Tag Archive: Feminism



The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIAThe Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA by Liza Mundy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Whoa! This is a lot! A crazy book to read at bedtime. My emotions were all over the place.

It’s worth the read. So much information! I love that the author did the narration, as you could tell her heart was in the read.

It’s so late at night that I can’t think of what to say that will help others to want to check out this book. It is so worth the read. I’m just warning you. If anger, excitement, sadness, hopelessness, regret, hope, and other huge emotions keep you awake, you might want to read this earlier in the day. I had too many 3 AM bedtimes that didn’t turn into actual sleep. Emotions about women, historical events, and all the wins and losses we’ve all lived through, but receiving only partial information played through my head, wondering what I would have done. What could I have done? How about the personal situations I’ve been through like some of these women; what needed to be done?

So read it for yourself and learn what you can. I was lucky to get to read (listen to) it on Libby.

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The Land of Painted Caves (Earth's Children, #6)The Land of Painted Caves by Jean M. Auel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was my second “read.” I just listened on Audible. This time, I was less enchanted. I felt it was repetitive, repeating so many stories from the previous books. I wouldn’t say I liked Jondalar and got mad at Ayla several times. And the Zelandoni (I’m not sure how to spell the one that relates to the first one–Audible) didn’t seem the wisest of women either. And the grand adventures of the past books weren’t there. But it was fun to live in the story just a little longer. But I wasn’t as gooey as I was in my previous read. The review from a few years ago is below.

It is the times, my attitudes of now and then? I didn’t feel the same this time.

~~~
Why did I have to read these so fast? Now, there are no more cave-bear books.

Sandra Burr. Listen to her performance of these books if you get the chance.

I feel I have already reviewed this series. Before I reread them, I will try to find pictures of the places, the caves, and the types of people these books are about. It would be cool if Jean M. Auel could write a companion picture book. I must admit to having my curiosity piqued about the prehistoric times when womyn were warriors. I am glad that the author spent so much time researching these stories. Her knowledge of the geography, flora, and fauna made the world of Ayla come to life.

If you haven’t read these yet, you owe it to yourself. If you have, trek back to the Caves.

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The Mammoth Hunters (Earth's Children, #3)The Mammoth Hunters by Jean M. Auel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just finished my second reading of this book a couple of days ago. Below is the review from the first time. It is funny that my feelings changed on this book. I still think Valley of the Horses is my favorite so far, where as last time the Mammoth Hunters was my favorite. That proves my theory that where the reader is in their lives affects how the story comes through to them.

One thing coming to mind in this reading is how talented the narrator, Sandra Burr, is. She flawlessly changes voices for any person who speaks in the story. Her males are all different, and her females vary, too. Old people even have different personalities per voice. I’d love to learn to do this kind of narration. Of course, Sandra also has a gem of a series to read. I am equally blown away by the amount of research included or purposely left out just for the story’s sake.

I didn’t cry at the parting of the couple from their new friends this time. I was so busy doing my diamond painting that I wasn’t as emotionally involved at that stage. I also didn’t let a beat go by without loading up the next book.

~~~

How can one read with tears racing down one’s face? Good thing I had Audible’s version with Sandra Burr’s narration to keep the story moving. And it was moving!

I think I liked this one the best so far. I wanted to thump Jondalar more often than not. Communicate, was the word I shouted to the book, communicate! But then, I guess that would have left a very short book.

I have already ordered the Audible version of the next book and downloaded the Kindle version. I have no idea why I had never read all these before. Jean M. Auel is quite the storyteller! Oh, yeah, the books are all so heavy that my hands would have ached trying to read them.

Sandra Burr’s narration was more flawless than in the previous books.

Well, I can hardly wait to get started on the next one.

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The Valley of Horses (Earth's Children, #2)The Valley of Horses by Jean M. Auel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I think this is my favorite of the series. This time, I only listened to the Audible. Before I had a chance to write this second review, I moved on to the next book. This is such a fun series! I stand by my previous review below.

~~~

This second book in the series was more exciting than the first. Jean Auel has created such believable characters who dwell in an equally believable world.

By reading the Kindle version while listening to the Audible version, the story comes to life. Sandra Burr’s narration is well done.

Horses. Need I say more?

Tags: audible, feminism, herstorical-fiction, history, horses, kindle, read, womyn

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Talking while Diamond Painting is so much fun. Thank you, Cher!

The flounder flopped when I had to go back to work. The laundry is still sitting in front of me to fold. I may not get to all the music fun tonight. I may be down on the sea bottom with the flounder as I am so tired.

But here’s how far I got on the Sea Turtles:

Almost done and already know where it is going! Nice to know these guys will get a good home!

Lessons in ChemistryLessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There are many reviews of this book. It seems you either love it or hate it. I think I am near to the love it stage. After reading some really serious books recently, this book was fun. I’m 73. I lived through all of this that seems not to have disappeared at all. In fact, the feministic things that seemed to have happened in this book haven’t happened; any more than a dog with an excellent vocabulary hasn’t occurred. However, I do believe the dog part more than the female advancement that fictionally occurred here.

Outside of the near murder of a rapist by pencil near the beginning, most of this book is aimed at the hope that things can change, even though the 50s and 60s didn’t advance most of us.

The best part of this book was the voice of Miranda Raisom, the narrator. She kept the book lively and showed the humor within it.

The interview with the author, Bonnie Garmus, and Pandora Sykes at the book’s end was also interesting.

Rather than taking it to heart, I suggest this as a beach or summer read.

I am so grateful for the library system that helps us all read more, even when funds are less. I listened to the Libby audiobook.

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I Swear: Politics Is Messier Than My MinivanI Swear: Politics Is Messier Than My Minivan by Katie Porter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I don’t know how I heard of this book, but as often happens, I hear about it and go straight to Libby and put it on hold. I love the ability to get audio or Kindle versions of books even when I can’t afford to buy them. I do enjoy hearing the book read by the author, especially in the case of a memoir.

I must admit to feeling refreshed when Katie Porter shows up on a show. She pulls no punches and speaks honestly, not buying into the usual memes of either political party. As a young mom, being in any career seems challenging. Single mom, even harder. But she chose to try to make life better for others. It seems more accurate when you know what she has given up to be where she is.

The hardest part of this book was listening before going to sleep. Her raspy voice and the exciting topics she brought up made sleep hard to come by.

Even so, I highly recommend this book, especially in audio form.

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Tell Me Everything: A MemoirTell Me Everything: A Memoir by Minka Kelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The name Mindy Kelly didn’t ring a bell. I still am not sure I have ever seen her in shows. But the book was recommended on one of the morning shows, and I thought I’d look it up. Luckily Libby had the audio version. Mindy reads her autobiography quite well.

Ms. Kelly’s life was nothing like my own. I felt awful for her for the things she had to survive as a child and teen. But I do appreciate her spirit to try to live properly and healthily. She is an inspiration in how she looks at life now, and her attitude seems to pay her well.

If you read this, keep the Kleenex handy, as the end parts are very touching. I highly recommend listening to this book. There is a lot of knowledge and power packed into her life and her story,

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I can’t believe I read this before. But it was in 2016, so I may give my poor memory a break. Here is what I wrote way back then. I like it so much better than I would have written today. So here is a repeat. Still worth the read. January La Voy’s narration kept this interesting all the way through.

~~~June 23, 2016~~~

What a woman! I was very impressed with this book. I do not usually read non-fiction. But this was the first book available for Kindle from my local library. I downloaded the Audible version to help hold my attention to the text.

If there were any book that could bring the plight of women to light, it is this book. Here we have a woman who had a family who was college educated and encouraged their offspring to seek the highest education possible. This woman went to Indonesia to study the poor, especially the women.

Don’t think about this book as an extension of the President. She was her own person even before her son was born. It seems she had all the breaks, got to travel and all, but she had the courage of her convictions and goals to help others.

I think many women who read this will see a part of themselves reflected back. Had my mother had the opportunity that Stanley Ann Durham had, I think she would have been a happier person. Having a happy, well define parent could only result in happy, well-defined children.


In Falling Snow: A NovelIn Falling Snow: A Novel by Mary-Rose MacColl
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Despite my brain’s inability to go with the author, Mary-Rose MacColl, and Orlah Cassidy (Narrator) between past and present for the characters’ present embodiment, I still loved this book. No matter past or present, the characters were exciting and lovable.

Maybe if you have the written word to look at and help orient whose point of view and when this story
progresses might be more accessible. Ms. Cassidy did vary her voice to inform the listener. Even still, I had managed about 50% of the story when I felt so totally lost that I started over. I found myself confused. But I relaxed, let the story take me where it would, and soon, I found the end. I hated that it was over. I did love the characters and voices so much!

It was interesting to read about the women of the first world war. I highly recommend this read.

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Mean Baby: A Memoir of Growing UpMean Baby: A Memoir of Growing Up by Selma Blair
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Many reviews about this book are high, some are low ratings. It’s her life. I don’t think it is up to me to judge it. Her life is far different than mine. Yet, I found a deep dive into another life, another memoir gave me insight into writing my own.

Until I saw Selma Blair on the View, I think it was, I had only heard the name and couldn’t put a face with the name. Not too uncommon for me with anyone. Her movies weren’t my type of movie. But I have known friends and loved ones that had MS. It is such a horrifying disease. I was curious to see how this person handled it.

If you like autobiographies, memoirs, this is for you. If you don’t, you might move forward to another read. Ms. Blair gets personal and honest about many aspects of her life. I found the writing well done. And her voice is actively involved; honest tears are felt when she reads the parts most vulnerable.

Since her life always included pain and depression, it is spelled out quite often. If that is triggering for you, this might not be the read for you. It does help to see how someone else worked through her own darkness. I think it was worth the read.

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