E.K. Johnston's Spindle
Johnston's latest is a companion/sequel to her book A Thousand Nights, but it's just not as compelling as its predecessor. It's a Middle Eastern-tinged version of Sleeping Beauty set in the same world a couple hundred years later, focusing on the children of the spinners who were exiled when the princess was cursed by a demon. The characters are all interesting enough, but the plot is fairly weak--the story moves pretty slowly and not that much happens. It just didn't have the magic as the first one--and I kind of mean that both ways. B.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on Tuesday.
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Monday, November 28, 2016
2016 book 189
Mindy McGinnis' The Female of the Species
This book is CRAZY, y'all, and I don't know what to say about it, really. My emotions really ran the gamut while reading it. It centers on a teenage girl whose sister was brutally murdered, and when the murderer couldn't be convicted, she killed him herself as revenge. Because she has ANGER and FEELINGS. But the local teen boy who is great at everything is falling for her, and the preacher's daughter is becoming a friend, so she's slowly being drawn into the world (those two are also POV characters). First I thought all three kids were super cliched, then I found them really compelling, and then I sort of thought they were all a cliche again (the boy is particularly unbelievable as a character, but I loved the preacher's daughter). McGinnis sort of is saying some interesting things about rape culture here, while also having several characters go through various sexual assaults that are not fun or easy to read. I think I would have liked this more if the end didn't feel like a major cop-out? But also, I like the female solidarity? How did this get so many good reviews, this book is honestly kind of insane. B.
This book is CRAZY, y'all, and I don't know what to say about it, really. My emotions really ran the gamut while reading it. It centers on a teenage girl whose sister was brutally murdered, and when the murderer couldn't be convicted, she killed him herself as revenge. Because she has ANGER and FEELINGS. But the local teen boy who is great at everything is falling for her, and the preacher's daughter is becoming a friend, so she's slowly being drawn into the world (those two are also POV characters). First I thought all three kids were super cliched, then I found them really compelling, and then I sort of thought they were all a cliche again (the boy is particularly unbelievable as a character, but I loved the preacher's daughter). McGinnis sort of is saying some interesting things about rape culture here, while also having several characters go through various sexual assaults that are not fun or easy to read. I think I would have liked this more if the end didn't feel like a major cop-out? But also, I like the female solidarity? How did this get so many good reviews, this book is honestly kind of insane. B.
Friday, November 25, 2016
2016 book 188
Kayla Rae Whitaker's The Animators
Was I predisposed to love this book, or was it really just that mind-blowingly good? Either way, I for sure loved it. It's the story of two young women, best friends, both with troubled childhoods, and the partnership they create as they make indie animated movies. It tracks their ups and downs and it just is really beautifully written--I cared so much about both these women and their journey(s). It covers so many aspects of life--friendship and love, families of all kinds, womanhood and girlhood. Really, really great. A.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in January.
Was I predisposed to love this book, or was it really just that mind-blowingly good? Either way, I for sure loved it. It's the story of two young women, best friends, both with troubled childhoods, and the partnership they create as they make indie animated movies. It tracks their ups and downs and it just is really beautifully written--I cared so much about both these women and their journey(s). It covers so many aspects of life--friendship and love, families of all kinds, womanhood and girlhood. Really, really great. A.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in January.
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
2016 book 187
Shannon Hale and Dean Hale's The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World
I am being one hundred percent sincere when I say that this may be the best book I have ever read. It was completely adorable and hilarious--I was giggling out loud all evening--and it honestly restored my faith in humanity during a dark time. This Squirrel Girl origin novel--focusing on a 14 year old Doreen starting a new high school in New Jersey--totally channels the humor and personality of the comics and kicks it up a notch. Plus it is effortlessly diverse and effortlessly charming. I love all of Hale's writing, but Hale doing Squirrel Girl is a complete dream team. Seriously. GREAT. A.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in February.
I am being one hundred percent sincere when I say that this may be the best book I have ever read. It was completely adorable and hilarious--I was giggling out loud all evening--and it honestly restored my faith in humanity during a dark time. This Squirrel Girl origin novel--focusing on a 14 year old Doreen starting a new high school in New Jersey--totally channels the humor and personality of the comics and kicks it up a notch. Plus it is effortlessly diverse and effortlessly charming. I love all of Hale's writing, but Hale doing Squirrel Girl is a complete dream team. Seriously. GREAT. A.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in February.
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
2016 book 186
Una LaMarche's You In Five Acts
I only feel a little bit bad admitting that I only wanted to read this because Lin-Manuel Miranda mentioned it on Twitter (apparently he and the author are friends from college) and thus it became this year's selection for Thanksgiving Sister Book Club. It was a pretty solid read--it's about five teens at a performing arts high school, told from each POV, leading up to some terrible act. The foreshadowing, especially early on, is way too heavy handed, and the nature of the act is not super hard to guess--but otherwise the writing is actually really good, and I found Joy in particular to be a compelling character. The end was a bit too cheesy/melodramatic for me but I can see how it would appeal to an actual teen. B/B+.
I only feel a little bit bad admitting that I only wanted to read this because Lin-Manuel Miranda mentioned it on Twitter (apparently he and the author are friends from college) and thus it became this year's selection for Thanksgiving Sister Book Club. It was a pretty solid read--it's about five teens at a performing arts high school, told from each POV, leading up to some terrible act. The foreshadowing, especially early on, is way too heavy handed, and the nature of the act is not super hard to guess--but otherwise the writing is actually really good, and I found Joy in particular to be a compelling character. The end was a bit too cheesy/melodramatic for me but I can see how it would appeal to an actual teen. B/B+.
Thursday, November 17, 2016
2016 book 185
Zadie Smith's Swing Time
I've been reading this off and on for a couple of weeks now--unusual, because usually I read a book in as close to one sitting as possible, or give up on it. I think it's that I really WANT to like this book--it's ZADIE SMITH--and some of the writing is really beautiful, but I don't really care that much about the plot or the characters. The story centers on a young biracial woman who, at the start of the book, seems to have been disgraced and fired from her job as a pop star's assistant--but it also flashes back to her childhood best friend and their relationship. The thing is, it's just not that compelling--I was WAY more interested in the protagonist's mother!--and things really bog down once the pop star decides to build a school in Africa. Like I think I can see what story Smith wants to tell here, it just doesn't come together for me. It is an interesting meditation on race and dance and friendship and human relationships, but it just felt like something important was missing to tie it all together. B/B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book is available now.
I've been reading this off and on for a couple of weeks now--unusual, because usually I read a book in as close to one sitting as possible, or give up on it. I think it's that I really WANT to like this book--it's ZADIE SMITH--and some of the writing is really beautiful, but I don't really care that much about the plot or the characters. The story centers on a young biracial woman who, at the start of the book, seems to have been disgraced and fired from her job as a pop star's assistant--but it also flashes back to her childhood best friend and their relationship. The thing is, it's just not that compelling--I was WAY more interested in the protagonist's mother!--and things really bog down once the pop star decides to build a school in Africa. Like I think I can see what story Smith wants to tell here, it just doesn't come together for me. It is an interesting meditation on race and dance and friendship and human relationships, but it just felt like something important was missing to tie it all together. B/B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book is available now.
Monday, November 14, 2016
2016 book 184
Zoraida Cordova's Labyrinth Lost
So this started off super promisingly--a girl in Brooklyn, from a family of brujas, is about to come into her magical power, but she doesn't want it. I loved the way Cordova depicted the family and the magic here, and especially enjoyed seeing the three sisters interacting. Then of course things go wrong b/c the protagonist is dumb, and it quickly turns into a dangerous magical journey story (very later and lesser Rick Riordan). Like, just constant bickering and serious stupidity. It was so frustrating! I also just was not feeling the male love interest (the female love interest was super cute though). Oh well. B.
So this started off super promisingly--a girl in Brooklyn, from a family of brujas, is about to come into her magical power, but she doesn't want it. I loved the way Cordova depicted the family and the magic here, and especially enjoyed seeing the three sisters interacting. Then of course things go wrong b/c the protagonist is dumb, and it quickly turns into a dangerous magical journey story (very later and lesser Rick Riordan). Like, just constant bickering and serious stupidity. It was so frustrating! I also just was not feeling the male love interest (the female love interest was super cute though). Oh well. B.
Saturday, November 12, 2016
2016 book 183
Jaclyn Moriarty's A Tangle of Gold
I don't know what it is about Jaclyn Moriarty, but her books are the ultimate comfort reads when times are tough. And the third Colors of Madeleine book is such a nice wrap up--lots more characters and action and intrigue and a little romance, but Moriarty weaves all the crazy story threads together and makes it work. I did wish for a little more from the sister relationship this go-round, or maybe it's just that I wanted more of the story because I loved these girls so much (and all the other characters too). And I also loved forgetting about the real world for a while and being so engaged with this one. Sigh.
I don't know what it is about Jaclyn Moriarty, but her books are the ultimate comfort reads when times are tough. And the third Colors of Madeleine book is such a nice wrap up--lots more characters and action and intrigue and a little romance, but Moriarty weaves all the crazy story threads together and makes it work. I did wish for a little more from the sister relationship this go-round, or maybe it's just that I wanted more of the story because I loved these girls so much (and all the other characters too). And I also loved forgetting about the real world for a while and being so engaged with this one. Sigh.
2016 book 182
Jaclyn Moriarty's The Cracks in the Kingdom
Totally solid second outing in a trilogy--this one ramps up the intrigue and adds a little romance, and keeps things interesting and engaging, even if you've read it before. I love these characters and they are making me feel better today.
Totally solid second outing in a trilogy--this one ramps up the intrigue and adds a little romance, and keeps things interesting and engaging, even if you've read it before. I love these characters and they are making me feel better today.
Friday, November 11, 2016
2016 book 181
Jaclyn Moriarty's A Corner of White
When the world is a terrible place, the only thing to do is to get caught up in an entirely different world--so I am rereading the Colors of Madeleine trilogy. And to this book's credit, I got so engrossed that I really did forget the world's terribleness while reading. I love this story--two teens in different worlds (one, our Cambridge, the other, a place with weird magical happenings) communicating through a crack between said worlds (located in a parking meter and a broken tv, respectively). Really compelling characters and great plotting, even on a reread. Plus the occasional really lovely turn of phrase. Moriarty is such a great writer!
When the world is a terrible place, the only thing to do is to get caught up in an entirely different world--so I am rereading the Colors of Madeleine trilogy. And to this book's credit, I got so engrossed that I really did forget the world's terribleness while reading. I love this story--two teens in different worlds (one, our Cambridge, the other, a place with weird magical happenings) communicating through a crack between said worlds (located in a parking meter and a broken tv, respectively). Really compelling characters and great plotting, even on a reread. Plus the occasional really lovely turn of phrase. Moriarty is such a great writer!
Saturday, November 05, 2016
2016 book 180
Elizabeth Wein's Code Name Verity
I guess I've been a little more quiet on this blog than I usually am, but I've been going back and forth between two e-books and the audiobook of this all week--my heart just wasn't into the other two books, because I was so caught up in this story (as usual), so finally I decided to just switch to the e-book, which is so much faster! (Can I say, I love the syncing between audio and e-book feature--so useful!) Anyway, this is one of my top five books, amazing story of female friendship and also a major WWII adventure story, etc etc. I only sobbed like six times on this re-read! I am forcing yet another book club to read this and look forward to seeing what they all thought.
I guess I've been a little more quiet on this blog than I usually am, but I've been going back and forth between two e-books and the audiobook of this all week--my heart just wasn't into the other two books, because I was so caught up in this story (as usual), so finally I decided to just switch to the e-book, which is so much faster! (Can I say, I love the syncing between audio and e-book feature--so useful!) Anyway, this is one of my top five books, amazing story of female friendship and also a major WWII adventure story, etc etc. I only sobbed like six times on this re-read! I am forcing yet another book club to read this and look forward to seeing what they all thought.
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