MamaLovesBooks
Multnomah County Library
MamaLovesBooks's Completed Shelf
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The Mysterious Benedict SocietyThe Mysterious Benedict Society, Book
by Stewart, Trenton LeeBook - 2007Book, 2007
Added Nov 10, 2021
Added Nov 10, 2021
Added Nov 10, 2021
Fire Shut up in My BonesFire Shut up in My Bones, BookA Memoir
by Blow, Charles M.Book - 2014Book, 2014
Added Nov 10, 2021
Added Nov 10, 2021
The Mystery of Mrs. ChristieThe Mystery of Mrs. Christie, eBookA Novel
by Benedict, MarieeBook - 2020eBook, 2020
Added Sep 10, 2021
Being MortalBeing Mortal, BookMedicine and What Matters in the End
by Gawande, AtulBook - 2014Book, 2014
Added Aug 13, 2020
MamaLovesBooks's rating:
Added Feb 03, 2020
Added Feb 03, 2020
Added Feb 03, 2020
MamaLovesBooks's rating:
Added Sep 16, 2019
Added May 21, 2019
Comment:
Not a true sci-fi, more realistic fiction - not too far off from the communities today that are susceptible to measles. We read this in my book club and everyone enjoyed it - though we all thought the ending fizzled out. A true sci-fi book would have had an X-Files ending..., no? The character development, and the characters themselves were interesting and well thought out. I especially enjoyed the story-lines of the conspiracy-theorist father and his two young survivalist daughters as well as the pair of college students who took it upon themselves to try to help their community. Overall a great read that at times will suck you in, and others will give you a moment to pause in wonder.Not a true sci-fi, more realistic fiction - not too far off from the communities today that are susceptible to measles. We read this in my book club and everyone enjoyed it - though we all thought the ending fizzled out. A true sci-fi book would…
PurePure, BookInside the Evangelical Movement That Shamed A Generation of Young Women and How I Broke Free
by Klein, Linda KayBook - 2018Book, 2018
MamaLovesBooks's rating:
Added Nov 26, 2018
Comment:
I picked this book up because my sister, and now my nieces, are living within the culture described in this book. It made my heart hurt for them, and for the women brave enough to share their stories and others around me silently living with similar histories. I longed to read a memoir, rather than several shorter accounts in this book. I want to learn more about these women, who in their teens and twenties (and beyond) struggle with feelings of shame for having bodies, hormones, and feelings that come naturally to anyone. In many ways, they are like LGBTQ+ , culturally pushed into feelings of shame for who they naturally are. I was left with a little more hope in the end, but also with the impression that like these women will suffer from PTSD for a very, very long time, even if/when they get help.
This is by no means an uplifting book, but it helped me understand and empathize.I picked this book up because my sister, and now my nieces, are living within the culture described in this book. It made my heart hurt for them, and for the women brave enough to share their stories and others around me silently living with…
A Whole New MindA Whole New Mind, BookMoving From the Information Age to the Conceptual Age
by Pink, Daniel H.Book - 2005Book, 2005
MamaLovesBooks's rating:
Added Nov 26, 2018
Comment:
After 13+ years, this book is a little outdated. There are some comments and references that show their age, but I still got a lot out of this book. It came recommended by my company's CIO just this year, and that was enough of a recommendation for me to read it. There are recommendations at the end of each chapter, and while there are probably 2 (out of dozens) I might do, I'm still glad I read this book. You can read it in short spurts, pick it up, put it down again, repeat. Overall, good, but losing its luster as its general concepts still ring true, but most of the anecdotes and references are old and stale.After 13+ years, this book is a little outdated. There are some comments and references that show their age, but I still got a lot out of this book. It came recommended by my company's CIO just this year, and that was enough of a recommendation…
Added Dec 18, 2017
MamaLovesBooks's rating:
Added Dec 18, 2017
Comment:
Hard to put down, since several of the chapters end on cliff-hangers and make you read into the next chapter to see what the heck just happened. Lots of characters to keep straight, so a few times I had to jump back and remember who someone was, relative to the story and the various small towns involved. I was also pleasantly surprised and moved by the pro-refugee sub-theme (many pro-humanitarian comments and sentiments between the 3 main characters). Overall, a good read. Lots of hints dropped along the way, as well as a lot of foreshadowing (storms and vultures).Hard to put down, since several of the chapters end on cliff-hangers and make you read into the next chapter to see what the heck just happened. Lots of characters to keep straight, so a few times I had to jump back and remember who someone was,…
MamaLovesBooks's rating:
Added Nov 29, 2017
Comment:
This is a haunting book - recommended if you are looking for something serious and disturbing. It was easy to feel lonely, sad, and confused all at the same time while reading it. I picked up this book knowing nothing about the plot - I thought it would be about someone who lives in the woods with wolves (this book has nothing to do with wolves). I didn't see it heading the direction it did (I try to avoid books with kids dying in them). It is beautifully written in many parts. The subplot with Lily and the teacher wasn't necessary, in my opinion. I'd like to read the author's next book.This is a haunting book - recommended if you are looking for something serious and disturbing. It was easy to feel lonely, sad, and confused all at the same time while reading it. I picked up this book knowing nothing about the plot - I thought it…
Added Nov 29, 2017
MamaLovesBooks's rating:
Added Nov 29, 2017
Comment:
Not the most believable story, but a good plot that keeps the pages turning. There was no real "ah ha" moment, since the mystery wasn't laid out very well. A decent read you can do in a weekend.
**Spoiler alert**
I kept hoping for a true climax or a twist at the end and instead, it fizzled out with a few sad moments toward the end. Not a happily-ever-after story, by any means.Not the most believable story, but a good plot that keeps the pages turning. There was no real "ah ha" moment, since the mystery wasn't laid out very well. A decent read you can do in a weekend.
**Spoiler alert**
I kept hoping for a true climax…
MamaLovesBooks's rating:
Added Nov 10, 2017
Super Sad True Love StorySuper Sad True Love Story, BookA Novel
by Shteyngart, GaryBook - 2010Book, 2010
MamaLovesBooks's rating:
Added Nov 10, 2017
MamaLovesBooks's rating:
Added Nov 10, 2017
MamaLovesBooks's rating:
Added Nov 08, 2017
Comment:
This was a great novel - the characters were cleverly devise and described, the plot developed well, and everything came together in the end. As an Oregonian who has been to all the locations in the story, I was impressed that the author nailed them all in her descriptions, from flora/fauna, to geology and terrain, to weather and culture (I've known men like "Bear"). I'd give the mystery itself a B+, since there were some overly obvious hints but also nuances that unsuspectedly turned out to be integral parts of the climax. I'd recommend this book to anyone I know, but highly recommend it to anyone who has lived here in the Pacific Northwest.This was a great novel - the characters were cleverly devise and described, the plot developed well, and everything came together in the end. As an Oregonian who has been to all the locations in the story, I was impressed that the author nailed…
MamaLovesBooks's rating:
Added Aug 16, 2017
Comment:
I'm pretty sure they were in Costa Rica. A gripping, better-than-average thriller. I read this book into the early hours of the morning to finish it. I needed to know what happened. The author tied up all the loose ends, it's not a happily-ever-after ending, either. One of my favorite books of the summer, not for its eloquent language, but for its thick plot and the fact that it kept me hooked until the end.I'm pretty sure they were in Costa Rica. A gripping, better-than-average thriller. I read this book into the early hours of the morning to finish it. I needed to know what happened. The author tied up all the loose ends, it's not a…
Hillbilly ElegyHillbilly Elegy, BookA Memoir of A Family and Culture in Crisis
by Vance, J. D.Book - 2016Book, 2016
Added Aug 16, 2017
Comment:
This book was hard to put down. JD's insights into the Appalachian people and culture were thoughtful and thought-provoking. I think about that part of the country a little differently now, thanks to his anecdotes and analysis. I'd love to read a memoir he writes 10 years from now, when he is further removed in age and distance, and perhaps has kids of his own. Overall, a great read.This book was hard to put down. JD's insights into the Appalachian people and culture were thoughtful and thought-provoking. I think about that part of the country a little differently now, thanks to his anecdotes and analysis. I'd love to read a…
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