Nonfiction
Fantasy Worlds and Folklore: The Magical Realm of 2019-Present Pinoy Middle-Grade Books
The emergence of fantasy worlds ingeniously interwoven with the patterned design that represents Filipino folklore is a significant phenomenon that became closely linked to Pinoy middle-grade literature during 2020 and beyond. These magical tales not only take young readers into a world of magic but also offer an entry point to the vast cultural treasure trove that is the Philippines.
By Shella Mae Villanueva3 years ago in BookClub
Best Books of 2023?. Top Story - January 2024.
How can someone possibly compare the relative merits of Toasty (a picture book about a piece of toast that wants to be a dog) vs. Death on Gokumon Island (a mystery of grisly multiple murder)? Well, I've made an attempt!
By Maureen Y. Palmer3 years ago in BookClub
Whispers from the Streets: The Silent Prophet of Nairobi. Content Warning.
In the heart of Nairobi, where the rhythm of life pulsated through the crowded streets, there emerged a legend born from the dust and struggles of the impoverished. From the shadows of destitution, rose a prophet—a king not by birthright but by the divine tapestry that wove through his extraordinary life.
By Kelly Munala Brookes3 years ago in BookClub
From Prison to Progress
In the darkest days of the 20th century, amidst the echoes of World War II, a remarkable soul named Collins Munala emerged from the shadows of an unconventional beginning. Born within the confines of a prison, the circumstances of his birth were steeped in mystery. Raised within the cold walls of confinement, young Collins found solace in the warmth of the prison kitchen. The clattering of pots and pans became the lullabies of his infancy, and the savory scents, his earliest memories.
By Kelly Munala Brookes3 years ago in BookClub
"Romeo and Juliet"
"Romeo and Juliet" is one of William Shakespeare's most famous plays and one of the most enduring tragedies in the English language. It was written in the early stages of Shakespeare's career, around 1597, and is believed to have been first performed shortly thereafter. The play is set in Verona, Italy, and revolves around the passionate and ill-fated love affair between two young members of feuding families, the Montagues and the Capulets.
By Lincoln VR3 years ago in BookClub
What is The Real Value of Self-Help Books?
There are thousands of books and oceans of internet information available on how to help one’s self and resolve personal problems. The self-help market is booming as many people try to make sense of how they feel, to improve their mental health in this unforgiving social climate, attempt to get their life on track, or to simply boost their opportunities for success. But for others (particularly men), self-help books have not really worked, perhaps because of the sceptical way they view such books.
By Elaine Sihera 3 years ago in BookClub
"Lady Killers" by Tori Telfer - Book Club Discussion. Content Warning.
Inspired by author Tori Telfer's Jezebel column "Lady Killers," this thrilling and entertaining compendium investigates female serial killers and their crimes through the ages. When you think of serial killers throughout history, the names that come to mind are ones like Jack the Ripper, John Wayne Gacy, and Ted Bundy. But what about Tillie Klimek, Moulay Hassan, Kate Bender? The narrative we're comfortable with is the one where women are the victims of violent crime, not the perpetrators. In fact, serial killers are thought to be so universally, overwhelmingly male that in 1998, FBI profiler Roy Hazelwood infamously declared in a homicide conference, "There are no female serial killers." Lady Killers, based on the popular online series that appeared on Jezebel and The Hairpin, disputes that claim and offers fourteen gruesome examples as evidence. Though largely forgotten by history, female serial killers such as Erzsébet Báthory, Nannie Doss, Mary Ann Cotton, and Darya Nikolayevna Saltykova rival their male counterparts in cunning, cruelty, and appetite for destruction. Each chapter explores the crimes and history of a different subject, and then proceeds to unpack her legacy and her portrayal in the media, as well as the stereotypes and sexist clichés that inevitably surround her. The first book to examine female serial killers through a feminist lens with a witty and dryly humorous tone, Lady Killers dismisses easy explanations (she was hormonal, she did it for love, a man made her do it) and tired tropes (she was a femme fatale, a black widow, a witch), delving into the complex reality of female aggression and predation. Featuring 14 illustrations from Dame Darcy, Lady Killers is a bloodcurdling, insightful, and irresistible journey into the heart of darkness.
By Kristen Barenthaler3 years ago in BookClub
