12/30/2020

Review: A Gathering of Shadows

A Gathering of Shadows A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book picks up four months after the end of book one and is a page-turner! Schwab weaves together an amazing adventure story with plenty of twists and turns. And the ending!! The ending is a brutal cliffhanger! Loved this one!

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Review: A Conjuring of Light

A Conjuring of Light A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Schwab brings this series to a satisfying close in this third installment. It picks up right after the second book (and its brutal cliffhanger!) and is a faced paced race to the finish. It is full of emotion and each character has a satisfying arc. I was happy with how the series ended and this series has made me a V.E. Schwab fan. This series is well worth your time investment.

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Review: Midnight Sun

Midnight Sun Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

No one was more disappointed than me when Stephenie Meyer shelved Midnight Sun after it was leaked. To me, Edward has always been the more dynamic and interesting character over Bella, who always seemed a bit flat and stereotypical. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to return to "Twilight land" and relive the narrative through Edward's POV. I don't know that I liked this version better than the original, but it was different enough so that it didn't feel like I just reread the original. I thought this novel was worth the wait and if you are a fan of the original trilogy, then you will enjoy this new edition.

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Review: Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As a teacher, tackling the topic of racism is a daunting, but essential task. I am always on the lookout for resources to put in the hands of my students that will help them understand and also spark conversation. This book is a fantastic resource. It reworks the original narrative by Ibram X. Kendi into something that is engaging, accessible, and appropriate for young adults. Understanding something's history is important and this book provides some history and context for a difficult topic to discuss. I haven't read the original book but plan to check it out. If you are looking for books for young adults to help foster conversations around race, I highly recommend this one.

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Review: White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism

White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

You must be willing to pick up this book with an open mind and a willingness to learn. If not, you will be easily offended and will not be open to what this book is about. The biggest takeaway I had from reading this book is the pervasiveness of racism and the stronghold it has in our societal institutions. While I'd like to think that I had some awareness of racism before, this book made me reflect and made me think that I was not as enlightened as I thought. Because I am part of the group that is considered the "norm," I have the privilege of not having to think about race every day and at every turn. It's hard to talk to white people about racism because it requires us to rethink and reconsider everything and to think about things that we've never had to think of. This book is certainly a start for engaging in the kind of reflection that is necessary to understanding institutional racism and the role that we all play in upholding the system. However, you need to be open to reading confrontational ideas and open to doing some soul searching, otherwise, reading this book will probably be ineffective.

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Review: How to Have Your Life Not Suck: Becoming Today Who You Want to Be Tomorrow

How to Have Your Life Not Suck: Becoming Today Who You Want to Be Tomorrow How to Have Your Life Not Suck: Becoming Today Who You Want to Be Tomorrow by Bianca Juarez Olthoff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book combines two of my favorite things - Bianca Olthoff and the book of Ruth. I have had the pleasure of seeing Bianca preach a few times and she is engaging, funny, and communicates the Word of God effectively. The story of Ruth is my favorite Bible story. So when I heard of this book, I was excited to dive in. Olthoff takes the story of Ruth and illustrates how it has applications for everyday life. She uses Ruth's story to give Biblically-based, down-to-earth advice on a range of topics, from relationships to how to grow in your career. I laughed, found myself nodding along, and felt inspired to make changes in some areas where I have been feeling stuck. This is a great book and I highly recommend it for anyone who is feeling stuck or wanting to reflect on different aspects of their life.

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1/13/2019

Review: I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer

I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Michelle McNamara was a talented true crime writer and this book proves it. The writing was engaging and full of well-researched information, but not graphic or salacious in any way. The book had a slightly unfinished feel to it and was pieced together from several previously published pieces, which makes sense as it was published posthumously. I'm sorry that McNamara didn't live to see the Golden State Killer caught, but I'm sure her "obsessive" research and dogged pursuit of this monster's identity contributed to his capture. If true crime is your thing, I think this book is worth a chance.

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