Faces We Love Shanghai @realfaceswelove @Lovebookstours #FacesWeLoveTour #nonfiction #photography #Shanghai #bookreview

May 31, 2022May 30, 2022yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Faces We Love Shanghai by Authors and Curators – Derek Muhs & Marisa Tarin.

This is a gorgeous non-fiction book and I was fortunate to receive a hardback copy. The book is a series of portraits capturing the people of Shanghai in their everyday lives.

My huge thanks to Kelly at Love Book Tours for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my copy of this beautiful book.

Go beyond the glitz, glamour, and bustle of one of the most populated cities on the planet and discover the real heartbeat and soul of Shanghai—its people.

Through this collection of 100 mostly full-colour photographs captured by a team of passionate artists and photographers, Faces We Love Shanghai takes you on a journey through the city’s narrow alleyways and secluded backstreets. Each photograph reveals an untold story, showcasing the beauty and joy behind the everyday moments and people that are often overlooked.

Also featured in the book are photographs of a community working together as a team, supporting one another in a time of tremendous stress and anxiety, as COVID-19 swept the globe and the world pointed its finger at China. In a world divided, this stunning photography book cuts through the language barriers and cultural divide to bring you a work of pure craftsmanship—a collection that shows the true beauty of capturing people as they really are.

Highlighting the raw and honest moments of life in Shanghai that are at times heartbreaking and hopeful, serendipitous and authentic, Faces We Love Shanghai is a love letter to a city visited by many but truly seen by few.

MY REVIEW

A PICTURE TELLS A THOUSAND WORDS…

This is a gorgeous book to sit and look through. It is a snapshot of people in Shanghai. If you are a fan of people watching, photography, composition and gorgeous natural-looking portraits then you are going to love this book.

I have been looking at this book over the past couple of three weeks. I did initially go through each picture when it first arrived, but then I have taken the time to stop and look at each one. Each picture is lovely, whether it is a photo of a young or old person, one looking at the camera or not, whether dressed up in finery or work clothing, the photos are a snapsh0ot of the people who live and work in a very populous city.

Each photograph has a short snappy caption for example – ” ‘ella, ‘ella” or “safe” I did like the captions “I got ya” and “Got more sunlight now” and I adored the photographs that went with them. In fact, I thought every picture was a lovely one, some I obviously liked more than others, but there isn’t a single one I didn’t like. Sometimes the simple caption actually made the picture more poignant.

This is a gorgeous and stunning book, it is one I will continue to look through. Looking through the images actually gives me a positive vibe. So well laid out, with a mix of black and white as well as colour. Different styles and angles. All in all a wonderful book giving a glimpse into the lives and people of Shanghai. It is a book I would definitely recommend.

SOME OF THE GORGEOUS IMAGES FROM THE BOOK…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Derek Muhs is an entrepreneur and has been investing in real estate, health care and media. Derek was a producer on two award-winning documentaries and then founded Human Touch Media. As a world traveller and 25-year volunteer, he enjoys capturing the stories of everyday people through visual storytelling. In 2022 he launched Faces We Love, a private collection of photographs capturing one of his favourite cities in the world, Shanghai. Human Touch Media projects have been featured on Netflix, along with international film and photography festivals including TriBeCa.

Check out the other stops on the Tour…

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

My Week In Books (15 Aug 2021) #booklove #bookupdate #MeAndMyBooks

August 16, 2021August 15, 2021yvonnembee 4 Comments

I have had a great week with the book reading, there have been some fabulous ones. The weather here has been a bit hit and miss, a mix of wind, rain, sunshine and mizzle. This has meant the garden has been kept on top off in short bursts, I did manage to get the grass mowed before we had a down pour which was rather good.

The veggies are coming on nicely and it is great that we can pick fresh and eat within a couple of hours of them being picked. Cucumbers are doing well as are the courgettes, just a few a week which is all we need. Runner beans and peas are really doing well, although the first sowing of peas are coming to the end, and the second sowing are now coming in. Raspberries are growing well and not quite getting to the peak but not far off. Rhubarb, well that just keeps going and going and going, almost fed up with the sight of it. It is a good job there are plenty of others that like it and we are giving it away.

I work night shifts, and at this time of year it means I get to see some amazing views across Falmouth Bay. Some of the sunrises are amazing, this one from Tuesday morning was quite eerie, but incredibly stunning to witness. Some wonderful sea mist laying across the bay and in the valleys.

Right, lets get on with the books…

Last week I did mention that I was reading a wonderful book, it was this one. The Gathering Storm by Alan Jones. This is an amazing book and one that would definitely appeal to you if you are a fan of history and especially of WWII. This is told from the perspective of a German family and a German Jewish family who are employed as housekeepers. This is an amazing book, I was hooked and gutted that I got to the end of the 800 pages. Thank goodness it is the first in a trilogy. It is definitely a book that is going to stay with me, in fact it took me two days to process this read and for me to feel ready to pick up my next read. I don’t often suffer with book hangovers but this one is just amazing. The research, the writing, the story is just awesome. Full review to follow, publication day for this is 19th August.

Have you met The Skelf Family yet? If not then you really do want to give this series a go. The Great Silence by Doug Johnstone is the third book in this series and follows three generations of the Skelf family. They are a family of women who run the family’s funeral directors and also side line in private investigations. This is a brilliant book that had so much going on. A dismembered foot, a missing person, astrophysics, a wild animal on the loose! Yes you read that right!!! An amazing read and I am going to say you really should read this series in order to get a full grip of the dynamics in this dynamic family. Keep an eye out for the Blog Tour, it has already started. My review will be later this week.

I was delighted to be able to share my review for Bella’s Big Caribbean Adventure by Annabelle and Anne John-Ligali this week. This is such a wonderful story aimed at 7-11 year olds and it was a delight to read. You can read my full review HERE. This is the story of Bella, who impatience gets the better of her and also leads her and her friends into danger. A really wonderful read and it was a pleasure to help take part in the spotlight tour.

Do you like twisted psychological thrillers? Watch For Me by Martin Bodenham is one you want to look out for. This is about a family man who is stalked. Not only is it incredibly twisted, it also becomes dark. The author has done such a brilliant job with this addictive book and I adored it. That finish… Keep an eye out for the Blog Tour, my review is later this week.

Well that is me done for aniother week.

Wishing you al the very best in the coming week,

Yvonne xx

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Fragile Planet – The Impact of Climate Change by Collins Books #nonfiction #climateawareness #photography #bookreview

January 14, 2021January 13, 2021yvonnembee 5 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for a book that I read before Christmas, in fact I think it was November when I read it! Fragile Planet – The Impact of Climate Change and published by Collins Books, this is a book that shows the images of changes rather than going into the science. Sometimes images work better than words to give a bigger impact. Let me show you more…

A striking look at climate change through dramatic photographs
This unique book provides a striking look at the dramatic changes that are happening to our planet. Containing over 230 stunning photographs, this important book documents the effects of climate systems and forces of nature on our world alongside images which strikingly show the impact of climate change.

With unique photographs of locations including;
• American, European and Asian glaciers
• Australian bushfires
• Pacific Islands under threat
• Rivers drying out
• Cities flooding
• Alaskan coastline
• Advancing deserts
• Greenland’s shrinking ice

Fragile Planet also contains images taken during the recent global COVID-19 pandemic, showing clearer canals in Venice and cleaner air at India Gate in New Delhi.

My Review…

Sometimes it is far better to see the dynamics or rather the dramatics of changes when you sit down with a book and see the images. I think this is what makes this such a good book to sit down with.

I originally just started to flick through it, but then soon found myself working through each image from the beginning. Each image does contain a description of where and when the photo was taken. In some cases, there are two images that range from a couple of months to several decades between them. These show surprising dramatic differences, and some of them are very startling.

In a time when climate change and the damage to our planet are more in the spotlight than ever before it is a good time to see a book full of images and not too much focus on the science. Sometimes the best impact is via a visual route.

This is a gorgeous book to flick through which sounds quite odd to mention when the subject matter but what I mean is the quality of the book, the soft softback cover and the glossy images are really first-rate. The descriptions are to the point and make this ideal for flicking through or sitting and giving more attention to.

I really like this book, it is ideal for many different age groups as a general interest book, as well as being a coffee table book that makes you more aware of the world. I would definitely recommend it.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

My Week In Books (w/e 7th June) #booknews #bookupdates #MeAndMyBooks

June 8, 2020June 7, 2020yvonnembee 12 Comments

Another week has gone and I am still trying to get my head around the fact that it is June, I am still typing May!!!

I had a lovely surprise from the Owners and Manager of the Residential Home I work at. When I answered the knock at my front door and saw my manager standing there I thought “Oh Sh…ugar! What have I done!!! Then I realised he was smiling, that was a relief!!! He and his parents have bought each member of staff a gift in appreciation of our hard work during the pandemic. I was speechless, very unusual for anyone that knows me well 😂😂

So let me show you what I have read this week…

If you after a proper laugh out loud book then look no further than Gina Kirkham‘s book Handcuffs, Truncheon and a Polyester Thong, it is hilarious. It is part fact and part fiction and is based on Gina’s own experience as she joins the Police Force. I have had this on my TBR for a while now and when I knew fellow Book Blogger Zoe was doing an #Authortakeover it was the perfect opportunity to pick it up. A hilarious read and the start of a series of books that is perfect for lifting the mood. You really do need to head over to Zoe’s blog and read the extracts, the Q&A and the interviews with Gina they are hilarious. Here is the link for her Blog – Zooloobookdiary

This is the first book in my #20booksofsummer reading challenge. Her Husband’s Secrets by Louise Mangos is a domestic thriller as Lucie decides to take a trip to Switzerland and meets Matt. Overtime they develop a relationship, but what happened for her to end up in prison? A tense and intriguing thriller that I enjoyed.

I am on a roll as this is the 2nd book I’ve read in the #20booksof summer challenge and what a dark book The Dangerous Kind by Deborah O’Connor is. A book that deals with some tough themes such as domestic abuse, child abuse and obsession. I will say that the author does not go into details about the child abuse, instead she dwells on the feeling of the individual such as fear, shame and guilt. An addictive read that unfortunately does have relevance to things that have happened in the news with high profile celebrities recently. It is a book I would recommend.

After two very dark reads I felt it was time for something lighter and decided to read The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary, and tick a 3rd book off the #20booksof summer challenge. I didn’t read the synopsis for this book, and when I got into it more I discovered this also had a darkness to it as Tiffy is stalked by her ex and has to deal with his obsessive and possessive traits. This is however superbly balanced by the flatshare storyline. I absolutely loved this book, it has dark elements, but there are so many other things going on in it and I would highly recommend this one.

So quite a good week, 3/15 books off the challenge and I think I will definitely be adding another 5 lucky dip books to the challenge so that I will read the full 20!

So before I go I will leave you with a photo from one of the lounges where I work. As I work nightshifts, it is the perfect opportunity to take a few minutes and watch the sunrise. It’s the only way I ever get to see this time of day!!! This view is across Falmouth Bay and it is such a stunning view. It isn’t often I take a photo through a window, but the third picture was just caught right!