The Woman Who Would Be King by Kara Cooney

               Kara Cooney's biography The Woman Who Would Be King is a excellent read for all those who are interested in the Egyptian Queen Hatshepsut...or shall I said the first real 'female king', rather than just a regent. Cooney walks us through Hatshepsut's childhood and through the years as she was building her political power. Although much of Queen Hatshepsut life is unknown and there is no way to really know what exactly she was thinking during her rise to power. I think the author did an excellent job in reviewing the Egyptian culture and how Queen Hatshepsut would use the religious beliefs to gain power.

I would give this book a 5 out 5 stars.

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I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Spinster: Making A Life Of One's Own by Kate Bolick

Kate Bolick's book Spinster: Making A Life Of One's Own is about of course that dirty word---"spinster" and how through time strong women have defied the idea that unmarried childless women are one-dimensional and go against the cultural norms of society. The author introduces the reader to her five "awakeners," the five main women throughout history who have inspired her life and career, and guides her through her relationships.

I would give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. 

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Near Enemy by Adam Sternbergh

Once again I enjoyed another adventure of Spademan. I love the dark humor and the fast pace action of the storyline of both Spademan books… I’ve also have a soft spot for dystopian futures. If you do too, make sure to check out both Shovel Ready and Near Enemy!

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I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett

I really like the concept of the story, although for some reason I couldn’t seem to really “get into the book.” There were a lot of fictional religious passages throughout the book, which I believe was attempt to get the reader to understand the Gods, but I feel it was a little overboard and took away from the main plot. 


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"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

Stuck in the Middle with You by Jennifer Finney Boylan

Jennifer Finney Boylan’s memoir Stuck in the Middle with You was a great eye opener to me since I’ve really haven’t had any experiences with transgender persons (well at least that I don’t know of) and also since I don not have any children of my own. Boylan discusses the difficulties in parenting, which seems to be tough enough for both mothers and father. But she unlike most parents has a different view on parenting, first being a father then eventually though some heartache a mother of two little boys. In her memoir she raises the question of what is the difference between the roles of "mother" and "father," other than gender. Is it physical skills, emotional skills, or something else? Boylan interviews family friends and colleagues with a whole range of nontraditional upbringings and experiences of parenting. 

I usually don't read to much non-friction but I loved this book, plus their were a few laugh out loud moments. I would give this book a rating of 4 out of 5. From additional information please click the links below. 

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"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

Shovel Ready by Adam Sternbergh

            Adam Sternbergh’s “Shovel Ready” is an enticing thriller set in the near future of a garbageman, Spademan, turned hitman with a dark sense of humor. His job: get a name. Find the name. Kill the name...simple right? But when he gets a phone from a client for his next job things don’t seem to work seem to work out that way. Set in New York City and parts of New Jersey after a “dirty bomb” was set off, which left Times Square a radiation hot zone…”dead and rotting, beyond resuscitation, and the rot spread out in circles from there.”

            I ranked this book a 4-stars. I loved the subtle dark comedy in this story. The fact that the author never used quotations to define the characters’ dialogue was confusing the first couple of pages, but in the end I actually enjoyed it, making the dialogue between characters flow quickly back and fourth and kept the story moving quickly too. 

           

            "I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this honest review."

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Total Cerebral Immersion

Hello this is my first blog!! Yay! 

I chose the name Total Immersion because I love swimming and this is a term used when teaching new swimmers. But this also could pertain to anything in life such as a learning a new language. I also add 'cerebral' to the name since the left cerebral hemisphere of the brain is in charge of reading, which I also love. This is why I started the blog for reviewing books I've read.

So time to immerse yourself...