Y.S. Stephen - Reader | Casual Observer

Remaking The Rural South is a rare look at how black and white farmers came to band together in a few farm settlements around 1930s in the United States, living together, cooperating, making their own rules in a way that is antithetical to the racial and economic oppression of that time. WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT? People interested in social justice might find this book intriguing. WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT Despite all the racial and political violence in the Southern United States, I was fascinated to discover a small community that transcended the mindlessness of that period. More so, I read that this anomaly was in some parts due to a bit of Christian socialism, which is a surprise to me. MEMORABLE PASSAGE "...rural black and white workers had banded together to fight agrarian exploitation through various means before the 1930s. Southerners participated in various interracial political movements in the years between Reconstruction and the solidification of Jim C...

Forgiveness Is Really Strange is a collection of thoughts on the nature of forgiveness and its role in human relationships. These diverse thoughts are sourced from people who have been hurt in the most grievous ways. WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT? Humans of all colour, creed, and cultures. WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT Reading this book is like watching a documentary. I love the diversity of interviewees and varied opinions. The variety makes the subject much broader. MEMORABLE PASSAGE ....... Forgiveness Is Really Strange by Marina Cantacuzino, Masi Noor, Sophie Standing (illustrations) is available to buy from on all major online bookstores. Many thanks to Singing Dragon (Jessica Kingsley Publishers) for review copy.

Stories I Love to Tell is a collection of true stories and anecdotes from the perspective of a Christian theologian and churchplanter. WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT? Christians of all kinds would.  The stories here are the kind you are likely to hear in church pulpits, though some of it are autobiographical in nature. WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT I love the personal stories the most in this book. They are touching and there is always a lesson to learn, irrespective of your spiritual leanings. As someone who has loved the author's spirit and style of story-telling for over a decade, this book is a valuable addition to his works. The first story of this book, White Trash, is the most powerful, in my view. Worth checking out. MEMORABLE PASSAGE "Christopher Columbus was sailing toward the Americas but did not know it. He thought he was going to end up in India. One day at sea his crew came and laid out their demands: he must turn back that same day. The men felt strongly that...

Feel Free is a collection of essays (some old, some new) by the English writer, Zadie Smith. WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT? People who love reading heavy, analytical essays. Those with a liking for free-flowing, simple prose should stay clear. WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT " FEEL FREE " The author's insights are unique and interesting enough to make me want to read more. One of the essays, titled “Generation Why”, is particularly insightful. Generation Why discusses the link between the quirks of the founders of social media - Facebook in particular - and the effects on its users. For example, did you know that Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, is red-green colourblind? This means blue is the colour he can see the most and the best. This is why Facebook is mostly blue. Going beyond colour schemes, the author further argues few points that show how Zuckerberg's deep-set ideas are woven into Facebook and how those philosophies are changing the way Facebook...

The Monk's Record Player looks at the influence Bob Dylan's (a singer-songwriter) music had on Thomas Merton's (a Trappist monk) life and writings. WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT? Fans of Bob Dylan might want to stay away from this as I believe there isn't enough Dylan's material to entice them. However, there is a lot of juice on Merton, hence, admirers of his work will likely love this book. WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT One the main flaws of spiritual biographies of any kind is the tendencies to cover up the subject's flaws. Here, Merton's flaws is mirrored with Dylan's and we see similarities with both men as well and differences in the way they struggled to rise see beyond the clouds of troubles that surrounds them. As someone who strives to live to my highest spiritual ideals, it was comforting to see a stalwart like Merton struggle with mundane matters that trouble most of us. MEMORABLE PASSAGE "All afternoon I sat on the bed rediscover...

Redline is a fantasy story about a colony of humans on Mars and a man's (Supritendent Denton Coyle) search to find out the truth behind a conspiracy that is causing deaths and destruction. WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT? This graphic novel has all the hallmarks of old-fashioned 1980s detective story all about it, hence people with such background might enjoy this. If you like your comedy dark and direct, you will love this particular story. People who detest nudity and crude jokes might want to skip this one. WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT Though it started quite slow, the story is good. Very good. The authors placed the cliffhangers in the right spots and kept surprises hidden so well that you sometimes have no clue about what is going on until it blows up in your face. A nice, fun read. MEMORABLE PASSAGE ....... Redline by Neal Holman,‎ Clayton McCormack,‎ Kelly Fitzpatrick is available to buy from on all major online bookstores. Many thanks to Oni Press for re...

Niourk is a fantasy, sci-fi story about the heroics and calamities that surrounded humanity flight to Mars as a result of an experiment gone wrong. WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT? Fans of post-apocalyptic fiction would love the twists and turns in this one. WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT The book has everything a fantasy fiction lover like me would want - great lore, believable characters, unique art style, and cliffhangers that make you want to know more about the world of Niourk. MEMORABLE PASSAGE ....... Niourk by Olivier Vatine is available to buy from on all major online bookstores. Many thanks to Dark Horse Publishers for review copy.

Drawing Cute With Katie Cook is a demonstration on how to draw animals in a simple and cute way, just like the author. WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT? Budding illustrators of any age with interest in similar art styles like the author might pick up one or two things here. WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT The simplicity of it all. The author goes a great length to make the reader feel at ease with the process. MEMORABLE PASSAGE ....... Drawing Cute With Katie Cook by Katie Cook is available to buy from on all major online bookstores. Many thanks to Impact Books for review copy.

Mass Effect: Discovery reveals the story of a Turian operative, Tiran Kandros, and the circumstances under which he was recruited into the Andromeda Initiative. WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT? Fans of the Mass Effect franchise would have a wonderful time reading this. Newbies may struggle slightly. WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT The set of volumes reveal the circumstances under which the Andromeda Initiative operated and how they went about recruitment. It also examines the distrust that still exists among the rulers of the Mass Effect world and how that plays into their politics. Fans may be glad to see Omega's top Asari, Aria T'Loak as well as her partner, Nyreen, in this particular story. MEMORABLE PASSAGE ....... Mass Effect: Discovery by Jeremy Barlow and Gabriel Guzman is available to buy from on all major online bookstores. Many thanks to Dark Horse Comics for review copy.

Merton's Palace of Nowhere gazes at the heart of Thomas Merton's (a Trappist monk, Catholic writer and Christian mystic) theology, its importance and applications for those searching for spiritual realities. WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT? Though Christian mysticism is not as popular as it once was, there is a lot to learn from that branch of Christianity. people with an affinity for that spiritual stream will love this book. Adherents of other religions can also glean valuable insights as the book examines a few basic tenets shared across most spiritualities - the human soul, prayers, the value of silence, etc. WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT The topic of "self" and the role it spiritually plays is a key part of Christianity. There are debates as to whether it helps or distracts humans from pursuing spiritual ideals. With a bit of elaboration from James Finney, Merton dissects this in a clear way - such that I have never heard or read before. It was also life-changing ...

Young, Gifted, and Black is a compilation of achievements of 52 black people from different eras who have (and still) inspiring young black people everywhere in the world. WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT? Young black kids (white too), boys and girls will find hope within the pages. WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT The profiles aren't just from people who live decades ago we have summaries on Oprah, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Stevie Wonder, Usain Bolt, and others who are still living. The art contributes to this book as well - colourful and unique. A splendid addition to book collection for children everywhere. MEMORABLE PASSAGE ....... Young, Gifted and Black: Meet 52 Black Heroes from Past and Present by Jamia Wilson and Andrea Pippins is available to buy on all major online bookstores. Many thanks to Quarto Publishing Group for review copy.

Low Man On The Totem Pole is an extensive series of advice on how to make a joyful and fulfilling career regardless of what it is. WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT? Anyone with a job. Entrepreneurs and would-be business people can also take a stab at it. More importantly, anyone with no idea of what to do next might find a worthy tip on how to get started. For those with a nemesis at work, making your life miserable, this book might be what you need to live above such whirlwind. WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT IT Low Man on the Totem Pole is practical and somewhat autobiographical. The author did nothing to hide her shortcomings and the knock-downs that pointed her in the right direction. The book is not just for white-collared careerists. A restaurant waiter or a manual labourer can pick it up and still find a lot to use - it is that down-to-earth. Also, the book eschews the culture of looking after the "number one" and sucking up to the boss. It rates such tactics as short-si...