Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Floresj

Floresj

Joined June 2016

mom, teacher, library lover, runner, outdoor enthusiast, self proclaimed nerd😊
review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

Part memoir about her running career, and part manifesto about the issues in women‘s sports- the bias, body image, etc. the best parts were her telling her story- athletes can identify with so much, but the salary portion didn‘t sit well- she wanted to be an influencer and get paid by Nike, which is more important than running fast, yes, but that‘s not how professional sport work. She‘s honest and tries to make the sports better than she lived it.

review
Floresj
Mobility | Lydia Kiesling
post image
Pickpick

I‘m fairly certain that I probably wouldn‘t like/respect Bunny in real life, but in this novel, I did. Following her meandering through her life and her proximity to oil yet not understanding it completely was mesmerizing. This worked for me and liked the quick pace of time.

review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

Fun mystery following a journalist and her investigation. Love the switching of mediums- texts, plays, interviews and prose. Easy reading, good pace of plot.

review
Floresj
The MANIAC | Benjamn Labatut
post image
Pickpick

This took a minute for me to get into, but one I did (1/3 of the way into it), I loved the storytelling method, topic, and pace. From a variety of perspectives, the story of the person who dreamed of building a “thinking” computer and ramifications of this from multiple people. Creative and packs a punch without being sanctimonious.

review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

Part history, part science, part political, part innovation, Chip War walks the reader through the innovative of the “chip”, it‘s fabrication, ramifications, and its uses. How we got to the Asian dominance of chip production was interesting and where we go from here is complex and well explained.

review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

Five families are followed throughout their experiences in the suburbs. Really interesting but I felt that it was more about schools than suburbs. That being said. I think the author should have included teachers‘ point of views of the suburb evolution, city managers and mayors to round out the challenges. I also believed every word of the parents‘ perspectives of what happens in schools. It‘s a wild world out there in public education.

review
Floresj
This Other Eden | Paul Harding
post image
Pickpick

Quick novel about a mixed race community. Written well, and the plot moves quickly. Characters were interesting and I wanted a bit more- great sign.

review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

Excellent, page turning description of the development, physics, chemistry, weather, evacuation and defending the city from the Canadian fire in 2016. The explanation of how hot the fire was, how it moved, and the citizens‘ reactions was so good. For me, the last 1/4 of the book lost a little momentum, but that could be because the first 3/4 was so good.

review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

Readable and informative look at the anatomy of the ocean, its movement and why, biodiversity in all the layers, and complexities. Portions of the book will find its way in my Honors Science class- interesting without being dry, informative not too technical, and a perfect explanation to listen to climate news with more understanding. Excellent.

review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

This 642 page book spanning different POVs of an immediate family throughout events and flashbacks sometimes meanders. However, the ending is on point and pulls together seemingly loose ends to make the final 1/4 a wonderful page turner. Developed and flawed characters, a slow burn, and worth the time!

review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

This informative book presented aspects of roads and infrastructure that impact an area‘s ecology in ways I never even considered. Readable and organized, it changed what I noticed on my drive to mountains on I70 in Colorado. Not the usual ecology book- which made it so enjoyable.

review
Floresj
Eastbound | Maylis de Kerangal
post image
Pickpick

Fantastic novella about a Russian trying to escape conscription with a French woman leaving her relationship as they travel on a train across Siberia. Perfect pacing of plot makes this well written book a quick and enjoyable read.

review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

I agree with a lot of his points, the information is readable and motivating, and connects many aspects of improving your healthspan. It‘s heavy on the author‘s personal experiences and anecdotes, which started to get off putting. Spoiler alert: exercise- cardio, strength, stability is the best strategy of staving off effects of aging.

review
Floresj
North Woods | Daniel Mason
post image
Mehso-so

This is like a bunch of connected short stories that all use the same setting-a house. I think it was creative and some characters/ stories were great, others….meh. This one is mixed for me.

review
Floresj
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image
Pickpick

Following a couple throughout their beginning, childhood and mid-life stories, this book switches perspectives and timelines frequently. There‘s some background information that makes this a long read, but it added justification and explanation to what and why the main character did everything in their relationship. It‘s not perfect, but neither are the characters- which makes this book so enjoyable.

28 likes1 stack add
review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

There is so much of this I loved- the structure of explaining each system, the evolution of the system, how each system is different from a male, and society issues of each system. It was fascinating and so funny. I learned so much- and makes me think that, perhaps, my kids need to deliver a bigger Mother‘s Day gift each year🤣.

12 likes1 stack add
review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

If you are mildly interested or adore owls, this book is wonderful. A lot of interesting topics are presented: how different species hunt, roost, mate, hoot, migrate, take care of their young, and hear. Good anecdotes about researchers that show their love for their work and owls. Good read for my 100th book of the year!

review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

This memoir reads like a dystopia, but chronicles the Philippines drug war. It‘s graphic, and the title warns you that there will be indiscriminate killing. Though it‘s heartbreaking, it‘s believable. I can absolutely believe/imagine voters supporting a candidate who promises to clean up the streets witb an iron fist and kill addicts, drug pushers and thieves. Added bonus of the book: quick synopsis of Phillipine history.

review
Floresj
How to Say Babylon | Safiya Sinclair
post image
Pickpick

f you liked Educated, you‘ll like this. Sinclair is a poet- and you know it as you read her memoir. Excellent memoir depicting her dysfunctional family, education and intelligence as an escape hatch, and page turning events. I have a few minor complaints, but overall, this is deserving to get the press it‘s getting.

Christine I keep not getting to this one, but your review encourages me to fix that! 3mo
Tamra I‘m so anxious to get to this one! 3mo
17 likes2 comments
review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

This is a great anthology of Ms. magazine. Covering reproductive rights, equal rights, Nancy Pelosi, USWNT, fashion, rape, women rappers, prison, balancing work and housework, letters to the editor, and fiction, this book hits the high points over 50 years of reporting. I read this magazine in my early 20s and loved its independent streak- giving me more agency to chart my path that was quite different than I ever thought it would be.

review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

A bus of Palestinian kindergartens flips, and what ensues is a tragedy. Thrall expertly recounts this event through the generations of families, history, locations, maps, and policies. Well written, informative and heart breaking, this was an excellent “How did we get here?” book. It doesn‘t explain everything, but it added layers to a deeply complex situation.

13 likes1 stack add
review
Floresj
The Woman in Me | Britney Spears
post image
Pickpick

It‘s clear from the writing that Britney wrote this book. She‘s not perfect (and admits her faults and mistakes). However, her family and those around her who took advantage of her age, her acumen, and her body were constant and manipulative. Just like in Spare, the loss of freedom, fame, and public scrutiny on every action take a mental toll that is difficult for a teenager/ young adult to process.

review
Floresj
Absolution: A Novel | Alice McDermott
post image
Pickpick

Great writing. Good turn of storytelling in the last 1/4 of the book. Vietnam is the setting, but really how the rich, well to do, make a difference, is the focus. However, after reading A Man with Two Faces, the absence and/or Vietnam story in here could have made this more than what it is.

13 likes1 stack add
review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

I love foreign journalists‘ memoirs and this one is fantastic. Readable, vulnerable, intense and informative, Ferguson showcases her life‘s work in Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq- the beauty, the people and the tragedy. She has more courage than I could muster, and it makes me be reminded of how much to appreciate those who tell the stories of civilians in war.

review
Floresj
post image
Mehso-so

On one hand this story is really engaging and exciting. On the other hand, this story includes some inconsistencies and/or extra details that brings down the pace of the plot. I‘d love to read snippets of her information that she relayed to elevate what intel she found. Mixed review on this one.

review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

This is very readable, good anecdotes, and preaches succinctly to the choir. Reminds me a lot of the books looking at the electoral college, gerrymandering, and threats to our democracy. This one will most likely verify your views or you‘ll abandon it (or never choose it). I agree with the points, so I liked it.

review
Floresj
The Fraud | Zadie Smith
post image
Mehso-so

‘m going to disagree with the Times best books of the year in this one. It‘s good enough, and reminds me of the older style of writing. I scanned a good portion of this book, good premise but long.

Anna40 I loved the humour & dialogues, the writing & listening to Zadie Smith reading is a delight but somehow I couldn‘t focus & eventually bailed halfway through. I think I‘ll pick this up again but maybe she‘s too intellectual for me or maybe it‘s really too long in places? 3mo
Floresj @Anna40 I had a hard time focusing- I think it‘s just too long in places as well! 3mo
11 likes2 comments
review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

Not only is the writing beautiful, raw and brilliant, the structure and use of the page was creative and thoughtful. So much in this memoir/ history/ memorial that I‘m lacking for an accurate critique other than that this was my 90th book of 2023 and it was the best book I‘ve read in 2023.

19 likes1 stack add
review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

Pleasant, meandering first person account of the craziness that was the beginning of the pandemic- but through a daily, humorous take that spun it in a enjoyable way. Writing about writing was great, literary connections and just a very enjoyable book.

review
Floresj
The Vaster Wilds | Lauren Groff
post image
Pickpick

A servant girl flees a colonial settlement and is forced to attempt to survive weather, beasts, navigation, and her memories. This book, for me, was when I truly saw what everyone already said about the genius of Groff as a writer. I loved this book and devoured it.

Chelsea.Poole Agree! 4mo
16 likes1 comment
review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

Adam Grant writes an inspirational book about character and provides some great motivational zingers. Lots of great anecdotes and the first half is excellent. The second half lost a little steam for me- there‘s a lot of athletic stories, and the education aspects were weaker than other chapters. Even still, it‘s an inspiring, quick book to lift spirits.

15 likes1 stack add
review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

The Shakurs (Afeni,Zayd, Mutulu, Tupac) influence on American society through Black Panther groups, prison breaks, free breakfasts for children, robberies, prison breaks, hospitals using acupuncture for drug rehabilitation speaking up for civil rights, music, and media presence made this book highly entertaining. It‘s worth a read- interesting, entertaining and provocative.

review
Floresj
Pet | Catherine Chidgey
post image
Pickpick

Quite the enjoyable, page-turning, sick-in-bed read. Some parts of the ending were a little far-fetched, but that didn‘t stop me from turning the page faster.

16 likes1 stack add
review
Floresj
Temple Folk | Aaliyah Bilal
post image
Mehso-so

Collection of short stories about black Muslims. Ad with any collection, some are great and others okay. The ones I liked stopped too soon, and the others meandered a bit too much.

review
Floresj
Bright Young Women | Jessica Knoll
post image
Pickpick

Novel chronicles two women‘s investigation of who killed their friends (Ted Bundy). I loved his name was never used and the focus was on the women, their backgrounds, and their friends. Good read.

review
Floresj
Holly: A Novel | Stephen King
post image
Pickpick

I stopped reading King years ago after needing to read the ending of one of his books in the middle of the night so I could sleep. As it turns out, his ability to write an obsessively suspenseful novel hasn‘t diminished during my sabbatical. Even when you know the killers in the first 25 pages, it‘s still suspenseful. Some parts could have been shorter, but it‘s truly superb.

review
Floresj
post image
Mehso-so

This started strong, weird and funny. It‘s good, and some stories are fantastic and others were just ok. It needed 3 more really goods to get a 4/5 stars😜

review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

Interesting book about the people, history, technology, nonprofits and companies trying to map the ocean floor. Some parts are really interesting and other parts less so. It‘s weird to read a book about mapping with no figures, pictures, graphics or maps. I think visuals would have elevated this book for me.

review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
There‘s some leaps in believability. This doesn‘t make you think deeply of societal issues, but it does make you turn the page quickly. Creative way of telling this story that adds to the crescendo of the excellent last few chapters.

review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

Last year, I started using a 5 year journal, and noticed how it did make me happier. This is somewhat like that, and the essays are informal and loose. There‘s a lot to like in the book, and I think I liked the idea of a book of delights more than the essays. Good book, nonetheless.

review
Floresj
In the Distance | Hernan Diaz
post image
Pickpick

This is an exceptional book of traveling the west and trying to be good in crazy situations. In a weird way, it reminded me of how I felt while/ after reading Life of Pi.

review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

All encompassing investigation about waste in every form. That doesn‘t sound really interesting, but it is. Told from a variety of locations on Earth, personal stories and impacts on Earth, it‘s informative and engaging. Highly recommend!

review
Floresj
The Postcard | Anne Berest
post image
Pickpick

A gripping WWII story that chronicles one family‘s experience in France and various countries. The postcard storyline felt forced to me, but the rest of the story was well done. Good historical fiction novel.

review
Floresj
Witness: Stories | Jamel Brinkley
post image
Pickpick

As with many short story collections, I felt as though some were superb and others ok. The average fell a little off for me- but the ones that hit on, definitely did. Some stories I wanted longer whereas some I had difficulty connecting. Good collection.

16 likes1 stack add
review
Floresj
Small Mercies | Dennis Lehane
post image
Pickpick

Thriller set in Boston during the desegregation of 1974 in South Boston. Mary Pat is a bad ass and though her methods are morally questionable, it didn‘t make me like her any less. “Broken but unbreakable” might be one of my favorite quotes of the book.

jlhammar Great read! I just watched this related American Experience (PBS), makes a great companion to this book:
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/busing-battleground/hickleberr...
6mo
21 likes1 comment
review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

This was mostly about a black mother‘s garden in Fort Collins, CO. However, it was also about being a mother during remote learning and COVID, being black and living in Fort Collins/US, environmental practices, and neighbors told eloquently by a poet.

review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

“The past is never dead. It is not even past.” This book tells the story of the 12 students who integrated Clinton High School- and all the violence, personal stories, and events that went with it. Schools always seem to be a battleground.

review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

This is a well written, completely engaging historical fiction novel set in 1500s China. Chinese culture and women‘s friendships, roles, and responsibilities create an engrossing storyline. Concubines, foot binding, Chinese medicine, family drama, and midwives makes this one receive a high recommendation from me!

review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

McBride has a distinct ability to create colorful characters and a cadence to his story telling that makes reading fun.

review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

Goodell does a fantastic job of using each chapter to explore a different issue on the ramifications of a warming planet. The science is solid, personal stories to make the human impact of heat relatable, hope in solutions, and warnings if we don‘t act with urgency. Great read!

16 likes1 stack add