from erotic shorts to the truly dark and twisted. While not necessarily mainstream reading, it’s definitely worth exploring. Each tale unravels a bit at a time and travels on a wave of brutal, beautiful, and wicked prose. These are not stories for the faint of heart or weak of stomach. Vampires, assassins, mannequins, giant tarantulas, and serial killers a plenty leave room for one’s imagination to run wild. For me, I found Layden Robinson’s ability to craft words as a serial killer wields a knife chilling. Of these twelve tales, “A Fellows Grievance” and “The Man Above” were my favorites. Layden Robinson is definitely an author to keep your eyes on! Visit my blog at OceanViewsandBookReviews! – Views, Reviews and Blogs by an … for an expanded review!
I received this copy from Layden Robinson in exchange for my honest review.
“This summer, my brother Matthew set himself to killing women, but without ever once breaking the law.”
This thrilling debut novel by Beth Underdown is based loosely on the life of the infamous "witchfinder general" Matthew Hopkins of the mid 17th century. The story is narrated by his sister, Alice, who, pregnant, must return to her younger brother’s household after the sudden death of her husband in London. Alice, an apparent prisoner as the story opens, portrays her brother as a misogynist serial killer above reproach.
“The number of women my brother Matthew killed, as far as I can reckon it, is one hundred and six.”
Upon returning home, Alice finds there is a new darkness in the town—frightened whispers are stirring in the streets: whispers of witchcraft, and of a book in which he is gathering women's names. Home is no longer a place of safety. Matthew has changed. Alice soon finds secrets nested within secrets: and at their heart, the poisonous truth: Matthew is a ruthless hunter of suspected witches. Torn between devotion to her brother and horror at what he’s become, Alice is desperate to intervene—and deathly afraid of the consequences.
Alice is soon on a journey facing the most darkest of evils... ones own self.
"...Father had said to me once that the most fearful thing you could meet down a dark lane was another person. But it is not so, I thought, as we rode toward the Thorn: what you meet in the dark is yourself. And that is truly a thing to be feared."
This was truly an amazing novel about this time period, and I recommend it to anyone who loves history, and especially the 17th century witch trials.
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