This is the history of American music from spiritual, to rhythm and blues to jazz. Basically everything that makes rock n roll what it is has roots toThis is the history of American music from spiritual, to rhythm and blues to jazz. Basically everything that makes rock n roll what it is has roots to African music. Unless it's Polka music. That all European.
Kwame has a little poem for each special bit of music in our past and he keeps building. He tucks in lyrics here and therre from the famous songs and by the time he gets to the modern era, we see Prince, Whitney and Michael show up. They are the giants that top the heap, standing on shoulders of their ancestors.
The artwork is amazing. It looks like acrylic or some other pain medium. The energy in the artwork really brings the poems to life. You can hear the music in the paint strokes. Very beautiful colors and details.
Anyone interested in a little music history in a fun poem format will love this. ...more
I've been really into this story from beginning. This is the first book I feel like this story is going on too long.
Still, some really big things happI've been really into this story from beginning. This is the first book I feel like this story is going on too long.
Still, some really big things happen. We get the backstory of Mo Ran and his life before he came to SiSheng peak. His childhood was terrible. He was an orphan and a beggar and the worst part is society thought that made him a curse, so people went out of their way to avoid him. Such a harsh society.
Once Mo Ran is taken in, he's treated poorly as well, starved and over worked. This society is so harsh. It's a real commentary on the society they live in. I guess every society can be harsh, ours certainly is.
This is getting really Xianxia. I've been reading a lot of it and watching it too. The whole point of Xianxia is to show that life is suffering, but I think it teaches the wrong thing. If you are a monster and strong, you can do anything you want and people will serve you. Yes, you will die a quick death by sword at the end, but life isn't that bad for you. Yet, if you are a good and honest person, there is no end to your suffering.
We see that here so well with Mo Ran. There are two of him, one from a parallel world. One of them is a tyrant monster who ruled the world. The other is kind and benevolent. Chu Wanning and Mo Ran both suffer over and over in new ways and justice always goes against them. Those weak in the middle always eat them alive.
I think the stories try and show how you must keep going in life, but what they are really showing is if you are good and upright, you will suffer endlessly. The people in the middle are under the boot of the tyrants, but they are ok with that as long as they have their wealth and they can have their boot stomping on the righteous. They love tearing the righteous apart.
We are into the real suffering of the novel. All these horrible deaths have gone down in Rufeng sect and other places, but something happens with Mo Ran and the courts are thee to deal out justice. How odd? Obviously, it's go to be a set-up and we later learn that it is.
We also begin to see more of Shi Mei and just how rotted and ugly he is inside. He's spent 20 years setting all this up. I don't understand why he hates Mo RAn so much. Mo Ran was good to him and treated him well. Why not pick someone else.
This eight fold flower you can plant in someone's heart is truly horrible. We begin to see just what Mo Ran has been suffering. He's been set up for two life-times. We also see the sacrifice that Chu Wanning has gone through to help him.
The suffering is really so overwhelming. I feel for Chu Wanning. He has all these people who literally give their lives to lust after him. Being desired is nice, but these people have taken it beyond extreme.
I'll be honest, I dread the next volume. Mo Ran is now just a normal person. He has little defense and few friends. His Chu Wanning is missing. He's been set up.
There are three volumes left. How can there be that much story left. It's starting to be too stretched out. I'm ready for this story to wrap itself up.
Still, the writing is amazing and I'm so lost in the story. Meatbun is an excellent storyteller. I'm just want to be released from all the pain and suffering. ...more
This is a story set to a poem. It's a Cento poem. I must have learned about them at school at one point, but it didn't stick, or it has faded and beenThis is a story set to a poem. It's a Cento poem. I must have learned about them at school at one point, but it didn't stick, or it has faded and been eroded away with time. Who knows, but it was new to me once again, reminding me of what I lost.
A cento poem is taking a line from different poems and making your own story. So each page is a line form a famous 19th century poet and some of them I did know. I was confused why they weren't going how I remembered. She uses Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost etc. All the poems have to do with forest, sort of, or just life. Some of the lines, the author made her own and this is now her poem. It works nicely.
A person is walking in a wood. It's such a lovely place for artwork. The artwork really shines here. They play with light and shadow and texture. So nice. The art was created with gouache. It's so reminiscent of a forest. I know want to go walk in one.
Kids into nature and poetry will enjoy this book....more
A very cute story. My puppy has been frustrating me and this book really lifted my mood.
It's about two kids who look different from each other, but thA very cute story. My puppy has been frustrating me and this book really lifted my mood.
It's about two kids who look different from each other, but they are two brothers who are very much alike. They even eaat too much Valentines chocolate together and puke over the rug together. That had me laughing.
They don't really look alike, but they are alike.
The artwork is digitally done. It's so much fun. It's mostly at a playground or a park. The two kids are cute as buttons. Why buttons are cute, I don't know, but you have to love their playful relationship. I was never this good to my brother growing up. I admit I was mostly annoyed by him. I see my niece and nephew are mostly the same as my brother and I were. I guess it's just hereditary.
Anyway, anyone up for a cute family story will love this. Now, I have to see if I can get my puppy to go back outside and poop. She only wants to poop inside and I admit, it's about to drive me crazy. She's in a cage until she poops outside. I might have to read another book if she doesn't....more
The story is told with a nice little poem. One each full page, there are facts given about the alpacas, story and facts.
Alpaca babies are called CriasThe story is told with a nice little poem. One each full page, there are facts given about the alpacas, story and facts.
Alpaca babies are called Crias. The story discusses alpaca life in the Andes and in the states on a farm.
The artwork is acrylic gouache. Oh my gosh, who isn't going to go gaga over this cute animals. The artwork makes you want to own one. In the story, we find out how much work they are to raise. Still, they are so cute. We need a petting farm so we can pet them.
Anyone who loves animals will enjoy this book....more
A nice telling of how the Velveteen Rabbit was written. It was published in 1922, so it's over 100 years old now and it's always been published. That'A nice telling of how the Velveteen Rabbit was written. It was published in 1922, so it's over 100 years old now and it's always been published. That's very impressive.
Our marketplace is so full of new stories and everyone wants the newest, I often wonder if all these old stories are falling by the wayside. We may be moving on from them. The thing is now, nothing sticks. There is so much that nothing is loved for decades at a time. Five years, our stories are long forgotten.
Anyway, we see Margery grow up in London and she was a very imaginative child. He father died and she got very sad. She moved to New York. She got married and lived in Paris until WWI and they moved away. She watch her own children play like she did. She was surrounded with toys and her story was born.
The artwork is lovely. I really enjoyed it. There is a warmth there The artwork is digital. I don't know, it just feels like the perfect idealized children, the way the art is rendered. The style also feels somewhat historical, like childhood.
Any child who loves the Velveteen Rabbit will love this book....more
This book was a welcome surprise. We see a boy who collects things like rocks and shells in his pocket. His family always has a reason for him not tooThis book was a welcome surprise. We see a boy who collects things like rocks and shells in his pocket. His family always has a reason for him not too, but each season he collects something.
We find out late that he uses them for Fairies. Rocks are chairs for fairies and shells are fences. Once the year is over, he takes his collection and makes them into thoughtful gifts for his family. If you look on the back of the book, there is a fairy, but you can't tell by the front of the cover. I love to be surprised with fairies in the story. Hurray.
The artwork was disappointing. The fairies looked bland and I don't know, artwork about nature was pretty bland. No my favorite. The artwork is: oilpaint, monoprint, watercolor, crayon, collage and photoshop.
Kids who love nature will love this and Fairies too....more
John loved to read. All he really wanted was a library card so he could read more. Maybe he wanted more than that, but something as simple as being alJohn loved to read. All he really wanted was a library card so he could read more. Maybe he wanted more than that, but something as simple as being allowed to check out books is the root of his life’s mission in this book. Who doesn’t love going to the library and being able to read so many different books. It’s the great American gift. Tihe library can be an equalizing tool.
Anyway, so the library would give him a card and he couldn’t check out books. This began John’s life of doing his part to change the world. This book only lightly touches on all the troubles he goes through. It’s mostly how he worked for change and after 42 years, he finally got his library card.
This man helped change America for the better. I was sad to see him go. Our politics missed someone like him.
The artwork is oil on canvas. It’s nice artwork. There is some struggle in it and a bit of justice.
Kids looking for real-life heroes and kids interested in civil rights will enjoy this book. ...more
We finally got Vol 10 of this high school and now college Japanese story. The two are so cute together. I’ve missed then and it was good to catch up wWe finally got Vol 10 of this high school and now college Japanese story. The two are so cute together. I’ve missed then and it was good to catch up with them. Miyano is in his senior year of high school while Sasaki is in his Freshman year in college. They still see each other.
Finally, in this volume, a few more people are beginning to know they are a couple. Sasaki’s mom figures it out even. We don’t really see much about it. The story goes very fast.
The back half of the story is Miyano being busy running the cultural festival. Sasaki comes to that and we see Hiryano there as well. There are some super sweet moments.
Sasaki is growing up and he even took out some earrings. The two are growing older and it seems like their relationship should grow as well. They only ever kiss and Miyano is still embarrassed doing that. It feels like their relationship is stalled out, I suppose.
This is not the end. There will be a volume 11, so I’ll read that too. ...more
A young girl knows both English and Spanish while her parents only know Spanish. It’s almost like a part-time job for the girl. She has to go to all tA young girl knows both English and Spanish while her parents only know Spanish. It’s almost like a part-time job for the girl. She has to go to all their appointments to translate for them so that she has no time to play and be a kid. I wonder why the parents don’t enroll in a English language learning class at night.
Eventually, the girl has a meltdown and her brother comes home to help out with things. The girl then has time to play soccer. I also don’t know why the girl dresses in men’s clothes to go to her job, but she wears a suit. Several strange choices, but it does show the spot kids of immigrants are put in.
I wanted to go to Japan for a few years. I was going to do a year in language school first so I could speak in the nation. I got scared and I think I’m too cowardly to do it. It would be an experience though.
The artwork is watercolor and ink. The artwork is very cute and adorable. It does the play between work and play really well. We can feel the child’s stress.
I think kids with immigrant parents will enjoy this ...more
A poem dedicated to the diversity of girls and how together we can rise up. This book is needed at this very time with such a repressionist governmentA poem dedicated to the diversity of girls and how together we can rise up. This book is needed at this very time with such a repressionist government attacking everyone. The poem is good and the sentiment is empowering. It’s nothing new either. If only we could stick together more.
The artwork is done digitally. There is plenty of diversity and different types of girls. Most likely a girl can find herself in her for certain. The artwork is fine.
Girls will enjoy this book. Together we rise. ...more
Here is a sweet and straight forward story about a girl and her birthmark. She calls the birthmark on her face Toto. Toto can really embarrass her. PeHere is a sweet and straight forward story about a girl and her birthmark. She calls the birthmark on her face Toto. Toto can really embarrass her. People stare at it and she doesn’t know what to do about it. This is just a day in the life of this girl.
She cutes her bangs to cover it before going to school. She meets a girl and they become best friends. While playing, Toto is exposed and the friend sees the birthmark. She loves it. She says, “Wow, you are so lucky. It means you get a second life.� I love that. What a wonderful thing to say.
The artwork is pencil and colored pencils. The details are so minute and defined. It’s very beautiful and simple, like the story.
Kids with birthmarks will love this story. It’s a story about being different. ...more
This story is speeding along and they skip over many details. They shorten scenes and drop dialogue. We see Wei Ying back at Lotus pier after defeatinThis story is speeding along and they skip over many details. They shorten scenes and drop dialogue. We see Wei Ying back at Lotus pier after defeating Xuanwu. All the Jiang Clan drama happens with his parents.
Then, bang, the Wen Clan invaded Lotus Pier and it’s all death and dying. Xie Jie isn’t even around anywhere. All this happens and then Cheng is rescued and taking to Wen Qing for healing.
Bang, they go see Baoshan Sanren and , Bang Wei Ying is kidnapped by the Wen Clan. They skip the beating and just dump him in the Yiling mounds.
Boom, now it’s three months later and Wei Ying is getting his ghostly revenge. I mean, this thing just zips through all of this. It’s disorienting how quickly it skips through time.
Bang, the flashback is over and Wen Chao is dead and Wei Ying is back at Gusu. They find the music that Meng Yao is using to curse Clan leader Nie. Here’s is something. IN the book Lan Xichen finally tells Wei Ying about Lan Zhan’s past and what he did for Wei Ying. He basically tells him, he loves Wei Ying. This skips it.
The volume ends with them stopping at a farmhouse.
I feel like this is combining the book material with the TV material. They are leaving out all the good moments between Lan Zhan and Wei Ying. I doubt they are going to do the extra chapters. Those are too graphic for this story.
I was hoping this would be the complete story. It looks to be abridged. Such a shame. ...more
The 2025 books are starting to trickle into the library and this is one of the earlier ones.
We meet Lily who is trying to learn to fly. Her mom helpsThe 2025 books are starting to trickle into the library and this is one of the earlier ones.
We meet Lily who is trying to learn to fly. Her mom helps her. While she is exploring, so finds that miniature magical room set up in a hollow tree. It’s amazing. There she meets a human. The girl likes setting up all these miniature things. The two become friends. The human even helps her learn to fly.
The artwork is digital and so beautiful. Everything is pretty and cute. The little things are cute and the fairies are so beautiful. Great artwork. She captures the nature merged with magic so well.
Any kid who loves fairies will love this story. The fairies are cute and the friendship between fairy and human is fantastic. ...more
A Young girl is an owl fanatic and she is dying to see one in person. She is dragging her mom around everywhere making detailed notes to try and see oA Young girl is an owl fanatic and she is dying to see one in person. She is dragging her mom around everywhere making detailed notes to try and see one. Her teacher tells them all the signs to look for and how difficult it will be. They list several species of owls to look for.
When I think of an owl sound, it’s always the movie track sound of an owl.
The artwork is lovely done in ink and watercolor and pencil. Very detailed work and they capture the beauty of an owl nicely. There is lots of snow while they are looking and the book does some fun things with their vapor breath we can see.
Any kind into birding will love this book. It can be sort of a slow story. ...more
This was a great read, but I've been very busy. I had Covid, I've gotten a new King Charles Cavalier puppy for Christmas and my brother went out of toThis was a great read, but I've been very busy. I had Covid, I've gotten a new King Charles Cavalier puppy for Christmas and my brother went out of town twice and I've had to watch his kids, so my reading time has been much much less.
I am into this story. There are fantasy elements, but this is more down to earth and about court intrigue. Our two characters are hiding their relationship with each other, but they have admitted to being there for each other. I don't think they pretend this isn't real any more.
A whole basket of worms was opened in this volume and there is so much that can happen in the future. I can't tell if Xiao and Shen want to rule Qudu, or find a rightful ruler. So much is going on and several people died. A lot happened in this volume. They spent the series in the capital so far and now we are somewhere else. I will miss the court intrigue, but I'm sure the story will stay strong. I look forward to what comes next.
I want to talk about some of the plot, so SPoilers ahead:
Spoilers:
There is regicide here. They kill the king and try and pin it on Xiao Chiye. It's so obvious that he didn't do it too. The corrupt nobles are going all out to get control back. Shen and Xiao have hit them hard and they are struggling, so the nobles went postal.
We find out a little more about what happened to Shen Zechuan's homeland and why it fell. It's not as simple as history makes it out to be. After the regicide, both Xiao and Shen flea the capital as wanted men. Shen was going to stay, but Xiao came back for him and took him away. Such romance. I loved that.
Xiao is finally going home. He can't wait, but now Qudu, the empire is going to come for Xiao's home. To get home they have to go through Cizhou. They don't want to be seen letting someone who killed the emperor through. So Xiao and Shen go to catch the local bandit that is assaulting the countryside around the city.
I love the ending. Xiao declares to the rulers of Cizhou that Shen will run his household and he want to concubines in his room, male or female. It's a declaration of their love. It was wonderful....more
Well, well, well. Here is another author with another great story. The first chapter gave me pause and once Hongjun gets to Chang'an, the story just fWell, well, well. Here is another author with another great story. The first chapter gave me pause and once Hongjun gets to Chang'an, the story just flies by.
This story is about the naive and innocent youth Hongjun and his hero's journey into the world away from his powerful father. He has lots of secrets we know nothing about. The other half of the story is about Li Qinglong, a very unlucky soldier and high born who has fallen low and everyone mocks. Everyone makes fun of him. He always does the right things and somehow it all comes out wrong.
They are going to the demon exorcising department to find demons and yao. We meet three other mysterious people with abilities to kill magical creatures. They are all interesting. They make for quite the motley and funny crew. I love the humor in this. It's so well done. The mystery is also captivating. We know there is more out there, but we have a little peak inside the conspiracy.
The story is all about Fox Yao. There is the scribe examination going on and then the pleasure houses as well.
The best parts are when something accicentally happens between Hongjun and Li Qinglong. Those are amazing moments to savor. By the end of the book everyone has the mistaken idea, or do they?
How many amazing authors does China have, my goodness? I mean, it makes sense. There are 1.4 billion people, so there, of course, are going to be a fair number who are naturally good storytellers. The depth of stories in china is amazing. It rivals the US for certain and I am on at the tip of the iceberg. I'm now a fan of Fei Tian Ye Xiang as well.
I think there are 6 volumes of this. I can't wait for the next one. This was so good....more
I love that Gu Yun was given this beautiful Jade flute as a gift and he loves to play it. The funny part is that he is terrible at it. Anytime that coI love that Gu Yun was given this beautiful Jade flute as a gift and he loves to play it. The funny part is that he is terrible at it. Anytime that comes out, every soldier around groans. Everyone dreads his dulcet tones. It only makes Gu Yun love playing it more.
This political Steampunk Fantasy thriller comes to an end. There sure is a lot of war in it. They are always at war and fighting it seems. The war gets old for me and get tire of them fighting.
The politics are all wrapped up, and the lovers finally have some time together. I was disappointed that the court never finds out about the couple. Really. People have spies everywhere. There should at least be a whole lot of gossip.
I read a list of the most popular Danmei and this story was number one. I liked the story, but it's not even my favorite Priest novel. There is too much war for me. I thought Guardian was better. The steampunk aspect was different and interesting, but it's all wrapped up in war and so it got old. I don't know that it added much to the story really.
I love the characters of Gu Yun and Chang Gang. Both of them work so well together and they are completely their own person. They have a great relationship, but they are separated much of the time. Priest is also very closed curtain. I mean she shares a few kisses with us, but she doesn't even give away the position they take in the bedroom. It's very chaste.
I did enjoy this story and I plan on reading the whole thing through again one day. It like to read it as one story. It will be nice to see how it flows.
I want to read a whole lot more Priest. She is still a great writer. This was a fun read and I was really rooting for this couple. I just love Chang Geng. Every time he was on the page, I was all into his story....more
This is the best book so far. I mean, it is the climax of the story, the only problem is Seven Seas is putting the final eight chapters in the last voThis is the best book so far. I mean, it is the climax of the story, the only problem is Seven Seas is putting the final eight chapters in the last volume. They are really milking their customers for money on this.
It shouldn't be like this, but this is a real cliff hanger. Everything goes to hell in this volume and all the secrets from the whole story are coming out. Just secret after secret. The last two hundred pages is like the scooby-doo ending when they unmask the villain. It's just one secret after another. I couldn't put it down. I read 150 pages today alone and that's half the book.
Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou doesn't spare anyone, especially her two lead characters. This is so Xianxia. Our two romantic leads get about five lines of happiness and then everything is chaos. The author loves, and I mean loves, to torture her characters. The more torture the better. In another life, she must have been a torturer.
This book was just so good. Gu Mang is a precious character and I love Mo Xi. In their mad mad world, they have each other. Their love story is just amazing. I wish they had had more time before chaos.
Oh god, I can't wait for the final volume. This story is one of my top ones. It's so amazing. I'll have to do a re-read soon. ...more
So, this isn't my favorite Danmei, but this volume, the story finally starts to take off. I'm in it now. This read so fast and easy.
Cui Buqu and Feng So, this isn't my favorite Danmei, but this volume, the story finally starts to take off. I'm in it now. This read so fast and easy.
Cui Buqu and Feng Xiao pick up right where they left off. They are out west trying to win over the Khagen. Cui Buqu has taken a great risk. He loves to plot out scenarios where his life is on the line and he usually gets sick from it.
I love Feng Xiao and Cui Buqu is slowly starting to grow on me. He's so prickly. He's so smart and he's had a very difficult past. This book explores his background and how he became who he is.
The party makes it's way back to the capital where the princess is having a party. It's so happy and fun. Everyone is trying to flirt. I love how Feng Xiao and Cui Buqu both just ignore completely all the people who flirt with them. Amazing.
All I have to say, is never get on Cui Buqu's bad side. The man is heartless and will gut you in public. People have no idea. The party gets wild and after all the fuss, a new assassin is found waiting for the pair. The carriage ride is probably my highlight of the book. I loved it.
Then, Cui Buqu is going to his parents home to get Feng Xiao the great Zither weapon YuYin. While there, Cui has a home coming. His whole family thought he was dead, so it's a big todo and what a mess his family is. They are rotted to the core it seems to me. Cui Buqu takes care of the family and all their deeds.
From there, we are on a treasure hunt. This, of course, leads to the big cliff hanger.
I was just getting to love our characters and I'm not really in love with the last few chapters. We'll have to see how it goes.
I can't wait for volume 4.
Poor Cui Buqu. He's so broken and sickly. All that brilliance and he's always ill and barely making it. He also doesn't take very good care of himself.
This story has gotten so much better. I hope it just keeps getting better and better. ...more
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