I received a free copy of this Graphic Guide to Civics and Democracy in Vermont at the 2024 National Book Festival in Washington, DC.
It is a bit long I received a free copy of this Graphic Guide to Civics and Democracy in Vermont at the 2024 National Book Festival in Washington, DC.
It is a bit long on words and short on appealing graphics to appeal to elementary school-age children, but it does provide an overview of the uniqueness of Vermont's civic systems and explains how and why it works for them.
I really enjoyed reading it and learned a lot from the information presented. I hope older middle school and high school students are also able to get to know more about this fascinating and little-known state....more
This is a short, humorous memoir about the authors' campaign experiences mixed with some interviews with prominent politicians and a call to action foThis is a short, humorous memoir about the authors' campaign experiences mixed with some interviews with prominent politicians and a call to action for voters who aren't sure what they can do to help.
I've been a fan of their podcasts for years (Lovett or Leave it and Liberal Tiers are particular favorites) and I was excited to be able to borrow the audiobook edition from my local library.
It's entertaining, not terribly substantial in length or substance, and highly engaging as an audiobook. ...more
Published in 2020, this biography is already dated, since Simone Biles has had so many more accomplishment since then. Nevertheless, the rhyming and lPublished in 2020, this biography is already dated, since Simone Biles has had so many more accomplishment since then. Nevertheless, the rhyming and lyrical narrative and colorful, Adobe Photoshopartwork combine to create a great introduction to this amazing athlete.
I received this book for free at the National Book Festival in Washington DC. ...more
This is a fact-filled book about dinosaurs that will likely appeal to elementary school-age students. The narrative is informative without being borinThis is a fact-filled book about dinosaurs that will likely appeal to elementary school-age students. The narrative is informative without being boring and the illustrations are nicely detailed. ...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
I enjoyed listening to the author narrate his own story and appreciate his candid emotions, choking up occasionally as he reads.
I was only a casual fI enjoyed listening to the author narrate his own story and appreciate his candid emotions, choking up occasionally as he reads.
I was only a casual fan, discovering him on the waning days of my General Hospital Fandom, seldom watching 'Full House,' and never seeing him in ER, on Broadway, or in any of the movies he referenced.
Still, he is a popular, charismatic actor and I found his reminiscences to be entertaining. I am glad rhat he has found sobriety and the love of his life, along with the opportunity to become a parent....more
This is a melancholy tale of love we have for our friends and the complicated emotions we feel when they die. The narrative covers the robbery she expThis is a melancholy tale of love we have for our friends and the complicated emotions we feel when they die. The narrative covers the robbery she experienced, and the way that is mirrored in the devastation she feels about her friend's suicide, being suddenly robbed of something that you treasured. Her sincerity and candid outpour of her desperation, to find her stolen jewelry, and to understand better her friend.
Suicide is a terrible, tragic solution; one that haunts those left behind. There are no answers in this book, but it does serve as a catharsis for exploring her feelings and reflections of their friendship. ...more
I enjoyed listening to Ryan Holiday narrate his book of essays and anecdotes about examples of courage and the importance of breaking out of our fear I enjoyed listening to Ryan Holiday narrate his book of essays and anecdotes about examples of courage and the importance of breaking out of our fear in order to pursue greatness and a life of purpose. I appreciated his candor, and I liked the stories, but many of them were quite common (and sometimes not all that true). In addition, several of the people featured are not the ideal person to highlight, in my opinion, due to their character issues. I would have been fascinated more by lesser-known tales of courage and a slightly less preachy tone.
This book explains some anthropological history and answers questions about our ancestors. I really enjoyed listening to Rosa Howard narrate the audioThis book explains some anthropological history and answers questions about our ancestors. I really enjoyed listening to Rosa Howard narrate the audiobook edition of this book....more
This book offers a fascinating look at the evolution of the English language and the ways in which popular parlance shifts what's considered correct.
TThis book offers a fascinating look at the evolution of the English language and the ways in which popular parlance shifts what's considered correct.
The audiobook edition is optimal for absorbing the material, as the examples can be best understood in an audio format. I really appreciated the use of multiple narrators, based on the myriad topics covered....more
This book presents the concept of being an anti racist to children and highlights ways in which we can all make the world more equitable. It has a verThis book presents the concept of being an anti racist to children and highlights ways in which we can all make the world more equitable. It has a very good message, but the book's narrative seems a bit clunky.
interesting quote:
"...you are never too young to advocate against racism and injustice." (p. )...more
This book compiles letters from American children, written to First Lady Michelle Obama in support of her "Let's Read. Let's Move." campaign.
The lettThis book compiles letters from American children, written to First Lady Michelle Obama in support of her "Let's Read. Let's Move." campaign.
The letters and accompanying artwork are sweet, but there's not much to the book that will appeal to children other than perhaps inspiring them to write to our current First Lady themselves. Perhaps it would be a useful book for teachers to use in schools for just such a project....more
This is a funny collection of 1-star reviews of locations around the world, collected by the author and accompanied by his fun illustrations. It's a fThis is a funny collection of 1-star reviews of locations around the world, collected by the author and accompanied by his fun illustrations. It's a fun, fast read....more
This is a wickedly funny and brutally honest autobiography. I loved listening to Leslie Jones narrate the audiobook edition and I believe her almost-sThis is a wickedly funny and brutally honest autobiography. I loved listening to Leslie Jones narrate the audiobook edition and I believe her almost-stream-of-consciousness style of storytelling is best suited to this format.
She is a consummate performer and even though this book could've been edited considerably for length, I really appreciated hearing all of her stories. Her ability to convey the emotions and reality of her experiences is very sincere.
She is an inspiring woman and I really appreciated hearing about her experiences and thoughts.
interesting quotes (page numbers from edition with ISBN13):
"That's one of the reasons I'm on this planet. I was built for strong. And I want to share that and I want to pay that type of strength forward to every woman." (p. )
[Regarding losing your parents] "...when they leave, you're left with the fucking job of trying to figure out how to live here without them. So you'd better fucking appreciate your people while you've got 'em." (p.)
"Shut the fuck up and get your punk ass up and go vote. And it's amazing to me that if you pay taxes and don't vote, you are the dumbest mother Fulkerson ever." (p. )
"You can't run from who you are." (p. )
"Everybody wakes up and hope that they can get back to their house and get into their bed safely and then wake up and be able to do it again. That's it. That's life. And you make life what the fuck it is. If you want to be happy, what's gonna make you happy? Figure that shit out and go for it. 'Cause only you can do it. No one else." (p. )...more
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