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chemistreadingonthejob's reviews
418 reviews
Junkyard Girl: A Memoir of Ancestry, Family Secrets, and Second Chances by Carlyn Montes De Oca
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Compelling, Poignant, and Beautifully Written
Junkyard Girl by Carlyn Montes De Oca is a powerful memoir about ancestry and family secrets in an immigrant family striving for the American dream. When Carlyn was 57, she took an ancestry DNA test, just for fun, and learned something that would flip her world upside down. Her parents, who were immigrants from Mexico, were not her biological parents, and they took this secret to their graves. Carlyn was raised within the confines of a junkyard, in a house that showed signs of hoarding. She grew up feeling like an outsider, never fully understanding why. As the secrets began to unravel, memories of her childhood became clear. This is a story of self discovery and adjustment to the impact of longheld family secrets.
"That day, I stumbled into the mystifying world of Unexplainable Knowing, a place where hidden truths reside and where secrets patiently bide their time, waiting for their chance at revelation."
Carlyn has a beautiful way with words. Every emotion is felt by her narration. This book is as close as I'll ever get to knowing what's it's like to spend so much of your life not knowing you are adopted. I relate to Carlyn in that I am also adopted, but I knew about it since I was a child. I can't imagine a large family with sixty something cousins keeping this secret for so long. One of the things I admire the most about Carlyn is her ability to forgive. The bond with her sister especially resonated with me. I believe her sister who was like her best friend kept this secret for too long. I would find it hard to let it go, but this experience seemed to actually strengthen their relationship. I found this to be very heart warming. I also loved how Carlyn wove her love for dogs into the story. It was clear from her childhood that dogs bring her happiness and emotional support. There are many funny undertones to the stories displaying her Hispanic heritage. In the search for identity Carlyn gives a glimpse of what it's like to be bicultural. This memoir is unlike any that I've read before. Carlyn’s perspective is sincere and uplifting. Memoir readers will positively moved by Junkyard Girl.
Junkyard Girl by Carlyn Montes De Oca is a powerful memoir about ancestry and family secrets in an immigrant family striving for the American dream. When Carlyn was 57, she took an ancestry DNA test, just for fun, and learned something that would flip her world upside down. Her parents, who were immigrants from Mexico, were not her biological parents, and they took this secret to their graves. Carlyn was raised within the confines of a junkyard, in a house that showed signs of hoarding. She grew up feeling like an outsider, never fully understanding why. As the secrets began to unravel, memories of her childhood became clear. This is a story of self discovery and adjustment to the impact of longheld family secrets.
"That day, I stumbled into the mystifying world of Unexplainable Knowing, a place where hidden truths reside and where secrets patiently bide their time, waiting for their chance at revelation."
Carlyn has a beautiful way with words. Every emotion is felt by her narration. This book is as close as I'll ever get to knowing what's it's like to spend so much of your life not knowing you are adopted. I relate to Carlyn in that I am also adopted, but I knew about it since I was a child. I can't imagine a large family with sixty something cousins keeping this secret for so long. One of the things I admire the most about Carlyn is her ability to forgive. The bond with her sister especially resonated with me. I believe her sister who was like her best friend kept this secret for too long. I would find it hard to let it go, but this experience seemed to actually strengthen their relationship. I found this to be very heart warming. I also loved how Carlyn wove her love for dogs into the story. It was clear from her childhood that dogs bring her happiness and emotional support. There are many funny undertones to the stories displaying her Hispanic heritage. In the search for identity Carlyn gives a glimpse of what it's like to be bicultural. This memoir is unlike any that I've read before. Carlyn’s perspective is sincere and uplifting. Memoir readers will positively moved by Junkyard Girl.
This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
Heart-rending, Nostalgic, and Charming
This Time Tomorrow is a touching piece of time travel fiction by Emma Straub. The night before Alice's 40th birthday, she realizes that her life didn't turn out the way she expected. She works at the same school in New York City that she attended her whole life. Her long time best friend is busy with a family of her own. She rejected a marriage proposal and her father is dying. It's not the worst life or even a bad one, but she feels incomplete. After getting utterly wasted at a Russian bar, she stumbles upon her quaint childhood home on Pomander street. The next morning she wakes up in 1996 reliving her 16th birthday. It's not her life that she is most interested in changing. It's her dad's. In 1996 he is healthy and she aims to keep him that way.
"The problem with adulthood was feeling like everything came with a timer."
This Time Tomorrow went in a surprising direction. I expected the typical keep trying until you change your life but eventually realize you took life for granted trope. Instead this was about unconditional love between a parent and child. It reminded me of the movies Groundhog Day and About Time, with an emotional story and a splash of comedy. Alice is a joy to be around. She's witty and kind hearted. She reminded me of my teenage years. Her personality and character development is one of my favorites ever written. Her father is similar, and that's what makes this story even more heartbreaking. Their bond is deeply felt. Emma Straub has a delightful way of writing that made me feel invested and grief-stricken without the gloom. The audiobook is voiced by my favorite narrator, Marin Ireland. This is the perfect choice for a comfort read. I highly suggest those that enjoy a whimsical and meaningful time travel story read This Time Tomorrow.
This Time Tomorrow is a touching piece of time travel fiction by Emma Straub. The night before Alice's 40th birthday, she realizes that her life didn't turn out the way she expected. She works at the same school in New York City that she attended her whole life. Her long time best friend is busy with a family of her own. She rejected a marriage proposal and her father is dying. It's not the worst life or even a bad one, but she feels incomplete. After getting utterly wasted at a Russian bar, she stumbles upon her quaint childhood home on Pomander street. The next morning she wakes up in 1996 reliving her 16th birthday. It's not her life that she is most interested in changing. It's her dad's. In 1996 he is healthy and she aims to keep him that way.
"The problem with adulthood was feeling like everything came with a timer."
This Time Tomorrow went in a surprising direction. I expected the typical keep trying until you change your life but eventually realize you took life for granted trope. Instead this was about unconditional love between a parent and child. It reminded me of the movies Groundhog Day and About Time, with an emotional story and a splash of comedy. Alice is a joy to be around. She's witty and kind hearted. She reminded me of my teenage years. Her personality and character development is one of my favorites ever written. Her father is similar, and that's what makes this story even more heartbreaking. Their bond is deeply felt. Emma Straub has a delightful way of writing that made me feel invested and grief-stricken without the gloom. The audiobook is voiced by my favorite narrator, Marin Ireland. This is the perfect choice for a comfort read. I highly suggest those that enjoy a whimsical and meaningful time travel story read This Time Tomorrow.
Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Heart wrenching, culturally significant, and full of depth
Firekeeper's Daughter is a beautiful piece of YA indigenous fiction by Angeline Boulley. Tragedy has followed Daunis Fountaine as long as she can remember. Being biracial and an unofficial tribal member, she never felt like she fit in. She found escape in hockey until she didn't even have that anymore. Unfortunately, Daunis is forced to put her dreams on hold and stay close to home after another tragic loss. Daunis forms a bond with Jamie, the handsome new player on her brother's hockey team. After witnessing a shocking murder, she learns Jamie isn't who he seems. Daunis becomes entwined in the investigation utilizing her Ojibwe botanical knowledge, undercover skills, and a bit of drug chemistry. When her two worlds collide Daunis must decide how far she will go to protect her community.
"Some boats are made for the river and some for the ocean. And there are some who can go anywhere because they always know the way home."
Firekeeper's Daughter is beautifully written. The modern take on indigenous culture was compelling. It has a slow start, but after Ch 14 it is unputdownable. Daunis's personality is charming. She is incredibly brave, smart, witty, spiritual, and would do anything for those she loves. It's impossible not to root for her. The plot is unique and well designed. I wouldn't call this a thriller but the mystery is enticing. This book has it all, an original idea, diverse and likable characters, a touch of romance, a riveting story, and a betrayal you'll never see coming. I wanted so much more after it was over. There's many topics to delve into. I'm interested in the concept of blanket parties. TW: SA... When a tribe member is assaulted, the women get toegther, wrap the perpetrator in a blanket, and beat them. The inside look into the BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) was also eye opening. Reading this made me ashamed that I don't know more about indigenous history.
This was such a great choice for Native American Heritage Month.
Firekeeper's Daughter is a beautiful piece of YA indigenous fiction by Angeline Boulley. Tragedy has followed Daunis Fountaine as long as she can remember. Being biracial and an unofficial tribal member, she never felt like she fit in. She found escape in hockey until she didn't even have that anymore. Unfortunately, Daunis is forced to put her dreams on hold and stay close to home after another tragic loss. Daunis forms a bond with Jamie, the handsome new player on her brother's hockey team. After witnessing a shocking murder, she learns Jamie isn't who he seems. Daunis becomes entwined in the investigation utilizing her Ojibwe botanical knowledge, undercover skills, and a bit of drug chemistry. When her two worlds collide Daunis must decide how far she will go to protect her community.
"Some boats are made for the river and some for the ocean. And there are some who can go anywhere because they always know the way home."
Firekeeper's Daughter is beautifully written. The modern take on indigenous culture was compelling. It has a slow start, but after Ch 14 it is unputdownable. Daunis's personality is charming. She is incredibly brave, smart, witty, spiritual, and would do anything for those she loves. It's impossible not to root for her. The plot is unique and well designed. I wouldn't call this a thriller but the mystery is enticing. This book has it all, an original idea, diverse and likable characters, a touch of romance, a riveting story, and a betrayal you'll never see coming. I wanted so much more after it was over. There's many topics to delve into. I'm interested in the concept of blanket parties. TW: SA... When a tribe member is assaulted, the women get toegther, wrap the perpetrator in a blanket, and beat them. The inside look into the BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) was also eye opening. Reading this made me ashamed that I don't know more about indigenous history.
This was such a great choice for Native American Heritage Month.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Suicide, Sexual assault, Addiction, Drug abuse, Murder, and Racism
Made in China: A Memoir of Love and Labor by Anna Qu
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
3.0
Insightful, Poignant, but a Hollow Ending
Made in China: A Memoir of Love and Labor is Anna Qu's experience enduring child abuse and forced labor. Anna Qu's early childhood was spent in China being raised by her grandparents while her mother worked in a sweatshop in America. When her mother married and saved enough money, Anna immigrated to Queens, New York to be with her new family. There she was treated as a servant and abused by her mother. After working at her parents sweatshop, and being unable to focus on her education she made the decision to contact CPS. Child Protective Services assigned a social worker that changes everything, but her relationship with her mother remains strained. As an adult Anna is forced to confront her trauma when she loses her job at a crumbling tech startup. Anna Qu reflects on the impact of immigration, generational trauma, and empathy.
"I am beginning to realize that we are all raised by children. Children that are shaped by their own traumas, some of them unable to forget or overcome what happened to them before they passed it along."
Before Made in China, I had not read anything that described what it is like to work in a sweatshop as a child with so much detail. Anna writes eloquently and brings strong emotions to the surface with just a few words. Her resilience is inspiring. I could not even begin to fathom what it would be like to be neglected and abused by an unfamiliar family in a strange country. The fact that Anna can still forgive and have empathy for her mother's past is a testament to the kind of person Anna is. Made in China is a short memoir with 224 pages and only 5.5 hrs for the audiobook. The ending felt abrupt and unfinished. As with most memoirs, her life isn't over yet, but it definitely has loose ends. I had a hard time with the chronology because the chapters go back and forth between her childhood and the startup. I enjoyed learning about Anna Qu's experiences, but this memoir has alot of angles and feels incomplete. I would still recommend this to those who are interested in immigration survival stories.
Made in China: A Memoir of Love and Labor is Anna Qu's experience enduring child abuse and forced labor. Anna Qu's early childhood was spent in China being raised by her grandparents while her mother worked in a sweatshop in America. When her mother married and saved enough money, Anna immigrated to Queens, New York to be with her new family. There she was treated as a servant and abused by her mother. After working at her parents sweatshop, and being unable to focus on her education she made the decision to contact CPS. Child Protective Services assigned a social worker that changes everything, but her relationship with her mother remains strained. As an adult Anna is forced to confront her trauma when she loses her job at a crumbling tech startup. Anna Qu reflects on the impact of immigration, generational trauma, and empathy.
"I am beginning to realize that we are all raised by children. Children that are shaped by their own traumas, some of them unable to forget or overcome what happened to them before they passed it along."
Before Made in China, I had not read anything that described what it is like to work in a sweatshop as a child with so much detail. Anna writes eloquently and brings strong emotions to the surface with just a few words. Her resilience is inspiring. I could not even begin to fathom what it would be like to be neglected and abused by an unfamiliar family in a strange country. The fact that Anna can still forgive and have empathy for her mother's past is a testament to the kind of person Anna is. Made in China is a short memoir with 224 pages and only 5.5 hrs for the audiobook. The ending felt abrupt and unfinished. As with most memoirs, her life isn't over yet, but it definitely has loose ends. I had a hard time with the chronology because the chapters go back and forth between her childhood and the startup. I enjoyed learning about Anna Qu's experiences, but this memoir has alot of angles and feels incomplete. I would still recommend this to those who are interested in immigration survival stories.
Old Country by Harrison Query, Matt Query
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Spellbinding, Ominous, and Bonechilling Campfire Story
Old Country is a horror thriller based on the Reddit r/NoSleep story "My Wife and I Bought a Ranch" by Matt and Harrison Query. Old Country is reminiscent of a mesmerizing campfire or Midnight Club story. It starts with Marine veteran Harry and his wife Sasha purchasing their dream home with their loyal dog Dash. They find a house on 40 acres tucked into Teton Valley, Idaho, next door to Grand Teton National Park. Their closest neighbors, Dan and Lucy, pay them a welcome visit that shockingly turns into a warning. A malicious spirit haunts the valley, changing form with the seasons. They must follow very specific instructions to prevent the spirit from causing harm. What they believe to just be superstition becomes reality when the first spring manifestation emerges. As the seasons come and go, Harry and Sasha are confronted by an evil evolving spirit that gets more threatening with time.
I love the sinister vibe of this story. It's not your typical ghost tale, and has a Native American element to it that is fascinating. I believe this book is so underrated. Many reviewers have said they didn't like the focus in Harry's veteran background, but I argue that this is to explain his risky and aggressive behavior. As someone from a military family I can tell you that Harry is just like your average veteran with PTSD. Others have criticized Sasha's investigation skills about Native American folklore. The authors want us to see Harry and Sasha as a naive white couple with no real grasp of the culture or the consequences of their actions. People can hate characters all they want, but at the end of the day this book is undeniably compelling and impossible to put down. I will die on this hill. Literally everything about this book is attractive, the setting, the plot, the writing, and the character development. My only beef with this story is that I wanted more after the end. All books should come with an epilogue 10 years down the road.
Give this one a go if you like:
🪶 Native American folklore
🎃 Scary stories
🐶 Dogs that save the day
5/5 Spookies
Thank you Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Old Country is a horror thriller based on the Reddit r/NoSleep story "My Wife and I Bought a Ranch" by Matt and Harrison Query. Old Country is reminiscent of a mesmerizing campfire or Midnight Club story. It starts with Marine veteran Harry and his wife Sasha purchasing their dream home with their loyal dog Dash. They find a house on 40 acres tucked into Teton Valley, Idaho, next door to Grand Teton National Park. Their closest neighbors, Dan and Lucy, pay them a welcome visit that shockingly turns into a warning. A malicious spirit haunts the valley, changing form with the seasons. They must follow very specific instructions to prevent the spirit from causing harm. What they believe to just be superstition becomes reality when the first spring manifestation emerges. As the seasons come and go, Harry and Sasha are confronted by an evil evolving spirit that gets more threatening with time.
I love the sinister vibe of this story. It's not your typical ghost tale, and has a Native American element to it that is fascinating. I believe this book is so underrated. Many reviewers have said they didn't like the focus in Harry's veteran background, but I argue that this is to explain his risky and aggressive behavior. As someone from a military family I can tell you that Harry is just like your average veteran with PTSD. Others have criticized Sasha's investigation skills about Native American folklore. The authors want us to see Harry and Sasha as a naive white couple with no real grasp of the culture or the consequences of their actions. People can hate characters all they want, but at the end of the day this book is undeniably compelling and impossible to put down. I will die on this hill. Literally everything about this book is attractive, the setting, the plot, the writing, and the character development. My only beef with this story is that I wanted more after the end. All books should come with an epilogue 10 years down the road.
Give this one a go if you like:
🪶 Native American folklore
🎃 Scary stories
🐶 Dogs that save the day
5/5 Spookies
Thank you Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Sincere, Captivating, and Deeply Moving
I'm Glad My Mom Died is Jennette McCurdy's highly anticipated memoir detailing her experiences as a child actor while being emotionally manipulated by her dying mother. Jennette McCurdy achieved fame as the spunky teenage co-star Sam on iCarly. I was drawn to the memoir because I was a fan of this show when I was a teen. On the other hand, I wanted to avoid it because the title was triggering for me with my mom passing away last year from cancer. Despite this, I am glad to have read it. Jennette McCurdy is blunt. She has a candid manner of speaking that is refreshing. She is unafraid to tell the entire world that she struggles with an eating disorder that she learned from her own mother. Her brutal honestly is at times staggering. Hers is a story of accepting that the people we love most are also the ones capable of hurting us the most.
"I yearn to know the people I love deeply and intimately—without context, without boxes—and I yearn for them to know me that way, too."
I found this memoir to be an interesting perspective in opposition to Finding Me by Viola Davis. I was fascinated by the concept of coming of age while being a famous actress. Jennette speaks of the pressure to become famous, look the part, and make her mom happy. This was eye opening for the acting industry. We never know what goes on behind closed doors, but Jennette throws the doors open and invites everyone in. I highly recommend the audiobook read by Jennette because you can feel the raw emotion in her voice. This is more than just another celebrity memoir. Reading this is like experiencing Jennette's trauma and eventual healing for ourselves.
I'm Glad My Mom Died is Jennette McCurdy's highly anticipated memoir detailing her experiences as a child actor while being emotionally manipulated by her dying mother. Jennette McCurdy achieved fame as the spunky teenage co-star Sam on iCarly. I was drawn to the memoir because I was a fan of this show when I was a teen. On the other hand, I wanted to avoid it because the title was triggering for me with my mom passing away last year from cancer. Despite this, I am glad to have read it. Jennette McCurdy is blunt. She has a candid manner of speaking that is refreshing. She is unafraid to tell the entire world that she struggles with an eating disorder that she learned from her own mother. Her brutal honestly is at times staggering. Hers is a story of accepting that the people we love most are also the ones capable of hurting us the most.
"I yearn to know the people I love deeply and intimately—without context, without boxes—and I yearn for them to know me that way, too."
I found this memoir to be an interesting perspective in opposition to Finding Me by Viola Davis. I was fascinated by the concept of coming of age while being a famous actress. Jennette speaks of the pressure to become famous, look the part, and make her mom happy. This was eye opening for the acting industry. We never know what goes on behind closed doors, but Jennette throws the doors open and invites everyone in. I highly recommend the audiobook read by Jennette because you can feel the raw emotion in her voice. This is more than just another celebrity memoir. Reading this is like experiencing Jennette's trauma and eventual healing for ourselves.
My Three Dads: Patriarchy on the Great Plains by Jessa Crispin
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
2.5
My Three Dads is a memoir/ cultural criticism of the patriarchy of the Great Plains by Jessa Crispin. She starts off with a comical story of Charlie the ghost haunting her house, and then gets serious when talking about her three "dads". The first dad is Joseph Pianalto, a teacher and someone Jessa looked up to as a child. One day Mr. Pianalto killed his whole family and then himself, and no one knows why. The second father is John Brown, an American abolitionist and historical leader for Kansas. The third father is Martin Luther, a seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation. In the end, she talks about how she escaped the hold that the patriarchy of the Great Plains had on her.
"When you come from Kansas, you rarely pick up a book about Kansas. You don’t see your small-town life reflected back to you, unless it’s turned sentimental."
What Jessa Crispin writes of the Kansas setting is true. I was drawn to this book because I'm from a small town in Kansas. It's true that Kansas is "traditional, conservative, godfearing, and industrious." Unfortunately, that's where the good parts of Kansas stop. I had no idea when I picked this up that the entire book was just going to shit on Kansas. Sometimes I felt connected to this story, and sometimes I felt like I was reading the ramblings of a woman scorned. There was lots of swearing, complaining, and ranting. I felt like she was talking at me, and I didn't mind until I realized there were no solutions other than to leave Kansas. My Three Dads doesnt follow a specific timeline of her life. The passages jump from one topic to the next barely connecting, but with excruciating detail. This book made me realize that I've walked by the John Brown mural in the Topeka, KS statehouse several times and never thought about it's meaning. In school we are taught that John Brown led anti-slavery volunteers through Bleeding Kansas preceding the Civil War (basically a back and forth massacre on the Kansas/Missouri border over slavery). Now, I'll never unsee him as an corrupt murderer. The first and second parts with Mr. Pianalto and John Brown were informative and interesting, but she lost me with Martin Luther. Despite this, I appreciated reading something about my home state even if Kansas got hella roasted.
"When you come from Kansas, you rarely pick up a book about Kansas. You don’t see your small-town life reflected back to you, unless it’s turned sentimental."
What Jessa Crispin writes of the Kansas setting is true. I was drawn to this book because I'm from a small town in Kansas. It's true that Kansas is "traditional, conservative, godfearing, and industrious." Unfortunately, that's where the good parts of Kansas stop. I had no idea when I picked this up that the entire book was just going to shit on Kansas. Sometimes I felt connected to this story, and sometimes I felt like I was reading the ramblings of a woman scorned. There was lots of swearing, complaining, and ranting. I felt like she was talking at me, and I didn't mind until I realized there were no solutions other than to leave Kansas. My Three Dads doesnt follow a specific timeline of her life. The passages jump from one topic to the next barely connecting, but with excruciating detail. This book made me realize that I've walked by the John Brown mural in the Topeka, KS statehouse several times and never thought about it's meaning. In school we are taught that John Brown led anti-slavery volunteers through Bleeding Kansas preceding the Civil War (basically a back and forth massacre on the Kansas/Missouri border over slavery). Now, I'll never unsee him as an corrupt murderer. The first and second parts with Mr. Pianalto and John Brown were informative and interesting, but she lost me with Martin Luther. Despite this, I appreciated reading something about my home state even if Kansas got hella roasted.
The Chain by Adrian McKinty
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Riveting, adrenaline fueled plot with second rate characters
The Chain is a kidnapping thriller by Adrian McKinty. Rachel Klein is on her way to an oncology appointment that she knows will mean her cancer is back when she recieves an unsettling phone call. Her daughter Kylie was kidnapped. Rachel must pay a ransom and continue the chain to get her back. The woman on the phone tells her, "You are not the first. And you will certainly not be the last." They must do whatever the unknown entity says to keep The Chain going even if it means murdering a child. Rachel enlists the help of her brother-in-law Pete, ex military and drug addict, to help her get Kylie back. The masterminds behind The Chain will learn the hard way that parents will do anything to save their children.
The Chain is action-packed from beginning to end and incredibly fast paced. The Chain of kidnappings literally starts on page 1. It has multiple point of views and jumps to the past a couple times. I especially loved the multiple POVs when it got to the person behind The Chain. The plot is unique and gripping, making it impossible to put down. The author does an amazing job creating a dark and thrilling atmosphere. Some passages increased my heart rate and gave me goosebumps. I found myself fascinated by the intricate network and well designed concept of The Chain. However, I didn't relate to any of the characters, even the protagonist. I felt like Rachel having cancer and Pete being a heroin addict was an unnecessary addition to the storyline. If anything, it was distracting and made it hard to connect. I wanted the pain and fear that comes with the possibility of losing a child to be deeply felt. It was missing the feminine force of a mother's love. In summary, I felt like The Chain has a 5 star storyline with 3 star characters. I still highly recommend The Chain for those that love a good and thrilling plot.
The Chain is a kidnapping thriller by Adrian McKinty. Rachel Klein is on her way to an oncology appointment that she knows will mean her cancer is back when she recieves an unsettling phone call. Her daughter Kylie was kidnapped. Rachel must pay a ransom and continue the chain to get her back. The woman on the phone tells her, "You are not the first. And you will certainly not be the last." They must do whatever the unknown entity says to keep The Chain going even if it means murdering a child. Rachel enlists the help of her brother-in-law Pete, ex military and drug addict, to help her get Kylie back. The masterminds behind The Chain will learn the hard way that parents will do anything to save their children.
The Chain is action-packed from beginning to end and incredibly fast paced. The Chain of kidnappings literally starts on page 1. It has multiple point of views and jumps to the past a couple times. I especially loved the multiple POVs when it got to the person behind The Chain. The plot is unique and gripping, making it impossible to put down. The author does an amazing job creating a dark and thrilling atmosphere. Some passages increased my heart rate and gave me goosebumps. I found myself fascinated by the intricate network and well designed concept of The Chain. However, I didn't relate to any of the characters, even the protagonist. I felt like Rachel having cancer and Pete being a heroin addict was an unnecessary addition to the storyline. If anything, it was distracting and made it hard to connect. I wanted the pain and fear that comes with the possibility of losing a child to be deeply felt. It was missing the feminine force of a mother's love. In summary, I felt like The Chain has a 5 star storyline with 3 star characters. I still highly recommend The Chain for those that love a good and thrilling plot.
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
Captivating, Socially Relevant, and Informative
Hillbilly Elegy is J.D. Vance's memoir/cultural criticism detailing his experiences with the decline in America's white working class. J.D. Vance grew up in Middletown, Ohio around poverty, violence, and substance abuse. He was raised in an unstable home, witness to his mother's string of failed relationships and drug addiction. His mother also grew up in a dysfunctional family continuing a cycle of abuse. His grandparents migrated from Jackson, Kentucky where people lived with deep-seated Appalachian values. He blames hillbilly culture and the resulting social rot for the socioeconomic crisis by using his family as an example. Vance made a better future for himself with strong work ethic by enlisting in the Marines, graduating from Ohio State, and attending Yale Law school.
"Today people look at me, at my job and my Ivy League credentials, and assume that I’m some sort of genius, that only a truly extraordinary person could have made it to where I am today. With all due respect to those people, I think that theory is a load of bullshit. Whatever talents I have, I almost squandered until a handful of loving people rescued me."
Vance's story was moving and relatable for me. I found his memoir to be surprisingly well written and capturing the true essence of hillbilly culture. The audiobook was great and narrated by the author. My favorite part of this memoir was Vance's ability to forgive. After his success he didn't abandon his family, and he supported them despite the past. This wasn't about trashing his family and upbringing. This was about recognizing the cracks in where he came from. Vance raised questions pertaining to his family and culture to take responsibility for their own hardship. I agreed with some of the points he made, but wish that the memoir was less of a political statement. I think some suggestions were exaggerated and overgeneralized. However, this memoir was still compelling and deserves to be read regardless of the political ideology of the author.
Hillbilly Elegy is J.D. Vance's memoir/cultural criticism detailing his experiences with the decline in America's white working class. J.D. Vance grew up in Middletown, Ohio around poverty, violence, and substance abuse. He was raised in an unstable home, witness to his mother's string of failed relationships and drug addiction. His mother also grew up in a dysfunctional family continuing a cycle of abuse. His grandparents migrated from Jackson, Kentucky where people lived with deep-seated Appalachian values. He blames hillbilly culture and the resulting social rot for the socioeconomic crisis by using his family as an example. Vance made a better future for himself with strong work ethic by enlisting in the Marines, graduating from Ohio State, and attending Yale Law school.
"Today people look at me, at my job and my Ivy League credentials, and assume that I’m some sort of genius, that only a truly extraordinary person could have made it to where I am today. With all due respect to those people, I think that theory is a load of bullshit. Whatever talents I have, I almost squandered until a handful of loving people rescued me."
Vance's story was moving and relatable for me. I found his memoir to be surprisingly well written and capturing the true essence of hillbilly culture. The audiobook was great and narrated by the author. My favorite part of this memoir was Vance's ability to forgive. After his success he didn't abandon his family, and he supported them despite the past. This wasn't about trashing his family and upbringing. This was about recognizing the cracks in where he came from. Vance raised questions pertaining to his family and culture to take responsibility for their own hardship. I agreed with some of the points he made, but wish that the memoir was less of a political statement. I think some suggestions were exaggerated and overgeneralized. However, this memoir was still compelling and deserves to be read regardless of the political ideology of the author.
Uncultured by Daniella Mestyanek Young
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Thought provoking, Inspirational, and Unforgettable
Uncultured is a riveting memoir by Daniella Mestyanek Young. Daniella describes her experience being born into the Children of God cult (The Family), being excommunicated, and later becoming an officer in the U.S. Army. She draws parallels between the indoctrination of her adolescence by The Family and the indoctrination of her adulthood by the Army. Her story is brutally honest and unflinching, never hesitating to reveal the dark truths. She was the third generation of her family to fall in line with the religious cult. They had strict rules and believed in sexual liberation even for children. This resulted in her heartbreaking account of childhood sexual abuse. At 15 years old, Daniella broke free of the exploitation in pursuit of a better life. With no prior formal education she enrolled in high school and excelled. She graduated from college at the top of her class and decided to join the military. Ultimately, this decision led to an environment startlingly similar to the one she left behind years ago.
"How does a scholar, a strategist, or a soldier understand a culture well enough to predict future outcomes without being willing to understand that all humans, from their own perspectives, are living a truth and reality as valid as ours?"
Daniella's words are powerful and at times gave me goosebumps. She has experienced two worlds that I will never fully comprehend. She navigates these memories with courage and veracity. I have so much respect for this fierce woman who overcame inconceivable circumstances. My favorite part of this memoir is that she doesn't write from a place of hate. She tells it how it is and never gives up. This is eye opening, not just for the inner workings of a sex cult or sexism in a male dominated field, but also for how women mold themselves just to survive. So many uncomfortable questions are brought to attention. Why is it that it's the woman who must dress and act accordingly to prevent inappropriate actions by a man? These important social topics are guaranteed to stimulate discussion. This is a unique and well written memoir that will not soon be forgotten. Uncultured deserves a spot on my list of memoirs that everyone should read alongside Know My Name and The Glass Castle.
Thank you St. Martin's Press and Daniella for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Uncultured is a riveting memoir by Daniella Mestyanek Young. Daniella describes her experience being born into the Children of God cult (The Family), being excommunicated, and later becoming an officer in the U.S. Army. She draws parallels between the indoctrination of her adolescence by The Family and the indoctrination of her adulthood by the Army. Her story is brutally honest and unflinching, never hesitating to reveal the dark truths. She was the third generation of her family to fall in line with the religious cult. They had strict rules and believed in sexual liberation even for children. This resulted in her heartbreaking account of childhood sexual abuse. At 15 years old, Daniella broke free of the exploitation in pursuit of a better life. With no prior formal education she enrolled in high school and excelled. She graduated from college at the top of her class and decided to join the military. Ultimately, this decision led to an environment startlingly similar to the one she left behind years ago.
"How does a scholar, a strategist, or a soldier understand a culture well enough to predict future outcomes without being willing to understand that all humans, from their own perspectives, are living a truth and reality as valid as ours?"
Daniella's words are powerful and at times gave me goosebumps. She has experienced two worlds that I will never fully comprehend. She navigates these memories with courage and veracity. I have so much respect for this fierce woman who overcame inconceivable circumstances. My favorite part of this memoir is that she doesn't write from a place of hate. She tells it how it is and never gives up. This is eye opening, not just for the inner workings of a sex cult or sexism in a male dominated field, but also for how women mold themselves just to survive. So many uncomfortable questions are brought to attention. Why is it that it's the woman who must dress and act accordingly to prevent inappropriate actions by a man? These important social topics are guaranteed to stimulate discussion. This is a unique and well written memoir that will not soon be forgotten. Uncultured deserves a spot on my list of memoirs that everyone should read alongside Know My Name and The Glass Castle.
Thank you St. Martin's Press and Daniella for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexism, War, and Child abuse