Review

Audiobook Review: We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix
In the 1990s, heavy metal band Dürt Würk was poised for breakout success -- but then lead singer Terry Hunt embarked on a solo career and rocketed to stardom as Koffin, leaving his fellow bandmates to rot in rural Pennsylvania. Two decades later, former guitarist Kris Pulaski works as the night manager of a Best Western - she's tired, broke, and unhappy. Everything changes when she discovers a shocking secret from her heavy metal past: Turns out that Terry's meteoric rise to success may have come at the price of Kris's very soul. This revelation prompts Kris to hit the road, reunite with the rest of her bandmates, and confront the man who ruined her life. It's a journey that will take her from the Pennsylvania rust belt to a Satanic rehab center and finally to a Las Vegas music festival that's darker than any Mordor Tolkien could imagine. A furious power ballad about never giving up, even in the face of overwhelming odds, We Sold Our Souls is an epic journey into the heart of a conspiracy-crazed, paranoid country that seems to have lost its very soul...where only a girl with a guitar can save us all.
By Marie Sinadjan2 years ago in BookClub
Book Review: Wolfsbane by Franklyn S. Newton
One cold winters' eve a bookish witch is closing her apothecary, when a dashing lycanthrope pack leader knocks on the door, looking to speak to her. But as the moon rises, their meeting takes a turn that requires her magical expertise.
By Marie Sinadjan2 years ago in BookClub
"The Inside Scoop: Must-Read Political Memoirs Offering Exclusive Insights"
1. "This Is What America Looks Like: My Journey from Refugee to Congresswoman" by Ilhan Omar is a compelling memoir that traces the remarkable journey of the author from her tumultuous childhood in Somalia to her historic election to the United States Congress. At the tender age of eight, Omar's family fled war-torn Somalia, seeking refuge in Kenya before eventually resettling in Arlington, Virginia. Amidst the challenges of displacement and adaptation to a new country, Omar's memoir vividly recounts her experiences of overcoming adversity and forging her path to success.
By Akale Mandundu2 years ago in BookClub
All About Publishers and Suppliers
The publisher will publish your work — they will edit and print (and do more, of course). The printed book arrives at the bookstore by its courier. Publishers need distributors and vice versa. They complete each other’s work.
By Tanvi Punia2 years ago in BookClub
"The Inside Scoop: Must-Read Political Memoirs Offering Exclusive Insights Part IV"
1. "Any Given Tuesday: A Political Love Story" by Lis Smith offers readers a captivating glimpse into the high-stakes world of Democratic politics through the eyes of a seasoned political operative. Best known for her work on Pete Buttigieg's campaign, Smith provides an honest and unflinching portrayal of her experiences advising high-profile politicians, offering readers an insider's perspective on the inner workings of American politics.
By Akale Mandundu2 years ago in BookClub
"The Inside Scoop: Must-Read Political Memoirs Offering Exclusive Insights Part III"
1. "The Forerunner: A Story of Pain and Perseverance in America" by Cori Bush offers readers a compelling and deeply personal account of the author's journey from grassroots activism to political leadership. As the first Black woman to represent her state in Congress, Bush's memoir traces her remarkable path from the front lines of the protest for Black lives in Ferguson to the corridors of power in Washington, D.C.
By Akale Mandundu2 years ago in BookClub
"The Inside Scoop: Must-Read Political Memoirs Offering Exclusive Insights Part II"
1. "From the Hood to the Holler: A Story of Separate Worlds, Shared Dreams, and the Fight for America’s Future" by Charles Booker is a poignant memoir that offers a deeply personal account of the author's journey from poverty and adversity to political leadership and activism. As a Kentucky State Representative, Booker reflects on his humble beginnings in one of the poorest neighborhoods in the state and the challenges he faced growing up in a family with few material comforts.
By Akale Mandundu2 years ago in BookClub
"Embrace the Pause: Books to Help You Reconsider the Grind and Prioritize Balance III"
1. "Pause, Rest, Be: Stillness Practices for Courage in Times of Change" by Octavia F. Raheem offers a profound exploration of the transformative power of stillness and restorative yoga practices in navigating life's inevitable changes and challenges. Drawing from her extensive experience as a yoga teacher and practitioner, Raheem guides readers on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, inviting them to embrace moments of pause and reflection as opportunities for growth and renewal.
By Akale Mandundu2 years ago in BookClub
OTHELLO
Othello is undoubtedly a brilliant piece of literature and theatre; it’s a riveting story about the worst parts of human nature that culminate in a satisfyingly tragic conclusion. And Iago is undeniably a brilliant character; his master class in manipulation is mesmerizing to watch. But it was also a particularly interesting play to read amidst the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, as discussions about Black representation in the media are currently in our cultural foreground.
By Catherine Nyomenda2 years ago in BookClub
“The Common Good” and Necessarily Lukewarm Left-Politics
Robert Reich’s The Common Good is a good book, and a great book to recommend. It’s nothing revolutionary itself, but for someone who’s attached to some big names in politics (Presidents Clinton, Ford, and Carter), he’s surprisingly more left than center-left. I first noticed him from his Netflix documentary Saving Capitalism, named after his book of the same name. It was a bipartisanish approach at exposing lobbying. It looked at a real problem both sides should be able to agree on, and said, “Shouldn’t something be done about this?’
By R.J. Sikes2 years ago in BookClub
"Embrace the Pause: Books to Help You Reconsider the Grind and Prioritize Balance Part II"
1. "Better Living Through Birding: Notes from a Black Man in the Natural World" by Christian Cooper offers readers a refreshing and deeply personal exploration of the joys of birding and the profound connection between nature and self-discovery. While Cooper may be known for a viral moment that thrust him into the public eye, his memoir transcends this singular event, delving into his life story and personal philosophy with remarkable depth and insight.
By Akale Mandundu2 years ago in BookClub
[Book Review] "The Rise of Kyoshi" by F.C. Yee (with Michael Dante DiMartino)
SYNOPSIS: The longest-living Avatar in this beloved world’s history, Avatar Kyoshi established the brave and respected Kyoshi Warriors, but she also founded the secretive Dai Li, which led to the corruption, decline, and fall of her own nation. The first of two novels based on Avatar Kyoshi in the Chronicles of the Avatar series, The Rise of Kyoshi maps her journey from a girl of humble origins to the merciless pursuer of justice who is still feared and admired centuries after she became the Avatar.
By Meg Ilsley2 years ago in BookClub