This was cute and I liked the banter, but nothing happened and the "drama" was annoying... I don't think I'm cut out for romcoms!This was cute and I liked the banter, but nothing happened and the "drama" was annoying... I don't think I'm cut out for romcoms!...more
Sooooo the thing I like about Saga is the fact that almost anything could happen, and I wouldn't even blink. There's an adventurous uncertaiUghhhhhhhh
Sooooo the thing I like about Saga is the fact that almost anything could happen, and I wouldn't even blink. There's an adventurous uncertainty about every volume. Sometimes that means that the plot falls apart and random side stories dominate. In this volume, however, you could tell that Brian knew where the story was going and sped there. There are a lot of themes about identity, sacrifice, compromise, and revenge in this volume. It was a LOT. That being said, I have NO IDEA where he's going to go from here, and I guess I now have an extra long hiatus to contemplate it. ...more
Drama-filled fluff with the bonus of interesting Singaporean culture. Win/win.
This actually reminded me of Behold the Dreamers that I read recently. TDrama-filled fluff with the bonus of interesting Singaporean culture. Win/win.
This actually reminded me of Behold the Dreamers that I read recently. There were marital affairs and catty cousins hiring private investigators and high society balls. This was definitely more drama-focused than romance-focused which I appreciated. Very fluffy story that I enjoyed for what it was. It was so fun to see a book full of diverse and intriguing asian characters. ...more
"She explained, 'In the creche, our moms always said that fear was an artificial condition. It's imposed from the outside. So it's possible to fight i"She explained, 'In the creche, our moms always said that fear was an artificial condition. It's imposed from the outside. So it's possible to fight it. You should do the things you're afraid of.'"
This was great. I am absolutely loving Murderbot's internal monologue, and the new character ART was fantastic. Murderbot hires itself as a personal security guard and ventures by to the mining area where its programming initially went rogue in order to piece together the mystery of what happened to it.
I just wish a little more happened? The shortness of the Tor novellas is that the characterization flourishes at the expense of the plot sometimes. That being said, the plot was still intriguing and I can't wait to read more....more
I'm amazed by how many peoples' stories out there haven't been told. I'm so happy I came across this one.
Nez details his life from childhood on the reI'm amazed by how many peoples' stories out there haven't been told. I'm so happy I came across this one.
Nez details his life from childhood on the reservation to creating the Navajo Code used in WWII. He actually tells about specific battles to the point where it felt like I was watching a movie. This was fascinating to read about. I wish there were more accounts. ...more
I just don't know how to rate this? This book would be so important for the kids in the community it impacts. I think the kids I work with (upper middI just don't know how to rate this? This book would be so important for the kids in the community it impacts. I think the kids I work with (upper middle class and white) would be confused and horrified by this book. That illustrates the disparities in our society and our experiences more than anything, I think.
Jerome is playing with a toy gun in his front yard when he's murdered by a cop; this is patterned after Tamir Rice's murder, though Tamir features as a different character in the story. In death, Jerome roams as a ghost to try to understand WHY this happened. He's able to talk to Sarah, the cop's daughter, and Emmett Till who comforts him and teaches him about the history of murdered black boys in America.
There were so many conversations between Sarah and Jerome that would have a tremendous impact on the readers. It really makes you reflect on the current situation of America.
warnings - Emmett Till's murder is graphically described; adults would definitely want to touch base with children if they read this on their own. ...more
I absolutely fell in love with the strange, witty tone of Raymie Nightingale, so I was excited to read a book from Louisiana's perspective. In this, LI absolutely fell in love with the strange, witty tone of Raymie Nightingale, so I was excited to read a book from Louisiana's perspective. In this, Louisiana is awoken one very early morning by her granny who tells her they must leave immediately because the day of reckoning to avoid their family curse has arrived. This is the start of a slapdash, high-paced adventure where the adults are incompetent and rude, the other children are observant and kind, and Louisiana is hopeful but melancholy.
I really don't know if I would even classify this as realistic fiction, though I know it's the reality of many children. It reads like a Lemony Snicket novel with high vocabulary and peculiar narration. It was strange, but I kind of loved it. If you liked Raymie Nightingale or Flora & Ulysses, you will enjoy this! ...more
This is a small book filled with short stories about the Herdmans - the worst family in town. Beth's class has been tasked with thinking of one positiThis is a small book filled with short stories about the Herdmans - the worst family in town. Beth's class has been tasked with thinking of one positive characteristic about each person in their class by the end of the year, a task she finds impossible with Imogene Herdman in your class. This book contains vignettes of Beth's struggles throughout the school year to notice Imogene's good side. Does burying a dead snake that you brought to school count as thoughtful? Does standing for the pledge of allegiance every morning count as patriotic? Beth will keep thinking...
This was a fun book with cute characters. It definitely makes you think about finding the best in everyone and highlighting peoples' attributes instead of their flaws. ...more
Melody has cerebral palsy and can't walk or talk. It's not until she gets a talking board that she proves what she's known all along: she is one of thMelody has cerebral palsy and can't walk or talk. It's not until she gets a talking board that she proves what she's known all along: she is one of the smartest kids in 5th grade. The book is narrated from Melody's point of view as she joins the school trivia team and makes new friends.
I absolutely loved this book and it was eye opening to me even as an adult. It made me think about how many times I may have underestimated someone just because their abilities didn't match mine. This book is phenomenal, and it's even more powerful coming from the perspective of a person with CP. This is a new favorite for sure. ...more
It's 1947, and India, newly independent of British rule, has been separated into two countries: Pakistan and India. The divide has created much tensioIt's 1947, and India, newly independent of British rule, has been separated into two countries: Pakistan and India. The divide has created much tension between Hindus and Muslims, and hundreds of thousands are killed crossing borders.
Nisha and her Papa, Dadi (grandmother), and brother Amil must flee on foot with limited water, food, and belongings from the newly formed Pakistan to another area that will be safer for them as Hindus. As half-Hindu, half-Muslim, Nisha writes letters to her late mother retelling details and thoughts of their journey.
I learned so much and felt so much. This is a fantastic middle grade that has the feel of the “Dear America” historical fiction books which I loved growing up. There was a nice mix of introspective emotion and edge-of-your-seat events. There are parts that are very intense and really make you think about what others go through. This is a great story of family, perseverance, unity, and love. As a bonus, the cover is gorgeous. ...more
"Female Korean Stephen King" is the best description of You-jeong Jeong's writing. Gory. Intense. Disturbing. Not really sure how I feel about this, b"Female Korean Stephen King" is the best description of You-jeong Jeong's writing. Gory. Intense. Disturbing. Not really sure how I feel about this, but it was a fast, captivating read. ...more
Wow. This book follows one man, Deogratias, through flashbacks as you learn about his part in the Rwanda Genocide. I was expecting this to be heavy, bWow. This book follows one man, Deogratias, through flashbacks as you learn about his part in the Rwanda Genocide. I was expecting this to be heavy, but there was rape, crude language, and sexual content that threw me for a loop. I was hoping this would be a graphic novel that showed the progression of the genocide so I could better understand what happened. Instead, this took the approach of showing the impact of the large scale war on individuals and impressing how intense the trauma was which made it more realistic but much more graphic. I appreciated the introduction with historical context more than I liked the story.
I received a copy of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more