kwsmith
Ottawa Public Library
kwsmith's Completed Shelf
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kwsmith's rating:
Added Mar 24, 2024
kwsmith's rating:
Added Mar 24, 2024
Comment:
Sweet summer romance between a shy teenage boy named Cherry and an outgoing teenage girl named Smile.
kwsmith's rating:
Added Mar 24, 2024
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This collection of 8 fantastical short stories contains some Urasawa's best work, and a few of his worst.
Killers of the Flower MoonKillers of the Flower Moon, BookThe Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI
by Grann, DavidBook - 2021Book, 2021
kwsmith's rating:
Added Mar 24, 2024
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In America, during the 1920s, the members of the Osage First Nation were dying under very mysterious circumstances. After at least 24 deaths, J. Edgar Hoover, director of the newly formed FBI, calls upon former Texas Ranger Tom White to unravel the mystery. This dark bit of American history reads like a fascinating true crime novel, and has more dramatic plot twists than most Hollywood movies.In America, during the 1920s, the members of the Osage First Nation were dying under very mysterious circumstances. After at least 24 deaths, J. Edgar Hoover, director of the newly formed FBI, calls upon former Texas Ranger Tom White to unravel the…
Build the Life You WantBuild the Life You Want, BookThe Art and Science of Getting Happier
by Brooks, Arthur C.Book - 2023Book, 2023
kwsmith's rating:
Added Mar 24, 2024
Comment:
I've been deceived by the shiny promises of happiness books many times before. This one had "science" in the title, so I had great expectations. The book teaches some basic tools for emotional self-management, and encourages us to find happiness by helping others. Some interesting science is liberally sprinkled through the book. The last half of the book focuses on the four pillars of family, friendship, work, and faith. Reading this book won't fix your life, but it will give you some good tools, and a direction to get started.I've been deceived by the shiny promises of happiness books many times before. This one had "science" in the title, so I had great expectations. The book teaches some basic tools for emotional self-management, and encourages us to find happiness by…
kwsmith's rating:
Added Mar 24, 2024
Comment:
In this depressing intergenerational family drama about four sisters, each sister represents a different female archetype: mother, artist, organizer, and idealist. These archetypes are interesting to explore, but ultimately force the characters to act incredulously in the face of the book's many manufactured tragedies. Why does Julia react in such a strange way? Because that's exactly what her "organizer" archetype demands. End of story. Although the book clearly draws inspiration from Alcott's more famous *Little Women* novel from 1868, Napolitano owns this book by showing off her strong, lyrical writing. However, in the end, the emotions all feel flat and the characters are not realistic enough to be believable.In this depressing intergenerational family drama about four sisters, each sister represents a different female archetype: mother, artist, organizer, and idealist. These archetypes are interesting to explore, but ultimately force the characters to…
kwsmith's rating:
Added Mar 24, 2024
Comment:
Elsie is a brilliant theoretical physicist trying to land a research job in Boston. Trying to make ends meet, she improbably works as a fake-girlfriend-for-hire (apparently sex and kissing are not included in the standard fake girlfriend package). I'm not sure if fake-girlfriend-for-hire an actual thing, but I am relatively certain that a PhD in physics could invent a better way to earn some cash. Anyways, the setup is that this meek girl Elsie excels at pretending to be whatever someone else wants, so she's basically a human doormat. Needless to say, Elsie is surprised when Jack, the predictably annoying (but rich, powerful, and "big" in all the best ways) director of the physics lab at MIT, is interested in getting to know the real Elsie. Of course, Elsie has all kinds of internal drama that makes any sort of romantic relationship so much more difficult than, say, theoretical physics. Also, Ali, please remember that "peerection" is not a word and also not an actual thing.Elsie is a brilliant theoretical physicist trying to land a research job in Boston. Trying to make ends meet, she improbably works as a fake-girlfriend-for-hire (apparently sex and kissing are not included in the standard fake girlfriend package).…
kwsmith's rating:
Added Mar 24, 2024
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Morgan and Chris are happily married with a 16-year-old daughter named Clara. When a terrible tragedy strikes at the very core of their family, the relationship between Morgan and Clara becomes extremely strained. This book dives deep into messy family drama, packs in two great romance stories, and rounds everything out with some really memorable characters.Morgan and Chris are happily married with a 16-year-old daughter named Clara. When a terrible tragedy strikes at the very core of their family, the relationship between Morgan and Clara becomes extremely strained. This book dives deep into messy…
kwsmith's rating:
Added Feb 25, 2024
Comment:
When a shy French university student is given a pretty silk blouse, her entire personality changes. She suddenly becomes attractive to men, which converts her into a sex-obsessed fiend who makes extremely poor life choices. The art is stylish, and the outlandish story begs us to consider the complex relationship between character and clothing.When a shy French university student is given a pretty silk blouse, her entire personality changes. She suddenly becomes attractive to men, which converts her into a sex-obsessed fiend who makes extremely poor life choices. The art is stylish, and…
The Me You Love in the DarkThe Me You Love in the Dark, BookVol.1
by Young, SkottieBook - 2022Book, 2022
kwsmith's rating:
Added Feb 25, 2024
Comment:
Hoping to find her muse, a young artist rents an old haunted house. Instead of her muse, she finds something evil lurking in the darkness. The spooky art is very well done, but the story isn't given much time to develop so remains fairly shallow.
kwsmith's rating:
Added Feb 25, 2024
Comment:
Acclaimed biographer Walter Isaacson dives deep into controversial tech mogul Elon Musk's life. Musk created some of the most valuable companies in the world including SpaceX and Tesla. Although most of us likely disagree with Elon Musk's opinions, he has lived a fascinating life and Walter Isaacson certainly knows how to write a great book.Acclaimed biographer Walter Isaacson dives deep into controversial tech mogul Elon Musk's life. Musk created some of the most valuable companies in the world including SpaceX and Tesla. Although most of us likely disagree with Elon Musk's opinions,…
FutureproofFutureproof, Book9 Rules for Humans in the Age of Automation
by Roose, KevinBook - 2021Book, 2021
kwsmith's rating:
Added Feb 25, 2024
Comment:
As machines begin to displace workers either through AI or through automation, what can humans do to stay relevant? This book overviews the state of AI and begins a discussion about how we humans can improve ourselves to be more valuable than machines. Roose describes how machines are slowly taking control of our lives by telling us what to watch on TV, or what to buy on Amazon.As machines begin to displace workers either through AI or through automation, what can humans do to stay relevant? This book overviews the state of AI and begins a discussion about how we humans can improve ourselves to be more valuable than…
kwsmith's rating:
Added Feb 25, 2024
Comment:
Picking up where *Part of Your World* ended, Jimenez writes Briana's touching story about reconnecting with love after an ugly divorce. Jimenez leans a bit too much on the standard tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, and utterly unreasonable miscommunication. However, Briana and Jacob are both great characters, and the story is full of genuinely humorous moments.Picking up where *Part of Your World* ended, Jimenez writes Briana's touching story about reconnecting with love after an ugly divorce. Jimenez leans a bit too much on the standard tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, and utterly unreasonable…
kwsmith's rating:
Added Feb 25, 2024
Comment:
Sallie Kincaid, a very plucky young woman, endures a mind-boggling number of absurd family and business dramas in rural Virginia during Prohibition times. Both the plot and the characters are utterly improbable and I found the constant swift "oh golly shucks" resolutions to each problem most unsatisfying. I struggled to care enough about Sallie to finish this one.Sallie Kincaid, a very plucky young woman, endures a mind-boggling number of absurd family and business dramas in rural Virginia during Prohibition times. Both the plot and the characters are utterly improbable and I found the constant swift "oh…
kwsmith's rating:
Added Feb 25, 2024
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In this fun science fiction novella, a snarky security robot who calls itself Murderbot is tasked with protecting a team of scientists on a remote planet, but this robot would much rather just lounge around streaming old TV shows. The plot motors along quickly as the team of scientists get drawn into a mysterious interstellar conspiracy, not that Murderbot cares.In this fun science fiction novella, a snarky security robot who calls itself Murderbot is tasked with protecting a team of scientists on a remote planet, but this robot would much rather just lounge around streaming old TV shows. The plot motors…
kwsmith's rating:
Added Jan 28, 2024
kwsmith's rating:
Added Jan 28, 2024
Comment:
A young university student moonlights as a professional assassin for a renegade sect within the New York City Catholic church. After she falls in love with a kind art student named Arty, she begins to see the evil within her organization. The plot and characters feel like they were ripped from an old French film called *La Femme Nikita.*A young university student moonlights as a professional assassin for a renegade sect within the New York City Catholic church. After she falls in love with a kind art student named Arty, she begins to see the evil within her organization. The plot…
kwsmith's rating:
Added Jan 28, 2024
Comment:
In this dark and disturbing adult josei manga, a high school girl, Haruna, navigates her nihilistic life which includes teenage pregnancy, death, suicide, rape, homosexuality, animal abuse, bullying, prostitution, and drug use.
This CountryThis Country, BookSearching for Home in (very) Rural America
by Mahdavian, NaviedBook - 2023Book, 2023
kwsmith's rating:
Added Jan 28, 2024
Comment:
Fleeing the high cost of living in San Francisco, Navied and Emelie buy six acres of remote land in Idaho and construct a tiny house. In Idaho, this idealistic young couple endures many challenges and finds great beauty in nature, but ultimately discovers the terrors of winter storms and conservative neighbours.Fleeing the high cost of living in San Francisco, Navied and Emelie buy six acres of remote land in Idaho and construct a tiny house. In Idaho, this idealistic young couple endures many challenges and finds great beauty in nature, but ultimately…
Impossible PeopleImpossible People, BookA Completely Average Recovery Story
by Wertz, JuliaBook - 2023Book, 2023
kwsmith's rating:
Added Jan 28, 2024
Comment:
In this long auto-biographical work, cartoonist Julia finally admits to being an alcoholic and begins her long road to recovery while navigating the depressing New York dating scene.
Designing your LifeDesigning your Life, BookHow to Build A Well-lived, Joyful Life
by Burnett, BillBook - 2016Book, 2016
kwsmith's rating:
Added Jan 28, 2024
Comment:
Stanford academics illustrate how to apply "Design Thinking" to the problem of finding a career that fits your life. The resulting advice is practical, actionable, and genuinely wise. This book should be required reading for all young adults.
kwsmith's rating:
Added Jan 28, 2024
Comment:
This slowly paced melancholic post apocolyptic novel features elegant prose and subtle themes about the importance of memories and the enduring nature of art. Told through a series of intertwining time jumps, the book requires careful attention when reading. You'll probably be disappointed if you are expecting a strong plot or even a semi-realistic tale, because this book is closer to literary fiction than to science fiction.This slowly paced melancholic post apocolyptic novel features elegant prose and subtle themes about the importance of memories and the enduring nature of art. Told through a series of intertwining time jumps, the book requires careful attention when…
kwsmith's rating:
Added Jan 28, 2024
Comment:
In this fancy X-Files fanfic, Florence Day is a successful romance ghost writer who, due to a bad breakup, has lost her writing mojo. Florence also happens to see dead people. When her father unexpectedly dies, Florence returns home to deal with family drama, and to tackle a few skeletons lurking in her closets. Unfortunately for me, the book focuses too much on Florence's inner turmoil and not enough on the cool undead romance.In this fancy X-Files fanfic, Florence Day is a successful romance ghost writer who, due to a bad breakup, has lost her writing mojo. Florence also happens to see dead people. When her father unexpectedly dies, Florence returns home to deal with…
kwsmith's rating:
Added Jan 28, 2024
Comment:
Liz is a quirky high school girl busy chasing Michael, her childhood crush. Liz enlists the reluctant help of her nemesis Wes, the annoying athletic boy-next-door. This fresh enemies-to-lovers young-adult romcom delivers predictable high school hijinks which had me laughing out loud at Liz's many outrageous predicaments. Sadly, the hundreds of strange pop-culture references are going to make this book feel dated in a few years.Liz is a quirky high school girl busy chasing Michael, her childhood crush. Liz enlists the reluctant help of her nemesis Wes, the annoying athletic boy-next-door. This fresh enemies-to-lovers young-adult romcom delivers predictable high school…
kwsmith's rating:
Added Jan 28, 2024
Comment:
Light-hearted and funny science fiction story about a typical software programmer who dies, gets preserved via cryostasis, and awakened many years later as an artificial replicant tasked with space colonization. You'll enjoy the book more if you know plenty of Star Trek trivia.Light-hearted and funny science fiction story about a typical software programmer who dies, gets preserved via cryostasis, and awakened many years later as an artificial replicant tasked with space colonization. You'll enjoy the book more if you…
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