[image] I loved starting off the New Year in Paris. I felt like I was there with the character watching the lights on the Eiffel Tower at night. It fe[image] I loved starting off the New Year in Paris. I felt like I was there with the character watching the lights on the Eiffel Tower at night. It felt very magical. The descriptions in Love & Other Lessons were the best for transporting you to Paris. ______ After multiple life-crushing circumstances Cora, an American, hops a plane with a one-way ticket to Paris. "I haven't decided yet whether I'm taking a break from my life or starting a new one." ~Cora
Oliver is a dual citizen of France and England and is currently living in France. "My mother is French. She married an Englishman. Their children, four sons, of whom I am the youngest, all hold dual citizenship." ~Oliver
Cora & Oliver's meet cute isn't one that made Cora's heart swoon but instead the opposite. Oliver's former college mates come to Paris for a wild week. The guys sign up for a tour of the Effiel Tower and so does the new-to-town Cora. The guys were obnoxious and annoyed everyone on the tour. At that point, it became a time of reflection for Oliver to see how the others on tour with them reacted to their shenanigans.
Cora & Oliver, sort of, start out as enemies. Maybe not enemies but Cora really doesn't want anything to do with any of these unpleasant guys.
I liked watching Oliver change her mind. Their road to romance is like a modern-day fairy tale. Like all fairy tales, there are ups and downs that make the story intriguing.
Read this STANDALONE! If you love contemporary romance and traveling to another country you're in for a treat with this book. ✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦ Pre-order (releases on January 2, 2021): https://amzn.to/2KmcGlu...more
Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man is written by a Black man answering white people's questions about race-related issues.
Each chapter openUncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man is written by a Black man answering white people's questions about race-related issues.
Each chapter opens up with a question that was submitted to Mr. Acho by a curious white person who wants more information about something related to racism or cultural appropriation.
*Should I teach my kids to see color? *How can I have white privilege if I'm not wealthy? *When does style become cultural appropriation?
Before this book, Emmanual Acho started an Instagram series with the same name in response to Americans waking up to what was happening to Black people in regards to the George Floyd killing. White people had all kinds of questions and Mr. Acho started a video series where he talked about these issues with different guests.
At the time of writing this review, there are currently 10 episodes of the "Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man" IG series. If you don't have Instagram you can watch them here. Episodes are around 15 minutes long. The guests range from Chip & Joanna Gaines to Matthew McConaughey to the NFL commissioner. To name just a few.
Mr. Acho narrated this book and I loved listening to it.
This isn't a book that I will read once and move on . . . it's a book that I will read again. Continuing to educate ourselves is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves. ...more
Midnight Sun was a book I never thought I’d see come to life. 15 years ago Twilight was released and there was talk about the author writing a book i Midnight Sun was a book I never thought I’d see come to life. 15 years ago Twilight was released and there was talk about the author writing a book in Edward's pov of Twilight. Then a document was released a few years later called, Midnight Sun. It was a couple of chapters at the time. Readers later found out that the author was upset by this event and had decided to shelve the book idea. Life went on and here we are 15 years later with the reader being able to hear Edward’s mind.
I ended up getting the audio because of the sheer size of the book overwhelmed me. The audio was around 26 hours long - you definitely get your money’s worth with this one.
It was nostalgic getting to go back to Forks and relive high school with Edward & Bella. It was interesting hearing what Edward was thinking in each situation plus the reader gets to hear everyone else's thoughts who were around Edward.
Twilight the movie is different from Twilight the book. There are some scenes in the movie that aren’t in the book and vice versa. Midnight Sun matches the book version of Twilight and not the movie. And my understanding is there won’t be another book from Edward’s pov but that the author is thinking of doing some of the other characters' storylines within the Twilight world. Here is a recent article. ...more
“Martin Luther King Jr. called for us to be lovestruck with each other, not colorblind toward each other. To be lovestruck is to care, to have deep co“Martin Luther King Jr. called for us to be lovestruck with each other, not colorblind toward each other. To be lovestruck is to care, to have deep compassion, and to be concerned for each and every individual, including the poor and vulnerable.”
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness is filled with a lot of information to digest. I spent the last couple of weeks reading/listening to it and thinking about what was being presented. The author shared facts and cases of what is happening especially with the 'War on Drugs' and the parallels to enslavement.
This book was written 10 years ago and is still relevant today. A lot of the same things are still happening today that were addressed in the book. In some ways, our country has come along ways but even more importantly we still have a long way to go in the way minorities are treated.
“Seeing race is not the problem. Refusing to care for the people we see is the problem. The fact that the meaning of race may evolve over time or lose much of its significance is hardly a reason to be struck blind. We should hope not for a colorblind society but instead for a world in which we can see each other fully, learn from each other, and do what we can to respond to each other with love. That was King’s dream—a society that is capable of seeing each of us, as we are, with love. That is a goal worth fighting for.”...more
Me and White Supremacy was originally a 28-day Instagram challenge. At the beginning of 2020, Ms. Saad turned the Instagram challenge into a book as aMe and White Supremacy was originally a 28-day Instagram challenge. At the beginning of 2020, Ms. Saad turned the Instagram challenge into a book as a way to reach a wider audience.
Each section takes you through some tough hitting questions and also a time of reflection. The reader is challenged to figure out what to do with their newly gained knowledge.
Ms. Saad also has a podcast, "Good Ancestor," where the listener can hear conversations on what it means to be a good ancestor. "How to show up in BIPOC-only spaces without white centering."
Ms. Saad is not just an author but she's also an educator with her podcast and on her website she offers classes.
Overall this book was good for spending each day thinking/journaling on different cultural issues in our society. The 28-day journey has the reader reach inside themselves and think about the impact they are having with their spoken and unspoken words....more
1. TAYLOR, WHAT DID YOU KNOW ABOUT CONOR PRIOR TO MEETING HIM? ”He’s on thLOVE THIS SERIES!!
THE DATING GAME questions with Conor & Taylor:
1. TAYLOR, WHAT DID YOU KNOW ABOUT CONOR PRIOR TO MEETING HIM? ”He’s on the hockey team and a regular face at the parties on Greek Row. A regular face in the sorority beds on Greek Row, too. But his real claim to fame is being arguably the hottest new guy in the junior class.”
2. WHAT DID YOU THINK OF TAYLOR WHEN YOU FIRST SAW HER? ”She’s like a walking pinup girl.”
3. CONOR, FOR YOUR FAKE RELATIONSHIP HOW’D YOU MAKE IT OFFICIAL? ”Taylor March, will you do me the incredible honor of updating your relationship status [on Facebook] and becoming my fake girlfriend?.”
4. PLEASE TELL US WHAT YOU SAID TO TAYLOR’S MOM WHEN YOU FIRST MET HER. “Nice to meet you, Doctor Mom - I mean Doctor Marsh. F*ck.”
5. TAYLOR, PLEASE SUM UP YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CONOR. ”Sometimes we make all the wrong decisions, end up in all the wrong places, and still find exactly where we’re supposed to be. Conor’s my happy accident. My wrong place, wrong time, exactly right guy.”
Now you’ve gotten to know a little more about Conor & Taylor. A story about Mr. Popular and the wallflower where a sorority party dare kicks off their fake relationship.
THE DARE is the fourth book in a spin-off series: Briar U. It can be read as a standalone. It's a sports/college romance that revolves around a fake relationship that turns real. Along the way, their past comes to haunt them. Fans of this genre are going to love this book.
THUNDER is the first book in a new series about MMA fighters. Thunder packs a punch with heartbreak that leads to a newfound hope! I ate my feelings tTHUNDER is the first book in a new series about MMA fighters. Thunder packs a punch with heartbreak that leads to a newfound hope! I ate my feelings through this book.
The telling of Thunder felt like a therapeutic healing and I feel honored that we, as readers, were trusted to read this story. The vulnerability and courage in sharing something so deeply personal made my heartache for the author and her family.
Ms. Fanetti offers an author’s note at the end of the book that shares her journey in writing this story. Before the story begins there's a content warning and a link that takes you to the author's note. For those wondering if this story has a HEA -(view spoiler)[Yes. (hide spoiler)]
From now on I will look at Japanese cherry trees and remember this story. “Always try your hardest, and you’ll never disappoint yourself.” ~Adam Williams
Do yourself a favor and read this powerful, beautiful, heart-wrenching story of love and hope. [image]...more
How does Ms. Ryan keep bringing the fire to her books?! She creates books that reach down and touch your soul! I’m in awe of the way she is ablWOW!!!
How does Ms. Ryan keep bringing the fire to her books?! She creates books that reach down and touch your soul! I’m in awe of the way she is able to bring so much realism to her characters and situations. I thought at one point I might know what Kimba’s health issue might be because almost all romance books with characters who have similar symptoms seem to turn out a certain way but I was wrong. And after all these years of reading romance, it’s nice to still get surprised by seeing something you don’t normally see in this genre.
“Don’t try to re-write history because the truth is suddenly not as convenient.”
When I saw how messy the Ezra & Kimba’s lives were becoming I wondered how this story was going to play out. Would things just become convenient and they’d ride off into the sunset? Or would these two be faced with hard choices that would leave them to conquer their mountains? Thankfully, these two had to face their issues and get through it which made me love them even more as individuals.
In The Kingmaker we are introduced to Kimba. In that book, I wanted to be Kimba because she was Lennix’s best friend and I so admired Lennix’s tenacity. Now that Kimba has gotten her own book to tell her story it confirmed what I knew back then - I picked a good person to be.
Queen Move is a standalone. If you want to catch more of Kimba prior to this story you can see her in The Kingmaker. Ezra & Kimba’s love story is made up of childhood friendship with a second-chance romance as adults. READ THIS STORY
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**Complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.**...more
Re-listened 4/18/2021 I'll be curious to see how Netflix creates this story. ______________________
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To Sir Phillip, With Love is the 5th book in Re-listened 4/18/2021 I'll be curious to see how Netflix creates this story. ______________________
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To Sir Phillip, With Love is the 5th book in the Bridgertons series. There are 8 Bridgerton siblings, each one will get their own book to tell their love story. A spinster, by choice, has a correspondence via letters with her cousin’s widower. Lovers of historical romances with strong women and sparks will enjoy this one....more
Re-listened 3/23/2021 Still just as good the second time around. I love Penelope!! ______________________
SECRETS!!!
A secret crush and the mystery arounRe-listened 3/23/2021 Still just as good the second time around. I love Penelope!! ______________________
SECRETS!!!
A secret crush and the mystery around who is Lady Whistledown is brought to the forefront in Romancing Mister Bridgerton.
Penelope Featherington is a childhood friend to the Bridgerton family. She has a secret crush on, Colin Bridgerton, since childhood.
Colin is the third son and has spent his time traveling so as not to have his mom meddling in his love life - or the lack of a love life.
At a society party, there's a monetary offer made for anyone who reveals who the mysterious Lady Whistledown is. The pursuit to unmask the wildly popular gossip columnist has every member in society trying to figure out the mystery. People start accusing each other of being Lady Whistledown.
Meanwhile, Colin starts to see Penelope as more than just his sister's friend. Their work to unmask Lady Whistledown brings them closer.
Romancing Mister Bridgerton is the 4th book in the Bridgertons series. Colin is the third oldest son of the Bridgerton children. There are 8 Bridgerton siblings, each one will get their own book to tell their love story. I'm still on my quest to finish this series before the 8 episode, Netflix series hits our TVs this year. Here's the latest about the Bridgerton series on Netflix.
I first heard about Ms. Brown last year on a podcast. She was talking about why her parents gave her a guy's name - as a way to get her a job intervieI first heard about Ms. Brown last year on a podcast. She was talking about why her parents gave her a guy's name - as a way to get her a job interview because her name sounds like a white male (a foot in the door). I sat there thinking about that and how we can draw conclusions from just hearing a person’s name and after meeting them sometimes those images in our head are blown away.
I put the book on hold at the library last year and not until now did it come in. It's been a popular book around here. I'm glad the library got some extra copies so more people can read it.
Reading this book, along with some other books, it made me think back to when I first learned Jesus wasn't white. I grew up thinking of him as white-skinned because all the pictures portrayed him as a white male. It wasn't until I was in my early 20's and someone said, "You realize Jesus wasn't white?" I had never even considered that idea. Once I stopped and pondered where Jesus was born it made more sense that he was NOT white at all. I had been indoctrinated into thinking of him as white and not until another person challenged that idea it hadn't even occurred to me that all the statues and picture books had gotten it wrong.
That's the great thing about I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Designed for Whiteness there is so much to think about in regards to how we see our world and the history we were taught about our country.
Read this book and join Ms. Brown as she walks you through her childhood and into adulthood as a Black christian girl/woman growing up in a white culture....more
Re-read on 1/15/2022 Listening Length: 17 hours 17 minutes. I'm so excited that the movie comes out next week. _________________
*Just finished doing a reRe-read on 1/15/2022 Listening Length: 17 hours 17 minutes. I'm so excited that the movie comes out next week. _________________
*Just finished doing a re-read via audiobook this time (September 2020). Still my all-time favorite book. I'm excited that next year there will be a movie of this book releasing.
**Read this book about 10 years ago. Re-reading it now! (March 14th, 2013) I finished and this book is still my all-time favorite book! Deserves more than 5 stars.*
This book is based on the love story from the Bible of Hosea and Gomer. Gomer is a prostitute and Hosea is a Godly man told to marry her. It's their struggle (she finds it hard to turn away from the life she has always known and basically born into).
This is the ultimate love story! I loved reading about Michael & Angel's love story. There were so many things I wanted to highlight throughout this book. One of my favorite lines was: "Hello, Sarah. I'm very pleased to meet you. Finally!"
Amy | Foxy Blogs
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