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lovelyla's reviews
282 reviews
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
5.0
I didn't think the sequel could get any better than "The Hunger Games," but I openly admit my error. I finished the book screaming at the top of my lungs, and I'm still in a stupor.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
5.0
"In Maycomb, if one went for a walk with no definite purpose in mind, it was correct to believe one's mind incapable of definite purpose" (149).
I first met this wonderful book my sophmore year in high school, and every few years I find my way back to it. Back then, I had no idea this piece of literature held bits of wisdom which would aid me in maneuvering my late teens and early adulthood. I don't believe I've ever met a character as dignified as Atticus or one as enigmatic as Boo. Ms. Cal reminds me of the comforts of my home whenever I come across her and her words; and I frequently recall relating to Jem and his transition in my own young adult years. But there is no one, no character, no person, like my girl Scout! I love everything about her-- her rambunctious demeanor, her self-awareness, her childlike vulnerability, and her comedic chops. When she tells Uncle Jack to "pass the damn ham, please," I cackle like a hyena every time! A few lines down, Uncle Jack asks, "You want to grow up to be a lady, don't you?" Scout replies "not particularly" (79). I laugh aloud every. single. time. By the end of the book, I find Scout to be an oracle. She asks Jem, "How can you hate Hitler so bad an' then turn around and be ugly about folks right at home?" (247). What a phenomenal question for a nine year old to ask! And whenever she recognizes the likes of her mysterious neighbor standing in the corner of Jem's bedroom and says, "Hey, Boo," I cry.
Oh, how I adore this book, yesterday, today, and tomorrow!
I first met this wonderful book my sophmore year in high school, and every few years I find my way back to it. Back then, I had no idea this piece of literature held bits of wisdom which would aid me in maneuvering my late teens and early adulthood. I don't believe I've ever met a character as dignified as Atticus or one as enigmatic as Boo. Ms. Cal reminds me of the comforts of my home whenever I come across her and her words; and I frequently recall relating to Jem and his transition in my own young adult years. But there is no one, no character, no person, like my girl Scout! I love everything about her-- her rambunctious demeanor, her self-awareness, her childlike vulnerability, and her comedic chops. When she tells Uncle Jack to "pass the damn ham, please," I cackle like a hyena every time! A few lines down, Uncle Jack asks, "You want to grow up to be a lady, don't you?" Scout replies "not particularly" (79). I laugh aloud every. single. time. By the end of the book, I find Scout to be an oracle. She asks Jem, "How can you hate Hitler so bad an' then turn around and be ugly about folks right at home?" (247). What a phenomenal question for a nine year old to ask! And whenever she recognizes the likes of her mysterious neighbor standing in the corner of Jem's bedroom and says, "Hey, Boo," I cry.
Oh, how I adore this book, yesterday, today, and tomorrow!
Unhooked: How Young Women Pursue Sex, Delay Love, and Lose at Both by Laura Sessions Stepp
3.0
"The wisest feminists say to young women: Listen to yourselves. There is no lasting satisfaction in taking a man to bed and leaving him at will, just because you can or because your friends tell you to. Very little good comes of sleeping with a guy, or even making out with a guy, you barely know. If you're interested in a guy, study him as you would for an exam. Spend time with him. Allow him to get to know you." --p. 218
Although I can't deem Ms. Stepp's work as the greatest insight into the anthropology of young women, the book does hold interesting little gems like the quote above. The thesis of "Unhooked" is superb; yes, let's discuss how women are using their sexuality as they grow into themselves, and why they choose "hooking up" to do so. However, I was a bit annoyed at the dichotomy between the subtitle of the book, "How Young Women Pursue Sex, Delay Love, and Lose at Both," and the subjects the author chose to interview/analyze. I was under the impression the work would focus on young women of various economic and social statuses, and not solely young women inhabiting prominent universities and coming from middle to upper class homes. All young women struggle in manuevering within relationships, sexual and otherwise, especially in the 21st century. It would have been nice to see the lives of women who don't have the same educational and financial opportunites as the young ladies in Ms. Stepp's book, but have similar experiences. Regardless of that annoyance, the book is a great discussion starter, and even forced me to look at my own sexual experiences in my early twenties, and how they've shaped the woman I've become.
Although I can't deem Ms. Stepp's work as the greatest insight into the anthropology of young women, the book does hold interesting little gems like the quote above. The thesis of "Unhooked" is superb; yes, let's discuss how women are using their sexuality as they grow into themselves, and why they choose "hooking up" to do so. However, I was a bit annoyed at the dichotomy between the subtitle of the book, "How Young Women Pursue Sex, Delay Love, and Lose at Both," and the subjects the author chose to interview/analyze. I was under the impression the work would focus on young women of various economic and social statuses, and not solely young women inhabiting prominent universities and coming from middle to upper class homes. All young women struggle in manuevering within relationships, sexual and otherwise, especially in the 21st century. It would have been nice to see the lives of women who don't have the same educational and financial opportunites as the young ladies in Ms. Stepp's book, but have similar experiences. Regardless of that annoyance, the book is a great discussion starter, and even forced me to look at my own sexual experiences in my early twenties, and how they've shaped the woman I've become.
Reading Women: How the Great Books of Feminism Changed My Life by Stephanie Staal
2.0
When I initially read the premise of "Reading Women: How the Great Books of Feminism Changed my Life," I was estatic. I was estatic not only because the thesis for writing a book about feminist writing completely "rocked my socks," but also because my idea of an intellectual orgasm is to re-read the feminist prose I unearthed in my youth; the ones which gave me insight into the world and allowed me to interpret ideas of sex, love, and social, individual, political ideologies for myself. The genre as a whole contributed to my growth as a woman and a critical thinking human being. Although Ms. Staal contributes some real gems in her work (the idea of her returning to Barnard to re-take the same Fem Text class of her undergraduate years just warms my chest cavity), the book didn't leave me with a satisfied afterglow. I still felt hungry after reading the last word. Some things are missing.
For instance, an entire section dedicated to desire lacks any deeply penetrating voice regarding female longing. Where is the engaging conversation regarding erotica? Why isn't Andrea Dworkin's "Intercourse" and its premise mentioned? Where is the personal account of the conflict between being seen as and feeling sexually gratifying and being viewed and respected as an intellectual and emotional equal? Where is the mention for want of knowledge, play, food even? And what about Biblical text? No Ruth. No Jezebel. No Esther. No Mary Magdalene. How does it happen that Augustine and Pagels get more face time in a book about reading women than, say, the portrayal of the Virgin Mary in Christianity?
I understand the majority of the work is memoir, and I thank Ms. Staal for allowing us the opportunity to peek into her life. However, it would have been more filling for the work to have been a bit more dynamic.
For instance, an entire section dedicated to desire lacks any deeply penetrating voice regarding female longing. Where is the engaging conversation regarding erotica? Why isn't Andrea Dworkin's "Intercourse" and its premise mentioned? Where is the personal account of the conflict between being seen as and feeling sexually gratifying and being viewed and respected as an intellectual and emotional equal? Where is the mention for want of knowledge, play, food even? And what about Biblical text? No Ruth. No Jezebel. No Esther. No Mary Magdalene. How does it happen that Augustine and Pagels get more face time in a book about reading women than, say, the portrayal of the Virgin Mary in Christianity?
I understand the majority of the work is memoir, and I thank Ms. Staal for allowing us the opportunity to peek into her life. However, it would have been more filling for the work to have been a bit more dynamic.
Peace from Broken Pieces: How to Get Through What You're Going Through by Iyanla Vanzant
3.0
The final line of Ms. Vanzant's work reads, "I am ready for the next leg of the journey." Yes, yes; as we all should be! Although "Peace from Broken Pieces" isn't my favorite work from this incredible person (that title is saved for "One Day My Soul Just Opened Up"), I am thankful for her bravery and honesty in sharing her pieces with the world.
Like her other work, this one has no shortage of valuable nuggets. Each chapter begins with either a quote or affirmation, which provides a thesis for what is to come. Before delving into the true story involving her first brush with national and international stardom (i.e. Oprah) in Chapter 10, she states in the the prefacing quote, "When you don't know who you are, chances are you don't know what you want. When you don't know what you want, there is no chance for you to get it." Chapter 19, p. 290-291, provides a great description of the characteristics in two individuals present in the start of a new life, the new you and the old you, and how both will clash at any given moment. I mourn the loss of her beloved Gemmia as Ms. Vanzant portrays both the life and death of her child. This is a spiritual leader who is well-versed in holding up mirrors and allowing people to see their true selves simply because she practices with herself first.
My annoyances with the work are few, but strong. The epilogue seems a bit out of place in that it's understood she would mention some of the outcome of Niamoja's life after her mother's death, yet the reader is still not certain what happens to Niamoja. The story of the epiphany which occurs between her old home and her new home at the end of Chapter 20 seems vague and rushed. She alludes to Eminem's lyrics on p. 136, which made me crinkle my nose and ask why. I found it unnecessary and a trifle for a work of this magnitude.
Overall, I'm grateful for what Ms. Vanzant has done with this book. My lessoned learned (because I always leave her work with a lessoned learned) is the unfortunates of my life don't have to be an achor. I can fall and acquire scrapes and bruises, but as long as I'm still living, I can laugh it off and consider it all joy. Thank you, Ms. Vanzant.
Like her other work, this one has no shortage of valuable nuggets. Each chapter begins with either a quote or affirmation, which provides a thesis for what is to come. Before delving into the true story involving her first brush with national and international stardom (i.e. Oprah) in Chapter 10, she states in the the prefacing quote, "When you don't know who you are, chances are you don't know what you want. When you don't know what you want, there is no chance for you to get it." Chapter 19, p. 290-291, provides a great description of the characteristics in two individuals present in the start of a new life, the new you and the old you, and how both will clash at any given moment. I mourn the loss of her beloved Gemmia as Ms. Vanzant portrays both the life and death of her child. This is a spiritual leader who is well-versed in holding up mirrors and allowing people to see their true selves simply because she practices with herself first.
My annoyances with the work are few, but strong. The epilogue seems a bit out of place in that it's understood she would mention some of the outcome of Niamoja's life after her mother's death, yet the reader is still not certain what happens to Niamoja. The story of the epiphany which occurs between her old home and her new home at the end of Chapter 20 seems vague and rushed. She alludes to Eminem's lyrics on p. 136, which made me crinkle my nose and ask why. I found it unnecessary and a trifle for a work of this magnitude.
Overall, I'm grateful for what Ms. Vanzant has done with this book. My lessoned learned (because I always leave her work with a lessoned learned) is the unfortunates of my life don't have to be an achor. I can fall and acquire scrapes and bruises, but as long as I'm still living, I can laugh it off and consider it all joy. Thank you, Ms. Vanzant.
Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
3.0
What an intriguing read. Gifted to me by a friend who devoured the trilogy, I sincerely wanted to dislike this book. I received the synopsis of Ana and Christian's relationship from a few other women who indulged in the books, and there were a few aspects of the read I thought to be a bit...much, i.e. Christian's hyper-sexualization and the context for which Ana and Christian use sex. Despite my negativity, I enjoyed the book. Although I was not impressed with the author's writing style and her excessive use of certain words (whisper, flush, blush, murmur) and phrases (what does it mean to look at someone from under your eyelashes?), I give the book kudos for being an engrossing summer read.
Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James
1.0
After tolerating "Fifty Shades of Grey" and even enjoying it to a limited extent, I'm thoroughly surprised at the disappointment that is "Fifty Shades Darker." If I could give it a rating of zero stars, I would do so based solely upon its erratic plot. I would've appreciated the book more if Ms. James was a bit more forthcoming about simply wanting to exemplify Ana and Christian's sex life (which she does is such detail, the book could possible be a sexual how-to); but to attempt to incorporate a chilling, intriguing storyline is just bothersome. The number of random intrusions into the novel still leave me asking, "What was the purpose of THAT?" Leila's introduction; Jose's stay in Grey Headquarters; Kate finding the email. Why? For what reason? At the end, the plot of Book 2 still eludes me and leaves me asking, "Was Ms. James on deadline? Did she just throw this book together without an editor?" I'm actually a bit upset I wasted time on 544 pages of foolishness.
Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James
2.0
Although the consistency of the plot is a bit better than "Fifty Shades Darker," Ms. James still misses the mark by attempting to create suspense within bland erotic fiction. And including Christian's story at the end of the book? That alone leads me to believe the author is wayward in her story-telling capabilities. To the Fifty Shades Trilogy: I came; I saw; I'm relieved it's over!
The Faith Club: A Muslim, a Christian, a Jew-- Three Women Search for Understanding by Priscilla Warner, Suzanne Oliver, Ranya Idliby
4.0
"In order for each of you to believe in your religion, don't you have to believe that the other two are wrong?"
The premise of this read is absolutely wonderful! I yearn for loving, respectful, non-condescending dialogue regarding religion and faith in my own life, and being privy to Ranya, Suzanne, and Priscilla's conversations leaves me full and pensive. How brave of each woman to listen, to admit to her own biases and stereotypes, and to question her own beliefs. I've always believed having faith does not equate to roaming ignorantly in the name of my deity. All three woman appease my own desire for knowledge as they both love one another, test one another, and grow one another. I'm also thankful for Ranya and Priscilla's discussions regarding the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, and it's role in their faith.
The premise of this read is absolutely wonderful! I yearn for loving, respectful, non-condescending dialogue regarding religion and faith in my own life, and being privy to Ranya, Suzanne, and Priscilla's conversations leaves me full and pensive. How brave of each woman to listen, to admit to her own biases and stereotypes, and to question her own beliefs. I've always believed having faith does not equate to roaming ignorantly in the name of my deity. All three woman appease my own desire for knowledge as they both love one another, test one another, and grow one another. I'm also thankful for Ranya and Priscilla's discussions regarding the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, and it's role in their faith.