books read in October 2017
This list looks impressive until you see how many graphic novels are on here LOL. Still, I got through quite a lot! There are a couple here that I didn't read cover to cover, but I got the gist of it. (Also, GoodReads is being wonky and not bringing up all the books I marked as "read"...really weird. I remembered a few that I knew I had on my list but I've never had it do that to me before)
Prophecy by Ellen Oh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book had all the tropes, and there are still two more to go. I know this was published when the whole trilogy craze was going strong in SF/Fantasy, but I am so over it now and this book felt like it could have probably just been one long book rather than dragging out the "twist" that we all saw coming from page one.
Oh well, decent fantasy for middle school readers, but nothing ground-breaking.
Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas by Jim Ottaviani
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Great graphic novel that will whet the appetite of many tween/teen readers who have probably never heard of these amazing women. It is a great stepping off point for further research into their stories and studies.
The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell: Tales of a 6' 4", African American, Heterosexual, Cisgender, Left-Leaning, Asthmatic, Black and Proud Blerd, Mama's Boy, Dad, and Stand-Up Comedian by W. Kamau Bell
Not going to rate this because I didn't finish it. I downloaded the audio on a whim and enjoyed it for the most part. I'd never heard of W. Kamau Bell before but the title intrigued me. It was fun for awhile, though when he got into his history as a comedian, I was less interested because I am not a big fan of him, and then the book was due back and I decided that was enough for me. He was fun to listen to and I can see why his show and podcasts were big hits.
Remembering the Battle of the Crater: War as Murder by Kevin M. Levin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I didn't read this as closely as I could have. It was well-researched but also pretty dry, at least for the lay-person coming into it. But it still gave some interesting background on a major battle and how it all happened and how it evolved into something more (for better or for worse).
Mighty Jack and the Goblin King by Ben Hatke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was so much fun to read! Definitely had moments that reminded me of 'Labyrinth'. I hope we see this trio again!
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Giving this 4 stars because, as a memoir, it was an interesting read and I thought Vance did a good job of looking inward and outward as he tried to understand his family history and his own story.
I listened to it, read by Vance, and I felt like he did a really good job narrating his own life.
As someone who grew up in a comfortably middle class family with a stable home on the east coast (usually, I was a Navy brat so we moved around a lot) this was definitely a very eye opening look at how another part of the country works. I did keep in mind that this just Vance's experience and a very small part of the United States, but some of the issues he dealt with (drugs, being very poor etc.) are widespread.
I'm not sure it answered all my questions or even gave me a better understanding of how people from that part of the country think, but it did get me some perspective.
Archie, Vol. 2 by Mark Waid
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Another fun romp through "New Riverdale". A fun distraction from the more series books I have been reading.
Imagine Wanting Only This by Kristen Radtke
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
I think I requested this book because it had really good reviews in some journal so I was really disappointed when the art and story did not pull me in. I thought it started out well but that since Radtke tied it to her own personal story and exploration of self, it lost something that could have been more. I almost wish she had fictionalized it, perhaps taken elements from her own story and created something new? Also, being non-linear worked against it since the jumping from time and place was jarring to me.
Solid Meh.
Landscape with Invisible Hand by M.T. Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book was nothing like I expected, even though I had no idea what to expect. Poetic at one moment and then crude in the next, it was a quick read that lingered with me long after the last page, if only because I kept saying to myself "Wait...what did I just read? What was that all about?"
Solo by Kwame Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was a total surprise. I picked it up on a whim because I enjoyed Kwame Alexander's other books and I saw the outline of a guitar and thought "oh this should be good" because music always means drama. I was not expecting such a beautiful story about a young man's journey - not just a simple coming of age story, but a story of growing up and opening your eyes to the people and world around you.
Alexander's story in verse works even better with the music theme since you feel like Blade would always be thinking in lyrics anyway since music is such a big part of his life.
I hope teens pick this up - it looks like a big book, over 400 pages, but it is in verse so most pages only have a few lines on them.
All's Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Fantastic follow-up to Roller Girl and another great addition to the middle school dealing-with-life graphic novel genre that is so hot right now. I may have gotten a little teary-eyed at the end because she really did capture all the confusion that everyone experiences as you transition from an innocent child to a teen.
Also, this book should come packaged with a turkey leg because I was really craving one by the end!
The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was definitely one of those cases where a book found me at the right time. Thi Bui chronicles the story of her family and their immigration to the U.S. after the Vietnam War. I had just started watching the Ken Burns' Vietnam War miniseries and also got pulled into 'Finding Your Roots' and this story touches upon both the war survival story and how family histories impact everyone.
Beautifully drawn, emotional storytelling, this was a really great graphic memoir that uses the format wisely, creating moments of silence that would take pages of words to describe in a regular prose novel.
Queer, There and Everywhere: 23 People Who Changed the World by Sarah Prager
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I didn't actually *finish* reading this but I read about half the entries and got the gist of it. Great collection of quick biographies, not just focusing on LGBTQ+ peoples but also talking about how our idea of men and women and relationships have altered over the centuries. I really liked the entry on Abraham Lincoln and how she discussed that he had a very close male friend and how men's close friendships with other men were viewed differently back then. Makes you think about our society today and how it can be difficult for same sex friendships to flourish, especially between two men.
Ms. Marvel, Vol. 7: Damage Per Second by G. Willow Wilson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
One of the best superhero series going on right now. Period. Read it.
Road to Riverdale by Mark Waid
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
If you are a fan of 'Riverdale' but haven't picked up any of the new comics in the Archie series, this is a great "sampler" pack. It contains the first few issues for "Archie", "Jughead", "Betty and Veronica" "Josie and the Pussycats" and "Reggie" -- not all of these are solid but it is a good way to taste test what you want to bother reading further
Road to Riverdale Vol. 2 by Mark Waid
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
So, this is yet another sampler, though it just continues the stories from the first volume. Kinda of a weird marketing tool and I don't think it works quite as well this second time. This volume also includes a one-shot that ties in directly to the TV show, giving you background on the infamous Fourth of July ditching of Jughead so Archie could [go be stupid].
Nanette's Baguette by Mo Willems
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
It's Mo Willems. It's about food. It's adorable. I would totally pull a Nanette if I was sent to pick up a fresh baguette. YUM!
The Wolf, the Duck, and the Mouse by Mac Barnett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
"I may have been swallowed," said the duck, "but I have no intention of being eaten."
View all my reviews
This entry was originally posted at https://orangerful.dreamwidth.org/1252306.html. Please comment there using OpenID.
Prophecy by Ellen Oh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book had all the tropes, and there are still two more to go. I know this was published when the whole trilogy craze was going strong in SF/Fantasy, but I am so over it now and this book felt like it could have probably just been one long book rather than dragging out the "twist" that we all saw coming from page one.
Oh well, decent fantasy for middle school readers, but nothing ground-breaking.
Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas by Jim Ottaviani
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Great graphic novel that will whet the appetite of many tween/teen readers who have probably never heard of these amazing women. It is a great stepping off point for further research into their stories and studies.
The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell: Tales of a 6' 4", African American, Heterosexual, Cisgender, Left-Leaning, Asthmatic, Black and Proud Blerd, Mama's Boy, Dad, and Stand-Up Comedian by W. Kamau Bell
Not going to rate this because I didn't finish it. I downloaded the audio on a whim and enjoyed it for the most part. I'd never heard of W. Kamau Bell before but the title intrigued me. It was fun for awhile, though when he got into his history as a comedian, I was less interested because I am not a big fan of him, and then the book was due back and I decided that was enough for me. He was fun to listen to and I can see why his show and podcasts were big hits.
Remembering the Battle of the Crater: War as Murder by Kevin M. Levin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I didn't read this as closely as I could have. It was well-researched but also pretty dry, at least for the lay-person coming into it. But it still gave some interesting background on a major battle and how it all happened and how it evolved into something more (for better or for worse).
Mighty Jack and the Goblin King by Ben Hatke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was so much fun to read! Definitely had moments that reminded me of 'Labyrinth'. I hope we see this trio again!
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Giving this 4 stars because, as a memoir, it was an interesting read and I thought Vance did a good job of looking inward and outward as he tried to understand his family history and his own story.
I listened to it, read by Vance, and I felt like he did a really good job narrating his own life.
As someone who grew up in a comfortably middle class family with a stable home on the east coast (usually, I was a Navy brat so we moved around a lot) this was definitely a very eye opening look at how another part of the country works. I did keep in mind that this just Vance's experience and a very small part of the United States, but some of the issues he dealt with (drugs, being very poor etc.) are widespread.
I'm not sure it answered all my questions or even gave me a better understanding of how people from that part of the country think, but it did get me some perspective.
Archie, Vol. 2 by Mark Waid
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Another fun romp through "New Riverdale". A fun distraction from the more series books I have been reading.
Imagine Wanting Only This by Kristen Radtke
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
I think I requested this book because it had really good reviews in some journal so I was really disappointed when the art and story did not pull me in. I thought it started out well but that since Radtke tied it to her own personal story and exploration of self, it lost something that could have been more. I almost wish she had fictionalized it, perhaps taken elements from her own story and created something new? Also, being non-linear worked against it since the jumping from time and place was jarring to me.
Solid Meh.
Landscape with Invisible Hand by M.T. Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book was nothing like I expected, even though I had no idea what to expect. Poetic at one moment and then crude in the next, it was a quick read that lingered with me long after the last page, if only because I kept saying to myself "Wait...what did I just read? What was that all about?"
Solo by Kwame Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was a total surprise. I picked it up on a whim because I enjoyed Kwame Alexander's other books and I saw the outline of a guitar and thought "oh this should be good" because music always means drama. I was not expecting such a beautiful story about a young man's journey - not just a simple coming of age story, but a story of growing up and opening your eyes to the people and world around you.
Alexander's story in verse works even better with the music theme since you feel like Blade would always be thinking in lyrics anyway since music is such a big part of his life.
I hope teens pick this up - it looks like a big book, over 400 pages, but it is in verse so most pages only have a few lines on them.
All's Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Fantastic follow-up to Roller Girl and another great addition to the middle school dealing-with-life graphic novel genre that is so hot right now. I may have gotten a little teary-eyed at the end because she really did capture all the confusion that everyone experiences as you transition from an innocent child to a teen.
Also, this book should come packaged with a turkey leg because I was really craving one by the end!
The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was definitely one of those cases where a book found me at the right time. Thi Bui chronicles the story of her family and their immigration to the U.S. after the Vietnam War. I had just started watching the Ken Burns' Vietnam War miniseries and also got pulled into 'Finding Your Roots' and this story touches upon both the war survival story and how family histories impact everyone.
Beautifully drawn, emotional storytelling, this was a really great graphic memoir that uses the format wisely, creating moments of silence that would take pages of words to describe in a regular prose novel.
Queer, There and Everywhere: 23 People Who Changed the World by Sarah Prager
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I didn't actually *finish* reading this but I read about half the entries and got the gist of it. Great collection of quick biographies, not just focusing on LGBTQ+ peoples but also talking about how our idea of men and women and relationships have altered over the centuries. I really liked the entry on Abraham Lincoln and how she discussed that he had a very close male friend and how men's close friendships with other men were viewed differently back then. Makes you think about our society today and how it can be difficult for same sex friendships to flourish, especially between two men.
Ms. Marvel, Vol. 7: Damage Per Second by G. Willow Wilson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
One of the best superhero series going on right now. Period. Read it.
Road to Riverdale by Mark Waid
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
If you are a fan of 'Riverdale' but haven't picked up any of the new comics in the Archie series, this is a great "sampler" pack. It contains the first few issues for "Archie", "Jughead", "Betty and Veronica" "Josie and the Pussycats" and "Reggie" -- not all of these are solid but it is a good way to taste test what you want to bother reading further
Road to Riverdale Vol. 2 by Mark Waid
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
So, this is yet another sampler, though it just continues the stories from the first volume. Kinda of a weird marketing tool and I don't think it works quite as well this second time. This volume also includes a one-shot that ties in directly to the TV show, giving you background on the infamous Fourth of July ditching of Jughead so Archie could [go be stupid].
Nanette's Baguette by Mo Willems
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
It's Mo Willems. It's about food. It's adorable. I would totally pull a Nanette if I was sent to pick up a fresh baguette. YUM!
The Wolf, the Duck, and the Mouse by Mac Barnett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
"I may have been swallowed," said the duck, "but I have no intention of being eaten."
View all my reviews
This entry was originally posted at https://orangerful.dreamwidth.org/1252306.html. Please comment there using OpenID.