The story is still thought provoking and heartbreaking. Will knows the rules of the neighborhood: 1 no crying 2 no snitching 3 get revenge. But when hThe story is still thought provoking and heartbreaking. Will knows the rules of the neighborhood: 1 no crying 2 no snitching 3 get revenge. But when he gets on the elevator with a gun in his pocket intent to go find the boy who killed his brother and follow through on rule 3, he meets seven visitors who make him stop and reflect on what the rules even mean. Such a great reflection on the cycle of violence.
The art in this was beautiful watercolor. The medium complemented the verse so well to make this already haunting story come to life even more. It hit with an even more intense punch.
I still hate the ending, but I was quickly reminded why I was so wow-ed by this story the first time I read it. ...more
I’m finally getting to the point of the series that makes all of the first books worth it. LOVED getting to see Murphy again, and I apprecia3.5 stars
I’m finally getting to the point of the series that makes all of the first books worth it. LOVED getting to see Murphy again, and I appreciate that she is one of the few characters who acts like a person who has been traumatized by the things that happen. Harry is so callous and approaches everything with devil-may-care humor that it was refreshing to see someone who was actually affected by all the attacks and craziness. The plot is also becoming more complex which makes things much more entertaining. I’m actually excited to continue reading to see what happens next. ...more
This one was slow paced and just bad. You’d think Harry Dresden was a fashionisto with how many descriptions of the way material lies and caresses theThis one was slow paced and just bad. You’d think Harry Dresden was a fashionisto with how many descriptions of the way material lies and caresses the women’s figures around him. It wouldn’t be as annoying if it was just his girlfriend, Susan, that he did this with. Instead it’s every single female he comes in contact with and just very accentuated with Susan. If the male gaze really is like this, I’d prefer not to know. Sidenote, I’d be a millionaire if I got a penny for every time Harry says breast, seductive, purr, or hell’s bells.
And the way that he just can’t say no to helping women because of the burden of his chivalry… there’s a lot of self congratulating going on.
The other two books were not like this, and I’m really hoping this is a one off. Apparently book 5 is where the story itself starts getting really good, so I'm holding out for that. ...more
Theodore Roosevelt is one of the most ambitious and impressive men in American history to me. This graphic novel was framed as a soliloquy of RoosevelTheodore Roosevelt is one of the most ambitious and impressive men in American history to me. This graphic novel was framed as a soliloquy of Roosevelt reflecting on his life, telling his own story and inspiring an audience. This was not a speech Roosevelt ever actually gave, but instead tried to capture his tone and voice to retell his life.
The graphics were lovely, all tones of grey and blue. There was a nice balance between poetic ruminations and factual events.
Due to the format of the graphic novel, it was difficult at times for everything to be fully explained. I found myself relying on background knowledge a lot, so I'm not sure if this would be quite as enjoyable for someone who's completely unfamiliar with the Roosevelt family. I'm also not sure that framing the story as a speech worked well; there were many times that it felt like a run on sentence for Roosevelt to elaborate on all aspects of his life and opinion within the same speech. ...more
Amazing! I wish I hadn't waited this long to read this! A full review coming later maybe... Amazing! I wish I hadn't waited this long to read this! A full review coming later maybe... ...more
I was so excited to see this collection of abridged Jane Austen novels. I have only previously read Pride and Prejudice and I absolutely love3.5 stars
I was so excited to see this collection of abridged Jane Austen novels. I have only previously read Pride and Prejudice and I absolutely loved the humor and dry wit that Austen infused her characters with.
These stories were not quite as captivating to me, and I'm not sure if that's because they are abridged or because I listened to the audiobook instead of reading them myself.
I did absolutely love the book Emma. Emma herself was annoying in an entertaining way as she tried (and failed) to play matchmaker over and over. Miss Bates was just as entertaining as the running joke was that she barely breathed between words and clearly defined the word "long-winded". The narrator, Prunella Scales, voiced this flawlessly. In fact, this book alone was worthy of a 5 star rating.
The other two stories, however, were not quite what I was wanting. While there was the same content of 1800s regency, there was little comic relief and I was not as drawn to the characters. Overall, I'm really happy that I read (listened to) these and was able to finally add more Austen to my reading list. ...more
Every year on Dead Wednesday, 8th graders are taught a lesson about reckless behavior. They’re given a name of a teen who recently passed away by makiEvery year on Dead Wednesday, 8th graders are taught a lesson about reckless behavior. They’re given a name of a teen who recently passed away by making a reckless decision - drinking and drinking, texting and driving, etc. - and the whole community completely ignores them to help them reflect on their choices.
Worm is looking forward to Dead Wed because he is certain this will be his day of complete freedom. You can get away with a lot when all teachers and adult will ignore ANYTHING you do. Instead, he learns a bigger lesson than he’s expecting to.
This was a very thematic book. There was a lot to reflect on and think about. I enjoyed the characters, but they were not very deep. This is the type of book that fully relies on the Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope, but does it with a purpose in mind and does it well. This is definitely something a little bit different in the YA genre. ...more
As I was reading this, I couldn't help but think that middle school Amy would have LOVED this. Lu is an Argentine immigrant who has struggles with cruAs I was reading this, I couldn't help but think that middle school Amy would have LOVED this. Lu is an Argentine immigrant who has struggles with crushes, ambitions to win the field day track meet, and also struggles to stand up for what's right during the de-segregation movement in Alabama. The backdrop to all of Lu's typical struggles is the 1970 election between main candidates George Wallace and Brewer. Most of the school is in the "us vs. them" mindset and preparing to transfer to the new private school. Lu has always been open to all races, but she also has the message that immigrants should not draw attention to themselves and get involved. Throughout the book, she learns lessons of standing up for what's right, having gumption, and working hard to reach your goals.
I just loved this. It was such a solid story and had such great messages. It was also just all around entertaining with great characters. ...more
Set in the 90s, this graphic novel follows four teens as they become connected through BBS (dial-in Bulletin Board System). Each one of the charactersSet in the 90s, this graphic novel follows four teens as they become connected through BBS (dial-in Bulletin Board System). Each one of the characters is ostracized or an outcast in their own right, but they manage to become connected and help one another through the internet.
I loved the inclusion of the 90s BBS and I felt so sorry for Allison as she dealt with her abusive father. However, there wasn't much plot and this ended at a strange place. Overall, this was just an okay read. ...more
There needs to be more middle grade sci-fi! I’m so happy to be able to add this to the collection. This was a great story filled with strange aliens, There needs to be more middle grade sci-fi! I’m so happy to be able to add this to the collection. This was a great story filled with strange aliens, intergalactic pirates, a moody robot, interesting political war strategy, double crosses, and wonderful themes of family and belonging.
There are a few jokes that make this more in the middle grade arena than the lower elementary side of things. For example, there’s a joke about showing a middle finger, kicking people in the groin in self defense, and a few words that could be considered crude for younger children (“hell of a week”, “like hell you will”, etc.).
Overall, this was an interesting space romp that balanced big ideas of grief and loss, action-packed adventure, and funny slapstick moments....more
This was an entertaining action-packed story about Emika Chen - bounty hunter turned spy in the Warcross games. She is tasked with uncovering3.5 stars
This was an entertaining action-packed story about Emika Chen - bounty hunter turned spy in the Warcross games. She is tasked with uncovering the person (or people) behind the security glitches in the game, but what she finds of course won't be a simple answer.
I enjoyed the plot - there was action, plot twists, and an incredibly interesting premise. I didn't foresee some of the plot twists and reveals which made it very entertaining.
This did lack a bit of world building and plausibility that made me not quite as invested in the characters as I wanted to be. But overall, it was an enjoyable story and I plan to read the sequel for the duology. ...more
This was one of the most hot and cold poetry collections I've ever read. I connected with the poems on loss and grief, and enjoyed some of the ideas aThis was one of the most hot and cold poetry collections I've ever read. I connected with the poems on loss and grief, and enjoyed some of the ideas about plasticide that were explored. The poems about cat dementia and slug sex (yes... really...) made me remember why Atwood and I really don't get along. ...more
This is a realistic, detailed history of the horrors Jewish people endured and the resistance measures they attempted. There were stories after storieThis is a realistic, detailed history of the horrors Jewish people endured and the resistance measures they attempted. There were stories after stories of death, torture, medical experiments, rape, graphic descriptions of the states of found corpses etc. Everything was vaguely linked together by following several women in the resistance movement.
This is also one of the few books I’ve ever read about Jewish survivors that follows them after the war. Survivors struggled with PTSD and adapting and the next generation had issues with guilt and living up to the expectations of the survivors. It’s something that gets eclipsed in the focus on the victory and it was enlightening to hear about the “next steps”.
This is an incredibly important story to remember and tell. It’s important not to gloss over these horrors and forget what evil people are capable of. It also really puts our current struggles into perspective....more
I liked this book quite a bit more than Ivan, probably because there was more of a driving plot in this one. I also never knew that I needed Danny DevI liked this book quite a bit more than Ivan, probably because there was more of a driving plot in this one. I also never knew that I needed Danny Devito to narrate a book as a scrappy chihuahua mix, but that made this so much better! ...more
4.5 This one was going to be a solid 5 stars, but the end fizzled a bit. Old Man's War is based on the premise that intergalactic colonization has beg4.5 This one was going to be a solid 5 stars, but the end fizzled a bit. Old Man's War is based on the premise that intergalactic colonization has begun, and soldiers are needed to fight. Only the elderly are allowed to join up to fight. Without giving too much away, technology has advanced to help them be a bit more limber. Despite a disappointing lack of Life Alert jokes, this was the perfect mix of humor, fun world building, and military strategy. It was like a much more enjoyable Ender's Game. ...more
Jason Reynolds writes complex characters in such a great way. I loved how original Sunny was, and I’m pretty sure I was sold by Guy Lockharts audio naJason Reynolds writes complex characters in such a great way. I loved how original Sunny was, and I’m pretty sure I was sold by Guy Lockharts audio narration. This was a great addition to the track collection. ...more
This was a great first hand account of living with autism. I do think the book was very short. I wanted more from it, but overall this is a valuable sThis was a great first hand account of living with autism. I do think the book was very short. I wanted more from it, but overall this is a valuable starting point for people to learn more. ...more