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.

Senior Season by Tom Perrotta

Synopsis:

A glimpse into parallel lives in a suburban town Tom Perrotta has made recognizably his in novels like ELECTION, LITTLE CHILDREN and this fall’s THE LEFTOVERS.  Clay wouldn’t have said his life was defined by his place on the high school football team’s roster, but when he’s sidelined by injury, everything, including his sense of self, seems different.  And it’s not just that his concussion was bad enough to cause his parents and doctors to worry, to make him have trouble concentrating.  It’s that he’s seeing the previously familiar people in his world—from his girlfriend Megan to his geriatric neighbor Mrs. Scotto—from a new perspective.  Perrotta’s warmth and ability to describe the dramatic moments in the average lives of characters of every age are perfectly presented in “Senior Season”, a story that will add a layer to fans’ pleasure in this author’s themes and concerns. This e-book also includes an excerpt of THE LEFTOVERS.

Rating:★★★★★

Review:

For some odd reason, that I can't put my finger on, I've been really craving short stories or anthologies lately and this has put a real dent in my hunger. I honestly could not think of reason to give this book anything less than 5 stars. 

In my opinion, this did everything a short story was supposed to do. It gave the right amount of insight into the current situation, it had the right amount of drama and character relatability, and it ended off leaving you with just the right amount of wonder, but not confusion that some short stories leave you hanging onto. Long story short, it just had the right amount of everything!

I also really loved the excerpt of The Leftovers! It really makes you think deeper into the rapture, what it may mean, and who it will include; Or if the rapture didn't happen in this town, what really happened to all of the people that just vanished into thin air?

It goes without question that I definitely recommend this for anyone looking for a quick, light read or to anyone in general. I just loved this book all around and I'm excited to read the full version of The Leftovers. 

October 3-in-1

The topic for October's 3-in-1 is Haunted House: your favorite paranormal, horror, or scary books. The 3 in 1 series was started in a Goodreads group called Booktubers from around the world created by Cherrie Walker.


Booktubers From Around The World ⇨ https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/195015-booktubers-from-around-the-world

1. Wytches by Scott Snyder


   Wytches is an amazing horror graphic novel that I had the pleasure of reading for my very first graphic novel. For those that may not be into large novels, a comic or a graphic novel is usually the best way to go and this one will knock your socks off. The graphics are amazing and the story line is actually really good which I did not expect for a graphic novel, and the plot twist blew me away. 

2. The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allen Poe


   Every Halloween season I usually read a poem or a story from Edgar Allen Poe every day because they are spectacularly spooky. It's something quick and simple to read if you don't have much time to read and you can't really go wrong with Poe.

3. Tales from the Graveyard: The complete collection by Susan Shultz


   I read this two years ago and I loved every second of it! This a collection of four very grossly gruesome stories that all tie in together. This is perfect for Halloween in every way especially if you want some creepy bloody tales this season.

Dead Pool Vol. 1: Secret Invasion by: Daniel Way, Steve Dillon, Paco Medina

Synopsis:

Collects DEADPOOL (2008) #1-5.The Skrulls are here and everything’s gone topsy-turvy but, in Deadpool’s world, that just means it’s Monday! Like it or not, Deadpool may be the only person on the planet who can save us…but who’s to say he wants to?

Rating:★★★★

Review:

This was so enjoyable! The graphics were really good, it had it's giggle moments, and it had so many different scenarios for Dead Pool to take part in, it was just amazing. My favorite part of this graphic novel had to be the Zombie scenario because let's be honest, we all think about how the zombie apocalypse could come about.

I love that Dead Pool lives the "payback-is-a-bitch" way of life, which is when most of the giggle moments happened. He's just one of those relatable heroes the doesn't ignore the fact that he still has to do things the way of the world, like pay bills, even though he has superhuman abilities.


 I felt so much more relaxed and laid back reading this versus other superhero comics. It just wasn't as intense and serious following Dead Pool unlike other heroes which is what makes this particular hero more enjoyable to follow on a day-to-day basis. READ IT!

Strangers at a Funeral by: P.T. Phronk

Synopsis:

Brandon notices them at his grandpa’s funeral first: a pair of men in sunglasses who nobody seems to know. They’re not family, they're not friends, they’re just … there. No big deal, until they show up again at the next funeral. Drawn into a world of funeral selfies and burial crashers, Brandon needs to know what these strangers want from the dead. 

Only problem is, nobody gives a crap except him, and his school frowns upon skipping classes to watch people get buried. His sanity can’t take many more funerals, and those bulges under the strangers’ coats probably aren’t concealing anything pleasant.

Rating:★★

Review:

For a short story it actually had a nice plot tempo going on throughout the book but I don't know if maybe I shouldn't have read this while I was tired but I think the ending completely went over my head. This definitely makes me want to scan the crowd at any funerals I go to now but I'm just not sure what was going on at the end. I feel like the ending got really shaken up and so much was going on I don't feel like I got a clear enough explanation for what was really happening. Of course I can always make my own speculations but they may be far from what the author was trying to say. 

So to wrap this up, I wouldn't put this in the horror category but it does tingle your paranoia, the ending definitely needs some cleaning up in my opinion, and I wouldn't recommend this because it can get pretty confusing since the conclusion is unclear.