Category: Reviews


Review: Medgar and Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened America by Joy-Ann Reid

Filed under: Audible, Books, Reading, Reviews — 2 Comments
February 13, 2024

Medgar and Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened AmericaMedgar and Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened America by Joy-Ann Reid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This has to win the Black History Month finest read. Joy-Ann Reid has written and narrated one of the best books I have read in a long time. Especially since I don’t much like nonfiction, there was history and personal story involved. I cared from the beginning for all the characters involved. And Ms. Reid became one of them as she was a personal witness by getting to know Myrlie Evers personally. So, her research was not only factual but personal. That is a true history book!

It wasn’t just a bunch of facts and men, as most history books seem to be. Nor was it only fighting and war and the heroes. However, that was included as only a part of history.

I could not stop listening/reading, so I went over my 3 AM sleep time as I didn’t want to stop listening. Joy-Ann is fun to listen to, and I always feel the wiser when I heed her voice.

I highly recommend this book. I was lucky to find it on Libby as an audiobook.

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Review: The Grift: The Downward Spiral of Black Republicans from the Party of Lincoln to the Cult of Trump by Clay Cane (and Floundering February)

Filed under: Blogging, Reading, Reviews — 4 Comments
February 8, 2024

The Grift: The Downward Spiral of Black Republicans from the Party of Lincoln to the Cult of TrumpThe Grift: The Downward Spiral of Black Republicans from the Party of Lincoln to the Cult of Trump by Clay Cane
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Since this is Black History Month, I decided if the Libby app could get this book to me, I would read it. Well, listen to it. They had the audiobook. Clay Cane did his narration.

As important as the information in this book is, I found it like any history book. It was all facts, names, and dates. I felt it could use more story and more emotion for the reader to relate to. The author/narrator was hyped and sounded like an evangelistic preacher. So before long, it was just noise.

Maybe it would be better to read the paper copy or the Kindle version. I felt I needed charts and timelines, and I needed to take notes. That’s hard to do at 2 in the morning when I am trying to go to sleep. I may have to read this again with the summaries I see on Mr. Cane’s Amazon and Goodreads pages. All that I have said about it was my own reaction to how it went into my brain so late at night. I think others who hold onto facts better than I do will love this and find new insights into our system of government.

So don’t take my word for it. Try it. You might like it and learn something you didn’t know before.

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The Floundering part of this review is knowing it is a good and important book. But my lack of sleep or ability to concentrate ruined the book for me. And the entire day following. I got nothing done but weird naps and 40 minutes at the diamond painting only amounted to:

Just the little green drills got done in the 40 minutes before my body decided it was enough.
While chatting yesterday, I got ‘kitted up’.

I need to sleep tonight!

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Re-Review: The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel (and Floundering February)

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February 6, 2024

The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth's Children, #1)The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the review I wrote for the Kindle version of this book. Since I listened to this one while reading from the Kindle version, I feel this should get a review as well.

***

I had this book, the hardback copy, for a long time. I had heard it was a good read, but the book was so heavy I never picked it up to read. I sold my copy. Downloaded as a Kindle copy, and it became a simple read. I, also. Downloaded the Audible version to listen to as I read. The voice of Sandra Burr was melodic and kept my interest, even when my eyes got tired.

This is deep enough that I must continue into the next book: The Valley of the Horses. I already downloaded it so that my memory of the end of the last book will fade. I will not say more than that for fear of committing a spoiler.

Glad I will now own this so I can go back and re-read it sometime.
~~~
February 6, 2024
I just finished re-listening/reading this first book. I have to admit it was as good as the first time I was immersed in the story. If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it. If you have read it, it is worth the reread!

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Nobody floundered as much as the first humans. Can you imagine all the things they had to learn? We stand on their shoulders.

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Review: Thicker than Water: A Memoir by Kerry Washington (Floundering February)

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Thicker than Water: A MemoirThicker than Water: A Memoir by Kerry Washington
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don’t normally like to rate memoirs. It seems unfair as it is the story of that person’s life. But in this case, I truly enjoyed Kerry Washington’s reading and her story.

As much as I would love that rating to go to her life experience, it is more how I felt as she read about her love of swimming. I related to that love so much. Even her words and voice portrayed that great love and how, in the end, that helped her and her family find their way. I don’t want to give anything away. Hopefully, that much isn’t a spoiler.

Her voice is strong and full of life as she tells her story. I felt so much like I was having a cup of coffee or sitting in the spa after a good batch of laps.

Libby is one of the greatest inventions ever! It is through them that I can read so many books. Yes, there is still the due date to make you read faster, but it is still a way to read a lot when you haven’t a lot of money to buy each and every book you want to read. That was how I read this book. It is worth buying if only for the poetry Kerry gives to living. And swimming.

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When you flounder in life, it is nice to find others to see how they handle their floundering. In Ms. Washington’s book, you see a lot of floundering as she learns about her life.

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JuJoJan, Congregate, Review: Making It So by Patrick Stewart

Filed under: Audible, Blogging, Reading, Reviews — 5 Comments
January 28, 2024

Per Linda:

Your prompt for JusJoJan January 28th, 2024 is “congregate.” This prompt is brought to us by  Fandango’s blog Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

Making It SoMaking It So by Patrick Stewart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was lucky to read this on Libby Audio. I must admit that hearing Sir Patrick’s voice made it so–much better than (see what I did there?)

This book takes you on Sir Stewart’s life journey from the beginning through even the pandemic, bringing the reader (listener) as close to the present as possible.

For me, there were a lot of surprises. But I am not much of a follower of movie stars. I have always enjoyed Star Trek and enjoyed our knight’s appearances in a few cartoons. The sad part of my life is that I never got to take classes or learn about Shakespeare; so much of his work is lost on me. Still, I guess the best part of a book is that it piques one’s curiosity. I need to check out the Bard and learn more than a little bit that I have been introduced to. I can sing the songs of Oliver. Does that count?

Anyway, gathering a congregation of Trekkies to learn what Sir Patrick can teach us of William, not Shatner. That’s what this book inspires. I plan to become more aware.

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Review: Garters and Gargoyles by Nancy Warren (And JJiJ, Variety)

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January 16, 2024

Garters and GargoylesGarters and Gargoyles by Nancy Warren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sarah Zimmerman’s narration is a bit off-putting. But after a while, you get used to her cadence and the smirk in her voice.

Once again, the yarn shop is where a batch of late-night knitters gather. These knitters just happen to be of the vampire variety.

My biggest problem with this book is that by now, Lucy, the store owner, who inherited, sort of, from her grandmother, who is now a part of the night shift yarning club. Lucy is still just knitting scarves and having a hard time. With all that help, she should be much farther along in her abilities. I wish I had that many teachers helping me figure out how to deal with the dropped stitches or tangled mess a distracted mind can create.

That’s not much of a problem in the long run. Lucy is learning to be a proper witch and trying to be a good person. So I shouldn’t complain. The rest of the story is fun. And the cozy mystery wrapped up in yarn pulls you in.

I love this series, and I already have the next book lined up for when I have a few moments to take a bite with my needles clicking.

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Linda’s JJiJ and John’s Prompt . Thank you both! Go check out their blogs!!!!

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Review: Private Equity: A Memoir by Carrie Sun

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January 10, 2024

Private Equity: A MemoirPrivate Equity: A Memoir by Carrie Sun
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I picked this Kindle version ARC up on NetGalley. Thank you.

When I was sent the book, I must have known it was an autobiography. But it was a while before I started the read. I couldn’t believe the amount of financial information that showed up around 10% of the book. Remember, by now, I was thinking it was fiction. I couldn’t imagine why a person would include all that information that seemed to go on and on. I almost gave up on it. The story was triggering because of my time working in a corporation. Even the friendliest becomes a monster, a vampire to its employees. So again, I nearly gave up.

But about halfway through, I was hooked. I wanted to know what Carrie would do to find her own life again.

The ending was wonderful. Let me just say she does finally find a way.

Now I want a more positive life written so I can enjoy her new life!

Thank you for letting me read this book!

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Review: Exit Strategy by Martha Wells

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Exit Strategy (The Murderbot Diaries, #4)Exit Strategy by Martha Wells
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The story continues. Again, it is fast. I hardly started reading, and suddenly, it was over.

Kevin R. Free (Narrator) makes the story come to life. And though the actual robot isn’t male or female, his voice makes me think the robot is male. I have to keep readjusting my visuals.

I love how the robot, programmed to kill, is finding ways to reprogram itself to save people and care for ideas and other robots.

I was lucky to pick this up on Libby and can’t wait until the next book is available.

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Review: Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning by Liz Cheney

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Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a WarningOath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning by Liz Cheney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I can’t say I enjoyed this book. But it is a necessary book. And I was lucky to get to hear a copy from our library app, Libby. Liz Cheney reads it herself, giving it all the authenticity it needs. Regardless of your political stance, this is an essential look into our government and the laws of this country we all love.

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JJIJ, Review: Pet Psychic Magical Mysteries by Erin Johnson

Filed under: Audible, Blogging, Reading, Reviews — 2 Comments
January 7, 2024

Pet Psychic Magical Mysteries (Pet Psychic Series #1-8)Pet Psychic Magical Mysteries by Erin Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This eight-book series was good in some ways. It was great for reading before sleep. I did like the main character’s attitude, but I hated the voice given to the dog by Hannah Somerville (narrator). It wasn’t bad enough to stop reading. That and the scoff sound before saying they scoffed, and that happened a lot. It’s still not enough to quit reading (listening). There was enough mystery involved that I wanted to see it all through. Not the murders, but how the main character would fix all the problems, or if she even could. Murder for the police is commonplace, so it was a vehicle to show off Jolene’s skills as a person who could hear animals speak. She pretends to be a pet psychic, but that cover brings her in to help solve the cases. It keeps the curious at bay. However, she has to hide her growls or tweets as she chats with the animals.

I don’t want you to think it is childish, but it is rather a fantasy, cozy mystery in every book. A fun book that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Well worth putting off other books while wading through all eight in a row.

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Learn about JJIJ here.
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