January Book Reviews

Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
4/5

This was a very well written fantasy novel. It was not incredibly fast-paced or thrilling, but it was thorough and detailed. The world-building was superb. My main complaints are that I had a somewhat difficult time relating to the characters. They felt a little flat at times. But other then that, it was incredibly nuanced and well done and an articulate, beautifully written book.

Ask the Passengers by A.S. King
2/5

This book had a good premise, it was about a girl who was discovering her sexuality and trying to come to terms with it in her small, very unaccepting town. However, it was poorly written. The writing was choppy, the characters felt forced and bland, and the town lacked the dimension to make it feel real. I think the main thing this book did well with was the conceptual pieces of what it is like for a person to find themselves and understand their sexuality. It did not try to put her experiences in a box, but instead focused on their growth and development and how she came to terms with the fact that she liked girls. That part was beautifully written. Overall, I wish the writing style had been better, because I think this book had a lot of potential.

Turtles All The Way Down by John Green
3.5/5

This book did an extremely good job of describing what it is like to have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and anxiety. As someone who has struggled with these mental health issues, it was spot on for how it feels. However, a few things confused me about this book. They never explicitly name her thought patterns as Obsessive Compulsive, although she is going to a therapist and is obviously OCD. Also, as someone who has been to therapy for OCD, I find it surprising that her therapist went straight to medication before recommending the standard solutions like sleeping and eating healthy and exercising. For someone with an intense condition they certainly may need meds, but I know from experience that doing these simple things can improve OCD a lot, and Aza was consistently up late, drank lots of soda and ate a lot of burgers, and didn't exercise as far as I could see. I wish they would've addressed the fact that OCD can be improved not just through meds (although they certainly help and should not be downplayed or ignored) but also through self-care. Finally, the book felt like it only focused on Aza's mental illness, and not the whole person. You can have OCD but you also can have a favorite color and a book you love and you can love random stuff. I don't even know what Aza looked like, she was described so basically. Her most interesting quirk was her love for her car. Finally, this book had the same amount of unnecessary and disconnected poetic stuff as any John Green book, and although Aza was consistently quoting poetry, she didn't actually appear to have any explicit interest in it or take the time to read any for fun. But, overall, if you want to better understand what it feels like to have OCD, this book is excellent.

Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley
4/5

This book was very well-written, with lovely descriptive language and unique formatting. The story concept was short and sweet, and kept me reading. There were times when character interactions seemed a tad unrealistic, but overall it was a concise and thought provoking story. I loved the strong themes of the ocean and books, both of which I relate to, and made this book very enjoyable. It also dealt with the concept of death in what I consider a good way.

Life is But A Dream by Brian James
3/5

I enjoyed this book. It was a quick and easy read, engaging and thought provoking. It dealt with schizophrenia in a unique and colorful way that was pleasant and real to read. The descriptive language was beautiful, but a tad repetitive. However, I didn't find anything incredibly profound in this book, and it seemed like a slightly less well-written version of Challenger Deep. However, I enjoyed the alternate perspective, and seeing how her experiences differed from those presented in the former. One of the things that annoyed me most beginning was the strange font and formatting, but overtime it did give me clarity into the dream-like state of her mind. I was also very glad that this book dealt with schizophrenia and it's challenges in a thorough and, as far as I can tell although I am no expert, accurate way.

September Book Reviews

Plutona by Jeff Lemire, Emi Lenox, and Jordie Bellaire
2/5 Stars

I picked up this comic because I wanted a more contemporary superhero story with an indie feel and an interesting art style. I'd been eyeing it in the local comic shop for a while and I was hopeful that I would find a more artsy alternative to the classic DC/Marvel comics that are loved and well known. Although this comic did have an interesting art style and an interesting concept, it felt disconnected. It also finished without any semblance of closure, meaning, or moral, and no hint of the Plutona story continuing. I personally hope they choose to make more chapters because I want to see this comic that has so much potential properly closed up and given the plot quality it deserves. The concepts were, I though, brilliant, but poorly executed.

Lucky Penny by Anath Hirsh and Yuko Ota
4/5 Stars

This comic book was super fun and quirky! I loved the humor and found myself laughing out loud more than once. It was a simple, fun read with a cute art style and a likable protagonist. I hight recommend this as a quick read for a trip or a lazy morning.

One by Sarah Crossan
4.5/5 Stars

This verse-novel was a touching story about the lives of two girls who are conjoined twins. It was touching, emotional, and real. I was deeply moved and it made me think a lot about a small group of people I'd rarely given any thought to. I was glad that it opened my eyes to what it is like to live as a conjoined twin, and gave me insight on how they feel so that if I ever met a pair I could better relate to them and befriend them. I really appreciate how this book was written as well, as the poetic style really gave the story the emphasis it needed. The only thing that bumped this book down half a star was that I felt that some of the portrayals of high school were, in my experience, unrealistic, and that the ending was just terribly sad and didn't provide much happiness or hopeful outlook, which I appreciate in a book. I understand why it was written with a sad ending but in some ways the ending just felt full of endless despair and made the book feel very very sad once you finished it. So be warned about the sad ending.

Blankets by Craig Thompson
4/5 Stars

This autobiographical graphic novel was deeply personal and real. It covers what it's like to grow up in an intensely religious area, and how it can feel when people's claimed faiths contradict their actions. The artwork in this was beautiful and the story was raw. I was full of emotion during the entire, thing, and cried a few times. It was touching and heartbreaking, and as a Christian I felt very sad about the way the other Christians were treating the main character, and the impact that has. It deeply touched me and I would recommend this to lots of readers but especially Christians, because it is an important reflection on how the church can be more negative than positive in a life if we forget how Jesus truly was and focus instead on rules and judgment. The fact that the author was also the main character was amazing, and I really want to meet Craig Thompson now! I was so inspired by his beautiful work.

August Book Reviews

Hello friends! So I'm trying out a new style of book review for my blog- basically instead of doing one long book review for each book I thought I could just sum up all the books I read at the end of each month. Although I'm an avid reader and read all the time, I have a confession to make- I'm a much slower reader than some of you other book bloggers! Maybe I read quickly technically, but when it comes to literature I like to spend time looking back on details and flipping through pages to catch threads. So I take my time. But that said, I apologize if there's not like twenty books on here per month like some of you manage- I don't know how you do it. But let me know how you like this style in the comments, and comment your thoughts on any you've read.

p.s. sorry it's a tad late I was on vacation this weekend and couldn't post

Loving vs. Virginia by Patricia Hruby Powell; Illustrated by Shadra Strickland
5/5 Stars

This poem/graphic novel/ documentary novel was painfully beautiful and dealt delicately and simply with complex matters like civil rights and love. I almost cried like three times, which is a lot for someone who never cries during books. The poem was so artistically done, and kept the story open to reader interpretation and didn't try to fill in historical gaps that could only be truly known if you were there, instead leaving the reader to enjoy and imagine what life was like for this couple. PLEASE READ THIS BOOK

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzergald
4/5 Stars

This is a classic, which I missed out on reading in English last year, so I had to pick it up this summer. The language in this is A M A Z I N G. If you're a sucker for run on sentences and loads of description like I am, then you simply have to pick this one up. The reason it only made four out of five stars is probably because of the ending- I wish it had had a more resounding, closing statement. English teachers might argue with me but I felt that this ending didn't finish as strongly as it could've, and that it could've left a more lasting impact on the reader. Other than that the story was golden and gave a lot of commentary on the glitz of the East in the 20s and popularity, as well as themes about love and marriage. Overall it was an excellent read, I highly recommend picking it up if you haven't already.

Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets by Evan Roskos
4/5 Stars

This book was one of the better books I've read that dealt with depression and anxiety. It covered the topics fairly and (at least as far as my experience goes) accurately, as well as lightening the mood with some respectful but genuinely funny humor. The style it was unique and whimsical and poetry-infused, which I love. It was a quick read but a good one, and if definitely made you think. My only complaint was Beth, she felt fake and didn't live up to what I hoped she would. Other than that it was an excellent read, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a lighthearted but simultaneously real book about anxiety and depression.

Page by Paige by Laura Lee Gulledge
5/5 Stars

All I have to say about this book is that it is literally about me ok I've never read a more relatable book in my life. 5/5 no brainer, thank you Laura Lee Gulledge for understanding exactly what it's like to be me wow.

Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman
5/5 Stars

This book was phenomenal. It artfully and respectfully portrayed what it's like to have schizophrenia as a teenager. The portrayal of his conscious and his mind was so well written and painted an eloquent and real picture, and really helped the reader to truly understand the experience in a way that most books dealing with schizophrenia fail to do. Also, the writerly skill displayed in this book was evident and made the book that much more engaging and helped it to read smoothly and gracefully. Although it may feel that it starts out a little slow, it is definitely worth the read, as you will certainly not regret reading this book the whole way through and then taking time to ruminate on it.

Book Review: Bone Gap

Before I start, I just wanted to say that I acknowledge that it's been a long time since I've written a book review. The truth is, I've had to step back in the past six months and reevaluate why I was reading, why I was doing book reviews, and why I was choosing the books I did. I've decided I want to write book reviews on books I enjoy because I want to write book reviews on books I enjoy, and for no other reason than that. Thank you for being patient with me<3

Summary: Bone Gap by Laura Ruby is a contemporary fantasy mixed with realistic fiction, that artfully combines elements of mythology with the trudge of daily life and themes of love and loss. It uses multiple character perspectives to explore these concepts. Finn and Sean live together in Bone Gap, abandoned by everyone and more alone than not. Roza has been abducted by a strange man and is trapped within his hell disguised as heaven. And no matter how many times Finn tries to describe to the people of Bone Gap her kidnapping, nobody believes him. From magical horses and bee-eyed girls, Finn tries to sort out the truth from the myth, and endlessly searches for his missing friend.

Review
I started this book hesitantly, the style felt unfamiliar and awkward for the first few chapters, the characters were confusing, and the plot impossible to follow. I thought about putting it down, but I decided to give it one last chance.

And I'm so glad I did.

This book, once it got into its' rhythm, was amazingly written and so delicately and artistically dealt with complex concepts. I was amazed, by the end, by the way the author had basically defined love and at the same time left it open for reader interpretation. The themes this book expressed were profound, and I appreciated the fact that if focused on many emotional aspects of life, instead of just one static issue. It allowed the characters to be whole people, instead of defined by a trait or feeling. I also loved the style of this book, and the way it was written. There were so many good metaphors and similes in this book, and excellent comparisons. The writing style was so freshly unique and beautiful, I couldn't get enough of it.

I loved the characters in this book. Basically all of them. I enjoyed reading from every point of view, and that's saying something.

Another favorite aspect of this book was how it combined mythos and reality, without defining anything as mythology. Other nerds like myself may have recognized the Fields of Asphodel and the allusions to the myth of Persephone and Hades. But it was never explicitly stated, just carefully woven into the story. It was excellent. I also loved how myths were, before that, constantly mentioned, but only in a background way, like a books on a shelf in Petey's room. Other themes and symbols were threaded throughout as well, the most obvious being corn and bees. It gave the book a strong aesthetic and sense of personality, that keeps it differentiated from other books in your mind.

Finally, I loved the exploration of relationships throughout this book- relationship between brothers, lovers, bullies, dogs, cats, plants, nature, town, etc. Also the way it dealt with beauty- as an appearance and as a true expression of a person.

My only drawback to this book was that I felt the ending was rushed, and not all of the plot was closed. Some things in the ending still didn't quite add up, and I found myself feeling like it was too easy.

Overall, I thought this book excellent, and highly recommend picking it up. What did you think of it? Did you pick up all the subtle themes threaded throughout? Comment below <3

Book Review: Carry On

Summary: Carry On, by Rainbow Rowell, is a fantasy, wizard-ey, magical adventure novel starring the famed Simon Snow characters from Rainbow Rowell's realistic fiction novel, Fangirl. Simon is the Chosen One, the Greatest Mage, and he has the most power any magician has ever had. Unfortunately, he's never been very good at using it. As he begins another year at Watford School of Mages, he expects things to be normal, or at least, as normal as they ever are when the Humdrum is around. But when his roommate Baz goes missing and then mysteriously reappears a few months later after Simon has been visited by Baz's mother returned as a ghost with some mysterious instructions for her missing son, he finds himself caught up in what can be inferred is a classic Simon Snow adventure, full of magic, romance, and mysteries.

Review: So I should start this review by saying that I went into this book with VERY high expectations. I'd heard awesome things about it on book tube and from book bloggers, so I was really hyped for this book. I love Rainbow Rowell and I enjoyed Fangirl quite a bit, so I was really excited (but a little nervous) about this spinoff "fan fiction".

And I have to admit, I was disappointed.

Ok please don't attack me if you loved this book I'm sorry let me explain:

So for starters it was....a fan fiction. Basically. A really well written one for sure, but still, a fan fiction. Now don't get me wrong, I think fan fiction is an awesome thing. I have read some fanfics myself and I have friends who are very into fan fiction. I'm in no way trying to say fan fiction isn't an awesome art form that many people are into. But when I pick up a book from the library, a hardbound book by an esteemed author, I expect it to have a little more quality, a little more substance, than the average fan fiction. And this book just...didn't. I was essentially just a really really well done fan fiction. If this was a review of fan fiction then I would've given it five stars no sweat. But seeing that this was an actual published book, I had to go a little harder on it.

The characters themselves were very flat. Although I loved Baz and Simon, almost all the female characters in this story (especially Agatha) were just...not everything they could've been. And even Baz and Simon had pretty much one-track minds without many grey areas in their thinking, which I find add so much dimension and intrigue to a character. I wish Rowell would've built their characters a little stronger. Moreover, the plot of this book was incredibly predictable. I liked the Humdrum concept, but I foresaw it way earlier than I should've. I'm a big fan of really complex plots, so for me the lack of interesting plot sort of ruined the book for me. This is a specific Vivian quirk though, so I think that readers who enjoy more basic plots could've found this book very enjoyable.

The whole idea of the story itself was very much a Harry Potter knockoff. All the characters and the settings were essentially mirror images of the Harry Potter universe. I don't know, I for one feel like one Harry Potter is enough Harry Potter, I didn't really need this random, single novel other one. It just felt unoriginal and like, wow, I'm reading this again? But with new names? Weird.

As for Baz and Simon's relationship I have mixed feelings. Let's start with the bad-- TOO MUCH KISSING. Honestly, all they did was make out for like three chapters. It became excessive for sure. Not to mention they jumped from sworn enemies to boyfriends in like three sentences tops. It was impressive to say the least. I would've enjoyed seeing the relationship have been built up more intentionally, to give it a firmer grounding as well as make it more interesting and realistic overall.

But the good; I'm sorry but Baz and Simon are freaking adorable. I ship it so hard to be honest. If I'm speaking from my fangirl side (not my scholarly literary nut side) BAZ IS SO AMAZING I LOVE HIM SO MUCH. So yeah, he's rad. I mean, come on, he's a VAMPIRE. It's too good to not like. I found him a more likable Draco. I certainly enjoyed reading about Baz wayyyy more then I ever enjoyed reading about Draco.

Sort of leading off of that, this book was overall...cute. I don't really know how else to describe it. The story and the spells and the settings were all super cute. It was a warm, fuzzy, cozy book to read for sure. Like, the Insidious Humdrum? I cannot think of a more cute name for a villain. It's adorable and makes me want to read this book while wearing bunny slippers and drinking tea or something.

So overall I have mixed feelings about this book. I went into it expecting something and got something totally different, and I'm not sure how I feel about it. Was this book predictable and a bit redundant? Yes. Was it a cute, warm, fuzzy book that made me want to draw Baz fan art? Also yes. So I suppose you'll have to read this book and decide whether you love this style of writing or not. For me, personally, it was probably my least favorite Rainbow Rowell book so far. But that's just my opinion.

What did you think of Carry On? Did you love it like most readers? Do you disagree with everything I just said? Do you ship Baz and Simon as much as I do (like a lot a lot)? Comment below!