Tdruid
Pima County Public Library
Tdruid's Completed Shelf
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Tdruid's rating:
Added Jul 13, 2023
The Way I Used to BeThe Way I Used to Be, Book
by Smith, AmberBook - 2016 | First editionBook, 2016. First edition
Tdruid's rating:
Added Jul 10, 2023
Comment:
This is painful to read, mostly because Eden isolates herself by refusing to tell anyone - even her long-time best friend - how she has been violated and threatened, and then tries to numb the pain with risky behavior and substance abuse, ultimately hurting herself and everyone who cares about her. It’s sad watching her “circling the drain” because she’s both denying the violation and not taking advantage of the resources and counseling that are now - thank goodness! - available to survivors. 50 years ago, when I was a teen, not only did those resources not exist, a teenaged girl was very unlikely to be believed, much less supported, and further victimized in the very rare chance the rapist would be prosecuted.
Highly recommended for all young women, especially those who have already been abused.This is painful to read, mostly because Eden isolates herself by refusing to tell anyone - even her long-time best friend - how she has been violated and threatened, and then tries to numb the pain with risky behavior and substance abuse, ultimately…
Paper CutsPaper Cuts, Book
by Adams, ElleryBook - 2023 | First Kensington hardcover editionBook, 2023. First Kensington hardcover edition
Tdruid's rating:
Added Jul 09, 2023
Comment:
Good story, fraught with peril, and multiple dead bodies - this series continues to improve - and all the loose ends are tidily tied up in the end, except for a dangling cliffhanger, of sorts. I’m pretty sure I know where it’s going, but no spoilers! We’ll wait and see.
Absolutely recommended you read these books in order. Just remind yourself that it gets better as it goes along, and patiently slog through the darkness.Good story, fraught with peril, and multiple dead bodies - this series continues to improve - and all the loose ends are tidily tied up in the end, except for a dangling cliffhanger, of sorts. I’m pretty sure I know where it’s going, but no…
The Home for Wayward GirlsThe Home for Wayward Girls, BookA Novel
by Bradley, MarciaBook - 2023 | First editiionBook, 2023. First editiion
Tdruid's rating:
Added Jul 08, 2023
Comment:
This is an important book which I hope will be widely read, because it details an abusive “industry” that absolutely has no right or justification to exist in a civilized society. It’s present-day child-slave labor reeking of pre-emancipation abuses. Including sexual abuses.
The chapters about the “Home” are painful to read, and important to know and acknowledge as real, long-term threats to the children they fraudulently claim to “cure”.
I was intensely reminded that those who preach and proclaim the loudest about their holiness (and everyone else’s sinfulness) are by far the most evil people you’ll ever meet.
The other chapters set in New York give hope that survival and a positive, fulfilling life is possible, while acknowledging the mental and emotional scars that linger for life, and make creating a better life a ever-present challenge.
Highly recommended. Have tissues ready.This is an important book which I hope will be widely read, because it details an abusive “industry” that absolutely has no right or justification to exist in a civilized society. It’s present-day child-slave labor reeking of pre-emancipation…
Quotations
- “You are strong and capable. Do we forgive our aggressors? No, I don’t think so. But what matters is that we let go of any unjust guilt we carry. That we absolve ourselves of our pasts and build our lives.”
Bottle of LiesBottle of Lies, BookThe Inside Story of the Generic Drug Boom
by Eban, KatherineBook - 2018 | First editionBook, 2018. First edition
Tdruid's rating:
Added Jul 07, 2023
Comment:
A horrifying account for everyone who takes generic drugs - which are all insurance or Medicare will pay for.
The author gives an exhaustive overview of the path to forming the FDA - if that’s putting you to sleep, you can skip chapters 2-9 and not really miss anything important. After that point, it gathers momentum like a snowball (of a freight train) rolling downhill.
Highly recommended to everyone who takes prescription drugs.A horrifying account for everyone who takes generic drugs - which are all insurance or Medicare will pay for.
The author gives an exhaustive overview of the path to forming the FDA - if that’s putting you to sleep, you can skip chapters 2-9 and not…
Quotations
- ...NewJersey, Carla S... a 71 year old retiree, would have simply swallowed her daily capsule for high blood pressure, Amlodipine/Benazepril, were it not for a flash of movement. On closer inspection, she noticed a small, centipede-like bug stuck halfway inside the capsule, alive and wiggling. Horrified, she watched as the bug tried to free itself from the pill casing. She’d never thought before about who made her medicine. But she learned that the maintenance drug, which she’d gotten in a 3- month supply from the prescription manager Express Scripts, was made by the Indian company Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. Her complaint became one of over a million related to pharmaceuticals filed with the FDA that year. ...NewJersey, Carla S... a 71 year old retiree, would have simply swallowed her daily capsule for high blood pressure, Amlodipine/Benazepril, were it not for a flash of movement. On closer inspection, she noticed a small, centipede-like bug stuck…
- Often, substandard drugs do not contain enough active ingredient to effectively treat sick patients. But they do contain enough to kill off the weakest microbes while leaving the strongest intact. These surviving microbes go on to reproduce, creating a new generation of pathogens capable of resisting even fully potent, properly made medicine. Often, substandard drugs do not contain enough active ingredient to effectively treat sick patients. But they do contain enough to kill off the weakest microbes while leaving the strongest intact. These surviving microbes go on to reproduce,…
- Most of the FDA’s investigators who were sent to China did not speak the language. They couldn’t read the manufacturing records. The FDA did not provide independent translators. Instead, the companies provided translators who, more often than not, were company salesmen. Too frequently, FDA investigators simply gave plants a pass, deeming them to be No Action Indicated because they had no way to tell otherwise. The investigators also couldn’t read street signs, which made them vulnerable to wild manipulations. Companies steered them to phony “show” plants, where everything looked compliant, but the companies weren’t manufacturing there. Sometimes a group of companies pooled their resources and invested in the same “show” factory, so that different FDA inspectors returned to the same plant at different times, each one thinking they were inspecting a different facility. Most of the FDA’s investigators who were sent to China did not speak the language. They couldn’t read the manufacturing records. The FDA did not provide independent translators. Instead, the companies provided translators who, more often than not,…
Tdruid's rating:
Added Jul 07, 2023
Comment:
Another good story, with a horrific means of killing. This series keeps getting better as Riley gradually becomes a bit more mature about her teenage charges, mostly focusing on the murders, as she should. The girls know how important her job is and totally accept her absences. Riley just needs to stop flogging herself when duty calls and she can’t be at home with them.
Highly recommended you read this series in order.Another good story, with a horrific means of killing. This series keeps getting better as Riley gradually becomes a bit more mature about her teenage charges, mostly focusing on the murders, as she should. The girls know how important her job is and…
DuneDune, DVD
DVD - 2022DVD, 2022
Tdruid's rating:
Added Jul 06, 2023
Comment:
I certainly hope this is Dune Part 1, because it barely got through 1/3 of the book - ending with Paul and Jessica being admitted to the seich, but with Jessica being a Sayadina still unknown. Many significant details from the book were just omitted, like the litany against fear, and how incredibly precious every drop of water is, so that even a drop of spit would be saved, purified, and reused.
I also found the casting extremely disappointing - Paul had none of the charisma, physicality, or apparent prescience required of Muad Dib - oh, and he hadn’t been given that name yet, either. Jason Mamoa was totally wrong for Duncan Idaho. He would have been perfect as Stilgar, but that important role was given to a completely unimpressive actor. What a waste. Jessica was also lacking the magnetism she absolutely had to have. And it was quite unsettling to go from the physically perfect Sting to the repugnant wimp cast as the Beast Raban. The Baron Harkonnen was nowhere as powerful, commanding, or repulsive as his predecessors in the role (though I personally don’t miss the myriad pustules.)
In all fairness, I did like the casting of Duke Leto and Chani, but neither of them was given enough of a role.
I’ll wait to see if there is a sequel, and hope it’s more faithful to the book, but, until then, I absolutely recommend reading the book for yourself - it’s utterly superb - and watching the 1st and 2nd versions of the movie (the 2nd is more faithful to the book, and is broken into 3 episodes).I certainly hope this is Dune Part 1, because it barely got through 1/3 of the book - ending with Paul and Jessica being admitted to the seich, but with Jessica being a Sayadina still unknown. Many significant details from the book were just…
Added Jul 03, 2023
Comment:
Another great story from a delightful series, and Eddie is just irresistible. Minnie is finally getting some help with the bookmobile route, and she’s no longer having to justify it’s value to the community every time she turns around. The murder mystery had enough suspects to keep you guessing as they were one by one vetted and eliminated. Everything got wrapped up so neatly with happy endings, I’m seriously relieved that this isn’t the end of the series. Highly recommended to read all the books in this series in order.Another great story from a delightful series, and Eddie is just irresistible. Minnie is finally getting some help with the bookmobile route, and she’s no longer having to justify it’s value to the community every time she turns around. The murder…
Quotations
- … I did learn two things: that there are a lot of cat pictures on Facebook and I had no idea what I was doing.
Tdruid's rating:
Added Jul 03, 2023
Comment:
When I selected this book, there was no summary, no reviews, and the only hint as to the story was that it’s classified as suspense fiction. But the title made me curious, having known (and been related to) some truly toxic people.
It is definitely aptly named. The story switches back and forth from the viewpoints of the husband and wife, with the eternally-meddling and criticizing mother and the harpy of a sister spewing their venom every chance they can manufacture. These ghastly women make my disfunctional family look healthy! It’s worth reading just for that, but it’s a good story also.When I selected this book, there was no summary, no reviews, and the only hint as to the story was that it’s classified as suspense fiction. But the title made me curious, having known (and been related to) some truly toxic people.
It is…
Quotations
- “Soon I’ll be like you and prefer cows to people.” “When have you last seen a cow being an arsehole? Or a horse? Or a sheep?” “A very valid point, Shane.” For a moment he looked pensive. Then he said “Admittedly, goats can be arseholes.”
Tdruid's rating:
Added Jun 29, 2023
Comment:
Shades of A Telltale Heart!
The story was good and nothing was completely ridiculous. The ending left it wide open for a sequel.
Definitely read these in order, as the history is important to the plot.
Added Jun 27, 2023
Comment:
This series continues to get better, as the women become better friends, and (eventually) allow the others to help them through traumatic times. Not to give too much away, both Hester and Estella are going through difficult situations, and of course, there’s the obligatory murder for Nora to solve. Also an interesting book-related mystery.
Please read this series in order, as the core friendship and trust were built a piece at a time, and this story in particular is about Hester’s history. Start with The Secret, Book, and Scone Society.This series continues to get better, as the women become better friends, and (eventually) allow the others to help them through traumatic times. Not to give too much away, both Hester and Estella are going through difficult situations, and of…
Mortal EnginesMortal Engines, Book
by Reeve, PhilipBook - 2003 | 1st American edBook, 2003. 1st American ed
Tdruid's rating:
Added Jun 26, 2023
Comment:
This story is quite different, and it is interesting, but I don’t think it should be categorized as SciFi. It’s really more fantasy. It reminds me mostly of The Golden Compass and a bit of Long Earth.
The characters are well drawn and the story is well-paced.This story is quite different, and it is interesting, but I don’t think it should be categorized as SciFi. It’s really more fantasy. It reminds me mostly of The Golden Compass and a bit of Long Earth.
The characters are well drawn and the story is…
Added Jun 25, 2023
The Crime That BindsThe Crime That Binds, Paperback
by Cass, LauriePaperback - 2022 | First editionPaperback, 2022. First edition
Tdruid's rating:
Added Jun 25, 2023
Comment:
Another great story from a delightful series, and Eddie is just irresistible. The murder mystery had enough suspects to keep you guessing as they were one by one vetted and eliminated.
Everything got wrapped up so neatly with happy endings, I’m seriously relieved that this isn’t the end of the series.
Highly recommended to read all the books in this series in order.Another great story from a delightful series, and Eddie is just irresistible. The murder mystery had enough suspects to keep you guessing as they were one by one vetted and eliminated.
Everything got wrapped up so neatly with happy endings, I’m…
The Book of CandlelightThe Book of Candlelight, Book
by Adams, ElleryBook - 2020 | First Kensington hardcover editionBook, 2020. First Kensington hardcover edition
Added Jun 25, 2023
Tdruid's rating:
Added Jun 25, 2023
Comment:
This ebook unfortunately (and inexplicably) doesn’t allow you to change the font size or lighting. It’s like someone photocopied the actual book. The font therefore is extremely tiny and glaring in black on white. It might be okay on a computer screen, or even a large tablet, but it’s exacerbating on my 2”x4” phone.
Only after struggling to read the entire story and returning it, I discovered there’s another copy of it in Libby. A nice normal adjustable copy. So if you wind up with the weird copy, get the other one instead! Your eyes will thank you!
The murder mystery is ok, but the protagonist alternately dating 2 eligible bachelors - 1 the best looking man in the county, and the other the nicest guy you’ll ever meet -stringing both along, is getting kind of unreasonable. I don’t know a single man who would put up with it, much less 2 in the same small town, especially 2 who are well acquainted with each other. And her mother’s blatant match-making and hint-dropping is getting intolerable. Why Hannah continues to allow it is beyond me. I certainly wouldn’t.This ebook unfortunately (and inexplicably) doesn’t allow you to change the font size or lighting. It’s like someone photocopied the actual book. The font therefore is extremely tiny and glaring in black on white. It might be okay on a computer…
The Truth About WuhanThe Truth About Wuhan, BookHow I Uncovered the Biggest Lie in History
by Huff, Andrew G.Book - 2022Book, 2022
Added Jun 23, 2023
Tdruid's rating:
Added Jun 20, 2023
Added Jun 19, 2023
Comment:
This is the 4th book in the series, after Damaging Secrets, Hunted Girl, and Overkill, in that order. I highly recommend you read this series in that order, as each book builds on the last.
Tdruid's rating:
Added Jun 13, 2023
Comment:
Quite good, and different from her other books. Chapters alternate between the 2 main characters
Nisha is easy to hate with her vain, entitled impatience with things the rest of us deal with every day, but her husband is so extremely vile, you have to cut her some slack. ( Even though the whole mixup was totally her fault - shoving Sam’s bag on the floor and putting hers in it’s place.)
Recommended for when you just want to forget about your own problems for awhile.Quite good, and different from her other books. Chapters alternate between the 2 main characters
Nisha is easy to hate with her vain, entitled impatience with things the rest of us deal with every day, but her husband is so extremely vile, you have…
Tdruid's rating:
Added Jun 07, 2023
Comment:
This story is horrific, but it’s definitely SciFi, not horror. It’s suspenseful and dreadful, but not gory or inserting shock value. Everything is necessary to the plot.
It describes 4 different outposts and how they are besieged, and then, the small team that is sent on a suicide mission to retake the most important one.
The ending definitely left it open for a sequel.
Recommended for hard-core Sci-Fi fans.This story is horrific, but it’s definitely SciFi, not horror. It’s suspenseful and dreadful, but not gory or inserting shock value. Everything is necessary to the plot.
It describes 4 different outposts and how they are besieged, and then, the…
One by OneOne by One, Book
by Ware, RuthBook - 2020 | First Scout Press hardcover editionBook, 2020. First Scout Press hardcover edition
Tdruid's rating:
Added Jun 05, 2023
Comment:
I have read all Ruth Ware’s books and I believe she’s getting better. This story is a bit different from her others, and the setting is definitely intriguing. Some of the characters are easy to despise and it’s almost a relief when they’re killed. Others are decent people trapped in a ghastly situation.
Unfortunately she still relies on the desperate escape/chase at the end - the only huge flaw I see in her writing, because it’s so unreasonable what the protagonist is able to do.
I look forward to reading more of her books, in spite of her not being “the next Agatha Christie’!I have read all Ruth Ware’s books and I believe she’s getting better. This story is a bit different from her others, and the setting is definitely intriguing. Some of the characters are easy to despise and it’s almost a relief when they’re killed.…
Blueberry Muffin MurderBlueberry Muffin Murder, eBook
by Fluke, JoanneeBook - 2006eBook, 2006
Available
Tdruid's rating:
Added Jun 04, 2023
Comment:
The story was pretty good, it is full of very unhealthy but probably tasty recipes, and the 1st murder victim - a Martha Stewart type - was so horrible nearly everyone in town had a motive to kill her. While it was a relief she was gone, she continued causing trouble for people who tried to help her, even from the grave.
Worth reading when you want something light, but I recommend starting at the beginning with Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder.The story was pretty good, it is full of very unhealthy but probably tasty recipes, and the 1st murder victim - a Martha Stewart type - was so horrible nearly everyone in town had a motive to kill her. While it was a relief she was gone, she…
Tdruid's rating:
Added May 29, 2023
Comment:
I agree with CL kcls about the constant game-playing and the repetitive dialogue and descriptions, and that banter isn’t a relationship.
I enjoyed the premise of the story, but really would have preferred it without the detailed making out and sex descriptions. It could have been much more discreet and still made the point, and I think would have been a better, stronger story without it.I agree with CL kcls about the constant game-playing and the repetitive dialogue and descriptions, and that banter isn’t a relationship.
I enjoyed the premise of the story, but really would have preferred it without the detailed making out and sex…
Tdruid's rating:
Added May 24, 2023
Comment:
I love this series, and I especially love Eddie. And the bookmobile. I will never forget how special a day it was when the bookmobile came to my school - never soon enough!
The murder mystery kept me guessing (and ultimately guessing wrong) and the motive was as twisted as any psycho- serial-killer’s.
Highly recommended, but be sure to read the books in order to understand the relationships. So sad the library no longer has books 2&3. *hint, hint!*I love this series, and I especially love Eddie. And the bookmobile. I will never forget how special a day it was when the bookmobile came to my school - never soon enough!
The murder mystery kept me guessing (and ultimately guessing wrong) and the…
Comment: