Sometimes you just like a book or an author that is not something you would normally like. Or, maybe it is a topic or genre that others might think doSometimes you just like a book or an author that is not something you would normally like. Or, maybe it is a topic or genre that others might think don't match your demographic. So far I have read two Angie Thomas books and loved them even though the target demographic is definitely not me! She writes so well and I get very into the story and characters. I have to say that for me she is one of the most impressive contemporary authors.
I listened to this book and I have to give props to Bahni Turpin. She is a fantastic audiobook narrator. She does all the different voices, male and female, perfectly. I think my experience with this book was enhanced because I got a chance to listen to her. If you have not taken the opportunity to do a Bahni Turpin audiobook, you really should give it a try.
Again, this book may not be written for your demographic, but the way it is written in transcends all the demographic lines. Give it a shot, it is so well done I think you will thank me for recommending it!
I have read other 9/11 books and watched 9/11 specials – they are all very powerful. So, I will not say that this one iWow . . . just wow . . .
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I have read other 9/11 books and watched 9/11 specials – they are all very powerful. So, I will not say that this one is “better” or “more powerful”, but it certainly might be the most complete and thorough coverage of all the various events in one place. Pulling from hundreds of interviews with people directly involved, or who had family and friends involved, it is a very moving portrait of that fateful day.
This should be read by everyone, but it will not be easy for most people. However, not forgetting means that sometimes there are hard truths. We have a choice to remember or not, but there are many people who had no choice that day – they were fated to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
One thing about this particular book compared to other 9/11 books/shows is that it was the most complete retelling of the events at the Pentagon that I have seen. In the afterward, there is mention of a book that was written specifically about the Pentagon, but I have not read that one. Also, I knew very little about the events around the government response, the journey of Air Force One, etc. This really is a very complete picture of the events of that day.
I think the story that got to me the most was near the very end (view spoiler)[there was a woman who worked in the Twin Towers who was laid off on September 10th. A few weeks after the disaster, her boss hunted her down to check on her and ask when she would be returning to work. The entire HR department had been destroyed and all HR employees killed on 9/11. Her boss had never been told she was laid off. (hide spoiler)] I was left speechless by that story. It is one of the saddest but also ironically laughable (not funny laughable – more like shake your head laughable) stories I have heard from that day.
Again – check this book out. We owe it to the heroes who saved many lives that day and the innocent people who were not expecting to lose their lives just doing their daily routine. Let’s keep their memories alive. ...more
Growing up during the 80s and the final stages of the cold war I remember many, big defining stories in the 80s and early 90s. Reagan vs Gorbachev. ThGrowing up during the 80s and the final stages of the cold war I remember many, big defining stories in the 80s and early 90s. Reagan vs Gorbachev. The arms race. The fall of the Berlin Wall. But, probably the biggest event with the longest lasting impact is the Chernobyl disaster.
While the Berlin Wall falling was a big deal and has had a lasting impact on the political climate in Europe, there are very few remaining sections, some memorials, but any lasting visible impact is mainly relegated to history books and museums. Chernobyl, on the other hand, has led to thousands of square miles of land that are still uninhabitable to this day and will be for decades to come. Entire shells of cities crumbling - barley touched since the hours after the event. A gigantic metal and concrete sarcophagus concealing rubble that is too hot to move or cleanup and sits concealed as it was just moments after the reactor was destroyed.
Midnight in Chernobyl is the story of that fateful night and the months afterward. I have always been very interested in learning more about this event and was excited to finally read this. It has me even more intrigued to watch the recent HBO mini-series. I learned so much from this book and now it is much more than just stark pictures online and a footnote from my childhood.
Two things to be aware of going in if you are interested in checking this out. First, it does get very technical and scientific at times. This may interest you or you may just need to push through it and say "okay, yeah, nuclear science stuff - okay, got it!" Second, there are LOTS of characters so there are LOTS of Russian names. This can be difficult to keep track of. There is a list of these at the beginning to help you keep track, but the list is pretty daunting, too.
If you like history, remember this from your childhood and want to know more, or a big fan of disaster books/movies, this book is 100% worth checking out....more
As I read this book, I assumed it was written mid-2020 and was a commentary on what was going on in the world politically, with COVID, etc. When I sawAs I read this book, I assumed it was written mid-2020 and was a commentary on what was going on in the world politically, with COVID, etc. When I saw it was published in 2019, I was kind of creeped out. Wendig is some sort of prophet because the specifics of the plot are so close to the reality of the past year, it is scary! Getting into details would be a spoiler, but just know that if you try this you will be saying “No way . . . how did he know this was going to happen!?” a lot.
It is a good book and worth a read. As I have been stressed a lot by the events of the past year, maybe it wasn’t the best timing to read it, but I still got into it. For people who enjoy post-apocalyptic fiction, this is a must read. One caveat is that it is quite long – which seems to be a theme with books like these (The Stand, Swan Song, etc.) so be prepared to invest a lot of time. ...more
Before I get into my review, I want to make those reading this aware that I was informed that this book has a similar story to The Book Woman of TroubBefore I get into my review, I want to make those reading this aware that I was informed that this book has a similar story to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. Whether The Giver of Stars was inspired by the other book, just coincidentally about the same subject matter, or, as some conjecture, a “rip off” of the other title, I will not be addressing. I know that I see many books in one genre released close to each other a lot. One example is it seems like every other week there is a new book about female spies during WWI and/or WWII. So, for now, and with not having read The Book Woman, I will just share my feelings on The Giver of Stars.
Speaking of giving stars, I give this one 5 of them!
This story is built around the WPA Pack Horse Library Project in rural Eastern Kentucky. According to Wikipedia, this project ran from 1935 to 1943. The idea was to deliver books to those who may not have easy means to access them as people would be able to in more affluent, urban areas. It is a very interesting part of American history that I knew nothing about until I read this book and it made for a fantastic backdrop to the story.
This book is full of fantastic and interesting characters. I was easily able to invest fully in each of their lives and backgrounds. When good things happened to them, I rejoiced. When bad things happened to them, my heart broke. When they were angry or mistreated, I raged right along with them. Being able to empathize/sympathize like that tells me I am reading some well developed characters.
The story was fantastic throughout – no filler at all. I was on the edge of my seat watching the project develop from the very beginning, through all the trials and tribulations (greed, racism, sexism, abuse, etc.), to the final conclusion showing the power of the sisterhood of librarians. This is a book that I wanted to step into and when I hit the final page, I did not want it to be over.
I highly recommend this book for historical fiction fans, mid-20th Century American History buffs, and anyone who just loves a great story. ...more
Cute and fluffy. Just like curling up inside a pumpkin spice latte. If your local fall farm festival transformed itself into a graphic novel, this is Cute and fluffy. Just like curling up inside a pumpkin spice latte. If your local fall farm festival transformed itself into a graphic novel, this is what it would look like.
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If you need a feel-good read that does not require a lot of thought and effort, this is the perfect book. I suppose that last sentence could easily be construed as negative, but it is not. Sometimes we just need to get away for a while from all the craziness that gnaws at our brain. Pumpkinheads will be happy to assist!
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The artwork is also very cute and enjoyable. The story is broken up into several smaller anecdotes within the overall story which gives it a Sunday comics feel. No complaints from me on the visual presentation here!
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Side note: (view spoiler)[Do you remember the 80’s classic film (would we call it a classic?) Some Kind of Wonderful? If you do, this is the same story, but set at a farm. (hide spoiler)]
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Conclusion: This graphic novel is worth your time if you need a happy escape this fall – and I think I can safely say in fall 2020, we all do! ...more
Time for those who have read my reviews before to see a bit of deja vu. I have from time to time mentioned books that are artsy for the sake of3 stars
Time for those who have read my reviews before to see a bit of deja vu. I have from time to time mentioned books that are artsy for the sake of moving along the story in a unique fashion and they are wonderful. But, on the other side, there are books that are artsy for the sake of being artsy. Books where the weird and fantastic plot points feel forced in order to make the book seem edgy and trendy. This is, of course, in the eye of the beholder, so you may not feel the same about this as I do from book to book. For me, The Starless Sea rode a fine line between the two the whole way.
At first, I really got into the fantasy world of this book. It was doing a wonderful job of building a magical connection between the real world and a world from books. It reminded me a bit of The Shadow of the Wind. In fact, I am pretty sure they referenced that book early on. (I say pretty sure because I am reading multiple books, so it could have been in one of those!). I thought the writing style was wonderful and remained so throughout.
However, as the story progressed, I started to lose the continuity of the storyline because it felt like it was trying to hard to be "fantastic". There were about 5 separate storylines that jumped around and the events in each just got stranger and stranger. Every so often there were a few moments that reoriented me to the actual progress, but the last half was mainly disorientation and some lack of interest. If it was not audio, I am not sure I would have finished.
Some may love this book a great deal and enjoy getting lost in the artsy twists and turns of the multiple storylines. But, if you have ever agreed with me before on books being artsy for the sake of being artsy, you may have the same experience I did....more
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