A discussion beginning with the European and American witch trials, Challot covers the misogyny leading to and from these murders. Weaving through theA discussion beginning with the European and American witch trials, Challot covers the misogyny leading to and from these murders. Weaving through the root of societal expectations for women to marry, bear children, remain forever youthful, be surveilled, and tolerate medical abuse and malpractice. She explores these topics through evidence in popular culture to philosophical works which are a result of these roles and expectations.
A very good read, however it is not light by any means and time should really be taken to read it critically. This will likely get a reread from me later this year. ...more
The sequel was better then the opener, which I don't find to be very common. Osman didn't rest on his laurels and praise from the first WHAT. A. RIDE.
The sequel was better then the opener, which I don't find to be very common. Osman didn't rest on his laurels and praise from the first installment in the series. We find out so much about Elizabeth's past that really informs all of her behavior in book 1. I don't want to say much except that I have zero notes and you should just read it blind to best enjoy every twist and turn on offer. ...more
You follow the Talbot family at the outbreak of the zombie apocalypses as they try to survive in Colorado. I feel Tufo relies a lot on stereotypes of You follow the Talbot family at the outbreak of the zombie apocalypses as they try to survive in Colorado. I feel Tufo relies a lot on stereotypes of women to write his female characters. Its not the worst I've seen from other male authors and primarily keeps the women in this story from being very fleshed out and relatable. Aside from this characterization issue though, this is a very interesting, fast paced, and funny story (worthy of a re-read even). I felt like I could see my own father in Mike Talbot and it really made me become attached to him, his family, his friends, and pets. I also starting sobbing around the 85% mark.
This edition that I am reviewing (Audible Audio from 2017) has a great performance by Sean Runnette who really characterizes Mike and his fellow players in this story, you forget it is just one person speaking, which is a very good sign....more
After reading The Diary of Anne Frank: The Definitive Edition I watched the National Geographic limited series "A Small Light"(which you have to watchAfter reading The Diary of Anne Frank: The Definitive Edition I watched the National Geographic limited series "A Small Light"(which you have to watch, if Marvel did historical documentaries it would be "A Small Light," on Disney+). In casual life, my one-line review of "The Last Secret..." would be "omg the tea is hot" but I have included a more extended review below for those not yet persuaded.
I decided I want to learn more about what was happening in Amsterdam at that time. Anne told us about the inside but what about what the helpers were facing on the outside?
Reading this investigative account from Bep Voskuijl's own son Joop Wijk-Voskuijl has cleared a lot of things up for me, things not previously addressed either because they have not been published (by Otto Frank's own hand) or because no one dared speak the truth.
Wijk-Voskuijl adds a new dimension to all of the helpers and those being hidden. Given the benefit of separation, Wijk-Voskuijl can look at the series of events without the clouding of the emotions that generally accompany it. For example, how Miep Gies has things attributed to her that were actually attributed to do with Bep but the turmoil in Bep's personal life kept her quiet (for reasons still not totally known). Or perhaps the possible reason why Otto Frank suddenly decided he did not want to know who betrayed them after wanting to know for many years. Wijk-Voskuijl humanizes this cast of characters who were not perfect people or had perfect lives like those we picture of our storybook heroes; people have relationship troubles, family troubles, romantic troubles, and money troubles before, during and after the war and I am glad that this history was recorded.
If you know anything about Anne Frank and have any interest in this historical chapter I would recommend this title to you without hesitation. Bep Voskuijl was a troubled young lady who lived a hard life before Anne and after, and those around her wanted to desperately protect her. However, you can't help those who don't wish to be helped.
I binged the audio book on Libby in a day, loved it. ...more
This is a great companion to "The Diary of.." because we get a very skewed, albeit at times unreliable, perspective of events from Anne. Miep's recollThis is a great companion to "The Diary of.." because we get a very skewed, albeit at times unreliable, perspective of events from Anne. Miep's recollection of event brings some light and perspective to the events as they actually happened and not just from the perspective of a young girl....more
Okay, so I have to be honest I had zero expectations for this.
When I started The Thursday Murder Club I felt like the book had been overhyped. EverybOkay, so I have to be honest I had zero expectations for this.
When I started The Thursday Murder Club I felt like the book had been overhyped. Everybody was ranting and raving and I felt very resistant to starting it because I just knew that I would be disappointed... and at first I thought I was correct. Richard Osman's style of writing was definitely different from what I was used to and while I got used to it (took about 50 pages to do so) I mistook it for being a bad book.
However, once I got into the flow of his style I immediately fell in love. The characters were witty with a spectrum of personalities. The mystery itself was good (definitely got me!) and it was so so entertaining. Part of it might be that following these pensioners is new for me, and so I'm seeing new character archetypes and ways of speaking and humor, so it could be partially due to the novelty of it all.
I was struggling between a 4 and 5 star. If were to give it a 4 star then I would have to give a fault, or some sort of note for improvement, but I have none. I loved the way the story was told. I believe the changing of perspectives was done very well and was not confusing. I felt the fantastical elements felt real (I remember growing up worried about misbehaving in public because it somehow was going to get back to my grandparents because they have eyes everywhere and know everyone). So, since I have no notes, and would easily pick up to read again in the future, I have no choice but to give it a 5....more
I have listened to this audiobook many times. I think the narrator is excellent, very smooth and calm voice that I think carries the reader through thI have listened to this audiobook many times. I think the narrator is excellent, very smooth and calm voice that I think carries the reader through the calm of the evening, despite the circumstances while maintaining the tone of the people we follow through the evening. This really comes off as a podcast docu-series which I think is perfect for 2023....more
The audiobook is narrated by the author and brings to life the reality behind the opaque glass door of eTW: eating disorders, self-harm, mental health
The audiobook is narrated by the author and brings to life the reality behind the opaque glass door of eating disorders. But seeing someone come back and forth through this door was something powerful.
I get something different out of this every time I listen and it really is adaptive to wherever the reader is at the time of reading.
This book spoke to me at a time when no one else could. I felt the portrayal was dead on. It would probably be triggering to a lot of people as Marya is quite graphic and vivid her descriptions.
I would recommend this reading for anyone who can take the trigger warnings....more
You follow the Talbot family at the outbreak of the zombie apocalypses as they try to survive in Colorado. I feel Tufo relies a lot on stereotypes of You follow the Talbot family at the outbreak of the zombie apocalypses as they try to survive in Colorado. I feel Tufo relies a lot on stereotypes of women to write his female characters. Its not the worst I've seen from other male authors and primarily keeps the women in this story from being very fleshed out and relatable. Aside from this characterization issue though, this is a very interesting, fast paced, and funny story (worthy of a re-read even). I felt like I could see my own father in Mike Talbot and it really made me become attached to him, his family, his friends, and pets. I also starting sobbing around the 300 page mark.
This edition that I am reviewing (Createspace Independent Publishing) I believe is the first edition published in print independently and I can say that for certain it has since benefitted from the editing it has received since this first print (compared to a new edition audio book). There were some minor sentence and idea structure issues, a few typos, but nothing too distracting (however this and the characterization issues do keep me from giving it a 5)....more
This read like a documentary. Lord assembles a multitude of first-hand accounts along with secondary sources to piece together a best guess of what haThis read like a documentary. Lord assembles a multitude of first-hand accounts along with secondary sources to piece together a best guess of what happened on the Titanic the night of its sinking. This was fascinating because it deals so greatly with the individual movements of people, their conversations, and their emotions that night. While reading you feel as though you're following the passengers around the ship as the minutes tick from the engine room all the way up the crow's nest. This also includes a detailed account of the difficulties faced by those waiting on the boats as well as the goings on upon the Californian and the rescue ship Carpathia before, during, and after the rescue and the days following. At only about 130 pages (not including the acknowledgments) it's a quick read but FULL of imagery and fascination....more
Beautifully written. The world of Mariposa lives very vividly in my mind. I am continually stunned at how much Seanan Mcguire can do in so few pages. Beautifully written. The world of Mariposa lives very vividly in my mind. I am continually stunned at how much Seanan Mcguire can do in so few pages. So many authors meander and take so long to get to the point and the story while Seanan can build a world, give backstory, and plot, introduce new characters, and end in less than 30 pages without feeling rushed or compressed.
On a personal note... THIS BETTER NOT BE THE ONLY BOOK IN THIS SERIES DEVOTED TO CHRISTOPHER. I might lose my mind if I don't get more for my poor Christopher because he deserves so much more (can you tell I've become emotionally attached?). I feel like he is being used and abused by the plot lines of the other characters and I need him to get special attention. ...more
OMG... what WAS that? People have described this as a compulsive read and I have to agree (having read half of this on a long bus ride in one day). AfOMG... what WAS that? People have described this as a compulsive read and I have to agree (having read half of this on a long bus ride in one day). Afterward, I definitely feel like the trauma and gaslighting were a lot and might be a bit much for some people. I had to put it down after the first 50 pages to regroup before picking it up again. The writing was compelling and the storytelling was captivating and would 1000% recommend it.
no spoilers but more details: I was not expecting this to be the thriller that it turned out to be. For the first half of the book, I found myself fully believing the narrator's version of events. It was so heartbreaking to see her lose a grip on her life, with a husband that didn't believe her and basically stopped seeing her as a whole person and just as a mother the moment they had a child (that she didn't really want in the first place).
Being in a marriage where your partner doesn't believe in you (in every sense) is so damaging. After the peak event of the book however I began to really question the reliability of the narrator, was she actually grounded in reality, or was all the gaslighting that she endured starting to affect me as the reader? UNTIL THE LAST PAGE ...more
Wow... that was intense. If you only read one book from this series, let it be this one.
A story that deals with violence against children and the youtWow... that was intense. If you only read one book from this series, let it be this one.
A story that deals with violence against children and the youth that is stolen from them, the time that is stolen through them, and the innocence that can lose so quickly. This is officially the best installment of this series.
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