What to listen to while reading... Both Hands by Ani DiFranco You Give Love a Bad Name by Bon Jovi Just Another Day by Queen Latifah Can You Feel the BeatWhat to listen to while reading... Both Hands by Ani DiFranco You Give Love a Bad Name by Bon Jovi Just Another Day by Queen Latifah Can You Feel the Beat by Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam Twinz by Big Pun Basket Case by Green Day Heavy Cross by Gossip Rebel Girl by Bikini Kill A Sunday Kind of Love by Etta James The Beautiful Ones by PRince Drop it Like It's Hot by Snoop Dog Jenny from the Block by Jennifer Lopez Wide Open Spaces by The Chicks Love to Love You Baby by Donna Summer...more
When I first read the blurb for this book my initial thought was "This book is so me!" so it went right on my to-read list... and THEN.. I took a breaWhen I first read the blurb for this book my initial thought was "This book is so me!" so it went right on my to-read list... and THEN.. I took a break from reading. WOMP WOMP.
But, my book club chose this book as our January 2023 selection and it was around this time that I also decided to start seriously reading again, so lucky me, I finally got to read Cloud Cuckoo Land.
The book is set in 3 distinct periods: present-day America, the 1450s Ottoman empire, and a couple of generations in the future on a spaceship.
Konstance is a teenage girl living her life on a generation ship headed to settle on a new planet. Her father entertains her with stories from Antonius Diogenes' Cloud Cuckoo Land. Meanwhile, in present-day Idaho, Zeno, an octogenarian works with a group of teens to stage a production of Cloud Cuckoo Land at the local library.
In 1453 Constantinople, Anna works in forced servitude embroidering robes but dreams of bigger things and freedom after being taught to read and write Greek. Meanwhile, outside the city, Omeir lives with his family, ostracized by villagers due to his cleft palate.
The disparate stories all become entwined as the story progresses. Doerr is an impressive storyteller. ...more
Wow! Somebody's Daughter is a beautifully written and emotionally honest memoir about the author's experiences growing up. From the time she was very Wow! Somebody's Daughter is a beautifully written and emotionally honest memoir about the author's experiences growing up. From the time she was very young, her father was incarcerated. She always felt close to him even though she had few memories of seeing him face-to-face. Ford felt that her father was the one person in the whole world who could truly understand her. Ashley's mom struggled with poverty as Ashley was growing up and the two didn't have the closest relationship. Her mom was emotionally checked out most of the time and often lashed out at Ashley. Ashley is open about how she felt being a poor Black girl coming of age and receiving unwanted attention for her body.
This is a raw, yet important story of growing up Black in America. While there is tragedy in Ashley's story, she still shares sparks of brightness. Unflinchingly, she shines a light on those in her life who harmed her and those who helped her alike. In her youth she experienced domestic abuse and sexual assault. She didn't always have someone to turn to but she found her strength. This is a book about family and one girl's perseverance in finding her way despite her circumstances.
I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by the author herself and she did an excellent job delivering her story. I highly recommend this one, my friends!
4.5 stars.
What to listen to while reading... Sunrise by Norah Jones I Wanna Make it Up to You by Aretha Franklin The Way You Make Me Feel by Michael Jackson This is It by Kenny Loggins Let Me Down by Jorja Smith Read All About It by Emili Sande
Thank you to the publisher for the audiobook!...more
I questioned whether there were editors in 19th century France. If you took the beginning and the end and then seriously SERIOUSLY edited the middle 6I questioned whether there were editors in 19th century France. If you took the beginning and the end and then seriously SERIOUSLY edited the middle 60% you would have a fairly decent book. I just found it to be a bit much for me. I don't mind long books if they keep me engaged and on track.
Playlist for this book.... :p The Count of Monte Cristo by The Noisettes Les Champs-Elysees by Joe Dassin (or NOFX if you want something with a bit more edge) Poison by Bell Biv Devoe Never Ending Story by Limahl Too Long by Daft Punk Not Over Yet by Grace
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