While I don't agree with everything that Donovan says, I do agree that the disability market is giant and companies need to start investing in (and foWhile I don't agree with everything that Donovan says, I do agree that the disability market is giant and companies need to start investing in (and for) disabled people. The vast majority of people will become disabled in their lives. Therefore, having products that are easy for disabled people to utilize, access, and afford means that everyone will be able to use them (and this goes for places as well). On top of that, if you give disabled people jobs and make jobs accessible that will allow them to spend money that they may not currently have buying products they need/want that they can use (which can often be limited). ...more
I really enjoyed this. While I know that it was far more work the book read like a connected "brain dump" with there being a poignant message/idea in I really enjoyed this. While I know that it was far more work the book read like a connected "brain dump" with there being a poignant message/idea in each digestible chapter. Definitely a book to reread and prompts you to question your beliefs and values but also accept some things as well. ...more
A profound book that makes us wonder what life would be like in the future for a AI. An artificial friend (AF) Klara will go above and beyond to help A profound book that makes us wonder what life would be like in the future for a AI. An artificial friend (AF) Klara will go above and beyond to help her sick person/friend/owner. ...more
This could definitely be confusing on audiobook if you are not paying close enough attention. There may be headings in print editions that make it cleThis could definitely be confusing on audiobook if you are not paying close enough attention. There may be headings in print editions that make it clearer/more obvious where and when you are. This book is a masterstroke of genius that is just, life. The joys, the sorrows, all of it. ...more
After a class presentation goes awry in her senior year Alaine spends the remainder of the year in Haiti volunteering at her aunt's nonprofit. Her usuAfter a class presentation goes awry in her senior year Alaine spends the remainder of the year in Haiti volunteering at her aunt's nonprofit. Her usually absentee mother is staying there after having some issues at work and a difficult medical diagnosis. Alaine and her family try to come to terms with Celeste's (Alaine's mom) diagnosis and Alaine attempts to fix the problem with the help of a family friend. ...more
At the end of the second book Squad 312 is separated but all are in one way or another doing their best to defeat the Ra'haam. Tyler and Saedii remainAt the end of the second book Squad 312 is separated but all are in one way or another doing their best to defeat the Ra'haam. Tyler and Saedii remain in the present while Scarlet, Zila, and Fin are thrown into the past and Aurora, Kal and the Starslayer and thrown into the future. A future in which Aurora fails to kill the Ra'haam and they have taken over space. Each group has their own mission in the time period they are in and must succeed in order for them to return to the present time and help to defeat the Ra'haam. The difficulty comes in what must be done and how to enact said plans. Can Squad 312 come together across centuries to save their galaxy? Will the love they have found have time to flourish and grow or will what they have found with one another be a flash in the darkness?...more
The world building in this book is very interesting, though confusing at the beginning. Perhaps reading it would be different to listening but readersThe world building in this book is very interesting, though confusing at the beginning. Perhaps reading it would be different to listening but readers are thrown in as if they understand everything in this new world from the get-go (though I may have missed something). The characters are diverse and very interesting. The main character possibly someone people have difficulty liking at first but like regular people they have many facets. The love interest, Remy, is gender non-binary and uses they/them pronouns. Plot was interesting if a stretch (picture Ocean's x but instead of super detailed plans it's "Get in. Do the thing. Get out.") and there was a lot of action, particularly the last 2-3 hours of the audiobook. An enjoyable fun read with good characters. Something was missing though I cannot pinpoint it at this time. ...more
13 year old Genesis is always moving. Her father has gambling and drinking addictions which makes money leave their house rather quickly. Or never rea13 year old Genesis is always moving. Her father has gambling and drinking addictions which makes money leave their house rather quickly. Or never really make it there. This time, her father is renting a nice house in the suburbs. Genesis and her family have never stayed in a place so nice. Her school is also really good and she actually makes friends. The chorus teacher takes a special interest in her and allows her to borrow CDs of blues musicians Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Etta James. An emotionally realistic book about race and addiction. Her friends are a black boy (Troy) and a Greek girl who has OCD....more
Loved! The characters, like real people, are good but flawed making both them and their predicaments believable. Many people experience the sadness ofLoved! The characters, like real people, are good but flawed making both them and their predicaments believable. Many people experience the sadness of not having their dreams come true. Especially their first ones. This book shows how no "plan" works out completely and we must be able to adapt to what comes our way and keep moving forward even if that means the dream changes (in a big way or small). I appreciated the honesty of the struggle and a dream thwarted by disability (as we are not all born with one) and having to adapt and reimagine what your life will be. ...more
The story picks up where the last one left off. Karina is running away to try to save Sonande and defeat Farid and the fake Hanane. Malik and his sistThe story picks up where the last one left off. Karina is running away to try to save Sonande and defeat Farid and the fake Hanane. Malik and his sister now live in the palace and he is helping Farid in exchange for training. Due to the magic that took place when Hanane was resurrected Malik and Karina are connected and can speak and touch through dreamspace. Their journeys are altered and they have to look deep within themselves and learn who they are now and what they want. Things are not always as they seem to be. The amount of inclusivity in this book is heartwarming. It is not a world free of all prejudices but at least who people love is no object. Even then, the young people in the story are keen to remake the world as a more accepting place. My only comment is that there are some glaring editing mistakes (repeated words, character's name spelled incorrectly etc.) which is disappointing....more
This book kept my attention and wove an interesting tale which was not wholly reminiscent of other YA fantasy series. Brown deals with a variety of toThis book kept my attention and wove an interesting tale which was not wholly reminiscent of other YA fantasy series. Brown deals with a variety of topics, unjust rule, police brutality (of a sorts because of the time period/world), racism, mental health and how to deal with making difficult decisions. The female protagonist, Karina, seems to if not be overweight at least have curves to her body and is very confident with both her body and personality. Malik, the male protagonist is thin and bony, not the typical God-like physical body that tends to accompany these books, and he also lives with anxiety and panic attacks. He is still a hero in his own right by using his mind. It is wonderful to read a tale where the main characters are not society's idea of "perfection" physically or mentally and that the male is the character that has self-esteem difficulties as opposed to the female character. Such a breathtaking change and that is on top of the fantastic story and world-building. I can't wait to return when the next book comes out! ...more
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