![]() ![]() My biggest problem is the droolworthy Dragon shifter who has his eyes on my throne. And that Gemini star sign I mentioned? It now determines my elemental magic and affects my destiny, so learning astrology is essential if I’m going to beat down my classmates - which is actively encouraged, by the way. ![]() Classes are totally interesting if you manage to live through them. ![]() Vampires bite weaker students in the corridors, the Werewolf pack has orgies in the Wailing Wood at every full moon, and don’t even get me started on the dark and twisted ways the Sirens use their powers on people’s emotions, or how my sinfully tempting Cardinal Magic teacher hosts detentions that leave people needing therapy. The school they’ve sent me to is both dangerous as sh*t and one helluva party. But the bit they didn’t put in the brochure was that every single Fae in this Kingdom would claim my throne if they could. And sure, technically that’s true, as I’m the daughter of the Savage King. But of course, there’s a catch - all I have to do to claim my birthright is prove that I’m the most powerful supernatural in the whole of Solaria. ![]()
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![]() ![]() ![]() The characters, major and minor, are complex and unpredictable. It combines an exciting story with thought-provoking consideration of issues, such as bigotry, honor, justice, and the necessity of letting beliefs dictate actions. As an action-packed, edge-of-the-seat adventure, it should be appealing even to reluctant readers. ![]() The story is satisfying for several reasons. From that promising beginning, the author sweeps us into a breathtaking and suspenseful adventure at sea. See From the Book below for that warning. Instead of an Introduction or Author's Note before the first chapter, CHARLOTTE DOYLE begins with An Important Warning. Avi is an old hand at writing fine children's books in several genres, including historical fiction, and here he begins with one of the best opening hooks ever. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() The authors provide a taxonomy of default types and guidance on when-and when not-to use each type. They have caused many of us to purchase unwanted extended warranties or to inadvertently subscribe to mailing lists, for example. Of course, defaults can be nefarious as well. In its online auto configurator, for example, Audi preselects silver metallic as the default color because it’s the most popular. Most companies also strive to set defaults in ways that align with customers’ preferences. At a basic level, defaults can serve as manufacturer recommendations, and more often than not we’re happy with what we get. Setting defaults requires companies to balance a complex array of interests, including customers’ wishes and the company’s desire to maximize profits while minimizing risk. Despite those high stakes, management pays little attention to default policies. Ill-conceived defaults can leave money on the table, fuel consumer backlashes, put customers at risk and trigger lawsuits-costing companies dearly. Well-designed defaults benefit both company and consumer, simplifying decision making, enhancing customer satisfaction, reducing risk, and driving profitable purchases. When car rental companies sign you up for insurance unless you actively decline it, or software vendors recommend you click “next” for a quick install, they’re choosing default options for you-covertly or overtly guiding your choices. ![]() ![]() ![]() Remnick’s query centered around accusations - most likely emanating from somewhere within Koch World and handed to the New York Post and other outlets - that Mayer’s journalistic track record, according to their research, was rife with plagiarism. “In his e-mail,” to me, Mayer wrote, “Remnick explained that ten minutes earlier he’d received a baffling inquiry about me from Keith Kelly, the reporter who covered the media industry for the New York Post.” ![]() The story, as Mayer told it in “Dark Money,” began when she received a Januemail from her New Yorker editor, David Remnick. Mayer’s book exposes that the Kochs hired the firm Vigilant Resources International, run by former NYPD head Howard Safir and his daughter Jennifer Safir (the former FBI special agent), to do dirty work on their behalf. That article, titled “ Covert Operations,” served at the time as one of the first in-depth pieces of long-form investigative journalism on David and Charles Koch and the influential right-wing political and climate change denial Tea Party network they had Frankensteined. ![]() The just-published book “ Dark Money,” penned by New Yorker staff reporter Jane Mayer, reveals that the Koch Brothers hired the former commissioner of the New York Police Department ( NYPD) - and his daughter, a former FBI agent - to smear her as a “plagiarist” in the months after the release of her August 2010 bombshell article on the Kochs. ![]() ![]() One day, Hayati goes to Padang Panjang to see Zainuddin and stays with her friend Khadijah. ![]() He decides to move to Padang Panjang, although he continues to write to Hayati. Although he loves Hayati, the daughter of local nobleman, he is not allowed to be with her. As a person of mixed descent, he faces much discrimination from Minang conservatives. He is now living with his father's friend Mak Base in Batipuh, Sumatra. His Minang father died in exile after killing a relative over inheritance his non-Minang mother has also died. It was while in Medan that he wrote Van der Wijck, which was inspired in part by the sinking of an actual vessel in 1936. ![]() In 1935 he left Makassar for Medan, North Sumatra, where he became the editor of an Islamic weekly magazine, Pedoman Masjarakat. During these travels, especially while in the Middle East, he extensively read works by Islamic scholars and authors, such as those by the Egyptian writer Mustafa Lutfi al-Manfaluti, as well as Arabic-language translations of European works. After a trip to Java and Mecca beginning when he was sixteen, he became a religious scholar in Deli, East Sumatra, then in Makassar, South Sulawesi. Haji Abdul Malik Karim Amrullah, better known as simply Hamka, was the Sumatran-born son of a devout Muslim who viewed local traditions as hindering the progress of religion – his father's opinions influenced his. ![]() ![]() Because while she tries to be proper, it doesn’t always work out. But she’s also fiercely loyal and loves her family, and so when she sees how much it means to her mother to marry well, she agrees to allow the Duke of Leverton to turn her into a proper lady.Ĭharles is definitely known as the most proper of dukes, but that doesn’t stop him from being amused by Gillian’s exploits. She says what she wants, does what she wants, and has no fear when it comes to getting into situations others would avoid, like facing down and shooting smugglers. Gillian could care less about being socially proper. For a full synopsis, see this book’s Goodreads page. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.Ī proper duke is enlisted to help a scandalous young woman learn social graces so she can find a husband. ![]() Confession: I’ve never actually seen My Fair Lady, but I love the concept of it, which was why I requested to read this book. ![]() ![]() ![]() Let There Be Light is a fine story that mixes economics and politics with the science, and features one of his first female strong characters, scientist Mary Lou Martin. (The whole series is included in the omnibus The Past Through Tomorrow, which I highly recommend.) Life-Line was Heinlein's first published story, and is an interesting character study but doesn't fit in too well with the themes and continuity he was later to develop. ![]() Most of the paperback editions only contained four of the original six. I'm not wild about the orange cover (is that supposed to be David Bowie?), but the book is very nicely read by Buck Schirner. ![]() This Brilliance Audio performance of Heinlein's second collection of his Future History stories (the first was The Green Hills of Earth) contains all six of the stories that were included in the original Shasta hardcover edition. ![]() ![]() ![]() He’s a long-time soldier, a kind and devoted brother. In THE SOLDIER, we reacquaint ourselves with the man whom the Duchess took in at the age of five to be raised along her own brood. Just, who’s a half-brother to Val and Westhaven, and a bastard son of the wily, old Duke of Moreland. REVIEW: The Duke’s Obsession trilogy continues with the oldest of brothers, Devlin St. He arrives at his new estate weary in body and spirit only to find the previous owner’s bastard daughter and her beautiful cousin are his responsibility and making his life almost unbearably complicated. Just, the duke’s oldest, but illegitimate, son. The second book in the series features Devlin St. Resisting his pressure, each gentleman holds out for true love. The duke can’t force his sons to marry, but he can make their lives miserable until they do. ![]() ![]() STORY: This Regency era battle of wits, wills, and the sexes features a wily duke determined to see the succession of his line secured. ![]() ![]() I’m an open book! Look at my phone!” I gesture widely. It’s that she used to be his ex-girlfriend and has long swishy red hair. ![]() Just because she happens to be female-” “ It’s not that,” I cut him off scornfully. ![]() Surely I’m allowed to have a few friends, for Christ’s sake. I never thought of you as being possessive. “ Can’t you see it? She’s a home-wrecker! That’s what she does-” “She is not after me!” Luke says, cutting me off. “ She’s after you!” I’m leaning forward in agitation. How can he be so dense? I thought he was supposed to be clever. “Becky, I know you have a vivid imagination, but really… He pulls his shirt off and dumpsit in the laundry hamper. “You know she’s moving in on you, don’t you?” “What?” Luke gives a short laugh. ![]() “Latin books? Or… other things?” “ I’m sorry?” He looks bemused. “ Have you been reading my texts?” “ I’m your wife! What does she text you about, Luke?” My voice is rising in hurt. ![]() ![]() ![]() Here are a few titles to get you started. If you pick a Shirley Jackson story for your book club, you are going to talk about the book. Her command of not just the creepy, but the truly bone chilling makes her stories uniquely compelling, the kind of work that sparks deep thought and discussion. ![]() ![]() But with a new film based on Jackson’s life, titled Shirley, just released through VOD and starring Elisabeth Moss sporting the author’s trademark glasses, it might be time to give the rest of Jackson’s booklist a try. If you’re not already a fan of Shirley Jackson, the early 20th-century American author known for her spooky short stories, you probably at least know her from one work: The Lottery. ![]() |