Solomon's books are a delight. She manages to capture the vast array of golden opportunities and the rather more common indignities, annoyances, and sSolomon's books are a delight. She manages to capture the vast array of golden opportunities and the rather more common indignities, annoyances, and social failures the freshman is heir to.
The joy of reading YA is that stories about young adults, written for young adults, often veer off in unexpected directions. This is a s6 January 2023
The joy of reading YA is that stories about young adults, written for young adults, often veer off in unexpected directions. This is a story about five teens and a dog living in yet another small town hollowed out by catastrophe and no future. Two have just graduated, but this summer will be spent with time carved out from between their jobs at Walmart and the YMCA shooting video of themselves ghost hunting. And then one night something amazing falls from the sky...
You can shoot your own trailer from that. There's danger and excitement and mystery in the best Scooby-Doo tradition, although these kids can't afford a van. There is ever increasing creepiness and un-put-downable suspense. And then there's more.
The beginning, the grim reality of their lives, drags on the reader as much as on Franny. But Henry knows how to raise the stakes. So worth it.
**spoiler alert** What happens when a clever person reflects on the problems in a very popular series of books? Maybe Novik didn't start this series t**spoiler alert** What happens when a clever person reflects on the problems in a very popular series of books? Maybe Novik didn't start this series thinking how to fix issues with other books set in a world where magic is real and kids go off to special magic boarding school, but it seems like she might have.
It's an interesting world, with quite the dark side, one which incorporates thoughtful consideration of power, and class, and injustice, and prejudice, and friendship, and making deliberate choices. This is for readers whose taste runs more to The Hunger Games and less to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Lots of quandaries, ambiguities, complexities, nuance, and a heroine who pisses everyone off. It's also a series aimed at an older audience, so there's rather more typical teen behavior and less marriage at eighteen.
Read for my 365 Kids Book challenge. You can see all the books on their own shelf.
And since this book is very nearly all the things, I also read it foRead for my 365 Kids Book challenge. You can see all the books on their own shelf.
And since this book is very nearly all the things, I also read it for Halloween Bingo. I am using it for the Halloween square which had been giving me trouble, but it is also fine for Dead Lands, Dem Bones, Doomsday, Gallows-Humor, Ghosts, Gothic, Grave Or Graveyard, Haunted-House, Horror, In The Dark, Dark Woods, Mad-Scientist And Evil Geniuses, Monsters, Murder-Most-Foul, Paint-It-Black, Spellbound, Supernatural, Trick Or Treat, Stranger Things, and Vampires. It is set on Halloween when 10-year-old Mona flees a monster in her house, takes a short cut through a graveyard to get to the police station, and falls in with a some other kids. It is a bit creepy: there are so many monsters at least one will disturb everyone. But it’s funny and hits so many of the tropes in unexpected ways. I look forward to more volumes of kids trying to save the world.
Sometimes I grab a book for its cover and it is even better than I hoped.
I am not the intended audience by 45 years or so, but I was curious what an introduction to sexuality would say, as opposed to what one incorporates aI am not the intended audience by 45 years or so, but I was curious what an introduction to sexuality would say, as opposed to what one incorporates as new along the way. Heteronormativity, as the way sexuality was researched and written of in the 20th century, is contrasted with other perceptions in other cultures and historical periods. There is an openness towards a range of gender identifications, sexual attractions, levels of desire, and how all of these fluctuate for individuals over time. Intersectionalism and privilege get mentioned. Various ways of thinking about consent from not at all, through “no means no,” into affirmative consent and ongoing negotiation. There is a great deal about how common thoughts and acts are with an emphasis on how pretty much everything was dismissed beyond a rigid and narrow standard. I liked the conceit of the haunted house as explored by a familiar group of inquisitive teens.
What I didn’t like is the isolated snippets from various writers with their portraits: I didn’t feel like the pictures there added any value and one was disturbingly off, but the quotes themselves were sometimes less helpful than a broader rephrasing would be. Although I get what the creators were getting at with the idea of “benign” options it necessarily implies that others, not specified, must be malignant, which judgement has always been a problem in the discourse.
This is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For an explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on theirThis is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For an explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf.
If you're following along, there has been significant improvement on the lists, and they seem to be running more or less correctly. I have plenty more reviews coming, thanks to the marvelous people @chpublib and @ocplibraries who are keeping me supplied and running summer reading programs for all ages. These past 13 months they have been among the most essential workers for me. When I stocked up for lockdown it wasn't toilet paper or food I was worried about. Seriously, I checked out as many as I could carry.
A very nearly realistic portrayal of a young woman dressed as a man who successfully repels an invading army. She's one of the two greatest martial artists of her day and she's done almost nothing else her entire life than train. The training is stressed. Unlike, for example, most depictions of Jeanne D'Arc or King Arthur. If I had to find something to compare it to I'd go with Megan Whalen Turner's The Thief. And unlike the Disney version, real consideration is given to issues of assimilation and the challenges of maintaining an empire. It's a clever book with plenty of action and lots of fighting, and respect for different kinds of skills.
This is being marketed as YA, primarily on the age of the main characters, but there's no reason not to give it to middle grade readers, except possibly length.
#46 in my 365 Kids Books challenge and multi-year effort to get Goodreads to fix the Top Readers, etc. lists. For a fuller explanation see my review f#46 in my 365 Kids Books challenge and multi-year effort to get Goodreads to fix the Top Readers, etc. lists. For a fuller explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf.
This is not a picture book, but I've been meaning to read it forever, and it turns out I have read most of the stories elsewhere. My thoughts, such as they are: Chivalry is my favorite The Price and How to Talk... Both have this quality of sounding like real memories. It isn't just that they're told in first person, but I can't put my finger on what else makes them so convincing There's another one like that, Troll Bridge, which is first, but doesn't feel the same, possibly because of emotional distance (?) Like Ocean at the End Sunbird is fun and is one I actually remember from elsewhere.
In sum, I am a Gaiman fan, and I enjoyed this. But, it really doesn't seem like a book for kids, which is how the ebook library had it listed.
Ibbotson's novels for adults are remarkably comforting for stories about war. They're often set in Vienna, at least in part, and there's a very practiIbbotson's novels for adults are remarkably comforting for stories about war. They're often set in Vienna, at least in part, and there's a very practical young woman, and an older man, and a cast of eccentrics (kindly portrayed), and usually quite a bit about opera that follows a "Can you believe these flawed people can create art that is so moving?" There are usually a lot of meals. The heroines are all A Little Princess grown to marriageable age, who even in the worst situations behave well and are really helpful and good with animals and children and severe old women. And there is war: horrible things have happened or are about to happen. Possibly this sounds too Sound of Music, but its lack of sentimentality keeps it from cloying. They are uniformly charming books suitable for the old and the young.
I don't like this cover, however. It doesn't seem to pertain in any way. And for some reason it evokes the countryside rather than the mostly urban setting of the book.
There should be lots more writers like this and Mary Stewart and Rosamund Pilcher. Well, there are, I just haven't figured out who they are. Each one comes as such a delight.
First, great story. Some mystery, some romance, some swashbuckling, some boarding-school story, but as if real sixteen -year-olds wer28 February, 2021
First, great story. Some mystery, some romance, some swashbuckling, some boarding-school story, but as if real sixteen -year-olds were in attendance, not the bizarre everyone -pair-off at eleven but no one actually has sex weirdness of Harry Potter, environmental concerns, and lots of other stuff, plus that's not all. There's a generous effort at modeling better options, whether it be recovering from trauma, or deciding what to be when you grow up, to not....
***
27 December 2022
Now that I start Seasparrow without re-reading them all again, I rather wish I had finished writing this up.
***
17 January 2023
Now I have come dull circle through the Graceling Realm. This is my favorite, not least of which, because it seems the ratio of female to male characters increases with each book. Also, foxen. Beautiful endpapers. My appreciation for art created by experienced artists has increased, so I would love for every book to have an exclusive piece of art on the cover, at least a few maps or something, AND original endpapers. It's the early Nancy Drew influence.
Anyway, I hope the dedicatee appreciates how special this book is, even if Seasparrow becomes my favorite when I read it next. The seriess'arc goes to a good (both interesting and thought provoking) place.
On a side note, Cashore comes up with fabulous plots, characters interactions, and I look forward to reading everything else she writes. This is the pinnacle of the series, at least until I re-read Seasparrow.
The way Davis connects the spread of the highly deadly flu to specific events in WW1 is fascinating.
P 42 "blood without oxygen is blue." I'm going to The way Davis connects the spread of the highly deadly flu to specific events in WW1 is fascinating.
P 42 "blood without oxygen is blue." I'm going to find it difficult to trust him after that: not only is he not good at sciencing (unfortunate in a book about a pandemic) but no one else ever noticed? Admittedly, it's a common statement, but an inherently unobservent one. Casual human experience of cuts and scratches shows that human blood is red, brighter or darker, but clearly not blue.
I've previously enjoyed his history work, but damn, this is elementary school-level science that he's getting wrong. I guess the good news is it's his own misunderstanding, at least it's not a lie he's passing on. But you can get a correct explanation of the way the optics make veins apear blue with illustrations as your first answer by googling.
That isn't the only medical misstep. In the appendix he covers other historical epidemics with great insight into the effects on society but rather less understanding of the medical aspects. The Black Death has long been blamed on rats and their fleas, and yes, many rodents can carry Yersinia pestis bacteria. But the bubonic form is more likely to have spread so quickly via human body lice and fleas. Pneumonic plague and septicemic are spread via droplet inhalation and blood to blood, and only at close proximity in time and distance.
And while I am at it, fabric masks, even the gauze versions of 1918 are quite effective at slowing the spread of airborne diseases. While the fabric is visible porous which wouldn't halt a virus, they are capable of catching the droplets on which the virus is carried. Masks reduce spread by decreasing the number of droplets floating about. Many people seem to believe that they can't be contagious if they feel well, which is particularly untrue with COVID-19, which can quite easily turn one into a virus factory spewing out death without ever feeling sick, which is why so many family get-toges have become superspreader events.
Fun fact: an average of three new human pathogens are discovered each year, of which one, again on average, will actually cause a new disease. The others are responsible for previously identified diseases, as in HPV as the root of cervical and oral cancers or H. pyori which causes stomach cancers.
Despite my annoyance, Davis does a marvelous job at connecting the dots of which choices lead to the disastrous spread of the 1918 influenza (I see no reason to call it "Spanish" when we know it is American in origin, and we've identified the virus as H1N1). He also explains how likely such a pandemic is, and how to prepare against it. It's a pity more governments didn't heed the warning. If we're lucky, we will be ready when the next one inevitably arrives. It's a safe bet that something else will turn up as deadly as syphilis, smallpox, cholera, or plague, and as contagious.
Some years are just more horrible than others, from the personal to the planetwide. Where the book of dares turned the Christmas season from bad to beSome years are just more horrible than others, from the personal to the planetwide. Where the book of dares turned the Christmas season from bad to best for two people, here there's been a year full of suck for Lily's family. And so, there is a lot of effort put into making the holidays better, because people need a break from misery. Sometimes it all feels like too much, and maybe a day off will help. And sometimes it takes a lot of effort but the effort to make joy is its own reward. Maybe thereal Christmas miracle is that so many people put in so much effort to be of good cheer, despite all the valid reasons not too.
Or maybe that's just the lesson I needed this year.
The worst thing about The Left-Handed Booksellers of London is that there aren't yet a series of books set in the same universe. Nix has set up an offThe worst thing about The Left-Handed Booksellers of London is that there aren't yet a series of books set in the same universe. Nix has set up an official entity which deals with the weird in the UK. Which entity is a family. And because the weird isn't much of a problem, the family also have bookstores.
There is a possible romantic interest, a high body count, a research team, lots of dress-up clothes, turf wars and political struggles. The world is very well developed, but that doesn't allow as much room for character development as one might like. The plot escalates fast which adds to the excitement, draws the reader, and doesn't leave you much time to breathe. Well, enough time for tasty snacks.
It's a fun set-up that allows for swords and swashbuckling adventure and also, books. It would be a shame to not take advantage of such a world. Certainly I would enjoy reading more about the characters, the boarding school to train booksellers, and what sort of arrangement other countries have for similar problems. And of course, there could be stories in the same world at different times. As I say, it was highly entertaining and I would like more, please.
**spoiler alert** From publisher via Goodreads giveaway Thanks, Algonquin, this looks tasty, and not just because Jensen shares the licorice gene.
***
Ex**spoiler alert** From publisher via Goodreads giveaway Thanks, Algonquin, this looks tasty, and not just because Jensen shares the licorice gene.
***
Excellent. Jensen did a great job of pulling together a range of voices, issues, attitudes, and tone. Aimed at raising awareness and increasing knowledge around a strong range of underrepresented issues, with interstitial FAQs ranging from using respectful preferred language to how tattoos work, the book is successful as hell. But it isn't just information. There's a strong artistic sensibility in the selections and presentation where the impact is highlighted by the art. I found Barstow's work particularly pleasing.
There are themes that reappear: lots of embarrassment and feeling completely outside the norm, and some acceptance. But there's a lot of intersectionality and advocacy and social activism. What I most appreciated is that these aren't inspirational narratives for making already privileged readers feel better. Disabilities are not noble or shameful, they just are. I also love the frequency of invisible disabilities.
Bodies are gross and problematic and painful for many. Here's some of the difficulties they present and no surprise, it's often dealing with clueless people that's the hard part.
Really well done, and necessary in every school and public library....more
So not a Halloween Bingo book. The vlogged and tweeted adventures of a Georgia boy on the hockey team of a New England college. There are hijinks, theSo not a Halloween Bingo book. The vlogged and tweeted adventures of a Georgia boy on the hockey team of a New England college. There are hijinks, there is bonding, there is a truly astonishing number of pies. And almost entirely angst-free. I'll be enjoying Bittle's further adventures in real time: checkpleasecomic.com
This is the first book I've read by Shan, so I didn't really have any expectations. Well, okay, one: I did expect the book to be a complete story, eveThis is the first book I've read by Shan, so I didn't really have any expectations. Well, okay, one: I did expect the book to be a complete story, even though I know it's first in a series. So that was points off. Contrariwise, lots of points for having an unlikeable protagonist, for addressing domestic violence so realistically, for addressing racism and bigotry so clearly. Loved all of that. I also really loved the development of the zombie outbreak with clips appearing on the news and YouTube, and the scene in school where are the crazy and less crazy theories are explored. I was disappointed with how heavy-handed the whole B thing was, it made my eyes roll but that might come across differently to an actual YA reader who hasn't seen it before. Definitely a good choice for the gore-lovers out there, the violence is graphic and squicky. Probably I'll enjoy the next book more expecting less of a resolution. Library copy. ...more
I Shall Wear Midnight: A Story of Discworld (Discworld Novels) 2011, January 1
Oh, goodness, how I loved this book. Wintersmith was okay, but this is fI Shall Wear Midnight: A Story of Discworld (Discworld Novels) 2011, January 1
Oh, goodness, how I loved this book. Wintersmith was okay, but this is fabulous. Tiffany's grown up some more, and now she's home on the chalk, where she's coming into her own as the local witch. Against that, there's someone stirring up witch-hunts again, and Roland has a girlfriend who's the daughter of a Duchess. And the Nac Mac Feegle are into everything, shouting Crivens! Delightful because it gets Tiffany back where she belongs, and because she gets out a bit, enabling Pratchett to introduce her to all sorts of characters, beloved ones from other books, and new ones. And, everything works out very well indeed, in a most satisfying, and clear sort of way.This will probably be my favorite Pratchett along with The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, and, of course, Good Omens.
The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials Series #3) 23 Nov 2000
My favorite of the trilogy. Pullman ended it appropriately, I think. What I love is all The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials Series #3) 23 Nov 2000
My favorite of the trilogy. Pullman ended it appropriately, I think. What I love is all the modern world physics mixed in.
3 Oct 2016
Neither of the girls let me read them the whole series, nor read it themselves. Sigh. Oh, well, although I remembered the Golden Compass well from multiple reads and multiple film viewings, I didn't remember the second and third books as well. So, that seemed an appropriate choice for Banned Books Week, even if I didn't get them done on time. 17 Jan 2020 It's taken me all week to finish this one book because winter and sickness. Pleh. I still love it, but again, I'm surprised by how much I had forgotten.
Reading Fforde is a weird thing for me. I'm only in it for the world-building. The voice of Jennifer Strange never actually feels like a sixteen-year-Reading Fforde is a weird thing for me. I'm only in it for the world-building. The voice of Jennifer Strange never actually feels like a sixteen-year-old foundling who's now running an important company on her own. But that's okay. Because there are quarkbeasts and the Ununited Kingdoms and magical rivalries and a Transient Moose. So, just as I forgive Douglas Adams for coming up with a million jokes tied together with a thing which isn't quite a plot, I don't mind that the story isn't what I'm reading Fforde for. The wonderful stage set is sufficient. [I get a strong visual sense of how things look from Fforde]. There are some puns, but not many, and they aren't painfully childish, so this feels much more mature to me than say the Xanth series. It's all sight gags, really, which sounds ludicrous talking about a book, but I mean it. And they work. Pure fun.
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