more than letters on a line today

    Stolen Focus Johan Hari 4.8 stars   Johan Hari shares a wealth of details, data and anecdotes on how lost we have become in our focus. He gives evidence of the changes over the course of decades, and how we have become victims to society in general.  He reminds us of a time when a child's job was to play! In that play you learned about rules, negotiation, how to be a leader, respect etc. Hari shares an incident when some children given the task to play, didn't know how. He says that our society is giving children rules to follow to be successful. We are not letting them figure it out on their own (like many of us did). Advertising and work schedules have deprived us of uninterrupted time, lack of focus has stolen our creativity, we fill our minds incessantly and don’t give time to process. Our sleep, our commitments and our relationships suffer. What will we do about it? This book reads like a dense, interesting and wonderful textbook filled with references...

    A Traitor in Whitehall Julia Kelly 3.5 stars Pub date Oct 3, 2023 There's a mole and a murder and newbie Evelyne is set to solve it. Along with David Poole, she breaks the rules, talks to potential suspects, and leaves the premises of the underground tunnels on a whim. This book is an easy read, a whodunit that is fun but lacks the wallop I was looking for. I did learn some more details of Churchill's CWR (cabinet war rooms), and how the typists were expected to live there during their shifts (something I had never considered). But the seemingly easy way that Evelyne was able to partner up with a higher official underscored the credibility for me. For fans of this light reading, the good news is that it is the start of a series. I enjoyed the author's previous The Last Dance of the Debutante, and was somewhat familiar with her style and easy dialogue so perhaps it was my timing. It is unlikely that I will return for book 2. And now on to Stolen Focus, Johann Hari.

  How To Pronounce Knife Souvankham Thammavongso 4.5 stars A wonderful collection of short stories from Souvankham Thammavongsa, that lend wisdom into the hearts of immigrants. A beautiful read with a poetic sway that will easily keep you reading and is hard to put down. A book that would be welcome on any reader’s shelf. The chapters are short and it is hard to put down after only one ‘story’. Unique experiences, the feelings of being an outsider when you just want to be a part of this something ‘new’. Heartbreaking and mesmerizing, sad and joyful, this book is not to be missed. It will teach you, slam you with the unfairness of it all and give you a perspective (or reminiscence) of what it is to foreign. From the feelings of isolation, the desire to fit in and yet not lose your true self, to the interactions within a family are all covered in words that do not shy away from being real. The child's embarrassment of their parent's vocabulary, the learning of the weird (but ...

    All You Have to Do Is Call Kerri Maher  3.5  stars Pub date Sept 2023    Historically told and sadly, aptly current (in the USA) of a time when women’s rights had to be held up by other women.  Unfortunately, the characters in this book struck me as one dimensional and predictable, I wish they had been meatier. In my head, the inequality and unfairness of a woman’s right to choose was told with honesty as to the times in the 60s an 70s. But in my heart, the story lacked raw emotion and the writing was at times distracting in its silliness. I know that mothers relinquished their lives to ‘being perfect’, but the reader did not need every single detail of the successful Valentines party. Nor did we need to know every item in the husband’s desk drawer (yes, I counted, and eighteen items were listed). This style of writing is not for me.  If the author is going to delve into a difficult topic then just do it. Having lived through this era (althoug...

  Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Jamie Ford 4.5 stars Jamie Ford has captured me again. This is the second book of his that I’ve read. His more recent The Many Daughters of Afong Moy (2022) was my introduction to his words and both brought the most heartwarming story to his readers. In this debut novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet (2009) you are led into the troubling time of the Japanese internment during the 2nd world war. This sad time when thousands of Japanese were sent to camps, were forced to build their own shelters, and lived in the most uncomfortable of conditions. What comes through prominently is the nature of the Japanese people who were affected, including those born in the USA. Their loyalty to the USA was not shaken as they endured the circumstances of their captivity. Ford tells us the facts with no judgement on the less than desirable reactions of the citizens. What the foundation of all his words is Hope. Do not miss the author’s notes where ...

Rogues Patrick Radden Keefe 4.5 stars An intriguing look at an array of con-artists and criminals and those who make a stand to expose them.  Keefe exposes in his story-telling manner someone who chose vintage wine as their tool to cheat, someone who loved money so much he would betray his mentor, and an MGM mogul who keeps the public guessing, among many other stories. This is a valuable book to see the world of rebels and cheats that we might not otherwise be aware of. It is a world that will frighten us but is explained in detail by Keefe. As a prize-winning journalist he also shows us the human side of these individuals, their past, their ex-spouses and how they live with themselves. Written in short-story chapter format, it was hard to put down and made good night time reading. This would be a good book as a gift for the socially conscious in your circle. There is a wonderful quote buried in the chapter of the Lockerbie bombing. In the philosophy of Robert Nozick - there's a d...

Big Liars Christian L. Hart and Drew A. Curtis 3.5 stars until I read the full book Pub date Aug 22, 2023   In the short (17 pg) excerpt I was provided from #NetGalley, a reader can identify the big liars in their life. It could be someone who raised you, a partner or someone who supposedly leads you at work.  It seems according to the data shared that most people lie daily. That in itself is a bit scary to me. I've always felt that there is a straightforward way to tell the truth, without bending it. As in, No, is a complete sentence; I'm not available that day; that's not the way I see it; and then make a decision to stay away from the people who you don't trust. Simple. But of course, I am not a con, a criminal or a rogue. This chapter (I was expecting a 300 pg book) offered many examples of how and why people lie. It is a fascinating look at what makes people tick, at a quick glimpse. I would appreciate the chance to read the entire book, especially if given in pape...

  Someday I'll Find You C C Humphreys 4.5 stars  Pub date June 6, 2023  I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend to others interested in WWII history. Told through the perspective of 3 young people, Billy, Ilse and Klaus, each involved in the war, and shows how their lives intersect.    There is a musical theme that runs throughout and the chapter titles were a welcome and brilliant addition to the ‘tone’ of that section. It took me a chapter or two to notice this so you can thank me later! A well-done telling involving spies, an RCAF pilot, and a love story. The lives of civilians and what they do to adapt is interwoven with the action of the war and gives you some semblance of how life carries on regardless of circumstances. If you enjoy flying, old planes, noisy pubs, music and also have an appreciation of the hard times faced by the everyday person, this book is a worthwhile way to spend your time. This #Canadian author is one whose previous books I will...

  The Secret Life of Sunflowers Marta Molnar 2.5 stars (but keep reading my review for what I learned) Told through the voices of Johanna van Gogh (1887) and Emsley Wilson (current), this book held promise but failed to deliver. I was fascinated by the story of Johanna, who is largely unknown for her role in bringing her brother-in-law’s artistry to the public. She is the reason that I kept reading. The story line for Emsley, her character, and the challenge she faced was weak in holding my interest. I typically would not review a book here that I wouldn't recommend to a friend. So let me tell you why you are now reading this. van Gogh was certainly a tormented soul (as many true artist types were/are), but the way his fame and appreciation of his life became prominent was unknown to me. What this book offered me was the curiousity to look a little deeper into his fame and how easily the world would have been deprived of his talent. I found the author’s experience in adventure/rom...

  The Dictionary of Lost Words Pip Williams 4.5 stars A wonderful historic story of the creation of the first Oxford English Dictionary, and the words that were omitted.   Even as a little girl, Esme recognizes  that these discarded words, from the everyday woman are not included and will be forgotten.  Surrounded with an array of characters that teach her the importance of the words that they use each day.  She realizes that the words will disappear unless she saves them. And so for many years she saves the 'slips', makes her own, and creates a world where the lives of people are documented by the feelings behind their words. ...and when some kind of peace had been struck,  I’d begun to listen to the valley  like some would listen to music or a holy chant.  There was solace in its rhythm,  and it slowed the beat of my heart. There is so much beauty in this book, the emotions are immense but subdued, the pain is deep but borne with stoicism, ...