![]() ![]() One Day in December starts in December 2008. ![]() ![]() So in a matter of days, One Day in December leap-frogged from Meh, not interested to Need to read right now! And after this whirlwind arc that was my reading journey, I can affirm that it was all worth it. Then in a wild plot twist, I decided I needed to read it right away, while it was still December and the mood felt right. I’d heard great things about it from other BOTM members, and after all, I already have Josie Silver’s other book, so it made sense. Of those five options, only One Day in December appealed to me, so I chose it. ![]() Sorry not sorry.)īut this month, when making my Book of the Month choices for December, I needed to select one of the “member fave” books in order to get my box. (Another confession: I’m not a fan of Hallmark movies and Christmas love stories. I don’t have any great explanation for that, other than my mistaken assumption that it would be too holiday-focused for me to enjoy. So here’s a confession: Although I bought Josie Silver‘s The Two Lives of Lydia Bird earlier this year – and I’m still excited to read it – for some reason I never felt that interested in getting her first book, One Day in December. ![]()
0 Comments
![]() ![]() This is a 2-pack of selected Ramona stories on audio from Listening Library. You'll want it on the main speakers for everyone in the car to enjoy. We listened on road trips, and unlike certain kids entertainment (a certain purple dinosaur comes to mind), you won't want the kids to wear headphones to preserve your sanity. ![]() The stories are reminiscent of simpler times and will take parents back to their own childhoods while providing toddlers to tweens with good, wholesome entertainment. Clearly created for us, and because Stockard Channing has brought them to life so perfectly here. I highly recommend these books, both because of the delightful stories and characters that Mrs. Her rendition of Ramona is EXACTLY how we imagine this impish little creature would talk. Why? In large part because of Stockard Channing's masterful performance here. And don't tell anyone - although we bought these audiobooks when he was about 8, at 12 he still likes to put these on ocassionally and listen. ![]() ![]() 40 years later, they were just as appealing to my own son. Is there *anyone* on the planet who doesn't like Beverly Cleary's books and the wonderful characters she created?īeezus and Ramona (along with Henry Huggins and the rest of the gang on Klikitak Street) were part of my childhood. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Prince Harry recalled an incident when then Prince Charles joked about his mother Diana’s affair with Major James Hewitt. King Charles III’s remarks about Prince Harry’s ‘real’ fatherPrince Harry claimed that his father, now King Charles III once joked about the Duke of Sussex’s “real” father. The alleged altercation between the brothers took place after Prince William called Prince Harry’s wife Meghan “rude” and “abrasive” during a discussion. Prince Harry claimed his brother William attacked himAmong one of the most shocking claims, Prince Harry says in his book that his brother Prince William knocked him out on the floor as both of them were having a discussion about Meghan Markle. The memoir which was originally pencilled in for autumn 2022 was delayed following the death of the Queen in September. The publication date for Prince Harry ’s long-anticipated memoir has been revealed but sadly, you won’t be able to add it to your Christmas list. Here are some of the key takeaways from Prince Harry’s autobiography: Prince Harry's memoir, 'Spare,' will be released in January 2023. Two years after their departure from the institutions, the Duke of Sussex dropped the bombshell memoir ‘Spare’. ![]() However, the Prince stepped back from working senior members of the royal family along with his wife Meghan Markle and is now living in the United States. As Diana, Princess of Wales, was laid to rest, billions wondered what the princes must be thinking and feeling and how their lives would play out from that point on. He has also disclosed some private incidents that took place involving him. ![]() ![]() ![]() When he’s called in for a mission to rescue a high-level intelligence officer who’s been kidnapped, he becomes embroiled in a mission where the fate of his true love falls on his shoulders. After following numerous dead end leads, he gives up on ever finding the elusive woman who stole his heart nine months prior. Regret for letting her go gnaws at him until he decides to search for her. When she receives a surprise phone call from him nine months later, she dashes off to meet him in Italy.ĭarryl returns to his missions in Afghanistan unable to shake Olivia from his heart. Olivia immerses herself into her Intelligence work with memories of Darryl never far from the surface. ![]() Because of their secretive careers, their love affair is destined to end. ![]() A one night stands leads to a blissful week traveling the Amalfi Coast. Because of their secretive careers, their love affair is destined to end. Her lust shifts into overdrive for this man on leave from missions he won’t discuss. On a cycling tour through the Swiss Alps, CIA agent, Olivia Simpson, meets handsome Navy SEAL, Darryl Jennings. ![]() ![]() All injustices can well be exacerbated by corruption which in itself makes worse and entrenches Sierra Leone’s greatest enemy which is poverty. Even with many freedoms, the average Sierra Leonean suffers a myriad of injustices especially the poor who depends on basic public services that are never forthcoming. Justice is about relationships between people, between people and their government. However unless we address the root causes of poverty which are often linked with unjust systems, development will never last or be truly transformative. ![]() We are on our own! Everybody hollers to high heavens for the improvement of the dignity of the human being. Yes if we humans now change our sex organs do same sex marriage walk around half naked change our eye color, all in the name of freedom, then indeed we are no longer of the same image as God. ![]() Given the kind of things that are happening in the world and our country today, I have a feeling we human beings had not long shed off the image of God in which we were originally made. ![]() ![]() ![]() 'Riveting…the book overflows with a natural storyteller's energy.' New Yorker. She does it admirably…a tour de force.” - Scotsman ”'An extraordinary and overwhelming novel…immensely detailed and yet fast-moving…she has set herself to capture the excitement and intellectual fervour of the period. ![]() ”'Crafty tensions, twists and high drama…a bravura display of her endlessly inventive, eerily observant style.” - Times Literary Supplement ![]() ”'Intriguing…She has grasped what made these young revolutionaries - and with them the French Revolution - tick.” - Independent Hilary Mantel captures it all.” - Time Out ”'Marvellous…It was the best of times it was the worst of times. ”'I cannot think of a historical novel as good as this until one goes back to Marguerite Yourcenar’s 'Memoirs of Hadrian', published forty years ago.” - Evening Standard ”'Hilary Mantel has soaked herself in the history of the period…and a striking picture emerges of the exhilaration, dynamic energy and stark horror of those fearful days.” - Daily Telegraph 'One of the best English novels of the 20th century.' Diana Athill, The Oldie. ”'Superbly readable…an assured and strange masterpiece.” - Sunday Telegraph ![]() ![]() On the other hand, the goal of the Creator is to woo us unto himself or to transform us through his love from "tools into servants and servants into sons." It is the dichotomy between being consumed and subsumed completely into another's identity or being liberated to be utterly ourselves that Lewis explores with his razor-sharp insight and wit. ![]() Tempters, according to Lewis, have two motives: the first is fear of punishment, the second a hunger to consume or dominate other beings. ![]() As mentor, Screwtape coaches Wormwood in the finer points, tempting his "patient" away from God.Įach letter is a masterpiece of reverse theology, giving the reader an inside look at the thinking and means of temptation. In The Screwtape Letters, one of his bestselling works, we are made privy to the instructional correspondence between a senior demon, Screwtape, and his wannabe diabolical nephew Wormwood. Who among us has never wondered if there might not really be a tempter sitting on our shoulders or dogging our steps? C.S. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Books written by the 10 most banned authors since 1990 account for 33% of all top 10 most banned titles for each of the past 3 decades.Robert Cormier’s titles appeared on the list of the 10 most frequently banned books between 19, making him the third most banned author of all time.Judy Blume is the second most banned author since the 90s, appearing on the 100 most banned list from 1990 to 1999. ![]() Her books have been on the list of the 100 most banned titles in each of the previous 3 decades, reaching the top 10 between 20. Toni Morrison has been the most frequently banned author since 1990.Who is the most banned author of all time? We calculated our WordsRated Ban Score to rank authors by the frequency and the number of banned titles during this period. We used the most extensive available database on book-banning efforts, ALA’s list of banned and challenged titles, to compile this report that shows the most banned authors since 1990. It’s also important to note that, even with the more accurate and reliable reports over the last few decades, over 80-90% of all book bans and challenges remain unreported. As there is a lack of consistent and reliable sources regarding book banning for most of recorded history, it’s impossible to determine which books and authors have been banned the most. ![]() ![]() ![]() The book remained engrossing throughout the conclusion, with a lot of secret revelations at the end. Cram was a bad guy, who was at times likable too. The villains were evil, especially Eric Wu. ![]() I really liked Charlaine, a concerned neighbor, who ended up being quite helpful. This was a fast-paced, entertaining read, and the cast of characters were interesting. Eventually, she and her children are threatened, and she discovers other people in the photo went missing too. While trying to find out where her husband went, and what the photo means, she starts to search for answers. Later, Jack leaves the house, and Grace hasn’t seen him since. When Grace gets home, she shows the photo to Jack. But on closer inspection, she wonders if one man in the photo is her husband, Jack. It appears to be a photo taken twenty years ago, and she doesn’t know anyone in the photo. While glancing through them, she notices a picture that does not belong. Grace Lawson picks up some family snapshots at the local Photomat. ![]() ![]() ![]() As a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, she has visited schools and spoken to students about the importance of education and how it can change their lives. She was appointed UNICEF Celebrity Advocate for child rights in India in 2014. She underscored the importance of reading, writing, and education in shaping children's future and ultimately creating a better world.ĭixit, who is known for her iconic roles in Indian cinema, has also used her celebrity status to promote education initiatives, particularly for girls. Madhuri Dixit, who is also an advocate for children's education and rights, shared the quote on her social media platforms to highlight the significance of World Book Day. Her quote, “Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world,” has become a rallying cry for those who believe that education is the key to a better world. Malala Yousafzai, who became famous for her advocacy for education and women's rights, delivered a speech at the United Nations in 2013, calling for worldwide access to education. She survived the attack and continued to speak out, becoming a global symbol of resistance against oppression. In 2012, at the age of 15, she was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman while on her way to school. ![]() |