Chandler

A rarity with me–I actually finished reading a one-star book. I did not like this one, but it held enough interest with me to finish it. I was going to rate it a two star book until the very end. I didn't care enough about the characters or the problems within the book to feel invested... then the author finished on a cliff hanger at the climax of the entire story. Instead of making me feel invested and interested, it immediately turned me off from the story, making me feel like I had just wasted all of my time for a point that would only come in the second book (and I'm assuming it would start off as slow as this book did).

The fae were the only thing interesting. The fact that the character was a lady in the Victorian London was incredibly boring. The MC literally knew the world was going to end and just... went dress shopping for her wedding, because she has to keep up appearances with 19th century social circles. Absolutely boring.

Not great. Interesting Fae mythology and things, but ultimately, not worth anyone's time.

Next.

Kekla Magoon presents a beautifully crafted, well-researched piece of historical text that details the origins, history, and legacy of the Black Panther Party. I didn't know much about the BPP, but I really enjoyed reading about the creation of such a special social movement and moment in history.

Starting from the earliest moment in black history through the human rights movements and the FBI's involvement with the introduction of drugs and violence, to the Black Lives Matter movement, the Black Panther Party was a powerful group and such a wonderful organization to learn about. I can't believe how young members of the BPP were with the average age of members being 19. Absolutely amazing.

Would love to keep learning about black history and historical

While this book had some great topics and ideas how to live life to the fullest—dare to dream big dreams, work hard, be honest, just ask—for the most part, it was just stories of how great his life was and not the actual application or how of a lot of these concepts. For much of the book, I didn't care about the experiences but wanted more about the subject they were trying to illustrate and I didn't get that.
There were some good things in there, but were mostly lost as he shares too much about his own life, which I wasn't that interested in.

A fantastic continuation of The Heir Chronicles. Cinda Williams Chima expounds and enriches her world with the addition of new characters, new magics, and new ‘types' of people in the world. I love how Seph sees his relationship with his newly discovered parents—first shock and anger that they had abandoned him, but as more becomes clear to him, he understands and accepts the painful and difficult situation that his mother must have been in.

Also, probably the best audiobook narrator that I've ever listened to. The narrator made it fun to listen to with voice inflections and accents appropriate for the book.

Great writing and exciting situations.

Attempted to read, but did not finish. I know this is the author's memoir, but I really dislike being told how great ones' life is and how amazing he is. I like the basic premise–surrender yourself to what life has in store for you and be open to receiving it with the inclusion of meditation. I just think that is too simplistic to account for all of the different variables of what is actually going on.

Interesting, but not for me.

A bit slow at some parts, especially in the beginning, however I enjoyed the book overall. Seeing queer and trans people happy and accepted makes my heart so happy. I don't really care about whether or not people agree with the choices, but it's all about being there for one another and accepting that person no matter what.

Great fictional work if someone is wanting to learn a little about trans youth and what may be going on in their mind. This book is definitely not comprehensive nor does it speak to everyone's experience, but it's a great place to start.

A cute, light view into Eastern thought. I loved the intro into the concepts, however, I really did not like and got distracted by the characters interacting with the narrator. I understand that the author was making a point and illustrating the things he was talking about, however, it was distracting and slightly annoying. It just felt like it dragged on a bit.

I would love to keep learning about taoist ways.

Ultimately, not the most riveting of topics, however, I couldn't help but be amazed by the world we live in today. Things that we take for granted (GPS, satellite imaging, longitudinal information, etc.) today regularly take on issues that were argued about and were huge concerns for the nations of old.

Additionally, the author mentioned something about money and it just got me thinking how much scientific advancement and even just scientific exploration was done in the name of money and how many projects and ideas were never explored because it wasn't profitable to someone.

A very short, fast read about gender and the need for us all to become feminists: A person who believes in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes.

Quotes:
“the higher you go, the fewer women there are.”

“We spend too much time teaching girls to worry about what boys think of them. But the reverse is not the case.”

“A world of happier men and happier women who are truer to themselves. And this is how to start: We must raise our daughters differently. We must also raise our sons differently.”

“The harder a man feels compelled to be, the weaker his ego is.”

“We use the word respect for something a woman shows a man but often not for something a man shows a woman. Both men and women will say: ‘I did it for peace in my marriage.' When men say it, it is usually about something they should not be doing anyway... When women say [it], it is usually because they have given up a job, a career goal, a dream.”

“Some men feel threated by the idea of feminism. This comes, I think, from the insecurity triggered by how boys are brought up, how their sense of self-worth is diminished if they are not ‘naturally' in charge as men”

“Men need to speak out in all of these ostensibly small situations.”

“Culture does not make people. People make culture. If it is true that the full humanity of women is not our culture, then we can and must make it our culture.”

An enjoyable collection of essays on a variety of topics, most of which tie back to reading and the love of it all.

While the essays were enjoyable, they conveyed relatable topics, however, this is not a book that I will think about again. Although, I did love the idea of just reading with my future significant other.

Rating: 3.75/5 stars
Rounded up to 4 stars

Summary: Nick Carroway moves into a small home in New York next to a large mansion owned by one Jay Gatsby. Nick gets involved in Gatsby's plan to reestablish contact and woo Nick's second cousin, Daisy Buchanan. The book highlights the American Dream, life in the roaring 20's, and the sometimes-hollow lifestyle 0f the wealthy and famous. Additionally, it highlights the impossibility of recapturing the past (and a little of how we often look to the past with rose-colored glasses).

Definitely not a page-turner until you start to understand what is happening. I am glad I reread this book when I was older and I can appreciate it more. I rated it highly, not because I am in love with the book itself, but rather I find it interesting as a social commentary. American society pushes such extreme messages of hard work, wealth, and individualism–the grind mentality–and this book makes one wonder if it's actually worth it in the end.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
A fantastic look into the multiple layers of race relations, oppression, and violence. I felt like a central question of this book was: In what ways do the realities of this world affect the actions of a person?
Wright delivers a great look into the experience of black people in America and doesn't shy away from the fact that there are many sides of the issues at hand–white and black people alike are guilty and are harmed from the systems that are in place.

This book is entertaining and well written. Even though the author tells you point blank that Bigger has always been heading toward jail, you still wonder how things are going to work out. This book is a great fictional piece for people who want to know more and analyze patterns of society. A great read!

Rating: 3.5 stars
Rounded down to 3

Eldest is a great continuation of the story that began in Eragon. However, it is slow and can become monotonous as Eragon's training and learning take priority of this narrative. The story deepens the lore and expands the knowledge of the dragons from the perspective of the elves. Is this book groundbreaking? No, but it is enjoyable and sets up many of the important information for the next books.

A quick peek into what life might have been like in the early 1900's during the time of the Great Depression and when overt racism and oppression of black people was openly accepted. Told through the eyes of a child, the book depicts how scary it all would have been to have the KKK lurking always and being a present threat to you and your family, how amazingly scary it would have been to challenge those in power to vote, and how every little action taken by a black person had so much more attached to it. It's sad to think that these ideas and concepts are still present in our society today–with white supremacists still being active being the more abhorrent and racism still existing today.

Quotes:
“Don't aim for riches, child. Aim for happiness.” -Mrs. Mills

“But you know what, the best gift of all is the laughter. We never have enough laughter...”

I am new to the food world and this book was interesting to me as I expected it to be a letter to a young chef-beginner-like-me. I didn't know the name of Daniel Boulud, so I picked up the book. It definitely is not geared toward complete beginners or even home-cooks. Rather, it is a series of letters written to those interested in or aspiring to be in the actual restaurant world. Even so, this was an interesting look into food and into cooking. I loved the way that Boulud spoke about flavor and about each part of the cooking process—speaking with such passion, beauty, and love for the craft. Although not exactly what I wanted or related to, the information in this book was great to read.

10 Commandments of a Chef
1. Keep your knives sharp and take care of your tools
2. Work with the best people.
3. Keep your station orderly
4. Waste not!
5. Season with Precision
6. Master the heat
7. Learn the world of food
8. Know the classics
9. Accept criticism and push yourself
10. Keep a journal of your recipes

I rather enjoyed the way in which Myers writes the book in the form of a movie, complete with camera movements and descriptions of things. It makes the book feel like a tense courtroom drama. This book raises interesting questions concerning the ethics and believability of witnesses (especially those who are offered rewards in exchange for their testimony), biases and prejudice, police behavior and what should happen to avoid biases, guilt, justice, identity, and so on. I enjoyed those questions that the books read and it has got me thinking a lot about our understanding of guilt and the purpose of prisons.