Review
Slay: The Ancestors Blessed Me With This Read
I started Slay at 9:00 in the evening. I read the last page at 11:45. When I tell you . . . it has been years since I've read through a book that quickly, been so consumed by a story until I devoured it? I haven't read through a book in one complete sitting since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I can count on one hand the number of books, as well, that have evoked such a visceral and real reaction from me as this book had, the kind that makes my chest tighten and heart flare with something sharp and a little painful for the characters. Included in that list of books to spark such a rare reaction is the aforementioned Harry Potter book, The Red Tent by Anita Diamant, and a book called The Sight by David Clement-Davies. A motley assembly, each with their own power to grab something within me in a strangling grip that compels me to push through the books just so I can know relief from the feeling.
By Delise Fantome2 years ago in BookClub
titanic story
The Titanic: A Tragic Tale of Hubris and Heroism In the early hours of April 15, 1912, the RMS Titanic, the largest and most luxurious ship of its time, met a tragic fate on its maiden voyage. This iconic disaster has captured the world's imagination for over a century, a story of hubris, heroism, and human error that continues to resonate with people to this day.
By Golu Yadav2 years ago in BookClub
Book Review: The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma. Top Story - September 2023.
In a kingdom where flames hold magic and the desert hides secrets, an ancient prophecy comes for an assassin, a princess, and a king. But none are ready to face destiny—and the choices they make could burn the world. “If we carry the burdens of our fathers, we’ll never know what it means to be free.” For Elena Aadya Ravence, fire is yearning. She longs to feel worthy of her Phoenix god, of her ancestors who transformed the barren dunes of Sayon into a thriving kingdom. But though she knows the ways and wiles of the desert better than she knows her own skin, the secrets of the Eternal Flame elude her. And without them, she’ll never be accepted as queen. For Leo Malhari Ravence, fire is control. He is not ready to give up his crown—there’s still too much work to be done to ensure his legacy remains untarnished, his family protected. But power comes with a price, and he’ll wage war with the heavens themselves to keep from paying it. For Yassen Knight, fire is redemption. He dreams of shedding his past as one of Sayon’s most deadly assassins, of laying to rest the ghosts of those he has lost. If joining the court of flame and serving the royal Ravence family—the very people he once swore to eliminate—will earn him that, he’ll do it no matter what they ask of him. But the Phoenix watches over all and the fire has a will of its own. It will come for all three, will come for Sayon itself….and they must either find a way to withstand the blaze or burn to ash.
By Marie Sinadjan2 years ago in BookClub
Far from the Tree
Andrew Solomon investigates, in his book "Far from the Tree," how families might tolerate children with identities that are distinct from those of their parents. Solomon delves deeply into the complexities of what he calls "horizontal identity," which refers to the phenomenon in which children depart from their parents' expectations regarding characteristics such as disability, genius, and criminality. His investigation is informed by considerable research and interviews. His empathic work illuminates the complexities of judgment, sadness, and celebration that are present in interactions between children and parents that are not conventional.
By Reinhold Lautner2 years ago in BookClub
Freakonomics
Freakonomics is a book written by economist Steven Levitt and writer Stephen Dubner in which they investigate the hidden incentives, motivations, and repercussions that lie behind a wide variety of social patterns and occurrences. They exhibit Levitt's unusual yet insightful approach by using the lens of economics to themes such as cheating teachers and conspiring sumo wrestlers. In doing so, they discover the unseen factors that are affecting occurrences that appear to be unrelated to one another. Their captivating book deftly challenges commonly held beliefs about the way the world functions.
By Reinhold Lautner2 years ago in BookClub
Empire of Pain
In his book "Empire of Pain," journalist Patrick Radden Keefe presents a comprehensive biography of the Sackler family, who were the founders of the pharmaceutical corporation Purdue Pharma. Purdue Pharma is responsible for producing the highly controversial prescription drug OxyContin. Keefe has compiled an exhaustive history of the beginnings, inner workings, and questionable activities of this prominent yet notoriously secretive corporation.
By Reinhold Lautner2 years ago in BookClub
The Kissing Bug: A True Story of a Family, an Insect, and a Nation’s Neglect of a Deadly Disease
In this compelling and reflective book, Daisy Hernández, an esteemed author and journalist, delves into the profound impact of Chagas disease, an often neglected tropical ailment that affects many Latin American immigrants residing in the United States. By integrating scientific data with interviews conducted among families, Hernández effectively humanizes the phenomenon of this understated epidemic, shedding light on the wider healthcare disparities experienced by vulnerable populations.
By Reinhold Lautner2 years ago in BookClub
Behind the Beautiful Forevers
The novel "Behind the Beautiful Forevers" written by Katherine Boo provides an engrossing look at the terrible realities of life in Annawadi, a slum in Mumbai that is located next to a posh airport and a number of luxury hotels. Boo reveals the structural inequality and corruption that keep people of the undercity trapped in intergenerational poverty through the use of personal narratives that focus on a few different neighbors. Her nuanced portraits expose their humanity while simultaneously denouncing the systems that prey on the weak.
By Reinhold Lautner2 years ago in BookClub
Crying in H Mart
In the poignant book titled "Crying in H Mart," Michelle Zauner, an indie musician, offers introspective contemplations on her experiences as a Korean-American, the complex dynamics of her relationship with her mother, and the profound sorrow she grapples with in the aftermath of her mother's demise due to cancer. Zauner adeptly examines the profound impact of food on memory, skillfully navigating her bicultural identity by engaging in the preparation of authentic Korean cuisine. The narrative style employed by Zauner exhibits a remarkable level of elegance, as evidenced by the exquisite wording and vivid descriptions utilized throughout the book. This literary approach engenders a sense of intimacy for the reader, resulting in a lasting impact that extends well beyond the conclusion of the text.
By Reinhold Lautner2 years ago in BookClub
Invisible Child
The life of Dasani, an 11-year-old homeless girl who lives in New York's run-down Auburn shelter, is painstakingly chronicled in Andrea Elliott's novel "Invisible Child." Dasani's existence careens between hunger, violence, and rare moments of youthful bliss during the course of the novel. The compassionate storytelling of Elliott gives poverty and deprivation personal faces, bringing into focus the humanity that lies beneath statistics on injustice and failing social structures. Her in-depth reporting uncovered a broken system that failed the most helpless members of society time and time again.
By Reinhold Lautner2 years ago in BookClub
