Review: Darker

Darker by E.L. James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

For me, this was better than the original. In my opinion, Christian is the more interesting and dynamic character, by far, than Anna. It's still as hot and sexy as the first, but it worked better because we got to see the story through the eyes of a much more complex and engaging character. Plus, there was none of that "inner goddess" nonsense that always got on my nerves. Well worth the read. I couldn't put it down.

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Review: Beyond the Messy Truth: How We Came Apart, How We Come Together

Beyond the Messy Truth: How We Came Apart, How We Come Together by Van Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As far as political books go, I found this one to be engaging and thought-provoking. The main idea that I took away from it is that hard-core tribalism that is consuming our politics (on both sides) is actually hurting our country. The truth is, we need both liberals and conservatives. Each side has different ideas and perspectives and is needed to balance the other, but when they refuse to engage in civil debate and insist on winning rather than finding the middle ground, nothing gets done and the people suffer. We all have a common purpose and this should lead to a desire to come up with solutions for the good of all. We may have different ideas on how to get there, but we all know that when we are better together than apart. We are called the United States for a reason.

In my opinion, Jones made a concerted effort to be as unbiased as possible, meaning that he didn't set out to play the blame game. Even though he is a liberal, he didn't just point the figure at conservatives. He pointed out challenges facing both sides, many of which I agreed with, and put forth a fairly common sense solution to bridging the divide. I find it beyond frustrating to watch our politicians at work and the dysfunction that is plaguing our system, but I do have hope that common sense and common purpose will eventually win out.

I think books like this one are a good start for opening that dialogue and show that there is a desire to not necessarily bring the sides together but create a space where we can still disagree respectfully and use our different ideas to create better solutions. It's done every day in the home, workplace, and in business. It's necessary for innovation and progress. I hope we can all remember this sooner rather than later.

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Review: Poirot Investigates

Poirot Investigates by Agatha Christie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a delightful collection of short stories about Hercule Poirot and his partner, Captain Hastings. For me, the most enjoyable part of this collection was the relationship between Poirot and Hastings, which was reminiscent of Holmes and Watson. The mysteries were not as involved or elaborate as Christie's full-length ones, but they still made for a pleasant read.

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Review: The Murder on the Links

The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Agatha Christie once again delivers a multifaceted and layered mystery plot with a touch of humor that only the delightful Hercule Poirot can bring. I stopped attempting to figure this one out about halfway through because I just couldn't and just went along for the ride. It was wonderfully enjoyable.

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Review: Salvage the Bones

Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I loved Jesmyn Ward's nonfiction narrative, The Men We Reaped. It was beautifully written and full of deep emotion. While this novel is also beautifully written - Ward's writing style is rather lyrical, even poetic - and certainly had emotion, I was less drawn in by this one.

It tells the story of a poor, African American family over the course of twelve days, ending with the arrival of Hurrican Katrina. For me, the most engaging part of the story was the last few chapters as the family was gearing up for the arrival of Katrina and then when the storm finally hit. I wish there had been more to this and less of the preceding events. I also found the end to be unsatisfying. I wanted to know more about what happened to the family after the storm than Ward gave me. Still, I think this is a novel worth reading.

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Review: Unclaimed Regrets

Unclaimed Regrets by Stacy M. Wray
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have mixed feelings about this one. It was an enjoyable story and I liked the characters and the overall storyline. However, I found the plot to be predictable and reminiscent of many other NA novels that I have read. I thought that the narrative dragged in some places and I wasn't crazy about the final twist. It felt unnecessary and prolonged the end of the story. Nevertheless, if you are looking for a romance and enjoy stories about second chances or "will they, won't they" stories then I would suggest giving this one a chance. It wasn't my favorite, but I still liked it.

Note: I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Men We Reaped

Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a beautifully written piece of prose. In the book, Ward recounts the death of several friends and family members over the course of five years. It is a book about loss and deeply seeded grief, however, it's more than just a personal narrative about a series of tragedies. Many of the deaths speak to larger societal problems that are endemic in many African American communities throughout our country. But it's not a condemning narrative. Ward recognizes personal responsibility as well as the systems in place that leave many African Americans feeling like they have no other options. Through this memoir, Ward attempts to process and understand why the lives around her keeping getting cut short. It's heartbreaking and poignant and a narrative that you will not soon forget.

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Review: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a fun audiobook to listen to, reminiscent of the radio serials of the old days. Once again, Christie put an unexpected twist at the end making for a very entertaining listen/read.

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Review: The Mysterious Affair at Styles

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot series is quickly becoming one of my new guilty pleasures. I love this little Belgium and his OCD ways. He is both annoying and incredibly endearing and I love how he uses his "little gray cells" to unravel the mystery. Unlike other mystery novels, I wasn't able to unravel this one right away. In fact, I got it completely wrong. This book was entertaining from start to finish and I can't wait to read the next one in the series.

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Review: The Hate U Give

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is incredibly relevant and timely. Through Star's narrative, Angie Thomas creates a story that is heartbreaking, raw, and real. It could have been ripped right from the headlines as it mirrors so many of the tragic police shootings involving unarmed African Americans. It's a bigger story than that, however. It also explores the issue of identity and how African Americans have to navigate in a society that still sees them as "other," which can be seen in Star's constant shifting between versions of herself depending on who she is with or where she is.

As a white female, there were many parts of this story that I could sympathize with, but not fully emphasize with. I think books like this are important because it gives us a window into what it's really like to be African American in the U.S. today in a way that is accessible to those both within and outside the African American community. And while I will not claim to understand everything, books like The Hate U Give are great conversation starters. I think many people, myself included, want to be allies in this fight, and it starts with greater understanding. Novels like this can help to foster that understanding because it is a truly human story.

The best part of this book is that Star is not just another victim. She's a phoenix rising. She comes through a tragedy and on the other side she is stronger. She finds her voice, her fight, her desire to make the world a better place. The end of this novel is incredibly inspiring and empowering. Star may have lost some friends, but she also gained some unexpected allies, found herself, and a purpose. This is a beautiful book and I hope it will be widely read.

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Review: The Mountain Between Us

The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was rather surprised by this book. Based on the previews and interviews I had seen about the upcoming film, I was anticipating a love story with some adventure thrown in. What I got, was surprisingly more. Yes, this is an adventure/survival story. In fact, a good chunk of it is an adventure/survival story that is suspenseful, desperate, heartbreaking, and at times, humorous. It is also a love story, but what was surprising was how layered and complex the "love story" turned out to be. This is not simply a love story between two people who survive a horrific accident. It is a layered love affair spanning time, distance, and is bigger than just the two main characters.

The plot of this story is so rich. I'll admit that I had a pretty easy time figuring out the twist in the plot, however, the characters took me on such an emotional ride that I didn't lose interest in the story. There is so much to unpack in this novel. It's so much bigger than just surviving and falling in love. It's about loss, forgiveness, second chances, hope, and faith. It was a beautiful story and I found myself a bit haunted by it. I'm hoping the movie is as good as the book.

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Review: Murder on the Orient Express: A Hercule Poirot Mystery

Murder on the Orient Express: A Hercule Poirot Mystery by Agatha Christie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Confession 1: I love Johnny Depp. I see all of his movies, even the ones that I know are going to be super weird. So naturally, when I heard that he was going to be appearing in the film adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express I snatched up a copy of the book as quickly as I could because I always try to read the book before seeing the movie. Confession 2: This is my first Agatha Christie novel and I think I'm in love. I loved this novel from start to finish. I can't believe I've never read any of her novels before, but I'm definitely hooked and will be checking out more of her Hercule Poirot novels.

The novel was well written with just the right balance of mystery and suspense. The cast of characters was interesting and I loved how the murder mystery unfolded. Agatha Christie is the queen of mystery, a title she rightly deserves. I was a little worried about picking up the tenth book in a series without having read the others, but my worry was quickly assuaged. You do not need to read the other novels in the series in order to understand this one. While I was able to piece together some of the mystery, the final outcome was not predictable under revealed by Poirot at the end. I'm excited to check out some of the other books in this series. I may be binge reading them all in the near future...

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Review: Thirteen Reasons Why

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I should start by saying that my first encounter with this story was through the Netflix series. There was a lot of buzz around the series when it first came out, especially amongst the middle school students I teach. After hearing some really mixed reviews, I decided to check the TV series out. I wish I hadn't. While I believe the intention of the series was to engage in a conversation about a really serious issue - mental health, suicide, and its various causes - I found the series to be unnecessarily graphic and gratuitous. There are scenes from that show that I will never be able to unsee and were only there for pure shock value.

After having seen the TV series, I was much less inclined to read the book, which should tell you something, since I am a firm believer that the book is always better. And, truthfully, it was better. It was still a hard book to read. What happens to Hannah is heartbreaking, as it is with anyone who takes their own life. However, the writers of the TV series took a lot of "artistic license" with Jay Asher's novel. The book is not as shocking and gratuitous as the series and because of that, I found it more powerful than the series. There are several things that happen in the TV series that do not happen in the novel or are greatly exaggerated for shock value. The most notable being how Hannah actually commits suicide.

The concept of the book was interesting and I can understand how it would appeal to TV producers. Thirteen tapes, thirteen episodes. Even though the book was broken up this way, I found the narrative easy to follow. I think stories like Thirteen Reasons Why are important, especially when considering the mental health crisis we have in our country today. However, when these stories are mishandled by Hollywood, it glorifies suicide and has the opposite effect. We need to do more as a society to change the hateful rhetoric, promote mental health, stop bullying, reduce stress, and provide affordable treatments without stigma. Books like this can serve as a wonderful launch pad for discussing these difficult issues with our young people, but only if they are handled responsibly. I would recommend the book, but not the TV series.

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Review: The Handmaid's Tale

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I always find it fascinating when a novel written years or even decades ago can still ring so true when read again by modern readers. This book was originally published in the 1980's, decades after the start of the Women's Movement, but in a decade that saw tremendous advancement and backlash against the struggle for equality and autonomy for women. Sadly, even in 2017, we are still having many of the same conversations that our grandmothers, mothers, aunts, and sisters have had before us.

I found Atwood's book to be both intriguing and absolutely terrifying. First, I love dystopian fiction. It is one of the richest genres, in my opinion. It often has the ability to shine the light on social issues and inequalities in a way that is thought-provoking and accessible. The world that Atwood created was so vivid and believable. Given the right catalyst, I could easily see this becoming a reality. As a woman and as a Christian, the world that Atwood created terrified me on so many levels.

These days it feels like every advancement and right that women have managed to secure since winning the right to vote in 1911 is under attack. It feels like everyone and their brother (pun intended here) has an opinion on what I and my fellow females should do with our lives, bodies, and what our role in society should be. Nevermind, what we think, as many of these discussions are happening behind closed doors in rooms full of white men. I also love how politicians and the like will hide behind the "family values" or "Christian values" banner as justification for rolling back the advancements that women have fought so hard for and continue to fight for.

Don't misunderstand. I don't hate men and I'm not some "crazy" feminist. I do consider myself a feminist, but feminism to me has always meant that women have the right to chose. You want to get married and be a stay-at-home-mom? Good for you! You want to be a CEO and run your own business and not have children? Awesome! You want to be a CEO and run your own business and have a family? More power to you! The point is, that every woman should have the right to chose what she wants for her life and should be given the same opportunities as her male counterparts, free of social pressures and judgment. Sadly, we are not there yet. And as a Christian, nothing angers me more than when people justify hatred, bigotry, and oppression with religion. Nothing could be less "Christian."

But I digress. The point I'm trying to make is that Atwood's book is as relevant today as it was when it was published over 30 years ago. I'm excited to watch the series on Hulu (I know, I'm behind the curve!), especially since it has gotten such great reviews and won so many awards. I think books like The Handmaid's Tale are important, especially in today's society, because they serve as a reminder of the need to stay vigilant in the continued battle for equality and how easily it can disappear.

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Review: The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I rather enjoyed this third installment of The Mysterious Benedict Society series. I love the characters created by Stewart and they are all back in this novel. Just like the others, this book is full of adventure, mystery, problem-solving, humor, and heart. While the plot was a bit more far-fetched than the others, in the end, I didn't mind as much as I normally would because I love the characters so much that I just went along for the ride. I thought Steward did a good job wrapping up loose ends and I was pleased with the ending.

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Review: A Dog's Purpose

A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As a dog lover, I firmly believe that dogs do have unique personalities and do feel emotions. There is nothing like the love and loyalty of a dog. The dogs that I have had have truly enriched my life. They are remarkable creatures and I love stories where dogs are the star. They tend to be wonderful stories full of heart and lessons.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story from start to finish. W. Bruce Cameron did a wonderful job of getting inside the head of a dog and the narrative felt believable like a dog really was telling the story. I enjoyed how he wove the different incarnations of Bailey together, representing the spectrum of experiences. Some of them were hard to read and it makes me so sad to know that there are people in this world that treat animals with such cruelty. However, there were also some wonderfully uplifting parts of the story. The end is bittersweet but satisfying. If you're a dog lover then this book is worth your time.

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Review: A Wrinkle in Time

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This novel has been on my to-read list for awhile and since I heard that it was being made into a movie, I figured I better get it read. To be honest, I have really mixed feelings about this one. It was a highly imaginative novel and it reminded me of another childhood favorite, the Narnia series. However, there was just something missing in this one for me. Despite some of the vivid imagery, it still felt, for lack of a better word, vague. The story felt very abstract and because of that, at times, I had trouble connecting it. I wonder if I would have had a different reading experience if I read it as a young adult. There are more books in the series, but at this point, I don't know if I will check them out right now.

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Review: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a wonderful audiobook! Eddie Redmayne does a wonderful job embodying Newt Scamander and reading his world-famous reference book. I loved it!

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Review: Beartown

Beartown by Fredrik Backman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is certainly a departure from Backman's other novels, but it still has the hallmarks that make his writing so wonderful. Beartown lacks much of the humor that is typically infused throughout his storylines, but it is still a beautifully written novel. The way that Backman weaves together such intricately developed characters and storylines is truly masterful. Just when I thought I figured out where the story was going, Backman threw in another twist and took the story in a different direction.

Even if you are not a hockey and/or sports fan, this book is worth the read. While Beartown is a hockey town, the novel is less about hockey and more about community, family, and relationships. It explores the meaning of community, the privileges of belonging to a community, the disadvantages or struggles when you don't fit in, and the responses people have when their communities are threatened by both inside and outside forces.

This novel was beautifully written and I was able to lose myself in Backman's masterful story telling, which is all I really ask of a good book...the chance to escape reality and step into a different world. The pages of this book are worth steping into.

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Review: The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by Trenton Lee Stewart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a wonderful sequel! This series is my new favorite YA series. Trenton Lee Stewart has given us such well developed and endearing protagonists in Reynie, Kate, Constance, and Sticky. They have so much heart and personality and make for such an entertaining read. This installment had all the heart, humor, adventure, and mystery that made me fall in love with the first book. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish and I am eager to get my hands on the next book in the series.

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Review: Heartless

Heartless by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really love Marissa Meyer's ability to reimagine classic fairy tales and put a unique spin on them. After reading her Lunar Chronicles series, I was excited to learn that she was releasing a new novel. I love Alice and Wonderland and was excited to see what Meyer would do with it. She definitely did a good job paying homage to the original and I thoroughly enjoyed most of the book. I thought the second half of the book was a bit drawn out and I was disappointed in the climax and end of the novel. Not because I didn't like what happened...more that I felt it all happened rather abruptly after so much build up. This is what keeps it from being a 5-star read for me. Other than that, I think it's a great read that fairy tale fans will enjoy.

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Review: Between Shades of Gray

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a beautifully written book. The characters were vibrant and well developed. However, like most books that deal with difficult topics such as genocide, it was not an easy book to listen to. As a history buff, I was somewhat familiar with Stalin's horrific treatment of the Lithuanians, but not the extent as Hitler's treatment of the Jews. This book is certainly an introduction to what many of these people suffered.

Although the narrative was set in desolate Siberia and even though its characters suffered unimaginable cruelties, it wasn't just doom and gloom. Between the shades of gray of the storyline were small moments of love, kindness, perseverance, and hope. These moments added a humanity to the narrative that was tangible and awe-inspiring. I don't know if I could have survived with my humanity in tack. Books like Between Shades of Gray are important because they tell about moments in history when humanity is at its absolute worst and best. Stories like these need to be told so that these events and people are not forgotten.

This is a difficult, but beautiful and worthwhile read.

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Review: Wonder

Wonder by R.J. Palacio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a beautiful, beautiful book. I don't even know if I have words to describe how much I loved this book. It made me laugh, cry, and cheer. August is one of the most wonderful, brave, funny, and amazing characters ever created. I loved that the book switched perspective as it gave the characters and narrative depth and added complexity. This kept the story from being flat and made it more relatable, as there is always more than one side in real life.

This is a book that everyone, especially students, should read. It teaches about compassion, the complex nature of family and friendship, peer pressure, sacrifice, growing up, and so much more. I really hope the upcoming film adaptation does this book justice. This book is simply amazing and one that I will never forget.

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Review: I Am America

I Am America by Stephen Colbert
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

If you enjoy Stephen Colbert's brand of "right-wing extremism" then you will enjoy this book. While I tend to the center-left, I have always enjoyed Colbert's satirical commentary on right-wing politics. Since the audiobook is read by the author, it added another level of enjoyment to hear the book delivered in Colbert's truly unique style. The book is laugh-out-loud funny and if you are a fan of Colbert or political satire, this one is for you.

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Review: Champion

Champion by Marie Lu
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love dystopian fiction, but I often find myself disappointed with the final book in the series. However, Lu delivers a very satisfying conclusion to this story. The final installment is still jammed pack with the drama, turmoil, action, and political maneuvering that made the others great. I thought the last quarter of the book dragged a bit, but it all came together nicely and I wasn't left with the desire to throw it across the room (You know the feeling...when you have invested in a series only to be completely disappointed in the end...). The whole series is well written and worth the read.

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Review: The Mysterious Benedict Society

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a wonderful story! This might be my new favorite YA series. The cast of characters is fun, full of personality and spunk, and completely endearing. The plot has the right mix of mystery, humor, and adventure to capture your attention and keep it. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish and I'm excited to get the next book in the series.

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Review: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood

Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What was intriguing about this book for me is that Trevor Noah and I are almost the same age. We grew up in the same time period but the worlds we grew up in couldn't have been more different. Noah recalls a series of stories from his childhood/young adulthood growing up during apartheid in South Africa. The book is endearing, funny, touching, poignant, shocking, unique, yet at the same time, universal. The narrative is witty and well told, and I frequently laughed while reading. Noah uses humor to make stories that deal with some heavy material accessible to the reader. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

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Review: The Circle

The Circle by Dave Eggers
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This modern day dystopian novel explores technology and social media through The Circle, a multi-faceted company, that is "revolutionizing" the world. While we are increasingly connected through social media and technological advancements are making life easier and easier, what is the true cost?

I found Mae, the protagonist who joins The Circle as a new employee, to be a frustrating character. While her somewhat clumsy rise through The Circle showcased the pressures of social media and how easy it is for technology to take over, she is so easily led that she is a rather flat character. She would have been a much more dynamic character if she had any independent will whatsoever. She is a sheep and that makes for a boring protagonist. The other characters are also stereotypical and clearly meant to exemplify our modern-day technology tycoons.

Overall, the story was entertaining, however, it is also somewhat predictable and slow at times. As most dystopian novels are meant as a commentary on some social issue, I'm not sure that this one really adds to the conversation. It seems to speak in extremes. You're either all in and are ready to sell your soul to technology or you're all out, dropping off the grid completely. Isn't moderation the key?

It's not horrible, but it's not fantastic either.

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Review: Prodigy

Prodigy by Marie Lu
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As sequels go, this one is definitely not a filler. If anything, Lu uses Prodigy to expand and deepen the storyline. She didn't just move the story forward but made the plot even more intricate and complex. In true YA fashion, there's also the beginning of a love triangle, which adds additional drama. There are a few curve balls thrown in and several more moving pieces added, making this a must read.

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Review: Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I come from a Disney-fanatic family. We love all things Disney and frequent the theme parks often. We speak in Disney quotes and some of my fondest memories are centered around the brand. I can still remember going to see with my mom when I was a little girl and Belle has always been one of my favorite princesses. I'm not going to lie...I still have library envy every time I see the movie.

One thing I love about fairy tales is reading the original and comparing the stories to their "Disney-fied" versions. I have to admit that while reading this version, I missed some of my favorite characters. There is not Lumiere, Clocksworth, or Ms. Potts. Belle also has siblings and the conflict is simplified. There is no Gaston nor do the villagers attack Beast's castle. However, the heart of the story is there - looking past the physical to the heart and soul of a person and falling in love with that rather than outward appearances.

There is still a happy ending and the story is still a romance. And really, that's all I ask for out of my fairy tales.

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Review: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

My students read this novel as part of our justice unit in Language Arts. I liked this book. It is incredibly well written and Taylor is a genuine storyteller. The narrative was descriptive without being verbose. The characters are well developed and accessible to students. The conflict is rich and provided many opportunities for discussion. My students particularly liked discussing the social structure between the African American community and the Caucasian community, as well as the differences within the African American community itself. They were able to make connections between this story and current events in the news, which generated a lot of thoughtful insights.

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Review: The Princess Diarist

The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have always been a fan of Carrie Fisher. I appreciate her dry and witty sense of humor. I was saddened to learn of her passing and that of her mother's only a few days later. I had this book on my to-read list for awhile and when the audiobook became available through my local library, I snatched it up.

The Princess Diarist came about when Fisher discovered some long-lost diaries that she had kept while filming the first Star Wars movie. The first part of the book chronicles Fisher's experiences with auditioning for the part and getting cast. She also reveals that she and her co-star, Harrison Ford, had a brief affair while filming the first film. I was glad that Fisher was the narrator for the audiobook. It made it that much more special to hear the stories in her voice. Her unique personality shines through beautifully.

The middle of the book consists of the journal pages, read by Billie Lourd, presumably because she sounds younger and Fisher wanted the journal pages to sound like the voice of a nineteen-year-old, which is when she wrote them. The journal pages consist mostly of entries written in poetic form and reveal the inner dialogue of a young, naive, and vulnerable teen. I found them to be quite good and was impressed with Fisher's writings. I found them to be rather sophisticated, especially for someone who never graduated from high school. Fisher was a very talented writer.

The end of the book explores Fisher's love-hate relationship with her role of Princess Leia. I found this part of the narrative to be particularly entertaining, especially Fisher's description of what she calls a "lap dance" or when celebrities participate in events where they sell their autographs for cash.

Overall, I found the book to be entertaining, funny, witty, and engaging. It made me sad to think that we have lost one of our biggest icons and brighest stars. Fisher's approach to this book makes you feel like you are out to coffee, listening to her tell stories and trying not to cry with laughter. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read.

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Review: Caraval

Caraval by Stephanie Garber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is quite the fantastical tale. The narrative is imaginative and a delight to the senses. Every page is full of magic, wonder, mystery, and danger. It is well written and the characters are dynamic and colorful. The games of Caraval hosted by the notorious, Legend, make for an entertaining and magical backdrop. Nothing is what it seems in this world that is both wondrous and deadly. The plot is full of twists and turns that kept me guessing and jumping to more than one false conclusion throughout. I am eagerly anticipating the sequel.

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Review: Under the Egg

Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fun adventure-mystery novel and I love that it had an art history twist. Theo is an intelligent and precocious character and the characters who help her solve the case are fun and make for an entertaining read. I loved the historical basis and twists of the plot and thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It's definitely a unique YA novel.

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Review: Bystander

Bystander by James Preller
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As a middle school teacher, I deal with issues of bullying on a regular basis. Often, bullying continues because bystanders refuse to intervene or report it, but the power of the bystander is one of the hardest messages to get across to students.

I really loved the idea of this book and I think that Preller did a really good job of developing believable characters and realistic conflict for the first three-quarters of the book. I was disappointed in the story’s resolution. I had hoped that the protagonist, Eric, would have taken the higher ground instead of acting like the bully himself.

While Eric does begin to question certain behaviors of his own and his friends, I wish he had gone further. I don't deny that bullying is a complicated issue, but I feel like this book falls a little short of its potential. Nevertheless, I do think that it can be used to generate a good discussion on the issue and I am considering using it as part of my social justice unit with my students.

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Review: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is just a screenplay but the closest thing to a novel that we are likely to get. I read it after watching the movie and felt like I was watching it play across the screen all over again. Even in screenplay form, J.K. Rowling’s writing remains as descriptive and wonderful as ever. The book is illustrated with fun little designs of the beasts throughout which makes this book a nice collectible and addition to any fan’s HP library.

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Review: Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat

Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynne Jonell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fun and imaginative little tale. It was full of humor, magic, mystery, and adventure. A modern-day fairytale. The plot was somewhat predictable, but it was well written and the characters were well developed. The story has heart and is an excellent addition to any children's literature section.

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Review: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Growing up, I loved the movie The Secret of NIMH. It was one of my favorites, up there with The Land Before Time and FernGully, but I never knew it was a book. I recently began preparing for our annual Battle of the Books competition and was pleasantly surprised to see Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH on the list of books.

Reading this book was like stepping back into my childhood for the briefest of moments. The story was just as I remembered, although there are some differences in plot between the movie and the novel, but the characters I loved were still there. As an adult, I was more aware of the darker undertones of the story, relating to the animal research and experimentation, but it was still mixed in with the humor and adventure I remembered from the film. I am probably biased towards this story, as many of us are about stories we encounter in our childhoods, but I still loved it. I look forward to sharing it with my children someday.

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Review: Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely

Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely by Lysa TerKeurst
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I like Lysa TerKeurst's books. Over the last few years, I have read a few of TerKeurst's books and have come to appreciate her straightforward and honest approach. For me, this book lacked some focus. It covered many aspects of rejection but lacked the depth that I have come to expect from TerKeurst. I just didn't connect to this book in the way that I have connected with others I have read.

The overall message, however, is an important one. We will all face rejection. It is inescapable, but we still have a choice on how we face rejection. We can give into it and allow it to become our identity and the lens through which we view the world or we can choose to "live loved" and embrace who we are in God. Neither path is without struggle and TerKeurst does give some helpful advice and verses in the book. While I did not feel as deep of a connection to this message as I expected, I did come away with a new perspective on rejection and, therefore, I think this book is a worthwhile read.

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Review: Legend

Legend by Marie Lu
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I do love a good dystopian novel and Legend does not disappoint. Set in what was once the United States, the book switches between the perspectives of June, a gifted and loyal soldier of the Republic, and Day, a slum-born rebel determined to undermine the Republic. I loved that these two characters were from such different worlds. The switching of the perspectives kept the story moving forward nicely and Lu does a really good job of developing these two characters. It's the juxtaposition of these two characters that makes the society's problems/realities really stand out. This novel has all the elements that make dystopian literature so entertaining - adventure, mystery, betrayal, and a dash of romance. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and will be jumping into the sequel ASAP.

2016 Reading Challenge: A romance set in the future

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Review: The Power Of Habit: Why We Do What We Do In Life And Business

The Power Of Habit: Why We Do What We Do In Life And Business by Charles Duhigg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a really interesting read! The book begins by going through the brain science behind what Duhigg refers to as the "Habit Loop." Our brains make thousands of decisions a day, so things that we routinely do become habits, so that our brains don't have to take up mental "bandwidth" thinking about them. Instead, when we are presented with a familiar cue, our brain goes into autopilot and completes the determined behavior without much thought to get the desired reward.

While nothing in the book was particularly mind-blowing, it was interesting to see behaviors broken down into a fairly simple model or process. Duhigg briefly talked about how to modify behaviors based on the "Habit Loop" and outlined some of his experiments with his own behaviors. The book goes on to explore how habit science has been used with business and other organizations with varying success.

If you are interested in how habits are formed and how they can be changed, I think this is a good book to start with. It is written in easy to understand language and there are several case studies included. It is certainly not the "be all, end all" of habit science, but even someone like me, who really had only a passing interest in the topic, enjoyed the book and found it informative.

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Review: Defending Jacob

Defending Jacob by William Landay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a great listen. It has all the great elements of a murder mystery/crime story. I liked the format of the narrative, which was like a trial within a trial format. There were some interesting plot twists, especially at the end, that kept the story interesting and prevented it from becoming predictable. It raised some interesting questions about free will and predetermination, nature vs. nurture, parenting, and family dynamics. This is a must read for all you murder mystery/crime story fans out there.

2016 Reading Challenge: A murder mystery

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Review: Our Revolution: A Future to Believe in

Our Revolution: A Future to Believe in by Bernie Sanders
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have always identified as a Democrat. I am pro-union, pro-choice, and tend to be fairly liberal when it comes to social issues. While I did not agree with everything President Obama did, overall, I was pleased with what he was able to do while in office. However, even I found myself disillusioned with my political party going into the 2016 election season. I had heard of Bernie Sanders prior to him running for president but was only vaguely aware of his policy stances. I knew he was an independent from Vermont and that his ideas were "progressive," but I didn't know specifics. Throughout the primary season, the more I listened to Bernie Sanders talk about various issues and challenges facing our country, the more I found myself agreeing with him. I appreciated his straight-forward and frank assessments of our country and his detailed plans for solutions. He was a breath of rationality in what felt like a circus act.

This book has two parts. The first chronicles Bernie's decision to run for office and his campaign for president. What I found to be so remarkable about Bernie's campaign was that is was very much a grassroots effort. He did not accept any money from PACs and all the money raised was from individual donors, averaging something like $23.00 a person. I have a big problem with the Citizens United decision and the role that money plays in our elections. I was disappointed to see other Democratic candidates, such as Hillary Clinton, spend so much time in fancy fundraisers instead of talking to average citizens. Like many Americans, I feel like big business and wealthy individuals have more say in our government because of their political contributions. I agree with Sanders that true campaign finance reform is needed. I appreciated the way he chose to run his campaign and feel that it should serve as a model for reform.

The second part lays out Bernie's agenda for transforming the country. Among the issues he addresses are money in politics, Wall Street, the decline of the middle class, health care, higher education, climate change, criminal justice reform, and corporate media. What I appreciated about this part of the book is that Sanders not only laid out the issues, supported by verifiable facts, but he also gave detailed solutions to the problems. So many politicians will speak ad nauseam about the troubles facing the nation but they never offer any solutions or detailed plans.

Regardless of whether or not you agree with his policies, I believe that we need more people like Sanders in Congress. People who remember that they are public servants who work for the American people and refuse to be beholden to the 1%. People who use logic and facts to create real solutions to problems and don't waste time arguing and talking in circles. People who are willing to "reach across the aisle" and cooperate and compromise to pass legislation that benefits ALL Americans, not just the businesses and top earners. Only then will real reform be possible, and our Democracy is in need of some serious reform.

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Review: The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House

The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House by Kate Andersen Brower
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book has a very Downton Abbey feel to it as it explores life in the White House, not through the lens of the First Family, but through the lens of the many service staff members that make the White House run. Brower interviewed several White House staff members and combined these insights with archival research to write this narrative.

The White House is a six-floor mansion, with 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 28 fireplaces, three elevators, and eight staircases and its employees are responsible for cleaning, repairing, and maintaining it all, on top of preparing everything from hors d’oeuvres for intimate gatherings to meals served at elaborate state dinners.

It was interesting to see everyday life in the White House through the eyes of apolitical people who support the First Families and whose first priority is not politics, but service. The stories they told were funny, touching, and told with a great deal of humility and respect.

The one thing that bothered me was that this book contains several stories that are also included in Brower's book, First Women. I read these two books back-to-back, so that might be why I was so cognizant of the overlaps. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book and learned some facts that I didn't know before, so all in all, a successful reading experience.

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Review: First Women: Inside the White House with the Modern First Ladies

First Women: Inside the White House with the Modern First Ladies by Kate Andersen Brower
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have always been fascinated by First Ladies and the roles they play in their husband's administration and in history. Brower's book takes a look at modern First Ladies spanning from 1960 to today, including Jacqueline Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson, Patricia Nixon, Betty Ford, Rosalynn Carter, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, and Michelle Obama.

The book is based on interviews with White House staff, friends, and family, as well as personal correspondence. It explores how these different women defined the role of "First Lady" for themselves, including navigating the transition of power, managing the White House, their own personal crusades, raising children in the public eye, their personal relationships with their husbands, dealing with the tensions between the West Wing and the East Wing, protecting their family's legacy, their relationships with each other, and facing national crises and tragedies.

It was an interesting read and readers who like history or political books will enjoy it.

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Review: The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo

The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I always have a mixed reaction to Amy Schumer. While I find her funny most of the time, sometimes she crosses over into the bit too crass for me. I did not find this book to be crass at all, in fact, I was surprised by how truly funny, insightful, honest, and vulnerable it was, not because I don't think Schumer is all of those things, but because it wasn't what I was expecting.

Mixed in with funny stories about her childhood and how she got started in comedy, which is what I was expecting to read, are some truly candid stories about her experiences with her father's illness and abusive relationships, which I wasn't necessarily expecting as I did not know much about Schumer's back story before this book. The result of this mix is an honest, humorous, and humanizing narrative (how's that for alliteration!) that is real but doesn't take itself too seriously.

Schumer does an excellent job narrating the book and I recommend the audiobook highly. It almost felt more like participating in a conversation rather than listening to someone tell their life story. If you're a fan of Schumer's or enjoy autobiographies by celebrities I would give this one a go.

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Review: The Engagements

The Engagements by J. Courtney Sullivan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an interesting narrative because it has a lot of moving pieces. It starts by chronicling how the diamond became the hallmark of the marriage/relationship market. Thanks to clever marketing campaigns by the De Beers family, the diamond has become the "go-to" stone for engagement rings and become status symbols for relationships here in America. Throughout the narrative, we return to the story of Frances Gerety, the copy editor in charge of the De Beers account, and follow the diamond's evolution from the 1940's through the 2000's.

Against this backdrop, we follow five love stories from different time periods. We meet Evelyn, who has been married to her husband for forty years. Delphine, who marries for companionship only to be swept up into an affair that doesn't last. There's James, a paramedic who works the night shift, who feels constant pressure knowing his wife’s family thinks she could have done better. Kate, partnered with Dan for a decade, who doesn't plan to ever marry and is helping with her gay friends' wedding. All of these stories explore marriage and the role of the diamond through different lens and decades.

What I found to be most creative is how Sullivan brought all of these seemingly divergent stories that are so different and take place during different time periods all together. For me, it was not immediately obvious what was going to be the connecting thread, but I was quite impressed when it finally came out. It was quite creative storytelling.

The audiobook was a long one to listen to, as the print book is over 400 pages, but I did not find it hard to sustain my attention throughout the listening experience. I would definitely recommend checking this novel out.

2016 Reading Challenge: A book with a blue cover

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Review: The Magnolia Story

The Magnolia Story by Chip Gaines
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love Chip and Joanna Gaines. Fixer Upper is one of my favorite HGTV shows to watch. I love Chip's goofy personality and Joanna's style. I love that they are faith and family oriented and their personalities appear very genuine. I've seen interviews with Chip and Joanna, so I knew a bit about their backstory, but I was interested in learning more.

I liked the structure of the book. It's mostly Joanna's telling the couple's story, but Chip jumps in throughout the book. Different fonts are used for Chip and Joanna, so it was easy to keep track of who was "speaking." Even though I have been a fan, I was surprised by things. For example, I didn't realize that Joanna does not have a background in design and that she is largely self-taught. I was also unaware of the many business ventures Chip has been a part of.

The humor and personality that Chip and Joanna display on their TV show is the same as what comes through in this narrative. It's a genuine and honest retelling of their relationship, struggles, and adventures. If you are a fan of their HGTV show, you will like this book.

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Review: The Language of Flowers

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 Stars

I have a love/not love so much relationship with this book. I won't say love/hate relationship because there was nothing about the book that I hated, just somethings that I didn't love so much.

Here's what I really loved about this book...First, I loved the premise. I loved that the main character, Victoria, was able to communicate using flowers. It was just an interesting juxtaposition - this character who had such a traumatic childhood using the one beautiful thing - flowers and their meanings - from her childhood to communicate and find her place in the world. Secondly, I liked how the story wove several narratives together, many of which had "full circle" moments, which added a lot of depth to the novel as a whole. Overall, I found the book to be well written, perhaps a bit too long in some places, but a tremendous effort for a first-time author.

Here's what I didn't love so much...here's where you might want to stop reading because of spoilers...

(view spoiler)[I had a hard time with the character Victoria. I was totally on board with her and her character until she found out she was pregnant. I did not like how she handled her whole pregnancy and subsequent abandonment of her child. For me, she made assumptions and acted selfishly. She didn't even give Grant a chance to support her through becoming a mother, she just assumed he would abandon her. She turned her back on many of the offers for help from her boss and friends and refused to accept the help they were offering. She isolated herself and then became angry when she failed. I get that she fell into the patterns of her upbringing, but when someone throws you a lifeline and you refuse to grab onto it, you can't be mad at them because you drown. I lost a lot of sympathy for this character and because of that, it made it a little tough to get through the second half of the book.

I also had issues with the ending. I felt more for Victoria and Grant's daughter at the end then for any of the other characters. She was abandoned by both her mother and father, both of whom were simply perpetuating their own childhood experiences. I didn't like that their daughter became the second chance for Elizabeth, who also messed up. I appreciate that the three of them were trying to work it out at the end, but it just felt disingenuous to me. There just wasn't enough redeeming factors to help me regain the connection that I lost and it kept me from really being able to love this book. (hide spoiler)]

I think this one is worth the read. Overall, it is a beautiful story about broken people and their journies back to wholeness. I wish some things had turned out differently but I would still recommend the novel.

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Review: Scrappy Little Nobody

Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I rather enjoyed this audio book. It was fun to listen to Anna Kendrick read her own thoughts. I'm a big fan of Anna's and love her tweets on Twitter. I found the book to be very similar, full of wit and wry humor. I laughed out loud several times throughout the book. It's not all laughs, however. Anna does a nice job of balancing the humor with what I believe to be an honest telling of her experiences in Hollywood. I look forward to future books from Kendrick.

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