Svetlana's Reads and Views

 Name of Book: Author: ISBN: Publisher: Part of a Series: Type of book: Dark, romance, fantasy, romantasy, immigrant narrative, foreigner narrative, female to male trans character, LGBtQ+ romances, immortality, blood, cutting, vampires, gothic  Year it was published: Summary: Characters: Main characters are Shan and Samuel, although I would argue that Isaac should also have been one of the main characters as well. Shan is a half foreigner and comes from a disgraced bloodline and also has an Unblooded twin brother. She is the leader and seems to have strong yet fragile self control in trying to hold on to so many elements in her life, from her family life to her work life. She is highly ambitious and determined to reach her goals, no matter the cost she will incur from her actions. Samuel is an Unblooded human who seems to be extremely naïve and due to a mysterious power he has, he is hesitant and afraid of letting other people enter his heart. He seems to be a complete foil to...

  Title of the book: Author: Publisher: Publishing Date: ISBN: Summary: Author Info: Personal Opinion: Before I begin the review, I need to ask myself what I was expecting from the book? I was fortunate that in the past I read nonfiction fiction that are very entertaining, valuable and makes it easy for lay reader to explore themes and ideas within the pages, thus I was expecting lively writing and stories on how things are related to one another as well as background on different animals. While I got that, most of the focus was on creating the ideal tree of life, and avoiding common pitfalls which seemed a lot like a textbook and took some charm away. The second half, when the author traces human's family tree all the way to LUCA (Last Unknown Common Ancestor) was definitely entertaining for me. I liked learning different facets of biological history and how loosely we are related to others, but I did feel that focusing on the tree of life detracted a bit from that.  This was...

  Title of the book: Author: Publisher: Publishing Date: ISBN: Summary: Author Info: Personal Opinion: If it was up to me, I would personally buy and mail this book to people I know because its just that good. For the curious reader its not a progressive book that ignores or dehumanizes those of European origins that also uses the words "white privilege" but instead it calls upon poor people no matter race or religion or creed and gives us hope and an action plan to follow and unspools from our eyes the ugliness that has been fed to us for centuries. The chapters are extremely well researched that are dotted with difficult lessons as well as anecdotes and more than anything its a unifying book rather than divisive one, and both sides of the parties are called out for failure. I definitely dream that the author's words will one day be put into action instead of just being on paper.  This was given for review 5 out of 5 (0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia ...

  Title of the book: Author: Publisher: Publishing Date: ISBN: Summary: Author Info: Personal Opinion: I don't know how to start this review, besides the fact I loved the book to pieces (my 9 year old son who has a Chinese heritage also loved listening to the summaries) but I think I will start with my own anecdote.  Not far from where I live is a historical farm that I visit once a year or so and right across from the historical buildings is a road with modern day cars driving through as well as numerous shops.  First time I saw it, there is something poignant in seeing modern day when one is on historical grounds, and that moment continues to haunt me still. While intimate with anecdotes about various villagers that lived and made their homes within the village, there is the same emotion of poignancy watching progress and seeing the community begin to disappear. The past doesn't appear with rose colored glasses in THE ARTISANS, but knowing the progress and the future do...

  Title of the book: Author: Publisher: Publishing Date: ISBN: Summary: Table of Contents: Introduction Part I:Slavery and Antislavery The Rise and Fall of American Slavery 2011 The Slave Ship 2008 American Slavery: The First Two Centuries 1999 The Line 2024 Washington and Slavery 2019 Inside the Largest Slave Auction 2018 Israel Hill 2004 States Rights and Fugitive Slaves 2015 Lincoln and Brown 2020 Lincoln and Douglass 2007 Part II: The Civil War and Reconstruction Death and Meaning in the Civil War 2008 The Civil War in "post Racial" America 2011 The Emancipation of Abraham Lincoln 2012 On Jefferson Davis 2000 The Making and the Breaking of the legend of Robert E Lee 2017 Longstreet 2023 The War within the confederacy 2010 Why Reconstruction matters 2015 Donald Trump's Unconstitutional Dreams 2018 We should embrace the ambiguity of the 14th amendment 2018 Boston's Black activists 2012 Colfax 2008 When the court chooses the president 2004 Part III: Jim Crow America ...

  Title of the book: Author: Publisher: Publishing Date: ISBN: Summary: Author Info: Personal Opinion: Although I know its for adults, I read it to mine 9 year old son who loves science. There are a few situations that I didn't feel comfortable about, namely the Zyklon B or the abortifacient that was used by Indigenous women as well as the intimacy, (Am not blaming the author nor the book) but aside from that, I would imagine any curious middle grade to preteen child will enjoy learning about insects as well as the power they have had over humanity. Having said that, I also enjoyed the read because of the amazing amount of knowledge that's packed into the pages. The story begins with the history of insects, narrated by a woman to her younger brother. In a short time the phone beeps and we move on to a New York without humanity where the insects travel to the library to explore more about themselves. (My son had two important questions: "What happened to the humans", a...