you take care book review

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You Take Care: Lessons in looking after yourself - for every body Hardcover – 31 January 2023

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• Print length 256 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Murdoch Books
• Publication date 31 January 2023
• Dimensions 18.03 x 3.18 x 23.75 cm
• ISBN-10 1922616419
• ISBN-13 978-1922616418
• See all details

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About the author, product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Murdoch Books; 1st edition (31 January 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1922616419
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1922616418
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 18.03 x 3.18 x 23.75 cm
• 578 in Emotional Self Help
• 886 in Women's Health (Books)
• 1,200 in Self-Esteem (Books)

About the author

Steph claire smith.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs, and more

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Wednesday 4 January 2023

Review: i'll take care of you.

A seed needs love and care from the elemental forces. Then a bird needs love and care from the apple tree that has grown from the seed. Then the bird’s hatchling spreads the apple’s seeds with love and care, and so the cycle begins again.

All the while, a young reader absorbs the idea of caring for others and of being taken care of, through immersion in this cyclical story and glorious, vibrant illustrations. A combination of collage and acrylic painting bring I’ll Take Care Of You to life in the most adorable and unexpected of ways. Caring is the essence of the story.

Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you.

I love this book with more than just my eyes and my brain. I could almost feel my heart expanding as I read it and pored over the magnificent, vibrant, joyous illustrations.

Physically, I’ll Take Care Of You is a little larger than most and it has the added lushness of a dustjacket.

But mostly it’s just a stunningly beautiful and unique picture book.

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WILL YOU TAKE CARE OF ME?

by Margaret Park Bridges & illustrated by Melissa Sweet ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 1998

Parent and child kangaroos charmingly express their immeasurable love in this appealing story, with echoes of Runaway Bunny. While cycling home one day, Little One innocently asks Mama, “When I’m big, will you still take care of me?” “Of course,” Mama answers. “As long as I can make your life better and help you grow.” “What if I turned into a field of flowers?” Little One to asks. “I’d breathe in the wonderful smell of you,” Mama replies. Sweet’s soothing watercolors summon a gentle mood, depicting an idyllic bike ride through rolling green hills and a cozy evening at home. While the premise might have become precious, Bridges’s sentiments avoid the obvious. (Picture book. 2-5)

Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1998

ISBN: 0-688-15194-9

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Morrow/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1998

CHILDREN'S FAMILY

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More by Margaret Park Bridges

BOOK REVIEW

by Margaret Park Bridges ; illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas

by Margaret Park Bridges & illustrated by Christine Davenier

by Margaret Park Bridges & illustrated by Melissa Sweet

YOUR BABY'S FIRST WORD WILL BE DADA

by Jimmy Fallon ; illustrated by Miguel Ordóñez ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 9, 2015

Plotless and pointless, the book clearly exists only because its celebrity author wrote it.

A succession of animal dads do their best to teach their young to say “Dada” in this picture-book vehicle for Fallon.

A grumpy bull says, “DADA!”; his calf moos back. A sad-looking ram insists, “DADA!”; his lamb baas back. A duck, a bee, a dog, a rabbit, a cat, a mouse, a donkey, a pig, a frog, a rooster, and a horse all fail similarly, spread by spread. A final two-spread sequence finds all of the animals arrayed across the pages, dads on the verso and children on the recto. All the text prior to this point has been either iterations of “Dada” or animal sounds in dialogue bubbles; here, narrative text states, “Now everybody get in line, let’s say it together one more time….” Upon the turn of the page, the animal dads gaze round-eyed as their young across the gutter all cry, “DADA!” (except the duckling, who says, “quack”). Ordóñez's illustrations have a bland, digital look, compositions hardly varying with the characters, although the pastel-colored backgrounds change. The punch line fails from a design standpoint, as the sudden, single-bubble chorus of “DADA” appears to be emanating from background features rather than the baby animals’ mouths (only some of which, on close inspection, appear to be open). It also fails to be funny.

Pub Date: June 9, 2015

ISBN: 978-1-250-00934-0

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Review Posted Online: April 14, 2015

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2015

CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S FAMILY

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by Jimmy Fallon & Jennifer Lopez ; illustrated by Andrea Campos

More About This Book

SEEN & HEARD

I AM A BIG BROTHER

by Caroline Jayne Church ; illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 27, 2015

A good choice for caregivers looking for a positive, uncomplicated introduction to a new baby that focuses on everything an...

A little boy exults in his new role as big brother.

Rhyming text describes the arrival of a new baby and all of the big brother’s rewarding new duties. He gets to help with feedings, diaper changes, playtime, bathtime, and naptime. Though the rhyming couplets can sometimes feel a bit forced and awkward, the sentiment is sweet, as the focus here never veers from the excitement and love a little boy feels for his tiny new sibling. The charming, uncluttered illustrations convincingly depict the growing bond between this fair-skinned, rosy-cheeked, smiling pair of boys. In the final pages, the parents, heretofore kept mostly out of view, are pictured holding the children. The accompanying text reads: “Mommy, Daddy, baby, me. / We love each other—a family!” In companion volume I Am a Big Sister , the little boy is replaced with a little girl with bows in her hair. Some of the colors and patterns in the illustrations are slightly altered, but it is essentially the same title.

Pub Date: Jan. 27, 2015

ISBN: 978-0-545-68886-4

Page Count: 24

Publisher: Cartwheel/Scholastic

Review Posted Online: March 16, 2015

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2015

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY

More by Caroline Jayne Church

by Caroline Jayne Church ; illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church

by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak ; illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church

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The care and keeping of you: the body book for younger girls, common sense media reviewers.

Helpful American Girl guide for girls starting puberty.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Explains breast development, menstruation, hair gr

Focus on what your body can do, not what it looks

Depicts girls with a variety of skin shades, hair

Parents need to know that The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls, published by American Girl, is a thorough, practical head-to-toe handbook to help girls handle everyday hygiene and manage the physical and emotional changes of early puberty. Author Valorie Lee Schaefer walks…

Educational Value

Explains breast development, menstruation, hair growth, and other changes that come with puberty. Packed with practical tips: how to shave, use sanitary pads, get gum out of your hair, cope with swimmer's ear, eat healthfully, choose a bra, avoid athlete's foot, get rid of warts, warm up and cool down when you exercise, and much more.

Positive Messages

Focus on what your body can do, not what it looks like. Be kind to yourself and others. Instead of lashing out or isolating yourself when you're angry or unhappy, try to talk it out. Anger can be helpful when it leads to change. There's no reason to be ashamed about your body. Strong emphasis on confidence and being true to yourself. Warns against drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. Includes some negative messages about appearance, weight and dieting, in the form of questions girls may be asking themselves about their appearance and weight, that could be damaging for young girls.

Positive Role Models

Depicts girls with a variety of skin shades, hair types, and body shapes cheerfully taking care of themselves and bringing concerns to caring adults.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls, published by American Girl, is a thorough, practical head-to-toe handbook to help girls handle everyday hygiene and manage the physical and emotional changes of early puberty. Author Valorie Lee Schaefer walks girls through the basics of puberty, including how girls' bodies change, how to choose a bra, and what menstruation is and how to manage it. It also discusses basic self-care from good sleep habits to exercise and nutrition, and discusses issues surrounding body image, including some negative messages about weight and dieting that could be damaging for young girls. Illustrations depict breast development and how to use sanitary pads. The book does not cover sexual activity.

Where to Read

Community reviews.

• Parents say (3)
• Kids say (11)

Based on 3 parent reviews

Great start for "Mature" Audiences

Read with your daughter before school teaches it, what's the story.

THE CARE AND KEEPING OF YOU: THE BODY BOOK FOR YOUNGER GIRLS is geared toward girls who are nearing -- or just beginning -- puberty. It covers all the basics of self-care, such as keeping hair clean and tangle-free, using sunscreen, cleaning teeth with braces, coping with acne, pampering blisters, and treating a sprain. One chapter focuses on changes in the pubic area and getting your period: what it is, what to do when it first begins, how to choose supplies and how to use them, and how to deal with PMS. The final chapter offers advice on navigating emotional ups and downs and maintaining good relationships.

Is It Any Good?

This empowering self-care manual is targeted to young girls who are on the brink of growing up -- and trying to figure out how to embrace these major changes with competence and confidence. Valorie Lee Schaeffer's mostly positive language and Josee Masse's cheerful illustrations help strip away self-consciousness children might have about discussing puberty or personal hygiene. It is important to note that while informative, this book does include some negative messages about body image and dieting that could be damaging for young girls.

Schaeffer offers tons of practical tips for solving problems girls might not even think to ask their parents about. She also urges girls to ask trusted adults for help and more information; parents may want to preview the book before handing over to kids, and then check in and make themselves available for questions. Older girls -- or girls who've already begun their period -- may appreciate the companion book, The Care and Keeping of You 2: The Body Book for Older Girls .

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about body image and confidence in The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls . Are you happy with the way your body is changing? What messages in this book were most helpful to you?

This book gives a lot of attention to girls' concerns about body image . Do you think there's an ideal body type? Do you compare yourself to other girls, or models, or actresses?

Do you have questions this book didn't answer? If so, ask a trusted adult.

Book Details

• Author : Valorie Lee Schaefer
• Illustrator : Josee Masse
• Genre : Body Awareness
• Topics : Great Girl Role Models
• Book type : Non-Fiction
• Publisher : American Girl Publishing, Inc.
• Publication date : March 26, 2012
• Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
• Number of pages : 104
• Available on : Paperback, Kindle
• Last updated : November 3, 2017

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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Emily Henry does it again. Romantic 'Funny Story' satisfies without tripping over tropes

Purchases you make through our links may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

The weather is getting warmer, so obviously it's time for another banger read from Emily Henry.

For a subset of millennial women, the author has become a summer staple . Freewheeling romances that defy the stereotypes of "beach reads" (starting with her 2020 debut cheekily titled, "Beach Read"), Henry has become a reliable source of yearly can't-put-them-down stories about love, friendships and getting older.

Her latest, " Funny Story " (available now from Berkley Hardcover, pp. 410) takes the traditional "opposites attract" narrative and gives a realistic, if somewhat tragic twist. Children’s librarian Daphne Vincent (Henry’s characters always love to read) has moved to a idyllic Lake Michigan beach town with her fiancé Peter, slotting herself into his preferred life and the house he bought.

• "Funny Story" at Amazon for $19
• "Funny Story" at Bookshop.org for $27

Check out: USA TODAY's weekly Best-selling Booklist

But when Peter leaves her for his childhood best friend just weeks before their wedding, Daphne doesn’t have a place to live. She winds up bunking with Miles, the ex-boyfriend of Peter’s new love. He's a punky, fun-loving charmer who everybody loves, and she's bookish and reserved. They don’t have anything in common except their shared heartbreak, but isn’t that just the perfect setting for new romance? 

It certainly checks a lot of rom-com set up boxes, but Henry wisely keeps Daphne’s journey far from perfect. There is real grief and trauma here, plus a loss of self and identity. Before Daphne can even think about falling in love with Miles, she has to start loving and knowing herself again. Maybe that’s not the stuff of traditional beach fluff, but for so many women who have been lost in romance in an unhealthy way, it’s deeply cathartic. And once the time for romance is right, Henry doesn't disappoint. It's sweet, passionate, and just hot enough to steam up the book, if not set it on fire.

Just like in her other novels, the author's characters are deep, realistic and relatable. Daphne is quiet and guarded, having grown up with an absentee father she has no faith in anyone to live up to her expectations. Gregarious Miles has more issues than meet the eye, and unfolding his inner life takes the reader on an unexpected journey as he and Daphne become friends, and something more.

Henry is so particularly talented at creating romance that eschews tropes and clichés but still satisfies our innate desire for predictability and happy endings in this genre. It's certainly not easy to balance the comfortingly formulaic with the tantalizingly unique. " Story " might hit the mark best of all of Henry's books so far.

It's a funny story, how she does it, actually. You should take a read.

More From Forbes

3 practices to keep financial anxiety at bay—from a psychologist.

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Financial stress can take a toll on your mental health. Here’s how you can curb its impact.

Money-related stress is widespread among adults in the United States. According to the American Psychological Association , 72% of adults experience financial stress, whether it's due to concerns about rent payments or the weight of debt.

In recent times, amid bank failures, rising inflation and concerns about a recession, many individuals find themselves grappling with financial stress as they strive to secure their finances. This stress often arises from disparities between income and expenses, exacerbated by economic crises or major life events like job loss or health emergencies.

Not surprisingly, financial stress can have a significant impact on one's mental health. For example, a study published in PLOS ONE revealed a clear link between financial stress and depression. This stress can be particularly detrimental to mental well-being, especially among those with lower incomes. A survey in the United States found that financial concerns heightened psychological distress, particularly for individuals who were unmarried, unemployed, or had lower incomes.

We may not have the power to change the broader financial landscape or certain aspects of our financial situations, but there certainly are ways to manage financial stress and its repercussions. Here are three such ways you can navigate these challenges and cultivate mental resilience during times of financial strain.

1. Plan Your Finances Realistically

One of the most effective ways to alleviate financial stress is to gain a comprehensive understanding of your income, expenses and financial objectives. This not only provides you with a better grasp of your financial situation but also empowers you to take control. A 2007 study reinforces this by highlighting that the clarity of retirement goals and active engagement in financial planning activities serve as reliable predictors of the quality of one’s retirement. To begin implementing this strategy, consider laying out your monthly budget in advance. Here's a guide to get started:

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• Begin by tracking your monthly income and all your expenses. Categorize your expenditures, so you can identify areas where you might be able to cut back.
• Establish short-term and long-term financial goals. These can include paying off debt, saving for emergencies or investing for the future. Be sure to align these goals with your current financial situation.
• Once you've created a budget, commit to it. This might involve making some sacrifices in the short term, but it's a crucial step toward reducing financial stress in the long run.

2. Cut The Fat, Keep The Meat

When it comes to managing financial stress, it's crucial to strike a balance between trimming unnecessary expenses and safeguarding your essential needs, especially your health. Here's how you can achieve this delicate balance:

• Review your monthly expenses and identify areas where you can cut back. This might include dining out less frequently, reducing entertainment expenses or finding cost-effective alternatives for your regular purchases.
• Prioritize essentials. While economizing is essential, be sure not to compromise on necessities like nutritious food, a safe living environment, and, most importantly, medical care. Health should always be a top priority, so avoid skipping doctor's appointments or medications due to financial concerns. Instead, explore options like generic medications, discounts or financial assistance programs to manage healthcare costs.
• Look for ways to maintain your quality of life without breaking the bank. For example, consider using public transportation instead of owning a car the very moment you start earning. You can also explore community resources for free or low-cost activities, and find budget-friendly ways to stay connected with loved ones.

3. Prioritize Self-Care To Reduce Stress

Managing financial stress isn't just about your bank account; it's also about taking care of your mental health. Prioritizing self-care and stress management can make a significant difference in how you cope with financial pressures. Here are some strategies to consider:

• Incorporate mindfulness and meditation practices into your daily routine. These techniques can help reduce anxiety, improve your ability to focus, and enhance overall mental well-being.
• Physical activity is a natural stress reliever. Engage in regular exercise to release endorphins, reduce tension and improve your mood. Findings of a study suggest that engaging in moderate and vigorous leisure walking can have a positive effect on your mental health and health perceptions.
• Connect with supportive relationships. Lean on friends and family for emotional support. Sharing your concerns with loved ones can provide comfort and reduce feelings of isolation.

Financial stress can have a profound impact on mental health, but it's a challenge that can be managed. Proactive steps are one way to reduce the burden of financial stress and build the mental resilience needed to navigate these difficult times. Remember, you're not alone, and there are resources available to help you on your journey toward financial and mental well-being.

Financial infidelity adding to your financial stress? Take the Financial Infidelity Scale to gain clarity.

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• Personal Care

Eye Health 101: Things You Should Be Doing Every Day to Take Care of Your Vision

While you can't magically fix vision loss, you can take control of your eye health by implementing these simple habits in your routine.

Simple habits can boost your eye health.

Vision loss is a major problem that interrupts daily life. It's also more common than you think. The US  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 93 million adults in the US are at high risk of vision loss. Although you can't always restore the vision loss you've experienced, it doesn't mean you can't take precautions to protect your eyes going forward.

These are the top habits to integrate into your routine to keep your eyes in good shape for the years ahead.

Read more: 12 Best Foods for Eye Health

Want more health tips? Check out why  omega-3-rich foods offer benefits for your health , why your glasses get foggy and how to stop it  and the  right color of sunglasses for eye health . 

1. Wear sunglasses 

Exposing your eyes to ultraviolet rays may cause damage over time. Wearing sunglasses can block harmful UV light, lowering your risk of eye diseases like cataracts, sunburn, eye cancer and growths around the eye, per the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Polarized glasses with smoke or gray lenses may offer the best protection against the sun's rays and reduce glare.

2. Take screen breaks

Prolonged screen time can cause dry eyes , pain in the neck and shoulders, blurred vision, headaches and digital eye strain, or computer vision syndrome . The American Optometric Association recommends using the 20-20-20 rule to prevent computer vision syndrome. Every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

3. Take book breaks, too

Screen time isn't the only way to strain your eyes. When you read a book, you probably hold it up close for long periods, too. Both activities can lead to nearsightedness , or myopia, which means far-away objects are blurry while up-close things are clear. Just like you should use the 20-20-20 rule to take screen breaks, you should also use this rule for book breaks. If you find yourself engrossed in what you're reading or doing on the computer, set an alarm so you don't miss your 20-minute break.

4. Move your body 

Regular exercise can provide eye health benefits , such as promoting healthy blood vessels and lowering your risk of developing glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, the AAO reports. The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity every week, plus two days of strength training for your muscles. You can also practice eye exercises to reduce tension and eye strain while sitting at your desk.

Read more: Sneak More Exercise Into Your Daily Routine: 7 Steps That Actually Work

5. Get outside

Children and adults need to get outside often, even if you get your recommended exercise indoors. Research shows that children who spend time outdoors have a lower risk of developing nearsightedness in adolescence and as adults. Playing with your kids at the local playground, walking through the woods or even playing in the backyard can help the whole family stay healthy and active. Be sure to use your sunglasses.

6. Don't smoke

It's well known that smoking is bad for your health. It can also increase your risk of developing eye diseases like cataracts or age-related macular degeneration, according to the Food and Drug Administration . Smokers have a two or three-times higher chance of developing cataracts and up to four times higher risk for AMD. Future research may determine if smoking cigarettes can also cause glaucoma, Graves' eye disease, thyroid eye disease and encourage diabetic retinopathy onset or progression. To improve your health, build a quit plan .

7. Eat balanced meals

The foods you eat every day can improve your eye health . Eating foods rich in vitamins A, C and E, beta-carotene, omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zeaxanthin and zinc can help cellular growth, lower eye tissue inflammation and limit free radicals that can damage your eyes.

To get the right nutrients for your eyes, eat balanced meals by including some of these foods in your regular diet, as recommended by the AAO:

• Vitamin A and beta-carotene: Apricots, carrots, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, red pepper, ricotta cheese, mango.
• Vitamin C: Grapefruit, oranges, lemons, tangerines, peaches, strawberries, tomatoes, red bell pepper.
• Vitamin E: Avocados, almonds, peanut butter, wheat germ, sunflower seeds.
• Omega-3: Halibut, sardines, salmon, tuna, trout.
• Lutein and Zeaxanthin: Collards, broccoli, eggs, peas, kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, turnip greens.
• Zinc: Lima beans, kidney beans, black-eyed peas, lean red meats, oysters, fortified cereals, poultry.

8. Avoid rubbing your eyes

If you habitually rub your eyes, it could cause eye damage or infections . Dry eyes and eye strain can make you want to rub your eyes, and some may rub them too much or too hard. This can lead to issues such as reduced or blurry vision, headaches, inflammation, eye and light sensitivity. Another reason to avoid eye rubbing is that bacteria or viruses on your fingers or hands could lead to conjunctivitis, commonly called pink eye. Instead of rubbing your eyes, use eye drops or saline to clean your eyes and keep them moist. Resist the urge and find something else to keep your hands busy until you undo the habit.

Read more:   7 Home Remedies for Dry, Itchy Eyes

9. Wash your hands

You should always wash your hands before touching your face or eyes and handling contact lenses. Almost 45 million Americans wear contact lenses  and around one in three wearers develop complications, with one in five infections from contact lenses causing corneal damage. 

Plus, there's no telling what kind of germs are on objects you touch after someone unknowingly contaminated them. Washing your hands regularly can lower your risk of respiratory illness by up to 21% and diarrheal illness by up to 40%, the CDC reports. 

10. Take off your makeup

After a long day, the last thing you might think about is removing your eye makeup before you get into bed. Doing so benefits your eye health and can lower your risk of blepharitis or eyelid inflammation, according to the Optometrists Network. 

You should also adopt good makeup practices that can save your skin and eyes, such as only using products made for eyes, replacing your makeup often (especially after an eye infection), not applying eye makeup in the inner lids and never sharing eye makeup with someone else. If you use brushes or sponges to apply eye makeup, wash them regularly.

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Best New Music

By Ryan Dombal

Cash Money / Young Money Entertainment / Universal Republic

November 14, 2011

In 1976, Marvin Gaye holed up in his Hollywood studio and began recording Here, My Dear , a brutally candid album-length dissection of his divorce from wife Anna Gordy. The soul great found beauty within the wreckage, and the album doubled as an emotional exorcism that pushed out pain, anger, regret, spite, vengeance. "Memories haunt you all the time/ I will never leave your mind," he threatens on a song called "When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You" . Reviewing the album upon its release in 1978, critic Robert Christgau wrote, "Because Gaye's self-involvement is so open and unmediated... it retains unusual documentary charm."

The same could be said of Drake , whose unrepentant navel-gazing and obsession with lost love reach new levels on his second proper LP, Take Care . Running with Gaye's ghost, Drake offers a profane update of his forebear's twisted heart: "Fuck that nigga that you love so bad/ I know you still think about the times we had," he sings on the insidious hook of "Marvins Room" , a song recorded in the same studio where Gaye originally exposed his own unedited thoughts more than three decades ago.

In this age of reality television, 24-hour celebrity news, and second-to-second documentation-- where behind-the-scenes sagas mix with what's on screen and on record, creating an ever-morphing, ever-more-self-aware new normal-- Drake is an apt avatar. Naturally, he knows this, too. "They take the greats from the past and compare us/ I wonder if they'd ever survive in this era," he contemplates on the album, "In a time where it's recreation/ To pull all your skeletons out the closet like Halloween decorations." We can thank Kanye West for legitimately kicking off this open-book hip-hop era, and it's increasingly apparent that Drake is the most engaging new rap star since Ye. While fame causes some to withdraw and cling to what little privacy they have left, this 25-year-old Canadian's penchant for poetic oversharing has only been emboldened by his success. When he's not making the most epic drunk-dial song in pop history with "Marvins Room", he's openly pleading with former flame Rihanna on the record's title track, or duetting with Twitter wife Nicki Minaj on "Make Me Proud" only to call out such publicity-baiting "relationships" two tracks later, where he raps, "It look like we in love, but only on camera." With its startlingly frank talk and endless heartbreak, Take Care often reads like a string of especially vulnerable-- and sometimes embarrassing-- Missed Connections.

This time around, Drake has a better grasp on his own notoriety and the mind-fucks that come with it. While he expressed wonderfully wounded trepidations about his sudden rise on Thank Me Later , he's learning to embrace it more here. "They say more money more problems, my nigga, don't believe it," he raps on closer "The Ride". "I mean, sure, there's some bills and taxes I'm still evading/ But I blew six million on myself, and I feel amazing." And on "HYFR (Hell Ya Fucking Right)", he all but gives away his hand, turning his sadness into strategy: "What have I learned since getting richer?/ I learned working with the negatives could make for better pictures." And while he claims "I think I like who I'm becoming" on "Crew Love"-- about as ringing an endorsement you'll get from a guy so bent on exposing his own disappointments-- he's still more interested in contradiction than triumph. Even when staring at a pair of unnatural breasts, he highlights the incision rather than the size: "Brand new girl and she still growing/ Brand new titties, stitches still showing/ Yeah, and she just praying that it heals good/ I'm 'bout to fuck and I'm just praying that it feels good."

Just as his thematic concerns have become richer, so has the music backing them up. Thank Me Later banked on a sonic tableau that was slow and sensual and dark-- equal parts Aaliyah and the xx -- and  Take Care takes that aesthetic to an even more rewarding place, spearheaded by Drake's go-to producer Noah "40" Shebib, who gets a writing and production credit on almost every song. While the bombastic style of producer Lex Luger's work with Rick Ross and Waka Flocka Flame threatened to turn the tide on Drake and 40's moody atmospherics last summer, the pair stick to their gut here and delve further into smooth piano and muffled drums, fully committed to the idea of doing more with less. This is sensuous music that breathes heavy somewhere between UGK 's deep funk, quiet-storm 90s R&B, and James Blake -inspired minimalism. (Drake reportedly had a vinyl copy of Blake's debut LP on display in the studio while recording Take Care .) Its subtlety is a direct rebuke to the rash of in-the-red Eurotrance waveforms clogging up radio dials. Even the more upbeat tracks take pains not to rely on a simple thump. "Take Care" features Rihanna and a four-four beat, but the singer shows off her little-heard whispering delivery and the instrumental comes courtesy of the xx's Jamie xx , who nimbly tailors his remix of  Gil Scott-Heron 's "I'll Take Care of You" for the occasion.

Drake's worked on his own technical abilities, too, and both his rapping and singing are better than ever here. Notably, he only brandishes the hashtag flow he quickly became famous (or infamous) for over the last few years, turning it into a knowing knock on copycats: "Man, all of your flows bore me/ Paint drying." And he breathlessly runs through the opening verse on the vicious "HYFR" at a speed that would likely garner respect from Busta Rhymes . And then there's "Doing It Wrong", a brilliant, barely there slow jam that borrows some lyrics from an unlikely source (Don "American Pie" McLean's twangy 1977 track "The Wrong Thing to Do") and features an unlikely guest in Stevie Wonder . Fitting the album's classy, unshowy demeanor, Wonder is tapped not to sing but play harmonica-- and uncharacteristically downcast harmonica at that-- for the track's crushing denouement. The song has Drake chronicling the conflicting emotions of a difficult breakup and giving us his finest singing to date. His words are simple, universal, true: "We live in a generation of not being in love, and not being together/ But we sure make it feel like we're together/ 'Cause we're scared to see each other with somebody else." Elsewhere, André 3000 references Adele 's unimpeachable "Someone Like You" in one of the album's many well-placed guest verses; "Doing It Wrong" deserves to follow that song as pop's next Great Heartbroken Ballad.

The cover of Take Care shows its star sitting at a table, dejected and surrounded by gold, like a hip-hop Midas. Considering some of the money-doesn't-buy-you-happiness sentiments inside, the picture is apropos enough. But it's much too obvious to truly represent what Drake and his crew have done here. A better image would be the grainy, amateur photo he released with "Marvins Room" when he originally leaked it in June , which shows the rapper walking away from a group of private jets, his face obscured by a puff of smoke making its way up to an overcast sky. It lets his reality do the heavy lifting while Drake stands by, taking it all in.

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‘Civil War’: What you need to know about A24’s dystopian action movie

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A24’s “Civil War,” the latest film from “Ex Machina” and “Men” director Alex Garland , imagines a third-term president ruling over a divided America and follows the journalists driving through the war-torn countryside on a mission to land his final interview. The movie is pulse-pounding and contemplative, as the characters tumble from one tense encounter to the next and ruminate on the nature of journalism and wartime photography.

In his review of the film, The Times’ Joshua Rothkopf wrote, “‘Civil War’ will remind you of the great combat films , the nauseating artillery ping of ‘Saving Private Ryan,’ the surreal up-is-down journey of ‘Apocalypse Now.’ It also bears a pronounced connection to the 2002 zombie road movie scripted by its writer-director Alex Garland, ‘28 Days Later.’”

Starring Kirsten Dunst and Cailee Spaeny as photojournalists, alongside Wagner Moura and Stephen McKinley Henderson (and a scene-stealing, nerve-racking Jesse Plemons ), the film carries a reported production budget of $50 million and has already started to recoup the costs at the box office, earning $25.7 million in ticket sales in its first weekend in North America.

“Civil War” has also been a discourse juggernaut. Conversation on social media has focused on the lack of context given for the conflict at the heart of the film. In a recent column, The Times’ Mary McNamara wrote that “forcing the very real political divisions that plague this nation into vague subtext doesn’t even serve the purported pro-journalism nature of ‘Civil War.’”

Catch up on our coverage of the film below.

Review: ‘Civil War’ shows an America long past unraveling, which makes it necessary

Starring Kirsten Dunst and Cailee Spaeny as journalists chronicling a war at home, writer-director Alex Garland’s action film provokes a shudder of recognition.

April 11, 2024

Kirsten Dunst and Cailee Spaeny on the nightmarish ‘Civil War’: ‘No nation is immune’

Writer-director Alex Garland’s controversy-courting political fable about a violently divided America brings together two generation-defining actors.

April 4, 2024

What ‘Civil War’ gets right and wrong about photojournalism, according to a Pulitzer Prize winner

Carolyn Cole, a veteran L.A. Times photographer who won a Pulitzer Prize for her coverage of civil war in Liberia, breaks down the depiction of her profession in A24’s ‘Civil War.’

April 16, 2024

Inside the most unnerving scene in ‘Civil War’: ‘It was a stunning bit of good luck’

With a deeply disturbing turn by Jesse Plemons, one scene in “Civil War” encapsulates the film’s combustible political balancing act. It almost didn’t happen.

April 12, 2024

In trying to hedge its politics, ‘Civil War’ betrays its characters — and the audience

Alex Garland’s powerful war drama is ostensibly a tribute to the fourth estate. But the film is absent the examination of causes and consequences central to great journalism.

April 15, 2024

Company Town

After ‘Civil War’ and mainstream success, can indie darling A24 keep its cool?

‘Civil War’s’ overperformance at the box office proves that A24’s brand is strong enough to open a divisive $50-million about a dystopian America.

Entertainment & Arts

‘Civil War’ unites moviegoers at box office

Alex Garland’s ‘Civil War,’ about a strife-torn, near-future America, knocked ‘Godzilla x Kong’ from the top spot at the weekend box office.

April 14, 2024

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