Sarai Henderson's Blog, page 53
February 7, 2024
Book Review: Pageboy by Elliot Page
My book review of Pageboy by Elliot Page.
With Juno's massive success, Elliot became one of the world's most beloved actors. His dreams were coming true, but the pressure to perform suffocated him. He was forced to play the part of the glossy young starlet, a role that made his skin crawl, on and off set. The career that had been an escape out of his reality and into a world of imagination was suddenly a nightmare.
As he navigated criticism and abuse from some of the most powerful people in Hollywood, a past that snapped at his heels, and a society dead set on forcing him into a binary, Elliot often stayed silent, unsure of what to do, until enough was enough. Full of behind the scenes details and intimate interrogations on sex, love, trauma, and Hollywood, Pageboy is the story of a life pushed to the brink. But at its core, this beautifully written, winding journey of what it means to untangle ourselves from the expectations of others is an ode to stepping into who we truly are with defiance, strength, and joy.
This book really dove into the journey from Ellen to Elliot and all the growing pains in between. There were times where I felt a bit uncomfortable and sometimes a bit cringe, but maybe those stories were too far out there for me. Either way, a great read.
Title: Pageboy
By: Elliot Page
Genre: Memoir
Pages: 271
Release Date: June 6th, 2023
Publisher: Flatiron
Rating: ★★★★☆
Summary from Goodreads:"Can I kiss you?" It was two months before the world premiere of Juno, and Elliot Page was in his first ever queer bar. The hot summer air hung heavy around him as he looked at her. And then it happened. In front of everyone. A previously unfathomable experience. Here he was on the precipice of discovering himself as a queer person, as a trans person. Getting closer to his desires, his dreams, himself, without the repression he'd carried for so long. But for Elliot, two steps forward had always come with one step back.
With Juno's massive success, Elliot became one of the world's most beloved actors. His dreams were coming true, but the pressure to perform suffocated him. He was forced to play the part of the glossy young starlet, a role that made his skin crawl, on and off set. The career that had been an escape out of his reality and into a world of imagination was suddenly a nightmare.
As he navigated criticism and abuse from some of the most powerful people in Hollywood, a past that snapped at his heels, and a society dead set on forcing him into a binary, Elliot often stayed silent, unsure of what to do, until enough was enough. Full of behind the scenes details and intimate interrogations on sex, love, trauma, and Hollywood, Pageboy is the story of a life pushed to the brink. But at its core, this beautifully written, winding journey of what it means to untangle ourselves from the expectations of others is an ode to stepping into who we truly are with defiance, strength, and joy.
This book really dove into the journey from Ellen to Elliot and all the growing pains in between. There were times where I felt a bit uncomfortable and sometimes a bit cringe, but maybe those stories were too far out there for me. Either way, a great read.
February 5, 2024
Weekly Menu #543 And The Book Of The Week
Hello Monday! Welcome back to my weekly menu, where I share all the delicious recipes we will be making this week.Things are moving quickly around here, and I'm starting to realize how busy February is going to be. We have a Holiday party, training day at work, school meetings and a memorial for my grandma who just passed. Its a lot.
Within all the things that have to be done this week, I'm hoping to read a few more books. First on my list is Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Wolf. I've been waiting for this book for a while, and finally got my hands on it. Its one of the reads on my 100 books before you die list. We are getting to the end, finally!
Ok, lets get to this weeks menu. Enjoy!
WEEKLY MENU
Monday
Kids - Chicken Nuggets
Tuesday
Kids - Pizza
Wednesday
Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Bell Peppers
Kids - Beef Ramen
Thursday
Kids - Cheese Quesadillas
Friday
Holiday Party
Saturday
Kids - Chicken Burgers
Sunday
Leftovers Night
February 4, 2024
Sunday Confessions #236
Hello Sunday! Welcome back to my confessions where I recap the blog from last week. Enjoy!
Sunday Confessions #235~Weekly Menu #542 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: These Twisted Bonds by Lexi Ryan~Book Review: Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson
Weekly Menu #543 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: Pageboy by Elliot Page~Book Review: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho~Sunday Confessions #237
Started watching Expats on Prime.
I'm two episodes in and I'm not really sure what is going on. From what I can gather, a small child died tragically and now these three women are weird around each other.
11/100 2024 Reading Challenge~62/196 in my Star Wars Legends challenge~70/341 Gilmore Girls challenge~92/100 in my 100 books before you die challenge
I've really had a wonderful time reading through the Star Wars universe. I'm in a great place in the timeline, and its just fun. I'm hoping to continue the momentum this week.
Happy reading, Friends.
February 2, 2024
Book Review: Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson
My book review of Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson.
Title: Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
By: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 480
Release Date: July 1st, 2023
Publisher: Dragonsteel Entertainment
Rating: ★★★★☆
Summary from Goodreads:#1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson brings us a gripping story set in the Cosmere universe told by Hoid, where two people from incredibly different worlds must compromise and work together to save their worlds from ruin.
Yumi comes from a land of gardens, meditation, and spirits, while Painter lives in a world of darkness, technology, and nightmares. When their lives suddenly become intertwined in strange ways, can they put aside their differences and work together to uncover the mysteries of their situation and save each other’s communities from certain disaster?
Yumi is quiet and sweet. She follows the rules, but feels a deep longing for change. The Painter is troubled to his core, but dreams of so much more. They are poler opposites, but just what the other needs.
They fight a battle on two fronts, taking over each others lives in strange ways. Painter in Yumi's body, but Yumi in Painters place. Together they need to figure out why the spirits have brought them together, but it won't be easy.
As the shadows close in, truths are revealed that I promise you wont see coming. With the mystery of the ending looming, you will definitely have to read this book.
January 31, 2024
Book Review: These Twisted Bonds by Lexi Ryan
My book review of These Twisted Bonds by Lexi Ryan.
After Abriella's sister was sold to the fae, she thought life couldn't get any worse. But when she suddenly finds herself caught in a web of lies of her own making - loving two princes and trusting neither - things are not quite as clear as she once thought.
As civil war wages in the Court of Darkness, Brie finds herself unable to choose a side. How can she know where she stands when she doesn't even know herself anymore? In this darkly romantic thrill ride, the more Faerie is torn apart from the inside, the clearer it becomes that prophecies don't lie and Brie has a role to play in the fate of this magical realm - whether she likes it or not.
Brie is a wonderfully deep character. She's lived a hard life, but has managed to make deep connections and bonds. Its those bonds that ground our character, but ultimately could be her end. As we follow Brie's story, we pick out little details of her past and who she is. Its wonderful.
I loved reading this story and am excited to find out what this author has to offer next.
Title: These Twisted Bonds
By: Lexi Ryan
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 481
Release Date: July 19th, 2022
Publisher: HarperTeen
Rating: ★★★★☆
Summary from Goodreads:Brie finds herself caught between two princes and two destinies while the future of the fae realm hangs in the balance.
After Abriella's sister was sold to the fae, she thought life couldn't get any worse. But when she suddenly finds herself caught in a web of lies of her own making - loving two princes and trusting neither - things are not quite as clear as she once thought.
As civil war wages in the Court of Darkness, Brie finds herself unable to choose a side. How can she know where she stands when she doesn't even know herself anymore? In this darkly romantic thrill ride, the more Faerie is torn apart from the inside, the clearer it becomes that prophecies don't lie and Brie has a role to play in the fate of this magical realm - whether she likes it or not.
Brie is a wonderfully deep character. She's lived a hard life, but has managed to make deep connections and bonds. Its those bonds that ground our character, but ultimately could be her end. As we follow Brie's story, we pick out little details of her past and who she is. Its wonderful.
I loved reading this story and am excited to find out what this author has to offer next.
January 29, 2024
Weekly Menu #542 And The Book Of The Week
Hello Monday! Welcome back to the weekly menu where I share all the delicious recipes we will be making this week.A few weeks ago we had record low temps in the PNW with ice and snow, now they are saying we could have record highs. After the 80 degree day the Washington D.C. recorder, I believe it. What is going on?
At least the weather isn't keep us from leaving the house. The kids are back on a normal schedule and I've been able to dive into work with a new passion. There are wonderful things coming my way in 2024, and I can't wait to share them with you. All in good time.
This weeks read is Slewfoot by Brom. This book was recommended by the girlies at my favorite podcast, Morbid. If you haven't listened to their disturbing and sometimes hilarious tales, then what are you doing with your life?
Lets get to this weeks menu. We are trying a lot of new recipes, so bare with us while we have some fun. Enjoy!WEEKLY MENU
Monday
Garlic Parmesan Wings with salad and Couscous
Kids - Chicken Nuggets and Couscous
Tuesday
Kids - Chicken with Mac and Cheese
Wednesday
Kids - Tater Tots and Sausage
Thursday
Kids -
Friday
Kids - Beef Ramen
Saturday
Kids - English Muffin Pizzas
Sunday
Family Dinner
January 28, 2024
Sunday Confessions #235
Hello and welcome back to my Sunday confessions where I recap what's happened on the blog in the last week. Stick around and enjoy.
Sunday Confessions #234~Weekly Menu #541 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: The Druid's Call by E.K. Johnston~Book Review: Electric Dreams by Philip K. Dick
Weekly Menu #542 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: These Twisted Bonds by Lexi Ryan~Book Review: Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson~Sunday Confessions #236
Remix (I like the)New Kids on the Block
8/100 2024 Reading Challenge~60/196 in my Star Wars Legends challenge~70/341 Gilmore Girls challenge~92/100 in my 100 books before you die challenge
I've been on a reading roll lately and I'm hoping to continue the momentum into the coming week.
Happy reading, friends!
January 26, 2024
Book Review: Electric Dreams by Philip K. Dick
My book review on Electric Dreams by Philip K. Dick.
Summary from Goodreads:Though perhaps most famous as a novelist, over the course of his career Philip K. Dick wrote more than one hundred short stories, each as mind-bending and genre-defining as his longer works. Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams collects ten of the best from across his career. In “Autofac,” Dick shows us one of the earliest examples (and warnings) in science fiction of self-replicating machines. “Exhibit Piece” and “The Commuter” feature Dick exploring one of his favorite themes: the shifting nature of reality, and whether it is even possible to really perceive the world as it is. And “The Hanging Stranger” provides a thrilling, dark political allegory as relevant today as it was when it was written at the height of the Cold War. Strange, funny, and powerful, the stories in this collection highlight a master at work, drawing on his boundless imagination and deep understanding of the human condition.
This book was wonderful. Short story after short story, filled with mind twisting plots thrown at you with lightning speed. I almost needed a palate cleanser between each story to reset my mind. Absolutely amazing.
Now that I've had a small taste of what this author has to offer, I will definitely be doing a deep dive into the scifi world.
Title: Electric Dreams
By: Philip K. Dick
Genre: SciFi
Pages: 224
Release Date: September 14th, 2017
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Rating: ★★★★☆
Summary from Goodreads:Though perhaps most famous as a novelist, over the course of his career Philip K. Dick wrote more than one hundred short stories, each as mind-bending and genre-defining as his longer works. Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams collects ten of the best from across his career. In “Autofac,” Dick shows us one of the earliest examples (and warnings) in science fiction of self-replicating machines. “Exhibit Piece” and “The Commuter” feature Dick exploring one of his favorite themes: the shifting nature of reality, and whether it is even possible to really perceive the world as it is. And “The Hanging Stranger” provides a thrilling, dark political allegory as relevant today as it was when it was written at the height of the Cold War. Strange, funny, and powerful, the stories in this collection highlight a master at work, drawing on his boundless imagination and deep understanding of the human condition.
This book was wonderful. Short story after short story, filled with mind twisting plots thrown at you with lightning speed. I almost needed a palate cleanser between each story to reset my mind. Absolutely amazing.
Now that I've had a small taste of what this author has to offer, I will definitely be doing a deep dive into the scifi world.
January 24, 2024
Book Review: The Druid's Call by E.K. Johnston
My book review of The Druid's Call by E.K. Johnston.
Title: The Druid's Call
By: E.K. Johnston
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 304
Release Date: February 28th, 2023
Publisher: Random House Worlds
Rating: ★★★★★
Summary from Goodreads:Discover Doric’s powerful druid origins in this thrilling young adult prequel to the film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
An original YA novel, set before the events of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
For as long as she can remember, Doric has felt alone. Abandoned by her human parents, she wandered for years before being taken in by a community of Neverwinter Woods elves. But her horns and tail proclaim a tiefling heritage, and even among the kindest of elves, her fledgling druidic abilities mark her as different from the rangers around her. And as humans begin to encroach farther and farther into the once pristine woods, Doric knows she needs to master her druidic capabilities if she is to be any help to her adopted family. With no means of helping Doric themselves, her guardians see no choice but to send her somewhere she can come into her own.
Tucked among the ancient pines of the Ardeep Forest hides the Emerald Enclave, an order of warriors tasked with preserving the natural world. They fight to maintain balance between the forces of the wild and civilization, and in doing so, protect the sanctity of each.
Among their order, Doric begins to find power in her differences. But not all her fellow initiates are so capable of new growth, and as her training continues, Doric is forced to confront the very beliefs that brought her into the Enclave’s fold. If she’s going to protect her home, she’ll have to reckon with her people, her power, and the walls she’s built to keep herself safe from both.
There's a lot of wonderful world building and story behind Doric's journey, but it also has the humor those of us who loved the movie have come to cherish. I absolutely loved it. E.K. Johnston does it again.
January 22, 2024
Weekly Menu #541 And The Book Of The Week
Hello Monday. Welcome back to my weekly menu where I share all the delicious recipes we will be making this week.Wow, the weather over the last week has been crazy. The news said we would have snow in my area. A lot of snow, but instead we got the sleet that was supposed to hit more south. Temps plummeted to 8 degrees at night and didn't get above 20 during the day for several days. Now, before you tell me to stop complaining because that's normal for your part of the country, I just want to remind you this is not normal for the PNW. We generally have wet winters with temps around the 30's at night.
As much as I love changing things up, its been over a week and I still can't walk on my driveway without falling on a solid sheet of ice. I'm too old to be falling on my ass. Its embarrassing and it hurts.
Since we are stuck in the house, I blew through three books last week. Not expecting to do the same this week, but the read will be Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo. I love this author. Her writing style is easy to follow and her world building is amazing. Every page is an adventure.
Lets get to this weeks menu. I know that's what you came here for. Enjoy!
Monday
Chicken Parmesan with Vodka Sauce
Kids - Mac and Cheese
Tuesday
Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
Kids - Chicken and Cheesy Rice
Wednesday
Cheese Burger Wraps
Kids - Bird Dogs
Thursday
Beef Noodle Soup
Kids - Beef Ramen
Friday
Mexican Rice Bowl
Kids - Cheese Quesadillas
Saturday
Roast Beef Sandwich
Kids - Grilled Cheese
Sunday
Leftovers Night
