Ioanna
Redemption and Love
“By the power of three times three, all you've wrought comes back to thee”
Cumming has done it again! Through this witty sequel we follow Meddy and Morr's friendship into a new phase; with the arrival of Astrid into the scene. Redemption and the complications of love are major themes and take the reader through the various emotions one experiences when faced with difficult choices.
Spoilers beyond this point, do not read unless you finished the book.
Astrid's character brings a new dimension to the series, shedding light to living with a disability; and thru her relationship with Medusa highlighting the hurdles members of the LGBTQ+ community face every day around the world.
The ATA, living in fear for your life and your loved ones, the car bomb; all struck a little too close to home for me, but definitely have a key place in the series.
I wish someone had told me to prepare tissues! When Astrid and Meddy fight over the phone and Astrid mentions she couldn't find her way back my heart sank and a couple of pages later the sobbing started. So glad with te way things ended though and looking forward to the next installment of the series.
This novel has been a refreshing treat! Medusa and her friends are so approachable that I qas immersed very quickly into their world, never mind me being a 35yo mom in the USA who knows nothing of Wicca or Australian highschools! The narrative takes you through many social and societal issues, some of which are universal; but never seems like it is forcing an opinion as the only one available.
The friendship and bond displayed through the many adventures/trials of Meddy and Morr rocks! Morr is the friend I hope to be.
..Some spoilers ahead, stop reading if you havent read the book yet..
I personally did not see any offense in the fact that Medusa wears a hijab but does not explore Islam as a religion. She was in need of a head covering solution that us readily available, and hijabs are easy to find; she was not looking to explore any new faith. Her spiritual quest with Wicca is a natural consequence of what she is experiencing.
I loved Eliss as a character. Zir ambiguity, the romantic interest, the raw feelings and rejection that entails, all of it made it more real for me.
Can't wait to read their next adventures!
Nate & Chas are great company!
Nate and Chas are such a fun odd duo; can't wait for the next installment of their adventures!
Maybe it will include the recipe for the elixir that promises it will lighten up your mood, re-grow your hair, strengthen your appetite, diminish what needs diminishing, and lengthen what needs lengthening? :)
Jade has done a fantastic job of explaining in plain words how our mindset and attitude towards money can have a significant impact on our financial well-being.
The book is more of an intro of various aspects of budgeting, from setting financial goals to creating a budget plan and sticking to it. However, what sets it apart is the author's focus on the psychological barriers that prevent us from achieving our financial goals. She talks about the fear of scarcity, the reluctance to let go of our money, and the emotional attachment we have to our possessions, all of which can hold us back from making smart financial decisions, in a way that is relatable, as if having a conversation with a friend. While it does not introduce any new or challenging concepts, it is an encouraging quick read if you are at the beginning of your journey.
One of the things I appreciated most about the book was her emphasis on self-awareness. She encourages readers to identify their money beliefs and understand how they affect their financial behavior. By doing so, we can break free from negative patterns and develop a healthy relationship with money.
The audiobook is very enjoyable as Jade's personality shines through.
This book... I have cried so many tears over seemingly insignificant details that resonated so much with my fellow transplant heart.
The audiobook felt like we were just visiting, sharing stories around a meal or a few. The author is an amazing storyteller, and I'm thankful for sharing that part of himself with the world. His Baba Haji would be proud!
Loved it!
Great read to start the year with, especially after not being able to read much in 2020. Can't wait for the author's next book!
This book was such a fun read! It was our bookclub read, and well, i wil be reading the next volumes of the series to make the month go by <3
As a historical fiction set within the suffragette movement, you know you're going to be dealing with a lot of sexism, true for the times. However, this is delicately portrayed. Anabelle and Sebastian are a very lovable couple.
Parts of it feel like hanging out with friends, and parts of it are a gut punch when you think of all the advances that have been made in women's rights and how much there is more to do.
“Perhaps you can explain it to me, then,” she said, “how is it fair that my utterly inept cousin is in command of me, for no reason other than that he's a man and I'm a woman? How is it fair that I master Latin and Greek as well as any man at Oxford, yet I am taught over a baker's shop? How is it fair that a man can tell me my brain was wired wrong, when his main achievement in life seems to be his birth into a life of privilege? And why do I have to beg a man to please make it his interest that I, too, may vote on the laws that govern my life every day?” This part resonated with me.
“Hoping, I'm starting to think, might be the bravest thing a person can do.”
I had to take a few days before being able to formulate a review for this wonderful book. I stumbled upon it on the list LAPL Arab American Heritage Month selection, and am so thankful I picked it.
One of the strengths of this novel is its ability to balance the light and the dark, the joyful and the sorrowful. Warga infuses the story with moments of humor, love, and hope, making it a heartwarming and uplifting read despite the tough subject matter.
Even more so for a reader like me, who is from the region, familiar with some of these feelings, having experienced them to a certain degree as an adult trying to find my place in the USA.
The characters are multidimensional and relatable, and Jude's voice is authentic and endearing. The author tackles such heavy themes: racism, xenophobia, and the Syrian refugee crisis with sensitivity and nuance. It's a powerful reminder that home is not just a physical place, but a sense of self, a feeling of connection, and a community that accepts you for who you are.
“I search every day for a clue about why I deserve to be here in Aunt Michelle's kitchen, safe and fed. When so many others just like me are not. Lucky. I am learning how to say it over and over again in English. I am learning how it tastes— sweet with promise and bitter with responsibility.”
I found many striking similarities to the general situation in Lebanon, and loved the descriptions!