It took me long enough but I don't know why-- it's a great adventure story with a kick-ass female lead character though, with many dystopian novels, IIt took me long enough but I don't know why-- it's a great adventure story with a kick-ass female lead character though, with many dystopian novels, I'm disappointed that there needs to be a romance plot line. There's treachery and deviousness as those that are deemed unfit are killed, but right now Malencia is the only one who knows. Though there is an uprising that she has caught wind of and needs to help with if all that the University is doing can be exposed.
And now that Malencia is interning with the president of the Commonwealth, she's in it for real and those haters going through the testing with her, are just going to hate her even more. We'll see what the third brings! ...more
I would beg to disagree a little with Maberry's comments that "The Testing is a chilling and devious dystopian thriller", instead I think it was more I would beg to disagree a little with Maberry's comments that "The Testing is a chilling and devious dystopian thriller", instead I think it was more of a dystopian adventure that wasn't so much chilling and devious but suspenseful and a bit sickening, yet certainly not to the degree that Hunger Games was. Clearly very similar and at points you really feel like they're rip-offs of each other, but there is some good characterization and world-building, some great "tests" a la Divergent too. A strong female lead is cast yet again and the dystopian future world that is controlled by a central place with outlying cities makes its umpteenth emergence-- making any reader feel like the world will collapse if we're not careful.
I will be reading the second, Independent Study, because I'm fascinated by where Charbonneau is going with this and knowing that there's something more (because her father survived the Testing and was assigned). Definitely worth following!...more
I was disappointed but not entirely so because I struggled through the middle of Grave Mercy. LaFevers is a bit too wordy for me and while I understanI was disappointed but not entirely so because I struggled through the middle of Grave Mercy. LaFevers is a bit too wordy for me and while I understand the world-building of Europe in the 1400s, I don't have the patience to understand the backroom deals, treachery and deviousness (I would probably prefer to watch it a la The Tudors) in order to truly delve in to the machinations of the convent of St. Mortain and their dealings with death. ...more
It could have been a little bit less like a textbook and a little bit more adapted to a teen audience, especially with this topic-- the Japanese invadIt could have been a little bit less like a textbook and a little bit more adapted to a teen audience, especially with this topic-- the Japanese invading Alaska during WWII around the time of Pearl Harbor-- and how little is known or discussed about this happening (similar to how little the textbooks/history talks about the USS Indianapolis). Even the pictures are dark black and white and don't do the story justice.
Aside from needing a more engaging set of color pictures and being written less academically, the story is truly amazing and it's hard to understand all that the Aleut people endured as their homes were under siege, bombed, and taken over by the Japanese. Amazing and a necessary story....more
I was more impressed with the pictures than the writing and lost interest very quickly in the story itself-- in part because of the font and type, whiI was more impressed with the pictures than the writing and lost interest very quickly in the story itself-- in part because of the font and type, which I didn't think did the book justice-- as well as how Waller chose to focus the book. If it unfolded better and incorporated the stories literally about the abundance of pictures (giving context and substance), I would have thoroughly enjoyed it.
For the purposes of reading and understanding "how the second world war shaped the lives of a generation" it's a great tool, but certainly not an interesting nonfiction narrative to incorporate into the classroom. ...more
A uniquely informative book about Charles Dickens' upbringing and how it led to his monumental short stories, books and ultimate success fighting for A uniquely informative book about Charles Dickens' upbringing and how it led to his monumental short stories, books and ultimate success fighting for street children in London in the form of fundraising, befriending others and creating homes for the sick and orphaned children, and taking notice when no one else would. Sadly, he never shared his own crappy childhood which left his father and at one point his mother and the other children in a debtors prison while they worked off their debt because of Dickens' father's extravagant taste. Dickens had to work in a factory making boot shine and most of his experiences from then on informed his writing. By 31 the guy had already written 3-4 of his major works!
A great story, with lots of visuals and a simple subtext that everyone can do something to help. Dickens did just that by (as it's hit home many times in the book) giving sympathy and compassion to the poor and destitute. ...more
It's emotional to read a story about hundreds of husbands and wives who knew the only way to save their Jewish children was to put them on trains and It's emotional to read a story about hundreds of husbands and wives who knew the only way to save their Jewish children was to put them on trains and get them out without them. Known as Kindertransport, men and women, especially those that were Quakers, risked their lives and put their reputations on the line to convince the Nazis to let the children go. Then they exhaustively worked to find them hostels, homes, and orphanages to keep them safe until their hopeful reunion with family.
Sadly many (as they say, two-thirds) didn't get to reunite ever with family, but some did. Even those that helped in the rescue were greatly rewarded. I couldn't help but be moved by one of the men, Nicholas Winton, who survived the Holocaust after rescuing children, and lived to 100 years old.
The narrative nonfiction is short and sweet, interspersed with quotes from eight girls and boys who were transported, illustrations and actual photographs from the time period. Imagine the maturity these kids needed to all be crowded on to trains with only a few adults for supervision to survive. There are photos of boys playing the violin for other kids on the train or sitting and reading. It's very Anne Frank.
A different perspective on the Holocaust, though while sad, much more uplifting to see the great side of humanity, with the words "Whoever saves one life saves the world entire" echoing....more
A beautifully organized book of stories of teenage Afghani boys and girls struggling for survival in their war-torn country written by a premier authoA beautifully organized book of stories of teenage Afghani boys and girls struggling for survival in their war-torn country written by a premier author of these topics, Deborah Ellis. Before each "story" begins there is a statistic and description of issues that these kids are dealing with from refugee camp living, death, disease, lack of education, abuse, or more, it truly gives you faces and anecdotes to what's heard on the news and leaves you smarter about the country and its history but also hope for the future as most of the kids end with wanting something more for themselves like being a doctor, teacher, or engineer.
It was slow for the first few scenes and then picked up as Maud told the story of her sister's suicide bombing during 1969's protests of the Vietnam WIt was slow for the first few scenes and then picked up as Maud told the story of her sister's suicide bombing during 1969's protests of the Vietnam War. This is a unique perspective for a book, discussing the resistance movement and what was happening on the homefront. Maud's sister protests and bombs while Jeff is dealing with the death of his brother in Vietnam. ...more
This didn't have the flair that some of the nonfiction I've been reading lately has, specifically, a flair for great storytelling. I wasn't sucked in This didn't have the flair that some of the nonfiction I've been reading lately has, specifically, a flair for great storytelling. I wasn't sucked in to the story with a strong voice, though understanding the cultural history of the time and area was informative-- knowing these two men were literally side by side during grade school and became pilots.
So, while I wouldn't go so far as to wholeheartedly recommend it outright, it's a great piece to understand a time period and dual perspectives. ...more
Blurbs from her dispatches as an American living in Paris during the late 1920s when so many were expatriates, she catalogues the mundane, the fruity,Blurbs from her dispatches as an American living in Paris during the late 1920s when so many were expatriates, she catalogues the mundane, the fruity, the weird, scandalous and everything in between. Interesting but not my cup of tea....more
A great wartime and/or military book for fans of the genre, this recounts the details of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis after it dropped of the nA great wartime and/or military book for fans of the genre, this recounts the details of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis after it dropped of the nuclear bomb to Guam and was returning when it was torpedoed by a Japanese sub, sank, and left hundreds of seamen in the water for three days, four nights while they awaited death or rescue. This meant battling fatigue, dehydration, exhaustion, sharks, and their own minds.
The book drags a bit at the beginning and end when it focuses on the history and specifics of the ship, then the struggle to survive and ultimate court marshal of the ship's captain, which left his career and name figurative mud and ultimately led to his suicide.
The most intense and scary parts were the struggles of the men in the water trying to survive. A great descriptive understanding of what went on. ...more
A very cool collection of dystopian short stories by some high-rollers in the field like Carrie Ryan, Melissa Marr, and Veronica Roth. Great cover andA very cool collection of dystopian short stories by some high-rollers in the field like Carrie Ryan, Melissa Marr, and Veronica Roth. Great cover and neat title. ...more
With a male main character who's worked at his father's car repair shop for years, you'd think I could get interested in it enough because boys might With a male main character who's worked at his father's car repair shop for years, you'd think I could get interested in it enough because boys might be interested in fixing cars and family issues and now he must struggle to find his way in the world after his father dies and his mother wants to move.
BUT, the writing wasn't grabbing my attention and I soon lost interest in learning more about the race issues plaguing Red's family history. ...more
A wonderfully inspiring mix of anecdotes and Mali's poetry that make teachers remember why they're teachers, inspire others to become them, and encourA wonderfully inspiring mix of anecdotes and Mali's poetry that make teachers remember why they're teachers, inspire others to become them, and encourage everyone else to get a clue about teaching. He incorporates his wit and passion for teaching in to the poems that were inspired by the true events including the famous "What Teachers Make".
LOVE that I have an inscribed edition and will display it prominently on my desk at work! ...need to always reread the series of letters about using the library space....more
The biography of Olympian Zamperini and the multitude of men and women that he came in to contact with from the time he was young until the ripe old aThe biography of Olympian Zamperini and the multitude of men and women that he came in to contact with from the time he was young until the ripe old age of ninety after surviving horrific instances of wartime abuse as a POW in World War II, along with surviving more than forty days at sea, losing one man who survived the initial crash, and surviving with another only to be captured by the Japanese and held for years before being used as propaganda before the war ended and he was released.
What an amazing man and to know his eternal optimism was probably what sustained him and kept him alive in to his nineties is awe-inspiring, though I wish the book was shorter and more to the point. I understand the descriptions of everyone and everything, but I felt that made the reader lose focus on his heroism (but also recognizing that there were immeasurable others who were just as heroic). I would love to see a YA version of this and share it with others because I don't see teens reading Unbroken. ...more
I stayed up way too late finishing this book because I found so much to be interested in. The stories, the conversations, the men and women involved aI stayed up way too late finishing this book because I found so much to be interested in. The stories, the conversations, the men and women involved as much as the politics of who WASN'T involved and what was going on internationally that was fascinating. I think this is really a different kind of nonfiction and that's why it's fantastic. Yes, there's a lot of text without much to distract you on the page (pictures, sidebars, etc.) but the story itself is perfect for keeping anyone's attention. I actually think it's a better done representation (partly because it's more detailed) than the graphic novel, Fallout.
The people who were involved intricately, on the sidelines, and in the government and abroad is just astounding as well as the science behind it. I certainly don't have the brain for any of it and Sheinkin makes you want to meet Oppenheimer. What a crazy, fascinating man to watch while he was actively thinking.
It's also scary to know about all of the espionage, spying, and one-upping that everyone was doing in this race... it really shows a side of competition and innovation that does truly kickstart many "great" ideas. But, Sheinkin doesn't sugarcoat the emotional toll creating the bomb took as well. How would one feel about creating something that killed millions? What about the scientists who created other missiles, bombs, chemicals, and things like the electric chair and even guillotine? I enjoyed this perspective in the book.
Overall, I can see why there's a buzz about the book. It's got all of the mystery, intrigue to make anyone be interested in history that's not fictionalized....more
I haven't read a Picoult book since a double-play of My Sister's Keeper and The Pact, then I distanced myself but for some reason wanted to revisit heI haven't read a Picoult book since a double-play of My Sister's Keeper and The Pact, then I distanced myself but for some reason wanted to revisit her. After the first few chapters, I realized that was all I wanted to know and didn't want to pursue the rest of the book-- I wish some events unfolded more slowly so as to entice me because the way it was paced didn't hold my attention. So, I skipped to the end and was glad that I didn't read the middle.
Yes, so many different ways to interpret the title, yes there was a trial, yes there is some emotionally hard-hitting stuff, but I wasn't invested. I've got another of hers in my pile, let's see if that one can hold up. ...more
An plot line to end all plot lines-- this book made me think of many similar books that project the future using current trends, technology, relationsAn plot line to end all plot lines-- this book made me think of many similar books that project the future using current trends, technology, relationships, greed, capitalism, and simple human nature. It's like a hardcore adult version of MT Anderson's Feed, Megan McCafferty's Bumped series, and so many more.
There are two stories that intersect: one of a couple in love who are told by the corporation LoveStar that they are not a match but want to be together regardless and then Lovestar himself, whose ideas are what sent this "world" into it's conception of a "clean" death, a spectacular death, love in a new age, accessing information via birdwaves, farming yourself out make a dollar...
Captivating for it's innovation (the translation was fairly good) and scary for it's realism. ...more
Farmer disappointed me by even writing a follow-up since House of the Scorpion was well-rounded and well-written but fell into the pit of series booksFarmer disappointed me by even writing a follow-up since House of the Scorpion was well-rounded and well-written but fell into the pit of series books. I'm guessing it will become a trilogy and thus the reason I disliked this "second" book though it's been years since the first.
I disliked because it wasn't about Matteo as much as the dystopian world. I find the idea behind the story intriguing and creative (like All These Things I've Done) but too convoluted and TOO LONG to really flesh out the meat and potatoes of Matteo, the world, and his life now that he's assumed control. ...more
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