I Read: The Midnight Library

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

I have this weird tendency to buy books with titles that include the word library, or book without knowing what they're really about. I would call an episode like that "meta" in TV, but I don't think it's like that with books.

In the case of The Midnight Library, I'm extremely glad I did. This is a great book. The description I read before purchasing didn't tell me anything that I didn't want to know. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised by how little I actually knew about the book as I started reading. 

I Read: Birds of All Feathers

Birds of All Feathers: Doing Diversity and Inclusion Right by Michael Bach

Equality is giving everyone a shoe.  Equity is giving everyone a shoe that fits.

Important words to consider when thinking about diversity and inclusion. Everyone deserves equity because equality isn't taking individualism into account.

There's not a lot I can say about this book. It speaks for itself. Michael Bach is well-versed in diversity and inclusion and sets this book up as a simple-to-read starter for anyone wanting to think more about the topics. There's obviously not going to be a step-by-step manual in a 200-page pocket-sized book, but the words here will make the reader think about themselves, and their organization from a different perspective. 

If you are sitting there pondering why he needed to list Diversity and Inclusion separately on the cover, then you should read the book. It contains a great explanation for what we do well, and what we do poorly, in our general attempts at diversity, and inclusion. 

#57-2021 

I Read: Freed

Freed by E.L. James

(last in the Fifty Shades series - third in the trilogy from Christian's perspective)

I can't lie. I'm so happy to be done with this series. I am aware, that there wasn't really a reason why I had to read this book, but I'm a completist - I wanted to have read the whole series. I put in the effort to read the others, despite being less than thrilled with the writing in all of them, so finishing this last book seems like an accomplishment of sorts. 

I still (STILL) have a lot of issues with the characters and characterization in this series. I literally read it thinking "You are such an asshole!" and "Why are you such a pushover!" Usually, I like the male lead over the female or vice versa, but in this case, I dislike them both.  Until the very last chapters, there is no emotional growth from Christian, and even then it's very slight. He just excuses himself from all blame because he blames everyone else for his "feelings" that he doesn't want to have to deal with. It's just frustrating to read. 

Beyond that, the writing in this book is no stronger than it was in the first book, which is also disappointing when that could make up for a lot of the issues. There are some really good plot ideas in there; they're just not displayed well. There really is no emphasis beyond the sex. Which is fine, if that's all you need from a novel. I guess for some people that's enough.

Anyway, between this and finishing the Twilight series, I'm just glad to be done. I feel a little bit like I just read the same book twice. Minus the sex from Freed in Midnight Sun, because it's Twilight. I'm craving something with at least a little bit of substance now. But I have no idea what that will be. 

#56-2021

I Read: Midnight Sun

Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer

(Book 5 in the Twilight series)

Total transparency. I did not have big expectations for this book. I read it only because I had read the rest of the Twilight series, and I'm a bit of a completionist. I didn't even really enjoy the rest of the series that much. This one didn't fail me there. 

I had higher hopes because of the amount of time that had passed since the originals had been written. Perhaps Meyer's writing skills had improved. Maybe she'd realized that her characters are a bit like cardboard cutouts. Maybe, maybe, maybe. 

I Read: Indigenous Relations

Indigenous Relations: Insights, Tips & Suggestions to Make Reconciliation a Reality by Bob Joseph with Cynthia F. Joseph

After the discovery of the bodies of 215 indigenous children at an old residential school site, I decided that I needed to delve back into the indigenous relations and reconciliation information. This one is written by the same author as 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act that I read earlier this year, and follows well in that conversation. 

In typical white privilege fashion, I have to stop myself from arguing with some of the points he makes because there really is no defence for what has been done to the indigenous people in Canada. I don't have to have answers on how to fix it, but I do need to acknowledge that and make sure that I don't perpetuate any of it. 

I'm not going to review this in any form. I'm really not qualified for that. But I do recommend anyone read this in order to gain some perspective on Indigenous Relations in Canada. We're getting better, but there's still a long way to go. 

#54-2021