I love the introduction of Grammasaurus, the fun grandma who has new suggestions for helping Marvin deal with trouble he's having from taking on too mI love the introduction of Grammasaurus, the fun grandma who has new suggestions for helping Marvin deal with trouble he's having from taking on too much in the new school year.
This is such a fun series with excellent tips for dealing with things like ADHD, Self-Esteem, and the like. i'm actually going to take some copies to a therapist I know. ...more
I love Russell's books so much! As in The Year of Living Danishly, she breaks each aspect of her topic into chapters, lays them out with clarity, plenI love Russell's books so much! As in The Year of Living Danishly, she breaks each aspect of her topic into chapters, lays them out with clarity, plenty of humor, and with anecdotes from both friends and experts. I wish that I'd had this book when my 19yo was born, that's for darn sure! But it's still worth having if your kids are older, or if you're an educator. Or just someone really interested in the difference between the Nordic countries and the US or UK., as regards to child-reaing. Lucky me, I I fit into a couple of those categories! ...more
I love Bill Bryson and his dry wit and his need to find out every little thing about every little thing. This book was long and not as funny as some oI love Bill Bryson and his dry wit and his need to find out every little thing about every little thing. This book was long and not as funny as some of his other ones, but it was still very worth it. The beginning, especially, had me reading long passages aloud to my family because the evolution of place names and slang terms that have been around for hundreds of years was really fascinating. Towards the end of the book it was more of a history of the 20th century, which was fine but not as like, "Hey, WHAT?"...more
You totally want this excitable nerd to tell you about dinosaurs and gush about all the "rock star" paleontologists he knows! It was a little light onYou totally want this excitable nerd to tell you about dinosaurs and gush about all the "rock star" paleontologists he knows! It was a little light on ankylosaur content, but we can't have everything! ...more
An absolutely charming biography of Beverly Cleary, suitable for those just discovering the magic of her books, as well as those of us who are all groAn absolutely charming biography of Beverly Cleary, suitable for those just discovering the magic of her books, as well as those of us who are all grown up and still huge fans of Ramona. The pictures are by the wonderful David Hohn, and at the end there's a more informational biography as well as a timeline. Such a great resource, or a fun book for a fan! ...more
The cheerful and encouraging tone of this book is enough to make me recommend it to anyone seeking publication, but then there's also the excellent adThe cheerful and encouraging tone of this book is enough to make me recommend it to anyone seeking publication, but then there's also the excellent advice, the pearls of wisdom from the literal trenches (Lisa is well known editor and author AND writing coach), and the clear and fun examples! This is just an overall great book for every stage of writing from getting your story down to getting it out there for publication. I really liked the anecdotes from her own experiences, paired with examples from popular media (TV shows, movies, books), both of which helped to illustrate her points and make them memorable! ...more
This is the story of a con artist who rose to power in America, who boasted of being the law, and therefore above the law. Who talked of running for pThis is the story of a con artist who rose to power in America, who boasted of being the law, and therefore above the law. Who talked of running for president and said he would be a dictator if elected. An uneducated, obese man who nevertheless attracts followers, especially women. Who talks of family values despite being well known for his many divorces, ignoring his children, and having many affairs. A man accused of violence, of lying, of raping and brutalizing women, whose first wife needed medical treatment after he abused her.
I know what you're thinking: "Wait, this is about Trump?"
NOPE. It's about a Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920's, D. C. Stephenson!
I'm really wondering if Trump hasn't read about Stephenson, since he seems to have borrowed from his playbook. There were quotes from Stephenson (from his letters, newspapers, court reports) that were VERBATIM things that Trump has said. I read this with my jaw on the floor. And the thing that horrified me the most was that what finally stopped Stephenson was that one of his victims DIED. Horribly. Someone shouldn't have to die, in great pain, literally with teeth marks on their body from the brutality of the attack, for an evil man to be stopped. And yet this book gave me hope, because it finally was stopped. The madness was . . . well, tamped down, at least. Crooked mayors and judges were removed from office. People slunk back into their holes, and good people prevailed. It can happen! We can rise above!...more
This should be required reading in high schools, by both students and faculty. The racist instagram account was horrible enough, but the mishandling oThis should be required reading in high schools, by both students and faculty. The racist instagram account was horrible enough, but the mishandling of the entire situation by the adults was INSANE. I mean, as much as I wanted to say to these boys, "What the HELL is wrong with you?" after things got going with the aftermath I wanted to literally find the adults involved (with a few small exceptions) and be like, "No, what the ACTUAL HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU AND WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE?"
This book made me laugh really hard, cry really hard, get really angry, get really hungry . . . sometimes within the same paragraph. DeRuiter's writinThis book made me laugh really hard, cry really hard, get really angry, get really hungry . . . sometimes within the same paragraph. DeRuiter's writing is intimate, making you feel as though you're listening to your best friend rant, so you laugh with her, and then you get angry on her behalf. And when she talks about her husband, or her family, or foods that she loves, you smile and nod and want to hug them (or eat them, depending on if it's family or food), and you feel like you know them, and her, so well. Finishing the book was like realizing that you're not going to see your funny friend for a while, and it made me more than a little sad. ...more
I think Jarrett Krosoczka must have the biggest heart of just about anyone on this planet. The tenderness with which he relates the stories about his I think Jarrett Krosoczka must have the biggest heart of just about anyone on this planet. The tenderness with which he relates the stories about his childhood is so beautiful. He has a great gift for art, I love the way he illustrates his stories, but that combined with the way he tells stories, some funny, some tragic, is just so perfect. ...more
As someone else pointed out in their review: it's weird to say that a collection of true stories of terrible racism is a delight . . . yet here we areAs someone else pointed out in their review: it's weird to say that a collection of true stories of terrible racism is a delight . . . yet here we are. Amber and Lacey (and their family and friends) have a way of telling their stories that makes you feel like you are sitting and talking with them, and they are making you laugh (because you gotta, otherwise you'll cry). They are hilarious, they joke and tease each other, they mock the awful people who "star" in their stories, they are great. Add in pictures of adorable babies in wigs, and you have a winning combination here.
And seriously: THE HAIR TOUCHING. WHY, WHITE PEOPLE? WHY? ...more
I've always heard this talked about like it was so shocking. It appears on lists of books that people were traumatized by. Maybe I'm just desensitizedI've always heard this talked about like it was so shocking. It appears on lists of books that people were traumatized by. Maybe I'm just desensitized to violence? I mean, I was absolutely horrified at the cavalier way these men committed this murder. But I feel like the actual murder was handled very delicately. It's actually all handled beautifully. Capote is an excellent, excellent writer, and the vivid character studies of everyone involved is what makes this stand out. It's like a very beautifully written murder file. I'm very glad I read it- Mostly I listened to the audiobook, although I do have a physical copy as well- but I'm not going to go telling everyone it's a must read. ...more
I got this mostly because Franklin Habit did the illustrations, and I adore Franklin Habit! I am ashamed to say that I hadn't heard of Patty Lyons befI got this mostly because Franklin Habit did the illustrations, and I adore Franklin Habit! I am ashamed to say that I hadn't heard of Patty Lyons before . . . although I am starting to realize that I have probably read some of her tips or seen her patterns online. I read through the book from cover to cover, as she recommends at the beginning, but really where it's going to help is if I'm having a problem and need to look up: how to cast on a certain way, or how not to have the edges of a piece go all funky. It was hard to just read through, I found I couldn't picture what she was talking about- "Do my stitches go left to right? Where do I normally insert the working needle?" That sort of thing was hard to visualize without a piece of knitting in hand. I thought more than once that I wished I had time to have a swatch in my hands to try these tips on at the time, without it being high stakes knitting, like a sweater for a family member or something. ...more
I just adore Richard Ayoade, and his incredibly dry wit. I have never seen the movie A View From the Top, but now I feel as though I understand it on I just adore Richard Ayoade, and his incredibly dry wit. I have never seen the movie A View From the Top, but now I feel as though I understand it on a molecular level. I also feel like I understand the enigmatic mystery of a puzzler that is Richard Ayoade just a teensy bit more. A smidge. ...more
This poor, precious child. I cannot believe all that she has been through, and still come out the other side with the ability to laugh and to keep goiThis poor, precious child. I cannot believe all that she has been through, and still come out the other side with the ability to laugh and to keep going. So many people let her down, so many people abused and used her. Yes, the main culprit was her mom, a narcissist and hoarder who was verbally, emotionally, and physically abusive. But everyone around her could see this, and they still let it happen. It truly is a miracle that Jennette isn't dead. And I'm happy for her that she is healing, and hope she goes on to write more books: fiction, poetry, screenplays, whatever brings her joy! And directs more things! I feel like everyone who survived the gauntlet of being a child star should be in the director's seat of shows with child actors, because they are the only ones who can understand, or who might see, what's really happening with that child and be able to protect them. ...more
Absolutely charming story about tiny Dan going on a tour of Europe with a school group the summer before he started high school. The social awkwardnesAbsolutely charming story about tiny Dan going on a tour of Europe with a school group the summer before he started high school. The social awkwardness! The cool sights! The many flavors of Fanta!
A lot of it, tone wise, reminded me of the tour I went in on my junior year (but we just went around the East Coast of the US)- the "trip romances" for instance, the crappy camera that only took blurry pictures . . . the souvenir shirt that I still have!
This was super fun and a must read for kids on the awkward cusp of high school!...more
My favorite kind of nonfiction: a nice mix of fascinating facts and humor! The doodlebug puns in the very first chapter had me howling! I mean, the otMy favorite kind of nonfiction: a nice mix of fascinating facts and humor! The doodlebug puns in the very first chapter had me howling! I mean, the other name for that insect is the cockchafer. He could have gone with cockchafer . . . but somehow it was so much funnier that he called them doodles. And then proceeded to make all the doodle jokes he possibly could! And yet I still learned so much. About animals, about humans. About how biological and zoological studies have changed over the years as well. So, so interesting!
And I was convinced the one reader was Bowen Yang from Saturday Night Live (it wasn't), but the delivery of so many of the lines reminded me of Bowen doing the Weekend Update bits on SNL, and it made me very happy!...more
I admit: I'm fascinated by the British Royal Family. I don't read tabloids or pick up even more the reputable magazines with them on the cover, but ifI admit: I'm fascinated by the British Royal Family. I don't read tabloids or pick up even more the reputable magazines with them on the cover, but if there's a news article . . . I click. Because, I mean . . . come on. It's real life drama! It's real life soap opera stuff! And you're never quite sure what's real and what isn't. "Sources inside the palace say . . ." "A friend close to the Prince reports . . ." Uh huh. Sure. And the tell all books by former butlers and Kitty Kelley . . . Heady stuff, I must admit.
So, this book was fascinating: the first one written by a member of the family. And I've always had a soft spot for Harry. He always seemed like the fun one, that cheeky fellow redhead! He's the one who looks like he's genuinely smiling at gatherings, who seems genuinely moved at events, and not either bored or putting up a front. I will admit that I always assumed if someone was going to really crack, really tell the Firm where to get off, and write an expose, my money would have been on Andrew and Fergie's daughters. But when Harry married an American, I was like, Oh, I bet the culture shock is gonna be WILD.
And it has been. And it truly was sad and fascinating all at once to see what it has been like for someone to grow up, not only in the public eye to an ABSURD extent, but to also grow up in this family of completely emotionally stunted people, and yet spend so much time as an adult with "normal" people like soldiers, and with truly good people, doing charity work. At some point, any person with any curiosity about life at all was bound to see that their life was not. normal. at. all. And not in a good way, but in a way that could only lead you either toward a complete breakdown or becoming a total asshole, just as a survival instinct. William has gone the total asshole route (oh, what a surprise to anyone who has ever seen him talk or pretend to interact with people). Harry, I have no doubt, would have ended up dead if he hadn't first decided to take care of himself, and then met someone who was like, I love you, but you need help.
Do I believe this book is the truth? Yes. I'm sure there are things he doesn't remember right, and we can't know what other people were thinking or why they did the things they did (which he mentions). But everything he's talking about certainly adds up. I was telling my sister, "I remember seeing headlines about him going to rehab, being badly injured . . . but at the same time, there are pictures of him on diplomatic tours. So, how could he have been in and out of rehab, and the hospital? If he's such a druggie and a screw up, how did he graduate from a prestigious school, and serve with honor in the military?" And the hateful, hurtful comments about Meghan and their marriage are obvious. I've seen the side-by-side comparisons from the same papers, praising Kate for the things they condemn Meghan for. They always need to have a villain: It was Camilla for years. There's also usually some saucy, naughty tidbits: Fergie's affair, Harry the Drug Addict, there were even some digs at Kate back in the day. It's clear that Harry and now Meghan is taking the heat off the rest of the family, and they're too relieved to help them.
I feel like the cannibalism was really glossed over.
Also, sort of pissed that everybody just sort of slunk off to their various holes at the end of iI feel like the cannibalism was really glossed over.
Also, sort of pissed that everybody just sort of slunk off to their various holes at the end of it all, but let's face it: if they had been convicted, the British Navy would have had to have admitted that they screwed up royally, and that this whole, "Let's sail around the world murdering natives and Spaniards" business was pretty crappy.
The audiobook is read by Dion Graham, and he does a great job. Lots of drama, lots of gravitas. ...more
I knew, looking at the gray palette and knowing that it was a memoir about working in oil drilling, that this wasn't going to be the sort of Gutting.
I knew, looking at the gray palette and knowing that it was a memoir about working in oil drilling, that this wasn't going to be the sort of madcap romp one usually sees in her comics. So I was not at all surprised by the grimness of it: the shitty conditions, the shitty coworkers, the shitty hours. It broke my heart, but it didn't surprise me. What DID surprise me was that, during all this crapulence, she started writing the superb and intensely witty Hark! A Vagrant! How she could sit there, being harassed, underpaid, exhausted, and draw things like Dude Watching With the Brontes, is beyond me.
She's funny and light on Twitter, as well, and I did know that one of her sisters had passed away recently, but this was such a gripping insight into not just her family (good people, who value education), but also what it's like to come from her small area of Nova Scotia, and how many people were risking their lives, their sanity, and their family life, to get a piece of the oil money. ...more
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