Tshania Sedai
The bits about Earth were interesting. The rest, not so much. I tried. I tried really hard. But I just couldn't enjoy this book.
The bits about Earth were interesting. The rest, not so much. I tried. I tried really hard. But I just couldn't enjoy this book.
There aren't enough stars to properly rate how great this book is.
There aren't enough stars to properly rate how great this book is.
Loved it! Great writing, great story, great Audible narration.
Loved it! Great writing, great story, great Audible narration.
I found myself enjoying this way more than I expected. The characters all grew on me, and I got totally wrapped up in the story by the end. I had a moment where I thought, wow I'm halfway done and nothing has really happened yet, but I also didn't really care, because I was enjoying it. The audiobook narration was awesome, which totally added to my enjoyment. I think If I'd read this in paper format I'd have rated it 3 Stars, but as audio I want to give it 5 Stars, so I averaged it out to 4 Stars.
I found myself enjoying this way more than I expected. The characters all grew on me, and I got totally wrapped up in the story by the end. I had a moment where I thought, wow I'm halfway done and nothing has really happened yet, but I also didn't really care, because I was enjoying it. The audiobook narration was awesome, which totally added to my enjoyment. I think If I'd read this in paper format I'd have rated it 3 Stars, but as audio I want to give it 5 Stars, so I averaged it out to 4 Stars.
Everyone should read this book.
So frightening it makes Richard Preston's books on Ebola feel like fairy tales.
I wasn't at all interested in this until there was such a hoopla surrounding the release, so of course I had to jump on the bandwagon. Honestly, there isn't anything in the book that is new or surprising, but it does make quite clear just how incompetent our nation's leaders are at present. Reading it directly after reading Washington's Farewell also puts the actions of our current president in rather harsh perspective.
So frightening it makes Richard Preston's books on Ebola feel like fairy tales.
I wasn't at all interested in this until there was such a hoopla surrounding the release, so of course I had to jump on the bandwagon. Honestly, there isn't anything in the book that is new or surprising, but it does make quite clear just how incompetent our nation's leaders are at present. Reading it directly after reading Washington's Farewell also puts the actions of our current president in rather harsh perspective.
The Radium Girls is an historical account of the women who worked in the dial painting factories at the turn of the century. Shortly after the discovery of radium by Marie and Pierre Curie, the element was touted as a magical cure-all, partly due to it's effect on cancerous growths. As such, it was considered at the very least harmless and at best beneficial to human health. Radium's ability to glow also made it valued as a material to paint watch dials, so that they could easily be read in the dark. Thus the radium dial industry sprung up, and the material was carefully applied to clock and watch faces by the young girls who employed a technique called lip pointing to ensure that the brushes were fine and accurate for painting. Over time, however, the radium built up in the body of the girls, and radiation poisoning made them very, very sick. This book focuses on the stories of several of these girls, and how they fought against the system to be properly compensated for the work hazards that destroyed their health and their lives.
This is definitely a sad book; the descriptions of the decaying girls are incredibly visceral. You don't have to imagine the pain of the girls; you can almost feel it as their stories progress. Many of the girls die, in horrible, painful ways. There is tragedy contained in these pages, and in today's world I can understand why a reader may choose to actively avoid such an experience. However, this book is also a very uplifting story as well. It is about the little guy fighting against the man, about female empowerment, and about seeking justice and creating it where there is none. Yes, there is ignorance, and pain, and death, but there is also a will to fight, to do the right thing, and to create accountability for those in power. Although I knew the tragedy that was contained in the book's pages, I was unprepared for the fighting spirit of these factory workers and their families. Their story was laid out in an engaging and incredibly thoughtful way. The Radium Girls was absolutely compelling, and incredibly inspiring. Although this book is about the injustices of the past, it gave me hope for the future, and I highly recommend this book to everyone.
The Radium Girls is an historical account of the women who worked in the dial painting factories at the turn of the century. Shortly after the discovery of radium by Marie and Pierre Curie, the element was touted as a magical cure-all, partly due to it's effect on cancerous growths. As such, it was considered at the very least harmless and at best beneficial to human health. Radium's ability to glow also made it valued as a material to paint watch dials, so that they could easily be read in the dark. Thus the radium dial industry sprung up, and the material was carefully applied to clock and watch faces by the young girls who employed a technique called lip pointing to ensure that the brushes were fine and accurate for painting. Over time, however, the radium built up in the body of the girls, and radiation poisoning made them very, very sick. This book focuses on the stories of several of these girls, and how they fought against the system to be properly compensated for the work hazards that destroyed their health and their lives.
This is definitely a sad book; the descriptions of the decaying girls are incredibly visceral. You don't have to imagine the pain of the girls; you can almost feel it as their stories progress. Many of the girls die, in horrible, painful ways. There is tragedy contained in these pages, and in today's world I can understand why a reader may choose to actively avoid such an experience. However, this book is also a very uplifting story as well. It is about the little guy fighting against the man, about female empowerment, and about seeking justice and creating it where there is none. Yes, there is ignorance, and pain, and death, but there is also a will to fight, to do the right thing, and to create accountability for those in power. Although I knew the tragedy that was contained in the book's pages, I was unprepared for the fighting spirit of these factory workers and their families. Their story was laid out in an engaging and incredibly thoughtful way. The Radium Girls was absolutely compelling, and incredibly inspiring. Although this book is about the injustices of the past, it gave me hope for the future, and I highly recommend this book to everyone.
I think this is really like a 3.5 for me. The middle three tails were great but the bookends weren't as exciting to me. The actual craftsmanship was fantastic though.
I think this is really like a 3.5 for me. The middle three tails were great but the bookends weren't as exciting to me. The actual craftsmanship was fantastic though.
Standing ovation.
A solid 3.5 Stars. I was very much on the fence between the 3/4 rating, but decided to round down because, much as I loved the concept of the world, I never fell in love with the characters. Well, maybe the pirate; he kinda stole the show. But I never found myself really rooting for the main characters, and that left me feeling a bit disengage from the story.
A solid 3.5 Stars. I was very much on the fence between the 3/4 rating, but decided to round down because, much as I loved the concept of the world, I never fell in love with the characters. Well, maybe the pirate; he kinda stole the show. But I never found myself really rooting for the main characters, and that left me feeling a bit disengage from the story.
Another solid 3.5 Stars that I'm rounding down. This is one of those books I'm glad I read because I can recognize the brilliance of it, yet the story isn't something I've connected to emotionally. I usually love these sort of crazy ensemble cast stories, and I think the imaginings of the future border on genius. But something was missing for me. It was smart, but not necessarily compelling. Second book in a row where I've loved the world but not the characters. Worth a read, because it really is a very smart book, but probably not going to be one of my top books from the year.
Another solid 3.5 Stars that I'm rounding down. This is one of those books I'm glad I read because I can recognize the brilliance of it, yet the story isn't something I've connected to emotionally. I usually love these sort of crazy ensemble cast stories, and I think the imaginings of the future border on genius. But something was missing for me. It was smart, but not necessarily compelling. Second book in a row where I've loved the world but not the characters. Worth a read, because it really is a very smart book, but probably not going to be one of my top books from the year.
Sewing Your Dream Wardrobe
This is a fairly short eBook by sewing blogger Athina Kakou. While I love the idea of making a book about building a capsule wardrobe that is specific to sewing, I felt that there could have been more detail or instruction in this book. I realize that most of the exercises and practical advice is contained in the workbook and sewing planner she offers, but I feel that this book could benefit from perhaps being combined with the workbook. I enjoyed seeing photos of her own self-sewn wardrobe collections, but I feel like it could have perhaps been more helpful to combine the content of the two books and cut down on the photos? It is a lovely book, but perhaps not as detailed or inspirational as I had hoped. I think I may get more from the Workbook and Sewing Planner, as this book was a bit too general for me.
This is a fairly short eBook by sewing blogger Athina Kakou. While I love the idea of making a book about building a capsule wardrobe that is specific to sewing, I felt that there could have been more detail or instruction in this book. I realize that most of the exercises and practical advice is contained in the workbook and sewing planner she offers, but I feel that this book could benefit from perhaps being combined with the workbook. I enjoyed seeing photos of her own self-sewn wardrobe collections, but I feel like it could have perhaps been more helpful to combine the content of the two books and cut down on the photos? It is a lovely book, but perhaps not as detailed or inspirational as I had hoped. I think I may get more from the Workbook and Sewing Planner, as this book was a bit too general for me.
