I really enjoyed the first half of this book. The world building was really cool, especially thinking of a society that intentionally manipulated fetaI really enjoyed the first half of this book. The world building was really cool, especially thinking of a society that intentionally manipulated fetal development to create a class system. I also loved the religious themes. It was interesting to see that the power of a “God” was removed from their society, yet they still had expletives like “Oh Ford” and the sign of the burnt “T” was still important to them.
I rated this book so lowly because the second half of the book really fell flat for me. The plot jumped focus from narrator to narrator so quickly and when it did finally settle in on telling John’s story, it just seemed melodramatic and lackluster in comparison to the writing at the beginning. It felt like so much creativity and care was put into revealing the new world, but then Huxley got sidetracked with a different theme (of social acceptance) and the story just fizzled out from there.
Also as a sidenote, I didn’t like the casual racism that is obviously present in a book written from the 1930s, but it was there (references to characters as Negro, octoroon, and Native Americans representing the uncivilized, ‘savage’ past.) ...more
This story was really great. It had a tall tale Big Fish feel to it that was whimsical while still covering some heavy topics of young love, infidelitThis story was really great. It had a tall tale Big Fish feel to it that was whimsical while still covering some heavy topics of young love, infidelity, and heartbreak. The story is told from the perspective of Ava Lavender - a girl who is born with a set of brown bird wings. But the story is not only about Ava. She tells her family history tracing back to her grandmother Emilienne who immigrated from France, then detailing her mother Vivianne’s childhood, and even telling about the history of the little girl who lived in the house on Pinnacle Lane before they moved in.
I usually don’t like stories like this that center more on the whole lifespans of a character, but I think what drew me in was the fantasy and humor that was so well executed. And telling the story this way made me care not only for Ava but I also deeply connected with parts of Emilienne and Vivianne. Each character felt real because of the extra development.
The story finally comes to rest on Ava’s difficulties with facing the world. I don’t want to spoil too much, but I will say that I liked how the author approached Ava. Usually a character like Ava would be treated as a social pariah and the character goes off on self-pitying dialogues about their struggles. However, Ava really just struggles with normal teenage issues and the wings are important to the plot but they’re not the absolute focus.
I only gave this 4 stars because during the main conflict and climax the mood became really heavy and lost a lot of the whimsicality that I liked. It was still good and it still fit, but it wasn’t quite how I wanted the story to end. Overall, I really enjoyed this and it felt like a different vibe than other YA.
This was a beautiful memoir. Through verse, Jacqueline Woodson tells the story of her life living in the 60s and 70s. She addresses the racism and preThis was a beautiful memoir. Through verse, Jacqueline Woodson tells the story of her life living in the 60s and 70s. She addresses the racism and prejudice from that time with a child-like innocence. She also focuses on themes of family, religion, friendship, and longing. She talks about her dreams of becoming a writer, her uncertainty about her grandfather's future since he doesn't go to church with them, her difficulties in school, her summers playing in the streets of New York and the dirt roads of Greenville. Some stories were heart-wrenching and some were silly and some were emotional and I loved them all.
A lot of the time, books written in verse seem too sparse to me and I don't feel as connected, but that was absolutely not the case with this book. It was all written so honestly and beautifully.
Unfortunately, I was really disappointed by this selection of stories. I remember loving Raggedy Ann as a child, but I think I read Gruelle's longer sUnfortunately, I was really disappointed by this selection of stories. I remember loving Raggedy Ann as a child, but I think I read Gruelle's longer stories instead of the short stories....more
It was so interesting to see an interview between these two. I just realized that I've never heard from Judy Blume outside of her books, but she is suIt was so interesting to see an interview between these two. I just realized that I've never heard from Judy Blume outside of her books, but she is such an interesting person. It was especially fun to read their discussion about how expectations for women have changed over generations. I loved this. It was way too short. ...more
This book was a very quick read and I felt like it relied more heavily on metaphorical themes than her other books do. The characters were wonderfullyThis book was a very quick read and I felt like it relied more heavily on metaphorical themes than her other books do. The characters were wonderfully unique and had a lot of spirit and depth. It was kind of a strange series of events that ended very quickly, but I think the story is rich with potential to discuss or draw your own conclusions. ...more
This is like a melodramatic soap opera with random physics tangents thrown in. I was so annoyed by it. The few parts that were actually adventurous plThis is like a melodramatic soap opera with random physics tangents thrown in. I was so annoyed by it. The few parts that were actually adventurous plot twists, obstacles, or interesting sci-fi elements were quickly breezed past and resolved while the tedious plot of characters sleeping together and/or cheating on one another was rehashed over and over. And the women are just there to act hysterically, or to be blamed for ruining relationships by cheating, or to flirt with the strong capable men. ...more
The first few stories in this collection were mediocre and the problems were too easily resolved. However, I did like how each story led into the nextThe first few stories in this collection were mediocre and the problems were too easily resolved. However, I did like how each story led into the next and referenced the events before it; it was like watching a well connected season of the TV show. I also loved the characters and companions that helped the doctor: the independent and clever Izzy, the brazen Fey, and Shayde who is an artificial being created as a servant for Rassilon.
The story Wormwood was incredible. Set on the planet of Gallifrey, the Doctor must work against the Elysians, a sect of Time Lords set on destroying Gallifreyan history. The story was fast paced with believable and shocking plot twists, and this was one of the only stories that felt like a New Who episode. I loved it and it alone made me want to continue reading the other issues. ...more
This was a fun read. There were some hilarious stories of dates gone wrong, and tips and hints for how to survive at a party. Her descriptions of anxiThis was a fun read. There were some hilarious stories of dates gone wrong, and tips and hints for how to survive at a party. Her descriptions of anxiety were so accurate, but there was enough humor sprinkled in that I found myself laughing at the things I identified with. There were even more tips on traveling, decorating, surviving hangovers, job interviews, and making friends as an adult. Most were serious with jokes laced in but some were just intentionally silly.
That being said, I really enjoy her humor on YouTube, but I think it translates a little bit better to video. The sarcasm and tongue-in-cheek tone didn’t come across in quite the same way when it was written, so some jokes just fell kind of flat for me. ...more
This book was such an interesting twist on the fantasy genre. Un Lun Dun is a parallel world connected to London inhabited by living trash, ghosts, anThis book was such an interesting twist on the fantasy genre. Un Lun Dun is a parallel world connected to London inhabited by living trash, ghosts, and a cast of interesting characters. Zanna and Deeba begin encountering strange things in London and they’re lead to a secret passageway that connects to the odd city. Zanna learns that she is the Schwazzy, or Chosen One, and Un Lun Dun needs her to fulfill the prophesy of defeating the ominous Smog. What appears to be a straightforward adventure in a fun universe gets turned on its ear as things begin to fall apart.
I really enjoyed the world that the author built. It had such a unique quality of creepiness and fantasticism that it was impossible to predict what would happen next.This book took the stereotypical approach to adventure stories with characters going on quests, fate bringing a chosen leader to the war, and prophesies being fulfilled, and it blatantly disregards the way those elements are supposed to be used.
Miéville also created a plot that was lengthy but where every new character, revelation, and bit of dialogue had foreshadowing and importance. It was very nicely woven so that 50 pages later, the random action of one character is suddenly shown to be highly significant.
I wasn’t sure if I would even like the book at first because of the writing style. To me, the description seemed to sparse and the beginning of the plot felt rushed as if the author were just jumping from scene to scene in an effort to set up the plot quickly. I felt like there was a lack of flow, but that may be because I’m more familiar with novels that go into laborious detail and take hundreds of pages to introduce the reader to the world. After reading for a while, I became accustomed to the pacing of the book, and I think having a barebones outline that streamlines towards the heart of the plot was actually not as detrimental to the story as I predicted it would be. It took me more effort to visualize certain scenes because the description was more sparse, but it ultimately didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story later on. ...more
I read this with the Walking Book Club and really resonated with it.
Conglomeration of my thoughts/favorite quotes:
preface - this sounds really hippy…I read this with the Walking Book Club and really resonated with it.
Conglomeration of my thoughts/favorite quotes:
preface - this sounds really hippy… not sure how I’m gonna feel about this one. I resonated with the thought of the “what am I doing with my life?!” feelings she described with her “midlife unraveling”
“Wholehearted living is about engaging in our lives from a place of worthiness. It means cultivating the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, 'No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough’.”
The anecdote about “relaxing” on the internet is so. me. “Rather than working, I was just lulling myself into a haze by mindlessly playing on Facebook and piddling on the computer. It was neither relaxing nor productive - it was just a giant time and energy suck. I tried the new DIG Deep - get deliberate, inspired, and going. I told myself, “If you need to refuel and losing yourself online is fun and relaxing then do it. If not, do something deliberately relaxing. Find something inspiring to do rather than something soul-sucking. Then, last but not least, get up and do it!” I closed my laptop, said a little prayer to remind myself to be self-compassionate, and watched a movie that had been sitting in a Netflix envelope on my desk for over a month. It was exactly what I needed. It was’t the old Dig Deep - the pushing through. I didn’t force myself to start working or to do something productive. Rather, I prayerfully, intentionally, and thoughtfully did something restorative.”
?57“compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It’s a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others. Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity.” until we can receive with an open heart, we are never really giving with an open heart. When we attach judgement to receiving help, we knowingly or unknowingly attach judgement to giving help
72 “We cannot selectively numb emotions. When we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions.”
85 I like that she talks about joy being purposeful and developed through practice. Happiness is an emotional response to a situation, but joy is a chosen state of being.
96 “The only unique contribution we will ever make in this world will be born of our creativity.” I was thinking about this concept before reading this chapter, so it really resonated with me. I’m always in a better mental place when I give myself time to have an artistic outlet, whether it’s writing or photography or crochet.
104 I think it’s incredibly important that we schedule “play time” into our lives to give ourselves permission to do fun things. I think this chapter was definitely from a middle to upper class perspective since the anecdote was “We started working part time and only had a four day work week! We were super happy then!” but the foundation of the message is true, especially for kids who are overbooked on extra curriculars. I need to schedule down time into my day or otherwise I’m too thinly spread to function.
109 Cultivating calmness — this was interesting to dwell on because I have a hard time assessing whether I’m being calm in a situation or whether I’m emotionally disengaging. As a teacher, there were times when things happened that were a Big Deal but I responded by calmly diverting the situation and cleaning up/addressing the issues… and I thought about it afterwards and it almost seemed like I dealt with the situation because I was in a mental fog and instead of choosing to be calm, I was just disconnected. I think this would be an interesting dichotomy to look at considering that things are more about intent than appearance (i.e. it’s great that I can handle situations, but the benefit comes from reacting intentionally rather than passively).
125 “I think most of us have developed fairly sensitive bullshit meters when it comes to reading “self-help” books. I think this is a good thing. There are too many books that make promises they can’t keep or make change sound so much easier than it is. The truth is that meaningful change is a process.” ...more
I have heard nothing but amazing things about David Sedaris, so I went into reading this with high expectations. I enjoyed a few of the stories, but fI have heard nothing but amazing things about David Sedaris, so I went into reading this with high expectations. I enjoyed a few of the stories, but for the most part they just fell a little flat to me. Maybe if I was expecting something different, I would have enjoyed it more, but it just didn’t work for me. It was especially annoying to listen to the live recordings of his storytelling and to hear people laughing hysterically. Maybe our senses of humor just don’t line up?
So final conclusion: it wasn’t bad, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
This book had such an authentic Harto voice that I felt like I could hear her audibly reading it to me. (I don't hear voices regularly.) The puns, the groan-inducing "dad jokes," the heart-felt but off topic ramblings, the humor-laced approach to talking about truly difficult topics... it was all there in copious amounts. I smiled a LOT. I laughed a little bit. I cried a little bit. (Let it be noted that my tears were over something really stupid and personally sentimental, so it's highly unlikely that you will also cry while reading this book). It was a good time.
The book was split up into 4 parts (Kitchen Basics, Adultolescence, So This is Love, and Family and the Holidays) each filled with several "recipes" to face a range of situations. Want to whip up some nostalgia with a twist that apparently tastes like Chinese food? Try "PB&J&PC." Getting over a breakup? Go straight to "Tear... Ah Miss You." Needing support to deal with a broken relationship with your parents? "Let's Get Grilled (about your life choices)" is great for you! Want to see a picture of Mamrie Hart with hashbrowns in her hair? Flip to page 86. Yeah. As silly as these recipes were, Hannah's introductions to each section were sweet, insightful, and (dare I say) hart-felt.
Ultimately, my enjoyment of the book was definitely enhanced by my enjoyment of Hannah. This book might not fit everyone's style of humor, but it's definitely something I'm happy to have experienced. :) ...more
Great continuation of the series! The plot develops in such an interesting way, and I love how unique the characters are. Some of the plot twists are Great continuation of the series! The plot develops in such an interesting way, and I love how unique the characters are. Some of the plot twists are a little bit predictable and easily resolved, but I'm enjoying it nonetheless. ...more
This reproduction/collection of the 1999 Paul Pope graphic novel Escapo includes the original story along with bonus material: sketchbook scans, an inThis reproduction/collection of the 1999 Paul Pope graphic novel Escapo includes the original story along with bonus material: sketchbook scans, an interview with the artist, and pin ups from other artists. As a reprint and mini-collection, this was nice and will probably appeal to Paul Pope enthusiasts.
The story is a small vignette into the life of Escapo, a famed escape artist who performs bigger and better feats each night as part of a traveling circus. The story feels very stilted and choppy with many things left unresolved, but it “works” if you approach the story as a thematically connected series of glimpses into the character’s life instead of a full narrative. What the series did well was to create an interesting reflection on themes of accepting or denying fate, and facing death.
I enjoyed the story well enough, but what I really liked was the art. The layout creates a suspenseful story that adds to the death-harrowing feats, and my favorite panels were those where Escapo is grappling with death and existence in the midst of his stunts. I also really loved the inclusion of “pin-ups” from different artists that re-imagined characters and panels in different styles.
** I was provided a free copy of this graphic novel through GoodReads’ FirstReads program. ...more
The story really starts when Emily and her family move into a dilapidated mansion that once belonged to her great-grandfather. She uncovers a secret aThe story really starts when Emily and her family move into a dilapidated mansion that once belonged to her great-grandfather. She uncovers a secret about her family that unlocks a hidden world and bridles her with a lot more responsibility than she expected. It sounds like a cliche plot synopsis, but the fantasy world that's created is so creepy, mysterious and exciting that I felt compelled to continue reading. I fell in love with Emily as a character, and I loved that all of the other characters were complex and had evident backstories. In a lot of children's books, character motives are very clear cut and certain characters are easily labeled as "evil" while others are labeled as "good." However, in this novel many of the characters had conflicting motivations. They presented themselves as caring but did things that made me suspicious, or they began as the evident evil character only for things to be revealed about them that gave them more depth.
Also, this book was darker than I was expecting, but I think having graphic novels and children's books that address concepts of grief and depression are important. ...more
Just a quick bulleted list instead of a full review...
Things I loved:
-- A lot of people didn’t like David’s character, but I thought it was really iJust a quick bulleted list instead of a full review...
Things I loved:
-- A lot of people didn’t like David’s character, but I thought it was really intriguing to analyze his fear and denial. -- The male characters in this book are really nicely developed, and it’s interesting to see the relationships among David, Giovanni, Jacques, and Guillaume. They’re all men that society groups together, yet there’s a lot of tension, resentment, and dependence within those dynamics. -- The story is really beautifully written. It has prose that feels like a "classic" but with clarity and succinctness. -- The foreshadowing of Giovanni’s fate was really compelling, and the disjointed timeline made me want to keep reading to find out how everything was connected.
Things I didn’t like so much:
-- The lack of female representation and how weak Hella was as a character. She was basically boiled down to a plot device. -- The ending seemed very rushed. There had been teasers and hints throughout the book as to what was happening to Giovanni, but once it was finally revealed it seemed like the book just wrapped up abruptly. ...more
Loved it! Makes me want to start rewatching the tv show.
I will say that I found it hilarious that ATL was depicted having snow in December that lasteLoved it! Makes me want to start rewatching the tv show.
I will say that I found it hilarious that ATL was depicted having snow in December that lasted longer than a day or two. Apparently a story can have zombies and post-apocalyptic themes, but my suspension of belief draws the line at weather inaccuracies. ...more