Listened to this steamy contemporary whilst doing chores around the house.
I'd compare it to a smuttier "How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days," in the sense Listened to this steamy contemporary whilst doing chores around the house.
I'd compare it to a smuttier "How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days," in the sense that an undercover report falls for the subject and antics ensue.
I feel like this could have been done without the cliffhanger ending, but I'll reserve judgement until I learn more about the subsequent novels. ...more
"Change often starts with the smallest of whispers. Like-minded people building it up to a roar." ÌýÌý "Oh dear," where do I even begin with this g[image]
"Change often starts with the smallest of whispers. Like-minded people building it up to a roar." ÌýÌý "Oh dear," where do I even begin with this gem of a book? What can be said about this remarkable, whimsical read that hasn't already been said? I guess I'll start with: ...more
Thank you to Libro.fm for providing me with an advanced audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.
"I want this book to make you feel lik[image]
Thank you to Libro.fm for providing me with an advanced audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.
"I want this book to make you feel like you're at a movie night with your best friend."
You know how there's been a resurgence of rereading childhood classics recently? Like how every other day you see someone rereading The Hunger Games (guilty), Twilight, or PJo? Whether this is because a majority of us are stressed at home, sheltering in place and craving something beloved and familiar or because of peer pressure via #BookstagramMadeMeDoIt I don't know. But I can tell you it's been fun to return to these worlds and see how the material measures up to today's standards.
Similarly, Lindy West has spent her time in quarantine rewatching modern cinematic "masterpieces" and straight up roasting them for our pleasure. Revamping essays that were popularized during her stint at Jezebel in 2013, and adding in tons of new material, West blesses us with a laugh-out-loud critique of pop culture faves.
"Why do we even have scorpions in our lawn, Wayne? Where the f**k do we we live?" -- On Marriage: Honey I Shrunk The Kids
Starting with "the only good movie" The Fugitive and ending with the toxic, dumpster fire that is American Pie, Shit, Actually covers the plots, flaws, and ratings of 22 cherished movies. And as The Fugitive is "the only good movie," these ratings are given on a scale of 1-10 DVDs of The Fugitive. ...more
Thank you so much to LSBBT, the publisher, and the author for providing me with a finished copy in exchange for an honest review.Ìý
"What's wrong is selThank you so much to LSBBT, the publisher, and the author for providing me with a finished copy in exchange for an honest review.Ìý
"What's wrong is seldom one thing; it's one more thing."
You know that saying: "When it rains, it pours"? It's a phrase typically used to describe an onslaught of similar events that occur over a short period of time. Considering the pile of problems accumulating for the Havliceks, it's pretty spot on. Which is rather ironic given that one of their primary issues is a years-long drought.
Jokes aside, it's hard not to feel immediate sympathy for the characters featured in Slanted Light. Facing theft, break-ins, a hormonal teenager, eating disorders, and fractures in their professional and personal lives, the parents in this contemporary certainly have it tough.
"Don't be surprised if things get worse before they get better."
J.D. and Claire Havilcek have stopped putting each other first. After three turbulent transitional years they've stopped speaking the same love language -- when they're speaking at all. Trading passion and respect for pride and resentment, their miscommunication and judgements are now affecting their children. And while this dissension felt raw and plausible, I'd be lying if I said I didn't initially side with Claire.
After earning her undergraduate and Master's degrees, Claire has become a nurse practitioner opening two clinics in their rural community to aid accessibility to medical care. In addition to working a full-time job, she's also a full-time mother and homemaker ensuring the kids get to & from school daily, and that a home-cooked meal is on the table every night. To me, Claire is a superhero. And yet, J.D. is constantly criticizing her for not being a "good enough" wife and encouraging her to quit her practice in order to be more attentive to his needs at home. While I could write a whole diatribe against J.D.'s logic, I do believe these scenes -- coupled with a heartbreaking confession from a female patient at Claire's clinic -- highlight how women are often held to an incredibly high standard. Not only by society, but also by other women, and even themselves.
I, like Claire, used to run and operate my own business, and the number of situations and conversations I was put in that a male counterpart would never encounter was as mind-boggling as it was maddening. I say this not only to express how deeply I related to Claire's struggle, but also to point out that it's okay to admit there are days when we don't feel like putting on that superhero cape. Days where we're bogged down by the expectations of others; working for their goals instead of reaching for our own. Getting trapped in this cycle can lead to exhaustion, burn out, and depression, which is why we need to remember to celebrate our accomplishments and ask for help when we need it. A message J.D. (shockingly) helped illustrate.
"I know how it feels to want to succeed. I had to lose a lot to learn what would really mean success to me."
Watching this family evolve from a seemingly broken unit into an enviable and loving household was an unexpected joy. Especially because I never thought I'd relate to the plight of a ranching family. But managing a farm, like any business, requires balance in order to be successful. And this book beautifully depicts a family discovering that balance.
With strong themes of body positivity, open communication, and appreciating life in the moment, Slanted Light delivers a powerful family saga packed with action and empathetic characters. From the seemingly all-knowing matriarch of the family, Willa, to the observant and precocious Jay Frank, Jones' characters are fleshed out and worthy of getting to know. There's so much I'd love to say about their journeys, but I'd rather you dive in and experience them yourself.
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