Books are Wonderful

Review: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Wonderfully written story

It’s really hard to pinpoint exactly what I loved the most about The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian; I am certain that Sherman Alexie’s amazing story will stay with me for a very long time. The Absolutely True Diary, did what I enjoy most about reading; it took me on a journey that I would never have experienced and opened my eyes to a different perspective on life as well as a different culture.

Junior is one of the smallest kids on his reservation, he had to fight for his life since his birth and he’s never stopped fighting. When he decides to leave the reservation school and attend a school in town, he was immediately faced with opposition from the people on the reservation - including his best friend and protector.

I found the story to be well written and engaging, I was swept into Junior’s world and felt his pain and cried tears for the struggles that he faced. I love his characterization, he is the type of character that readers can fully invest in and stand behind.

The other great thing about this novel is the amount of discussion points that it raises, there are a lot of tough topics that parents might initially want to shield their children from, but the fact that children are faced with these issues every day does not escape me and I loved the real way that Sherman Alexie portrayed this on the pages of his book.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is one of those books that you will find yourself rereading again and again just to grasp the richness of the story. I’m certain this will become a classic.

Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers || Details →

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December 27, 2012

Review: The Diviners by Libba Bray

Patiently waiting for Book 2…

Two springs ago Libba Bray wrote a blog post that lead me to comment that I would read anything that she wrote. By this time I had already read the Gemma trilogy and Going Bovine and I was already impressed with her ability to go from a magical 1800s setting to a modern, fantastical road trip and still be able to hold my imagination captive.

After finishing The Diviners, I thought back to that comment that I made so long ago, happy that I made it, because The Diviners only cemented that sentiment. The book is excellent; read it! I want to end the review right here, but I’ll elaborate on the “whys” that make it an excellent read.

The book is written with an omniscient point of view, but it follows a few central characters. Evie is the main character followed in this book, but the reader sees a lot of Memphis, Theta and Henry as well. In addition, some minor characters are also highlighted, but the focus was usually on these four.

Evie can hold an object in her hands and tell its history - the only downside is the migraine that she often experiences afterwards. The thing about Evie’s character is that she is very self-serving, often only watching out for her own needs, however, there is just enough compassion and kindness inside of her that I didn’t exactly dislike her (even though I didn’t necessarily like her). This sort of characterization is difficult to pull off and I thought that Libba did a spectacular job of making me genuinely root for Evie even though I didn’t often like her treatment of others - especially Mabel, who is suppose to be her best friend.

Review: The Boy Recession by Flynn Meaney

Cute summer read

What if all the cute and talented boys just disappeared? What if the already high girl to guy ratio increases when 12% of the boys leave? Aviva, Darcy and Kelly find themselves pondering these questions when the Devines and the McKennas - nine of their school’s most talented and most handsome boys - transfer to different schools due to budget cuts. Not only do these boys transfer, but a few more of the football players leave as well. So who is left? And how does this affect the female population?

The story is told by Kelly and Hunter. Kelly (the peacemaker) focuses on her friends Aviva, the beautiful wild child and school journalist, and Darcy, the over achieving student council vice-president turned president; while Hunter (the slacker) focuses on his friends Eugene, the young entrepreneur, and Derek, member of the band D-Bags, who has never played a musical note.

In dealing with the fall-out of budget cuts and the loss of their school’s band program, Kelly and Hunter find themselves working together to help younger kids get the opportunity to experience music. Eugene concocts a plan to get one of the popular girls to date him, with interesting results. Darcy is now Student Council President and can’t wait to exercise her new power, while Aviva takes it upon herself to report the new happenings around school.

Flynn Meaney’s The Boy Recession is a cute, light and often funny read. It doesn’t take itself too seriously which is great. It’s quick to read, engaging and one of those books that’s good for the long summer road-trip or for relaxing at the beach. The writing is fluid and understandable and the story keeps you engaged until you’ve reached the end and find yourself wondering how quickly time flew by.

[This review is of an ARC]

Release Date: 7th August, 2012 || Publisher: Poppy || Details →

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July 30, 2012

Review: The Duff by Kody Keplinger

I’m not entire sure what happened here

The Duff, or The Designated Ugly, Fat Friend, is a girl whose friends are prettier than she is, and thus, the girl that Wesley Rush talks to in order to get the hot friends to like him. Or, that’s his game, until he meets Bianca.

Kody Keplinger’s debute novel touches on the sensitive issue of body image, or so it seemed in the beginning. When Wesley says those words to Bianca, she can’t seem to get it out of her head, it plagues her. However, that’s about as far as that issue goes. Instead, Bianca, not wanting to deal with her parents and the issue of their divorce winds up going to Wesley - the guy she hates and thinks of as a “disgusting womanizing playboy” - for comfort in the form of sex.

I found it very odd and felt very frustrated with Bianca when she winds up going to Wesley instead of confiding in her best friends. Why would she go to a person she hates and is disgusted by when her two best friends are trying to understand what’s going on? It’s just so puzzling to me that the entire hooking-up-to-escape plot line seemed unrealistic and I couldn’t take it seriously. I want to be clear that it’s not the fact that Bianca is having sex to escape her issues that is puzzling - people (teens included) do that all the time - it’s the fact that she’s doing it with Wesley.

There were so many good places that this book could go, dealing with divorced parents, a dad who’s drinking again, a mom who is constantly way, and self esteem issues, but all of this was eclipsed by her relationship with Wesley. It’s hard to appreciate Bianca as a protagonist, especially when she turns around and hurts the people who seem to care about her the most, the people who rally as her champions - her two best friends.

However, there is no denying that, these aside, Bianca would be a snarky, witty heroine. Kody did a great job in creating a character that is constantly disgruntled, but is still lovable. She’s spunky, and if not for the entire Wesley plot, The Duff would have been a great read.

Publisher: Poppy || Details →

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July 12, 2012

Review: A Midsummer’s Nightmare by Kody Keplinger

A lot of potential, but …

A Midsummer’s Nightmare is a contemporary fiction novel by Kody Keplinger that follows the story of Whitley and her family. Whitley’s parents divorced when she was younger and now she lives with her mother who doesn’t pay attention to her. Even though she would prefer to live with her father, he is too busy with his news job to look after a child fulltime. With this abandoned feeling, Whitley acts out by drinking, partying and sleeping around.

The story opens with her waking up in a stranger’s bed after graduation. After her escape she prepares to go spend time with her dad, who feels more like a cool older brother than a father, but things change from the moment he picks her up. She finds out that he’s moved to the suburbs, giving up his cool apartment, and is getting married in a few months, and her soon-to-be step-brother was her most recent one night stand.

As Kody Keplinger explores Whitely’s relationship with those around her, the reader gets glimpses into why she turned out the way she did. There are issues with her mother, her father and her new step-family as well as issues with the people in the usually quiet suburbian town where her father (a minor celebrity) moved.

I can’t say I was an absolute fan of this story, but I did like the beginning a lot. Whitley is a sassy and cynical character and it’s hard to not feel sympathetic towards her; I thought the beginning was spectacular even if the ending fizzled out a bit. The main conflict was between Whitley and her father - he’s not the same as she remembered and she feels like he has no time for her with his new family, most of all he’s ignoring the cyber-bullying that is happening to her. Yet, all of this gets resolved in just a few pages at towards the end. The next conflict was Whitley and Nathan’s growing attraction to each other. A majority of the story was spent setting them up¹, but I couldn’t help feeling as though their relationship was a little flat. I was also a little surprised that everyone seemed accepting of their relationship.

I thought there were a lot of great issues raised in this story but not enough time to properly pay attention to each. Overall it was a very quick read and all my little issues aside, I think it would be a good addition for some dramatic summer reading.

¹Personally, I think this distracted from the issues with her dad. I felt it would have been better if it was more focused on dad and less on Nathan.

Publisher: Poppy || Details →

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July 5, 2012

Review: The White Glove War by Katie Crouch

An ok second…

** Note ** This review will spoil the first book in this series. You can read the first review here.

At the end of The Magnolia League, Alex finds that her mother is trapped in the In Between and she’s certain that her grandmother is evil so she makes a bargin with Sina to save her mother and destroy the league, declaring a White Glove War.

I was a bit disappointed with this story because, all the things that let me down me in the first book were magnified in this book. Thaddeus seems to care more about a girl he just met a few days ago, one who is mistreating the sister he claims to love. Alex is well, a bit of a brat. Then, the adults in this story all act like children. The only redeeming characters in this book are Hayes and Madison (even though Madison’s relationship with Dex is a bit out of left field).

However, where the character lacked, the story somewhat made up for them. Alex is working with Sina to help free her mother, meanwhile a force known as the Gray Man is seeking to destroy Alex and anyone who gets in his way. The story wasn’t as suspenseful as it should have been even with all these elements. It’s written in two first person point of views and sometimes switches to third person - which can take a reader out of the flow of the story, making it seem scattered. However, like it’s predecessor, The White Glove was a quick and easy read; one of those books you’d take on a road trip, or to the beach.

[This is an ARC review]

Publisher: Poppy || Details →

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July 3, 2012

Review: The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer

A great read and debut!

When I first heard that the guy from Glee was writing a children’s book, it was easy to roll my eyes and think, “Oh great, another T.V. celebrity using their fame to sell books”. However, Chris Colfer played Kurt on Glee, and he sorta won my heart when he sang Defying Gravity¹, so I thought I’d give his book a whirl. When he spoke at the BEA Children’s Authors Breakfast² he explained a bit more about his book and it sounded interesting, so I thought, perhaps there will be more to it than just another celebrity book; I was not disappointed.

The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell is a great book to read aloud to kids - or, to read yourself. All the fairytale characters that we cherish as children, come alive on the pages. Twins, Alex and Conner, find themselves in a land where the characters from the stories they heard growing up turn out to be real. Sleeping Beauty really did fall asleep and now, awoken, is having problems keeping her kingdom awake long enough to function. Cinderella had a lot of friction with the people in her kingdom, especially the richer folks, who were angry that Prince Charming did not choose one of their daughters, and the Big Bad Wolf pack runs around the woods terrorizing people.

To find their way home, Alex and Conner must collect some magical items to make a Wishing Spell. The quest takes them all across the land - in a race against an unknown stranger who seem to be collecting items for the spell as well - and they need to be the first to find it, or they wouldn’t be able to find their way home.

There are many fun references to fairytale characters and their lives off the pages. This story is imaginative and I think parents and children will have a good time reading it together and perhaps even making up their own “off the page” stories. It’s a long story, however, I believe it will captivate children, especially those with wild imaginations, for a very long time. The Land of Stories is fast paced with tons of action to keep children engaged in reading.

I do want to stress that this book is suitable for young children. While middle graders will enjoy it, I think that it might be best suited for even younger children. Regardless of its length, younger kids would be able to appreciate the land and the stories, especially if they’ve recently read the fairytales, while older kids (and adults) might find it a bit on the simple side.

I enjoyed reading this story³ and am definitely looking forward to seeing what Chris Colfer’s imagination serves up next.

[received an ARC at BEA]

¹ Quite possibly my favourite Broadway song.
² Book Expo America, I didn’t make the breakfast, but I did see it online. Great job on that BEA folks!
³ Yes, I enjoyed it, even though I’m not a very young child - though some might beg to differ.

This was my first read in the BEA Book Club! Read Alexa’s review on her blog.

Release Date: 17th July, 2012 || Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers || Details →

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July 2, 2012

Review: The Magnolia League by Katie Crouch

Great idea, but …

Take a few debutantes, some magic and add a bit of mystery and you’ve got yourself The Magnolia League.

Katie Crouch pens the story of three girls - Alex, Hayes and Madison - who are the newest debutantes and who seem to have all the luck in their corner. Alex grew up with her mother in a communal farm in California, where she helped her take care of the herb gardens. After a car accident left her parent-less (she doesn’t know who or where her father is) she is forced to live with her Grandmother - a young-looking and powerful woman - in Savannah. Upon arriving, she discovers that things are a bit different in Savannah and the Magnolia Leaguers seem to be harboring strange secrets and her mother’s death seems to be more than just an accident.

The idea itself has a lot of potential. Alex grows up in a completely different environment than Hayes and Madison and she is different than them in many ways - she’s doesn’t want to be a part of the Magnolia League, she’s chubby and has dreadlocks while they are slender with glamorous hair, she cares about the environment and the economy, while they live in a bubble of wealth. When she arrives to Savannah, she’s headstrong and has a mind of her own.

The way it fell short of its potential was Alex’s ultimate behavioral transformation. In the beginning, she’s different, and she loved her difference and always tried to stay true to herself. However, the moment being pretty and rich was dangled in front of her, Alex’s character changed. Hayes and Madison were more consistent characters, and it disappointed me the way Alex turned out to be shallow.

Then there is strange and sudden romance between her and Haye’s brother - Thaddeus. He claims that he liked Alex because she’s different, but only makes the confession when she starts confirming to the Magnolia League and looking pretty. He didn’t care much about the chubby girl with dreads; there was a point in the book (no spoilers) where he was talking to her but checking out skinny women. There wasn’t much of a development in their relationship, it just sorta happened and felt very shallow.

I don’t think the book sends a good message; Alex only becomes the true heroine and only gets the guy when she slims down and becomes a beauty. It was a pity that she decided to confirm instead of being different. I think that might have made the story a bit more interesting!

Overall, while somewhat shallow (characters and plot) The Magnolia League is a relatively quick and fluffy read with a bit of mystery on the side and I’m sure it will make a good light and entertaining summer read.

Publisher: Poppy || Details →

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June 30, 2012

Review: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

I’m on the fence about this one

Beautiful Creatures, by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, opens up to a very absorbing world. Ethan – the narrator of the story – has been experiencing very realistic nightmares of a girl who keeps slipping through his grasps no matter how hard he tries to save her. Lena – the town shut-in, old man Ravenwood’s, niece – has recently moved into the small southern town and strange things seem to happen when she’s around. The strangest is that she’s the girl from Ethan’s dreams.

As he tries to become familiar with Lena and figure out why she’s haunting his dreams¹, Ethan is pulled into a topsy turvy world where he experiences flashes of the past, witnesses supernatural things, discovers the secret world of Casters and finds himself on the wrong side of the town of Gatlin – a small southern town, with small-minded occupants who live for their annual Civil War reenactment and show disdain to anyone who goes against the grain. Lena is in trouble and she has until her sixteenth birthday to figure out what to do.

I had two big issues with the story, Ethan, and Ethan and Lena. Initially, I couldn’t figure out who Ethan was as a character. He has a sarcastic way of speaking about the town he lives in, he’s a jock, he’s got tons of friends but doesn’t seem to like any of them – except for Link – and yet, when Lena comes into his life, he loses his identity. It’s no longer Ethan, a witty character, but Ethan an infatuated boy who is suddenly living only for Lena.

Ethan and Lena, while often very adorable, can’t seem to figure anything out when they are together. I noticed this when – towards the middle of the story – they spend some time apart and the plot is furthered by their separation when Ethan finds a clue form the past. A lot of times I was frustrated with their lack of insight when they tried to put their heads together, when the solution seemed blaringly obvious to me as a reader. I guess in their case two heads are more distracted than one.

There is also the fact that Ethan and Lena seem to make very bad decisions when together. They both seem to be smart characters, yet, they continually put themselves in positions that will open them up to the hatred of the town. It was a bit frustrating.

However, there were quite a few things that I liked about the story. The community of Gatlin that Kami and Margaret build is very realistic. The way the people in town treated Lena and her uncle, the things that they seem to hold as important, their closeness to each other and protection of each other (even if it was against another family in town) created community of characters who, even though they were very small-minded and traditional, were very believable. I did like that not all the characters in the town were like this, which makes the community even more believable.

I loved the way the Casters were introduced and the magical system set up. It didn’t feel rush and overwhelming, but the slow way the reader was introduced to the magic – through actual acts – was well paced. The whole magical system and the way the authors chose to utilize it were different than the norm and even though some was explained there is still more for the reader to discover in upcoming novels. I do admit, however, that the whole mind-speak thing that Ethan and Lena had was more amusing than amazing, they are together a lot, and often alone, it didn’t seem necessary to have them speak to each other through their minds.

There were a few minor characters that I loved, Amma, Macon Ravenwood and Marian were fun to read, and while I wasn’t a fan of Ethan I did appreciate the way that each character stood on their own; I never found myself confused as to who was who nor did they sound the same.

It’s a long story and sometimes it felt like it dragged a bit and I really felt that a few things could have been cut to make it shorter². I’m curious to see how this story unfolds, hopefully we’ll get more information on the Casters and the society; but with a slightly faster pace.

¹ This is just a nice way of saying insta-love alert.
² That entire dance scene was a bit unnecessary and could have been entirely avoided.

[This is an ARC review]

Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers || Details →

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June 25, 2012

Review: Wintertown by Stephen Emond

A story of friendship and change

Stephen Edmon introduces readers to the story of Evan and Lucy in, Wintertown. Evan and Lucy grew up together, they were best friends, inseparable. Then Lucy’s parents divorced and Lucy moved away with her mom. Lucy spends every Christmas break with her dad, something that Evan looks forward to every year, but this year is different. Lucy is different and Evan’s not sure what to say to or how to act around this new Lucy.

Wintertown was a great read for me; it’s a bit melancholy with quite a few sweet moments sprinkled in between. Evan’s family is a bundle of fun, especially his Gram. (A sassy grandmother? Yes, please!) Evan’s friends are quite hilarious, adding comic relief to the story.

Though the beginning focuses on Evan and his reaction to “New Lucy”, the rest focuses on Lucy and the mystery behind why she is different this year. As Lucy’s past year unfolds, the reader and Evan begin to understand Lucy on a different level - and in a way, understand “Old Lucy”. I found the resolution and reveal to be very realistic and appreciated that the story wasn’t just a fluffy tale.

I loved that the characters had such strong history, it made me care about what happened to them, even if I didn’t agree with their actions. I also enjoyed the drawings that are scattered throughout the novel. Evan is an artist and there are drawing from both him and Lucy that align with the story and adds another layer to the storytelling. I found that, while this book was a quick read the story stays with you after the cover is closed. If you’re looking for a quite, but real story, this is definitely the book for you.

Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers || Details →

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April 16, 2012