Rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars James Whitman shares the same last name as Walt Whitman, the famous American poet. He's also a big fan of his work, and generally finds it applicable to most of life's problems. That's good, because James does seem to have a LOT of problems. He struggles with anxiety and depression, and is looking for a way to tell his parents, who aren't the most understanding of people, that he wants to think about seeing a professional instead of talking to his imaginary pigeon therapist, Dr. Bird (Dr. Bird's a great listener, but she doesn't really seem to have a lot to say besides "coo"). James is also looking for a way to help his older sister Jorie, who was recently kicked out of the house and is trying to make it on her own. And, of course, he's wondering if anything will develop with Beth, a cute girl who writes for the school's little-known literary magazine and might be interested in publishing some of his work. Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets is a unique novel with a meaningful message tucked behind humor, drama, great characters, and the reality of life. It's interesting and powerful without being as emotionally draining as many of the contemporary books I've read recently. It also leaves readers with an optimistic resolution (wait, those exist?) and some hope for the future. And, of course, it's marked by some very nice samples of poetry.
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Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars The Darkest Minds. Even the title sounds exciting, and the novel does not disappoint, set in a terrifying dystopian world where the few survivors of a brutal disease that affected pubescent children have developed dangerous superpowers. Having been kept in a “rehabilitation” camp for the last six years, Ruby has very little knowledge of the outside world. And even worse, she has a deadly secret. If and when she does get away, can she protect her newfound friends and get back to her family? And can she learn to control her powers before she hurts someone she loves? While The Darkest Minds may not necessarily live up to its intense hype, it’s still a really interesting and engaging novel that is definitely worth reading. With lovable and unique characters, great world-building, action, and a real sense of danger and mystery, The Darkest Minds sets itself apart from the majority of books of its genre as something truly special. Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars If I had to describe I Was Here in one word, it would be "dark." I chose it as my "book that scared me" for the 2016 reading challenge, and although it certainly isn't a horror novel, it haunted me in ways that gore and jump scares will never manage to. I initially gave it a better review, but in the months that it's been since I've read it, I realized that there are several instances where it falls short. It's undeniably compelling and engaging, but there are certain elements that leave a lot to be desired. I Was Here centers on Cody, a girl who has recently lost her best friend Meg to suicide and is dealing with the aftermath. However, certain details come to light and it seems like Meg's apparent suicide may not be as cut and dry as it originally appeared to be. This book, although it is sometimes off the mark, doesn't hold back with the pain of mental illness. It brings a different and horrifying perspective and touches on a terrifying and very real problem. I Was Here is dramatic, suspenseful, and, for better or for worse, isn't a novel that readers will forget any time soon. |
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Here are reviews of books I have recently read! I'll try to do a general overview of the book and then a more detailed section with my personal thoughts Archives
December 2017
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Turn The Next Page - a YA book blog | Book Reviews |