 To read the official synopsis, click here. This is a middle grade novel about a group of mice that lives in the same ballet theater that will put on the very first production of the Nutcracker. These mice have their own theater within those same walls and are preparing to put on their own production of the Nutcracker. But they fear the story will not go well with their mice viewers, so a young dancer must try to save this production and put a new spin on this story. This was a cute read. I started my holiday season with this book and I thought it was a well written story. Esmeralda is a young mouse who loves to dance. She might be the most polished dancer but her heart lives for this theater and this production. She was filled with so much hope that was inspiring. What truly captivated me, was her determination. Esmeralda put in the work to get better. She was constantly practicing when she wasn’t making new friends and finding backdrops and costumes. She was a wonderful character for this delightful story that captured the joy of this ballet. I gave this book an A. 
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 To read the official synopsis, click here.
Carter just ran away from his uncle. He no longer wants to use all the magic tricks he has been taught to steal from others. When he comes into a new town he discovers a circus that uses their sleight of hand for committing crimes and a group of kids that uses tricks to entertain. What ensues is a fun book about friendship and magic. This is the first middle grade written by the actor and the first in a new series. This was a fun book that features an inclusive group of characters from different genders, races and with able-bodied. We have a positive portrayed character in a wheelchair. She didn’t want to be treated any differently than any of the other characters and her chair wasn’t used as a plot point or hindrance at any moment. This book was very entertaining, the only thing that was throwing me off was the books pacing. In between chapters the book segways into teaching the reader how to perform simple magic tricks. While it is fun for the readers, it also sucked me out of the story. The ending also felt very rushed, we quickly were introduced to characters that were needed to for the final showdown but they felt tacked on. But this was a good introduction to a series and I can’t wait to see where he takes these characters. I gave this book a B.  To read the official synopsis, click here.
Romy is trying to deal with her life. She was raped at a party and no one believed her. She just wants to fly under the radar. When her old friend goes missing, Romy struggles with it. Did the town’s golden boys have something to do with it? I am so angry with the marketing of this book. From the book’s own synopsis, it makes it sound like Romy will be confront the town and her rapist. That is not this book. This book is quieter. It is a look at Romy trying to survive every day with what happened to her and how different her life is now. This is about her struggling to form new relationships while trying to maintain old ones. This book is a slice of her life with a minor thriller thrown in. While it was a well written book, it wasn’t the story I was pitched and therefore I was disappointed. If you want a slice of life look into a girl’s life, you might like this. If you are going into this book expecting a triumphant moment where a girl see’s justice for the crimes committed against her, this is not the book for you. I gave this book a D.  To read the official synopsis, click here. This book is about a heist on the moon. This is the first Andy Weir book I have read. I thought this was a pretty enjoyable read. I liked that we follow an female character of color. . . I just wish she was a better fleshed out character. I listened to this book and I thought Rosario Dawson did an amazing job of bringing this world to life. But now that some time has been I wonder if I would have loved the book as much as I did if it wasn’t for her. The setting was interesting but there was a lot of science talk and exposition. There were so many moment where I felt that Jazz was taking the time to explain something to the reader. There wasn’t a lot in this book that flowed organically. From character interactions to dialogue there were so many moments that felt forced. I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that Weir doesn’t have a good grasp on writing a female protagonist. Jazz was constantly describing her looks and other characters were referencing her sexual history. She was a genius engineer that became a trader rather than follow in her father’s footsteps. All of her “flaws” were trivial and only seemed to make her more interesting to male characters.  I really enjoyed the audiobook, but not the actual story.
I gave this book a C.  To read the official synopsis, click here.
Weylyn is a very special man. As a child he spent years living with wolves and as a man he discovered that he has the ability to control the weather. This is a story rich in magical realism that is told through many people’s POVs, each character had a special relationship or unique interaction with Weylyn. This book worked on so many ways for me. This is a story that is filled with a wonderful friendships and found families. There is also a level of doubt that runs throughout a good deal of this book. It kept me wondering back to Weylyn and his animals, long after I finished the book. What I didn’t like about this book was how limited Weylyn’s perspective was. We learned so much about this characters through others but I wish we had more moments where we got to see what Weylyn was thinking. Overall I greatly enjoyed this book, I gave this book a B.  To read the official synopsis, click here. This is the debut novel from the actress. Abby thought she left her small town behind but as environmental lawyer she has to now investigate the town’s biggest company. While she is there long buried memories and secret’s start to come back up to the surface. Does her missing high school bully have any connections to the shady business dealings?  This was a solid thriller. I was really curious to see how Ritter would do in her first jump into writing. While the book was a bit formulaic I thought Ritter did a great job of flushing out her characters.
Abby was a morally grey character who needed to know what happened to her once bully/friend. She worked herself over to the point of breaking in order to solve that mystery. She wasn’t the kindest or most compassionate character. She was morally grey just like everyone else who lived in that small town. Ritter said she was inspired by Gillain Flynn and books that featured unreliable narrators. This books definitely showed it. I gave this book a C. I can’t wait to see more from this author.  To read the official synopsis, click here. This is a collection of stories detailing Gabrielle Union’s childhood, relationships and career. I highly, highly recommend everyone listen to this book immediately. Gabrielle Union is the one narrating her story and it truly add to the reading experience. This was a wonderful example of why I reach for celebrity memoirs. Union is able to break the barrier and let the readers see into her world. While listening to the audiobook, I felt that I was having more of an conversation with the author. Union didn’t shy away from discussing her black identity in a white school, failed marriage or her rape. She talked about the hardships of raising black young men in this time where there is so much violence ant at times very little sense. This book was heart breaking and entertaining. She offered some wonderful advice and great insight to what it means to be a woman of color trying to succeed. I gave this book an A.   To read the official synopsis, click here.
This is a wonderful companion to the Kane Chronicles series. This is a perfect book to catch readers up on the events of the first two books in this trilogy surrounding Egyptian mythology. There is a synopsis of characters, a gallery of gods and villains. I highly recommend this series, I think it gets overlooked by too many readers. I gave this a B.  To read the official synopsis, click here.
This is an autobiographic graphic novel following Katie’s struggle with an eating disorder. This was a massive graphic novel that spanned over Katie’s childhood and college years. We get an intimate look at treatments and relapses. This book was beautifully drawn and it helped see how Katie’s depression and anxiety interfered with her daily life. The muted colors helped added to a helpless feeling. I felt so uncomfortable reading certain parts of this book. This felt like such an honest and raw look into her struggle with unsafe eating habits and anorexia. I gave this book an A.  To read the official synopsis, click here.
Will lost his older brother to gun violence. He knows the rules: you don’t snitch, you get revenge. But as he holds the gun on that short elevator ride, he sees all the people he has lost to gun violence. I am not the biggest fan of books written in verse but this one just clicked. The words on the page mimic Will’s erratic thoughts as he bounces between loneliness, sadness and rage. Reynolds did a beautifully captures the state of disbelief and anger that accompanies grief. I am so proud to see this book receive so much praise. This is a story that sadly too many kids, teens and adults can relate too. Gun violence is on the rise and while we scream for change, we don’t see that change happening. I could understand Will’s frustrations and his loss. I have recently lost a beloved friend to gun violence and it was Will’s voice that rang out clear. I highly recommend this book and its audiobook. I gave it a B. |
Becca "Buho"I devour worlds with each new book. I am making up for lost time as a late bloomer of the reading world. Archives
September 2019
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