I'm linear. Time travel books confuse me. A lot. But I liked this one. I was still a little confused at times, but for the most part, the book was centered around Hawaii in the mid 1800's before the US claimed it as a state. Nix has never met her mother who died when she was a baby. Her father sails a boat with his gift of Navigating to another place and time with the guidance of genuine maps. He has been on the quest to save Nix's mother for 16 years trying to go back to the time before she died. So, Nix feels torn that her father loves her mother so much he's willing to choose her mother over her own existence. Good book, easy to read, despite the time travel stuff. And I learned a lot about some obscure history. How fun is that?
3/5 stars
I'm linear. Time travel books confuse me. A lot. But I liked this one. I was still a little confused at times, but for the most part, the book was centered around Hawaii in the mid 1800's before the US claimed it as a state. Nix has never met her mother who died when she was a baby. Her father sails a boat with his gift of Navigating to another place and time with the guidance of genuine maps. He has been on the quest to save Nix's mother for 16 years trying to go back to the time before she died. So, Nix feels torn that her father loves her mother so much he's willing to choose her mother over her own existence. Good book, easy to read, despite the time travel stuff. And I learned a lot about some obscure history. How fun is that?
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4/5 stars
Whoa. What just happened? I thought I was so smart and knew what was going to happen, but then, bam, I guess there was more to the end. So, basically, the story is about 3 young girls. One is in juvenile detention for ever until she will be transferred to the adult penitentiary. Another girl is a ballet dancer who was befriended by the third amazing young girl who always has her back. It's not hard to figure out what happened, or what is currently happening, but there are a couple of twists I didn't see coming. I won't tell you when or where, but it will make for a very, very, interesting discussion for a book club. 4/5 stars
With lots of allusions to Arabian Nights, Wrath and Dawn was definitely a great book for those who enjoy romance with the context of folklore, kind of like Vassa in the Night. But this one made sense. Khalid is a young King who marries a young girl every night only to have her murdered at dawn. So in revenge, a young beautiful girl marries the king to have the opportunity to murder him. But, of course, love. I can't say any of the book was a surprise, but it was well written and interesting. Perfect for many of my students.With lots of allusions to Arabian Nights, Wrath and Dawn was definitely a great book for those who enjoy romance with the context of folklore, kind of like Vassa in the Night. But this one made sense. Khalid is a young King who marries a young girl every night only to have her murdered at dawn. So in revenge, a young beautiful girl marries the king to have the opportunity to murder him. But, of course, love. I can't say any of the book was a surprise, but it was well written and interesting. Perfect for many of my students. 4/5 stars
Nicola Yoon is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I loved Everything, Everything, but I think I love this book more. An entire book is centered around one day, one chance (or is it?) meeting between a South Korean boy who has a jerk brother and parents who are determined for him to get into Yale for pre-med. He goes into NYC for an interview with a Yale alum, but gets sidetracked when he sees a young girl who is trying to meet with a lawyer so she doesn't get deported back to Jamaica. I don't like a gooshy love story, and this is not one of those, hence the 4 stars. It's more like real people discussing thoughts and hopes. I wish the characters were really my friends. 4/5 stars
Who knew that Mycroft Holmes could have his own personality? He does, and his best friend who is a native of Trinidad go to investigate many disappearances in Trinidad. As they go aboard a ship (of course, some life threatening situations ensue), we see the true friendship of Mycroft and his friend, despite the racial inequalities in the 1800's. And while this mystery may seem initially flippant, like a cute mystery, it has roots that have spread even to today's world. Great characterization, great plot, and some great surprises. 5/5 stars
First of all, thank you to all the coal miners, truckers, migrant workers, air traffic controllers, oil rig people, land fill workers, and of course, cheerleaders (that one is iffy) for making our world a very comfortable world. I love the way Laskas wrote about the people, but included the backgrounds of these workers that don't work to be recognized, yet make our lives plush. I also appreciated her research into the gun industry and cheerleaders, but I don't know how they directly effect me. Despite that, I still learned the hard work and the dedication it takes to do those jobs. All of the jobs, actually. Fascinating read that I would rank up there with Malcom Gladwell and the Freakenomics type of books. Who knew I could love non-fiction? Thank you, Ms. Laskas. First of all, thank you to all the coal miners, truckers, migrant workers, air traffic controllers, oil rig people, land fill workers, and of course, cheerleaders (that one is iffy) for making our world a very comfortable world. I love the way Laskas wrote about the people, but included the backgrounds of these workers that don't work to be recognized, yet make our lives plush. I also appreciated her research into the gun industry and cheerleaders, but I don't know how they directly effect me. Despite that, I still learned the hard work and the dedication it takes to do those jobs. All of the jobs, actually. Fascinating read that I would rank up there with Malcom Gladwell and the Freakenomics type of books. Who knew I could love non-fiction? Thank you, Ms. Laskas. 3/5 stars
I had no idea that Laura Lippmann had written so many books. For an entertaining summer mystery read, this is your book. I have to say that Ms. Lippmann found a new way to write between points of view. One chapter is first person reminiscent of the main character's childhood, which then alternates to third person as she pursues her job as Attorney General. She has a perfect older brother and the plot revolves around her relationship to him and her father, a case her father tried in the 70's or 80's, and a current murder which she has taken on in her new job. Everything wrapped up well at the end with no dangling threads, so that was a plus. I don't think I really liked the main character- but that's just me. All in all, a decent read. 3/5 stars
Have you ever wanted to like a book, but we're just so disappointed with it? But all in all, the whole history of the making of Gone With The Wind was amazing. I had heard snippets of what I learned in the book such as the risks of making the movie, etc. I even enjoyed learning about the relationship between Carole Lombard and Clark Gable. And I went online to find out more and of course, will now watch the movie, making my family watch it with me so I can point out all the things I learned. However, the main story and characters were clearly contrived, flat, and all together soap opera-ish (there should be a word for that). I couldn't figure out the main character. I kind of imagined a cardboard cutout with a person behind using dialogue. Her roommate seemed to float in and out of the plot solely when convenient. And the love interest, Andy, had mood swings and was so closed off you had to wonder where the love interest spawned. But maybe after I watch GWTW, I'll rate the book better. Nah, probably not. 4/5 stars
Provided by NetGalley Jubilee has an allergy to humans. Eric is trying to mend relationships with his teenage daughter and his adopted 10 year old son. Jubilee, for 9 years, has never left her home which has turned her agoraphobic. But when her distant mother dies and her monthly stipend stops, she must go out to find a job. So, she runs into an old high school "friend" who finds her a position at the library. All is somewhat well until Eric walks in with Aja, his adopted son from his deceased best friend. And a relationship ensues- but doesn't because Jubilee can't touch anyone. Some plots tend to overextend themselves with too many social issues. This one, however, is not in that camp. There were constant issues arising such as a son who won't talk to his father, or a young woman who is still trying to get over a high school incident that put her on the track to agoraphobia. But it's real life. Issues often don't come in compartments, but happen simultaneously that permeate throughout all parts of our lives. This book was great to capture these daily occurrences without sounding contrived. 5/5 stars
I loved every character in the book (except the mean ones). I loved the story line. I loved the romance. I loved this book! Of course, after the book club, I may change my mind. But I did really like it. So, Dill, Travis, and Lydia are the social outcasts in their school. But they are close, best friends, and will look out for each other when things get tough. Which they do. Lydia comes from a great home of two supportive, loving parents who are financial stable. She is a nationally famous blogger about fashion and has plans to get out of the small town to do journalism. Travis's mom is great, but his dad is often drunk, and therefore does not have a filter when comparing him to his brother who did not make it out of Afghanistan. And to make matters worse, he is obsessed with a fantasy book (think Game of Thrones) that influences his dress and mannerisms. And Dill. Poor Dill. His father is in jail for underage porn on his computer. While that's bad, what's worse is that dad is the famous preacher that handles vipers and rattlesnakes and drinks snake poison to prove their faith in God. His mom is fully supportive of the dad despite the fact that they are now dirt poor and shamed at most places they go. It's the last year of high school. Lydia is urging the boys to leave town and to move to Nashville or wherever to start a new life. Dill is trying to cope with his crush on Lydia, and Travis is that gentle giant that just wants to do his own thing and find love. Seems like a simple plot, but I cried- full on cried. 3/5 stars
This is definitely not my type of book. It's about witches (Brujas), but not as much the whimsical, fantastical ones like in Harry Potter, but more about real witches. However, there was an entire fantasy setting in most of it, so it was interesting, and if I was more into the subject, I may have rated it higher, but I'm not, so keep that in mind with my rating. So, basically Alex (Alejandra) is a Bruja, but doesn't want to be one because she has only encountered sadness when people use it. So when her "death date" comes and she is to be blessed by her family to solidify her powers, she decides to go the other way and denounce everything. A vortex sweeps her entire family (father is missing, so her mom and 2 sisters) into an alternate world where she and her best friend and another boy, Nova, have to try and find them. It kind of reminded me of a Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe story a little bit. Overall, a well written book, but I will not be going on to the 2nd of the series. 2/5 stars
I think if this book was just a book about Truett Cathy's life, I would have enjoyed it more. I think he did an amazing job with the company and hiring great people to help him, but this book seemed preachy and to a point, maybe even condescending, I'm a Christian, but I didn't enjoy all his points because it seemed like so many of his stories put him in such a perfect light. I like to read about real people who share their internal struggles as well as their circumstancial hardships. I did get sleepy a couple of times. I could have used a chicken sandwich to inspire me... 3.5/5 stars
Provided by NetGalley Jubilee has an allergy to humans. Eric is trying to mend relationships with his teenage daughter and his adopted 10 year old son. Jubilee, for 9 years, has never left her home which has turned her agoraphobic. But when her distant mother dies and her monthly stipend stops, she must go out to find a job. So, she runs into an old high school "friend" who finds her a position at the library. All is somewhat well until Eric walks in with Aja, his adopted son from his deceased best friend. And a relationship ensues- but doesn't because Jubilee can't touch anyone. Some plots tend to overextend themselves with too many social issues. This one, however, is not in that camp. There were constant issues arising such as a son who won't talk to his father, or a young woman who is still trying to get over a high school incident that put her on the track to agoraphobia. But it's real life. Issues often don't come in compartments, but happen simultaneously that permeate throughout all parts of our lives. This book was great to capture these daily occurrences without sounding contrived. |
AuthorI'm a high school librarian. I love to read. Really. Love. To. Read. Archives
December 2023
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