Twelve Years a Slave

Twelve Years a Slave Solomon Northup 4/5	Published 1853 First Sentence "Having been born a freeman, and for more than thirty years enjoying the blessings of liberty in a free State - and having at the end of that time been kidnapped and sold into Slavery, where I remained until happily rescued in the month of January 1853, after a bondage of twelve years - it has been suggested that an account of my life and fortunes would not be uninteresting to the public."
Publisher's Description: This unforgettable memoir was the basis for the Academy Award-winning film 12 Years a Slave. This is the true story of Solomon Northup, who was born and raised as a freeman in New York. He lived the American dream, with a house and a loving family - a wife and two kids. Then one day he was drugged, kidnapped, and sold into slavery in the deep south. These are the true accounts of his twelve hard years as a slave - many believe this memoir is even more graphic and disturbing than the film. His extraordinary journey proves the resiliency of hope and the human spirit despite the most grueling and formidable of circumstances.
Dear Reader, Reading this was very powerful and something I would recommend everyone to do. This journal (or would you call it a memoir?) is written with such a story-telling feel that I had to constantly remind myself this was a true story. I haven't seen the movie yet, I'm a purest at heart and love to read the book first. I find if I see the movie, it construes the images while reading the book, taking away the fun of imagining what things would look like. I'm actually reviewing this book without watching the movie at all! I will get to the movie, it won awards for obvious reasons and the book clearly presents some fantastic reasons of it's own. For those of you, like me, that wanted to wait to see the movie (or live under a rock)... I will start with a short synopsis of the book. Solomon Northup, the Author, was a "freeman" living in New York with his wife and family. One day he takes on a job with some characters and winds up drugged and kidnapped to be sent South and sold into slavery. This amazing account of his struggles goes into massive detail (even though the book is fairly short), each chapter gives us insight into what it was to be a slave. Since Solomon started off as a free man, he had to learn how to be a slave himself... this journey tells us exactly how it was and we learn step by step along with him. For example, he goes into lengthy detail on how to pick cotton, cane sugar, harvest crops and more. We learn that the only Holiday slaves got off was Christmas, and we get to peek into the celebrations of the Holiday. We learn what it feels like to whipped and left out in the sun for punishment. Every detail Solomon gives us, brings us one step closer to an awful truth, one history should never forget. To be honest with you, I started thinking I've read so much on slavery and the Civil War that I couldn't be surprised by much on the topic. I was wrong! I did NOT know that "freemen" were kidnapped and sold as slaves. It just goes to show you that there is SO much we don't know and we should never stop learning from our past. I urge you to pick this book up (the e-book is FREE) and read it. Happy Reading, AmberBug P.S. - As usual, I feel the need to share some of the things I've come across while googling. Clipping from "The New York Times" article from 1853. Solomon wasn't the only "freeman" kidnapped & sold into slavery! Solomon Northrup's Descendants

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The Good Luck of Right Now

The Good Luck of Right Now Matthew Quick 3.5 / 5	Published 2014 First Sentence "Dear Mr. Richard Gere, In Mom's underwear drawer--as I was separating her 'personal' clothes from the 'lightly used' articles I could donate to the thrift shop--I found a letter you wrote."
Publisher's Description: Call it fate. Call it synchronicity. Call it an act of God. Call it . . . The Good Luck of Right Now. From the New York Times bestselling author of The Silver Linings Playbook comes an entertaining and inspiring tale that will leave you pondering the rhythms of the universe and marveling at the power of kindness and love. For thirty-eight years, Bartholomew Neil has lived with his mother. When she gets sick and dies, he has no idea how to be on his own. His redheaded grief counselor, Wendy, says he needs to find his flock and leave the nest. But how does a man whose whole life has been grounded in his mom, Saturday mass, and the library learn how to fly? Bartholomew thinks he’s found a clue when he discovers a “Free Tibet” letter from Richard Gere hidden in his mother’s underwear drawer. In her final days, mom called him Richard—there must be a cosmic connection. Believing that the actor is meant to help him, Bartholomew awkwardly starts his new life, writing Richard Gere a series of highly intimate letters. Jung and the Dalai Lama, philosophy and faith, alien abduction and cat telepathy, the Catholic Church and the mystery of women are all explored in his soul-baring epistles. But mostly the letters reveal one man’s heartbreakingly earnest attempt to assemble a family of his own. A struggling priest, a “Girlbrarian,” her feline-loving, foul-mouthed brother, and the spirit of Richard Gere join the quest to help Bartholomew. In a rented Ford Focus, they travel to Canada to see the cat Parliament and find his biological father . . . and discover so much more.
Dear Reader, I just finished this book, so it is still sinking in.  I started it a couple of days ago, so I definitely flew through it, didn't want to put it down.  But...I definitely preferred Quick's more well-known novel, The Silver Linings Playbook (2009) , much better.  It was strange how as soon as I started reading this one, the similarities struck me: the very innocent, not very with-it middle-aged men who were telling their story.  I feel like this is a plot device Quick has used both times now (I don't know about his YA novels), and it started to feel a little stale right away.  I could hear Pat's voice while Bartholomew told his own story.  However, Quick IS good at writing the oddballs, and getting the reader inside their heads.  Plus, as he even self-awarely (is that a word?) points out in this book via Bartholomew, there have to be all those so-called weird people out there to allow for all the "normal" ones to exist, to go about their daily lives.  And I suppose that makes sense.  And perhaps that is why Quick is trying to introduce us to these quiet, under-the-radar lives that he loves to examine so thoroughly. This book also reminded me of the misfits in movies like Eagle vs. Shark, which I do remember finding adorably quirky when I watched it years ago.  Bartholemew and those who surround him in his offbeat life - particulary the Girlbrarian - have that same similarly loveable-but-slightly-off rhythm to their lives.  And I don't feel like I'm one to judge: I certainly am weird enough, myself, and goodness knows I prefer it that way!  Those who strive to be "normal" bore the heck out of me.  But, still...I guess I'm just not quite as out there as Quick's characters.  Generally they have survived trauma, too, it seems, which might account for a bit of their having "checked out" of real life.  They need to create their own worlds (or, imaginary friendships with Richard Gere) in order to escape suffering. I was especially eager to read this book because I'd heard it was "about a librarian", although there really isn't even a librarian in this book.  However, I do love how enamored Bartholomew is of his own library, and how much time he spends there.  I love how all of the characters, really, have their quirks and their secrets.  While the novel's arguably biggest "secret" is one which the reader realizes long before it is revealed to the protagonist, it is still interesting to watch the relationships unfold.  (I also loved the concept of enjoying "the good luck of right now" and appreciating that good and bad balance out in the world, in a strange way.)  Ultimately, the characters all help one another heal, and I think that is the most beautiful thing about this book. Yours, Arianna

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The Residue Years

The Residue Years Mitchell S. Jackson 4.5 / 5	Published 2013 First Sentence "It's years beyond the worst of it, and it's your time, Mom, a time of head starts and new starts and starting and going and not stopping--of re-dos and fixes, of gazing at full moons and quarter-moons and seeing what before were phantasms for-reals."
Publisher's Description: Mitchell S. Jackson grew up black in a neglected neighborhood in America’s whitest city, Portland, Oregon. In the ’90s, those streets and beyond had fallen under the shadow of crack cocaine and its familiar mayhem. In his commanding autobiographical novel, Mitchell writes what it was to come of age in that time and place, with a break-out voice that’s nothing less than extraordinary. The Residue Years switches between the perspectives of a young man, Champ, and his mother, Grace. Grace is just out of a drug treatment program, trying to stay clean and get her kids back. Champ is trying to do right by his mom and younger brothers, and dreams of reclaiming the only home he and his family have ever shared. But selling crack is the only sure way he knows to achieve his dream. In this world of few options and little opportunity, where love is your strength and your weakness, this family fights for family and against what tears one apart. Honest in its portrayal, with cadences that dazzle, The Residue Years signals the arrival of a writer set to awe.
Dear Reader, This was a fantastic and tragic book.  I really enjoyed the effect of the two interwoven stories told by Champ and his mother Grace, both of whom end up in trouble with the law due to the surging popularity of crack in Portland, OR in the 1990s.  (This was also something I was completely unaware of, being a teenager living on the other coast, so it also taught me a lot.)  Stories like this, which show you the truly raw and human sides of people who work so hard only to fail or be torn down, make me want to weep for humanity.  We're in a really messed up world when people I want to befriend and who I grow to care for become victims of society's ills.  I hated to see the struggles which Champ and his mom kept trying so hard to overcome.  But I did love how the author presented this side of the story, how he was able to make very real and sympathetic the story that we've all heard and seen so many times before, that of the drug dealers and drug users.  Many want to simply punish those who fall prey to the drug culture in our country, as clearly it must be entirely their own fault, but it is never as black and white as all that.  The grey area of humankind is really what interests me most.  What made that man a murderer, or that woman a prostitute?  Nobody is really born into the life they ultimately end up with.  A series of events and circumstances put people in places they never expected.  You can't ever predict how things are going to turn out, can you?  I learned that lesson a long time ago: not to daydream about how things could transpire, because chances are, no matter how you imagine things will go, they never, ever do.  I think that is part of the beauty and tragedy of being human, and interacting on the level that people do.  Society has made it so that we have to work every day to interact with and understand new people, and sometimes we succeed and make great connections.  But sometimes we fail.  And that is how life goes.  That is how life went for Grace and for Champ, and all one can do is ever have hope that the next time around, things will go better.  Right? I know this wasn't really a book review, but hopefully it was enough to make you think, or even pick up Jackson's book.  It really got me pondering quite a bit - can you tell? Yours, Arianna P.S. Addendum: I did want to point out that I liked how Jackson framed the story by telling the "ending" before he laid out the circumstances leading up to that.  I thought that worked really well for this book.

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Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library Chris Grabenstein 3 / 5	Published 2013 First Sentence "This is how Kyle Keeley got grounded for a week."
Publisher's Description: A New York Times Bestseller Kyle Keeley is the class clown, popular with most kids, (if not the teachers), and an ardent fan of all games: board games, word games, and particularly video games. His hero, Luigi Lemoncello, the most notorious and creative gamemaker in the world, just so happens to be the genius behind the building of the new town library. Lucky Kyle wins a coveted spot to be one of the first 12 kids in the library for an overnight of fun, food, and lots and lots of games. But when morning comes, the doors remain locked. Kyle and the other winners must solve every clue and every secret puzzle to find the hidden escape route. And the stakes are very high. In this cross between Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and A Night in the Museum, Agatha Award winner Chris Grabenstein uses rib-tickling humor to create the perfect tale for his quirky characters. Old fans and new readers will become enthralled with the crafty twists and turns of this ultimate library experience.
Dear Reader, I think I would have just loved this book when I was 8 years old.  Or maybe even 12, since that is the age of the characters in this book.  I did not realize it was a YA book until I had it in my hands (well, technically, on my Kindle).  I checked it out from our local library because I mean, c'mon, what librarian doesn't want to read a book about library adventures?!  And it was definitely an ode to libraries, which I did love.  Clearly the author is a fan. As the description above confirms, my impression was that this was a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory homage, with a bit of The Westing Game thrown in (if I am recalling that old favorite correctly).  It was a fun romp through literature and knowledge that spanned the Dewey Decimal system, and I certainly didn't hate it - it was pretty exciting, for a novel meant for children.  If the puzzles had not been made so clear-cut for the young'uns, I probably would have LOVED it.  Not that I blame Mr. Grabenstein, of course!  I'm just saying. The main character wasn't my favorite - he was kind of bland - but I did love how he came full-circle to realize the value (and fun!) of the library.  I wish all libraries could be so well designed (and so well funded)!  I loved the kooky character of Mr. Lemoncello, whose rags-to-riches story, a Carnegie nod of course, was made possible by his local library.  He became a famous game designer (of both the board and video types), which is why games are central part of this adventure novel.  And there were definitely some other characters who I just wanted to be friends with, such as Akimi and Sienna, the two whip-smart, book-loving girls.  Of course.  (Am I totally predictable?  Yeah...probably.) I would definitely recommend this book to kids I know, and I might even buy a copy for my nieces or nephew in a few years.  It certainly strives to make the library a place that children would still want to visit in this day and age of Google and home entertainment, so I certainly loved its intent.  I really wanted to give it more stars, but I guess that my not 100% adoring it is the price I have to pay for being an adult.  Le sigh. Yours, Arianna

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Saga, Volume 1 (Saga #1-6)

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Saga, Volume 1 Brian K. Vaughan (Writer), Fiona Staples (Illustrator) 4/5	Published 2012 First Sentence "This is how an idea becomes real."
Publisher's Description: When two soldiers from opposite sides of a never-ending galactic war fall in love, they risk everything to bring a fragile new life into a dangerous old universe.  From New York Times bestselling writer Brian K. Vaughan (Y: The Last Man, Ex Machina) and critically acclaimed artist Fiona Staples (Mystery Society, North 40), Saga is the sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the worlds. Fantasy and science fiction are wed like never before in this sexy, subversive drama for adults.  This specially priced volume collects the first six issues of the smash-hit series The Onion A.V. Club calls "the emotional epic Hollywood wishes it could make."  Collects Saga issues #1-6.
Dear Reader, This might be one of the most intriguing Graphic Novels I've read in a long time. First, let me just say that Fiona Staples is an AMAZING artist. But what do you get when you combine an amazing artist with a really good storyteller? This addicting Graphic Novel that will make me broke by the time I finish it. So what is it about, you ask? It's a nice combination of Science Fiction and Fantasy, the creatures are very fantasy-like and the world is set in a very futuristic time. The characters had much of the same charm that the "Cowboy Bebop" characters have. I don't know why exactly but many of them have specific quirks that make then endearing right from the start. Don't get me wrong though, this is not cute or for kids. This Graphic Novel is all ADULT, as you can somewhat tell by the cover. The story follows "star crossed" lovers (literally, haha), that come from two families at war. Yes, very Romeo and Juliet but set in a fantasy futuristic world. Both of them soldiers from opposite sides, they meet while one is in captivity and the other is given the task to watch over him. We don't get to see the past that much (at least not in this collection) but we start the story during the birth of the main character (who we have yet to meet). The child/teen tells us her past as a recollected story (so we know she is alive and well, however we don't know the fate of the parents). Think this sounds too romantic? Think again! This has plenty of action, adventure, mystery, intrigue, drama and everything else that makes a story compelling. This will be a Graphic Novel I'll be recommending to just about everyone with a pulse (and maybe an interest in sci-fi or fantasy). Happy Reading, AmberBug

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The Year of the Flood (MaddAddam Trilogy #2)

The Year of the Flood (MaddAddam Trilogy #2) Margaret Atwood 4.5/5	Published 2009 First Sentence "In the early morning Toby climbs up to the rooftop to watch the sunrise."
Publisher's Description: The long-awaited new novel from Margaret Atwood. "The Year of the Flood" is a dystopic masterpiece and a testament to her visionary power. The times and species have been changing at a rapid rate, and the social compact is wearing as thin as environmental stability. Adam One, the kindly leader of the God's Gardeners--a religion devoted to the melding of science and religion, as well as the preservation of all plant and animal life--has long predicted a natural disaster that will alter Earth as we know it. Now it has occurred, obliterating most human life.  Two women have survived: Ren, a young trapeze dancer locked inside the high-end sex club Scales and Tails, and Toby, a God's Gardener barricaded inside a luxurious spa where many of the treatments are edible.   Have others survived? Ren's bioartist friend Amanda? Zeb, her eco-fighter stepfather? Her onetime lover, Jimmy? Or the murderous Painballers, survivors of the mutual-elimination Painball prison? Not to mention the shadowy, corrupt policing force of the ruling powers . . . Meanwhile, gene-spliced life forms are proliferating: the lion/lamb blends, the Mo'hair sheep with human hair, the pigs with human brain tissue. As Adam One and his intrepid hemp-clad band make their way through this strange new world, Ren and Toby will have to decide on their next move. They can't stay locked away . . .  By turns dark, tender, violent, thoughtful, and uneasily hilarious, "The Year of the Flood" is Atwood at her most brilliant and inventive.
Dear Reader, First things first, check out my review of Oryx & Crake (MaddAddam Trilogy #1. The Year of the Flood is another smash hit for me, bringing Atwood one step closer to my heart. This book isn't really a "sequel" to Oryx & Crake but more of a linear story that helps build this strange world Atwood has imagined. I would say that you don't HAVE to read Oryx & Crake before picking this one up since the book is made up of entirely different characters. On the other hand I would suggest you read Oryx & Crake first because of the few crossovers and you'd definitely be missing out on some interesting plot points and the overall story Atwood is trying to tell. Even though this book might stand alone, the third book (from what I hear) brings both books together. I don't want to give away any spoilers but I think it's safe to say that reading this review won't ruin the first book for you (if you haven't read it). This book introduces a whole new cast of characters but set in the same world as Oryx & Crake. We meet the Gardeners, who worship life (animals, plants, even insects) and have taken a vow not to hurt anything that falls into the category of "life". The Gardeners live in the pleebs, what could be closest described to slums in this dystopia. The big Corps ignore The Gardeners and most groups/tribes like them, figuring the people won't be doing any harm to their perfectly controlled system/environment the "rich" live in. The story moves back and forward in time (just like Oryx & Crake did), the time span ranges from Year One to Year 25 (the year of the water-less "flood"). The characters of Ren and Toby take center stage in this book, we learn about almost everything just from their perspective. I think more people would relate to the characters in this book, there seems to be a nice balance between activism and self preservation (something I believe all humans possess). I found myself constantly pondering over the question of "what would I do in this situation?". Ultimately, I'd like to think that I'd fight for my rights and for the rights of those around me. In reality? I might succumb to self preservation but it's very interesting to think about. Atwood is fast becoming a favorite Author of mine and I can't wait to see where this story ends up. Happy Reading, AmberBug

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Vintage Advertising Art & Design

Vintage Advertising Art & Design J. N. Halsted 3.5/5	Published April 16th 2014 First Sentence "In the first part of the twentieth century, art schools and studios published numerous illustrated guides to aid painters and show card designers."
Publisher's Description: Here are all the essentials for creating striking ads and other graphic messages with an attention-getting retro look and feel. Drawn from typographic sourcebooks as well as sign-painting manuals of the early twentieth century, this comprehensive volume includes a wealth of borders, frames, images, and typographic elements for re-creating authentic styles of the 1890s–1920s. An inexhaustible source of inspiration for artists, illustrators, and crafters, these versatile designs will add an antique touch to any project, including scrapbooks and other memory albums.
Dear Reader, This was given to me by the publisher through NetGalley to review. I really would like to purchase this book because the e-book did not give it justice. For some reason, the advance reading copy given to me was scanned horizontally and had to be read by tilting the head. I can only hope this will be fixed for the people who purchase this. I gave this book 3.5 stars, I would rate it 4 stars if the e-book was done with a little more attention. Each page is beautifully rendered with a piece of lettering/sign that exudes olden days. I love how they used multiple fonts, it's very iconic of the era. The detail is amazingly precise and something we don't see as often anymore. All Artists can find great inspiration from this book and I know this is exactly what the Author was intending. If you enjoy having books around that inspire you, feel like creative inspiration can be plucked from the past, this book is for you. I'll advise that maybe buying the actual hardcover would be well worth it, the e-book is a little less easy to navigate and I found myself wanting to have the actual physical book in my hand. Happy Reading, AmberBug

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