Love is an evil disease that increases people's heart rates, makes them do stupid things, and hinders all forms of logical thought. So, they have discovered a way to cure the disease, and Lena is all for this cure. She is aware that the absence of love will take out the feelings of affection, as well, but so long as she does not end up like her mother who jumped off a cliff in the name of love. But then Alex comes along... and it challenges her devotion to the cure.
So, I've come into this book after the huge dystopian craze, but I have to say I like it. There is the familiar plot line, someone comes into realization that their utopia isn't that utopianish (I made up that word). In fact, they are now going to buck the system. But what I did like about Delirium is the fact that there is a unique twist- love is evil. And truly I can believe it with the explanation. Also, it isn't just the romantic love, it is also familial love that is taken away. Rather, a sense of duty to provide is created to replace the love. Despite the predictability, it was a pretty awesome book.
I have never read Faulkner's Absalom, Absalom, but now I think I want to. There are apparently many parallels between Ms. Feldman's book and Faulkner's. But ultimately both unveil some more layers of racism, despite the "progeny" blood (when you read the book, you'll get that). Cassie is black, and her half sister Judith is white, living in Mississippi. The two girls, in their older teens, run away to Virginia during the Jim Crow era. They encounter the basic occurrences of running away- hunger, fending away boys who aren't nice, and who to trust. Racism is an underlying theme, but it isn't proselytizing. The book is also about growth in a relationship, about goals, how we define ourselves, and it's an adventure.
At one point, there is an odd shift in which Cassie receives "tar" that changes her appearance. That was weird. But it fits, kind of, in the story. I don't want to give too much of it away. I read this book in a day; it was that good.
Provided by NetGalley
I love memoirs, and Josh Sundquist did not let me down. I even chuckled out loud (c.o.l.?) a couple of times. In fact, I have made this book one of the 10 suggested reading books for our school. Basically, it is about a boy who is searching for the reason that he has not had a girlfriend in, like, forever. It is a great read for many students who feel that awkward, why-doesn't-anyone-like-me stage and how to get over it. Plus, little did I know that he went to the same high school as some of my family. Cool. Oh, and he also mentions how having one leg from being an amputee has affected his conversations and goals in life. Pretty awesome book!
Truman Capote is supposedly the first real crime writer. Although there are definitely some artistic additions to the book, for the most part, it's a great book. I had also read an account of Harper Lee, so kudos to her, as well, as she contributed quite a bit to the book (not that Truman said thanks to her).
So a farm family that is well respected is found murdered in a Kansas community. The book follows the family, the community, and the killers. It is interesting to learn about the murderer's families and how they grew up, as well as a few other tidbits of murders happening during the time. We also follow some of the court room drama, and finally, the end of the killers. Great writing, great story, and great way to start a new genre.
Growing up I loved Mrs. Piggle Wiggle. Mom used to read it to me every night. So when I saw this book, I was hoping for the tradition to continue in a 21st century type of way. Mrs. Piggle Wiggle's great niece Missy is taking over while Mrs. Piggle Wiggle goes away to meet her pirate husband. In continuation of the work Mrs. Piggle Wiggle has done, Missy has many of the kids hang out at the upside down house and play all the games they've always wanted to play. Missy also observes some of the problems kiddos have such as the know-it-all problem, selfishness, never on time, a "whatever" attitude, etc. And when the parents are at their wits end, they call Missy.
In comparison, the writing style is similar to Betty McDonald, and most of the cures are inventive as the original ones. However, my issues lie in the fact that Missy is also judging the parents, something that is a new phenomenon in the last 20 years. Also, there is a huge use of magic- I know, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle also used magic, but it was a little different- it wasn't depended upon. And lastly, there was a bit of a romance. It's ok to have a book without a romance, so I'm not sure why it has to be included in books anymore.
So, in conclusion, I will be reading to my children the original Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books. This one was entertaining, but since I'm a die-hard fan of Betty's books, I only gave this one three stars.
Provided by NetGalley
This is a great book. I can tell because the other reviews are either love it or hate it. I am the weird one in that I wasn't in love with the book of journeys to find out the culture of illusion in India, but it was interesting and I chuckled a couple of times. I like the way Tahir Shah writes in a somewhat humorous self-debasing sort of way. And I was intrigued to find out how the "Godmen" (isn't that an oxymoron?) were able to do their tricks. And, I was impressed with the way Tahir Shah described India a beautiful, unique culture.
Tahir Shah goes to a man who is supposed to be one of the top illusionists in India. After going through some insane, brutal physical tests, he is then allowed to learn the art, and then he is sent on a journey to observe. I can't say I was shocked when I came to the "aha" moment, but I still feel as though I learned a few things, even about Houdini. Shah did a great job intermingling the culture with his story, but I have to say, there were lots and lots of parts to the story and while I just finished it yesterday, I think I forgot 3/4 of it already because there was so much. I'm a simple gal.
How clever of Victoria Schwab to come up with different Londons. This ranks up there with Six of Crows for me in that it is unique and not at all the normal formulaic story line.
There are 4 different Londons. They are not parallel, but very similar in each, with the varying degrees of magic in each. Grey London is the least magical, Red London is where Kell (who goes between the Londons) is from. White London is brutal in that magic is used to control people. And Black London is evil. Kell never goes to Black London until he is given a piece from there and must return it before the worlds all collide together by the evil White Londoners. And his sidekick is a young girl who has nothing to lose.
This is a great book for our library, and I've already seen at least three people sharing their own book since it's come out. I didn't think Archived could be topped, but I was wrong. It's good to be wrong...
I feel like this book was kind of a compilation between all Liane Moriarity's other books. There were many similar elements between all the other ones. For instance, the sister who wants to have a child, but turns out can not (What Alice Forgot). Also, there is the issue of infidelity and other "spoiler" things (Big Little Secrets). Not to mention the fact that someone has to always be in charge of things (Husband's Secret). That being said, I really enjoyed all of her other books that I've read, so it's not a complaint. But I loved Husband's Secret and Big Little Lies tremendously because of a great aha at the end. I didn't feel that this had that to the same extent.
In a nutshell, this book is centered on triplets (two are identical, one is fraternal). One is traumatized by her fiance's death. Another is clearly the one who has to be in control, and the other triplet is told by her husband that he wants out of the marriage. Again, a great book, interesting, brings up some interesting dilemnas , and has the typical humor of Mrs. Moriarity.