Mara L.

Well-Drawn Story and Engrossing Characters

Reviewed: 05-30-24

A little slow going for me in the first half, but the second half was SO good! I found the characters and the plot to be so enthralling. I was really rooting for daughter and mother, Ella and Helen. They're such earnest and caring characters. They both suffer from their choices, shame/guilt, and how they feel about the actions of others. They were such complex characters. I really liked how they changed and developed through the novel. I wasn’t sure where things would go as they progressed, but I was engrossed and so invested. I really enjoyed this wonderfully written novel.

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Inspirational Platitudes

Reviewed: 03-09-22

Enjoyable and inspiring, but I wish there was more depth. Wise platitudes are contained to spur us to action and rethinking how we manage or perform as employees.

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Enlightening Must Read!

Reviewed: 03-05-21

The Sum Of US by Heather McGhee is truly one of the best books I have read on racism and social justice in America. McGhee does a phenomenal job synthesizing how history, public policies, and perspectives have fallen short for all of us. The core thesis is that the Zero Sum assumption has harmed all of us and that we are in fact much stronger when we work together for policies that benefit the public. Zero Sum assumes that resources/jobs/money are limited, so if another group gets some, you will get less. This line of thinking simply is not true and acting this way, actually damages the majority of Americans by denying/voting against services that would benefit all, such as health insurance/care, voting rights/access, public infrastructure/schools, labor unions, etc.

Each chapter is devoted to public services provided in all other wealthy Western countries, many that were once provided here to white citizens, that we no longer have vast access to. Some of the topics include: Public Parks/Pools, Home Ownership + Predatory Lending, Environmental Protection/Regulation, Voting Rights/Access, Labor Unions, Segregation, etc. As the country and public policy has supposedly become less racist, it has drastically cut many services that would benefit all and increase the wealth, stability, and fulfillment of the majority. Corporations have reaped the benefits of division and poor public policies, money has gone to the top, which has created ever-growing wealth inequity and disparity. McGhee posits that the solution is unifying and integrating ourselves for common purposes, which will help us find strength and community. She references multiple situations in which people have come together for a common goal and had dramatic successes. This is a remarkable book and should be read by all Americans!

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12 people found this helpful

Informative and Motivating!

Reviewed: 10-08-20

Yes, this book is by THAT Erin Brokovich. Since the eponymous movie in the 90s, Brokovich has worked tirelessly as an advocate for citizens, clean water, and necessary environmental regulations. 'Superman's Not Coming' goes over common water issues currently faced by millions of Americans. She includes understandable science about the chemicals, pollution, infrastructure, and policies that contribute to water toxicity. Most importantly, she details resources and clear action steps that citizens can take to improve their drinking water. Brokovich writes in such a passionate and empowering manner, so this was a really motivating listen.

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2 people found this helpful

Fascinating and Mesmerizing

Reviewed: 06-26-20

‘If I Had Your Face’ is a fascinating, well-written novel told in the perspective of four women in South Korea that live in the same apartment building. I found the characters and their stories mesmerizing, even though I didn’t necessarily like them. I felt like a voyeur viewing their lives and struggles with poverty, misogyny, and unrealistic beauty expectations. The single characters tended to view their lives in a short-term lens as they assume their future prospects are bleak due to dramatic wealth disparity.

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Captivating and Expertly Performed

Reviewed: 06-26-20

‘These Ghosts Are Family’ is such a well-written novel. The style and humor immediately drew me in. I was fascinated by the family relationships surrounding Abel Paisley. The novel is not a linear story, but a series of stories about a number of family members, both past and present. Because it jumps around so much, it’s a bit difficult to follow when a new family member’s story is introduced and it takes time to determine its relationship and significance. Card has written in multiple styles and formats and evokes such beautiful, fascinating places and scenes. What a stunning novel and the narrator's voice is so rich and inflective.

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Fascinating and Thought Provoking

Reviewed: 06-26-20

‘The Address Book’ was fascinating and thought provoking. Addresses are something most of us give little thought to but contain so much in them. They often reflect our societal values and connect us to governments, services, and even jobs. Mask uses excellent examples to support her points about identity, race, wealth, and power in this well-organized text. Mask writes in a way that is very accessible, entertaining, eye-opening, and often thought-provoking. Some parts had me laughing so hard, like the chapter that included possibly offensive British street names; and then had me considering the persisting legacy of the Confederacy in the United States following the Civil War or how best we can prevent catastrophic diseases from spreading by using addresses. This book covers so many different topics all over the world.

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3 people found this helpful

Stunning and Deliciously Dark

Reviewed: 06-26-20

‘The Lightness’ is a stunningly well-written and perfectly-paced story about events that unfold at a Buddhist summer camp for teen girls. It is deliciously dark and luscious descriptions abound. The story is told in Olivia’s perspective, a 16 year old who has a troubled relationship with her mother and a father who has recently disappeared and was last seen at the Buddhist retreat center where the story is set. Olivia immediately becomes entranced by a small group of mysterious and enigmatic girls and is welcomed into their fold. Most mesmerizing and inscrutable is their leader, Serena, who desires to levitate. What I found most fascinating was how well Temple captures the heightened emotions and perceptions of teenagers. I adored this book and can’t wait to see what Emily Temple writes next.

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8 people found this helpful