Title: Human Development: A Cultural Approach Author: Jeffrey Jensen Arnett Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Non-fiction, Psychology Dates read: 20th March – 26th May 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Non-fictional text Publisher: Pearson Year: 2011 5th sentence, 74th page: However, the knowledge obtained from genetic counselling enables people to make an informed decision.
Help students understand how culture impacts development- and why it matters.
As far as textbooks go, I really, really enjoyed this one. It was easy to read, interesting and I ended up reading a lot of it for the pure enjoyment. Not sure how much I actually absorbed, but I definitely enjoyed the adventure.
I’m not sure if it was the bright outlay of this textbook, the interesting topic or just the style of writing. But this was one of those textbooks that was really accessible and it wasn’t filled with information that you had to read twice to get your head around.
Overall, this was an enjoyable and intriguing insight into developmental psychology. It was completely logical in its outlay – travelling from conception through to death. And filled with case studies, information and facts that I will probably look back on in the future.
The award-winning editors of II Snow White, Blood Red II return us to distinctly adult realms of myth and the fantastic with eighteen wondrous works. From Roger Zelazny’s delightful tale of Death’s disobedient godson to Peter Straub’s blood-chilling look at a gargantuan Cinderella, here are stories strange and miraculous that remold our most cherished childhood fables into things sexier, more sinister… and more appealing to grown-up tastes and sensibilities.
After reading Snow White, Blood Red, I knew that I needed the other books which were edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling featuring fairy tale retellings. Because these aren’t the retellings that you would expect. And they’re not the kinds of retellings that make you feel all nice and fluffy on the inside. They’re dark and twisted in places. Sexual in others. And just downright make you think most of the time.
Many of the authors in this collection are ones that I have already come across. Which is something I most certainly enjoyed. A few were totally new to me. Enough to make me wonder who I would be coming across next, but not so much that I felt like I had a whole slew of new people to add to my shelves. Rather, it was a fair few authors who are already in my wishlist…
I love the constant returning to fairy tales that were reminiscent of the Grimm Brothers. It’s a nice little departure from the more common fairy tales that I find. And other than Rumpelstiltskin and Red Riding Hood, the vast majority of these fairy tales were of the lesser known variety. Which suited me perfectly. I like those more abstract stories at times.
Title: The Monster Makers Author: Steve Rasnic Tem In: The Monstrous (Ellen Datlow) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Dark fantasy, Family, Horror Dates read: 25th May 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: Tachyon Year: 2015 5th sentence, 74th page: They kick and wave, thrilled.
Have you ever wondered where little monsters come from? Are they born or are they made? And just who makes them?
I both thought that this story was kind of nice and really not pleasant. I mean, the grandfather obviously dotes upon his grandchildren. And his wife. And he spends the entirety of the story loving them all for exactly who they are. But then there’s the dark side…
And what a dark side it is… there is a weirdness in this constant idea of changing bodies and creatures. There is the loss of sanity and ambulatory skills in the grandparents. But most of all, there is the relationship between narrator (Grandfather) and son. It’s a little bit uncomfortable and upsetting.
Yet, it continues to get darker and darker. Once the bad thing to the son happens, then there is yet another not so good moment in which the grandchildren… well, I’m not really sure what they do. But I know that it’s creepy. You’ll just have to pick up this short story to find out what I’m talking about for yourself.
Who Stole Lady Neeley’s Bracelet? Was it the fortune hunter, the gambler, the servant, or the rogue? All of London is abuzz with speculation, but it is clear that one of four couples is connected to the crime.
Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, May 1816
Julia Quinn enchants: A dashing fortune hunter is captivated by the Season’s most desired debutante…and must prove he is out to steal the lady’s heart, not her dowry.
Suzanne Enoch tantalizes: An innocent miss who has spent her life scrupulously avoiding scandal is suddenly—and secretly—courted by London’s most notorious rogue.
Karen Hawkins seduces: A roving viscount comes home to rekindle the passionate fires of his marriage… only to discover that his beautiful, headstrong bride will not be so easily won.
Mia Ryan delights: A lovely, free-spirited servant is dazzled by the romantic attentions of a charming earl… sparking a scandalous affair that could ruin them both.
You’ll hear it first from Lady Whistledown
This was such a great little collection. Like The Further Observations of Lady Whistledown, the four novellas were intertwined in ways that you couldn’t quite imagine. But there was an extra complication / mystery in this collection – that of the missing bracelet. You don’t find out until the final story who actually stole it, but throughout all four novellas, you keep finding clues and wondering what actually happened at the party…
It was incredibly bittersweet finishing this collection – this is the last time I get to read a Lady Whistledown column for the very first time. I would like to reread all of these books in the future, but I’ll never have that beginning joy that you get when you read something for the very first time. I love how all four of these authors, each of who have very different styles, are able to have that similar tone of voice that you can read throughout the entire collection. It’s a great continuing thread that I don’t think many authors could manage so seamlessly.
I liked that this collection had an extra mystery that ran through all four novellas. It wasn’t just about the four couples and finding their happily ever after. But it was also about finding out who stole a priceless bracelet. And all of the wonderful connections between people in the ton. And just how messy this small community can be…
Title: The Black Gryphon Author: Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon Series: The Mage Wars #1, Valdemar #1 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Fantasy, Mages, Magic, Medieval fantasy Dates read: 18th – 25th May 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: DAW Fantasy Year: 1994 5th sentence, 74th page: Cinnabar, of course, was as elegant as if she had just come from holding court, her scarlet gown cut to mid-calf, showing scarlet leather boots and slender ankles, her sleeves cut tight, displaying her graceful arms without an unseemly show of flesh.
SKANDRANON RASKAE IS EVERYTHING A GRYPHON SHOULD BE…
with gleaming ebony feathers, majestic wingspan, keen magesight, and sharp intelligence, he is the fulfillment of all that the Mage of Silence, the human sorcerer called urtho, intended to achieve when he created these magical beings to be his champions, the defenders of his realm – a verdant plain long coveted by the evil mage Ma’ar.
And now, as Ma’ar is once again preparing to advance on Urtho’s Keep, this time with a huge force spearheaded by magical constructs of his own, Skandranon is sent to spy across enemy lines, cloaked in the protection of Urtho’s powerful Spell of Silence.
As days pass and Skandranon doesn’t return, all in Urtho’s camp wait anxiously. but there is one among them for whom the possible loss of this great bird will be more than just a major military defeat. Amberdrake – a Healer of boyd, mind, and spirit whose talents are as essential to the army as those of any general – waits on the landing strip with anguish in his heart. For Amberdrake has come to value the vain, cocksure, and brave Skandranon as his closest friend and comrade, and he now fears that this prince of gryphons will never return…
It’s been a little while since I picked up a Valdemar book. Mostly because as much as I love them, they are often pretty heart wrenching. There is always some kind of abuse or emotional turmoil that just doesn’t seem to be as prominent in many of the other fantasy books that I read. So I honestly need to make sure that I’m in a good headspace whenever I pick up one of these novels… which I was when I picked up The Black Gryphon. And boy am I glad. It was enjoyable, fun and an absolutely great read. Even if there was still that signature Lackey tragedy that made the enjoyment a little less… joyful.
Writing this review, it is actually really difficult to pinpoint those aspects of this story that I really enjoyed. It took me a few chapters to really get sunk into the storyline. I think mostly because in the other Valdemar books that I’ve read so far, the characters are somehow known. Mostly they know each other. But even in The Last Herald Mage, the lead character has been mentioned again and again and again throughout the later books in the series. That’s not really the case for this. Not only are there totally new characters and events that I can’t remember being mentioned in the later books (that I read earlier). But there are also whole new species, gryphons and the such and different groups of people who have totally different names. It took quite a bit to get used to.
After I started to get connected to the characters however, I realised what a great series this is. Or at least, what a great novel to start off a series. Skan might not be human, but I think he is one of my favourite characters in this series. He is strong and sarcastic. Plus, I absolutely adored the constant inner dialogue whenever he’s doing something kind of stupid. Even if that stupid has the best of intentions…
Although this isn’t really like any of the other Valdemar books, I can see how the characters and groups of species / people act as the precursors to the rest of the books. You can see a hint here and there of the collegium and the healers and the different schools of learning throughout the books that I’ve already read. And I’m honestly looking forward to understanding more of this as the series unfolds. That and finding out more about Skan, Winterheart and all of the other wonderful characters.
Patrick has never wanted to do much publicity. But, when his new publicists manages to outmanoeuvre him, he decides to go along with her schemes. Until he realises that they may just not be her schemes…
It was nice to revisit Patrick and his shenanigans after reading Devil May Care. Particularly when you know that he is integral to this whole idea of a future that could impact all of the fae camps and the world as they know it. It highlights the reason why he’s obviously stayed away from Gabriel up until this point, and the ways in which the fae are already moving about in this world…
There may be no such thing as bad publicity, but there is such thing as a bad publicity experience. Particularly when the poor individual who organised it all ends up being just a bit of a pleb. One that is pushy. And driven. But still just ends up being a pawn in a greater battle. I like that even though Patrick is annoyed at the fact that she’s the instigator, he still honours her gumption and drive. It was a nice way to end this short story.
Bad Publicity is a little light and humorous. But it is also a great reminder of the more traditional role that the fae seem to be able to play in the Cainsville series… that of tricksters, predators and the slightly envious. Beings which always pay their dues and find a way to get their own. Regardless of the consequences to others.
Title: The Black Swan Author: Susan Wade In: Black Thorn, White Rose (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Fairy tales, Retellings Dates read: 25th May 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: Prime Books Year: 1994 5th sentence, 74th page: One night she was so late returning that alll the stable lads had gone and I had been excused from my duties at table – I had progressed to such responsibilities only that summer – and gone to my loft for the night.
All he ever wanted to do was help her win her heart’s desire. But even once she accomplishes that, things don’t go quite as planned. The unveiling of the beautiful Black Swan.
One of the suckiest things about being a woman is this whole idea around beauty – what makes a woman beautiful. What the expectations of beauty are. So on and so forth. It’s kind of horrible and seriously annoying. And this story is a great example of just how wrong things can go when we are constantly told that what and who we are just isn’t good enough.
I love that this short story / retelling of a classic fairy tale has the more traditional tragic ending. There is no joy and happiness in this story. There is nothing like and fluffy. Rather, it is just a whole heap of tragedy all bundled up into one tale. It really makes your heart bleed. And, the very final scene makes an amazing final scene for the ending of this collection…
The Black Swan is a gorgeous little short story. It also has a fantastic voice as a narrator. I love that there is so much foreshadowing for future tragedy throughout. And there’s this constant commentary on what a beauty the woman is, before she undergoes her transformation. And just a genuine wonder and concern as to why she would go through such a horrible thing when she is already wonderful and perfect as she is. Something I think we all need to remember.
Karen Hawkins seduces: A roving viscount comes home to rekindle the passionate fires of his marriage… only to discover that his beautiful, headstrong bride will not be so easily won.
I’ve been looking forward to this novella since Lord and Lady Easterly make a brief appearance in The First Kiss. It was not only a great story, but a fantastic ending to this whole collection. Four gorgeous couples got together and you finally find out what happened to the missing bracelet. In fact, although this story is all about reconciling an estranged married couple, much of it is about the pursuit of truth. Not only the truth of whole stole the bracelet (which you do find out in this story, the last of the collection). But what the truth about your feelings are too.
At the beginning I really couldn’t understand how the male lead was going to be someone I could like. After all, he left his wife for twelve damn years and then returns. I can’t really imagine a situation in which that is okay. And, even though I’ve now finished this story and I did actually like him. I still found the whole moving away for twelve years because one’s pride has been injured kind of… well, ridiculous and unforgivable. Frustrating and horrible to say the least.
One of my favourite aspects of this novel is that there is so much fire and passion in this story. I’m an argumentative and difficult girl, even at the best of times. It was nice to read a story in which the protagonist is the same – argumentative, passionate and sometimes too stubborn and proud for her own good. Actually, both of these characters are wonderfully prideful and stubborn…
Title: Light Bulb Author: Nevo Zisin In: Kindred (Michael Earp) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:LGBTQI, Mental health Dates read: 24th May 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: Walker Books Year: 2019 5th sentence, 74th page: I started holding it in.
Most people are afraid of the dark. But for some, it is the dark that welcomes them. That helps them feel the things that they’ve kept hidden inside.
I’ve never read a story about a gender-fluid person. Or someone who isn’t quite sure of their gender. Except for the Magnus Chase series – that has Alex who changes their gender identity according to their needs and drives. Which, of course, I loved. But, I digress. Alex’s experience is one that feels mostly positive. This story is a much darker and more heart-wrenching version of coming to terms with a gender identity that doesn’t fit into the binary expectations.
Reading a few horror stories lately meant that I was expecting something quite tragic at the beginning of this story. After all, it is a tale which starts with a child loving the dark. Not wanting to be in the light. And this constant imagery of a light bulb switching on and off. It makes for an incredibly dark beginning to the story. And a very symbolic imagery when you realise what is happening in the mind of the narrator.
Aside from the great symbolism, this story somehow really drove home the confusion and feeling of marginalisation that comes with being gender fluid, or not of a gender binary. This whole story had me on an intense and uncontrollable emotional roller coaster ride. One that made me feel so much sympathy for those who are in this situation…
Title: Chasing Sunset Author: A.C. Wise In: The Monstrous (Ellen Datlow) Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one) My Bookshelves:Horror Dates read: 24th May 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Tachyon Year: 2015 5th sentence, 74th page: “…where he makes us go when we’re bad.”
He doesn’t want to be like his father. So he runs. And runs. And runs. But is he running from the horrors, or into a trap?
Running from the past is a pretty common theme in stories. But when that past involves your father and the idea that you too, will turn into a monster? That is a pretty creepy story line.
Whilst reading this short story, I did get kind of pulled in. And swept away. But it was not the kind of story that I was completely obsessed with. Not the sort of story that I strongly remember after I turn that final page.
I did like the ending though. Taking place on a cliffside and ending the thing that has tortured you. There is a sense of completion that is not always around in the short stories that fill The Monstrous collection.
