(With no teenage romance!)Parent Rating: PG (fine for middle schoolers) only some violence.
Rating: 2.5/5 stars Teenage Myra lives in the near future when the monster's of our past (vampires) have taken over our world. Cherishing art, particularly in the form of the written word, she takes a journey to defeat the demons of her world and promote humanity through her storytelling. It looks like a thick book but really the story gets a little repetitive (conversations repeat constantly between the same characters) so with a little skimming it took no time at all! It wasn't a bad story (clearly not written for adults) but it wasn't anywhere close to the best of its genre either. (TryElla Enchanted, Marysvale, or The Little House Collection, for the same age group) It would make a fine gift for a middle schooler, and it's refreshing to find a little YA without the romance.
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Rating: 4.5/5 stars Appropriate for middle schoolers and above
Especially those interested in any sort of paleontology (not just whales). Parent Rating: G A deep look into a sub-field of paleontology that doesn’t get the attention that dinosaur hunters get, but with all the same mystique and appeal of the long-lost, largest-of-all-time, creatures that shared our planet. Gives hope for amateur bone detectives and nascent Indiana Jones’ that there are still mysteries to solve, and mammals whose bones reside in the Smithsonian whose species have yet been given a name. The author’s voice comes through his writing as a dispassionate observer of the changes our world has and continues to see. He doesn’t ‘take sides’ on the issues of a species’ rise and fall, but he painstakingly adds to the history of it. He writes for an audience that knows nothing, which sometimes comes across as pedantic, but there were other times I eagerly read the minute details of what I’m sure was basic whale ecology 101 yet wholly new to me. Author Nick Pyenson also acknowledges the more fascinating (to me) part of science training and shares his discoveries that were made with others ranging from biologists to mechanical engineers. “Scientists tend to operate within our intellectual silos because of the years of training and study that it takes to know about a single part of the world. But the best questions in science arise at the edges.” (chapter 1: To Know a Whale) I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Rating: 4/5 Stars Parent Rating: G - I would put this at a pre-teen reading level. Would make a great gift for graduating seniors in high school or college. "It Worked for Me" is one of the most accurate titles of any book I've read. It's a series of methods of leadership and some mistakes (followed by anecdotes) that Colin Powell utilized beginning in his teen years, throughout his military service, and finally in his role as Secretary of State. A great book for leadership strategies for the working man, but also for anyone looking for direction. Sometimes repetitive, I get the feeling he and his coauthor did not see eye to eye on the organization of the material, but as Colin Powell put it “the General is in charge” and the material would benefit from a little reorganization. This should be a must-read in the shelf of any prospective leader, businessman, soldier, or young man in search of a mentor. I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Rating: 3.5 stars
Parent Rating: PG - not for inappropriate content, the subject matter wouldn't be interesting to anyone under the age of 10 (and probably not for a few years after). Michael Kupperman's memoir on the impact of one of the original reality television shows starring his child star father touches on a lot of subjects. Parenting, childhood trauma, antisemitism, and mental health are all at play here in an emotional study of a son trying to understand his father just as dementia threatens to take the opportunity away. Unfortunately the narrative feels half-finished. The story is told in graphic form, with art that isn't particularly inspiring and rarely adds to the depth to the reminiscence. Assumptions are made often by the author without any explanation how he got to his points. There is incredible importance to this story of fathers and sons and the outside forces and unconsidered choices that shape their relationship. I would like to read that book or see that documentary. But I'll settle for a pretty good outline. I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Newly Published August 2018 I received a copy of this book from the publisher via a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars Parent rating: R for adult themes around marriage including sexual themes and infidelity, as well as PG violence and subject matter around death and illness. With the exception of a few flashbacks, and a finale that takes place in a few scenes in the year following, the story focuses on a weekend getaway of Becca's friends and their partners to celebrate the anniversary of Becca’s cancer-free prognosis. There are several characters that are barely present, only serving as context to the main crew, but those who are fleshed out are distinct and interesting. They take sides in each other’s life decisions, make mistakes, and rarely come to any conclusions and certainly no judgements from the author herself. It’s not a perfect story, with some stilted dialogue particularly in the flashback scenes to the friend’s teenage years. But then there are also two particular conflicts that are interesting enough to carry the story on their own. First with the conflict of a husband and wife balancing a very real medical decision with an equally valid need for his wife be attractive to him. And second with couple Holly and Adam who came together over a conversion of faith as young adults, reuniting with the woman he left for her as their faith has been tested by infertility and doubts who must find a way to forgive each other and themselves. In all the stories, Very little of the conflict comes by way of bad behavior which makes the struggles all the less obvious to resolve. A very satisfying read in that respect. I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Rating: 3/5 stars
Parent Rating: PG13 for drugs, sexual references, and alcoholism. Reality TV Host awakens in a hotel room tied to a bed surrounded by strangers and the corpse of a man from his past.. Can he find what connects them all and the murderer amongst them? This locked room mystery is a B movie in book form. If you like cheesy and easy, pitting heroes against villains (or antihero vs villains as is in this case) then you’ll really enjoy this. There’s not a lot to say against this book. It is what it is. Perhaps only that it may want to be more than it is. We are told of several character’s genius with very little evidence; stymied by the imagination of the author. But that’s not an issue if you want a beach read about a locked room whodunnit/whydunnit. I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. A possible contender to the Worst Book of 2018 (it will be published in April 2018).
Ms. Franson doesn't seem to understand her own characters, as she repeatedly emphasizes how likeable and attractive they are and then characterizes them in the least attractive and most unlikeable ways. Casey, when she isn't insipidly describing herself as a midwest girl who has no concept of life in the midwest, is manipulative, petty, and thoughtless at best, with seemingly no character arc. This story is one inane situation after another as this supposed 28 year old, wealthy in NYC ad exec engages in casual sex with an innumerable amount of strangers, skyrockets her career with the most unimaginative PR speech I've ever read, and generally relies on the reader believing what we're told that she creates chemistry with everyone around her to believe anyone is drawn to her at all. While this was an ARC copy and I do expect to see errors every now and again, there were at least 3 instances of the author using a word incorrectly. Generally the writing is in a comedic tone, so I let much of the bad writing slide, but ultimately the author sounds as if she is new to writing and does not read much of other's writing that she wishes to emulate. Unless this was written by a teenager dreaming of a Kim Kardashian style womanhood, I don't see why a publishing company signed off on it. I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The Book of Knights
Rating: 3/5 stars Parent Guide: Elementary-Middle Grade- recommend for ages 9-14 One scene of romance The Book of Knights is a gender-swap, dystopian version of the King Arthur myth. It sounds bad, but I was genuinely charmed by the direction the author took the characters. He was far more interested in telling a good story than making a point. I normally complain that publishing companies have overcompensated in making now more books for girls and not enough for young boys who have a difficult time finding books they'd enjoy. But while this probably won't be any young boy's favorite, but it is a fun read with plenty of action and a fantastic ode to reading itself. I look forward to seeing where McKenney takes the futuristic Arthur (Arti) legend next. I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Seven Days of Us by Francesca HornakRating: 3/5 stars
Parent rating: R for scenes of implied sex, homosexuality, violence, and language A comedy of errors. The Birch family is together for the first time in years. Daughter Olivia is home from treating an Ebola-like disease and therefore the family just all stay indoors for a week of quarantine. This is one of the better family dramas I've read not in spite of, but rather because of, the drama surrounding miscommunication and learning to like those you love. This story had a lot of heart, and part of the enjoyment was the lack of mystery so we can see the wreck before it happens driving straight towards the unsuspecting Birches. This would have been 4/5 stars if the author cared about all of his characters equally; some members of the family are portrayed 2 dimensionally, while others are repeatedly emphasized as 'having correct opinions'. It would have been far more enjoyable if everyone was wrong and right in their attitudes in equal measure. But as it is, I still highly recommend the genuine laughter and moving familial love in this story. Star Rating: 4/5 stars Parent Rating: a heavy PG 13 Details: Two uses of swear words (F*** & B****) One sensual scene and stated sex without descriptions beyond initial sensuality. About on par with Flowers for Algernon. Scenes of violence. Most particularly a description of a child being shot in the head. Anna has returned from a war zone in service to the regime. She has already sacrificed much in order to protect what little family she has managed to hold onto, when the Chairman asks her for one more job that could financially secure her mother and daughter's futures. Taking the job brings her into proximity of a could-have-been relationship with Henry. But in a regime built on power and subterfuge, can she trust anyone? Asa Avdic's story focuses around Anna, but is told from multiple perspectives to allow a little mystery to linger in a somewhat predictable plot. Predictable, but fascinating. Many authors since George Orwell wrote his dystopian novels have tried to imitate his foreboding tone. Very few are even interesting, let alone frightening. Asa Avdic writes without hyperbole about her native Sweden in a very near future under the rule of a reinstated Soviet Union. She dates her story 20 years from now to set the regime firmly in control, but easily convinces the reader of a current cold war with Russia that is very believable as we watch the pseudo-democracy take over Georgia and the Ukraine with very little pushback in real-time. I really enjoyed the story. If anything, it could have been fleshed out more and longer; it's a quick read and seems to be written for a younger audience. Even with heavy themes this is not an intricate novel for thriller or mystery enthusiasts. However it is a phenomenal first novel by Avdic, and I can't wait to see what she writes next. I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. |
about the author.Kav James originates in the paradise of the Pacific Northwest, but now calls the paradise of the South Pacific home. Archives
October 2018
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