Brussels by André de Vries

April 11, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Brussels: A Cultural History by André de Vries
Publisher: Interlink Books
Genre: Non-fiction, Historical
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

Starting out as a few huts in a forbidding swamp, Brussels took more than a thousand years to become the capital of the Duchy of Brabant, of Burgundy, and from 1830 the capital city of the new kingdom of Belgium. Today its name popularly evokes Eurocrat megalomania and miniature cabbages, its image that of a beer-drinker’s dream, a paradise of chocolates and French fries. Yet Brussels, for all its reputation for bureaucracy and extravagance, is a city that has always been open to outsiders, to invaders and immigrants, always preserving its humanity. Architecturally rich and culturally sophisticated, this European capital defies its stereotypes. André de Vries explores a city and country in perpetual search of an identity, still showing the scars of the Counter-Reformation, peopled by the “Spaniards of the North.” He discovers a capital on the fault-line between Latin and Germanic cultures, with its improbable hybrid languages. A place ruled by the spirit of zwanze “self-mockery and derision,” a city so down-to-earth they had to invent surrealism. * THE CITY OF ARCHITECTURE: the home of Horta and Art Nouveau; the Grand-Place and the Atomium; the palaces of the European Commission; corrupt town planners and the joy of destruction. * THE CITY OF EXILES AND VISITORS: Erasmus, Marx, Proudhon, Victor Hugo, and Balzac; adventurers and soldiers; Byron, Wellington, Victor Serge, and Alexandra David-Neel. * THE CITY OF LITERATURE, ART, AND MUSIC: Charlotte Bronti, W.H. Auden, dos Passos and Huysmans; cartoon heroes Tintin and the Smurfs; the artists Van der Weyden, Brueghel, Ensor, and Magritte; excess and energy; Jacques Brel, Johnny Hallyday, and Toots Thielemans.

Have you ever wondered about the city of Brussels in Belgium? If someone asked you about it, what could you tell them? Brussels by André de Vries is quite informative in this regard. After reading it, one is sure to feel confident in discussing Belgium with a focus on Brussels.

The author goes into detail about its architecture, the people, including famous visited throughout time, its works of art and books, and even music. It is all presented through the lens of history. Many examples are given, and the words of famous and historical people are shown to highlight points. One will also learn about the languages and politics there.

Brussels has its own unique problems, and the author of this book shows us how they dealt with tricky situations. De Vries it very knowledgeable about the topic. Whether you want to travel the Brussels or just educate yourself, this is a good book to check out.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Life in the Mississippi Marine Brigade: The Civil War Diary of George Painter by Beverly Wencek Kerr

April 7, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Life in the Mississippi Marine Brigade: The Civil War Diary of George Painter by Beverly Wencek Kerr
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Historical, Military, Non-Fiction
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Pvt. George Painter, a young man from Richland County, Ohio served in an unusual regiment during the Civil War. His journey as a member of the Mississippi Marine Brigade has been described in his personal diary for the year of 1863. Discover his descriptions of daily life on the brigade and marvel that his dates are exact to major events happening during the Civil War. Life on the Mississippi River and its tributaries held many interesting and exciting adventures and some days were yes, boring. Every time we find a diary of a Civil War soldier, we learn a little more about the trials and tribulations that brought about change in this country.

A man in a situation few thought they’d be in and writing about it along the way.

I picked this book up because the journalist grew up in the same area as I did and that fascinated me. I had no idea how much Ohio contributed to the Civil War. It’s not like many big battles were here, so the connection always seemed thin. Now I see it wasn’t so much.

This book is part journal by George Painter and part explanation by the author, Kerr. I liked that the author printed pages from the journal and the actual entries just as Painter wrote them – misspellings and all. I also liked that the author updated his words just below (so it seems the entries are in twice), with the corrected spellings and slight punctuation fixes. I have to say, just as the author did, for a man of his time period, Painter does write well and seems rather well-educated. Not just a farmer from Ohio.

I liked that the story isn’t just a reprint of the journal entries, but there are explanations alongside them. The author explains what was happening at the time, what battles might have been going on elsewhere, what the various terms mean and how the pay worked for the men of the brigade. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the time period.

The writing is simple at times, but this book doesn’t require something exceptionally technical. It needs the touch of a writer who writes like conversing with a friend. The writing flows well and drew me right in.

If you’re looking for a different take on the Civil War and the Mississippi Marine Brigade, then this might be the story for you. Check it out.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

A Union Like Ours: The Love Story of F. O. Matthiessen and Russell Cheney by Scott Bane

April 5, 2023 By Leave a Comment


A Union Like Ours: The Love Story of F. O. Matthiessen and Russell Cheney by Scott Bane
Publisher: Bright Leaf
Genre: Historical, Biography, Non-Fiction, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

After a chance meeting aboard the ocean liner Paris in 1924, Harvard University scholar and activist F. O. Matthiessen and artist Russell Cheney fell in love and remained inseparable until Cheney’s death in 1945. During the intervening years, the men traveled throughout Europe and the United States, achieving great professional success while contending with serious personal challenges, including addiction, chronic disease, and severe depression.

During a hospital stay, years into their relationship, Matthiessen confessed to Cheney that “never once has the freshness of your life lost any trace of its magic for me. Every day is a new discovery of your wealth.” Situating the couple’s private correspondence alongside other sources, Scott Bane tells the remarkable story of their relationship in the context of shifting social dynamics in the United States. From the vantage point of the present day, with marriage equality enacted into law, Bane provides a window into the realities faced by same-sex couples in the early twentieth century, as they maintained relationships in the face of overt discrimination and the absence of legal protections.

Two men who want to be together finding a way to make it work.

I’d never heard of activist F. O. Matthiessen and artist Russell Cheney until I picked up this book. I was intrigued by the way these two managed to navigate life and a relationship during the early 20th century. I can’t imagine being them, with the laws against LGBTQ people, the hatred and the harshness of trying to be authentic at the time.

I loved that there are pieces of their private correspondence in amongst the rest of the story because it made the men seem more real, not just a story to be told.

I liked, though that seems odd, that these men were human and struggled. I know that sounds strange, but it made them more human. There’s success, but there’s also the problem of healthcare at the time, how to handle depression and the general atmosphere of the world at the time. I liked seeing how they navigated these choppy waters and still managed to stay together. It was refreshing.

If you’re looking for a book that’s not like the rest with a couple that proves love is real, then pick up a copy today.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Why the Dutch are Different: Into the Hidden Heart of the Netherlands by Ben Coates

March 29, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Why the Dutch are Different: Into the Hidden Heart of the Netherlands by Ben Coates
Publisher: Nicholas Brealey Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Non-fiction
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

Stranded at Schiphol airport, Ben Coates called up a friendly Dutch girl he’d met some months earlier. He stayed for dinner. Actually, he stayed for good.

In the first book to consider the hidden heart and history of the Netherlands from a modern perspective, the author explores the length and breadth of his adopted homeland and discovers why one of the world’s smallest countries is also so significant and so fascinating. It is a self-made country, the Dutch national character shaped by the ongoing battle to keep the water out from the love of dairy and beer to the attitude to nature and the famous tolerance.

Ben Coates investigates what makes the Dutch the Dutch, why the Netherlands is much more than Holland and why the colour orange is so important. Along the way he reveals why they are the world’s tallest people and have the best carnival outside Brazil. He learns why Amsterdam’s brothels are going out of business, who really killed Anne Frank, and how the Dutch manage to be richer than almost everyone else despite working far less. He also discovers a country which is changing fast, with the Dutch now questioning many of the liberal policies which made their nation famous.

A personal portrait of a fascinating people, a sideways history and an entertaining travelogue, Why the Dutch are Different is the story of an Englishman who went Dutch. And loved it.

Many people have preconceived notions of the Netherlands, but are they right? Author Ben Coates, a British man, and married to a Dutch woman, has made his new home in Rotterdam. He gives readers insights into the culture and history of the Dutch people.

Some things we may have all read about, and Coates touches upon these; however, he adds many new things that the average reader may not have yet encountered. The Dutch have their own way of doing things, and it is both educational and amusing at times to read about them here. Why are the Dutch the way they are? Why is this country not just Holland? Why is the color orange so important to these people?

The Netherlands has its own problems due to geography and the physical aspects of the land itself. They find unique solutions, and these are laid out in an entertaining way of discovery for readers. Why not learn a bit of Dutch history as well? It intertwines with that of other countries. Readers will feel smarter for the gained knowledge and will likely enjoy themselves reading this travelogue.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

The Year of Living Danishly: Uncovering the Secrets of the World’s Happiest Country by Helen Russell

March 27, 2023 By Leave a Comment


The Year of Living Danishly: Uncovering the Secrets of the World’s Happiest Country by Helen Russell
Publisher: Icon Books Ltd.
Genre: Travel, Non-fiction, Contemporary
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

Given the opportunity of a new life in rural Jutland, Helen Russell discovered a startling statistic: Denmark, land of
long dark winters, cured herring, Lego and pastries, was the happiest place on earth.

Keen to know their secrets, Helen gave herself a year to uncover the formula for Danish happiness.

From childcare, education, food and interior design to SAD and taxes, The Year of Living Danishly records a funny,
poignant journey, showing us what the Danes get right, what they get wrong, and how we might all live a little more Danishly ourselves.

In this new edition, six years on Helen reveals how her life and family have changed, and explores how Denmark, too – or
her understanding of it – has shifted. It’s a messy and flawed place, she concludes – but can still be a model for a better way of living.

Helen and her husband are a hard-working British couple who get an exciting opportunity. Helen’s husband is offered a job to work for the Lego company in Denmark. As humor underlies Helen’s story of this time, she refers to her husband as Lego Man throughout the book. Other people receive this same type of honor: Friendly Neighbor, Bearded Man etc.

Helen and Lego Man set off, not for the busy capital, but for a rather isolated part of the country, but they do visit the big city. Helen regales her readers with anecdotes of daily living, sometimes comparing it to life in her homeland of England. She tells readers of the culture, food, politics, values, and even the weather of her new temporary home.

Readers are sure to be drawn in by a tale of nonfiction that comes across in a fun way. So many interesting tidbits are described as Helen and her husband make the adjustment and learn their new expectations.

As the author and Lego Man are expecting a child, readers get to hear about how the state treats new parents. Facts unroll in this adventure and offer many things to think about.

This is a great book to learn about another culture while being entertained. Hopefully this author will write more such books.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Thong Principle: Saying What You Mean and Meaning What You Say by donalee Moulton

March 23, 2023 By Leave a Comment


The Thong Principle: Saying What You Mean and Meaning What You Say by donalee Moulton
Publisher: Business Expert Press
Genre: Non-Fiction, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

The Thong Principle has little to do with beachwear and everything to do with effective communication. It’s about ensuring messages are successful for the sender – and the receiver.

The book delves into the elements that comprise successful communications – conciseness, clarity, concreteness, and much more. It also puts those elements into context. Communications that miss the mark confuse and annoy. They fail to deliver their message. They damage our credibility and erode goodwill.

The Thong Principle overflows with real-world examples to help us understand why we fail to get our messages across as intended.

Then it explains how we can anticipate, identify, and correct errors and oversights. This is both at the highest level – including building and maintaining trust – and down in the weeds where even one word makes a difference.

The Thong Principle will draw you in and keep you reading with:
Examples
Exercises
Information that resonates.
It’s also funny. Laughter and learning are wonderful partners.

Clear communication makes everything easier.

The most memorable passages were the ones that shared stories about various written forms of communication that accidentally gave their recipients the wrong first impression. For example, one letter began with compliments only to abruptly deny a request to place a sign on private property. It was a jarring thing for me to read and was no doubt even more upsetting for the person who had made the request. Tone matters, and anecdotes like this one explained why a softer approach does not necessarily have to come with flowery language or vague writing.

It would have been helpful to have more concrete information about what to look for when revising a piece of business writing. While this was covered briefly in a section or two, I would have appreciated a more condensed list of what should and should not be included in, say, a letter to a client or an email to one’s boss. I would have happily chosen a higher star rating if it had been included.

I appreciated how many examples the author shared of messages that were and were not easy to understand. Her commentary about what made one message effective and another one too dense or vague was even more helpful. This is the sort of writing advice that works better when the audience has plenty of opportunities to practice their skills and learn to correct imprecise communication.

The Thong Principle: Saying What You Mean and Meaning What You Say was a thought-provoking read.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Travel For As Long As You Wish: The Blueprint For Budget Travel, Backpacking And Escaping The Rat Race by Mark James Murphy

March 22, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Travel For As Long As You Wish: The Blueprint For Budget Travel, Backpacking And Escaping The Rat Race by Mark James Murphy
Publisher: Amazon KDP
Genre: Non-fiction, Contemporary
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Chamomile

Learn how to escape the 9 to 5 and live your dream life, without delaying any longer!

What if you could say goodbye to the daily grind and fill every day with adventure and experiences, packed with true value and meaning right now?

From humble North-East roots, in the industrial city of Sunderland, U.K to becoming an artist, adventurer and teacher, Mark James Murphy did exactly that and wants to show how it’s possible for everyone.

This book gives you the ultimate tools and knowledge to get unstuck from the rut of the rat race once and for all and travel for as long as you wish. Whether you are young and inexperienced in travel or a seasoned globetrotter or you have retired and have more time on your hands to explore the world, this book will give you the very latest travel advice and explore the following topics:
How to prepare for your trip, what and how to pack
The latest digital devices for travelling and useful apps
Insightful personal experiences from my own adventures
Reasons why we want to travel and what meaningful travel is
Why you can travel with very little money
How to find your own value and generate finances from this as you travel
Avoid scams while in a new country
Great tips and discount information for senior travelers

Travel For As Long As You Wish is a great resource and is good for both first time travelers as well as those who haven’t traveled in some time and would like to get back into the habit! I loved the detailed tips and suggestions. I also appreciated that the author used many of his own personal experiences and lessons he’s learned along the way as examples of how to get the most out of your journey.

While this one focuses quite a bit on the Middle East and similar destinations, since that is the author’s preferred travel region, many of these tips are things that can easily be modified to fit other travel locations as well. He also mentioned teaching classes online or other similar jobs as a great way to make traveling possible. This is also a wonderful way to both practice skills to avoid getting rusty and gain useful connections. This option makes it possible to work and afford to live anywhere you want without being limited on job options based on location as there are countless things that can be taught, and good teachers are always in demand.

This was a wonderful read for those looking to fit more into their travel plans, would love to travel, but don’t know where to start, or those who are just looking for ways to up their travel game. This book is sure to have a little for everyone and is both a quick and entertaining read!

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

From Under a Rock by Tam MacPhee

March 14, 2023 By 5 Comments


From Under a Rock by Tam MacPhee
Publisher: Tellwell
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Rated: 3 stars
Review by Rose

In this compelling memoir, author Tam MacPhee bares her soul and shares her deepest memories. As a little girl she battles through abuse, with her innocence betrayed by the males closest to her. Becoming a single parent at the age of eighteen, she is determined to work hard to create a better future for herself and her child.

Soon after turning nineteen, she meets a man whom she believed to be the man of her dreams. But she had no idea that the toughest lessons in her life were still to be learned. Secrets are revealed and a piece of her heart is broken off forever.

Realizing she deserves more, Tam finds her path set out by the universe that brings her love and success. But the journey also includes a new heartbreaking diagnosis and many challenges. Join Tam as she recounts her story, sharing her experiences and life’s lessons.

Ms. MacPhee is to be commended for her honesty in telling her story so frankly. The book begins with her birth in 1974 (from what she has been told and from what she remembers as a child) and continues through Covid and her care of her mom during her final days. The book is written just as the author remembers things – very stream-of-conscious writing. Because of this it can come across as a bit disjointed at times, but the authenticity of her life shines through.

The author includes a large section of pictures and letters from various parts of her life, which also lead the reader to get to know Tam and her family members.

However, the book would have been easier to read had it been edited better. There were several issues with punctuation and areas where the writing could have been a little tighter and not so rambly. Details were duplicated, and there were times when less would have been more.

I do think that the book is a good way for Tam’s family and friends to learn more about her, though, and that’s a good thing. She also includes a chapter of advice she has learned across the years, which is helpful, as well as a chapter on the importance of the number 22 to her life.

All in all, I enjoyed reading the book and learning more about this woman and the life she has led.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Coming Up For Air by Tom Daley

February 21, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Coming Up For Air by Tom Daley
Publisher: Hanover Square Press
Genre: Non-Fiction, Contemporary, Memoir
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

A deeply personal and inspiring memoir from the celebrated Olympic gold medal diver and LGBTQ+ advocate

Tom Daley is one of the most beloved athletes of our time, having competed as a diver in four Olympics, garnering medals and finally, in 2021 in Tokyo, winning gold. But few people know the realities of his life beyond the pool—his struggles, his secret triumphs and the mindset he needed to cultivate to become a champion.

In this deeply personal book, Tom explores the experiences that have shaped him and the qualities that brought him success and joy—from the resilience he developed competing at a world-class level, to the courage he discovered while reclaiming the narrative around his sexuality, to the perspective that family life has brought him.

Inspiring, candid and compulsively readable, Coming Up for Air offers an intimate window into the life and mindset of an athlete and advocate who has left an indelible imprint on sports.

A diver, a career and a long journey.

Tom Daley is well known for his time in the pool. He’s a professional diver and he’s competed at the highest levels. If you watched him in London in 2012, then there was some fantastic diving. This book is about that, but it’s also about him as a person. This isn’t a run-of-the-mill autobiography. It’s almost like a conversation with friends and a self-therapy session. The writing flows well, again like a conversation among friends, and kept me engaged throughout.

Daley talks about his struggles in the pool. It’s not always great and sometimes it’s bad. He talks about how he got through those times and honestly, it was helpful to see how he dealt with his struggles. He’s relatable. I liked learning about his journey to meeting and marrying his husband as well as his struggles in and out of the pool. Not because I wanted to see his faults, but it humanized him. He talks about his father being not the average sport parent, but just being a parent. When he’d struggle, his father wasn’t pushing him to the point of being terrible, but rather he pushed by not pushing. He let his son figure things out on his own. Reading about his father’s struggle with cancer and passing added a dimension to the story and again humanized them all.

If you’re looking for a sweet, funny at times, sad at times, but wholly engrossing, then this might be the book for you.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

So You Want To Fly Private? THE RULES by Shannon McDermott

February 10, 2023 By Leave a Comment


So You Want To Fly Private? THE RULES by Shannon McDermott
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Non-Fiction, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Ever had a sh***y job with problematic co-workers and even worse customers? If you just said “YES” out loud in the bookstore, and people are now staring at you, this book is most definitely for you! Inspired by the Great Resignation, So You Want To Fly Private? THE RULES, is a collection of true, darkly comedic stories as told by CFAs (Corporate Flight Attendants) in the private aviation industry.

Jenny Jetway, your favorite renegade CFA, walks you through true accounts of what it’s like to work as a CFA in private aviation, an industry that hasn’t progressed much since the 1970s. From Sugar Babies and wild Karens to toxic, misogynist bosses who don’t understand the meaning of consent, So You Want To Fly Private: THE RULES paints a messy picture of a famously secretive industry using the same uncensored rhetoric found in venting sessions with co-workers over happy hour drinks at the bar.

Through a a set of 10 rules, curated in mind for the curious travel enthusiast, So You Want To Fly Private? THE RULES is guaranteed to be a hilarious, thrilling, yet quick read that can be accomplished over the course of a flight or an airport layover.

The hospitality industry isn’t for the faint-hearted.

Anyone who has worked in any sort of customer service position knows how unpredictable people can be. From keeping inebriated people distracted to preventing rowdy preschoolers from coloring on the walls of a private plane, being a corporate flight attendant requires quick response times and plenty of patience. The anecdotes about the many humorous things her clients did when they thought no one was paying attention made it impossible for me to stop reading.

It would have been nice to have more stories about her coworkers. Some of my favorite scenes were the ones that showed how she dealt with situations where the pilot was asking her to do one thing for safety reasons, but her clients wanted to do something that contradicted those orders and may endanger themselves or those around them. I also found myself wondering what her relationships were like with the other corporate flight attendants. A couple of them were mentioned, but this seemed to be something that could have been given more attention in order to give a well-rounded view of what this job is really like. This is a minor criticism of something I otherwise enjoyed quite a bit.

I loved the author’s dry sense of humor. Her job wasn’t always an easy one, but she found the funny side of all sorts of frustrating, silly, and odd situations. I chuckled as she described the basic common courtesies she hoped her clients would extend to her and how often the people she looked after weren’t willing to mind their manners or follow simple safety rules. It can be difficult to work under such conditions, so having the right attitude about the hard days is important. There is definitely something to be said for people who are able to do this as well as she does!

So You Want To Fly Private? THE RULES was an eye-opening read.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »