Friday, December 29, 2017

Review: Life Is Like a Musical: How Broadway Can Help You Live Your Best Life

Life Is Like a Musical: How Broadway Can Help You Live Your Best Life Life Is Like a Musical: How Broadway Can Help You Live Your Best Life by Tim Federle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Great self-help advice book for teens! Review to come in SLJ Adult Books 4 Teens.

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Review: Just So Happens

Just So Happens Just So Happens by Fumio Obata
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Beautiful watercolor graphic novel about a London woman traveling back to Japan for her father's funeral. While there, she is conflicted about whether she SHOULD return home and if she should please her mountain-exploring father or her ambitious author mother. Lovely inclusion of Noh theater, too.

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Review: Gone to Dust: A Novel

Gone to Dust: A Novel Gone to Dust: A Novel by Matt Goldman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm not a fan when the beans are spilled at the very end of the novel and I had a love/hate relationship with PI Nils Shapiro. I'll give one more book by this author a try before I judge too harshly. Loved the Minneapolis setting and the modern use of technology.

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Review: Beneath the Sugar Sky

Beneath the Sugar Sky Beneath the Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, please keep writing this series, Seanan! I fall more in love with it after I read each book. It's just so different and refreshing than other fantasy series out there. I find myself highlighting quotes of the ARC in my kindle, laughing out loud, and wanting more of these wayward kids. Can someone please make a PG-13 rated movie out of this series? It could ride on the coattails of the popularity of Stranger Things.....

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Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Review: Fox Hunter

Fox Hunter Fox Hunter by Zoƫ Sharp
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It is so FREAKING great to read awesome thrillers with the majority of the main characters FEMALE! Charlie Fox is still kicking ass in the 12th book of the series--this time she's off to Iraq and the Middle East and the mountains of Bulgaria, of all places. She's still involved in the (often crooked) world of protection units--it's scary to think of the millionaires who pay people to make problems disappear. A high up American female spook becomes involved in this novel, and the addition of Louisa Dawson, another female working in close protection, was a huge asset. In a world of beefy men who don't think much, the females in this series kick some serious ass. I love it. If someone asks me to recommend a thriller/spy/adventure series, this is the one I mention. It's just awesome.

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Review: Dear Martin

Dear Martin Dear Martin by Nic Stone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So good, but I have to say that I like The Hate U Give better. But both so needed for our youth and teens! And, adults.

Justyce is a brilliant kid going to an expensive prep school and kicking butt on the school's debate team. And he's black. When he's arrested and held for hours for helping his on/off again girlfriend when she was drunk, he doesn't know how to handle it. He's a good kid who just happened to be wearing a hoodie and helping a girl who looked white. When the racial incidents keep happening around him (or maybe he's just noticing them more?), he begins writing letters to Dr. King, as he tries to ACT like Dr. King in situations. And it's tough.

I did have issues with the 3rd person narration--there were times where something just felt off about it, especially at the beginning of the novel.

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Monday, December 25, 2017

Review: Year One

Year One Year One by Nora Roberts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I can't believe I read all of a Nora Roberts book. And enjoyed it! If this is how she writes dystopia, then she needs to focus on this stuff instead of the sappy romances that she's known for! This has everything that most dystopian novels do--horrible virus that wipes out most of the world's population, evil New York City dwellers who like to kill and pillage, and good people escaping to the country to form new positive civilizations. But I did laugh at times--there are some good one-liners. And I found myself caring for the characters, even while guessing correctly at how they were going to get to know each other. There is quite a cliffhanger, so I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Nora Roberts. Who knew? This could have been published YA--easily.

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Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Review: Life Is Like a Musical: How Broadway Can Help You Live Your Best Life

Life Is Like a Musical: How Broadway Can Help You Live Your Best Life Life Is Like a Musical: How Broadway Can Help You Live Your Best Life by Tim Federle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Great self-help advice book for teens! Review to come in SLJ Adult Books 4 Teens.

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Review: The Hunting Accident: A True Story of Crime and Poetry

The Hunting Accident: A True Story of Crime and Poetry The Hunting Accident: A True Story of Crime and Poetry by David L. Carlson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Review to come in SLJ Adult Books 4 Teens.

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Review: Caroline: Little House, Revisited

Caroline: Little House, Revisited Caroline: Little House, Revisited by Sarah Miller
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Part of this was like coming home to me, since I read and re-read the Little House books growing up. So in that way, this book was excellent because I enjoyed going back to that world. But on the other hand, the story IS told better from the little girls' POV because being an adult woman back then sucked. She worked. ALL DAY LONG. And she couldn't have sex with her husband while traveling to Kansas in a covered wagon with her girls. That part was a little gross. I also felt like I learned too much about bowel movements. I just didn't see that this story needed to be told, unless the Ingalls Foundation needed some funds.

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Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Review: UNSUB

UNSUB UNSUB by Meg Gardiner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This thriller is the perfect example of a popular fiction author giving her audience exactly what they want! It's a rip-roaring serial killer book, torn from modern headlines, and haunting the Bay area. I began the book at bedtime, which was an accident, because then I had to stay up until 2 am to finish it. There's nothing outstanding here, just an exciting who-done-it, complete with haunted characters, and a creepy bad guy. Or are there two bad guys? Ugh...sequel!

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Review: UNSUB

UNSUB UNSUB by Meg Gardiner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This thriller is the perfect example of a popular fiction author giving her audience exactly what they want! It's a rip-roaring serial killer book, torn from modern headlines, and haunting the Bay area. I began the book at bedtime, which was an accident, because then I had to stay up until 2 am to finish it. There's nothing outstanding here, just an exciting who-done-it, complete with haunted characters, and a creepy bad guy. Or are there two bad guys? Ugh...sequel!

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Review: Every Heart a Doorway

Every Heart a Doorway Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this freaky little series. I read Book #2 first a few months ago, so I had to go back and read the first novella. Short and sweet, but McGuire chooses her words carefully, which I love. I wish more fantasy novelists would read this and learn to use words more determinedly. I was able to download an advance readers copy of Book #3, so that's on my To Read list for Christmas break. Can't wait!

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Monday, December 18, 2017

Review: The Rules of Magic

The Rules of Magic The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Damn, she can write. Review to come in SLJ Adult Books 4 Teens.

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Review: Bad Feminist

Bad Feminist Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I did fast forward over a few of these essays--mainly the ones about literature, which is kinda weird since I was an English major at EIU. But, wow, the essays about feminism, movies like The Help, abortion, Sweet Valley High books, and Chris Brown had me raising a fist in my car and talking to myself. Gay MOVES me and with badass Bahni Turpin narrating, this audiobook is just awesome. The abortion essay helped me tremendously put my own thoughts about it into better sounding words. And the way men keep encroaching on a woman's body is just downright evil. I'm a bad feminist, too, because I shave my legs, dye my hair, and like it when a man opens a door for me. Gay is helping rewrite what the term "feminist" means, and, yes, I am one, thank you.

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Thursday, December 14, 2017

Review: Jade City

Jade City Jade City by Fonda Lee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Review to come in School Library Journal's Adult Books 4 Teens.

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Review: #Notyourprincess: Voices of Native American Women

#Notyourprincess: Voices of Native American Women #Notyourprincess: Voices of Native American Women by Lisa Charleyboy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Strong collection of artwork, poetry, quotations, and snippets of writing about Native American women. I was saddened when I realized that I didn't even recognize the names of some of the Nations--because they are Canadian, I hope? (and if not, what's that say about my own acquiring of knowledge?) As with any collection, there are strong pieces that speak to me, and some that don't. However, the artwork chosen is tremendously strong--I could see an art teacher using this book in a high school classroom.

The collection hits on so many important topics--the pipeline in the Dakotas, physical and sexual abuse of women and children, costumes, being too "white" to be native, native portrayal in media, and, over and over, stereotypes. "The Things We Taught Our Daughters" by Helen Knott made me tear up and if I still taught American Lit, that poem would be included in my curriculum. "When I Have a Daughter" by Ntawnis Piapot made me cry, too, in my own experience as a mother of a daughter that I hope to raise to be strong and defiant. The inclusion of modern sports athletes and how the power of social media is influencing modern native policies was awesome and a real draw for young people.

These stories need to be told. And it saddens me that it takes the help of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council to make sure that books like this get published. I've read two of the YALSA Nonfiction finalists so far, and this one is a winner for me right now. On to read the others!

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Review: #Notyourprincess: Voices of Native American Women

#Notyourprincess: Voices of Native American Women #Notyourprincess: Voices of Native American Women by Lisa Charleyboy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Strong collection of artwork, poetry, quotations, and snippets of writing about Native American women. I was saddened when I realized that I didn't even recognize the names of some of the Nations--because they are Canadian, I hope? (and if not, what's that say about my own acquiring of knowledge?) As with any collection, there are strong pieces that speak to me, and some that don't. However, the artwork chosen is tremendously strong--I could see an art teacher using this book in a high school classroom.

The collection hits on so many important topics--the pipeline in the Dakotas, physical and sexual abuse of women and children, costumes, being too "white" to be native, native portrayal in media, and, over and over, stereotypes. "The Things We Taught Our Daughters" by Helen Knott made me tear up and if I still taught American Lit, that poem would be included in my curriculum. "When I Have a Daughter" by Ntawnis Piapot made me cry, too, in my own experience as a mother of a daughter that I hope to raise to be strong and defiant. The inclusion of modern sports athletes and how the power of social media is influencing modern native policies was awesome and a real draw for young people.

These stories need to be told. And it saddens me that it takes the help of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council to make sure that books like this get published. I've read two of the YALSA Nonfiction finalists so far, and this one is a winner for me right now. On to read the others!

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Review: The Whydah: A Pirate Ship Feared, Wrecked, and Found

The Whydah: A Pirate Ship Feared, Wrecked, and Found The Whydah: A Pirate Ship Feared, Wrecked, and Found by Martin W. Sandler
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Okay, so this book had two of my pet peeves within the first two chapters, which irritated me enough that I didn't want to dedicate my reading time to finish it. But I did. First, the author had word choice issues, like on page 13, "He had to get to know that girl." I know this is a children's/young adult nonfiction book, but I would still like to think that kids are smart enough to know that there are better ways to write that sentence, especially as it's closing out the paragraph.

I also wasn't a fan of the huge sidenotes and I've noticed this in other nonfiction. A sidenote should be just that--a snippet of information located off to the side of the main text. Set it apart with a textbox or something! But when a snippet lasts three complete pages, that, my friend, is a chapter. All it does is disrupt the text and piss readers like me off. The first snippet was used correctly--at the end of Chapter 1. But the next one, "The Articles of Agreement," were just thrown into the middle of Chapter 2 with no rhyme or reason other than the author had mentioned the agreement in the text. That's all and good, but "The Articles" take up three pages in the middle of a sentence of the text--horrible placement. Did the author even have a say in where that went? or was that a book designer's decision?

I also wanted more visuals. The author stressed that the Whydah's uniqueness was a "long platform on its deck for captives who could not..." Well, then, what did that long platform look like? Because I can't picture it. Surely there is an illustration somewhere of it? Or one like it?

There are source notes at the end, as well as a MLA 7th edition bibliography, and photo credits.

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Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Review: Long Way Down

Long Way Down Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dang...I hope this is getting talked about at the Printz table! Sure, it's the kind of story that will suck you in, but some of the poetry is darn good, too. Novels written in verse are always tricky. I wish the publisher had done a bit more with the "smoke" on the pages--a different color or something than the font? Thicker paper with more of a reason behind the smudges?

At the end, I wanted to yell, "NOOOOOO!!!!!!"

Wish I could hear some students discussing this one.....

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Monday, December 11, 2017

Review: Say Goodbye for Now

Say Goodbye for Now Say Goodbye for Now by Catherine Ryan Hyde
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I can't believe I listened to ALL of this sappy thing. But, hey, the narration by Nick Podehl was great! This is one of those Hallmark special type of books, so if you like those, give this a try.

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Friday, December 8, 2017

Review: Jane

Jane Jane by Aline McKenna
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Modern retelling of Jane Eyre in graphic form. Rochester is still a rich jerk, and art student Jane is fascinated and disgusted at the same time.

This book received a star just for the art--great storytelling through pictures. The actual words were a bit melodramatic and soap opera-ish.

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Review: The Virgin's Spy

The Virgin's Spy The Virgin's Spy by Laura Andersen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've been a sucker for Tudor historical fiction for 30 years and this hit the spot. But, whoa, if someone didn't know their history, I could see them writing an essay for a history class all about Queen Elizabeth's daughter Anabel. Who was fathered by King Phillip of Spain before the divorce and him remarrying Mary Queen of Scots.

See? This is the best kind of alternative history--very realistic sounding. The court intrigue, spying, and the Irish problem is the same as history, but the falsehoods Andersen has created makes this a newish read for me. I liked it!

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Monday, December 4, 2017

Review: The Bloodprint

The Bloodprint The Bloodprint by Ausma Zehanat Khan
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

I stopped on page 59. As much as I WANTED to love this book (diverse Middle Eastern fantasy, gender issues, an author I've enjoyed before), I just couldn't get into it. I felt like I was thrown into a book in the middle of a series, and was confused. A world-building fail.

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Review: Two Good Dogs

Two Good Dogs Two Good Dogs by Susan Wilson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I wanted a Dog on It type of dog book, but this wasn't as well written. I stopped at 9% on my Kindle of the advance reader's copy.

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Friday, December 1, 2017

Review: The Beautiful Ones

The Beautiful Ones The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was sucked into this light read that I had to finish. It's a combination of paranormal and historical romance, which I don't mind, but this did have some very familiar plot happenings that I didn't care for. I won't be continuing the series, but I could see why some newish adult readers would appreciate this series. Lots of action, "say it isn't so" moments, and a strong-minded rich protagonist who just wants to be loved and happy.

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Review: A Tree Is Nice

A Tree Is Nice A Tree Is Nice by Janice May Udry
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book is nice, just like a tree. I am a huge tree fan--they are nice.

I had to read this Caldecott winner because it's serving as the topper of my tree of books in my reference section. My library's version is red hardback with "A Tree is Nice" large on the cover. What's not to like?

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Review: Love

Love Love by Matt de la Pena
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is SO MUCH FREAKING BETTER than Oh, The Places You'll Go!! Send kids off with love in their hearts. And knowing how to recognize love in the people and beauty around them, whether in the city or in the country.

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Review: The Dry

The Dry The Dry by Jane Harper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I tried this in audio and hated it. I'm so glad I interlibrary loaned the print version--it's amazing! If you like detective novels, try this one. Aaron Falk is a federal agent in Australia, used to dealing with white collar crime. When he's asked to return to his childhood back country home to unofficially help with an investigation, he does so. Unwillingly. He and his father were run out of the town years ago when one of his best friends drowned herself in the river, although suspicious were always present that he or his father had something to do with the girl's death. Now those old mysteries are stirred up, Aaron still isn't welcome in his hardass hometown, but three people, including a child, are dead.

I'm looking forward to continuing this Australian series--so good!

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Sunday, November 26, 2017

Review: La Belle Sauvage

La Belle Sauvage La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Reading this made me remember how much I loved Pullman's Dark Materials trilogy. And now I can't wait to keep reading this prequel trilogy! Lyra is only a baby in this book, but readers are introduced to all the other major players in the original series. You don't need to have read the original series to start this one, but this will make you want to read them.

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Saturday, November 25, 2017

Review: The Trust

The Trust The Trust by Ronald H. Balson
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I can't believe all the positive reviews for this--it had me shaking my head a few pages in because the main character spends two pages telling his life history to his wife. In dialogue. Whaaaat???? Who does that? Why all the telling? Why couldn't it have been done within his own head or something or with an all-knowing narrator? It seemed so unrealistic and just poor storytelling. I kept checking to make sure the quotation marks were still there.

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Friday, November 24, 2017

Review: The Leavers

The Leavers The Leavers by Lisa Ko
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gorgeous listen and a nightmare of a tale of deportation and China. This book will give you the feels. And the disgusts. And makes me want to memorize phone numbers.

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Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Review: Fever

Fever Fever by Deon Meyer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Apolalyptic read about the rebuilding phase of the world after 95% of the population dies from a fever. This was more hopeful than most books--Nico's father focuses on gathering peaceful people to begin a community and improve their lives. Plenty of strife, of course, as raiders are plentiful, and power-hungry people attempt to steal supplies.

Decent read, but, ugh, so long! South African setting.

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Monday, November 20, 2017

Review: Border Angels

Border Angels Border Angels by Anthony Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Brutal little police detective novel about the horrible land around the Northern Ireland/Ireland border. Lawlessness abounds, and an illegal brother full of Eastern European women exists, and not much is being done for the trafficked women. When a rich man commits suicide after opening accounts in a prostitute's name, the investigation is more about the money than helping the poor women. I enjoyed the compact tightness of the way this was written--I'll read the next one in the series.

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Thursday, November 16, 2017

Review: The Dark Horse

The Dark Horse The Dark Horse by Craig Johnson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I've loved the Longmire books up to this one, but, so far, this is the weakest in the series. Longer than the others, unnecessarily, because the Sheriff spent a lot of time wandering in the desert on a horse! I'll still keep reading the series though--Walt is worth it.

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Review: The Tethered Mage

The Tethered Mage The Tethered Mage by Melissa Caruso
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

So close to be an awesome fantasy--just needed 50-100 pages edited out in the middle to keep it interesting. I'm afraid that other readers would give up in the middle. Lots of political intrigue that I enjoyed, and I loved the idea of Zaira being tied to her falcon, Lady Amalia. True fantasy fans, go ahead and read this--I think you'll enjoy the world building.

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Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Review: DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Ireland

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Ireland DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Ireland by DK Publishing
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

DK really does hire the best graphic designers in the business. This is a beautiful travel guide--the photographs are perfect (Fodor should take note) and the illustrations are amazingly clear and precise. DK is a British company, so the text is written as if most travelers are coming from England.

I wish they included the current cost of tickets into the touristy places--other guidebooks do that and I appreciate it so that I can plan what I can afford to do.

I wouldn't use this guide for hotels--most of the ones listed are expensive. Rick Steves wins on that front.

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Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Review: The Woman in the Window

The Woman in the Window The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A throwback to the old Hitchcock thrillers--this one made me say, "Oh, shit!" at one point at the end of the novel. Slow going at first--the main character is depressed, addicted to drugs and alcohol, and suffering from extreme agoraphobia. She won't leave her house, and it seems like she prefers not to shower either. She gets her kicks from helping people in an online forum (she was a child psychologist before she was sick) and using her camera to spy on all her neighbors. She is THAT woman in the window--watching everyone creepily and freaking the neighbors out.

If you've read a lot of suspense thrillers with unreliable narrators, you'll guess some of the twists and turns of the book, but hopefully there will be at least one twist that gets you. I'm glad Fox bought the movie rights--this will make a great one! It's a classic thriller movie retold for modern times.

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Sunday, November 12, 2017

Review: A June of Ordinary Murders

A June of Ordinary Murders A June of Ordinary Murders by Conor Brady
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Great mix historical fiction (1880s Dublin) and the newness of police detective work. Sgt. Swallow has a great relationship with Dr. Lafeyre, the medical examiner, so it was fun to read about how they were trying out "new" detective techniques together. Lots of Irish corruption, thanks to the British authorities and unrest in the country during this time period, and I loved reading about familiar streets, pubs, and landmarks in the city.

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Review: A June of Ordinary Murders

A June of Ordinary Murders A June of Ordinary Murders by Conor Brady
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Great mix historical fiction (1880s Dublin) and the newness of police detective work. Sgt. Swallow has a great relationship with Dr. Lafeyre, the medical examiner, so it was fun to read about how they were trying out "new" detective techniques together. Lots of Irish corruption, thanks to the British authorities and unrest in the country during this time period, and I loved reading about familiar streets, pubs, and landmarks in the city.

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Friday, November 10, 2017

Review: Artemis

Artemis Artemis by Andy Weir
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book had so much potential, but the main character is more like a 15 year old boy than a 26 year old woman. I didn't think the main character's voice was authentic, which ruined the whole thing. Also, the action was written like a PG-13 movie script--lots of one-liner quips that were supposed to be funny but makes readers like me roll my eyes.

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Review: Turtles All the Way Down

Turtles All the Way Down Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Listening to a John Green novel feels like coming home to me, because I recognize his style. And I still enjoy it! Whip-smart young teens in this one, too, but Aza is struggling with obsessive thoughts and crippling anxiety. Those parts were difficult to listen to, which is the whole point, and it was interesting to get into the mind of someone like that. Loved the characterization and the dialogue--he's an expert. What kept this from being 5 stars was the mystery--I won't give any spoilers, but it never really seemed integrated or believable. I almost wanted it to be a magical realism moment instead.

I bet the police are thrilled that people will keep trying to get into the Indy sewers now. But, hey, I LOVED the Indy setting.

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Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Review: Sing, Unburied, Sing

Sing, Unburied, Sing Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

I stopped at 30% of the ARC on my Kindle. Beautiful and literary writing, but I just can't read a book about hopeless country people, meth, and bad parenting right now.

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Monday, November 6, 2017

Review: Dark Chapter

Dark Chapter Dark Chapter by Winnie M. Li
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Vivian is used to traveling on her own--she's an Taiwanese-American living in London and studied abroad in Ireland years ago. When she's invited back to Northern Ireland to celebrate the ten year anniversary of the end of the Troubles, she thinks nothing of going for a hike by herself outside of Belfast. But a stupid and doped up 15-year-old Traveler decides she wants to have sex with him. With horrific and graphic detail, Vivian puts up with a lot of shit after her assault, but works with the Northern Ireland legal system to testify against her attacker, and, if there is such a thing as a happy ending to a crappy event, this book has it.

Obviously this book hit home to me, since I travel abroad alone a lot. I've never been one to hike on my own, but I've wandered down Belfast streets after midnight by myself plenty of times. The chapters from the point-of-view of the rapist were well researched--I felt like I understood (ugh) why he turned out the way he did. IQ and family. Ugh. But the way Vivian is treated by the doctors, nurses, and treatment centers after the attack is sad. We have to come up with a better way to treat assaulted people.

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Sunday, November 5, 2017

Review: Frommer's Ireland 2017

Frommer's Ireland 2017 Frommer's Ireland 2017 by Jack Jewers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Liked the star feature of hotels, restaurants, and attractions. Perfect to review and add places to go/stay in my own Google Maps.

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Review: Rabbit Cake

Rabbit Cake Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hilarious and adorable audiobook about a sweet, smart kid who is thrust into a horrible situation. She's trying to make sense of her mother's recent death, her father's distance, and her sister's craziness, while focusing on her volunteer job at the zoo. Animals make more sense than her family!

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Friday, November 3, 2017

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Review: Feast of Sorrow: A Novel of Ancient Rome

Feast of Sorrow: A Novel of Ancient Rome Feast of Sorrow: A Novel of Ancient Rome by Crystal King
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

I stopped on disk 4 of the audiobook--it just wasn't working for me. It was okay, but I like to listen to audiobooks that make driving fun.

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Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Review: The Dry

The Dry The Dry by Jane Harper
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

This audio wasn't effective--I didn't make it past the first disk because I had to keep changing the volume in my car. The Australian accent made it difficult for me to understand enough, but then when the narrator kept changing the volume of his voice, I gave up. I will have to try reading the actual book.

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Thursday, October 26, 2017

Review: Girls Made of Snow and Glass

Girls Made of Snow and Glass Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another great YA retelling with a feminist twist. Wicked meets Frozen into Snow White!

I enjoyed the read, even if it seemed to be more for junior high readers instead of high school. Lots of angst here--women who want to be someone else but trapped by circumstance. I appreciated the twisting of many familiar elements into something new and unexpected.

I hope this gets some discussion at the Morris table. It isn't very literary, but teens will love it.

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