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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Friday, December 29, 2017
Review: 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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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 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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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 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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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 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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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 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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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 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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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 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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My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Great self-help advice book for teens! Review to come in SLJ Adult Books 4 Teens.
View all my reviews
Review: 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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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 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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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 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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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 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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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 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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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 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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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 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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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 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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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 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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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!
View all my reviews
Review: #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!
View all my reviews
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 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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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 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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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 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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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 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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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 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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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 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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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 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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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 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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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 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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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 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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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 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!
View all my reviews
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!
View all my reviews
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