I can't really say what genre this book is- which is something I love about books. It's a graphic novel, which is obvious, and it has some pretty cool historical elements from the 70's (I totally remember Reading Is Fun), and it also has great social context of what defines people- by their "flaws" or "what makes them special" which all moms will say, or are people described as who they are? It could also be a self-help book that empowers you to overcome what you may consider a terrible weakness. And of course, it's a book about friendship and communication. While sometimes all this can be overwhelming in one book- it's a true story, a semi-biography and so it's realistic because it really did happen. So it isn't contrived, and that's what makes it good.
Boxers and Saints by Gene Luen Yang (5/5 stars)
Now I want to research the Boxer war in China. Very interesting, and of course, amazing pespectives/view points from Gene Luen Yang. I also like how he did not put the two stories as direct opposites, but almost as two different paths the Chinese citizens could go.
Darwin's Radio by Greg Bear (3/5 stars)
Meh. If I hadn't read The Girl With All the Gifts I maybe would have made this book a bit higher rated. It is more scientifically focused than the zombie slant. And it is dated- Bill Cosby and Michael Crighton were mentioned as spokespeople for their cause. I gave it three stars for the power struggle between the scientific community and the political arena. And apparently anyone who believes in God is stupid in the book. I wholeheartedly disagree!
The Wedding Gift by Marlene Syuapa Bodden (2/5 stars)
Not so great. The writing wasn't fantastic- pretty stilted. The two viewpoints were interesting between the two women, but at the same time, it's not like I was on pins and needles the whole time, or ever. And things didn't really seem to connect- the "twist" at the end seemed to come out of the blue, and the big "secret" wasn't all that secret- could totally be figured out. Being a slave is horrific, and I did appreciate the steps of faith and planning it took to runaway. But even then, I didn't feel the real fear I felt with January's Sparrow or Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco.
The Living by Matt de la Pena (4/5 stars)
Romance, mystery, diabolical plans, and sharks. Good times. Now I need to read The Hunted (book 2) so I can go to sleep.
Alchemist by Michael Scott (2.5/5 stars)
Not a very memorable book, but that doesn't mean it won't be good for some. First of all, I think it's kind of an unusual mix between Harry Potter and the Rick Riordan books. It had some unusual characters, but the plot was pretty predictable. Let's just say, the book wasn't character driven, but entertaining and cool use of historical figures. Good for middle grades who don't have the expectation of another Harry Potter. Granted, this book was written almost 10 years ago from this review, so maybe they've moved on to a new genre.
The Girl With All the Gifts by M.R. Carey (4/5 stars)
In the dystopian genre, it's pretty easy to find a different angle, but very few actually seem to make you think that the dystopia isn't necessarily an evil. In the Girl with All the Gifts, the beginning is a little slow- a class of children strapped to wheelchairs as a precaution to their terrible nature. Rather, you have a child who makes you wonder what the danger could possibly be. But then, the story gets going, until eventually you aren't sure who you're rooting for.
Keep Moving by Dick Van Dyke (5/5 stars)
I am a Dick Van Dyke groupie, so let's just be clear about my expectations. If his book sucked, I would have been devastated. But I'm not, he's great, and I think I want to live next door to him. Or meet him at the very least. His lists for how to live life to the fullest are simple yet true, and I thank you, Mr. Van Dyke, or allowing me to have ice cream every single night. Here's a smile to you :-)
I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai (4/5 stars)
I am amazed at how much I take for granted the things I am provided for here in the US- education, not fearing a beheading for what I wear or where I go, or even that we have a fairly stable government (corrupt and misguided, sure, but at least there is consistency and no coups). And, I appreciate that women of the West are fairly equal to men (yes, I know it's not perfect). Freedom of religion.
So, Malala loves her country and sees the beauty in it. She loves to learn, but because she is educated she can interpret the Koran for herself and sees that it is often misinterpreted to "moralize" the country so they do not turn into the secular as the West is. Her father and she are a team for promoting equal education, and while she has a healthy fear of the Taliban, she is not paralyzed from it. She could have been killed, but she still has a strong voice, if not just for Swat, but now for the world.
I would suggest this book to anyone, and once the writing style is gotten used to, the actual book is educational for a plethora of reasons.
Placebo Junkies by J.C. Carleson (4/5 stars)
Um, I think I am rating this four stars, although my head is still spinning. I did not realize that people make a living by being test subjects for various medical trials. I mean, that's their job. And Audie's job is that at a young 18 years old. Her home life is not a great one, and she has found a community of people who are in the same careers. Shady, right? It gets crazier, to the point I have no idea what is right, true, or realistic. So, while I give it a four stars, it could be a 2, or a 5, or a whatever since I'm still spinning.
Conflict of Interest by Adam Mitzner (3/5 stars)
If you like lawyer/courtroom drama, then go for this one. If you want books that shock you to actually raise your eyebrows, then probably not. Either way, it was entertaining, and while I saw what was going to happen (again, if you know me, that means it's very easy to figure out), I still enjoyed the story, though.
Basic premise: lawyer defends man who then he has a conflict of interest due to family issues. He's a family man with marital issues and an unhealthy amount of time devoted to the office. That's about all I'll divulge until my husband reads the book.