Tag Archive: politics



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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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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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!


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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Prequel: An American Fight Against FascismPrequel: An American Fight Against Fascism by Rachel Maddow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have been finished with this book for a few days. It is so heavy in history that I couldn’t bring it all in. I may have to buy it and reread it. Luckily, I could read it by Libby audio.

Rachel does her own narrating. That made it better. She can take you back in historical situations so that you know more than names and dates (the things taught to me in history classes of my youth). She can almost take you back to the time the first dinosaur thought of the inconvenience of that leaf and how it led to the conflict of World War II. Her deep research is evident.

There were far more people involved in that war than we were taught in school. And much of what we got had to be taught cleaned up in a way that not just kids but everyone could take it in. There was a reason most veterans of that war said nothing about what happened. They only knew the bit of the war they were in. It was truly a World War, and many people were involved in many aspects. This book covers a lot of them. And how people in many countries, even ours, were placated to or induced into beliefs they might not readily have fallen for otherwise.

I highly suggest everyone read this. I think it could be a textbook for a true history class. I know many won’t want to read it. That’s okay. For those open to try, please do so.

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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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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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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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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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The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain TimesThe Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times by Michelle Obama
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was what I needed during the time I was a new mom, or working and feeling inadequate, even as I was getting home from the ER and feeling feverish from newly diagnosed diverticulitis. Michelle’s gentle voice made me feel like my mother was sitting and holding my hand. Or I was in a very good counselor session. So much good advice for all of us when we are feeling ‘less than.’

Okay, I know that some will not hold with her political point of view. But this book isn’t about that. It is about feeling awkward and being uncool. In so many ways, she nailed the feeling I know I had as a kid or teen. But mostly how I felt as a new mother. Everyone else had it together. How was I supposed to be a parent to this little one? Everyone I knew did it better. I know it was just part of growing up and becoming a parent. But I remember that insecure feeling well. This book reached inside and hugged that young mother and childhood me.

I highly recommend especially women to read this. And if you get the chance to listen to the audio version, do it! Her voice was comforting while I was still feeling the fever.

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