6/25/2017

Review: Wonder

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 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 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 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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6/24/2017

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

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 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 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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