Ah, you know what you are going to be getting with McManus; always a teen drama/mystery with lots of cheese that reads like a scripts for a teen dramaAh, you know what you are going to be getting with McManus; always a teen drama/mystery with lots of cheese that reads like a scripts for a teen drama TV show (uh, I only know about that because my wife watches those . . . uh, yeah . . . that’s it!) But, while you know what you are getting, you can never be sure if you are getting something good or something mediocre. McManus has been up and down for me after reading a few of her other books. So, how did this one stack up?
I am going to go 4 stars, but I want to stress that through a lot of it I was leaning heavily towards three and, at times, even two.
The book starts off well, but the middle is mired in unbelievable plot twists and confusing dialogue. The reason that it ramped back up to 4 after the middle is that there was an a-ha moment near the climax of the story that actually made me vocalize “OH DANG!” and from that point on I was back into it. When I have a physical or vocal reaction to a book, it gets a star back!
Should you read it?
Do you like McManus’ other works? Do you enjoy teen drama TV shows? Do you ask for extra cheese on your pizza? Yes, you should
Do you not like books with a lot of cheese, unbelievable twists, and convoluted dialogue that might make it difficult to stay focused through the middle of the book? Then you should proceed with caution! ...more
Hatchet is a Young Adult classic and award winner that I have heard a lot about over the years and have always wanted to read. I love it when I am seaHatchet is a Young Adult classic and award winner that I have heard a lot about over the years and have always wanted to read. I love it when I am searching for an audiobook and books like this pop up as available. I think, “Ah ha! I can finally get to this one!”
It did not take me long to get through Hatchet during my daily lunchtime walks. It held my interest throughout, but probably wasn’t even long enough to lose it! It is definitely geared toward pre and early teens – however, there are a couple of more difficult topics (like death and survival) that this might be a kids first introduction to (unless they are like me and started reading Stephen King at 12!) If my kids decide to try this one out, I will be there for them if they have any questions about it.
Should you read this book? It is not bad for a quick read, but it may prove to be too simple for some peoples’ tastes. If you can adjust your mindset and think of it like a 10- to 13-year-old would, I think you will appreciate it more. Luckily, as I mentioned it is not very long, you are not committing too much of your time if it ends up not being your cup of tea. ...more
Peter Pan has never really been one of my favorite classic stories. I know that some people have a lot of nostalgia from childhood for t4 to 4.5 Stars
Peter Pan has never really been one of my favorite classic stories. I know that some people have a lot of nostalgia from childhood for the Disney movie. Also, there have been so many spinoff and retellings of this story and the actual life of the author, that you know that it means a lot to a lot of people. As we are preparing to watch this with our kids for the first time, I figured I ought to check out the original so that I could get a real feel for where the story started.
At first, it started slow. I am wondering if this was due to my tendency to go into things with pre-conceived expectations. Since I have had only a passive interest in the story before, I wonder if my brain was like “Hey! Why are you wasting your time on this!” I know, I know . . . this is very bad of me! So, I soldiered on, and I am very glad I did.
As the story progressed, I really got into it and the world of Neverland. The characters were fun and the fantastical plot very silly. The emotions and personalities of all the characters can be summed up by a line about Tinkerbell that said basically she could either be all mean or all nice, but never both things at once. Because of this, you pretty much know what you are going to get with each character.
The progression through to the end was melancholy, but satisfyingly sweet. It is true that we are all going to grow up someday, but the stories from our childhood never do.
Be sure check this book out - especially if you are a fan of Peter Pan, Hook, Wendy, etc. or have dreams of someday traveling off to Neverland....more
Are you a fan of head shaking, cringing, and yelling at characters in books? Well, then let me introduce you to Evan Hansen.
He is the personification Are you a fan of head shaking, cringing, and yelling at characters in books? Well, then let me introduce you to Evan Hansen.
He is the personification of: - Open mouth, insert foot - Out of the frying pan and into the fire - Being your own worst enemy
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I cannot say that Evan Hansen is a tragic “hero”, but he is tragic and can’t stop digging himself into the biggest hole ever. He is not a bad guy; he just makes very bad decisions (or no decision at all when he really should be). It is so painful that you just cannot look away. That makes for a great book!
The characters and the story are interesting. The writing is great. I enjoyed the audiobook presentation. I understand that this is a stage play as well, so I hope to see it someday. It was an all-around good reading experience.
This is another book I read to my kids at bedtime. They have been very into Minecraft lately. I cannot say that I understand it and I definitely wouldThis is another book I read to my kids at bedtime. They have been very into Minecraft lately. I cannot say that I understand it and I definitely would not have chosen this book to read on my own. I will comment on my thoughts on the book, but I should probably rate it based on the target audience: my kids . . . and they loved it!
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I am not sure the publishing history of this book and other books in the series. The cover says unofficial, so definitely not endorsed by the game’s creators. The quality of the grammar of spelling tells me that it likely was never reviewed by an editor. The story is interesting enough despite being quite repetitive. In the end, lessons were learned about how being different does not mean that we have to be enemies and fighting is not always the answer – so at least it had some positive vibes going for it. I am glad that my kids are into having me read books to them and having material they are into helps . . . even if I couldn’t wait for it to be over!
So . . . if I was rating it just for myself, I would probably give it 2 Stars
I am sure my kids would give it 5 stars
In the end, I will give it 4 stars and will be thankful for material that gets kids into reading. Also, I have watched them play Minecraft and the strategy and building aspects are pretty cool and educational. So, I am also thankful that they are into a game with a constructive and educational aspect.
I will just be over here playing Borderlands 3 or Red Dead Redemption . . . ...more
Maybe the Gaiman curse is over for me because I loved this book.
As those who follow my reviews may know, I have been trying Gaiman for years w5+ Stars
Maybe the Gaiman curse is over for me because I loved this book.
As those who follow my reviews may know, I have been trying Gaiman for years without much luck. I could never really put my finger on it except for two things:
- Sometimes it felt like it was being artsy and weird in order to be cool and trendy - Often the magic and supernatural happenings felt contrived and convenient. Fantasy is made up, but it should not feel like it is made up.
However, I did not encounter that at all with The Graveyard Book. The fantastical story was unique, flowed organically, and was super fun. While it was a bit dark in places, it was not scary - a light-hearted ghost story most of the time. The characters were excellent and I enjoyed my journey with them - I did not want it to end and I hated saying goodbye.
I highly recommend this one and will more than likely be pointing fellow readers to this one if they want to try Gaiman.
So . . . the curse is broken . . . will I have additional success if I try others or do I end my pursuit on top?...more
I am pretty sure I read this book when I was a kid and loved it. I figured it would be a great book to read out loud to my kids. Unfortunately 3 Stars
I am pretty sure I read this book when I was a kid and loved it. I figured it would be a great book to read out loud to my kids. Unfortunately it ended up being a somewhat painful book to read out loud.
While the stories are cute and memorable, the writing and dialogue is frequently convoluted and confusing. There is such and excess of run-on sentences that Milne even breaks the fourth wall at one point to comment about run-on sentences. Also, there is random capitalization throughout the book - which I don't think would be much of an issue reading silently to myself, but I never realized how much my brain would use capitalization as a visual cue to decide how I would say something out loud. Every chapter was stopping, restarting, apologizing to the kids, etc. All of this ended up tainting family reading time a bit.
My daughter pointed out that one of these stories is in her third grade reader. After this refresher, I fear that this book might promote some bad reading and grammar habits in kids just learning to read.
A classic, sure, but just not as fantastical and fun as I remember. I feel like being exhausted at the end of every chapter because of the writing is not a great thing....more
I finally got to this classic book and it did not disappoint. For years I have wanted to read it with many of my friends and family having read it bacI finally got to this classic book and it did not disappoint. For years I have wanted to read it with many of my friends and family having read it back in elementary/middle school and talking about how good it is. It is well written, flows well, and takes the reader on a series of emotional highs and lows. When it is over you will be satisfyingly exhausted (and maybe crying).
The only place I could see this story being a problem for some readers is that it is very much a period piece. Set in rural early 1900s America, it could prove difficult to connect to. If you think this could be a show stopper, proceed with caution. But, if it is something that you can work around, there is a lot to love here.
Another important part of this book is dogs and a boy’s love for his dogs. I am not much of a dog person, but I was still able to enjoy this book. If you are a dog person, I think you will connect with it even more!
If you have had this book on your to read list for a long time like I did, maybe now is the time to check it out!...more
Ruta Sepetys can tell a story – that is really all you need to know!
Some authors write one great book and then spend the rest of their career trying tRuta Sepetys can tell a story – that is really all you need to know!
Some authors write one great book and then spend the rest of their career trying to achieve the same level of greatness. Not Sepetys – she hits it out of the park every time! If you loved and were moved by her other books, you will definitely love and be moved by this one as well.
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This time the story takes place is 1960s Spain during the dictatorship of Francisco Franco. Overall, Spain is a country of which I do not have a lot of historical knowledge. The story pulled me into this world and did a great job of both teaching and entertaining me. I have already been looking up a lot about Spain during this time period, so it was successful in encouraging me to want more!
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In the afterward to this book, Sepetys mentions that while she is a historical fiction writer, it is important to her that her readers go out and find out more about the places, time periods, and events that she writes about. I think that is great for a couple of reasons. Not only is she encouraging her readers – many of whom are teenagers reading this because it is a “YA” novel – to learn more, but she is also willing to put her writing to the test against the facts. I have read several historical fiction novels where it felt like facts were sacrificed for the sake of story. It cannot be easy to tell a fiction story set in non-fiction world. I would be nervous about screwing it up the whole time. But, Sepetys not only repeatedly takes the risk, she repeatedly does an excellent job with it!
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Side note – I am not sure if it was intentional or not, but this book reminded me a lot of Hemingway. It could just be that The Sun Also Rises takes place in Spain and has a few similarities in the setting, people, and activities. But, whether or not it was intentional, I kept thinking of Hemingway so I figured I would mention it. ...more
Meh – not great, not completely awful . . . maybe not necessary. Probably will be enjoyed by hardcore Hunger Games fans. But fans may also be the mostMeh – not great, not completely awful . . . maybe not necessary. Probably will be enjoyed by hardcore Hunger Games fans. But fans may also be the most critical of it.
Much of what I have to say about this book is likely very spoilerish, so I will do my best to speak in general terms and mark spoilers where needed.
The first 2/3 of the book was pretty good and most like the original books in the series. Seems like the general plot of this part is listed in the description, but I have seen a few surprised to find out what it is about. I think it is safe to say it takes place before the original series and is basically the origin story of a main character. If Collins could have figured out a good way to quickly wrap this up after the first 2/3 of the book, I am pretty sure I would have enjoyed it much better overall.
Before I get into my critique of the last part of the book, I will say that overall this book kind of read like fan fiction. Some may not agree, but it just felt more like someone trying to add to the story other than Collins. And, notice I didn’t say bad fan fiction, just fan fiction.
So, that last 1/3 of the book (view spoiler)[ this was the shove-it-in-your-face-this-is-how-Snow-became-his-evil-self-but-not-really-all-that-interesting part of the book. I didn’t really believe the progression of the story after the Hunger Games finished. It felt very manufactured in order to get to a specific expected end point for Snow. Also, every 5 minutes Snow is REALLY PISSED about Mockingjays. It seems unreasonable and out of nowhere and, since we know the role of the Mockingjay in the original books, it really feels like Collins is saying “SEE! RIGHT THERE! THAT IS WHY SNOW HAS A DEEP-SEATED HATRED OF KATNISS WHEN SHE ADOPTS THE MOCKINGJAY PERSONA! LOOK! SEE HOW IT ALL TIES TOGETHER!!!” It was just kind of cheesy and so my interest quickly waned towards the end. By the time it was over, I kind of didn’t care anymore and was like “Okay, yeah, now Snow hates the districts and loves the capitol – next book please!” (hide spoiler)]
Give it a shot if you are a Hunger Games fan. Hopefully you will enjoy or at least you will enjoy spending some time back in a world you may not have visited much in a decade or so....more
When I read this as a kid: 5 Stars Reread as an adult: 2 Stars
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a classic. I enjoyed it as a kid and I enjoyed it asWhen I read this as a kid: 5 Stars Reread as an adult: 2 Stars
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a classic. I enjoyed it as a kid and I enjoyed it as an adult when I reread it with my kids a few months ago. Next logical step was to reread the sequel to my kids which was another book that I had fond memories of from my childhood.
However, this book has not aged well . . .
Generally, I really enjoy Dahl’s work, but I may have found one that might be best left skipped. I guess the incoherent goofiness of this was endearing to me as a child, but it was quite painful during the reread. My wife kept trying to get out of listening to it with me and the kids because it was so bad, but the kids would not let me proceed unless she was in the room! The first half of the book is a bizarre space adventure with cringe-worthy dialogue. The second half is a thinly veiled commentary on drug overdosing – including an (view spoiler)[Oompa Loompa song about a girl ODing on laxatives and having permanent damage where she must sit on the toilet for hours every day (hide spoiler)]. It’s just makes me wonder a lot about where this all came from after the wonderful first book.
Also, there are many cultural representations in this book that would not fly today. Some of you have seen on Disney+ where they have left the old movies in tact but put a warning on movies like Dumbo and Peter Pan that they contain dated cultural references – this book needs that disclaimer! As racial tensions have been very high in the news lately, know that this book would not hold up in the debate. This is especially troublesome as it is geared towards children – so I kind of skimmed a few parts. Maybe back when it was written it was not a big deal, but there are several things here I would not want my kids repeating in public!
So, approach this one with caution. If you want to complete Charlie and Willy Wonka’s journey, then give it a go and maybe you will enjoy it more than I did. But, you have been warned about what you are getting into! ...more
My wife is a big fan of Karen Kingsbury. She received a copy of this as a gift and since it is geared toward a younger audience, we decided to read itMy wife is a big fan of Karen Kingsbury. She received a copy of this as a gift and since it is geared toward a younger audience, we decided to read it out loud as a family. My kids have been really into out loud reading time at night and it is fun to see them get excited to recap what we read the night before. These are times I will cherish forever!
I have not read any Kingsbury myself before this and am not likely to read her again simply because her writing doesn’t fall into my normal preference. But, it was fun to get a glimpse into a book that is part of a series my wife loves so much. As it deals with the younger versions of some of the main characters in her other books, I think that this will be more enjoyed by a Kingsbury fan than someone who is just picking up a young adult book for a stand-alone read.
Kingsbury is a spiritual, Christian author. If this is not your jam, this would not be the book for you. But, if you don’t care one way or another or are spiritual/Christian yourself, and you like cute, coming of age young adult novels, then this book is very worth a try.
When we were finished, my kids asked if there is a sequel. So great to see them excited and I guess maybe there is a good chance I will be reading some more Kingsbury in the future! ...more
What a powerful little book. Sure, it is a coming of age story about a pre-teen girl in the late 1960s, early 1970s, but it feels like a story with leWhat a powerful little book. Sure, it is a coming of age story about a pre-teen girl in the late 1960s, early 1970s, but it feels like a story with lessons and ideas that are important to everyone in any era. I can see why this is on many must read lists.
Simply written – it can be read in one or two sittings. This is a great thing for those looking for a quick and entertaining read in the midst of a busy schedule. No great commitment is required to get through this one. And, you may find more content in 150 pages than you sometimes get in 400 to 500 pages!
Another important element of this book that is very applicable to everyone today is the pressures Margaret goes through – social, religious, relationships, etc. She just wants to live, but people are filling her head with lies and arguments that make it difficult for her to make decisions for herself. All it does is make her miserable. This reminds me of how some people seem to be willing to treat others today (especially with the anonymity of the internet). While it isn’t everyone, it seems like many people like to force their opinions down people’s throats and make them feel bad about their own feelings. Those people don’t consider – or don’t care - how this makes others feel. It makes me very sad! And, it made me very frustrated for Margaret!
Side note related to the comment above: The key plot of the story is Margaret trying to decide which religion she wants to be – if any. I was reading online that this book has been censored and banned in some places because of its take on Christianity. As a Christian myself, this is ridiculous – and the behavior of the Christians in the book is ridiculous. No one should be made to feel bad about exploring what feels comfortable to them and, if they decide one thing over another, that is their choice and no one else’s business. The way she is treated in this book I am not surprised she responds the way she does!
I recommend this book to everyone. I think it will teach us all a lot about how we should treat each other, and it is a good reminder that we are all human, no matter what our differences are. ...more
This might possibly be the most exactly 2.5 star book I have read. Goodreads doesn't allow for half stars, but usually I can figure out easily if I wiThis might possibly be the most exactly 2.5 star book I have read. Goodreads doesn't allow for half stars, but usually I can figure out easily if I will round up or round down. With this book, that is not quite so easy.
Disclaimer before I go on. My review is 100% without a doubt influenced by the fact that, from the description in the book, I live exactly where this book takes place. I am not saying there are not some truths to how the area is described in the book, but, the author sets up suburban Indianapolis as an excessively cynical caricature of how it really is. He makes it sound like a total hell hole with nothing but misery, drugs, racism, etc. to be found on every block and every corner. I don't doubt that there may be some people around here who's view of this area is skewed that way, but overall, I don't this it is all that bad. Someone who is not familiar with the area will likely not be distracted by the descriptions. Also, it's okay for the sake of the story, but if you come visit, I hope you don't find it to be quite so awful.
Onward with the review!
First of all, my impression was that the author was trying to write like Sherman Alexie. Not a bad author to try and emulate! I cannot say for sure if this improved my experience or if I felt it did not quite achieve what Alexie has done. I just wanted to point out it was what the writing felt like to me, so if you are familiar with Alexie, you might feel the same.
The main character kind of drove me crazy with his disgruntled ramblings. And, while he is complaining about the environment and the people of Opioid, Indiana, he is making many dumb mistakes himself. I am not sure if we are supposed to sympathize with him, support his plight, or be disgusted with him.
There really is not much of a story. There are a few key settings and plot points, but it doesn't really develop much and nothing is resolved in the end. When I encounter books like this, they are often redeemed by a great resolution that ties it all together. In this case, there was nothing.
At least the book was not very long and the writing was not bad. I think if it had gone on much longer without the story improving, I would have had a tough time finishing it. To start 2020 I have read a lot of depressing stories. Unfortunately, none of them have impressed me much. Because of that, it's been a real reading downer lately.
Final note . . . I guess I will round down to two stars. I just cannot bring it up to 3 because when I try and compare it to other books I have given 3 stars, it just doesn't match up....more
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!
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
Deciding to try out the Lunar Chronicles was one of the best reading decisions I ever made. Every single volume, every single story, every single charDeciding to try out the Lunar Chronicles was one of the best reading decisions I ever made. Every single volume, every single story, every single character . . . all of them have been fantastic to go on a literary journey with. I think this is the perfect sci-fi YA series!
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With the second volume of Wires & Nerve, the follow up graphic novel to the main book series continues. The main heroine of this story line, Iko, continues to help in the fight against the rogue wolf soldiers left over from Queen Levana’s reign. I love how all the characters we love from the series are back and they are used perfectly. Well, I could have used a bit more Thorne because he is hilarious, but I will give it a pass.
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I still think the black and white art with blue shading is awesome. So unique and fun to look at. I will be looking for other graphic novels that use this format no matter what their story is – I just want to look at it some more. It is so simple, at times even impressionistic instead of precise. It is worth reading this two-volume series just for the art.
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I just mentioned that this is a two-volume series. I get the impression from what I have read in some follow up research that this is the end of the Wires and Nerve story. Does that mean this this is the end of the Lunar Chronicles? I guess it could be based on how this one ends, but I really hope it isn’t!
Cinder fans – this is a must read when you are done with The Lunar Chronicles. Even if you don’t normally do graphic novels, you must try this out! ...more
I thought I liked the first book of this series, but I enjoyed this one even more! I think now that I am more used to this post-apocalyptic, steampunkI thought I liked the first book of this series, but I enjoyed this one even more! I think now that I am more used to this post-apocalyptic, steampunk world of predator cities and crazy flying machines, it is easier to just sit back, soak into the story, and enjoy the ride.
I won't say too much specifically about the story as it could end up spoiling the first book as well. I will say, though, that I figured it would just be more of the same as the first book. However, the author managed to take this specific steampunk universe he created and find new, unique ways to entertain the reader. I was very satisfied and it makes me more excited to get to book 3 than I originally was to get to book 2.
I am very sorry that the first movie didn't fare too well because I feel like this book could have served as the basis for one heck of an awesome sequel. This was even more obvious to me in that I couldn't help but try and picture what it would be like on the big screen. But, *sigh*, I will likely have to just settle for the movies in my head.
Y'all are out there watching Avengers: Endgame while I am at home watching the classic 80s cartoon of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. A whole lY'all are out there watching Avengers: Endgame while I am at home watching the classic 80s cartoon of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. A whole lotta nostalgia going on.
Why am I watching it right now?
Well, I just finished a reread of the book, and it is simply as magical as I remember. It is a well written fantasy story that is not too complex and, therefore, is accessible to young and old alike. It does indeed have Christian allegory, but it is up to you whether you want to read it with that in mind or not.
One thing about the dialogue is that while it is simple, there are some words and phrases that are dated to the time period it was written. Because of this, a dictionary may be helpful every so often throughout the book. One place where Google came in quite handy was in the chapter about Turkish Delight. It might have been more common long ago or in other parts of the world, but I was not quite sure what it is.
Finally, the best part of this reread was that I read it out loud to my 7 and 5 year old. It feels great to pass great books on to them. Also, it was magical to watch how much they enjoyed it. They we're even drawing pictures of the characters and running around the house pretending to look for the wardrobe!
Side note: some versions of the series have this as the first book. Some have it as the second. Even though I have read them all before, I don't really have an opinion on the matter. I think either order is just fine....more
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