I kept going back and replaying the first 5 minutes of the book over and over again but it kept going in one earDNF 7 minutes or 2% into the audiobook
I kept going back and replaying the first 5 minutes of the book over and over again but it kept going in one ear and out the other. I can't read a book that fails to maintain my interest....more
This book starts off interesting - Rain's best friend, whom she had a crush on, dies suddenly. And so she has to cope with her loss while working1.5/5
This book starts off interesting - Rain's best friend, whom she had a crush on, dies suddenly. And so she has to cope with her loss while working as a photographer for her town newspaper, taking pictures of the controversial Indian Camp.
Unfortunately, everything about this book fell flat for me. The characters were uninteresting and the plot was all over the place.
My biggest issue with the audiobook was that the narrator lacked emotion. But maybe that's not the narrator's fault and more of the author's doing as the characters lacked emotional depth coupled with an incredibly slow-moving and boring plot. There was also too much going on (far too many subplots) but at the same time, nothing much was happening either... This is very much a character-driven story with an incredibly dull character, making it extremely difficult for me to feel invested in Rain or her struggles with grief and her identity (which were themes that weren't fully fleshed out, IMO).
Although the main character is entering high school, the writing style is very juvenile and seems to be catered toward a much younger, middle-grade audience.
I really enjoyed the audiobook of this Lipan Apache story about animal people in the reflecting world. The audiobook narration was great and the st3.5
I really enjoyed the audiobook of this Lipan Apache story about animal people in the reflecting world. The audiobook narration was great and the story follows two characters - Nina, a Lipan Apache trying to translate her great-grandmother's stories, and Oli, and shapeshifting cottonmouth snake who learns how to live alone with the help of his new friends (Ami the toad, the cayotes Rain and Risk, and Brightest the hawk).
To be honest, I didn't really care for Nina's story but I really enjoyed Oli's adventures in the spirit world and his friendship with Ami (so cute!). I would have been content with reading a book that focused only on Oli and his friends.
This peer-reviewed academic literature offers a very interesting and different perspective on colonialism. Prior to reading this book, I had no knowleThis peer-reviewed academic literature offers a very interesting and different perspective on colonialism. Prior to reading this book, I had no knowledge of anticolonial science and how many forms of pollution can constitute colonialism. Much of the book focused on plastics and Liboiron's work at CLEAR but I found the most interesting parts to be the discussion on how to be anti-colonial and respectful of indigenous Lands when conducting research and public consultation.
I really enjoyed this retelling of the myth of Paikea - a Maori ancestor known for befriending and riding the whale that later became the island of WhI really enjoyed this retelling of the myth of Paikea - a Maori ancestor known for befriending and riding the whale that later became the island of Whangara.
The story follows Kahu, the great-grandchild of a Maori chief, Koro Apirana (and apparently a direct descendant of Paikea). Although she is the oldest daughter, born to the oldest son of the oldest son, Koro was disappointed by her birth and quickly dismisses her as a potential future leader of their community due to her gender. Despite Koro's displeasure towards the eight-year-old girl, Kahu loves her great-grandfather and will do anything to win his love and acceptance.
This book was beautifully written and I really liked that it was told from the perspective of Rawiri (Kahu's uncle), who recounts Kahu's birth and documents her upbringing and journey. It's a very unique perspective that works really well with this story.
This book was also very easy to read and is suitable for kids and young adults.
Right from the prologue, this book dives into the SNC-Lavalin affair, exposes Trudeau's poor leadership, and criticizes the Canadian government.
ThereRight from the prologue, this book dives into the SNC-Lavalin affair, exposes Trudeau's poor leadership, and criticizes the Canadian government.
There were certain aspects of this book that I enjoyed, including learning about the differences between Indigenous and mainstream politics. While it was certainly interesting to read Wilson-Raybould's perspective on Canadian governance from the viewpoint of an Indigenous person who grew up with Indigenous politics, this book was kind of a mess.
This book was both repetitive and all over the place. It bounced back and forth between the SNC-Lavalin affair to Wilson-Raybould's other political experiences, and back to SNC-Lavalin. The book also expects readers to already have a good understanding of recent Canadian politics, the Indian Act, the Idle No More Movement, and most importantly (as it makes up the bulk of this book), the SNC-Lavalin affair before reading this book. It would have been beneficial if background information was provided for readers first, before taking a deep dive into the details of the matter....more
This should be required reading for all Canadians.
I don't remember learning must about Indigenous history in school - we learned a bit about the resiThis should be required reading for all Canadians.
I don't remember learning must about Indigenous history in school - we learned a bit about the residential schools and reserves, but nothing about the tragedy, trauma, and inter-generational trauma that occurred as a result of this. but it is a very important part of Canadian history that all Canadians should be made aware of.
This is a book about the death of seven Indigenous high school students from 2000 to 2011, all of whom had to leave their remote communities in Northern Ontario to attend school in Thunder Bay. At its heart though, this is a book about the intergenerational trauma of the residential school system, the racism and injustice that the Indigenous community has to face, and how the government has, time and time again neglected Indigenous communities. Although this book focuses on the seven deaths in Thunder Bay and a call for action for police and government reform, it offers an eye-opening account of the injustice that has occurred and continues to occur in Indigenous communities across the country.
I don't recommend listening to the audiobook. The narrator read the book with a monotonous tone and in a very dispassionate way which was kind of1.5/5
I don't recommend listening to the audiobook. The narrator read the book with a monotonous tone and in a very dispassionate way which was kind of cringey to listen to (especially for the Q&A section at the end).
This is the type of book that's best read slowly so that you can dissect and interpret the poetic ramblings of the author.
To be honest, I wasn't too fond of the writing style of this memoir. This memoir was presented as a series of poetic letters that forces the reader to piece all the information together. I personally prefer to be spoon-fed info rather having to analyze someone's diary entries (which is what reading this book felt like).
tl;dr - I wasn't fond of the narrator or the writing style. But if you're interested in reading a series of depressing and poetic stream-of-consciousness letters, then this book is for you.
A fascinating fantasy novel inspired by the mythology and culture of the Pre-Columbian Americas (specifically, according to the author's notes, PolyneA fascinating fantasy novel inspired by the mythology and culture of the Pre-Columbian Americas (specifically, according to the author's notes, Polynesian sailing methods, Yucatec Mayan languages and tracking of the stars, and Tewa cities).
As with most high fantasy novels, I had difficulty getting into the novel at first and fully grasping the worldbuilding and magic. But by the halfway mark, I was intrigued and fascinated.
The story follows four characters, Serapio, Xiala, Naranpa, and Okoa. And is essentially follows events leading up to the Convergence.
Serapio and Xiala Serapio's story jumps back and forth in time where we learn about his upbringing starting with how he lost his sight and was slowly being trained and prepped for becoming the vessel for the Crow God. In present time, Xiala, a badass bi-sexual skilled captain and a Teek (a siren/mermaid of sorts), has been hired to transport a mystery cargo (Serapio) to the holy city of Tova in time for the Convergence (or winter solstice) so that he can confront the Sun Priest and fulfill his destiny.
"What's so special about Tova for you? And why must you be there by the Convergence? What is the Convergence, anyway? You keep saying that like I'm supposed to know what you're talking about." She signed, big and gusty. "I'm done not asking questions. I want to know everything." He was silent. Skies, the man could go silent with the best of them. She was about to concede that they were at a standstill, when he said, "A Convergence is a celestial alignment. A day when the sun, moon, and earth align, and the moon's shadow devours the sun." "A black sun," she said, nodding. "That's what the Teek call it. They are rare." "Rare, yes, but this one is the rarest of all. This Convergence will happen over Tova on the winter solstice when the sun is already vulnerable. A Convergence has not been seen in Tova in almost four hundred years, and never on the winter solstice. Truly, the sun's power will be at its weakest in a millennium."
I really enjoyed reading the moments shared between Serapio and Xiala. They are both very "different" - not really human, and both feared and respected by humans.
While I slowly warmed up to Serapio, his physical description sounds absolutely terrifying so it's really no wonder that Xiala's crew are terrified of him as well.
Naranpa Naranpa is the Sun Priest (or Priestess?), is the religious leader of Tova who is preparing for the festivities of the winter solstice. However, after an apparent assassination attempt, Naranpa is unsure which of her dedicants to trust. Her story was an interesting one as well, as we slowly learn about her past and how she was appointed as Sun Priest.
Okoa Okoa of Carrion Crow in the Sky Made Clan studied at the Hokaia War College but was called back to the City of Tova when his mother died. He flies on the back of giant crows, which is so badass. I believe we will learn a bit more about him in the coming novels.
The Worldbuilding I loved that there wasn't much (or any) info-dumping at all. As a reader, we're immediately sucked into this strange world with unexplainable ritualistic magic, a sea voyage, a clashing of religious beliefs, and a potential riot or war. As we learn more about the characters, we are also shown more of the fascinating worldbuilding - different clans are steeped in different cultures, lifestyles, legends, and magic.
Diversity I often cringe when it's obvious that authors include LGBT+ or people with disabilities just for the sake of 'diversity' without giving these characters any added depth. That wasn't at all the case with this book though. In this case, the diverse cast of characters was a wonderful addition and was integrated beautifully into the novel. I didn't feel like any of it was forced or
Another thing I would like to add is that this book also features a few non-binary characters (xe/xir). It's my first time reading a novel with characters that use these pronouns which, admittedly, I was not accustomed to but found it interesting and seamlessly incorporated into the story.
tl;dr This was a wonderfully queer epic fantasy heavily inspired by native North American culture. I'll most likely have to re-read this book again before the next one because there were so many characters and little intricacies in the story that I probably missed or had mixed up from the first read.
This is a picture book about kindness that feature indigenous characters/illustrations and includes English and Diné translations of the text.
I persoThis is a picture book about kindness that feature indigenous characters/illustrations and includes English and Diné translations of the text.
I personally prefer picture books that contain a storyline or rhymes but I did like the bilingual component. I imagine there aren't too many Diné picture books out there......more
I really enjoyed this middle-grade fantasy inspired by the Navajo tale of the Hero Twins. Most native legends, let alone Navajo ones, are unfamil4.5/5
I really enjoyed this middle-grade fantasy inspired by the Navajo tale of the Hero Twins. Most native legends, let alone Navajo ones, are unfamiliar to me so this was a great introduction to both Navajo culture and mythology.
I thought the world-building and characters were fantastic. I especially loved the Nizhoni's relationship with various characters like her family, her brother, her best friend Davery, and Mr. Yazzie. There were also a lot of really fun moments and tons of action. I do think the ending was a bit rushed though...
Overall, a great middle-grade fantasy. Also really liked that the book included a glossary and pronunciation guide at the end for various Navajo words and names. ...more
I appreciate the author's efforts to share different stories about Native Americans by writing about 12 people with different experiences and differenI appreciate the author's efforts to share different stories about Native Americans by writing about 12 people with different experiences and different ways of identifying with their native roots, culture and history.
Unfortunately, I found it hard to appreciate the writing style and the way the book was formatted.
At first, this book felt like an anthology with a collection of short stories about 12 Native Americans. But each narrative would always end abruptly - as if we only get to read the first chapter or preview of each story (which doesn't offer readers enough time to connect with the characters). Eventually, we find out that each story has some overlap leading to a grand finale at the powwow.
I understand what the author was getting at, but I just don't feel like it was properly executed. 12 POVs is too much, too messy, and kind of unnecessary.
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