Monday, December 29, 2014

Yes Please


Yes Please
Amy Poehler
4/5


Published 2014

First Sentence
"I like hard work and I don't like pretending things are perfect."

Publisher's Description:

In Amy Poehler’s highly anticipated first book, Yes Please, she offers up a big juicy stew of personal stories, funny bits on sex and love and friendship and parenthood and real life advice (some useful, some not so much), like when to be funny and when to be serious. Powered by Amy’s charming and hilarious, biting yet wise voice, Yes Please is a book is full of words to live by.

Dear Reader,

Oh Amy... can you be my best friend? I was super excited for this book and it didn't let me down. Poehler delivered timely jokes and punches that sometimes had you gasping for air. However, and yes... I will gripe about what isn't "perfect" about this comedian's book... I wasn't thrilled with the non-comedic advice she was dishing out. I'm not a huge "self-help" fan and this became borderline just that (at times). As you can clearly see, the rating may have been a perfect FIVE if Poehler stuck to what she has going on, her comedic wit. That talent, woah... she has it. I found her personal history fascinating and was even impressed with her crazy name dropping. Speaking of, I listened to this on audiobook and I wouldn't suggest ANY other way to read this book. Amy invites a bunch of her "celebrity" friends to her recording session for the book, thus presenting us with numerous cameos from some highly impressive names (Patrick Stewart, Kathleen Turner just to name two). This clever woman has armed herself with a troop of personalities to strengthen her own magnetic charm. I tell you what, it sold me.

What exactly had me so joyful about Yes Please? How about Patrick Stewart reading intimate thoughts from Poehler's writing?!? That just about made an entire day for me. I was really impressed with the chapter on drugs, of all the life lessons Poehler tried to throw at me, this one didn't seem as annoying, she actually gave us some really good points. I found myself jotting this down right after; "finally someone my age who gives an honest account of past digressions but gives it to you straight, all the life experiences summoned up in three sentences "drugs suck", "drugs help" and "drugs are fun"". So yeah, I might not have learned anything from that chapter but I really appreciate a good analyzation of a controversial issue, especially one that falls in line with my own opinions. Lastly, one quote that made me snort/laugh, "If I could eat my children, I would". Yes Poehler, that is why I find you so hysterical, eating babies... always funny. Anyways, I think you should listen to this book. To be honest with you, I think everyone should listen to this book when they've had a REALLY shitty week and need to escape from it, Yes Please is the perfect dose of medicine for that gloom and doom day.

Happy Reading,
AmberBug

Yes Please

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Tuesday, December 23, 2014

A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Writings


A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Writings
Charles Dickens
5/5


Published 1843

First Sentence
"Marley was dead: to begin with."

Publisher's Description:

'Merry Christmas!...every idiot who goes about with "Merry Christmas" on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding'

Dickens' story of solitary miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who is taught the true meaning of Christmas by a series of ghostly visitors, has proved one of his most well-loved works. Ever since it was published in 1843 it has had an enduring influence on the way we think about the traditions of Christmas. Dickens' other Christmas writings collected here include 'The Story of the Goblins who Stole a Sexton', the short story from on which A Christmas Carol was based; The Haunted Man, a tale of a man tormented by painful memories; along with shorter pieces, some drawn from the 'Christmas Stories' that Dickens wrote annually for his weekly journals. In all of them Dickens celebrates the season as one of geniality, charity and remembrance.

This new selection contains an introduction by distinguished Dickens scholar Michael Slater discussing how the author has shaped ideas about the Christmas spirit, an appendix on Dickens' use of The Arabian Nights, a further reading list and explanatory notes.

Dear Reader,

Before I get into the review of this book, I wanted to give you a heads up that this review was written over two years ago. I thought it was an appropriate time to post it on shelfnotes and since I love this story by Dickens so much, I do try to pick it up and re-read it every year. Enjoy, and if you haven't read the story yet... what are you waiting for?!?

Oh, Dickens... you've done it again. Pulling at my heartstrings during this special time of year, Christmas. I'm so glad I decided to read this during the Holiday. You see, I'm always left with a bad feeling during Christmas because it makes me so neurotic. Cleaning, shopping, making food, parties, no time to do everything... CHAOS! I detest the feeling of "GO GO GO" and "BUY EVERYTHING". I wish we could live in the times when Christmas was all about giving to those in need and gathering round a table full of Christmas goodies and cheer.

Reading this has relaxed my anxiety during this Holiday season and I think this might become a tradition... Amber, you must read A Christmas Carol every year before you start going crazy from all the expectations. The characters are as wonderful as any others Dickens writes and the comedy is tenfold when it comes to Scrooge (as I viewed him before to what he is in the book). I think everyone should read "A Christmas Carol" before the Holiday and try and take the meaning to heart!

As for Dickens other stories in the book... my favorite was the "Christmas Tree". This story was unlike anything I would have expected out of Dickens and could very well be one of my favorite short stories of all time. It starts out describing a Christmas tree that we can all relate to and then meanders through life through the telling of tales that relate to the tree. Each story is philosophical and rich with description, enough to catch you off guard for a few paragraphs until you get into the flow again. This story was amazing and I highly recommend it to everyone.

Happy Reading,
AmberBug

A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Writings

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Thursday, December 18, 2014

The Happy Zombie Sunrise Home


The Happy Zombie Sunrise Home
Margaret Atwood & Naomi Alderman
3.5 / 5

Published 2012

First Sentences
"Sometimes it's difficult to do the right thing. But Okie and I tried; we did everything humanly possible."
Publisher's Description:
Okie's fifteen. She lives in New York. She's got a few problems: she's failing geography, her dad's a wimp, and her mother, Sumatra, is a stone cold bitch. But things get a lot worse when Sumatra turns into a zombie and eats Okie's dad.

Clio, Okie's grandmother, lives in Toronto; but since the zombie apocalypse, Toronto's a lot further away than it used to be. Clio suggests that Okie transport Sumatra across the border, because family is family. But coaching Okie by cellphone isn't easy, and Clio has some zombies of her own to contend with. Luckily she has some garden tools.

Naomi Alderman and Margaret Atwood team up for this unusual two-hander. Encompassing love, death, sex, and the meaning of family, The Happy Zombie Sunrise Home will surprise, delight, and convince you of the vital importance of keeping ready supplies of rhubarb and mini-wieners in your freezer at all times.

(Description from Wattpad)
 

Dear Reader,

This was a super quick read (although let's ignore that I read it in such little chunks that it took me a couple of weeks to get through! haha). It is available ONLY on Wattpad, so don't look for it in any other format (believe me, I tried!). It must be read either in a browser or using the Wattpad app (which is available for Android or iOS). NB: All reading options are free!

In any case, this was a lighthearted and interesting take on the whole zombie apocalypse. I know, I know, it's been done 2,000 times already. But this story takes a different tack, and I really liked its ideas. For one thing, it posits the possibility of somewhere (NYC, in this instance) being able to build back up post apocalypse. This means that there are "safe zones" which are relatively "back to normal" (albeit with a bit more awareness & caution - mostly) and then the kind of no-mans-lands which exist outside of the city's gates. Life still goes on relatively normally within the safe zones: people go to school, "normal life" has returned. However, many choose to remain outside of the walls, but they know that they do so at their own risk. Clio, a fairly cool grandmother who resides in her marital home in Toronto, is one of those. She knows how to be safe with the wild creatures outside her garden walls. And she is an especially interesting character, because her late husband is perhaps the cause of the zombie plague! (Another thing I love: how the authors imply that it could be overconsumption of a fictitious energy drink which could have caused humans to turn into zombies.) So when her granddaughter calls with the news that "mom ate dad" (with the grandmother initially misunderstanding in a hilarious way), Clio tells Okie that she ought to hire a "Z-Liner" to transport both the kid & zombie mom to her place in Canada.

The book isn't long so I don't want to give too much away, but I will restate how I enjoyed the light (but not silly) take on the zombie situation in this book. It was sweet and would be easy to gobble up in an afternoon (no pun intended!). I certainly recommend this for any zombie fans out there, particularly if you are of the belief that zombie behavior can be interpreted in various ways. This being just one humorous take.

Yours,
Arianna


Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4)

Read this book on Wattpad:
http://www.wattpad.com/8164541-the-happy-zombie-sunrise-home

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

One Step Too Far


One Step Too Far
Tina Seskis
4.5 / 5

Published January 27, 2015
(First published April 7, 2013 in the UK)

First Sentence
"The heat is like another person to push past as I make my way along the platform."
Publisher's Description:
The #1 international bestseller reminiscent of After I'm Gone, Sister, Before I Go to Sleep, and The Silent Wife--an intricately plotted, thoroughly addictive thriller that introduces a major new voice in suspense fiction--a mesmerizing and powerful novel that will keep you guessing to the very end.

No one has ever guessed Emily's secret.

Will you?

A happy marriage. A beautiful family. A lovely home. So what makes Emily Coleman get up one morning and walk right out of her life--to start again as someone new?

Now, Emily has become Cat, working at a hip advertising agency in London and living on the edge with her inseparable new friend, Angel. Cat's buried any trace of her old self so well, no one knows how to find her. But she can't bury the past--or her own memories.

And soon, she'll have to face the truth of what she's done--a shocking revelation that may push her one step too far. . . .
 

Dear Reader,

Could. Not. Put this book down! The description does a crap job of describing the story, but I guess it's difficult to talk about it too much without revealing the important pieces. (I'll give it my best shot here, though.)

This book seems like it will be popular with those who embraced Gone Girl or Before I Go to Sleep; it is one of those books with a twist ending you know is coming. This book is set up from the get-go to be clearly all about one mysterious turning point, but while normally I have some sort of inkling, this time I was shocked! Add to that a fun (if you can look past a woman abandoning her life & family) story of a young woman who is entering the big city for the first time, intertwined with stories from the past, both hers and those of her loved ones. This book moves so quickly that I would forget where I was for whole stretches of hours: I read it in 2 days. When there were other, more pressing (library) books I should have been reading! But, it caught me up and I just needed to know what happened.

I can't say I liked the main character all that much, at any point, but I do think I sympathized with her. Even if I had no idea what had happened in her "former" life, I felt as if I understood her feelings of being overwhelmed and her inadequacy when it came to being a wife, or a Londoner, or a new employee. I'd like to think I wouldn't do all of the things Cat did in order to shed her old skin, but I suppose that even her most extreme actions are ultimately "explained" when the story comes out.

I love the way the author unwrapped the story one layer at a time, going back all the way in time to the birth of Emily and her twin, and including other interesting tidbits about how strained the family was, and how Emily met her husband. Those layers - while frustratingly prolonging the reveal! - gave so much more depth to how the characters were motivated and how their lives ultimately would up as they did.

One thing I would have liked to have seen was an explanation of Emily's fear of heights - it comes up both in the skydiving scene and in a scene where she gets too close to a cliff edge. The author implies that this fear may be due somehow to Caroline, but does not ever expand on that, and those unexplained mysteries always bother me a bit.

However, all in all, one of those books that I just couldn't put down - so, no matter what I thought of the writing or how the story ultimately panned out, I have to rate it highly. Besides, I did like how the book ended. I'd love for others to read it & let me know what they think!

Yours,
Arianna

P.S. This book was sent to me by William Morrow (an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers) in exchange for an honest review.


One Step Too Far

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Thursday, December 11, 2014

Bird Box


Bird Box
Josh Malerman
5/5


Published 2014

First Sentence
"Malorie stands in the kitchen, thinking."
Publisher's Description:

Most people ignored the outrageous reports on the news. But they became too frequent, they became too real. And soon, they began happening down the street. Then the Internet died. The television and radio went silent. The phones stopped ringing. And we couldn't look outside anymore. Malorie raises the children the only way she can; indoors. The house is quiet. The doors are locked, the curtains are closed, mattresses are nailed over the windows. They are out there. She might let them in. The children sleep in the bedroom across the hall. Soon she will have to wake them. Soon she will have to blindfold them. Today they must leave the house. Today they will risk everything.

Dear Reader,

I just want to gush all over this book, and I probably will, reader be warned! Everything I love about creepy, scary books is hidden inside this gem. It reminded me of "Blindness" (which I just read and reviewed) mixed with a King novel (or something along those lines). I loved that it didn't follow the regular formula and how the story was broken up in two parts; essentially working back and forth through a timeline. Bird Box delivers a chilling future of darkness and paranoia, with particular attention to the main characters unique storyline, delving into even more horrific circumstances of an already twisted world.

To be clear, there is something out there. This something has the ability to cause massive havoc with a glance, you can't open your eyes because if you do... you'll see one of these "things" and kill yourself and anyone around you. To counter this, some survivors have determined to live life hidden indoors with the windows boarded, venturing outside with blindfolds only. As I was saying earlier, the Author went a little further and decided to make the main character pregnant! The survivability of a woman going through birth and then raising kids in this new world!?? A fantastically chilling concept. It worked.The part that had me freaked out the most was related to the title of the book, BUT...

I really don't want to say too much about this book because I think you have to experience it for yourself. So... Although this review is short, it by no means reflects any negativity towards Bird Box. I'd love to discuss this book with those who've read it, so if you've delved into this one, please let me know what you thought. And for those of you looking for the next book to prickle your skin, this is the one I would pick up. I dub this one of my favorite books of 2014!

Happy Reading,
AmberBug

Bird Box

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Left: Hardcover -- Right: Kindle:

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Girl Defective


Girl Defective
Simmone Howell
3.5 / 5

Published 2014

First Sentence
"The song 'Wishing Well' by the Millionaires (Decca, 1966) was as rare as it was weird, and my dad named his record shop after it."
Publisher's Description:
In the tradition of High Fidelity and Empire Records, this is the literary soundtrack to Skylark Martin’s strange, mysterious, and extraordinary summer.

This is the story of a wild girl and a ghost girl; a boy who knew nothing and a boy who thought he knew everything.

It’s a story about Skylark Martin, who lives with her father and brother in a vintage record shop and is trying to find her place in the world. It’s about ten-year-old Super Agent Gully and his case of a lifetime. And about beautiful, reckless, sharp-as-knives Nancy. It’s about tragi-hot Luke, and just-plain-tragic Mia Casey. It’s about the dark underbelly of a curious neighborhood. It’s about summer, and weirdness, and mystery, and music.

And it's about life and death and grief and romance. All the good stuff. 

Dear Reader,

This is definitely a case of me partially choosing a book by its cover - I loved the blend of record-bin vintage and cartoon drawings. Turns out this book was also nostalgic in another way, too: it felt like a more modern, Australian, novelized version of My So-Called Life in a lot of ways. Which of course I loved, MSCL being an old favorite. I could see the main character, Sky, as Angela Chase, and her tough and reckless friend Nancy as Rayanne. So that was pretty great. Plus, Sky's dad was a drunker version of Rob Fleming, which brings back another sort of nostalgia for me. Sans Championship Vinyl and top-ten lists.

The book itself was enjoyable - another one I probably would have latched onto and loved were I still in high school (or anywhere NEAR high school age...hah!). As it was, it was an enjoyable story about misfits and family and friendship and love. And about finding yourself, and "your people" as Sky's mother puts it. I felt, though, like at times I was "out of the loop" because a lot of slang and local jargon was used in the book, and I have no familiarity with Australian-isms. So, that made the book a little rougher to read than it otherwise could have been. Not that I blame the author! I just wish I got more of the references...

Overall, though, a fun and touching book about how everyone defines (and interacts with) family in different ways. Sky is "saddled" with the caretaking of her oddball younger brother because her father is usually too busy with running the record store - or too drunk. Luke wishes he had been able to take better care of his own sister. Nancy continually runs from whatever family she might have once had, opting instead to forge temporary (and often unhealthy) connections which she will forsake for the opportunity to "travel the world" (read: escape over & over again to other places). I did like the connections Howell built between Sky's father and his old friend, and how Sky's yearning for her estranged mother didn't become too cliched. Things didn't work out perfectly in this book; it wasn't intended to. But I like books where people figure out how they can find a way through. Ultimately, the entire Martin family is able to move forward in one way or another. No, this doesn't promise blue skies and rainbows forever. This isn't a sanitized Grimm tale. It's just a small slice of life, and one to learn from.

A fun side note: the name of the record shop where the Martins live and work is the Wishing Well, named after the following (rare and elusive) tune:


Yours,
Arianna


Girl Defective

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Monday, December 8, 2014

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris


Dead Until Dark
By Charlaine Harris
4 out of 5 stars


Published 2001

First Sentence
"I'd been waiting for the vampire for years when he walked into the bar."
Publisher's Description:

Sookie Stackhouse is a small-time cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana. She's quiet, keeps to herself, and doesn't get out much. Not because she's not pretty. She is. It's just that, well, Sookie has this sort of "disability." She can read minds. And that doesn't make her too dateable. And then along comes Bill. He's tall, dark, handsome--and Sookie can't hear a word he's thinking. He's exactly the type of guy she's been waiting for all her life....

But Bill has a disability of his own: He's a vampire with a bad reputation. He hangs with a seriously creepy crowd, all suspected of--big surprise--murder. And when one of Sookie's coworkers is killed, she fears she's next...

Dear Reader,

For me the book vs the show; is an issue that has to be addressed. I was a fan of the HBO show and I am a fan of Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse book series. That being said, the HBO episodes do not invoke the same imagery or character development. I prefer the book-Sookie in the book series because the stories are told from her perspective and I usually agree with her thinking and actions. The Sookie portrayed by Anna Paquin is a irritable, fickle and not nearly as admirable. Book-Sookie never gets magical fairy-ball powers but still manages to be tough when it comes down to the battles as they arise.
    Harris's writing style is easy to listen to and I love the voices that the audible-book reader is able to create.  Book-Bill is quiet and hard to read in this book. Show-Bill is honorable, more stable and tough throughout the tv series. I'd also like to point out that Jessica was added to the tv series and made her a starring role while in the book Bill never makes a child. Book-Jason ends up a half were-panther and in the show-Jason stays human and remains relatively the hot-boy-comical relief. In the book his character develops in maturity after some hard life lessons. Quinn the were-tiger, who is an important lover for Sookie, is nowhere in the tv series. Having bought all 13 audio Sookie Stackhouse books and finished listening to them a few years ago, recently I decided to re-listen in order to give a fresh review for ShelfNotes. Knowing what's going to happen next is like watching a favorite tv show in my head as I listen to the characters emerge and interact with our heroine. I never was bored listening to the books because the plot has a general mystery with twists and plush details. Charlaine Harris manages to make a fantasy world seem realistic by the believability of her character development. With some reflection, I realize that over time the reader gets to learn about the perspective of the modern southern woman.  As a New Englander,  I would never had this. It's a genuine perspective since the author is from Louisiana. Dead Until Dark is the first in a series that is addicting.

Yours,
Marsha

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4)

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Friday, December 5, 2014

Candy Aisle Crafts


Candy Aisle Crafts
Jodi Levine
3/5


Published 2014

First Sentence
Picture/Cook book, does not apply

Publisher's Description:

The ultimate materials for fun, whimsical crafting are right in your grocery store!

From party decorations to children's toys, from wearable art to cute gifts, you need look no further than your supermarket shelves for the materials to make these unique (and kid-friendly) food crafts. For special celebrations, rainy-day activities, and much more, treat yourself to the sweetest projects. Colorful candy canes are fashioned into heart-shaped necklaces, melted peppermints are molded into a festive bowl, cookies and ice cream cones are transformed into a fanciful castle, marshmallows are snipped into a polar bear, and gumdrops become everything from adorable frogs to bumblebees and ducks. "Candy Aisle Crafts" is packed with simple ideas for charming crafts that both kids and parents will love.

Dear Reader,

I loved the concept for this book, probably more than the book itself, sadly. My plan was to get the girls together for a crafting candy night, take some pictures and have some fun. I figured this blog review would practically write itself. This did not work out the way I planned, for many reasons. Not only did our plans fail when we tried to get together but I just didn't feel all that up to making another date for us. I love hanging out and crafting with the girls but looking over this book, I felt that the crafts leaned towards the childish side (which they probably should) and didn't interest me as much. Many of the crafts required kitchen utensils that I don't have on hand. Again, this is completely understandable, but probably a bad oversight for me since I don't normally make candy. I will say that the title led me to believe that since the candy used can be found "easily?" in the grocery store, you would think that the recipes would be basic enough for a candy maker newbie?!

Okay, so enough bashing... because frankly, this book had a lot going for it (especially for the seasoned candy confectioner). The directions had great organization and the Author even hinted from the beginning that you would need certain "tools" to complete the recipes. The photographs are bright and enticing, each page had my mouth watering. I even picked out a few specific recipes that I really wanted to try. I'm sure this book will come out someday - on a rainy day and I'll attempt to make some sweets, but for now... I'll stick with cooking. I would recommend this book to anyone with prior knowledge about candy making and/or has some simple tools of the trade. I can only imagine how some of these amazing looking recipes would come out.

Happy Reading,
AmberBug
P.S. - I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
Some links:
More info about the book
Author Bio

Candy Aisle Crafts: Create Fun Projects with Supermarket Sweets

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Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Anatomy of a Misfit


Anatomy of a Misfit
Andrea Portes
3.5 / 5

Published 2014

First Sentence
"Pedaling fast fast fast, this is the moment."
Publisher's Description:
Outside, Anika Dragomir is all lip gloss and blond hair—the third most popular girl in school.

Inside, she's a freak. A mix of dark thoughts, diabolical plots, and, if local chatter is to be believed, vampire DNA. After all, her father is from Romania. Everyone else in Nebraska is about as American as an apple pie . . . wrapped in a flag . . . on the Fourth of July.

Spider stew. That's what Anika is made of. But she keeps it under wraps to maintain her social position. One step out of line and Becky Vilhauser, first most popular girl in school, will make her life a living hell.

So when former loner Logan McDonough shows up one September hotter, smarter, and more mysterious than ever, Anika knows she can't get involved. It would be insane to throw away her social safety for a nerd. So what if that nerd is now a black-leather-jacket-wearing dreamboat, and his loner status is clearly the result of his troubled home life?

Who cares if the right girl could help him with all that, maybe even save him from it...?

Logan. Who needs him when Jared Kline, the bad boy every girl dreams of, is asking her on dates?

Who?

Andrea Portes's emotionally devastating debut YA novel lays bare the futility in pretending to be something we're not and the value in finally celebrating all that we are—inside.

Dear Reader,

Whoah. This book took me in so many directions. I was loving it at first, then meh, then I laughed, then I cried...but, ultimately, what I liked most about it was that it was kind of an anthem for high school, one which tries to point out (as many have before) that we shouldn't let the popular kids dictate what we do and who we like. And yet...I don't know how well that lesson is ever really learned IN high school. After? Of course. But, during? These kids are stuck in a forced social environment for 40+ hours each week. Of course they are going to be affected by what their peers think, and how they fit into the social hierarchy. They don't understand how little it will matter later - they haven't gotten to "later" yet. It sucks, but that is real life.

But, I digress. Let me first say why I even picked up this book: it was the Big Library Read offered by Overdrive, which means that while normal Overdrive selections are limited to a certain number of checkouts (and thus you are often relegated to a hold list), this book was available to as many people wanted to read it, anytime - I think the concept was that it would foster a sort of community book club type thing. This lasted for the month of October; of course, I was too slow to get to the book "on time", but I still wanted to check out what all the fuss was about.

I'll admit, I am a sucker for some good high school fiction, be it in book or movie form. Which is funny, because I'm not really into YA in a big way - I just like taking a look at the battleground that was secondary school, especially now that the scars are long healed over & I can view it all with some distance. I guess I find it fascinating, like an anthropology study. That, and I also enjoy me some good pop culture, for sure! So this book was a good cross between Mean Girls and Heathers - and, it did NOT advertise this in the least, but it took place in the '80s! It was so understated; I kept second-guessing myself, but the lack of electronic devices and the cultural references resting solidly in 30+ years ago resolved the issue for me. I liked that (understated) aspect of the book, and Anika's smart and snarky demeanor - she reminded me in many ways of Veronica Mars. She saw through people's facades and really tried to be a good person. But she could really get on your nerves at times, too, with her inner commentary and the way things unfolded. I just guess that despite this being a theme of every single worth-its-salt '80s movie, I still don't buy "the girl who everyone overlooked until some 'totally hot' guy thought she was worth his time" - that's not how life works. Eh. It was still a good book in that while that unlikely scenario DID play out...it wasn't, ultimately, the meat of the story. While this book had an ending that, again, was reminiscent of Mean Girls (much self-reflection in front of the entire student body), it was still well done and brought tears to my eyes for those who don't make it out of high school nearly as unscathed.

One thing I am left wondering about: was the title a reference that I entirely missed? I kept thinking "Anatomy of a Murder", but I highly doubt this book was referencing a Jimmy Stewart movie from the sixties - the only connection being that both involved high school students, if I recall correctly? I keep thinking this must be an allusion to an album title that I not recalling...please, Reader, help me out if you have any ideas! Because otherwise I CANNOT figure out why this book was so titled.

Anyway, hey - the BLR did get me talking, though, didn't it? Which I guess was the entire point. Thanks, Overdrive!

Yours,
Arianna


Anatomy of a Misfit

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Monday, December 1, 2014

Blindness


Blindness
José Saramago
Translated by Giovanni Pontiero 
3/5


Published 1995

First Sentence
"The amber light came on."
Publisher's Description:
A city is hit by an epidemic of "white blindness" that spares no one. Authorities confine the blind to an empty mental hospital, but there the criminal element holds everyone captive, stealing food rations and assaulting women. There is one eyewitness to this nightmare who guides her charges—among them a boy with no mother, a girl with dark glasses, a dog of tears—through the barren streets, and their procession becomes as uncanny as the surroundings are harrowing. As Blindness reclaims the age-old story of a plague, it evokes the vivid and trembling horrors of the twentieth century, leaving readers with a powerful vision of the human spirit that's bound both by weakness and exhilarating strength.

Dear Reader,

This book has been sitting on my shelf for at least two years now and I finally broke down and picked it up. Don't think that the book sat on the shelf because I wasn't interested in it, on the contrary, I was so intrigued by it I didn't want the movie to spoil my experience. The movie came out in 2008 and apparently waiting worked because when I lifted this book off the shelf to read it, I had forgotten it was made into a movie until Arianna mentioned it. After that, it all started flooding back to me. Unfortunately, I liked the movie better! There I said it. Okay, so to be fair... I should pick up the movie and watch it again just to be absolutely positive my feelings stay the same on this, but I'm pretty sure the movie wins out on this one.

Why? Glad you asked. I believe the movie SPOILED my experience with this book. I hate to say it but sometimes that happens and I find it truly heartbreaking. Just like when a movie doesn't live up to the book, the same can be said vice versa. Now I know some of you will rebuke that the writing of the book is so phenomenal it stands out on its own... Ohhkay, but I'm on the fence about the writing. Obviously the Author has a style that is very unique and I'm hoping the translation didn't dissolve some of that. I'm very weary of translations, I always wonder if the faults are from the Author or the translator?! The style is written like a huge run-on sentence without punctuation. It was VERY distracting to read and slowed this book down to a crawling pace. Maybe the Author wanted that? Reading slowly opens our eyes to things we might fly past normally, so this could be a motivated way to get the reader to fully comprehend everything written. However, I can't say that I wasn't annoyed by it, because it was very distracting for me. I kept screaming at the book, "WHO THE HECK IS SPEAKING!!!!", the dialogue was madness.

What did I like about this book? The dark, bleak and horrifying cautionary theme underlying the book. This was fully expressed in the movie, therefore might be the reason why I prefered the movie to the book. Nobody wants to suddenly go blind! The Author takes it one step further and makes the whole world go blind, if thats not horrifying, I don't know what is. The Author brings up so many thoughtful questions about society, humanity, good/evil and just the overall sense of discomfort from lack of control. This book made me think hard in a really good way... I just didn't like the style of writing the Author used. It looks like this book has overall excellent ratings but those that didn't like it, gave it a one or two rating. I have to stick with the middle because I was impressed on one end but annoyed on the other. I would love to know what you thought of this book!!!

Happy Reading,
AmberBug
P.S. - Check out the link below - the digital kindle copy of this book is only $2.99 (not sure how long that will last).

Blindness (Blindness, #1)

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Thursday, November 27, 2014

The Maker Movement Manifesto


The Maker Movement Manifesto
Mark Hatch
3.5 / 5

Published 2014

First Sentence of the Manifesto
"MAKE: Making is fundamental to what it means to be human."
Publisher's Description:
YOU can create the next breakthrough innovation A revolution is under way. But it's not about tearing down the old guard. It's about building, it's about creating, it's about breathing life into groundbreaking new ideas. It's called the Maker Movement, and it's changing the world.

Mark Hatch has been at the forefront of the Maker Movement since it began. A cofounder of TechShop--the first, largest, and most popular makerspace--Hatch has seen it all. Average people pay a small fee for access to advanced tools--everything from laser cutters and milling machines to 3D printers and AutoCAD software. All they have to bring is their creativity and some positive energy. Prototypes of new products that would have cost $100,000 in the past have been made in his shop for $1,000.

The Maker Movement is where all the next great inventions and innovations are happening--and you can play a part in it.

"The Maker Movement Manifesto" takes you deep into the movement. Hatch describes the remarkable technologies and tools now accessible to you and shares stories of how ordinary people have devised extraordinary products, giving rise to successful new business ventures. He explains how economic upheavals are paving the way for individuals to create, innovate, make a fortune--and even drive positive societal change--with nothing more than their own creativity and some hard work.

It's all occurring right now, all around the world--and possibly in your own neighborhood.

The creative spirit lives inside every human being. We are all makers. Whether you're a banker, lawyer, teacher, tradesman, or politician, you can play an important role in the Maker society.

So fire up your imagination, read "The Maker Movement Manifesto"--and start creating!
Dear Reader,

This book was okay, and Mark Hatch clearly is as enamored by the maker movement as I am. So I loved that. But while it was an interesting look at makerspaces, if you want a great introduction to the phenomenon, do yourself a favor and read Chris Anderson's Makers: The New Industrial Revolution first. Then I would suggest reading this one, because it did a really good job of getting me all raring to go at our local makerspace and with my own project ideas. But I think it helps to understand the import and the history of makerspaces before jumping in with both feet. I just think it's good to know the background and why makerspaces have the potential make such an impact on society and economics.

That the title of this book included the word "manifesto" made it sound as if Hatch was encouraging something revolutionary - which he was, in a sense. The book didn't feel very revolutionary exactly, but the concepts he discusses certainly are!

(Over the past year, I have co-taught a few classes on incorporating makerspaces into libraries, which I think is the perfect marriage of two great open-access models. Trust me, I know it's easy to feel intimidated by the idea of dabbling in electronics, but do yourself a favor & explore a small electronics board like Arduino. Check out some YouTube videos on what can be done - at home and cheaply! - with such an amazing product.)

In any case, what I enjoyed most about this book were Hatch's "success stories" that he scattered throughout the chapters. Those always interest me, to learn what people can think up and then CREATE! It's fantastic. And I was even able to look past what felt like copious editorial mistakes (having the wrong URL when the book was published this year? really, guys?) and still enjoy the concept of the book as whole. But it was kind of difficult not to read the entire book with a grain of salt, knowing that ultimately, Hatch may have written the book as a very long advertisement for the company of which he is CEO, TechShop. Even so, though, I can't blame people for making a little bit of profit off of such a progressive idea, and I am still all for encouraging anyone who has access to visit a makerspace. The fun of experimenting with new ways to create and invent is unbounded. If you want to get yourself all fired up and inspired to invent, definitely read this book and then get thee to a makerspace! :)

Yours,
Arianna

The Maker Movement Manifesto

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Monday, November 24, 2014

Lincoln's Last Days


Lincoln's Last Days:
The Shocking Assassination
that Changed America Forever

Bill O'Reilly
2.5 / 5

Published 2012

First Sentence
"Abraham Lincoln, the man with six weeks to live, is anxious."
Publisher's Description:
Lincoln’s Last Days is a gripping account of one of the most dramatic nights in American history—of how one gunshot changed the country forever. Adapted from Bill O’Reilly’s bestselling historical thriller, Killing Lincoln, this book will have young readers—and grown-ups too—hooked on history.

In the spring of 1865, President Abraham Lincoln travels through Washington, D.C., after finally winning America’s bloody Civil War. In the midst of celebrations, Lincoln is assassinated at Ford’s Theatre by a famous actor named John Wilkes Booth. What follows is a thrilling chase, ending with a fiery shoot-out and swift justice for the perpetrators.

With an unforgettable cast of characters, page-turning action, vivid detail, and art on every spread, Lincoln’s Last Days is history that reads like a thriller. This is a very special book, irresistible on its own or as a compelling companion to Killing Lincoln.
 
Dear Reader,

I would never have chosen this book off a shelf, because I'm decidedly NOT a fan of the author. However, this is not going to be a review of the author, I promise. I received a free copy of this audiobook as a handout at a library conference a few years back, and since it is so short, I figured it was a great listen to follow my last tome of an audiobook. And I was right - this was a very quick read, although I was disappointed when I realized that a large part of what really made this book was supposed to be the illustrations. It's already a shortened version of Killing Lincoln, aimed at an audience of kids. I don't think it translates nearly as well into audio form. Although! Any poor outcome from the transition from page to CD was mitigated by the amazing reading voice of Grandpa Gilmore - I mean, Edward Herrmann. That man has such a great voice. It was perfect for such a grave piece; it lent real weight to the story.

In any case, I did learn a lot more about Lincoln's assassination than I ever knew before; gaining knowledge is something I always enjoy. I had no idea how long Lincoln lived after he was shot; I guess I'd always imagined he had just died immediately, as it was a gunshot wound to the head! Also, you always only hear about John Wilkes Booth, and I do NOT recall being told in elementary school that Lincoln's death was only a small part of a larger assassination (orignally kidnapping!) plot. Granted, that probably wouldn't have been easy to explain in elementary school, but still. I had no idea so many other people were involved; I'd always thought Booth was a crazed, passionate lone gunman who acted spontaneously. But there was a lot of planning and coordinating that went into the plot, and ultimately there were many who were involved and who were convicted for the parts they played.

My favorite parts of the book were actually probably the ones which discussed the botched assassinations of other dignitaries, including the Secretary of State and VP. If those plans had succeeded, we would have ended up with President Foster (from my home state of CT!). Crazy to think about! The only other president pro tem who has gotten that close to the presidential seat that quickly would have been the man who served under Johnson when he was impeached in 1868 (because Johnson had no VP). But they REALLY didn't want that guy - they pardoned Johnson instead!

And for a side note: according to Wikipedia, there have been only 3 heads of the Senate who have become vice president through the line of succession, and from there only one became president (Tyler, after the death of Harrison).

Anyway, I digress - I tend to fall down the rabbit hold of interesting stories when I read nonfiction. I will try to finish this up shortly, but here's a link to more on John Wilkes Booth. (I've always hated how that assassins and evildoers are remembered, which is what they want: fame, immortality. And yet I can't help but be fascinated by this man's history.)

I would recommend reading this short book if you feel you are as unfamiliar with the Lincoln assassination plot as I was prior to this. It's worth knowing more about, especially if you like to geek out over history stuff. However, it's not terribly well written (even Ed Herrmann couldn't save that aspect of it). But you'll pick up a lot of info, which may lead you (if you're anything like me) to want to dig further.

Yours,
Arianna

Lincoln's Last Days

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Thursday, November 20, 2014

The Heart Does Not Grow Back


The Heart Does Not Grow Back
Fred Venturini
3.5/5


Published November 4th, 2014

First Sentence
"Graduation was supposed to go something like this: 


Mack and me on the stage, waiting our turn to snag diplomas."

Publisher's Description:

EVERY SUPERHERO NEEDS TO START SOMEWHERE...

Dale Sampson is used to being a nonperson at his small-town Midwestern high school, picking up the scraps of his charismatic lothario of a best friend, Mack. He comforts himself with the certainty that his stellar academic record and brains will bring him the adulation that has evaded him in high school. But when an unthinkable catastrophe tears away the one girl he ever had a chance with, his life takes a bizarre turn as he discovers an inexplicable power: He can regenerate his organs and limbs.

When a chance encounter brings him face to face with a girl from his past, he decides that he must use his gift to save her from a violent husband and dismal future. His quest takes him to the glitz and greed of Hollywood, and into the crosshairs of shadowy forces bent on using and abusing his gift. Can Dale use his power to redeem himself and those he loves, or will the one thing that finally makes him special be his demise? The Heart Does Not Grow Back is a darkly comic, starkly original take on the superhero tale, introducing an exceptional new literary voice in Fred Venturini.

Dear Reader,

I was very excited to get the opportunity to read this book ahead of publication, however, it took me a little past that date. But hey, I'm still in the right month! Funny things is, this book was put on my radar through Netgalley (a little bit contemporary fantasy but leaned more to the dark comedy side), and I was sold. So what did I find funny? When we went to NYC to see Chuck Palahniuk, guess who was the guest Author opening? Yep. Unfortunately the tickets for the event were WAY over sold and we got stuck staring at a pillar, listening to people blow into these glow stick balloons. NOPE. We got out of there fast, none of us wanted to spend a night like that. As upsetting as this event turned out to be, before we left... I did here Chuck endorse this Author and this book, which gave me the added umph to pick it up and finish it, which I'm so glad I did.

I didn't absolutely LOVE this book but I did like it, quite a bit. The story is very original, something I value in an Author, which gives hope for those that think all stories have already been done. No! You just haven't looked in the right area! The Heart Does Not Grow back is about this regular 'joe-shmoe' who happens to gain the power to regenerate his organs. This falls in line with a superhero story, right? Yeah, this book doesn't entirely follow that line... it veers off into a darker place, a place that some may say combines the ugly with the comical, dark comedy anyone? I do love me some of that. Try taking this regenerating 'joe-shmoe' and put him on TV for everyone to witness his magical abilities, make it a reality show! You can see what I'm talking about now, right?

So what makes this only three and a half stars? How the story turns out, and NO... I'm not going to spill anything, I just didn't love the ending. However, I have found an Author to be on the lookout for, one to watch. He has the skills and the imagination to entertain me over and over again and I'll very much be looking forward to that. As with all my reviews of books that use strong language, violence, or graphic descriptions... this is your warning! It has most of that stuff, and I loved every bit of it. As cliche as this might be, if you like Palahniuk, you'll enjoy Venturini too.

Happy Reading,
AmberBug

The Heart Does Not Grow Back: A Novel

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