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jenbsbooks's reviews
2129 reviews
Deaf Utopia: A Memoir—and a Love Letter to a Way of Life by Nyle DiMarco
3.5
Sometimes I'll include how a particular book ended up on my reading list. For this one, I was perusing a library book sale and saw several copies of this book (indicating there had been demand for it at one point). It had the "Bestseller" badge, and a quick lookup on Goodreads indicated a high rating.
I'm not a complete novice to deaf culture. My sister learned sign-language (LDS mission) and has been an active interpreter for years (her husband also). I took several ASL classes, through the interpreting level, but never felt I really mastered the language (that, and spelling, finger or otherwise, is a challenge for me, in spite of my reading background).
I did NOT have ANY idea who Nyle DiMarco was ... I don't follow the reality TV shows. Apparently he was on America's Top Model (is it a spoiler to say if he wins or not?) and then on Dancing With The Stars (again ... win?)
This begins with an Author's Note, which IS necessary, but it was a little technical and dry. I realize the irony of listening to an audiobook about deafness, but I had a physical and kindle copy for reference as well. I appreciated the Table of Contents, with descriptive headers, which were included on the audio TOC as well. 20 chapters.
It's always interesting to see how a memoir is set up ... strictly chronological? Arranged per topic? In college, I had an assignment to write an auto-biography, so I struggled with that myself (I have my life history from birth to my 20s ... should update, not for publication, but just for family). This was mostly chronological, starting with his birth and childhood years. His schooling, then his break into modeling and acting. There were some time shifts though, especially when accounting times with his father.
There was a lot of good information about the deaf community. About Deaf (with a capital) and deaf, about other phrases (hard of hearing, etc) which are often offensive. About how signing was NOT encouraged in so many situations (deaf school!) I was familiar with most of this, but still appreciated new knowledge on the subject.
This seemed almost as much about Nyle's sexuality as his deafness. There are some similarities too I suppose. Lots of discussion, and it is labeled as LGBTQ. Also quite a bit of background on reality TV, which may or may not be of interest to readers, I did find it interesting, even though I hadn't ever watched either show (they seriously have the models walk a plank and see if they fall to kick them off the show??) I just might have to search YouTube to check out his final dance on DWTS.
The text copies have some pictures included - which are a fun addition. I think the audio has "supplemental content" but as I already had the text in two formats, I didn't investigate that.
Many resources, ways to continue on with Deaf education were listed at the end.
I'll add this to my little library - it will interesting to see how quickly it might be snapped up (my little library isn't a great gauge, as it's new, and we're a little out of the way). I'll mention this to my sister (the interpreter) as it would be interesting to get her opinion on it from her POV and experience.
Content Concerns - some proFanity (x7), slight sexual content, a lot of discussion of sexual identity/LGBTQ conversations.
I'm not a complete novice to deaf culture. My sister learned sign-language (LDS mission) and has been an active interpreter for years (her husband also). I took several ASL classes, through the interpreting level, but never felt I really mastered the language (that, and spelling, finger or otherwise, is a challenge for me, in spite of my reading background).
I did NOT have ANY idea who Nyle DiMarco was ... I don't follow the reality TV shows. Apparently he was on America's Top Model (is it a spoiler to say if he wins or not?) and then on Dancing With The Stars (again ... win?)
This begins with an Author's Note, which IS necessary, but it was a little technical and dry. I realize the irony of listening to an audiobook about deafness, but I had a physical and kindle copy for reference as well. I appreciated the Table of Contents, with descriptive headers, which were included on the audio TOC as well. 20 chapters.
It's always interesting to see how a memoir is set up ... strictly chronological? Arranged per topic? In college, I had an assignment to write an auto-biography, so I struggled with that myself (I have my life history from birth to my 20s ... should update, not for publication, but just for family). This was mostly chronological, starting with his birth and childhood years. His schooling, then his break into modeling and acting. There were some time shifts though, especially when accounting times with his father.
There was a lot of good information about the deaf community. About Deaf (with a capital) and deaf, about other phrases (hard of hearing, etc) which are often offensive. About how signing was NOT encouraged in so many situations (deaf school!) I was familiar with most of this, but still appreciated new knowledge on the subject.
This seemed almost as much about Nyle's sexuality as his deafness. There are some similarities too I suppose. Lots of discussion, and it is labeled as LGBTQ. Also quite a bit of background on reality TV, which may or may not be of interest to readers, I did find it interesting, even though I hadn't ever watched either show (they seriously have the models walk a plank and see if they fall to kick them off the show??) I just might have to search YouTube to check out his final dance on DWTS.
The text copies have some pictures included - which are a fun addition. I think the audio has "supplemental content" but as I already had the text in two formats, I didn't investigate that.
Many resources, ways to continue on with Deaf education were listed at the end.
I'll add this to my little library - it will interesting to see how quickly it might be snapped up (my little library isn't a great gauge, as it's new, and we're a little out of the way). I'll mention this to my sister (the interpreter) as it would be interesting to get her opinion on it from her POV and experience.
Content Concerns - some proFanity (x7), slight sexual content, a lot of discussion of sexual identity/LGBTQ conversations.
All the Glimmering Stars by Mark T. Sullivan
challenging
informative
sad
4.75
I ended up really liking this ... I wasn't sure at the start, it was a little hard to get into. Time and POV shifts (all third person). But I grew to care about the characters, learned a lot about a situation I'd heard of but didn't have much knowledge of. The author's notes at the end are essential to understanding, it was good they were included in the audio (sometimes they are not). This is part of KindleUnlimited, so I had the Kindle copy too, which I needed a bit to get a grasp of the setup. There were also some maps that were helpful.
This, while not classified as non-fiction, is based on real individuals and events. I'd read this author's "Beneath a Scarlet Sky" and everyone was treating it as a biography/non-fiction... that really bugged me, as it was so obviously fiction. All the dialog and exaggerated events. Here, I didn't realize this was so heavily based on a true story (yes, it says it right there in the blurb, but often I'll put something on my to-read, and then grab it later without looking into it at all, not really knowing what the book is about as I start up). Here, I think I might have liked to KNOW it going in, but then I wonder if I would have been more critical, as I was in Beneath a Scarlet Sky. I don't know for sure.
As mentioned, I struggled at the start. The chronological chapters had headings, but those weren't included in the table of contents (in fact, the Audible TOC and the Kindle TOC didn't line up, which was annoying, as I wanted to find my place between formats ... Audible was off by 2+ chapters, listing 50, when there are 45 in the Kindle copy.
Chapter 1: December 28, 1994 Korumush Barracks, Southern Sudan
Chapter 2: June 1987 Rwotobilo, Uganda
Chapter 3: September 1988 Amia'bil, Uganda
Chapter 4: May 1992 Rwotobilia, Uganda
Chapter 5: April 1993 Amia'bil, Uganda
When I'm listening to audio, and a date/location is said, it's usually too quick for me to really register it. How important is the date/location? Should I rewind and make sure I got it, should I write it down? Will there be a test? *Ü* ... but really, do I need to KNOW this? As this book starts up, it's a key scene from with an omniscient overview. Then, the time shifts back years earlier to introduce the two main characters ... Anthony and Florence. Starting when they are young, jumping forward a few years for each. The chapter didn't switch consistently, sometimes it would stay with Anthony for a few chapters before shifting back to Florence. In audio, there was a single narrator, which was fine, as it was 3rd person ... but I wished a little that the Florence sections were from a female narrator, just to make them more easily distinguished. Sometimes as I'd listen I'd get distracted and couldn't remember right off which storyline, Anthony or Florence, we were in. After a bit, we cross the scene from Chapter 1, this time from Anthony's POV. Later on still, Anthony and Florence are together in a single storyline.
Also as mentioned above - the Author's Note and the Afterword (here, it IS actually Anthony and Florence giving a first person interview) are SO essential, not to be skipped!
Content Concerns: No proFanity, but, while not explicit, there is sexual content/rape. A lot of violence (kidnapping/murder/torture) too.
It was interesting to think about the kidnapping of young girls, and forcing them to be "wives" ... I read Elizabeth Smart's My Story recently. How different that was viewed here in the US, one girl being taken, national news and so many searches. Florence was around the same age (a year younger) and kept in captivity much longer and not to make comparisons, but went through so much more in the midst of a war. Here, Florence was just one of so many children taken and forced to do horrible things. It was also interesting to note the "after" ... and in My Story, how I felt Elizabeth was explaining things, and how Florence was treated, and how Anthony was treated. Such a horrible situation!
After the rather rough start, and figuring out the shifts in time and POV, I really got involved in the story. The author's notes and afterword really brought it all home, making it so memorable.
This, while not classified as non-fiction, is based on real individuals and events. I'd read this author's "Beneath a Scarlet Sky" and everyone was treating it as a biography/non-fiction... that really bugged me, as it was so obviously fiction. All the dialog and exaggerated events. Here, I didn't realize this was so heavily based on a true story (yes, it says it right there in the blurb, but often I'll put something on my to-read, and then grab it later without looking into it at all, not really knowing what the book is about as I start up). Here, I think I might have liked to KNOW it going in, but then I wonder if I would have been more critical, as I was in Beneath a Scarlet Sky. I don't know for sure.
As mentioned, I struggled at the start. The chronological chapters had headings, but those weren't included in the table of contents (in fact, the Audible TOC and the Kindle TOC didn't line up, which was annoying, as I wanted to find my place between formats ... Audible was off by 2+ chapters, listing 50, when there are 45 in the Kindle copy.
Chapter 1: December 28, 1994 Korumush Barracks, Southern Sudan
Chapter 2: June 1987 Rwotobilo, Uganda
Chapter 3: September 1988 Amia'bil, Uganda
Chapter 4: May 1992 Rwotobilia, Uganda
Chapter 5: April 1993 Amia'bil, Uganda
When I'm listening to audio, and a date/location is said, it's usually too quick for me to really register it. How important is the date/location? Should I rewind and make sure I got it, should I write it down? Will there be a test? *Ü* ... but really, do I need to KNOW this? As this book starts up, it's a key scene from with an omniscient overview. Then, the time shifts back years earlier to introduce the two main characters ... Anthony and Florence. Starting when they are young, jumping forward a few years for each. The chapter didn't switch consistently, sometimes it would stay with Anthony for a few chapters before shifting back to Florence. In audio, there was a single narrator, which was fine, as it was 3rd person ... but I wished a little that the Florence sections were from a female narrator, just to make them more easily distinguished. Sometimes as I'd listen I'd get distracted and couldn't remember right off which storyline, Anthony or Florence, we were in. After a bit, we cross the scene from Chapter 1, this time from Anthony's POV. Later on still, Anthony and Florence are together in a single storyline.
Also as mentioned above - the Author's Note and the Afterword (here, it IS actually Anthony and Florence giving a first person interview) are SO essential, not to be skipped!
Content Concerns: No proFanity, but, while not explicit, there is sexual content/rape. A lot of violence (kidnapping/murder/torture) too.
It was interesting to think about the kidnapping of young girls, and forcing them to be "wives" ... I read Elizabeth Smart's My Story recently. How different that was viewed here in the US, one girl being taken, national news and so many searches. Florence was around the same age (a year younger) and kept in captivity much longer and not to make comparisons, but went through so much more in the midst of a war. Here, Florence was just one of so many children taken and forced to do horrible things. It was also interesting to note the "after" ... and in My Story, how I felt Elizabeth was explaining things, and how Florence was treated, and how Anthony was treated. Such a horrible situation!
After the rather rough start, and figuring out the shifts in time and POV, I really got involved in the story. The author's notes and afterword really brought it all home, making it so memorable.
From Dust to Stardust by Kathleen Rooney
4.0
I liked this ... included in KindleUnlimited, read and listen, and I went with the audiobook, narrated by Xe Sands. Her voice sounded SO familiar, but I don't know that I'd listened to anything by her recently. It fit here, with the two timelines. The Present/Past are NOT clearly marked ... although there are chapter headings, dates are not included. Instead, in the present, our MC is telling her tale to Gladys (and her recorder). So each chapter starts in the present tense, with a little exchange between Eileen and Gladys (and Eileen's personal thoughts) ... and then it shifts to past tense (what we assume is Eileen telling her story to Gladys). The "past" though, written so well, and with dialog ... couldn't really just be Eileen telling her story (it's much too polished - but, suspension of disbelief and all that).
The "past" is in the silent movie era ... and it was interesting to learn more about that. Way before my time, and as Eileen reveals, most of the movies have been lost. It follows the dreams of a young girl who wants to become an actress, and succeeds. There is also the story of her connection to "fairies" and her dollhouse. Her life, love, etc ...
I didn't realize that this, while fiction, is based on an actual person (Colleen Moore) ... she had one blue eye and one brown. She made 60+ films, she created a dollhouse which is in Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. She had a reporter friend, who wrote a film based on Colleen and her husband's troubled marriage, which is where "A Star is Born" comes from. I didn't realize all this until I came to write up my review and glanced at a couple others. I'm frustrated because this is all included in extensive Author's Notes ... which were NOT included in the audio! These notes are essential to the story. Luckily I had the Kindle copy to read them, and there were some bookclub discussion questions as well, which are always appreciated.
The "past" is in the silent movie era ... and it was interesting to learn more about that. Way before my time, and as Eileen reveals, most of the movies have been lost. It follows the dreams of a young girl who wants to become an actress, and succeeds. There is also the story of her connection to "fairies" and her dollhouse. Her life, love, etc ...
I didn't realize that this, while fiction, is based on an actual person (Colleen Moore) ... she had one blue eye and one brown. She made 60+ films, she created a dollhouse which is in Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. She had a reporter friend, who wrote a film based on Colleen and her husband's troubled marriage, which is where "A Star is Born" comes from. I didn't realize all this until I came to write up my review and glanced at a couple others. I'm frustrated because this is all included in extensive Author's Notes ... which were NOT included in the audio! These notes are essential to the story. Luckily I had the Kindle copy to read them, and there were some bookclub discussion questions as well, which are always appreciated.
Magical: A Pride and Prejudice Fantasy Variation by Elaine Burkett
3.5
P&P re-imaginings are a bit of a fun/comfort read for me. So easy to slip into, as I am already familiar with the characters. Just seeing how another author chooses to tell the tale. Here, it was basically a similar setting (time/place) with a bit of magic added. I don't know how much I'll really remember of this story, but I enjoyed my time in it.
This did have the shift, that Collins and Mary got married ... that always seemed like a fairly obvious option to me (but straying from the original). Not nearly as much angst between Lizzie and Darcy, switching up their original meeting to a little earlier, him witnessing her magic, and being immediately interested. The scene where he offends Lizzie ALMOST happening, but when he realizes it's the woman he met earlier, he does want to dance. Caroline was much more likeable here. Bingley and Jane were on the back burner.
The kindle copy was available to me in Kindle Unlimited ... there was audio in AudiblePlus, clearly labeled with virtual voice. I know there is a lot of push back on virtual voice, but I think this is a perfect example of where it works. A book that otherwise would NOT have audio now does (it's not taking a job away from a narrator, I'm 99% certain this author wouldn't go to the effort/expense) and it wasn't bad at all. SO MUCH better than having Alexa attempt to read a kindle book (which I had just had experience with ... another book that didn't have audio, that I needed to finish for book club. Virtual Voice would have been SO much better than Alexa!)
This did have the shift, that Collins and Mary got married ... that always seemed like a fairly obvious option to me (but straying from the original). Not nearly as much angst between Lizzie and Darcy, switching up their original meeting to a little earlier, him witnessing her magic, and being immediately interested. The scene where he offends Lizzie ALMOST happening, but when he realizes it's the woman he met earlier, he does want to dance. Caroline was much more likeable here. Bingley and Jane were on the back burner.
The kindle copy was available to me in Kindle Unlimited ... there was audio in AudiblePlus, clearly labeled with virtual voice. I know there is a lot of push back on virtual voice, but I think this is a perfect example of where it works. A book that otherwise would NOT have audio now does (it's not taking a job away from a narrator, I'm 99% certain this author wouldn't go to the effort/expense) and it wasn't bad at all. SO MUCH better than having Alexa attempt to read a kindle book (which I had just had experience with ... another book that didn't have audio, that I needed to finish for book club. Virtual Voice would have been SO much better than Alexa!)
Hearth Fires by Dorothy M. Keddington
2.5
Just okay for me. This was a bookclub selection - not one I would have finished on my own. I think maybe in my younger years I would have liked it more. I read so much, I think I've come to expect more. Profound thoughts I want to highlight and discuss, learning something, really getting sucked in and caring about the characters. That just didn't happen here.
Looking back on the book to write up the review, I forgot about the prologue (not really necessary, I didn't remember the names or even remember the prologue had happened. I guess if I'd been paying closer attention I might have remembered/noticed Dicola's name to make that connection.
Prologue was 3rd person/past tense ... but the rest of the book was all 1st person/past tense, all from Mackenzie's POV. Just basic chronological chapters, no chapter headings. No "parts" but this did seem to be divided into two parts ... before Hearth Fires and at/after Hearth Fires. While generally I like that "ah" moment when the title of the book is referenced in the book ... this didn't really work for me.
The action starts off pretty quick, I'm trying to think if it would be realistic to nickname people so quickly in her mind ... "Sloppy Joe" and "The Pit Bill" and "The Ogre" ... Some spoilers ... (view spoiler)
I always wonder a big when name brands are given ... PF Changs, Pepsi (product placement?)
Some things that irked me a little ...
"inside I was shaking with reaction"
"marriage, children and a home. In that order" (I'd want a home before bringing in children)
"I wanted nothing" - back to back starting paragraphs
"Mackenzie Graham is five foot three with reddish brown hair and blue eyes" - I know it's not cool to give out age and weight, but that description really isn't that helpful without those additional details!
The first night, they have Mac sleep in a recliner rather than trying to handle the stairs - but the very next night, have her sleep upstairs (did her injuries really improve that much in 24 hours?)
"the BENISON of hot water" "benison" ??? A blessing? Seemed a very strange description.
Family history is big in Utah (Mormons) ... I wondered if there was going to be more to the writing up the father's life story. It had a few things to say, then it just seemed to drop.
So - now honestly, I came into this a little negatively. I love books, but I have so much more ear time than eye time, I love audiobooks. This didn't have an audio version available. The ebook version wasn't available at any of my libraries (local author) so I had to pay for it ($8 if I recall correctly). I struggled SO much with reading. My eye time is before bed, and I kept falling asleep. Bookclub was coming up and I was only halfway done. I actually finished by having Amazon's Alexa read it to me, which is not great narration, but it got the book finished for me. As the author is local, she had been invited to the book club discussion ... which, might be awkward, as I didn't love the book. As a book club book, it just didn't really have much for discussion regardless. But turns out I do actually have a conflict and will likely miss it.
Content concerns: LDS author, no proFanity (beer and coffee mentioned :) ...what? J/K). Completely clean. Some violence/death.
Looking back on the book to write up the review, I forgot about the prologue (not really necessary, I didn't remember the names or even remember the prologue had happened. I guess if I'd been paying closer attention I might have remembered/noticed Dicola's name to make that connection.
Prologue was 3rd person/past tense ... but the rest of the book was all 1st person/past tense, all from Mackenzie's POV. Just basic chronological chapters, no chapter headings. No "parts" but this did seem to be divided into two parts ... before Hearth Fires and at/after Hearth Fires. While generally I like that "ah" moment when the title of the book is referenced in the book ... this didn't really work for me.
The action starts off pretty quick, I'm trying to think if it would be realistic to nickname people so quickly in her mind ... "Sloppy Joe" and "The Pit Bill" and "The Ogre" ... Some spoilers ... (view spoiler)
I always wonder a big when name brands are given ... PF Changs, Pepsi (product placement?)
Some things that irked me a little ...
"inside I was shaking with reaction"
"marriage, children and a home. In that order" (I'd want a home before bringing in children)
"I wanted nothing" - back to back starting paragraphs
"Mackenzie Graham is five foot three with reddish brown hair and blue eyes" - I know it's not cool to give out age and weight, but that description really isn't that helpful without those additional details!
The first night, they have Mac sleep in a recliner rather than trying to handle the stairs - but the very next night, have her sleep upstairs (did her injuries really improve that much in 24 hours?)
"the BENISON of hot water" "benison" ??? A blessing? Seemed a very strange description.
Family history is big in Utah (Mormons) ... I wondered if there was going to be more to the writing up the father's life story. It had a few things to say, then it just seemed to drop.
So - now honestly, I came into this a little negatively. I love books, but I have so much more ear time than eye time, I love audiobooks. This didn't have an audio version available. The ebook version wasn't available at any of my libraries (local author) so I had to pay for it ($8 if I recall correctly). I struggled SO much with reading. My eye time is before bed, and I kept falling asleep. Bookclub was coming up and I was only halfway done. I actually finished by having Amazon's Alexa read it to me, which is not great narration, but it got the book finished for me. As the author is local, she had been invited to the book club discussion ... which, might be awkward, as I didn't love the book. As a book club book, it just didn't really have much for discussion regardless. But turns out I do actually have a conflict and will likely miss it.
Content concerns: LDS author, no proFanity (beer and coffee mentioned :) ...what? J/K). Completely clean. Some violence/death.
The Letters We Keep by Nisha Sharma
3.25
I liked this. Included in KindleUnlimited, text and audio. Just as I have to space out my P&P retellings, and WW2 stories and other specific topics/genres (just to keep things from getting muddled in my mind), I've found there are a LOT of stories with characters from India, so I need to space them out too. It's been a couple months since my last, so I figured I'd be okay. While being Desi was important to the plot, this actually didn't feel overly Indian.
I appreciated the Table of Contents - just a quick glance/ per the headings, so I could see that this would have a letter from the past (1970s) and then a chapter from Jessie's POV, then one from Ravi's POV. The letters were 1st person, while the present-day storyline was 3rd person. Two narrators (female for Jessie's POV, male for Ravi's POV). Past tense. There were some text communications included as well.
We had the present day "will this relationship work with our differences?" ... those differences being wealth/connections (both were Indian) and the past relationship (different races, and also wealth/connections). While I liked Jessie and Ravi, their relationship did seem to move so quickly into LOVE ... I guess that can happen.
A little Pride & Prejudice/Jane Austen connection.
Content Concerns: There was some proFanity (x11) and some sexual content.
I appreciated the Table of Contents - just a quick glance/ per the headings, so I could see that this would have a letter from the past (1970s) and then a chapter from Jessie's POV, then one from Ravi's POV. The letters were 1st person, while the present-day storyline was 3rd person. Two narrators (female for Jessie's POV, male for Ravi's POV). Past tense. There were some text communications included as well.
We had the present day "will this relationship work with our differences?" ... those differences being wealth/connections (both were Indian) and the past relationship (different races, and also wealth/connections). While I liked Jessie and Ravi, their relationship did seem to move so quickly into LOVE ... I guess that can happen.
A little Pride & Prejudice/Jane Austen connection.
Content Concerns: There was some proFanity (x11) and some sexual content.
Jade City by Fonda Lee
slow-paced
3.0
This has high ratings ... but I struggled with it. It had an interesting world set-up, but getting to know all the characters, and then to care about them, it just wasn't happening for me. I almost DNFed, just because it wasn't something I was anxious to get back to. I even stopped and went to another book before coming back and pushing through to finish. Maybe at another time, I would have enjoyed it more?
3rd person/past tense - multiple POVs. In the audio, we had a single male narrator. He was good, but at times, his voice reminded me of the generic (AI?) voice on reels. There is a map in the text copy (I had Kindle from the library). 57 chapters, with chapter headings ... "First Interlude" began before chapter 18, then there was a second/third interlude (each with multiple chapters) and an epilogue.
I think I followed the story okay, although it was a little tough with the different names, the jade. I couldn't quite tell if it was a complete fantasy world, because some of it seemed very "earth" like (with televisions, airports, etc). The characters/the story ... it just didn't make a huge impact on me.
Interesting to have listened to the audio, then look at the text, and realize I'd been "spelling" the names in my head very differently (based on the pronunciation). I wonder how I would have "pronounced" the names had I read it, instead of going with the audio.
ProFanity (x43) and a couple sex scenes.
Not really one I'd recommend personally - I'm not planning on continuing on with the series.
3rd person/past tense - multiple POVs. In the audio, we had a single male narrator. He was good, but at times, his voice reminded me of the generic (AI?) voice on reels. There is a map in the text copy (I had Kindle from the library). 57 chapters, with chapter headings ... "First Interlude" began before chapter 18, then there was a second/third interlude (each with multiple chapters) and an epilogue.
I think I followed the story okay, although it was a little tough with the different names, the jade. I couldn't quite tell if it was a complete fantasy world, because some of it seemed very "earth" like (with televisions, airports, etc). The characters/the story ... it just didn't make a huge impact on me.
Interesting to have listened to the audio, then look at the text, and realize I'd been "spelling" the names in my head very differently (based on the pronunciation). I wonder how I would have "pronounced" the names had I read it, instead of going with the audio.
ProFanity (x43) and a couple sex scenes.
Not really one I'd recommend personally - I'm not planning on continuing on with the series.
Funny Story by Emily Henry
4.75
This book is all a-buzz at the moment ... I had a bit of a wait to get it from the library. I absolutely enjoyed it. That being said - due to proFanity (x66) and sexual content, I wouldn't recommend it to my mom/sister unless there was a "bookangel" version :) Super cute story, even if it was a bit predictable (most romances are, there IS the assumption that the two characters are going to get together) with the "fake dating" setup.
1st person/present tense (except when talking about the past), this was all from the POV of Daphne - narrated by Julia Whelan in audio. Simple chronological chapters, this stayed simple and chronological.
Honestly - I didn't love Miles to start. The pot-smoking, drinking, tattooed guy. I just struggle with some of that stuff/it's me. His character did win me over though.
Loved the little nod to Jane Austen - the college class that was basically a Jane Austen Book Club, and the professor having each person state which Austen character they are most like. Daphne admits to being most like Charlotte Lucas. As the MC is a children's librarian, there were quite a few book related events and mentions. The relationship between Miles and his sister, (and with Julia and Daphne) was super cute.
Quite a few of the words I note (besides the f *Ü*) deign, roil, smirk, scowl, cacophony (recently mentioned in a FB group, and then there it was).
1st person/present tense (except when talking about the past), this was all from the POV of Daphne - narrated by Julia Whelan in audio. Simple chronological chapters, this stayed simple and chronological.
Honestly - I didn't love Miles to start. The pot-smoking, drinking, tattooed guy. I just struggle with some of that stuff/it's me. His character did win me over though.
Loved the little nod to Jane Austen - the college class that was basically a Jane Austen Book Club, and the professor having each person state which Austen character they are most like. Daphne admits to being most like Charlotte Lucas. As the MC is a children's librarian, there were quite a few book related events and mentions. The relationship between Miles and his sister, (and with Julia and Daphne) was super cute.
Quite a few of the words I note (besides the f *Ü*) deign, roil, smirk, scowl, cacophony (recently mentioned in a FB group, and then there it was).
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
4.0
This was a bookclub pick ... I've listened to the audio and liked it, but feel I probably need a re-read to cement the story in my mind, to delve a little deeper in prep for discussions. Quick review now with thoughts, hopefully I'll update after bookclub.
This seemed to have three storylines ... Marie-Laure, Werner, and the diamond. The war itself surrounds all three. 3rd person//present tense, single (male) narrator in audio. There are time shifts as well
The chapters were short, almost bluntly so ... in the TOC, it actually starts with Part Zero: Aug7, 1944, with eight chapters ... Leaflets, Bombers, The Girl, The Boy, Saint-Malo, Number 4 ru Vauborel, Cellar, Bombs Away. Many "parts" ... each with several chapters in each. You can see the time shifts, although it stays present tense throughout. 1944, then events before, a history, leading up to that main night ... and afterward.
Part One: 1934
Part Two: 8 August 1944
Part Three: June 1940
Part Four: 8 August 1944
Part Five: January 1941
Part 6: 8 Aug 1944
Part 7: August 1942
Part 8: 9 August 1944
Part 9: May 1944
Part 10: 12 August 1944
Part 11: 1945
Part12: 1974
Part 13:2014
While I liked this, and think I'll remember the basics, I'm sure a deeper dive, looking up discussion questions, themes, etc, would increase my appreciation. I'm also interested in watching the movie adaptation.
ProFanity - X3
This seemed to have three storylines ... Marie-Laure, Werner, and the diamond. The war itself surrounds all three. 3rd person//present tense, single (male) narrator in audio. There are time shifts as well
The chapters were short, almost bluntly so ... in the TOC, it actually starts with Part Zero: Aug7, 1944, with eight chapters ... Leaflets, Bombers, The Girl, The Boy, Saint-Malo, Number 4 ru Vauborel, Cellar, Bombs Away. Many "parts" ... each with several chapters in each. You can see the time shifts, although it stays present tense throughout. 1944, then events before, a history, leading up to that main night ... and afterward.
Part One: 1934
Part Two: 8 August 1944
Part Three: June 1940
Part Four: 8 August 1944
Part Five: January 1941
Part 6: 8 Aug 1944
Part 7: August 1942
Part 8: 9 August 1944
Part 9: May 1944
Part 10: 12 August 1944
Part 11: 1945
Part12: 1974
Part 13:2014
While I liked this, and think I'll remember the basics, I'm sure a deeper dive, looking up discussion questions, themes, etc, would increase my appreciation. I'm also interested in watching the movie adaptation.
ProFanity - X3
Born Behind Bars by Padma Venkatraman
3.25
I liked this fine, and while I often adore children's/YA books, this one felt very young for me. Perhaps I would have appreciated it more in my younger years. The MC is just nine years old, and the presentation is from that age view. 1st person/present tense - very conversational. In print (I had the hard copy picked up at a library sale for my LFL) and Kindle, no paragraph indentations, but spaces between sentences, making it seem longer than it is (in text - I went with the audio edition). Nice Table of Contents with topic headers for each chapter. Short chapters, 70 in all.
The blurb really tells the first half of the book ... almost makes reading it unnecessary. I just never fully got pulled in to the story, to really care about the characters. Maybe it was me. This is one that I probably would come to appreciate more through study and discussion and dissection ... but I just did a quick listen (audiobook, although as mentioned, I had the text copies on hand too) for "enjoyment" ... although a story like this often isn't something one enjoys, even with a fulfilling ending.
I always appreciate learning more about history or culture, and often it is easier in a fictional/story setting. This provided some background information on the situations in India, the caste system, the justice system, water issues. All good to know. I appreciated the author's notes at the end.
I couldn't help but think of some similarities between this and [book:Room|31685789] ... in that, we also get the story from the POV of a young boy kept captive (although that was more isolated, just he and his mother. Not "jail" but a different prison), and then coming into the wider world.
The author narrates the story, which generally I like ... and there was nothing wrong with her narration... but she is female, and the POV is 1st person, a little boy. I felt like I needed a boy's voice narrating (coming into this cold, not reviewing the blurb, I didn't even know Kabir was a boy until a few chapters in).
Middle grade - no content concerns (profanity, sex, violence).
The blurb really tells the first half of the book ... almost makes reading it unnecessary. I just never fully got pulled in to the story, to really care about the characters. Maybe it was me. This is one that I probably would come to appreciate more through study and discussion and dissection ... but I just did a quick listen (audiobook, although as mentioned, I had the text copies on hand too) for "enjoyment" ... although a story like this often isn't something one enjoys, even with a fulfilling ending.
I always appreciate learning more about history or culture, and often it is easier in a fictional/story setting. This provided some background information on the situations in India, the caste system, the justice system, water issues. All good to know. I appreciated the author's notes at the end.
I couldn't help but think of some similarities between this and [book:Room|31685789] ... in that, we also get the story from the POV of a young boy kept captive (although that was more isolated, just he and his mother. Not "jail" but a different prison), and then coming into the wider world.
The author narrates the story, which generally I like ... and there was nothing wrong with her narration... but she is female, and the POV is 1st person, a little boy. I felt like I needed a boy's voice narrating (coming into this cold, not reviewing the blurb, I didn't even know Kabir was a boy until a few chapters in).
Middle grade - no content concerns (profanity, sex, violence).