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Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Book Review: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks- the title says it all! Frankie starts her sophomore year at a prestigious prep school with a new boyfriend. She dreamed of dating this boy all last year and now it's come true. She becomes more and more bothered, however, by his membership in an exclusive all-male secret club and her perceived inferiority as a girl. She finds an interesting way to feel included and assert her own power.



While I enjoyed the prep/boarding school prank elements, I thought the story really didn't feel complete. Frankie's changes, while interesting, were not entirely developed. The conclusion wasn't satisfying and I didn't really know what the point of it was. The third person telling really threw me off, especially since the title almost implies a journal/diary format (which is misleading as well). I also loved some of the funny parts (particularly the grammar jokes) but found some of the teen issues to be superfluous. Maybe I just need to start reading more books for adults. :)


RATINGS:
s-factor: !

Surprisingly few for a contemporary teen novel.

mrg-factor: XX
Some annoying references.

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ***

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Book Review: The Book Nobody Read: Chasing the Revolutions of Nicolaus Copernicus by Owen Gingerich

The Book Nobody Read: Chasing the Revolutions of Nicolaus Copernicustells the story of the author's quest to see all the copies of the first and second editions of Copernicus' De revolutionibus. He also recounts the impact this publication made on the world over the centuries since its initial publication.



I'm a sucker for the astronomy-related histories, but this one I found doubly interesting since it discussed the impact of a book on the world. I thought it was pretty accessible (not a lot of jargon) and had an interesting plot line.

RATINGS:
s-factor: !

Probably a few.

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

(that I recall)

Overall rating: ****

Monday, November 17, 2008

Book Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Gamesis an adventurous tale of a future society rebuilt in North America. Katniss has been obliged to take care of her family and their ever-present hunger since her father died. When her younger sister Prim's name is drawn as a "contestant" for the government-required hunger games, Katniss volunteers to take her place. All she has to do to return to her family is be the sole survivor of these horrifying games.

The Hunger Games
I can't remember the last time I read a book (at least one this long) in one day, but I just COULDN'T put this down! It is not a "classic" or a totally literary book, but it was intense and well-written and very interesting. While I did see some parts coming, it didn't detract at all. I would highly recommend this book for someone looking for a thoughtful and page-turning good read.

RATINGS:
s-factor: !

Actually, surprisingly few - I don't even remember any, but just in case :)

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->->->
This does have some really intense scary parts. It isn't graphic or gory.

Overall rating: *****

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Book Review: Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener's Bones by Brandon Sanderson

Alcatraz Versus The Scrivener's Bonescontinues the story, I mean biography, of Alcatraz Smedry. Alcatraz finds himself in danger almost immediately from a strange new being, a scrivener's bone. Ignoring common sense, he heads to the Library of Alexandria, into the heart of danger, seeking his grandfather and his father.



I like Sanderson's way of writing - the book is filled with asides and random sections and humorous little tidbits. The story is fairly good too, but I think it is mostly noteworthy for the quirky writing. (See review of first book here.)

RATINGS:
s-factor: none

(Unless you count nuts and spices...)

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->
Some fighting, but really mild.

Overall rating: ***

Monday, November 10, 2008

Book Review: The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson

The Adoration of Jenna Foxis the story of Jenna Fox (duh) who wakes up suddenly from a year-and-a-half long coma. She can tell some things are different. She has no memories of who she was and no understanding of who she is. Her story unfolds as she discovers it herself when memories and other pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox
This was a really well-written, interesting, and powerful book. I loved the ethics ideas explored. I loved the indentity-crisis theme. I loved that I was able to relate to the feelings and emotions Jenna felt, even though I am not in anything like her situation (or her age for that matter). A really great book that even adults can relate to (says this adult). [I don't know if it would technically be sci-fi, maybe more futuristic?]

RATINGS:
s-factor: !

A smattering of words throughout.

mrg-factor: none.
Just kissing (I don't think that counts as mrg...)

v-factor: ->

An intense situation that is rather quickly resolved and in a pretty non-violent way.

Overall rating: ****

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Book Review: Rumors: a Luxe Novel by Anna Godberson

Rumors: A Luxe Novelcontinues the stories of the rich and corrupt of New York's turn-of-the-19th-century wealthy class (first book reviewed here). Elizabeth goes out west to live with her secret love, a poor coachman while her sister Diana covers for her faked death and tries to prevent her family from slipping into poverty themselves. People rich and poor conspire to get what (or who) they want at the expense of...well, anyone but themselves.



For what it is (fluffy historical romance) it is actually pretty good. I like the setting and even the descriptions of rich dresses. Sometimes, the less-than-moral standards of pretty much every person gets on my nerves, but it is done without going overboard. I was actually quite surprised at the ending and the powerful effects it had on me. And it left me hanging and waiting somewhat anxiously for the next book.

RATINGS:
s-factor: !

Maybe a few scattered swear words.

mrg-factor: XX
One scene in particular, not described in detail, fortunately. A few other references.

v-factor: none
There is a death, but not described.

Overall rating: ***

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Book Review: Airborn by Kenneth Oppel

Airborn is the story of a world where airplanes were not invented and the sky was ruled by airships. Matt Cruse is a cabin boy on the same airship his father worked on. He was born in the skies (literally) and doesn't feel comfortable on the ground. During one fateful trip across the Pacificus, he and a young passenger named Kate make a remarkable discovery.


I thought this was a very fun book. The adventure and suspense were well done and kept me guessing until the end. There was also a lot of fun humor. The characters were realistic and believable. I also loved the "alternate" history feel of the story. The only problem I had was the poor editing - I was surprised at the number of mistakes made in the text (really only a handful, but still!)

RATINGS:
s-factor: !

A handful of mild words.

mrg-factor: none.

v-factor: ->
Some violence and intense parts, but definitely not graphic or gory.

Overall rating: ****

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Book Review: The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing by M.T. Anderson

In The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Vol. 1: The Pox Party, we are introduced to Octavian, and slowly learn about his childhood and life. Information about him is revealed one piece at a time. He grows up in a scientific institute with his mother and lots of "fathers" who are scientists interested in his development. When Octavian learns more about his role and his mother's in this institute, he must come to terms with that reality.



The book began very slowly for me. I couldn't really get into the story at all, since it was more a group of vignettes of his childhood. I thought that the somewhat archaic language used (which was historically pretty accurate) was a real drawback some of the time. I only began to get really interested in the book later on. The last hundred or so pages are very well done and emotionally involving. I was also annoyed at exceedingly long and confusing title. This is a very good cross-over title (meaning it is sufficiently "literary and intelligent" to be an adult title as well).

RATINGS:
s-factor: !

Very little swearing.

mrg-factor: none.

v-factor: -> ->
A few fairly disturbing scenes, but not gory.

Overall rating: ***

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Book Review: Impossible by Nancy Werlin

In Impossible, Lucy, an average teenage girl, finds herself caught up in an ancient family curse. Her birth mother, Miranda, is crazy. She will sometimes show up in Lucy's life and usually leave havoc in her wake. But, Lucy's adoptive parents offer her stability and support. When prom night goes horribly awry and ends in tragedy, Lucy first becomes aware of the curse. Based on the ballad "Scarborough Fair," the curse requires Lucy to fulfill three impossible tasks or risk ending up like her mother.



The premise of this book is very intriguing and I liked Lucy's character. But, as the book went on, I found that it did not quite "fulfill" itself with me. I found the ending rather flat and even a little contrived. I liked the fantastical elements, but the way it was written, they almost seemed out of place in the book.

RATINGS:
s-factor: !

Very little, if any swearing.

mrg-factor: XX
It had some discussions and an intense-not-romantic situation, but very well-done and not graphic or descriptive at all.

v-factor: ->
Some intense things happen, but not really violent in nature.

Overall rating: ***
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