Saturday, December 31, 2016

Review of Instaread Summary, Analysis & Review of Chip and Joanna Gaines’s "The Magnolia Story"



Review of
Instaread Summary, Analysis & Review of Chip and Joanna Gaines’s The Magnolia Story

Four out of five stars
 The husband and wife team of Chip and Joanna (Jo) Gaines are the hosts of the reality television show “Fixer Upper,” which features houses in a state of disrepair being turned into attractive dwellings. Jo also owns and operates two “Magnolia” boutique stores. They started out as real estate flippers, people that buy houses, renovate them and then sell them for profit. Their business lives have had significant ups and downs, in the 2008 meltdown, they came very close to bankruptcy.
 From the summary, it is clear that Chip and Jo are two distinct personalities that complement each other. While their confidence and skills had a lot to do with their success, it is also the case that they came very close to a flame-out financial collapse. Just like many other real estate flippers did in the last part of the previous decade.
 It is clear from the summary that the book is a combination autobiography and revelatory piece as to how they were able to be successful. Although from the author’s style section you learn that there was a third author and the book reads as if it is based on interviews. Furthermore, the concentration is on Chip and Jo and the hardships they faced.
 Furthermore, is clear that the book is a success story, yet it is one that quite clearly could easily not have happened. Fans of the television show will no doubt find the book interesting, but the content of this summary indicates that people with little interest in flipping real estate will not. That is reinforced by the following section from the author’s style.

“As narrators, Chip and Jo are warm but not particularly intimate; there are few moments that feel truly behind the scenes.”

A book that gives the impression of always being in front of the camera is rarely interesting for the “viewer” not interested in the primary subject matter. 

Review of "All New Wolverine: Civil War II," by Tom Taylor et. al.



Review of
All New Wolverine: Civil War II, by Tom Taylor et. al. ISBN 9780785196532

Four out of five stars
 This graphic novel is one based on the continuation of the basic form of a character. Logan was the original Wolverine and Laura Kinney was cloned from him all the way down to her retractable claws. Of course, since Logan was male and she is female, she is not a true clone.
 Laura was created to be a weapon, but escaped with the help of Logan, who died during the rescue. Now Laura is the new Wolverine and with the help of Squirrel Girl, they engage in adventures that also include the teenage Gabrielle (Gabby). Gabby suffers from a serious case of separation anxiety, she is terrified of being left and abandoned. Which creates problems for a hero that may suddenly be forced into a fight with a mighty villain with great powers.
 Although it involves S. H. I. E. L. D., a fire-breathing dragon and a disturbed Logan from another time, the story is clearly targeted at a female audience. The dialog and the interactions between the female characters is that of young teen girls. There is also a soft, cuddly pet wolverine.
 Yet, this is a good thing, for it helps to broaden the audience for the comics. There is still a lot of fighting, growling and general smacking each other around. Captain America also appears, there is a point of amusement when he chases the disturbed Logan through a building and apologizes to the couple in bed as he races through their room in pursuit. It ends with a speech of departure and frustration.