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[katara]

Title: Raising Trump
Author: Ivana Trump
Format: Epub
Rating: .5/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: October 17, 2018 ro October 18, 2018
Book Summary: In Raising Trump, Ivana Trump reflects on her extraordinary life and the raising of her three children—Donald Jr., Eric, and Ivanka—and recounts the lessons she taught her children as they were growing up.

As her former husband takes his place as the 45th President of the United States, his children have also been thrust into the media spotlight—but it is Ivana who raised them and proudly instilled in them what she believes to be the most important life lessons: loyalty, honesty, integrity, and drive. Raising Trump is a non-partisan, non-political book about motherhood, strength, and resilience. Though Ivana writes about her childhood in communist Czechoslovakia, her escape from the regime and relocation to New York, her whirlwind romance, and her great success as a businesswoman, the focus of the book is devoted to Ivana’s raising of her children. Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Ivanka Trump will all contribute their own memories to the book.

“Every day, people ask me how I raised such great kids. They are truly amazed when I tell them that there was no magic to their upbringing. I was a tough and loving mother who taught them the value of a dollar, not to lie, cheat, or steal, respect for others, and other life lessons that I’ll share now in Raising Trump, along with unfiltered personal stories about Don, Eric, and Ivanka from their early childhood to becoming the ‘first sons and daughter.’” —Ivana Trump
Book Review: I am not sure how the hell I managed to finish this book. There were moments while I was reading where I wanted to give up and toss this book into the "DNF" pile but I pushed myself. Maybe it was because I was on lunch break at work and didn't want to set another book down into the "DNF" pile again.

A long time ago when I first saw her headlining those grocery store lane newpapers where she first learned of her husband's infidelity with Marla Maples, I actually felt sorry for her because here was a woman whose husband's own mistress presented herself before Trump even had a chance to tell Ivana about her. This was a woman I had a ton of sympathy for and I wondered what would happen to her.

After reading this book, all the sympathy I had for her went right out the window. Ivana wants you to believe that she and her family are like you and me but they are far from it. Before Ivana married Donald Trump, she went from a modest living in communist Czechoslovakia where she modeled and became a competitive skiier. Of course during these hobbies, she had to always report to the authorities but often those integrations that were meant to be long and filled with lengthy questions of places Ivana went outside of her homeland were cut short when she brought back something for those authorities. Later when she was given the chance to leave, Ivana did so and would end up later in America where she would meet Donald Trump.

Although Ivana wants you to believe that she raised her children single-handedly, they were actually raised mainly by the nannies. Oh she did take them to school, spent time with them by taking them with her to work, but it was mainly the nannies that pretty much did everything. Ivana tells you that she was no soccer Mom . She went to events for the children, had parties, but she did not care to associate with any of the parents. From the way she wrote of this made me believe that she felt that was above them and any moment spent in their company would be horrible.

This is rather sad because Ivana pretty much allowed herself to be isolated instead of being out there making friends with parents. Even during the stage of her divorce, she cut herself off from people whom were close to her. I understand that it was a stressful time in her life and she really wanted to give her children a chance of normalcy but cutting yourself off really does add to all those rumors circulating at the time about the divorce. I respect her for keeping her head up and not allowing the tabloids to get the best of her.

I think the only thing worthy of this book were the recipes I found in the middle of it. Maybe one day I will find the courage to try to make them. Maybe.

If you are a fan of the Trumps, then this may be your cup of tea. It really wasn't for me.

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[katara]

Title: Mr. and Mrs. X (2018-) #4
Author: Kelly Thompson, Oscar Bazaldua (Illustrator), Terry Dodson (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.9/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: October 18, 2018
Book Summary: Undercover in the Shi’ar Empire! Rogue and Gambit must infiltrate the Shi’ar homeworld in order to save a precious package. But how are they going to wine and dine the Empire’s elite when its soldiers are hot on their trail?
Book Review: In our last issues, we found our newlyweds enjoying the beauty of outerspace when Kitty called them for a job. Of course, neither Rogue nor Gambit exactly knew what they would be getting into only this was important. Add Deadpool and an egg and you have a recipe for trouble.

And trouble it had become. Inside of the genetically-created egg was the child belonging to the late Queen of the Shi'Ar, Lilandra, and her consort, Charles Xavier. Rogue and Gambit know they have to protect Xandra as best as only they can but there is war raging between the Shi'Ar and those whom have taken over the throne once occupied by Lilandra.

Unfortunately the ship belonging to the newlyweds is attacked by the Shi'Ar whom are after the egg and unaware of what it really contains. Xandra reverts back to the egg during the attack and is taken by the Shi'Ar.

The newlyweds establish an alliance with Cerise whom sneaks them into the Empire to search for the egg. Unfortunately the two are captured but find a clever way to escape and seek out the egg. Xandra has concealed herself into the egg again and when Rogue finds her, she is happy to see them. The group flees Chandilar but find out their ship is damaged and land on Chandilar's moon. During this bit of downtime between the three of them, Xandra confesses she can alter Rogue's abilities. She found this idea while she had been connected to Gambit's mind. This causes a bit of a discourse between the newlyweds.

All of this is cut short when the Shi'Ar Imperial Guard arrives as does Deathbird's group and a fight ensues between them all.

I am not going to spoil that last bit of this issue so I will leave it at that. This series continues to be great. In fact, I have enjoyed Xandra's presence in this series. Her story and character has been an interesting addition to the story. It is just sad that she has become a pawn between those upon the Shi'Ar Throne and that of Lilandra's sister, Deathbird. I think that Lilandra and Charles would be proud of her and the way she has been able to handle herself in these situations and the way she has bonded not only with Cerise but also with Gambit and Rogue.

I am seriously looking forward to seeing the next issue in this series. :D