Tag Archive: history


Review: Being Henry: The Fonz . . . and Beyond by Henry Winkler

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November 6, 2023

Being Henry: The Fonz . . . and BeyondBeing Henry: The Fonz . . . and Beyond by Henry Winkler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was okay. I do like that someone talks about how it feels to be dyslexic and how it can go with you your entire life. Even if you can somehow learn tricks to help you through some situations, it can mess with your self-esteem for your whole life. Just wait until all the systems start going down; those tricks that got you by when you were young now leave your grasp.

What Henry Winkler teaches us is to find new ways to work your life. He writes books now and does a lot to help others, including kids. Even if we can’t do things others can, it doesn’t mean there isn’t something we CAN do that others might find difficult. Teach each other well, and help each other.

I listened to the audiobook with Mr. Winkler reading. It is hard to read at bedtime as he has a lot of energy in his voice that wouldn’t let me relax and go to sleep. So I suggest reading in the car, on the way to work, or while out on a walk. There are a lot of gems worth hearing in this book.

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Review: Enough by Cassidy Hutchinson

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October 29, 2023

EnoughEnough by Cassidy Hutchinson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This young woman has been through enough. Meanwhile, she has proven she is honorable and brave.

I can’t say I enjoyed this book. In fact, it was challenging to listen to. It isn’t fiction. And yet it pulled me like the best mystery or sci-fi adventure. Knowing it was true made me feel so afraid for Cassidy. I hope she can continue being strong and safe. I hope others learn how to stand up to the bullies with truth.

I highly recommend this read. I was lucky to read it on Libby.

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Review: Blowout: Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth by Rachel Maddow

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October 23, 2023

Blowout: Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on EarthBlowout: Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth by Rachel Maddow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The quick blurb from the Amazon page:

Big Oil and Gas Versus Democracy—Winner Take All

Rachel is a great storyteller. Within the story, you can trace the abundant research she puts into any of her books.

It kept me engaged and awake, following the threads of her story until nearly 4 AM. Yikes!

Maybe this is one you would like to try? I know it isn’t for everyone but I do think the book is interesting.

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Review: To Infinity and Beyond by Neil deGrasse Tyson

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October 20, 2023

To Infinity and BeyondTo Infinity and Beyond by Neil deGrasse Tyson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this history of science and the fiction of science fiction. Mr. Tyson takes us through the errors in our group thinking and movie ideas that won’t work, all with great story-telling and a sense of humor with methods he usually portrays.

Though I would have rather had Neil’s voice, the text-to-speech captured his personality well. I even woke my husband laughing at the phrase, ‘Timey Wimey, Wibbly Wobbly.’ I was so happy to have my Whovian ticklebone struck so boldly.

I must admit that some things do go over my head, but others make perfect sense. This might be a good reference book to have on hand when specific theories are brought up in real time or fictionally.

I do recommend this book. I picked up my copy from Libby. What a great way to get to read even when funds grow short.

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Review: Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

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September 29, 2023

Sense and SensibilitySense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I know others will see my rating and be quite disgusted. But I read all the Thomas Hardy books in my twenties, and I think I got this romantic type of male-dominated society books out of my system. The writing is musical, presenting a nice break in plain talk and low vocabulary flow.

I wonder if I had a more modern, popular reader, if I would have loved it more? I just didn’t enjoy Victoria McGee’s interpretation much. /

Back in the day, and we don’t have to go back as far as Jane Austin’s time, how about the era of Billie Jean King? Getting a wealthy man was the main goal for a female. Even when I read the Thomas Hardy books, I still thought that way. It was taught to me by my church, family, and society, but now, having lived 73 years, I think all of that was a waste. Women should have spent as much time growing our minds and independent abilities as menfolk.

Still, reading historical novels reminds us of a time gone by. Different thoughts, fashions, and inventions prevailed. Mostly, this book makes me thankful we live now.

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Review: Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman

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September 18, 2023

Catherine, Called BirdyCatherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I admit I wasn’t as in love with this one as Karen Cushman’s Midwife’s Apprentice. But maybe it is how that period was compared to how the main character portrayed her life. But had she not, the story would have been boring. And less educational. There was far more feminine leeway in what Catherine or Birdy did daily.

Still, as a read-aloud or read-along with middle-grade students, a teacher or parent could develop a considerable lesson plan incorporating everything from hygiene to the Crusades. In fact, as an adult, it was fascinating to learn all the crafts needed for survival that we engage in as hobbies now.

This was written diary form so that you could live the day-by-day of a young woman about to be married off. The abuses are blatant. The dangers of that time for newborns through older people are a given. That anyone lived through all this shows the human endurance of history.

So even though not as well-loved as a story, this is certainly worth the read and discussions that could develop.

I was able to read this on Libby. I will try to look up more of Karen Cushman’s work.

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Review: The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton

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September 17, 2023

The League of Gentlewomen Witches (Dangerous Damsels, #2)The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

About halfway into this book, I thought of what I wanted to say about this book. It is:

Improperly provocative done properly. Another I thought of since:  Wickedly Proper

Witches, pirates, tea parties, and subtle romance keep this story going. So funny, I nearly spit my tea, yet subtle enough not to wake my husband with my guffaws.

Elizabeth Knowelden (Narrator) gave the proper voice to read this fun book.

I think I liked this one far more than India Holton’s first book, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels. The witches versus pirates made my day!

If you are looking for a fun diversion from everyday torture, this book might do the job. I was lucky to find this audio version on Libby.

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Review: The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial by David Lipsky

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September 14, 2023

The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of DenialThe Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial by David Lipsky
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I am really not finished yet. I am at 99%, but I wanted to write this review before closing the laptop.

This is highly political, but David Lipsky seems to have no favorites. He has much to say about the denial on both sides of the aisle. I love science, but this proves how human ambition can kill science and the people who would benefit most from knowing the answers, however they proved.

Mike Chamberlain (Narrator) did a reasonably good job reading the book, but there wasn’t much to work with. It seemed the thing I hated most about this book was how the author chose to pretty up the story with words or illustrations that seemed to entertain him. I found these annoying, and it took me out of the story he was trying to tell. Not to say this is fiction. It was history in light of science and politics.

There are various opinions about this book in the reviews. Maybe you will love it? Or not? Try for yourself to see.

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Review: The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman

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September 11, 2023

The Midwife's ApprenticeThe Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wish books didn’t need tags like ‘middle grade’ or ‘young adult’ as this book had so much depth for all ages. Maybe somewhere, we could say, middle grades could read this. Young adults can relate. But I think this would make a great read-aloud to share. A teacher or parent could do the reading. There are a lot of conversation starters built in that people should enjoy.

For someone who entertained the occupation of midwifery, this called me as much as the show, ‘Call the Midwife.’ The miracle of birth and mothering are passions of mine.

This was a Libby Kindle that I was able to use text-to-speech. I think I would have loved a narrator, but the TTS did a great job all the way through. Can anyone tell me why TTS can’t say ‘finger’ but rather says ‘finJay’? That was the only word I had to take a moment to understand. But that was okay. Your brain adjusts to small inconsistencies like that.

Apparently, there are discussion booklets and book group helps. I would love to have been a part of one of those.

I am now a fan of Karen Cushman and can’t wait to read more of her books. I hope you like her, too.

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Review: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

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August 3, 2023

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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