Hyperbole and a Half Review

Hyperbole and a Half

Title: Hyperbole and a Half

Author: Allie Brosh

Genre: Humor, Nonfiction

Publication Date: October 29th 2013

Publisher: Touchstone

Pages: 384

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Visit Allie's Blog!

Synopsis: 

This is a book I wrote. Because I wrote it, I had to figure out what to put on the back cover to explain what it is. I tried to write a long, third-person summary that would imply how great the book is and also sound vaguely authoritative--like maybe someone who isn’t me wrote it--but I soon discovered that I’m not sneaky enough to pull it off convincingly. So I decided to just make a list of things that are in the book:

Pictures

Words

Stories about things that happened to me

Stories about things that happened to other people because of me

Eight billion dollars*

Stories about dogs

The secret to eternal happiness*

*These are lies. Perhaps I have underestimated my sneakiness!

My Rating: 

Review: 

I'm happy that this book exists. If I had known about the blog, like millions of other people, before the book came out I would have been happy that it had existed. But I didn't. Who knew there was good stuff out there on the interwebs?

I couldn't believe how much I was actually laughing out loud at the first story when she finds a letter from her ten year old self to her older self and then responds with writing letters to various aged younger versions of herself. This is literally (and I mean literally, literally here) the most I've ever laughed at something in a book. 

A few of the later stories I was not a huge fan of, but they didn't do much to diminish my overall enjoyment of the book. Eight days after reading the book I can't even remember which ones those were. In my memory they are all great, so yay shitty memory!

I love mixing genres. You can't be all about the serious stuff (well, you could, but you'll be a victim of a massive dullness, and that's fine by me). I love humor and I'm so glad I find books like this one, once in a while. People often think it's easy to write a funny book. Well, it's not. It's not like putting a bunch of stupid words all together. And believe me, I read one of those and that's not how it works. Well, for me, at least. These people seem to be clever, witty, charming. All things I can only imagine, but I'm guessing that's how they are (?) If they're not, don't tell me. Do not kill my illusion.

Anyway, this book has funny anecdotes and hilarious drawings. You can look at this picture with some random sentence next to it, and still can't help a good laugh, no matter how serious that sentence is meant to be.
An overwhelming excitement . (Kind of my reaction when entering an old-looking library.)

 

Funny, Humourous.. I loved it

-Alex

Wonder Review

Wonder

Title: Wonder

Author: R.J. Palacio

Genre: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction

Publication Date: February 14th 2012

Publisher: Knopf

Pages: 315

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Synopsis:

August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?

R. J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is accessible to readers of all levels.

My Rating: 

Review: 

Amazing. Absolutely amazing. Among the best novels I've ever read--note I didn't say best middle-grade novels. This story is so powerful, so beautifully told that it transcends genre. I recommend it for middle-grade students. I recommend it for teenagers. I recommend it for adults--even if you've never read a middle-grade novel, even if you've read and hated middle-grade novels, try this one. 

August Pullman was born with a facial deformity so severe that it and the necessary surgeries prevented him from attending school until the fifth grade. And so his first day at school isn't as one of a flock of terrified kindergarteners--instead, he becomes the chum in the shark tank of middle school. What follows is a beautiful, heart-breaking, terrifying, and funny tale about an extraordinary kid, bullying, and, ultimately, the wondrous power of kindness.

The year had many tough moments for Auggie and many great ones. Told by six different voices, telling the story of the year and of Auggie’s life, from each of their perspectives, and it was done brilliantly. It could have become confused and messy very easily, but it was spot on. This book is a little, sparkly, gem.

There's a lot of buzz with what Wonder teaches, or attempts to teach, but I think maybe we shouldn't over think it too much. Sure, there are some parts that may seem a little simple, that the ending may seem to be a little too nicely wrapped up, almost like how a movie is done and we know real life is never that way. I see it as a simple thing: I see Wonder as a middle grade book that teaches kindness -- to quote, "...to be kinder than necessary." That as human beings, we do not just have "...the capacity to be kind, but the very choice of kindness..." and to choose that even when it's not easy, when it's inconvenient, even when it's uncomfortable.

Even though reading Wonder reminded me of that particular incident I shared at the start of this review which brought back some of the guilty feelings, this book made me feel a lot better after reading it. A little bit more whole, even. With a stronger resolve to be kinder than necessary. I think that a book that can make its readers feel like that is worth a second glance. 

 

This book was everything...

-Alex

Prodigy Review

Prodigy

Title: Prodigy

Author: Marie Lu

Genre: Dystopian

Publication Date: January 29th 2013

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Pages: 371

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Synopsis: 

Injured and on the run, it has been seven days since June and Day barely escaped Los Angeles and the Republic with their lives. Day is believed dead having lost his own brother to an execution squad who thought they were assassinating him. June is now the Republic's most wanted traitor. Desperate for help, they turn to the Patriots - a vigilante rebel group sworn to bring down the Republic. But can they trust them or have they unwittingly become pawns in the most terrifying of political games?

My Rating:

 Review:

I know that many people felt like Prodigy was a step-up over the first installment in the trilogy, and I can say that it did have quite a few areas of improvement over Legend when it came to showing more world detail. There was a great amount of time spent on bringing the bigger picture into focus, and it probably satisfied many of those who felt as if Legend was skimping out on the details of what made this government and world tick. 

Prodigy, though, in a word, is lost. So many sacrifices, so many fears, so many character developments, so many plot twists, so much genius that even a hundred Hershey's bars wouldn't stack up in comparison. This book was not a rollercoaster: it was a freaking cannonball. You don't even get the time to prepare with the proper goggles before Marie pushes you into the waters from a height beyond Shangri-la. Then the words wrap around you like air currents and slam you down into the water with a splash that hurt more than a hundred million bombs setting on fire. 

Now not only is the story line fantastic but the dual point's of view does not disappoint. They are written perfectly and they complement each other so well. Not once do you get lost in either of the narratives. June and Day are unique and such well rounded characters that it's hard not to love them. Their faced with a lot of tough decisions through out this book - if not, more than before. They seem to have to take everything will a little bit of faith. Everywhere they turn, there seems to be someone there who is using them and it's a shame they can't confide in anyone - other than themselves and possibly even one unlikely ally, which is honestly going blow your mind. And there also a lot of uncertainty about June and Day's relationship which really throws a spanner in the works and then of course, that ending. HOLY SMOKES THAT ENDING!! I felt like screaming "WHY MARIE, WHY DID YOU HAVE TO DO THAT TO US?!" No!!! It can't possibly be true....I refused to believe it. It's safe to sending the ending of Prodigy will leave you completely blown away but it will also leave you wanting to pull your hair out. It's that good!  

All in all, there are many things that make Prodigy is a fantastic book and the only way you're going to find out, is by reading it yourself. I urge you to pick up this series because it just becomes even more mind-blowing with each book.

Can't wait to read Champion!

-Alex

The Fault in our Stars Review

The Fault in our Stars

Title: The Fault in our Stars

Author: John Green

Genre: Young Adult, Romance

Publication Date: January 10th 2012

Publisher: Dutton Books

Pages: 313

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Synopsis: 

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

My Rating: 

Review: 

I finished it. And I've thought about what to say about it. 

I'll start with - I think this is an AMAZING book. To its very core. It's a real book - about real life, what happens in real life - you grow up, you mature, you might get sick, you might fall in love, truly fall in love, if you're lucky and then you die. It's a very real book about a very real story. I think John Green is an amazing author, who managed to write an extraordinary book. 

And I'm saying all those amazing things yet I'm giving the book four stars. Well, yes.As much as I loved it, and I did, believe me, what I didn't enjoy was reading how a young life slowly faded away in nothingness, and anohter one was to follow, and there was nothing no one can do about it. Yes, I do understand, and I do now this is how life works, that these things happen every day, but that does not mean that I enjoy reading about it. And this is coming from a person who says that a book is not a truly good if it doesn't shatter your heart into million pieces. But this, it was too much at times, and I know some of you will hate me for saying it, but it was. On the other hand, I liked the slim jokes, the type of humor, the type of relationship Hazel and Gus had. Because, like I've said gazillion times in this review, it just felt real, in a way that you can connect to their love. 

Well, what I can say at the beginning is that I did not feel that this was my TYPE of books .. not really. The author however really impressed me in a way he portrayed the life of people and specially teenagers who suffer from various types of cancers. I LOVED the way he described the life, the thoughts that the characters always care about and how it is really meaningful of being surrounded by people who love you. 

What really surprised me is that I didn't felt sad when it came to Gus 'Augustus's' death part. May be that there is something wrong with me ~~ Or maybe because I already predicted it unconsciously while reading the book.
... because I know myself well and I know HOW Highly Sensitive I am.

I think it was brilliant, but I can't, I just can't give it 5 stars, not because it wasn't an amazing book, but because of me and my perceptions of things, which may look childish and naive to some of you, because these things happen all the time, but this is just me.

I am looking forward to the movie! 

Alex 

The Darkest Minds Trilogy

Cover Reveal- Into the Afterlight

                          

Darkest Minds: 

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government "rehabilitation camp." She might have survived the mysterious disease that's killed most of America's children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she's on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her-East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can't risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.

Darkest Minds Goodreads  Never Fade Goodreads   Into the Afterlight Goodreads

 Author: Alexandra Bracken

Legend Book Review

Legend

Title: Legend 

Author: Marie Lu

Genre: Dystopian

Publication: February 2nd 2012

Publisher: Penguin

Pages: 295

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Synopsis: 

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets. 

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills. 

My Rating: 

Review: 

Let's just say that this trilogy will be one of my favorites, if not, my favorite. It was such a crazy experience reading your book. There was a lot of gasping and screaming and wanting to throw the book at the wall out of frustration. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen next, bang! Something crazy and unexpected happened. I loved how Marie Lu just kept throwing insane plot twists in my face, and I didn't know whether to love her or hate her for that.  

Day and June were not some random citizens in a dystopian world. They were a really big deal. Their names were widely known: June's for being a prodigy and Day's for being a criminal. They were important not just to the story, but to the world that the story takes place in. Being a sort of celebrity was very dangerous in this book, especially when trying to break the law and rebel against the government.

What I also loved about Legend was that I actually felt something for the secondary characters like Metias, Day's family, and Tess. From the synopsis, Metias's fate is known, but his presence is still there in the book. He was a loving brother to June, and I wish his life didn't have to end that way. Tess is a young girl who Day took under his wings two years ago. She's a great person, and I really hope we get more of her in the next book. Day's caring personality definitely comes from his family. The situation Day's family is put through is horrible and broke my heart, and I hope justice is served out to those people who caused their suffering. Antagonists were just oh-so depressing as ever. I wanted to strangle them, but at the same time hug them for being haughty and rotten. I never trusted Thomas at any point of the story. He seemed suspicious and irrelevant and I didn't like him one bit. Tess was just a cute little doll. I really liked her. She was so kind and friendly and helped everyone with everything. She was so small and felt like any could've controlled her even though she's 13. 

While the book did not focus on the relationship between Day and June, it was certainly a large part of the story. It felt incredibly real and believable. Day and June were not utterly obsessed with each other; there was no love at first sight. Their relationship was really gradual, and it just kind of...happens. I really liked the whole forbidden-love element to it; they were supposed to be enemies, after all. These are two characters who complimented each other really well, and they made an excellent team. I can't wait to see where the next book in the series takes them! 

Another thing very evident in this book is the siblings-love. Parts and parts of this book tackled and explored the extent of sibling-love. From Metias and June to John-Day-Eden, all exhibited unwavering love to each other. Sacrifices had been made in order to give way for the other's survival. Especially when John sacrificed himself for Day. That part almost made me shed a stream of tears down the page.  

 

Alex