The Pocahontas-John Smith Story by: Pocahontas Wight Edmunds

Synopsis:

The Pocahontas-John Smith Story tells the story of the famous romance, written by a descendant of Pocahontas.

Rating:★

Review:

I'm sad to say that I am very disappointed in this book since I am one that is very interested in the real, non-Disney version, of Pocahontas. First, I think the introductory is completely unnecessary because it's only author explaining how she is a decedent of Pocahontas and where Pocahontas's final resting place may or may not be. I personally did not need to know all of that and it didn't contribute to the book at all.

The main reason I'm disappointed is because the book, in my opinion, is not at all about Pocahontas and John Smith's relationship with each other, give or take a couple pages. It's basically about how England came over and then quickly took over. 

The first half of the book is mostly about John Smith alone and how he was trying to rise up the chain of command even thought he was not very well liked among the other Englishmen, but he was tolerated because he had a way with the Indians that no one else could quite understand. I feel cheated because the only meeting we have with him and Pocahontas is when they first met and how she and other women put on a show for him and his men, which only lasted maybe 4 pages all together. One good thing I got out of this was that I did come to understand that John looked at Pocahontas as a little sister more than a love interest but she seemed to have a crush on him. So I got to define the relationship that Disney completely ransacked.

Then the second half is about this John Rolfe person and Pocahontas and how the got married and had children, which I knew nothing about.

The sentence structure is really bad and I usually don't pay attention to stuff like that, especially since I think this was converted from someone's actual journal, but it was just really hard to ignore here. And this reads almost exactly like someone's journal, copied and pasted, except a few things are changed around so it wouldn't be a complete train wreck but it's still pretty bad to read. I just wish it would have been edited better because if you don't pay close attention it will start to sound like gibberish.   

I think it goes without saying that I DO NOT recommend this to anyone, not even my worst enemy.

An Absent Mind by: Eric Rill

Synopsis:

An Absent Mind, a riveting new novel from Eric Rill, author of Pinnacle of Deceit and The Innocent Traitor, is about a race against time. The ticking time bomb is Saul Reimer's sanity. His Alzheimer's is going to be the catalyst that will either bring his family together or tear it apart. Although An Absent Mind depicts Saul's arduous struggle with Alzheimer's, it is equally a story about his relationship with his loved ones and their shared journey. 

Seventy-one, and a man used to controlling those around him, Saul finds himself helplessly slipping into the abyss in what he describes as his slow dance with death. As we listen in on his ramblings, humor, emotions, lucid moments, and confusion, we are also privy to the thoughts and feelings his family share with us-his wife, Monique, conflicted and depressed; caring, yet angry; his daughter, Florence, compassionate, worried about her father's health, yet proper and reserved; his son, Joey, self-centered and narcissistic, seemingly distant from his family's challenges. And Dr. Tremblay, Saul's Alzheimer's specialist, who provides the reader with facts and observations about this dreaded disease that imprisons more than 35 million people worldwide. 

We know from the beginning how it has to end for Saul, because no one has ever outsmarted Alzheimer's. But how will he navigate the meandering road that will eventually destroy his health and result in his death? And how will it affect those around him as they live with strain and guilt, while at the same time being forced to face their own demons? These questions are answered expertly by the author as he explores the conflicts that rise to the surface as the family deals with Saul's dementia. 

Eric Rill's novel is reminiscent of Lisa Genova's Still Alice, Nicholas Sparks The Notebook, and Alice Munro's Away From Her. Although a beautiful work of literary fiction, An Absent Mind will expose the reader to the reality of Alzheimer's.

Rating:★★★★

Review:

This novel really knows how to draw you in and it just captivates you. An Absent Mind is broken into 3 parts; The Discovery, Coping, & The Final Stop, which I really think helps make the plot seem faster paced. It is also told from multiple perspective of the family members involved, so you get the chance to see how Alzheimer's affects everyone involved and not just the patient. 

I felt really compassionate towards Saul in the beginning watching him go through all of his test and seeing how everyone changed their interactions with him. I felt like he was a part of my family and it hit home watching all of his mood swings and confused moments. But then we got to the one part that I absolutely hated which was the fact that I felt like we were supposed to ignore the fact that Saul was abusive towards Monique, his wife, way before the Alzheimer's. She literally said he pretty much bought her and she kind of learned to love him over time. He belittles her, he alienated her from her french speaking friends just because HE couldn't understand what they were saying, and he was overbearing and controlling. Plus he's a bit sexist in my opinion because he refused to allow her to get a college degree but has the nerve to treat her like she's stupid (mental & emotional abuse as clear as day). I went from being compassionate of Saul to hating him as a person because of how little he thought about his wife. I understand the disease is making him paranoid, angry, and confused but he didn't have to disrespect her the way he did. I'm wondering why did she stay married to him as long as she did, and as a matter of fact if he was like this in the beginning, why did she marry him at all?

I really liked how Eric Rill took the time to explain to his readers, that may not know exactly what Alzheimer's is, it's effects in a non-textbook way. I loved that the plot was fast paced and didn't drag on, even though it's not a long book anyways(276pgs). It made me feel like I was reading through this book super fast which really helped my reading-self-esteem.

I REALLY REALLY!!! recommend that people read this because this truly is an amazing book.

#NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women By: Lisa Charleyboy and Marybeth Leatherdale

Synopsis:

Whether looking back to a troubled past or welcoming a hopeful future, the powerful voices of Indigenous women across North America resound in this book. In the same style as the best-selling Dreaming in Indian, #NotYourPrincess presents an eclectic collection of poems, essays, interviews, and art that combine to express the experience of being a Native woman. Stories of abuse, humiliation, and stereotyping are countered by the voices of passionate women making themselves heard and demanding change. Sometimes angry, often reflective, but always strong, the women in this book will give teen readers insight into the lives of women who, for so long, have been virtually invisible.

Rating:★★★★★

Review:

I honestly did not plan on reading this in one sitting but shit happens. I wanted to read Dreaming In Indian but I'm having trouble finding it at my library which is how I bumped into this beauty. This was such a beautiful book and I don't mean just the words that I read. There were so many beautiful pictures and often whole pages that were designed with such talent, I was in awe. 

I feel like I learned so much and got the chance to know so many different people from reading this and that goes to show you just how personalized this book was. I loved that this was made from so many different formats. There was poetry, interview articles, personal background retellings, and some pages that even looked like comic strips.

 I just absolutely loved this 😍😍😍 and I recommend this for everyone to read because I think this was a really powerful read.