Michelle’s Comments (group member since Dec 08, 2021)

Michelle’s comments from the On The Same Page group.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did Lillie. Right book at the right time.

Linda wrote: "I’m goin to read -

and "

I’m going to join you with Ban This Book Linda. Keep reading banned books!

“It wasn’t that she didn’t like people. It was only that she liked books more.”
― Sarah Beth Durst, The Spellshop

“I can’t lose books; I’d lose me.”
― Sarah Beth Durst, The Spellshop

71 books
5269 pages

57 audiobooks
14 print

#69. The Spellshop Sometimes you find a book that is not important or useful or particularly literary but it just suits you perfectly and you love it. That was this book for me. A perfect cozy fantasy about a reticent librarian and her sentient plant rescuing books from an unfortunate rebellion. 5 I loved it stars. Fantasy-Cozy.

#70. Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland Fascinating tale of one of the people who disappeared during “the troubles “ in Northern Ireland. A part of recent history that I knew little about. I found it interesting and enlightening. An excellent audio production. 4 a reminder to work for peace stars. Nonfiction-History.

#71. Hell and Back Craig Johnson blurs the lines with the 18th in the series. Sheriff Longmire lands right in the middle of a ghost story of his own making. 4 all ghosts are regrets stars. Mystery/Series.

Who should be held accountable for a shared history of violence? It was a question that was dogging Northern Ireland as a whole.”
― Patrick Radden Keefe, Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland

rubble and broken glass, what one poet would memorably describe as “Belfast confetti.”
― Patrick Radden Keefe, Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland

Words are important, no matter what the language—they are perhaps one of the most powerful things we have. Words can preserve life or invoke death and should be handled with the same care as any deadly weapon.”
― Craig Johnson, Hell and Back

A formidable challenge Bill! Looks like you’re making great progress.

Karol wrote: "To the Land of Long Lost Friends, by Alexander McCall Smith - for my "To Read List" challenge.

It has been a long time since I've taken a trip to Botswana to meet wit..."

Such a wonderful series. True comfort reads. You are reminding me that I need to get back to Mma Ramotswe.

Karol wrote: "Hi, Ioana and Michelle! I have read 4 books by Daphne du Maurier: Rebecca, Jamaica Inn, My Cousin Rachel, and The House on the Strand..."

Thanks Karol! I have actually read the same four du Maurier books and mostly agree with your assessment. Although, I found Jamaica Inn to be good but I did not like My Cousin Rachel much at all. I think we both agree that Rebecca is by far the best. Unfortunately that really doesn’t help Ioana at all. They all had great writing and great atmosphere. If you are looking for a moody gothic read, I don’t think you could go wrong with any of them. Again not very helpful we’re going to need more Goodread friends to help us settle this one.

I love that you're getting back to nonfiction Ioana. You always put so many good ones on my radar, and I know if you don't like one, I probably shouldn't bother. I'm glad you enjoyed The Anxious Generation. I did too. You are right on the nose when you say the author gave a great analysis of the situation. I felt like his solutions, though, were impractical, and that's where he lost me. Also, what about the anxious generation that we have already created?

I enjoyed reading your review of Kissing Girls on Shabbat. I saw that one in the bookstore recently, and I was intrigued but cautious. With 4 stars from Ioana, it probably needs to go on the TBR.

I'm not sure I can advise you on what du Maurier to try next Ioana. I loved Rebecca but the others I have read were just so-so for me. Maybe someone else will weigh in on this one.

Linda wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I just finished Pinkalicious byVictoria Kann. That’s right Pinkalicious is a banned book. Banned from the shelves of s..."

It is crazy. The TV show is based on a book series. Google the author's response to the ban. She made some very good points.

You're doing great Bonnie! Congrats!

Alondra wrote: "Michelle wrote: "People do seem to have strong feelings about it Alondra. I was taken to task on another thread for saying it wasn't a good audiobook. I'm standing by that though. The story was wel..."

I hope you have an entirely different experience with it than I did Alondra. I'm looking forward to hearing what you think.

Alondra wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I read recently that a bill has been proposed in Texas that would hold bookstores liable for selling a book that a minor or their parents claimed was psychologically damaging to th..."

It really is getting ridiculous isn't it. I am starting to visualize myself a few years in the future - a rebel granny risking jail by trying to smuggle Pinkalicious to some Kindergarteners.

Lillie wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Same. Disappointing considering how great the first one was. Sometimes there just doesn't need to be a sequel. "

This exactly!

I think what I'm learning from this challenge is th..."


It's definitely OK!

If you have the willpower to resist.

Lillie wrote: "9. Ready Player Two 2.5*
Ready Player One #2
As I stated above, this one turned into a slog for me. Started off with an interesting premise and..."

Same. Disappointing considering how great the first one was. Sometimes there just doesn't need to be a sequel.

Alissa wrote: "Completed Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah



4 STARS
Book

This book was so brutal. Definitely reminded..."


Glad you enjoyed Chain Gang Alissa. It was pretty harsh but an interesting storyline.

Alissa wrote: "The reasons some books are banned (honestly ANY reason) are ridiculous, but this one???? good grief.
My kids loved these books"

Since my family is only boys, I had never read these Alissa but it was such a good book. Great for kids! I realized after reading it that although we don't read it to my grandson he has definitely encountered it at day care. "You get what you get and you don't get upset" is one of his favorite sayings. Which says to me that this book is a good teaching book for kids. Sadly it is only one of dozens like it banned in Wilson County school libraries. I hope these children have free access to books from other sources.

You get what you get and you don't get upset.”
― Victoria Kann, Pinkalicious

68 books
5232 pages

54 audiobooks
14 print


#66. Among the Bros: A Fraternity Crime Story. Shocking true crime tale of murder and drug trafficking among frat boys. This went way beyond hazing and partying. It was a compelling story but I thought the author could have structured everything better. Also because he frequently referenced his own fraternity days, it felt like he was diminishing these crimes. 3 no boys will be boys for this one please stars. Nonfiction-True Crime.

#67. How to End a Love Story. I really enjoyed this improbable, bittersweet romance which began with a funeral and somehow delivered a happy ending. 4 tearjerker, frenemies, bookish ingenue stars. Fiction-Romance.

#68. Pinkalicious. This fun little book about a little girl who over-indulges in pink cupcakes is a part of my banned books challenge. I loved it and thought it was not only totally appropriate for children but carried several good lessons for them in its pages. 5 aren’t there enough real things out there to worry about protecting children from stars. Children’s-Banned.

Currently:

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell A meandering fantasy so far.
The Wild Robot Escapes Moving slowly but still fun.
Edna St. Vincent Millay: Selected Poems: Back from the library so I can finish poetry month. Better late than never.
The SpellshopLoving this one.

By 2013, the fraternity lifestyle website Total Frat Move wrote, “Greek life today makes Animal House look like a Pixar movie.”
― Max Marshall, Among the Bros: A Fraternity Crime Story

Loving him is poetry, and she thinks she’ll try her hand at that too”
― Yulin Kuang, How to End a Love Story

I read this some time ago but enjoyed it. I hope to check back in once the discussion gets started.

I just finished Pinkalicious byVictoria Kann. That’s right Pinkalicious is a banned book. Banned from the shelves of school libraries in Wilson County, Tennessee along with nearly 400 other books.

In the pink with Pinkalicious by Victoria Kann.

In spite of her parents warnings Pinkalicious eats too many pink cupcakes and wakes up the next day entirely pink. She finds even her pigtails have become pinktails. Her mother takes her to the doctor who prescribes eating nothing but green things for a week.

This is an incredibly cute book which reminds kids not to be greedy, to listen to their parents, and to eat healthy. What on earth are we banning it for? After some googling it seems that this is another children's classic that has fallen to the nudity ban. There is an illustration of Pinkalicious in her underwear waking up to find that she has turned completely pink. The author posted on her instagram account that this illustration was not meant to be suggestive in anyway but instead is meant to illustrate Pinkalicious’ joy at waking up pink. I really don’t know what to say. I’ll let the author say it for me. This quote is from Victoria Kann in an article in which she responds to the Tennessee ban: “Pinkalicious is about loving yourself for who you are. Every message that I write is to help educate children. These are messages that kids need to hear, and it needs to be told in a funny way. The other thing that’s really interesting is that a lot of people don’t understand what a book ban is. There were comments in which people said that it’s not actually banned because you can still buy the book, but that’s not the point. The point is that, if it’s taken off a shelf in a school system, then it is banned. The point is free access. Children need to have free access to books in school libraries and public libraries”. Also “ There are so many households where children don’t have books. Literacy is a huge problem in this country. It’s really important to make sure children have books that they can read and that they love to read.”

5 who’s spending all this time inflicting their own dark thoughts on innocent children’s books stars.

Quotable:

You get what you get and you don't get upset.”
― Victoria Kann, Pinkalicious

I cried because I was so beautiful.”
― Victoria Kann, Pinkalicious