This was a book that was needed after another intense book I read. A sweet take on Cyrano, and clever as well. It also helped to uncover the true meaning of what we consider to be beautiful, or more specifically, "the perfect girl". I loved the book and thought the whole unveiling was really well done when Cyrano was uncovered (a couple of times). Plus, I'm excited to meet the author at NovaTeen Fest, so it made it all the more personable. Squee.
4/5 stars
This was a book that was needed after another intense book I read. A sweet take on Cyrano, and clever as well. It also helped to uncover the true meaning of what we consider to be beautiful, or more specifically, "the perfect girl". I loved the book and thought the whole unveiling was really well done when Cyrano was uncovered (a couple of times). Plus, I'm excited to meet the author at NovaTeen Fest, so it made it all the more personable. Squee.
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3/5 stars
Here's the premise which will reel you in: the Civil War did not happen because Lincoln was elected, but assassinated before he could take place. There are now 4 states that still have enslaved people. And the laws continue to uphold that practice. So today we have cell phones and slavery. So here's the book- a man, who is now "free" is told that to stay free he must track down anyone who runs away. But this next case is different and he is trying to figure it out. Then there are twists, turns, and other things that happen that should make you cringe. The ending just ends. Like life- what happens next? Who got "the package"? It's an interesting read, and an interesting premise, but I will say that I did not particularly enjoy the book- lots of characters and trying to figure out what was happening. But writing wise- he did a good job for the concept of the alternate history. 4/5 stars So fun, and so heartbreaking at once. A girl runs from Seattle to Washington D.C. to speak about a personal incident that affected her to the point of actually running half marathons every day. We slowly learn her reason for running as she flashes back to her life before the "taker". Her Grandfather meets her at each place for the night in his RV van, but she also meets other people along the way. This book is about learning to move on in the aftermath of disaster. This is easily a book for everyone, and one that will stay with you for a long time. 5/5 stars I wouldn't have read this book if I wasn't forced to. And I will actually say that a friend told us to read the book in large chunks, which I did and I therefore enjoyed it. There are a lot of pieces, a lot of timelines, and a lot of "wait, what?" expressions going on in my head. But when reading it all together makes it a very doable book. Otherwise, I will say, you will hate it. Or, if you only read to page 40 (the person who that is directed to will understand it) you will hate it and not understand the final part because there were a lot of twists, turns, etc. And I really liked the plague doctor. Not sure why, but I felt for him. Weird, I know. 3/5 stars ** spoiler alert ** Meh. It was a pretty good book with some twists and turns, but in the end I was really shocked how it ended. I mean, really, you faint and then you wake up and everything is fixed? What a let down. And I started to get a little lost with who was who and why they were going to certain places- what the impetus was to going to where ever they were going. It was kind of like watching a Law & Order, but at least with the show I didn't feel like I had to figure it all out because Briscoe and Curtis had it covered. Here I felt like I was floundering with the main character and her funny super skinny side-kick (I did like him even though I don't remember his name). So, while I wasn't really impressed with the story, I didn't feel like I wasted my time reading it. It would be a good book that I could recommend to those who are in between cozy mysteries and the likes of Baldacci (who I never read). 4/5 stars
After two book discussions on this book, I like it better even more. It's a humorous book that also brings up some good discussions about some pretty intense subjects. I read an article that NPR did with David Yoon. Basically, all the things that David (yup, first name basis) experienced he wrote about. Basically, a Korean American is dealing with living the cultural life his parents had in Korea and wish to continue and the American culture which sometimes conflicts. But there's also the romance trope of pretend dating, and the ending of a high school career. And the real life sad facts in life are also included. A good book, and definitely one that our high schoolers will enjoy and maybe either relate to or learn from. 4/5 stars I am so glad that I don't live for hundreds of years. Tom has some sort of disease where he ages really slowly. Back in the witch hunting days, he was constantly running from people who aimed and sometimes succeeded in making sure he was or wasn't a witch. And then there is the issue of malaise- been there, done that. If you liked the Time Traveler's Wife, then you will like this one as well. It shows how much we should trust and who we should trust in the name of protection. This is also a great book for discussion. I won't lie, it starts out a little slow, but it definitely picks up. 5/5 stars
I rarely read childen's books, but when my son came home and told me I had to read it, I did and thought it was such a nice book. It's basically about the characters in books who are all trying to be who they are, but still come back and be a family. The illustrations are beautiful (I could look at them for a long time and still find new things), and the premise was so clever. I'm always amazed at how sophisticated picture books can be. Kind of like Sesame Street- something on a kid level, but definitely some things that adults can learn as well (or at least laugh at). 3/5 stars I forgot about it. Seriously, there are snippets that I remember- there was a bar, a girl, and a guy who liked each other but couldn't tell each other for whatever reason. There was a story telling contest, and a mean ex-boyfriend who was somewhat a local star. I liked the song with the same title, though. It was a cute story, but if I didn't write it down, I would have forgotten all about it. 3/5 stars In the race for the Democratic delegates in 2020 and ultimately the Presidential elections, and all that other stuff that goes along with it, I found this book pretty fascinating for the time of reading it. Plus, being set in the Hill country of Austin was pretty fun since I graduated from high school in that area. The writing was good, and I can see why it was a popular book. So, this is a good LBGTQ book for those looking for one.In the race for the Democratic delegates in 2020 and ultimately the Presidential elections, and all that other stuff that goes along with it, I found this book pretty fascinating for the time of reading it. Plus, being set in the Hill country of Austin was pretty fun since I graduated from high school in that area. The writing was good, and I can see why it was a popular book. So, this is a good LBGTQ book for those looking for one. 4/5 stars
This was a pretty intense book about an airplane that has crashed and the one boy who survived. It alternates chapters between the moments before the plane crashes (and about 5 characters that we learn about), and the other chapters of how the "miracle boy" survives his survival (his parents and brother were also on the plane). It was a heart wrenching book, and even though we knew the plane crashes, still biting my nails as it we read about the plane's minute by minute demise. This books is also a book about how to live even when it seems wrong, how to communicate even when it seems impossible, and how to be yourself even when it is expected to live vicariously for other people's dreams. Do not read this before you go on an airplane. I really mean it.
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AuthorI'm a high school librarian. I love to read. Really. Love. To. Read. Archives
December 2023
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