Title: Black Boy Author: Richard Wright # of Pages: 448 (paperback) Genre: Classics, African American Literature, Autobiography Rating:★★★★★ Synopsis: Richard Wright grew up in the woods of Mississippi amid poverty, hunger, fear, and hatred. He lied, stole, and raged at those around him; at six he was a "drunkard," hanging about in taverns. Surly, brutal, cold, suspicious, and self-pitying, he was surrounded on one side by whites who were either indifferent to him, pitying, or cruel, and on the other by blacks who resented anyone trying to rise above the common lot.
Review: I don't like nonfiction. I've only read a handful of autobiographies in my life. Yet I have to say that this book is one of my favorites.
I know what some of you are thinking; what can possibly be interesting about a guy talking about himself. Now, if you AREN'T thinking that, I completely understand. You have already discover the beauty of an autobiography. However, if you ARE thinking that, then let me tell you; when your reading Black Boy, you forget that you're reading an autobiography. Sometimes there are scenes that seem too cruel to be true, but it happened. It's an amazing experience.
Throughout the book, however, I couldn't help but wonder who was in the right and who was in the wrong. Since this book is written from Wright's eyes, you don't really know if he's as good of a person as he seems to be in the book. However, he seems to tell the reader both sides of his life; how he wants to be able to write, but also has sold tickets illegally. This makes me trust that he's is telling his story as truthfully as he could.
There was one quote in this book on page 76 that I really liked:
"'It's a bird,' I said. The crowd laughed. 'That's a plane, boy,' a man said...'Boy, remember this,' he said. 'You're seeing man fly'"
Do you see the resemblance to the Superman quote? It's a bird! It's a plane! It's SUPERMAN!!! I loved that. There were many other quotes that I really, really liked, but don't have time to share with you right now. Maybe next time.
If you haven't read this book yet, don't be shy. At the very least, read just part 1. Part 2 was slightly less interesting because it gets into politics, but it was interesting nonetheless. Recommended!!!
Title: Infinity Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon # of Pages: 464 (hardback) Genre: YA, Fantasy, Paranormal Rating: ★★☆☆☆ Synopsis:At fourteen, Nick Gautier thinks he knows everything about the world around him. Streetwise, tough and savvy, his quick sarcasm is the stuff of legends. . .until the night when his best friends try to kill him. Saved by a mysterious warrior who has more fighting skills than Chuck Norris, Nick is sucked into the realm of the Dark-Hunters: immortal vampire slayers who risk everything to save humanity.
Nick quickly learns that the human world is only a veil for a much larger and more dangerous one: a world where the captain of the football team is a werewolf and the girl he has a crush on goes out at night to stake the undead.
But before he can even learn the rules of this new world, his fellow students are turning into flesh eating zombies. And he's next on the menu.
As if starting high school isn't hard enough. . .now Nick has to hide his new friends from his mom, his chainsaw from the principal, and keep the zombies and the demon Simi from eating his brains, all without getting grounded or suspended. How in the world is he supposed to do that?
Review: It's a mess. The beginning was okay. I liked Nick. But then there was so much POV switching, I wasn't sure what Nick did and didn't know!
I hated how Nick never found out exactly what was going on. He was in the dark most of the time!!! It felt wrong that I knew more about this new part of his world than he did. And what's up with the Simi? She annoyed me so much. There are multiple levels of weird, and she's the stupid-weird. I like the Bubba and Mark kind of weird. Just saying.
It was just really, really confusing. DO NOT READ IT!!!
Title: Eagle Strike Author: Anthony Horowitz # of Pages: 322 (paperback) Genre: YA, Adventure, Action Rating: ★★★★☆ Synopsis:Teen superspy Alex Rider has seen his share of criminal master-minds. But none like Sir Damian Cray, the most popular man on earth, who also happens to be a madman bent on destruction. Only Alex can stop his evil plan...but this time, Alex Rider is on his own. Review: I always have enjoyed reading Alex Rider books. They're entertaining, and I find it refreshing to step away from the romance novels for once. But there's one tiny detail why it's one star less than perfect.
All of the books are the same.
Sure, Alex Rider is tossed into "different" situations, but the format is the same. He's doing whatever he usually does with his life, then suddenly has to go on some sort of mission. His given some gadgets and chases after the bad guy. He finds himself in a tricky situation in which the bad guys reveals his plans. At last minute, Alex saves the world and life goes on.
Sorry if I spoiled the book for you. But that's just how it is. The lack of a unique storyline really, really bugs me. However, I can't help but give it a high rating. I enjoyed reading it, so that's just how it turned out. I recommend it!!!
Title: The Death Cure Author: James Dashner # of Pages: 325 (paperback) Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Dystopian Rating: ★★★☆☆ Synopsis:Thomas knows that WICKED can't be trusted, but they say the time for lies is over, that they've collected all they can from the Trials and now must rely on the Gladers, with full memories restored, to help them with their ultimate mission. To complete the blueprint for the cure to the Flare.
What Wicked doesn't know is that something's happened that no Trial or Variable could have foreseen. Thomas has remembered far more than they think. And he knows that he can't believe a word of what WICKED says.
The time for lies is over. But the truth is more dangerous than Thomas could ever imagine.
Review: Please bare in mind that I can't really remember the first two books AT ALL. But I had a hard time remembering some stuff (such as if something was explained or if someone did this or they did that...) so I'm not sure how accurate my review is going to be. I was really on the fence about the rating; I was either going to give it three stars or four. Here's why I gave it three:
The plot was a mess. I thought that the first book was pretty good, the second book was okay, and the third one...I felt that it wasn't thought out all the way. I hate it when the author can't make up his mind; is WICKED good, or is it bad? Choose ONE and stick with it!!!
I know that a lot of people really liked this book, so I'm not going to rant too much about it. I think this book is going to deserve a reread after I reread the first two books. So if you liked the second book, I recommend this book to you!!!
Title: Ashes, Ashes Author: Jo Treggiari # of Pages: 352 (paperback) Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Dystopian Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ Synopsis: A thrilling tale of adventure, romance, and one girl's unyielding courage through the darkest of nightmares.
Epidemics, floods, droughts -- for sixteen-year-old Lucy, the end of the world came and went, taking 99% of the population with it. As the weather continues to rage out of control, and Sweepers clean the streets of plague victims, Lucy survives alone in the wilds of Central Park. But when she's rescued from a pack of vicious dogs by a mysterious boy named Aidan, she reluctantly realizes she can't continue on her own. She joins his band of survivors, yet a new danger awaits her: the Sweepers are looking for her. There's something special about Lucy, and they will stop at nothing to have her.
Review: It. Was. So. Boring.
I was really, really disappointed. The cover looked EPIC, and the beginning was so gruesome that I was expecting a lot of crazy, kick-butt action. But that's not exactly how it turned out. There was about one conversation in the first hundred pages which means there was just a whole bunch of boring details about Lucy, the protagonist. The next hundred was a bunch of relationship crap (not the cute, aw-worthy relationship stuff, either), and the last bit was the "epic" ending. I kind of skimmed over the last fifty pages; I was practically asleep.
I couldn't connect with the characters (the author lost a hundred pages of character development, after all), and honestly, I was flat out annoyed with the book. It's a sorry excuse for a dystopian book.
Title: Between Shades of Gray Author: Ruta Sepetys # of Pages: 338 (paperback) Genre: YA, Historical Fiction, War Rating: ★★★★☆ Synopsis: It's 1941 and fifteen-year-old artist Lina Vilkas is on Stalin's extermination list. Deported to a prison camp in Siberia, Lina fights for her life, fearless, risking everything to save her family. It's a long and harrowing journey and it is only their incredible strength, love, and hope that pull Lina and her family through each day. But will love be enough to keep them alive?
Review: If any of you are still wondering, this book is extremely depressing. But I guess that would be kind of obvious since it takes place during World War II.
I've got to stop reading these kind of books.
So, I didn't buy this book for the longest time. The reason: I thought it was a spin off of Fifty Shades of Gray. Trust me; it's not even close. This book reveals the horrors that people went through during this time period. For all of you morbid people, don't worry. There's plenty of detail.
I can't really say that I enjoyed this book. I was really sad most of the time. But it was well written. So if you want a happy read, look elsewhere! Otherwise, I defiantly recommend this book.
Title: Article 5 Author: Kristen Simmons # of Pages: 362 (paperback) Genre: YA, Dystopian, Romance Rating: ★★★★☆ Synopsis: New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. have been abandoned. The Bill of Rights has been revoked and replaced with the Moral Statutes. There are no more police — instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior — instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.
Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard for her to forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. That life in the United States used to be different.
Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.
That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember has ever loved.
Review: My faith in dystopian books has officially been restored.
I almost gave this book five stars. That's how good it was. I'm not sure why, but I kept thinking that this book was going to be about zombies. But after close examination, the cover clearly shows that it's just two normal kids looking at a destructed city.
It still could have been about zombies.
At first, I didn't think I would give this book anymore than three stars; the beginning was confusing. But by about page 95, the story began to get interesting.
Sometimes, Iwas really confused of what exactly Chase and Ember's relationship was. One moment they're fighting and the next they're kissing... And this back-and-forth-ness almost lost the book it's fourth star.
"'We can't go. Not now.'
'Don't be sorry! Let's just go!'
'Ember!' He punched his own leg. The move was so violent it stopped me cold. 'She's dead.'"
The excerpt above was just the beginning of the scene that won me over. I literally almost cried when reading about Ember finding out that her mother was dead. Even though I might have suspected that her mom might've died after she was arrested, I completely forgot the idea once Chase said that she was at the safe house. So when the truth came out, I was blown away. It was a huge shock.
I think the ending could have been better. I don't like how Ember accidently get captured. It just seems a little too careless, even if her mind was clouded with grief for her mother.
This is probably one of the best dystopian books I've read recently. I defiantly recommend it.
Yes, if you haven't guessed it already, I went to see the movie. Why? Because I was bored and had nothing better to do with my life. And I really wanted to see it.
Despite the fact that, in my review, I showed cleared distaste for many components of the book, I had very high hopes for the movie. When a story is in the form of a book, the reader is the one interpreting the story, making the scenery, characters, etc. in his or her mind based on how the author describes it. But on the screen, it's someone else's interpretation of the story. It's going to be different, even slightly, from the movie.
I was shocked. Everything seemed exactly the opposite. In the book, I hated Clary with a burning passion and loved everyone else, especially Jace. But in the movie, I LOVED Clary! Jace seemed like he was trying to be hot or something (I really hated his hair). Everyone else was just a bunch of background characters. Nothing important.
And then there was the kiss. I never realized how the kiss really played out until I saw it on the big screen. Every single person in the theater was cracking up (me included) when the sprinklers turned out. If you don't know what I'm talking about, go see it. You'll understand.
One thing I didn't expect was the humor. I knew from the book that there were a few clever/witty remarks that might pass as funny, but the movie is something else entirely. I laughed a lot more than I thought I was, and I probably laughed at some of the parts that weren't suppose to be that funny. But, hey, as long as I enjoy it, right?
The movie isn't my favorite. I think it could have been better. But I wasn't as bad I as feared it was going to be. Everyone should defiantly go see it.
Now, the other day, I made a stop on the way home to my local bookstore. Why? Because I knew I was going to see the City of Bones movie soon and that I'd probably want to read City of Ashes afterward. I rush over to the teen section and see a table stacked with Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices books.
Only to find that City of Ashes is missing from the stack. There was plenty of Infernal Devices books, about twenty copies of City of Bones, ten copies of City of Glass, and a few of City of Fallen Angels and City of Lost Souls, but not a single copy of City of Ashes.
What's up with that? Obviously, everyone was like me and decided to pick up a copy of City of Ashes on the way home. So, I won't be able to read it anytime soon. Don't expect a review for it anytime soon.
But, yeah, after watching the movie, I have high hopes for the Mortal Instruments. Maybe I'll actually like Clary in the books to come. Writing styles are always improving, especially throughout a series. If you haven't seen the movie, go see it. If you have City of Ashes, give it to me!
Title: The Bar Code Tattoo Author: Suzanne Weyn # of Pages: 252 (paperback) Genre: YA, Romance, Dystopian Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ Synopsis: Individuality vs. Conformity
Identity vs. Access
Freedom vs. Control
The bar code tattoo. Everybody's getting it. It will make your life easier, they say. It will hook you in. It will become your identity.
But what if you say no? What if you don't want to become a code? For Kayla, this one choice changes everything. She becomes an outcast in her high school. Dangerous things happen to her family. There's no option but to run...for her life.
Review: I should have known something was up when I saw the cover. The title's too small, the girl looks out of place, and there' s some weird blurriness around the bottom of her shirt. What doesn't make sense to me is that she's suppose to be in the forest, yet her nice, white shirt is perfectly clean. Not sure what's going on there.
As for the content, the whole things seemed to be overdramatic. Time seems to pass VERY quickly, making relationships between character seem cheesy and unrealistic. It was all over the place!
Like most books that I strongly dislike, the protagonist really bugged me. Kayla seemed to not care about those around her. She's always depending on other people and ends up hurting them. When she emailed her friend, Amber (both when she was at the apartment and at the ski resort), she didn't even think about how it could be traced until afterwards. And, okay, she might have made a mistake the first time, but doing it a second time? That's just plain stupidity. And what about Amber? If the authorities found out that Kayla was contacting her, they might think she's involved in some sort of criminal activity and make life worse for her and her family than it already is!
And then there was Mfumbe. He ran away from home and was living a pretty good life. He had a job and a place to sleep. But then Kayla comes along, and, like a good friend should, Mfumbe helps her out. However, when Kayla gets in trouble, what does she do? Do she think that, maybe, she should run AWAY from Mfumbe so that the Globalcops didn't find him? I suppose not because she ran right up to him and made HIM find away to get away. Then she gets sick, which actually isn't her fault, but Mfumbe has to get her medicine. Of course, since she forced him to run away from the Globalcops with her, Mfumbe's out of a job, so he has to steal medicine, and then he gets arrested. Because of her. And it's all because she can't even take care of herself, never mind taking care of her friends.
