Thank you to LibraryThing Early Reviewers for my copy of this book.
When the government stops caring about most of the citizens in the country, especially those that historically been marginalized, the fight back from authors and publishers is awesome. I have read some amazing books this year on democracy, fighting back, what to look out for, and what to say to those who see no problem (although I don't encounter a lot of those anymore.) We've Been Here Before is a rather depressing title that tells the absolute truth. But the subtitle, How Rebellion and Activism Have Always Sustained America gives us hope, and to quote a famous person who actually loved his country and it's people, I have the Audacity of Hope.
When the government stops caring about most of the citizens in the country, especially those that historically been marginalized, the fight back from authors and publishers is awesome. I have read some amazing books this year on democracy, fighting back, what to look out for, and what to say to those who see no problem (although I don't encounter a lot of those anymore.) We've Been Here Before is a rather depressing title that tells the absolute truth. But the subtitle, How Rebellion and Activism Have Always Sustained America gives us hope, and to quote a famous person who actually loved his country and it's people, I have the Audacity of Hope.
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.The Fallen: The Lost Girls of Ireland's Magdalene Laundries and a Legacy of Silence by Louise Brangan
Thank you to LibraryThing for my Early Reviewer's Copy of this book.
I first read about the Magdalene Laundries years ago and was horrified. Over the years I have read other books that either focus on the topic or that include it in a historical context or side story. This is the most well written, comprehensive account of The Laundry and the abuses they inflicted on women of all ages, simply in the name of moral superiority. Well structured and easy to read, 4.5 stars rounded up.
I first read about the Magdalene Laundries years ago and was horrified. Over the years I have read other books that either focus on the topic or that include it in a historical context or side story. This is the most well written, comprehensive account of The Laundry and the abuses they inflicted on women of all ages, simply in the name of moral superiority. Well structured and easy to read, 4.5 stars rounded up.
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
This book has chapters that start with something Langston wrote which is followed by a commentary section. The thoughtful commentary not only sums up what Langston was saying but also highlights the relevance of his writings to today, especially in Langston's analysis of wealth, gender, and race inequality, which mirrors similar conditions today. Excellent bibliography and index. Commentary for each chapter is guided by the informed opinion of the author and supported by bibliographic references. 4 stars.
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
Thank you to LibraryThing for my Early Reviewer's Copy of this book.
Since the book title starts with the word "Teaching," I first went to the back to read the author's credentials. As a librarian, it was an immediate relief to see that it had been written by a Library Media Specialist which is, in other words, a school librarian (although I believe the term school librarian does not clearly indicate their essential role in education.)
This book is great. Simple to understand language. Clear definitions of terminology. Learning Activities, Reflection Questions, Journalist Profiles, and more enhance the teaching guide. Published by the International Society for Technology in Education, and geared towards educators K-12, while I am not a school librarian, I would certainly recommend that teachers read this book.
Since the book title starts with the word "Teaching," I first went to the back to read the author's credentials. As a librarian, it was an immediate relief to see that it had been written by a Library Media Specialist which is, in other words, a school librarian (although I believe the term school librarian does not clearly indicate their essential role in education.)
This book is great. Simple to understand language. Clear definitions of terminology. Learning Activities, Reflection Questions, Journalist Profiles, and more enhance the teaching guide. Published by the International Society for Technology in Education, and geared towards educators K-12, while I am not a school librarian, I would certainly recommend that teachers read this book.
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
Thank you to LibraryThing for my Early Reviewer's Copy of this book.
In the end, just like the relationship between Falitz & Melliflore, my relationship with this book was a love story but it had a rocky beginning. To start, I don't like the book layout. The paragraphs and the spaces between. Not for me. And of course the translation to English from a French translation in 1818 from an original Russian script that no one can prove existed is going to read like a translation.
But the writing just flowed when I finally got into the rhythm of the writing. And I started to care about the characters. I rooted for Falitz & Melliflore to find their happy ending. I'm not a romance reader and I don't usually read 200 year old books, but I would read more like this. 4.5 stars
In the end, just like the relationship between Falitz & Melliflore, my relationship with this book was a love story but it had a rocky beginning. To start, I don't like the book layout. The paragraphs and the spaces between. Not for me. And of course the translation to English from a French translation in 1818 from an original Russian script that no one can prove existed is going to read like a translation.
But the writing just flowed when I finally got into the rhythm of the writing. And I started to care about the characters. I rooted for Falitz & Melliflore to find their happy ending. I'm not a romance reader and I don't usually read 200 year old books, but I would read more like this. 4.5 stars
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
Thank you to LibraryThing for my Early Reviewer's copy of this book.
This is a bizarre book. I think I liked it but sometimes, when it gets really weird, I was taken out of the story. For example, in the first story, Anne Boleyn won't stay dead no matter how many times Henry VIII kills her. But at one point a production assistant throws Anne a marker to draw a ladder to climb out of a hole. When Henry thinks she is finally dead, he spends the day telephoning her family. The rest of the stories are just as weird. A town where multiples of Napoleon show up. A town where during the full moon wolves become men. Marilyn Monroe and John Adams have dinner in one story and in another Julius Caesar and Nellie Bly live together. A fun read, but a little too out there for me. 3.5 stars.
This is a bizarre book. I think I liked it but sometimes, when it gets really weird, I was taken out of the story. For example, in the first story, Anne Boleyn won't stay dead no matter how many times Henry VIII kills her. But at one point a production assistant throws Anne a marker to draw a ladder to climb out of a hole. When Henry thinks she is finally dead, he spends the day telephoning her family. The rest of the stories are just as weird. A town where multiples of Napoleon show up. A town where during the full moon wolves become men. Marilyn Monroe and John Adams have dinner in one story and in another Julius Caesar and Nellie Bly live together. A fun read, but a little too out there for me. 3.5 stars.
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.They Kill People: Bonnie and Clyde, a Hollywood Revolution, and America's Obsession with Guns and Outlaws by Kirk Ellis
Thank you to LibraryThing for my Early Reviewer's Copy of this book.
While I love reading a book about outlaws and guns, which this book has plenty of, this book is more than that. Focusing on the 1967 movie version, this book goes into how the movie changed the movie industry. It also looks at why society finds these stories so fascinating and why the films popularity hasn't died down. And since this is a university press book, there are lots and lots of references and sources to look at for more information, which makes my librarian heart happy.
While I love reading a book about outlaws and guns, which this book has plenty of, this book is more than that. Focusing on the 1967 movie version, this book goes into how the movie changed the movie industry. It also looks at why society finds these stories so fascinating and why the films popularity hasn't died down. And since this is a university press book, there are lots and lots of references and sources to look at for more information, which makes my librarian heart happy.
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.The Grave Robber: The Biggest Stolen Artifacts Case in FBI History and the Bureau’s Quest to Set Things Right by Tim Carpenter
Thank you to LibraryThing for my Early Reviewer's Copy of this book.
What an interesting read. I have always been fascinated by art crime books since I was a young girl and visited the Isabella Gardner museum in Boston the week before it was robbed. And while this book focuses on what must be one of the biggest personal collections of stolen artifacts to ever be recovered and the enormous amount of effort that was put in to recovering the artifacts, it also discusses the Native American cultures the items were stolen from, the efforts to return the items to the appropriate tribes, and how this effort was a small step in remedying some of the wrongs that were done to the tribes in history.
What an interesting read. I have always been fascinated by art crime books since I was a young girl and visited the Isabella Gardner museum in Boston the week before it was robbed. And while this book focuses on what must be one of the biggest personal collections of stolen artifacts to ever be recovered and the enormous amount of effort that was put in to recovering the artifacts, it also discusses the Native American cultures the items were stolen from, the efforts to return the items to the appropriate tribes, and how this effort was a small step in remedying some of the wrongs that were done to the tribes in history.
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
Thank you to NetGalley for my Advanced Readers Copy of this book.
To begin with, this book is beautiful. The art, the writing, the photography, all of it. The stories are so well written you can almost feel like you are there with the author in his memories. With the variety of media added to the stories, including sketches, photos, copies of notes, and more, it is a beautiful book.
But is it a graphic novel. To me this is a novel with graphics. I know, I know, how are those two things different. To me a graphic novel has text that enhances the images. This book is text heavy and most of the details are in the text, with the accompanying graphics enhancing the narrative. 3 stars.
To begin with, this book is beautiful. The art, the writing, the photography, all of it. The stories are so well written you can almost feel like you are there with the author in his memories. With the variety of media added to the stories, including sketches, photos, copies of notes, and more, it is a beautiful book.
But is it a graphic novel. To me this is a novel with graphics. I know, I know, how are those two things different. To me a graphic novel has text that enhances the images. This book is text heavy and most of the details are in the text, with the accompanying graphics enhancing the narrative. 3 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley for my Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.
I loved this book! 12 of the richest families hiring killers to kill each other in a town that has been cut off from the rest of the world??? Give me more! I liked the art, I liked the dialogue, and I liked the characters (even the killers.) I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
I loved this book! 12 of the richest families hiring killers to kill each other in a town that has been cut off from the rest of the world??? Give me more! I liked the art, I liked the dialogue, and I liked the characters (even the killers.) I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
The Comic Book History of the Cocktail: Five Centuries of Mixing Drinks and Carrying On (Comic Book Story of) by David Wondrich
Thank you to NetGalley for my Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.
First and foremost this book is clearly written by a cocktail aficionado who knows everything there is to know about the history of cocktails and how to make them. I enjoyed the comprehensive history of how and where spirits and cocktails were first created and in some cases why they were created. I also enjoyed the many cocktail recipes scattered throughout the book. But this book is heavy for a graphic novel and I don't mean the subject matter. I mean how much text there is. Because there is a lot of text. I'm not sure that the average graphic novel reader from at least my library would check out this book after seeing how text heavy it is. 3.5 stars.
First and foremost this book is clearly written by a cocktail aficionado who knows everything there is to know about the history of cocktails and how to make them. I enjoyed the comprehensive history of how and where spirits and cocktails were first created and in some cases why they were created. I also enjoyed the many cocktail recipes scattered throughout the book. But this book is heavy for a graphic novel and I don't mean the subject matter. I mean how much text there is. Because there is a lot of text. I'm not sure that the average graphic novel reader from at least my library would check out this book after seeing how text heavy it is. 3.5 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley for my Advanced Readers Copy of this book.
Originally written 75 years ago, this book was a blast from the past. The only All-Negro Comics ever published shows a side of comic book history that I knew nothing about.. I wish that the times had allowed for more issues to be published, but it is nice to see that it is being remembered and shared now. I liked the art and the writing for the original comics featured in this anniversary edition more than the modern recreations but I especially liked the essays that highlight the historical importance of what the comics represented and what the social climate was when they were being written. A strong 3.5.
Originally written 75 years ago, this book was a blast from the past. The only All-Negro Comics ever published shows a side of comic book history that I knew nothing about.. I wish that the times had allowed for more issues to be published, but it is nice to see that it is being remembered and shared now. I liked the art and the writing for the original comics featured in this anniversary edition more than the modern recreations but I especially liked the essays that highlight the historical importance of what the comics represented and what the social climate was when they were being written. A strong 3.5.
I love reading about Padme. This covers the time between Revenge of the Sith and the Clone Wars and provides an excellent look into the beginning of her senate run, including the development of her relationships with Mon Mothma and Organa.
I was hesitant to read this because I couldn't imagine that one of the most poignant books I have ever read would or could properly translate into a graphic novel. I was wrong. I am constantly and happily surprised by the quality of graphic novel adaptations of classic works. And the image of an Anne Frank who had the chance to grow up in one of her daydreaming Kitty entries, is not one I will forget soon.
Thank you to NetGalley for my Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.
I enjoyed this book, although I would not classify this as a memoir. The book provides an excellent overview of the Mountain Valley Pipeline and the damage that building it through the Appalachian mountains has caused to both its people and its land. I liked the stories told from different points of views, even though they all have the same opinion when it comes to the pipeline and I appreciated the colorful drawings that clearly conveyed the message of the book.
I enjoyed this book, although I would not classify this as a memoir. The book provides an excellent overview of the Mountain Valley Pipeline and the damage that building it through the Appalachian mountains has caused to both its people and its land. I liked the stories told from different points of views, even though they all have the same opinion when it comes to the pipeline and I appreciated the colorful drawings that clearly conveyed the message of the book.
The Lucifer Journals: The Beginning of All Problems (or Why Humans Can't Have Nice Things) by Marc Finks
Thank you to BookSirens for my Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.
What a delightful quick read. Observer L. just wants to help one little girl never be hungry again. What follows after that is one mess up after another, leaving L. to lie to his superiors about how he went from an observer to someone that the people worship. I just found out that this is part of a series, and I look forward to reading them all.
What a delightful quick read. Observer L. just wants to help one little girl never be hungry again. What follows after that is one mess up after another, leaving L. to lie to his superiors about how he went from an observer to someone that the people worship. I just found out that this is part of a series, and I look forward to reading them all.
Thank you to NetGalley for my Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.
I absolutely love horror comics and this one did not disappoint. I loved the original storyline and the writing; I just wasn't a huge fan of the art, which is just my preference.
I absolutely love horror comics and this one did not disappoint. I loved the original storyline and the writing; I just wasn't a huge fan of the art, which is just my preference.
Thank you to NetGalley for my Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.
This book is part of a trilogy. The first book in the series I liked. This one I liked more. I can't wait for the final book.
Godzilla to me is such a great literary character. You can write a story with him, and the rest of the kaiju, at any time or place in history, and it will work, which is one of the reasons I enjoyed this book so much.
This book is part of a trilogy. The first book in the series I liked. This one I liked more. I can't wait for the final book.
Godzilla to me is such a great literary character. You can write a story with him, and the rest of the kaiju, at any time or place in history, and it will work, which is one of the reasons I enjoyed this book so much.
Thank you to NetGalley for my Advanced Reader's Selection from this book. It's always difficult to review a book that you weren't given the whole copy of but I said I would leave an honest review for the chance to read it.
This book is dark and the art is grotesque. The subtitle is "Maria Lani & The Greatest Art Heist That Never Was". After reading this, I know more about who Maria Lani was but nothing about the art heist that never was. I'm sure their is an audience for this book but I am not it.
This book is dark and the art is grotesque. The subtitle is "Maria Lani & The Greatest Art Heist That Never Was". After reading this, I know more about who Maria Lani was but nothing about the art heist that never was. I'm sure their is an audience for this book but I am not it.
Girl meets Mr Right and with the help of her lifelong friends she may get her happily ever after. This book was very fun to read and is a great read for fans of popular romance. I'm very excited to read the second book in the series when it comes out.
Thank you to NetGalley for my Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.
I have been playing video games for 40 year and I still remember the number of video games I have beaten. I also collect graphic novels and comic books. I own almost every game system, including the original Atari and NES. So this book was perfect for me and I absolutely loved it. There is some jumping around in the timeline that I didn't like and reading this ARC was difficult on the NetGalley app due to the print size, but I enjoyed the fantastical element of the characters jumping from game to game and I certainly learned a lot I didn't already know. 4.5 stars.
I have been playing video games for 40 year and I still remember the number of video games I have beaten. I also collect graphic novels and comic books. I own almost every game system, including the original Atari and NES. So this book was perfect for me and I absolutely loved it. There is some jumping around in the timeline that I didn't like and reading this ARC was difficult on the NetGalley app due to the print size, but I enjoyed the fantastical element of the characters jumping from game to game and I certainly learned a lot I didn't already know. 4.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley for my Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes scifi and dystopian genres. The characters were captivating and the artwork was clear and beautiful. One of these days I'd like to read something where A.I. is not the bad guy, but this was an enjoyable and quick read that I will absolutely recommend.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes scifi and dystopian genres. The characters were captivating and the artwork was clear and beautiful. One of these days I'd like to read something where A.I. is not the bad guy, but this was an enjoyable and quick read that I will absolutely recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley for my Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.
Every now and then I will read a book and not know what to think of it after and this is one of those books. I loved the art but I don't know if this is even a cohesive book. For most of it seems like it's just a bunch of disparate thoughts and images but they all connect to the night and dreams. I would recommend this book but I wouldn't really be able to explain why.
Every now and then I will read a book and not know what to think of it after and this is one of those books. I loved the art but I don't know if this is even a cohesive book. For most of it seems like it's just a bunch of disparate thoughts and images but they all connect to the night and dreams. I would recommend this book but I wouldn't really be able to explain why.
Thank you to NetGalley for my Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.
Beautifully drawn and incredibly thorough, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about Jane Austen's life. Even Austen fans will find new to them info by reading this book. That said, it's a very crowded book and at times the print is hard to read. I also thought that there would be more about the quilt and sewing but that may just be me. 2.5 stars.
Beautifully drawn and incredibly thorough, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about Jane Austen's life. Even Austen fans will find new to them info by reading this book. That said, it's a very crowded book and at times the print is hard to read. I also thought that there would be more about the quilt and sewing but that may just be me. 2.5 stars.
Midnight on the Potomac: The Last Year of the Civil War, the Lincoln Assassination, and the Rebirth of America by Scott Ellsworth
Thank you to Goodreads for this giveaway.
Do you want to learn more about the civil war but have a hard time reading 600 page history books that read like textbooks? No worries because this is the book for you. Reading almost like fiction, the book is hard to put down. Even Civil War enthusiasts will enjoy reading this book about the last year of the war.
Do you want to learn more about the civil war but have a hard time reading 600 page history books that read like textbooks? No worries because this is the book for you. Reading almost like fiction, the book is hard to put down. Even Civil War enthusiasts will enjoy reading this book about the last year of the war.
Thanks to NetGalley for my Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.
First of all, I'm always excited to read a Ed Brubaker/Sean Phillips collaborations. And this one did not disappoint. Apparently this is number 11 of their Criminal collaborations (HOW HAVE I NEVER READ 1-10) and now my goal is to find and reason every book in the series.
First of all, I'm always excited to read a Ed Brubaker/Sean Phillips collaborations. And this one did not disappoint. Apparently this is number 11 of their Criminal collaborations (HOW HAVE I NEVER READ 1-10) and now my goal is to find and reason every book in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley for my Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.
I wanted to love this book. The art certainly evokes the glam rock and musical transformations that Bowie was known for, but the drawings often make him look more like Beavis (and sometimes even the Joker from Batman) than the rock god Bowie was. I wish there had been more material on who Bowie was, but the book synopsis clearly states that this is about the decade he made some of his more seminal records. I don't feel like this would be a good book to introduce someone to Bowie, but I believe die hard fans will appreciate the book. On a final note, I really don't like the font used. Everyone thinks that nontraditional books like graphic novels can use any font to show more personality, but the simple fact is some fonts should never be used.
I wanted to love this book. The art certainly evokes the glam rock and musical transformations that Bowie was known for, but the drawings often make him look more like Beavis (and sometimes even the Joker from Batman) than the rock god Bowie was. I wish there had been more material on who Bowie was, but the book synopsis clearly states that this is about the decade he made some of his more seminal records. I don't feel like this would be a good book to introduce someone to Bowie, but I believe die hard fans will appreciate the book. On a final note, I really don't like the font used. Everyone thinks that nontraditional books like graphic novels can use any font to show more personality, but the simple fact is some fonts should never be used.
Thank you to NetGalley for my Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.
Looking for a noir PI detective novel set in the 20s and 30s? Do you also like some fantasy thrown in? Maybe some vengeance? Then this is the book for you. A quick read and very enjoyable. I highly recommend.
Looking for a noir PI detective novel set in the 20s and 30s? Do you also like some fantasy thrown in? Maybe some vengeance? Then this is the book for you. A quick read and very enjoyable. I highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley for my Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.
Wow, Just wow. I don't know how I made it this far in life and not heard of the Mitford sisters. Upper class and wealthy, the six Mitford sisters stretched the boundaries of what upper class woman could do and be. Fascists, communists, divorcees, friends of Hitler, relatives of Churchill, heiresses, duchesses, prisoners, writers, and so much more, every sister's story is nonstop excitement and intrigue. With a TV series recently on BritBox, I'm very grateful to have read this book and I look forward to learning more about this family.
Wow, Just wow. I don't know how I made it this far in life and not heard of the Mitford sisters. Upper class and wealthy, the six Mitford sisters stretched the boundaries of what upper class woman could do and be. Fascists, communists, divorcees, friends of Hitler, relatives of Churchill, heiresses, duchesses, prisoners, writers, and so much more, every sister's story is nonstop excitement and intrigue. With a TV series recently on BritBox, I'm very grateful to have read this book and I look forward to learning more about this family.