I missed last week, so let’s do a little catch up, shall we?
Since my last post, I read:
Destiny’s Embrace by Beverly Jenkins
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
I don’t typically read traditional romance stories, but this one seemed to check all the boxes pretty well. I was more intrigued by the character of Alanza than Mariah, but it was fun reading about life on a ranch and all of the other fun historical tidbits that you get from historical fiction.
Read Harder 2016: Read a book of historical fiction set before 1900
Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology by Leah Remini
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Okay, so I listened to this on audio, which I think made it just that much more amazing.
Leah is a complete badass and spills ALL THE TEA. All of it. Every last drop. My girl names names and everything. ALL OF THE NAMES.
I love this book. Love, love, love. Remini is fierce and funny and also a little hood, which I completely appreciated.
Read Harder 2016: Read a book about religion (fiction or nonfiction)
I also went to see:
Zootopia! I don’t make it to the movies often, but my daughter’s birthday was Wednesday, and she really wanted to see Zootopia, so off we went. It was a lot of fun and also a really practical look at how structural racism and sexism (and other forms of discrimination work). Allegory, yay! Anyway, my daughter liked it so much that she has already seen it again, so I can highly recommend it.
As of today, I’m reading:
I’m still making my way through Something Wicked by Alan Gratz. Poor Banks (Banquo), man.
I also started Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud, which is all about recognizing when it’s time to move on from situations in your life. I was introduced to the book through a small group study at my church, which I got a lot out of, so I figured I should probably read the book to get a little more understanding, so here we are. This article provides a little bit more info about the concepts covered in the book, if anyone is interested.
I’ve been reading House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones (the last book in the Howl’s Moving Castle trilogy) at work for the past week. I like the book well enough so far, but I legit keep forgetting about it until I get to work or unless I’m at work. So I guess this is the equivalent of a bathroom book in that way. We’ll see if it picks up. Or if I give up on it altogether. (I will probably finish it since I keep being amazed at how far into it I actually am. Maybe.)
Happy reading this week, everyone!
The Englishist 
I really was thinking about reading Troublemaker, but I’ve never been a huge Leah Remini fan, and didn’t know if she’d have much to say. But they’ve done amazing promo for her and her book, leading me to believe that there’s a bit more to her than I previously thought. Specifically as it relates to her scientology journey.
LikeLike
I am happy to hear Zootopia is good. I want to bring Madison (4) but she’s a rather sensitive girl – like she bawled in Home when it seemed like Boov had been smooshed. Loudly cried and yes we were in the theatre. We couldn’t watch How to Train Your Dragon because of the destroying of the city in the beginning. Frozen is the only movie she’s made it through really. How’s Zootopia on the non-saddening or frightening front?
LikeLike
My daughter cried at one part, and she’s 17, so if your daughter is really sensitive, that might make her cry, too.
LikeLike
I definitely want to see Zootopia, I’ve heard quite good things about it. Animation can be very powerful in that it gives filmmakers a unique opportunity to comment on the state of the world in a fresh new way. I’ll probably cry too, but that’s because I’m a total sap who even cries at credit card commercials (he used his credit card points to fly back to visit his grandma! sniff sniff sniff……)
LikeLike
Necessary Endings and House of Many Ways both look good.
ENJOY this week of reading.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My It’s Monday, What Are You Reading
LikeLike
I’m looking forward to seeing Zootopia! And I totally love it that it was your daughter’s choice for her birthday movie. I haven’t read anything by Diana Wynne Jones yet. It’s a book gap for sure. Someday…..
LikeLike
Ack! Howl’s Moving Castle is a trilogy?! I read it ages ago, but I know I never followed up with more books. I will have to plan for that this summer and read all three. Something to look forward to. 🙂
LikeLike
I LOOOOOVED Zootopia! My son saw it for the second time this past week, and I adored it. And, what’s even better, it opens up a lot of opportunity for discussion with him. Great stuff.
LikeLike