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March-October 2024 Totals
Julie was the clear reader of the group of three reviewers with a total of 22 books and 7513 pages, followed by Shirley who had 11 books with 3073 pages. The group read a grand total of 35 books and 11,158 pages during this time period. Great job everyone!!
Vincent Price: The Art of Fear by David Meikle 248 pages
I love Vincent Price but this was a grueling book to force myself to read. I have never read a more scathing, bitter account of this brilliant actor which is not any where near where this author described his talent. According to David Meikle, (who is this guy anyway?) Vincent Price merely offered a one-dimensional performance and basically had 3 reactions he executed in every performance always playing the same character in every horror film he starred in. Have I said yet how much I dislike this author? He uses Vincent Price's name to sell his caustic account of the actor and may I add that he alludes to every thing but Vincent Price who seems a minor character in this raunchy bit of literature. I find this book an offense and an affront to Vincent Price's character and acting ability and this twit needs to go back to whatever hackery he came from. What a jerk! David Meikle mocks everything about Vincent Price throughout and I would not recommend this piece of drivel to anyone. I do love the photos and there are a handful of interesting bits to be gleaned here but the author's nasty attitude prevails throughout so I cannot in full conscience recommend it though in Vincent Price's name I wish it had been as good as it could and should have been.
The Home Edit: Stay Organized: The Ultimate Guide to Making Systems Stick by Clea Shearer & Joanna Teplin 256 pages
First of all the illustrations throughout this book are gorgeous. Now, these ladies are hugely pro using bins. They don't like the look of boxes regardless if they be the boxes of cereal, macaroni or any food that comes in boxes nor the boxes appliances or anything we buy come in. They just think food is better stored and displayed in see through containers and once you know you are keeping something you bought that came in a box or especially boxes that items are shipped in said boxes must be recycled and gone from the home. They are big proponents of colorfully displaying clothes on racks and in closets thus making items easier to see and match for quicker dressing and getting out the door in the morning or evening. They offer really good tips and their methods are beautiful to behold. Their labeling of containers and bins are flawless. They definetly believe in downsizing upholding the philosophy of less is more and that folks tend to use only 20% of the clothes in their closet (creatures of habit we grab the clothes we like and ignore the rest). A good book, I enjoyed it. Not sure if while I agree with the beauty and simplicity of see through bins, I would actually follow through and keep up with them but that is my own laziness and not a lack on the book's part. I recommend this book to all who want to get a handle on organizing their stuff but if you are looking for a deeper purge of clutter this tends to be for those needing organizing skills more so than purging heaps of items.
Huda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy 192 pages
Huda Fahmy is a Muslim and in this book she has written a memoir about her first year of highschool being a Muslim, a teenager and a hijabi girl living in Dearborn, Michigan. The book talks about how she is trying to understand who she is growing up in a society where in the Muslim community she still wants to define herself. Is she a hijabi fashionista? A hijabi gamer? She tries becoming a member of many different cliques at highschool trying to see just where she fits in but none of the groups she attempts to become a part of really speak to her of feeling included nor ever really finding that spark of this is who she is and what she wants to be. It takes trying on the various different interests to bring her to where she gets a better understanding of herself and where she fits. A really good coming of age story relateable to all teens who are going through the feeling different stage to find their identity in life. I recommend this book to middleschoolers on up Muslim and non-Muslim alike. We all search to find our place and our role in life and this book is very user-friendly in showing how to navigate that difficult journey.
Tidy the F*ck Up:The American Art of Organizing Your Sh*t by Messie Condo 192 pages
In homage to Marie Condo, organizing and cleaning Queen, Messie Condo is a tongue in cheek calls 'em as Messie sees them straight talk complete with expletives for emphasis look at how to see our sh*t for what it is and tidy it the f*ck up. While looking around our homes we might be so overwhelmed we are unable to move from in front of the t.v. to actually confront our clutter but Messie verbally shakes us into reality and motivational mode to get the f*ck up and do something! I love this book for its ability to get you up off the couch and get you to not just think about your stuff which it does but more so to want to tackle it and get it in order and to quit letting it be the boss of you like an unwanted guest that moves in and doesn't want to leave. Messie Condo begins by quoting the late comedian, George Carlin, who said, "Our house is just a place to keep our stuff so we can go out and get more stuff." I love this book. I am re-reading it now that I have finished it just to remind myself all the good tips in gives and they are legion. Adults, do yourself a favor and check this book out especially if you like laughing because while being totally real this book will also make you chuckle and see yourself in many of the scenarios. Due to the language maybe young children should not be exposed but teenagers as soon as you are mature enough to hear advice from an adult who peppers their language generously with expletives but who will tell you the factual truth while doing so on how to clean up after yourself and keep on the organized non-hoarder road, or if you have grown up with messy ways, this will be a clear map for how to get your sh*t together in life, literally. 5 stars out of 5!
The Power of Fun:How to Feel Alive Again by Catherine Price 352 pages
Catherine Price says that fun is essential to all people. Her daughter describes it as "sunshine," which is accurate. Fun is essential because without it how sad and boring would life be? Fun is laughter and commarderie. It is experiencing new things in new ways. It is adventure and making memories. It is the thing or things in all of our lives that make us happy. One person's joy may not be the same for the next guy/gal but it is the thing that bring joy and makes the heart palputate a little faster, brings a smile to the lips and sparkle to the eye. It can be seen most notably in children but adults are just as good at experiencing fun when they open themselves to it. Price discusses the meaning and explores ways to have fun and incorporate fun into all aspects of life. Fun is not immature, it is not selfish nor self-indulgent it is living the dream of how beautiful and happy life can be. She explores the psychology of fun, her idea that fake fun is watching television, or reading and how she doesn't feel introverts are really getting the concept of fun by doing solo activities. In her interpretation, fun is sharing experiences with others. Posting things to social media she says is not "fun". It is trying to fill an emptiness within but not her definition of fun. True fun is playfulness, connection and flow that which fulfills us. Gives us energy, community and purpose. Fun makes us flourish. And in the end you will enjoy the process.
The Civil War: An Illustrated History by Geoffrey C. Ward, with Ric Burns and Ken Burns 425 pages
What a truly wonderful work. So many eye-opening things you will learn here from the first hand accounts of those who were in the midst. From Lincoln to Jefferson Davis, politicians, abolitionists, generals, soldiers, slaves this book brings to life a time long passed as if it were taking place right in front of you. It will make you laugh at times but it will also make you cry. The photos are all of actual people and places significant during the war. I kept thinking of the years and the ages of my parents and great-grandparents to place where they might be on the timeline and what they might have been experiencing in the areas of the United States they were in. I found the answer to some questions I had when doing genealogy I came across terms I did not understand but was enlightened on while reading. WOW! This book really made the Civil War a reality to me not just something you read about in history class. I highly recommend this book and the accompanying 9 episode documentary film (PBS) that goes with it. It is beyond words. It literally takes you right there. It is spellbinding. I recommend this to anyone with an interest in the 1860s in America and the Civil War in particular. So moving, you will never think about the Civil War without associating certain faces and acts with it.
Between Two Worlds: Lessons from the Other Side by Tyler Henry 224 pages
Hollywood Medium, Tyler Henry shares in this memoir how he experienced his "knowing" at an early age and how he came into the fullness of his psychic senses when he was 10 years old and he told his mother that his grandmother had just passed away. He had always had psychic experiences even as a toddler, he just didn't understand what they were. The revelation of his grandmother's death led him to study and research to find out what was going on with him. He grew up in a religious home after all and no talk of ghosts or anything of that nature had ever come up. His family were church goers every Sunday. He grew up in a small town in California no type of supernatural talk around town till one day a man and woman opened a shop with incense, books on all sorts of topics new to him, herbal cures, auras, divination, developing your third eye, chakras, reiki, crystal healing, etc. and the couple offered tarot readings. Tyler became a voracious reader learning as much as he could. He eventually started doing Tarot readings himself then realized he was more in tune with his psychic abilities than he knew. The owners of the shop allowed him to do readings and his intuitive talents had people coming from all over eventually as word spread about his uncanny abilities. He soon found that just like when he was a young child and saw "people" in his room that he wasn't afraid of but didn't understand why they were there, he began to be able to intuit messages from the beyond for people he was doing readings for. Soon messages started coming to him for people he would come in contact with out in the world at random. He was eventually asked to do Hollywood parties and gained a following of prominent celebrities requesting him to come do readings for their parties which grew into the cable t.v. show Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry. If anyone has an interest in divination of any kind Tyler Henry's book would definetly be of interest. His show is very interesting to watch to see his process for revealing things to friends and family of the dearly departed. I would recommend this book to mature highschoolers on up. I think younger might not be able to discern without being impressionable.
Who Will Take Care of Me When I'm Old?: Plan Now to Safeguard Your Health and Happiness in Old Age by Joy Loverde 681 pages
Advice and tips to stay healthy, financially secure and happy to the end of your days. Lots of good recommendations for those who have no plan in place for their well-being as they age. Goes into depth of what is to come as we age. Teaches seniors to be proactive to plan for their own lives rather than rolling over and letting family, neighbors, lawyers, caregivers, etc. decide their fate. Shows how to put plans in place to cover all eventualities. Good book. I highly recommend this to middle-agers up through seniors, lots of good information, ted talks, reading and websites, etc. listed Goes way beyond estate planning and wills. Discusses what to do if diagnosed with dementia/Alzheimers, immobility, etc. Great resource.
Necessary Endings: The Employees, Businesses, and Relationships That All of Us Have To Give Up In Order To Move Forward by Dr. Henry Cloud 238 pages
Excellent book on identifying problem areas in life, how to assess when it is time to sever toxic relationships (red flags), how to identify volatile work relationships and how to cope or fix issues or end employment (them or you). So much good information here. Things we see and deal with every day that can make life difficult, stressful and miserable then the good doctor offers situational ethics to get out of said situations. He offers scenarios we definitely are familiar with and answers that are so understandable and doable you will wonder what took you so long to apply them. High praise for Dr. Cloud and his clearing the fog on those gray areas. I recommend this one to mature teens on up. Everyone could do with his dose of reality and benefit from his advice.
“Still
reeling from the sudden death of her mother, Jess is about to do the hardest
thing she's ever done: empty her childhood home so that it can be sold.
As she sorts through a lifetime of memories, everything comes to a halt when
she comes across something she just can’t part with: an old set of
encyclopedias. To the world, the books are outdated and ready to be
recycled. To Jess, they represent love and the future that her mother
always wanted her to have.
In the process of finding the books a new home, Jess discovers an unusual
archive of letters, photographs, and curious housed in a warehouse and known as
the Museum of Ordinary People. Irresistibly drawn, she becomes the
museum's unofficial custodian, along with the warehouse’s mysterious owner.
As they delve into the history of objects in their care, they not only unravel
heart-stirring stories that span generations and continents, but also unearth
long-buried secrets that lie closer to home.
Inspired by an abandoned box of mementos, The Museum of Ordinary
People is a
poignant novel about memory and loss, the things we leave behind, and the
future we create for ourselves.
I really enjoyed this
book and was intrigued by it. It takes place in a London suburb, but it could have
taken place anywhere. I found the story rather sad and heartbreaking, but there
are shining moments. This is a tough book to review as it is hard, for me, to
articulate my feelings. Still, I encourage everyone to read it and give this
challenge: Think about your home. What would donate to The
Museum of Ordinary People and why. The Museum of Ordinary
People receives 4 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.
“When Willard State
Hospital closed its doors in 1995, after operating as one of New York State’s
largest mental institutions for over 120 years, a forgotten attic filled with
suitcases belonging to former patients was discovered. Using the possessions found
in these suitcases along with institutional records and doctors’ notes from
patient sessions, Darby Penney, a leading advocate of patients’ rights, and
Peter Stastny, a psychiatrist and documentary filmmaker, were able to
reconstruct the lives of ten patients who resided at Willard during the first
half of the twentieth century.
The Lives They Left Behind tells their story. In addition to these human
portraits, the book contains over 100 photographs as well as valuable
historical background on how this state-funded institution operated. As it
restores the humanity of the individuals it so poignantly evokes, The Lives They Left Behind reveals the vast
historical inadequacies of a psychiatric system that has yet to heal itself.”
Strange Fle$h by Joe West 233 pages
Sometimes you don't like Freddie Bickle much, sometimes you do. Sometimes he grosses you out but sometimes he has such a heart for his fellow man you have to like him. Some things he says and does will make you want to stop right there, but, then, the sheer wonder of what this guy will do next intrigues you so much you have to keep reading. What will Freddie do next? Then the sheer angelic side of him will come out and you shake your head at the paradox that is Freddie Bickel. He is cast amongst a crew of fellow travellers all with a foot in the gutter but occasionally reaching for the sky. Then there is the shining star under a basket, Octavious. What a true pure soul amidst the darkness of his family. Unrecognized until this peculiar kind of nasty man comes along and transfixed then transforms wants to make life better for this lost child. I could not stop reading this book. What appalls you in the beginning will come to appeal to your senses as you grow to know this raunchy guy who will surprise and amaze you. I recommend this read to anyone looking for something very different, very out of the ordinary and a book you will remember long after you come to the last page. I can't wait to see what Joe West comes up with next. Given the adult themes involved, I recommend this book for adults.
I Am Quiet: A Story for the Introvert in All of Us by Andie Powers 32 pages
People think Emile is shy, timid even, but, Emile is an introvert. He is very into his own thoughts and doesn't feel the need for a lot of conversation. He prefers his own company to that of others. While Emile doesn't participate vocally in class his imagination knows no bounds. He is very creative. This book looks into the mind of a quiet child showing that just because they don't say a lot it doesn't mean they don't think a lot. It doesn't mean they don't know the answers, they just choose not to tell the answers. They don't feel the need to be loud and boisterous like the extroverted children in class but that doesn't mean they aren't experiencing every thing and more in their imaginations. I enjoyed this story very much and recommend it to juveniles as well as adults. It will give everyone the inside scoop on introverts at all ages.
I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones
245 pp
“I Was a Teenage Slasher” is told via a letter from Tolly to his best high school friend Amber, not unlike other books by Stephen Graham Jones. It seems that if the blood of a reanimated corpse bent on revenge mixes with your blood, it turns you into a “slasher” bent on vengeance. This is what happens at popular kid Deek’s party who also happens to be one of the kids who accidentally killed Justin Joss. Tolly and his friend Amber (who are not popular) decide they are going to the party. Unfortunately, the popular kids aren’t done picking on unpopular kids like Tolly and Justin. Tolly gets raging drunk at the party because people keep giving him mixed drinks. Once Tolly is incredibly drunk to the point of vomiting, the band kids decide to have some fun and strap Tolly to a lounge chair with their belts. Then someone gives Tolly a drink with a few peanuts in it and force him to drink it. Despite vomiting, Tolly has a bad reaction to the peanuts because he is violently allergic to nuts. Fortunately one of the girls at the party who used to babysit for Tolly knows about his allergy and goes and gets his EpiPen. Once Stace uses the EpiPen on Tolly, his condition improves, but then Justin Joss shows up at the party. Several of the kids at the party were responsible for Justin’s death and he wants his revenge. During the melee in which Justin kills several of the kids, two drops of “blood” from Justin drop onto Tolly. When Tolly rubs his forehead to remove the blood, Justin’s “blood” gets into the cut on his forehead. The book continues on with Tolly becoming a “slasher” killing the kids that had wronged him.
I really enjoyed this story. It was different from the Jade Daniels books in that Tolly himself is not a “slasher” fan, although his friend Amber and her brother are. The way that Tolly becomes a “slasher” is different from any other thing like this I have read. It was an incredibly creative idea. As a “slasher” fan from the 1980’s, I understood a lot of what Tolly and Amber were discussing and I think people who know the film genre will enjoy the storyline. I give this 4 out of 5 stars.
Thank you to Saga Press for allowing me to read the book in advance of publication.
Hidden
Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly 368 pages
