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Hilarious. Such true cat humor.
3.5
I think this will be really relatable to many kids. Anxiety, stomach aches, stress, fear, puberty. I also hope it'll help normalize therapy to kids.
Raina's own story with her characteristic art. Which will make this be popular no matter what, but I didnt feel that it was a story more that little vignettes, hence the 3.5
I think this will be really relatable to many kids. Anxiety, stomach aches, stress, fear, puberty. I also hope it'll help normalize therapy to kids.
Raina's own story with her characteristic art. Which will make this be popular no matter what, but I didnt feel that it was a story more that little vignettes, hence the 3.5
I received an advanced copy of this from the publisher via Net Galley.
I'm not sure what more to say about this book that hasn't already been said.
Convo with husband while I was reading this book:
Husband: What's wrong?
Me: Just reading a difficult book.
H: So don't read it
M: NO WAY!. Just because it's a difficult topic doesn't mean it shouldn't be read. This book makes me reflect and learn/grow as a human being.
H: Well that is a good reason.
"Light It Up" is the follow up to "How It Went Down." I have not read this one, but Light It Up provides enough background to the first story, that it can stand on it's own. There are a few instances, where context and actions from the first could be helpful in understanding character motivation, but it didn't detract.
I love how this novel was presented. Racial injustice affects the entire community, and Kekla Magoon gives up a multitude of characters to get to know. We learn how each of them is connected to the murder of Shae Tatum and how the aftermath affects them. There are many characters, but how they are presented keeps it from feeling scattered. And they are multi-dimensional, which lends to characters you can relate to.
As another reviewer commented, this book reminds me about how my viewpoint, white privilege and language I use can further harm and perpetuate hateful/racist behavior.
I'm not sure what more to say about this book that hasn't already been said.
Convo with husband while I was reading this book:
Husband: What's wrong?
Me: Just reading a difficult book.
H: So don't read it
M: NO WAY!. Just because it's a difficult topic doesn't mean it shouldn't be read. This book makes me reflect and learn/grow as a human being.
H: Well that is a good reason.
"Light It Up" is the follow up to "How It Went Down." I have not read this one, but Light It Up provides enough background to the first story, that it can stand on it's own. There are a few instances, where context and actions from the first could be helpful in understanding character motivation, but it didn't detract.
I love how this novel was presented. Racial injustice affects the entire community, and Kekla Magoon gives up a multitude of characters to get to know. We learn how each of them is connected to the murder of Shae Tatum and how the aftermath affects them. There are many characters, but how they are presented keeps it from feeling scattered. And they are multi-dimensional, which lends to characters you can relate to.
As another reviewer commented, this book reminds me about how my viewpoint, white privilege and language I use can further harm and perpetuate hateful/racist behavior.
A nice book to counteract the drudgery of the one I finished prior.
Magic pies, dysfunctional family ties, small town charm, grief, healing, sweet romance.
The story is told in multiple view points, over arched by a narrator who is writing a story on the mysterious blackbirds that are in Wicklow.
Anna Kate has come to Wicklow as the unknown granddaughter of Zee, the recently deceased owner of The Blackbird Cafe, to take over the cafe. Natalie has recently returned to Wicklow to try to get back on her feet after husband passed away, leaving her bankrupt. The two are connected, they just don't know it.
Zee's pies were magical, causing dreams of deceased loved ones to come to those who eat the pie. To some this brings solace, others view it as an hindrance to the grieving process and healing.
Through out the book we see how the Anna Kate, Natalie, and other community members heal and the magical forces that surrond them.
Magic pies, dysfunctional family ties, small town charm, grief, healing, sweet romance.
The story is told in multiple view points, over arched by a narrator who is writing a story on the mysterious blackbirds that are in Wicklow.
Anna Kate has come to Wicklow as the unknown granddaughter of Zee, the recently deceased owner of The Blackbird Cafe, to take over the cafe. Natalie has recently returned to Wicklow to try to get back on her feet after husband passed away, leaving her bankrupt. The two are connected, they just don't know it.
Zee's pies were magical, causing dreams of deceased loved ones to come to those who eat the pie. To some this brings solace, others view it as an hindrance to the grieving process and healing.
Through out the book we see how the Anna Kate, Natalie, and other community members heal and the magical forces that surrond them.
Magic pies, dysfunctional family ties, small town charm, grief, healing, sweet romance.
The story is told in multiple view points, over arched by a narrator who is writing a story on the mysterious blackbirds that are in Wicklow.
Anna Kate has come to Wicklow as the unknown granddaughter of Zee, the recently deceased owner of The Blackbird Cafe, to take over the cafe. Natalie has recently returned to Wicklow to try to get back on her feet after husband passed away, leaving her bankrupt. The two are connected, they just don't know it.
Zee's pies were magical, causing dreams of deceased loved ones to come to those who eat the pie. To some this brings solace, others view it as an hindrance to the grieving process and healing.
Through out the book we see how the Anna Kate, Natalie, and other community members heal and the magical forces that surrond them.
Magic pies, dysfunctional family ties, small town charm, grief, healing, sweet romance.
The story is told in multiple view points, over arched by a narrator who is writing a story on the mysterious blackbirds that are in Wicklow.
Anna Kate has come to Wicklow as the unknown granddaughter of Zee, the recently deceased owner of The Blackbird Cafe, to take over the cafe. Natalie has recently returned to Wicklow to try to get back on her feet after husband passed away, leaving her bankrupt. The two are connected, they just don't know it.
Zee's pies were magical, causing dreams of deceased loved ones to come to those who eat the pie. To some this brings solace, others view it as an hindrance to the grieving process and healing.
Through out the book we see how the Anna Kate, Natalie, and other community members heal and the magical forces that surrond them.
Finally finished slogging my way through this infuriating and headache inducing book. I was hoping for redemption for making it through, but that was lacking as well. Review coming tomorrow.
**Update** I received this book via Net Galley from the publisher. The thoughts are all mine.
Ugh. The premise of this book was sooooooo good. I was really excited to read it. A library of unwritten items located in Hell. Where characters in the books sometimes come to life.
I felt there wasn't much of a back story to give motivation as to why the library was so important to Claire--what brought here there. If the idea that you/your soul determines where you go in the afterlife, then, who decides how long you need to be there. Also, if you think you belong to heaven, you just end up there, but if you feel you need to atone, then to hell you go.
***** Spoilers****
My brain was reeling trying to keep up with all the rules, and characters. And so many hints given to who Leto was, and possibly his relation to Claire--Not resolved. Hinted at, but not resolved
Inconsistency-- Realms only exist as long as there are people around to believe in them. Then how come they had to pass through/and be judged by a dead realm. How did Leto make it from there to a place where Rami could save his soul?
I feel that we really needed Claire's backstory. It was hinted at several times, but it didn't connect us to her character.
Brevity-- What was her purpose, what brought her to hell as well, why can't she leave. Of all the characters, I actually wanted more Brevity.
The unwritten books themselves-- are they sparks of what the author has thought of as potential stories, or are they ideas that are pre-conception in the author's mind. That avenue, I am okay with, but how the characters that escape the books and develop free thought? how is that possible?
In the author's note, she mentioned that this had been a short story, that made it's way into a novel. I think this would have been a brilliant short story. I can see how this will transition into a series, the work is laid out for that, however, I will not be sticking around for it.
**Update** I received this book via Net Galley from the publisher. The thoughts are all mine.
Ugh. The premise of this book was sooooooo good. I was really excited to read it. A library of unwritten items located in Hell. Where characters in the books sometimes come to life.
I felt there wasn't much of a back story to give motivation as to why the library was so important to Claire--what brought here there. If the idea that you/your soul determines where you go in the afterlife, then, who decides how long you need to be there. Also, if you think you belong to heaven, you just end up there, but if you feel you need to atone, then to hell you go.
***** Spoilers****
My brain was reeling trying to keep up with all the rules, and characters. And so many hints given to who Leto was, and possibly his relation to Claire--Not resolved. Hinted at, but not resolved
Inconsistency-- Realms only exist as long as there are people around to believe in them. Then how come they had to pass through/and be judged by a dead realm. How did Leto make it from there to a place where Rami could save his soul?
I feel that we really needed Claire's backstory. It was hinted at several times, but it didn't connect us to her character.
Brevity-- What was her purpose, what brought her to hell as well, why can't she leave. Of all the characters, I actually wanted more Brevity.
The unwritten books themselves-- are they sparks of what the author has thought of as potential stories, or are they ideas that are pre-conception in the author's mind. That avenue, I am okay with, but how the characters that escape the books and develop free thought? how is that possible?
In the author's note, she mentioned that this had been a short story, that made it's way into a novel. I think this would have been a brilliant short story. I can see how this will transition into a series, the work is laid out for that, however, I will not be sticking around for it.