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Book Report
Jul. 12th, 2016 05:56 pmBook rating system:
10 – life-changing, an all-time favorite
5 - average for what I read
1 – terrible, why did I finish it?
Melody by Sylvie Rancourt – A graphic novel based on the author’s time working as a nude dancer. The text was translated from the French. Although I like graphic novels and graphic memoirs in general, this one was pretty blah. The translation was choppy and awkward, and the main character and her boyfriend are total idiots and unlikeable. (Sorry to be so blunt!!) Grade: 2
It’s Your World by Chelsea Clinton – I like books that talk about problems and issues the world is facing and how we can deal with them. Although I’d argue that “A Path Appears” by Kristof and WuDunn and “Strangers Drowning” by MacFarquhar are better, this book by Chelsea Clinton (yes, that Chelsea Clinton) was good too. It’s targeted at teens and younger kids, but I actually found that to be a plus. Whether Clinton’s talking about climate change or hunger or discrimination against girls and women, she does a good job of breaking down what the problem is and what someone can do to tackle it. Grade: 7
Becoming Nicole by Amy Ellis Nutt – The author is a journalist and she shares the real-life story of a family. A traditional couple adopted twin boys but one of the boys turns out to be a transgendered girl. This was a fascinating story about how the family grows and changes, and fights for their daughter’s rights. Something about the way the story told is awesome. I read the book in one day (it was a day I had off work and was tired from something I did in the morning, so that does help explain it). I love a good true story that’s also a page-turner. Grade: 8
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children – A teenage boy whose adventurous grandfather dies mysteriously. A trip to a remote island with an abandoned house where the grandfather reportedly lived for a while. A group of students with special powers. The lead-up to this novel sounded grand and exciting, and the book started out pretty strongly. But the story’s climax kind of fizzled out; the book just didn’t live up to its promise. It held my interest but I don’t plan to read the sequel. Grade: 4
Armada by Ernest Cline - The author of "Ready Player One" has another novel, this one starring another teenage video game genius. He dreams that someday he'll be whisked away into a fantastic adventure, taking him from his humdrum life - and then that is exactly what happens. It was good to listen to (again read by the awesome Will Wheaton), it held my interest, it just didn't wow me. Grade: 5
10 – life-changing, an all-time favorite
5 - average for what I read
1 – terrible, why did I finish it?
Melody by Sylvie Rancourt – A graphic novel based on the author’s time working as a nude dancer. The text was translated from the French. Although I like graphic novels and graphic memoirs in general, this one was pretty blah. The translation was choppy and awkward, and the main character and her boyfriend are total idiots and unlikeable. (Sorry to be so blunt!!) Grade: 2
It’s Your World by Chelsea Clinton – I like books that talk about problems and issues the world is facing and how we can deal with them. Although I’d argue that “A Path Appears” by Kristof and WuDunn and “Strangers Drowning” by MacFarquhar are better, this book by Chelsea Clinton (yes, that Chelsea Clinton) was good too. It’s targeted at teens and younger kids, but I actually found that to be a plus. Whether Clinton’s talking about climate change or hunger or discrimination against girls and women, she does a good job of breaking down what the problem is and what someone can do to tackle it. Grade: 7
Becoming Nicole by Amy Ellis Nutt – The author is a journalist and she shares the real-life story of a family. A traditional couple adopted twin boys but one of the boys turns out to be a transgendered girl. This was a fascinating story about how the family grows and changes, and fights for their daughter’s rights. Something about the way the story told is awesome. I read the book in one day (it was a day I had off work and was tired from something I did in the morning, so that does help explain it). I love a good true story that’s also a page-turner. Grade: 8
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children – A teenage boy whose adventurous grandfather dies mysteriously. A trip to a remote island with an abandoned house where the grandfather reportedly lived for a while. A group of students with special powers. The lead-up to this novel sounded grand and exciting, and the book started out pretty strongly. But the story’s climax kind of fizzled out; the book just didn’t live up to its promise. It held my interest but I don’t plan to read the sequel. Grade: 4
Armada by Ernest Cline - The author of "Ready Player One" has another novel, this one starring another teenage video game genius. He dreams that someday he'll be whisked away into a fantastic adventure, taking him from his humdrum life - and then that is exactly what happens. It was good to listen to (again read by the awesome Will Wheaton), it held my interest, it just didn't wow me. Grade: 5
