A Dream of a Woman is a collection of short-stories by transgender author Casey Plett. The stories were gritty, descriptive and focused on the challe A Dream of a Woman is a collection of short-stories by transgender author Casey Plett. The stories were gritty, descriptive and focused on the challenges faced by transgender women. They are linked and the characters seem so real.
I discovered this book as it is on my daughter’s reading list for her class on gender issues in literature. I look forward to hearing about her class discussions and love reading along so that we can chat about the books and learn together.
I read this after buying my eldest son a copy so that we can discuss it together. It was interesting to read of Schwarzenegger's experiences in comingI read this after buying my eldest son a copy so that we can discuss it together. It was interesting to read of Schwarzenegger's experiences in coming to the US from Austria and how hard he has worked on his goals and later to make a difference.
Reading a lot of leadership books, I see similarities... he speaks of being a sponge and learning from failures (like Hidden Potential by Adam Grant) and being curious (Ted Lasso) so there is not a lot of new material but he gives helpful examples of his own experience and inspires readers to be selfless and make a difference which helps others while helping yourself.
I look forward to connecting with my son as we discuss the book....more
My husband misses Peter Mansbridge on CBC so I picked up this book (luckily a signed copy) for him and have been reading a few of the stories each dayMy husband misses Peter Mansbridge on CBC so I picked up this book (luckily a signed copy) for him and have been reading a few of the stories each day. Like Extraordinary Canadians, this book shares snippets of people’s lives. This one shared insight into ordinary people doing the jobs that keep Canada going. It is great to learn and understand what goes into some of the jobs that we might take for granted. ...more
I was lucky to receive The Future from My secret sender and started reading it right after opening the package! Set in the crumbling Detroit area, it iI was lucky to receive The Future from My secret sender and started reading it right after opening the package! Set in the crumbling Detroit area, it is a story of resilience as a grandmother searches for her estranged grand daughters.
Necessity has built community - the adults seeking to solve their own traumas and the children, scrambling to live in the woods. Their stories intertwine.
This book is on the Canada reads long list and would be an interesting discussion. ...more
I loved the strength based approach to appreciative inquiry. I wrote a research paper on the topic and this book inspires me to reflect on strength baI loved the strength based approach to appreciative inquiry. I wrote a research paper on the topic and this book inspires me to reflect on strength based coaching, looking for the positives (and joy) and making this world a better place with one small positive step at a time!...more
This book is heartbreaking. It teaches lessons about the power of addiction, the fact that you never know what others deal with and that all the fame This book is heartbreaking. It teaches lessons about the power of addiction, the fact that you never know what others deal with and that all the fame and money in the world can’t fill some voids.
I applaud Matthew Perry’s honesty and openness in sharing his story.
At times, I did find the timelines a bit hard to follow and towards the end there were some repetitive bits but there is such power in this story.
It would be a great book for health care professionals and social service workers to read and understand how strong the pull is for some individuals.
Living in Southern Ontario, it is hard to imagine a 3400 canoe trip to the Arctic starting at Long Point. This feat made for awestruck reading and leaLiving in Southern Ontario, it is hard to imagine a 3400 canoe trip to the Arctic starting at Long Point. This feat made for awestruck reading and leaves me feeling a bit incredulous. I appreciated hearing about the challenges, the beauty, the landscape and the wildlife as the author searched for the nesting grounds of the peregrine falcons. The book was well-written and I look forward to meeting the author at my local library when he visits in November. ...more
I am in awe of Terry Fox!! we visited his monument, donate to his memory and appreciate all he has done for cancer research which has supported treatmI am in awe of Terry Fox!! we visited his monument, donate to his memory and appreciate all he has done for cancer research which has supported treatment options for those afflicted with cancer.
I learned a lot of new tidbits about this tenacious, resilient young man and his Marathon of Hope... as well as the supporting cast that travelled with him, organized and managed logistics.
Terry and his legacy are 5 star. unfortunately, this book was filled with many typos. I wonder why the editing team did not use spell check? this did not take away from Terry's story and legacy but was a reflection of the publishing team.
I loved this book... it was written in the style of zuihitsu (a Japanese writing style) or zihaldone (a Renaissance Italy personal almanac) and alternI loved this book... it was written in the style of zuihitsu (a Japanese writing style) or zihaldone (a Renaissance Italy personal almanac) and alternated between the fictional story of Henry and bits of facts and non-fiction often focused on art history.
It was an easy read (one evening) and there were bits of art history that connected with what my daughter is studying in university art history.
Henry's story was compelling as he struggled through his childhood with a strong Gran to guide him, found love, fought in the war and then came home to fight his demons.
I didn't know what to expect and really only picked up this book because it is on the giller prize shortlist but perhaps this is a book that will catapult me out of reading slump!...more
After reading Brook's last book, I was looking forward to this collaboration with Oprah but found myself a bit disappointed. This likely has more to dAfter reading Brook's last book, I was looking forward to this collaboration with Oprah but found myself a bit disappointed. This likely has more to do with my interest in reading about leadership and personal growth, the fact that I have done a lot of this reading and found this repetitive. It had helpful information but really the same stuff repackaged that I have read in many other books about resilience, goal setting and work-life balance.
at the end, I enjoyed Oprah's reflection on sharing knowledge which was why she started a book club... to open her eyes, to learn, to discuss meaningful ideas and talk about them with others. I can relate to that for both my in person and my virtual book groups....more
This was a disappointing read after enjoying the movies decades ago. I could picture the actors Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve but found the writiThis was a disappointing read after enjoying the movies decades ago. I could picture the actors Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve but found the writing tedious and it did not hold my attention.
I do recall appreciating both the soundtrack and the movie although would be curious to see if it still resonates decades later. ...more
For a long time, I have tried to eat more like my grandparents, enjoying the bounty of Ontario summers, eating less processed foods and avoiding the pFor a long time, I have tried to eat more like my grandparents, enjoying the bounty of Ontario summers, eating less processed foods and avoiding the process food aisles but this book takes it to another level in highlighting the additives, emulsifiers and preservatives in foods... particularly fast foods.
it is so easy to whip through a drive through but do we really know what we are gulping down? do we know what all the ingredients are?
for me, this books encourages me to be more mindful and think about what I am eating. Will I still enjoy some treats? absolutely! but I will balance them with fruits, veggies and non-processed foods. it also makes me so thankful that I ditched the Diet Coke habit 4 years ago!!
this book has capped off a week of canning - making my own processed salsa, diced tomatoes, relish, taco sauce and pickles and I know every ingredient that went into the jars and will enjoy local food into the winter months....more
This a powerful book that I picked up because it had a heart post it note on the front and a librarian has written - note about “thriving and standingThis a powerful book that I picked up because it had a heart post it note on the front and a librarian has written - note about “thriving and standing in your own power”.
It is honest, raw at times and highly reflective. The author shares the trauma of her childhood but also her strength in overcoming challenges, standing up for others and being herself as she works to teach diversity and equity.
I am glad to have read this book and will continue to reflect....more
Read in follow up to Tom Lake which references this play heavily. Our Town is a reflection of how important it is to live in the moment which is an imRead in follow up to Tom Lake which references this play heavily. Our Town is a reflection of how important it is to live in the moment which is an important message all need to be reminded of. I think seeing the play may have been more engaging although I enjoyed reading it....more
I would give this a 3.5 but choosing to round down to a 3. In fairness, science fiction is not my thing but I am reading along with my daughter who isI would give this a 3.5 but choosing to round down to a 3. In fairness, science fiction is not my thing but I am reading along with my daughter who is taking a university science fiction class.
I did enjoy the characters and have appreciated chatting about my daughter’s insight into the novel. It was certainly ahead of its’ time in the portrayal of gender issues and will leave me reflecting. ...more
Although I am not a huge sci fi fan, I read this as it was part of my daughter's reading list for a university course. I have never seen the Blade RunAlthough I am not a huge sci fi fan, I read this as it was part of my daughter's reading list for a university course. I have never seen the Blade Runner which it was based on and am a bit curious as to how similar they are.
I wouldn't say that I necessarily enjoyed it but it had some interesting concepts and certainly made me reflect on the damage that we are doing to our planet... every... single... day... and what can happen if we continue to degrade our planet.
It was a reflective, thought-provoking read but I will take a break from sci fi now....more
In the midst of a book drought, The Last Thing He Told Me was a page turner that I read in two days. At first it seemed familiar to a previous read buIn the midst of a book drought, The Last Thing He Told Me was a page turner that I read in two days. At first it seemed familiar to a previous read but the twists kept it lively and engaging. ...more
I am usually not a sci-fi fan but this book is on my daughters reading list so ordered a copy to read along. It was suspenseful, engaging and reflectiI am usually not a sci-fi fan but this book is on my daughters reading list so ordered a copy to read along. It was suspenseful, engaging and reflective.
Interesting that the previous book that I read was A Wrinkle in Time and both mentioned a tesseract which was a word I needed to look up. Interesting parallel ...more
Loading...
