Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started listening to this book.  I know Trevor Noah from the Daily Show.  And actually I only know him from clips of the Daily Show on Facebook.  I must say I am so glad that I listened to this book rather then read it.  Read to me by Trevor himself, who better then to tell his story.
At times I couldn't believe half of what I was listening to.  I would stop and research to see if he was taking creative licence with his life.  But as it turns out he didn't need creative licence his life was exactly as he told it.  I laughed until I couldn't breathe and I cried just as much.  His life is incredible.  He is inspiring.  I highly recommend this biography.  If you can, listen to him tell his story.  You won't want him to stop.

A LONG HIATUS

It seems that I have been an extremely bad blogger.  I have read, but honestly I just forgot to blog about it.  I am going to try desperately to turn over a new leaf and write a post at least once every two weeks.  I would like to say once a week but I don't think that is realistic.  If you would like to post a blog book review just drop me a note and I would be happy to share your review with full credit to you on the THHS Book Review.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne

Wow, just wow!  I will start this off by saying I wasn't sure if I wanted to read this.  I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan and wasn't exactly sure how I felt about continuing on with the next generation.  My family couldn't believe I didn't pick it up the day it came out or read it in a couple of hours.
I decided to pick it up at a shopping trip to Target and when I got home sat in my comfy chair and opened it.  That was all it took.  I was transported back to the wizarding world in one swoop.
While not a fan of the play format it did not distract me in the least.  I loved every second of the story.  I felt Harry's pain as he struggled with parenting, something I can totally relate to.  I loved watching the progeny be the same and yet very different from their parents.  I loved the inside jokes and the ribbing.  I am so glad I read it,  I while I didn't devour it in an hour, it only took a day.  I highly recommend it.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

There are no words strong enough to describe how this bittersweet story made me feel.  A beautifully written tale about Louisa, a quirky young women who has lead a relative boring life.  This all changes when she becomes caregiver to Will Traynor a former jet-setter who is now wheelchair bound after a tragic accident left him quadriplegic.
Louisa's goal show Will that life is still worth living, Will's goal, get Louisa to live.  Humorous one page and heartbreaking this next you will go on a roller-coaster adventure with the two.  The conclusion of which will have you reeling.

Dare to Diappoint by Ozge Samanci

A beautifully written and illustrated graphic novel that tells the coming of age story of author/illustrator Ozge Samanci.  The story takes place in Turkey during the turbulent 70's and 80's.  We watch as our heroine struggles to find herself while trying to please all around her.  In the end she learns that in pleasing herself might disappoint some her happiness is what's important.

El Deafo by Cece Bell

This autobiographic graphic novel tell the story of Cece Bell.  Cece contracted spinal meningitis when she was just four years old and suffered severe hearing loss.  El Deafo tells the struggle she had with learning how to come to terms with and adjusting to this.  The book focuses on her elementary school years, and like many children she is learning to make new friends and fit in.  Cece just wants to be accepted and have friends like a normal hearing kid.  Under times of stress we see inside her and the superhero person "El Deafo" she created to help her get through difficult times.  This Newberry Honor book tells this story that anyone who has gone through elementary school would relate to.  There is crude humor, some misbehavior, a couple of tantrums, and just plain adolescent behaviror.  The comic book illustrations which are reminiscent of Marc Brown's Arthur support the story throughout.

Transgender Lives: Complex Stories, Complex Voices by Kirstin Cronn-Mills

Transgender Lives: Complex Stories, Complex Voices is a  book that gives its readers a brief introduction into the world of the transgender.  Filled with individual’s accounts on their own lives and experiences the book gives insight to the difficulties people face.   Facts are sprinkled throughout the book in call-outs explaining various terms  and situations.   Transgender Lives is good introduction to help teens struggling with their identity as well as help people understand what it means to be transgender.  

Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Ok am I allowed to just post OMG I love this book and this series just because??   Well as a teacher and a librarian I have to say no because that just isn't a good enough review.  I would tell my students to expand on that so that someone else wants to read it.  Infinity is the first book in the Chronicles of Nick series.  It is a supernatural fantasy that has action, adventure, and a little bit of romance. In a nut shell someone or something has turned the high school football team into Zombies.  The question is --Can they be turned back before they eat New Orleans.  Infinity is a great start to an amazing series.  It has a great pace, with interesting and funny characters.  And while I love Nick---Bubba is my favorite computer geek.  

This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki, Jillian Tamaki

This Caldecott honor book is a graphic novel about summers up at the lake.  Each panel is beautifully drawn with many important details that add to the story.  While the age range listed was 12 and up, some content may seem targeted to a more more mature audience.  There is some harsh language and the story explores more difficult parts of life.  The protagonist has to deal with a rough time in her parents lives as well as some not nice things about her most recent crush.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

This psychological thriller takes a page out of Alfred Hitchcocks 'Rear Window'.   During her commute Rachel loses herself in the fantasy tale she created about a couple she passes daily.  The fairy tale she weaves doesn't end in a happily ever after but in a suspenseful mystery.   This fast-paced crime drama is sure to take you on a roller coaster train ride.

Need by Joelle Charbonneau

Need by Joelle Charbonneau is a thought provoking novel about the combination of social media, desperation, and what you might be willing to do for something when you aren't sure what price you might be paying. Main character Kaylee is introduced to the new social media web site "Need".  They promise to fulfill your wishes if you just invite a few friends to join, but how do you get your need fulfilled when everyone you know is already a member...you just have to do one little favor.  Sometimes those favor come at a very high price.
Told in multiple perspectives we see the inner moral character or lack there of in everyone who has a NEED.  

Amazing Fantastic Incredible: a Marvelous Memoir

Let me start this review with I LOVE STAN LEE!! I really do.  I have grown up on Marvel comics and cartoons and can honestly say that I think he is brilliant.  I am in awe of his creativity and imagination and truly believe that he created something phenomenal in the world.
With that said, I didn't love his autobiography.  There were parts that I did love.  The comic book genius's memoir written as a comic----ABSOLUTELY.  His sense of humor is evident on every page and he gives credit to all of the creative minds behind his work.  My major disappointment is that it only touched on the surface of his life.  I really wanted to get to know Stan Lee but I don't feel like I have.

Humans of New York Stories by Brandon Stanton

Let me start by stating that I love the Humans of New York Facebook page.  I discovered it about a year and a half ago and thought that it was a great concept and use of Facebook.  Sometimes I wonder what the purpose of Facebook really is... but I digress.
I picked up the Human of New York Stories book because I was interested in how it would translate into a book.  I think the photographs are beautiful and each caption whether one sentence or paragraphs long gives a little bit of a persons essence.  I am surprised though that I missed the comments that I usually scroll through on Facebook.  I find that the comments add more to the humanity depicted in the post.  Which is rather unusual because it is usually the exact opposite--comments in my opinion have brought out a darker side to people.  HONY-Stories was a quick and enjoyable read and I am glad that I did, but I am really happy that I can get a little taste each day online.

Winter by Marissa Meyer

I love series books.  There was a time when I wasn't a fan because I am not the most patient person and waiting around for the next installment can be frustrating.  There have been many series that I started that I lost interest in while waiting and I didn't go back to but this wasn't one of them.  I totally enjoyed waiting for this last installment.  I have thought about the interesting twists that Marissa Meyer's incorporated to her story using the much beloved fairy tales.  It was an exciting and heart wrenching ride at times.  But it was so well worth it.  I highly recommend the series to fans of dystopian novels, fairy tales and science fiction.  It is gruesome enough for guys with enough romance to keep girls swooning.  A great read!

The Walking Dead Vol. 1-Days Gone Bye by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore

Well if you ever came into the library on a Monday you would know that I am a HUGE fan of The Walking Dead television series.  One of my first questions on Monday is did you watch?!?  And as big of a fan of the show i have never read the graphic novel although my nephews have sang its praises since the beginning.  They tell me that while similar at times there are many differences that take the story into different directions.
I recently read Days Gone Bye and my overall feeling was Hmmmmm.  I can't say I loved it like the series but I didn't hate it.  It was a very quick read.  Pretty much the first season of the show was Volume One with enough similarities to make me feel like I was seeing my friends from the series and enough differences to make go OH!.  The illustrations tell more of the story then the text so if you don't pay close attention to them you will miss a great deal.  I will probably continue with the graphic novel but I have to admit it is one of the first times when I like the TV show more.

Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

Ok, so I am not only on an end of the world/dystopian kick I love novelized fairy tales or fairy tales with a twist.  The 1939 film the Wizard of Oz is a classic for many reasons.  It is the first full color film and it was and still is amazing.  It brought the book by L. Frank Baum to life.  Who would have thought Dorothy had a dark side.
Danielle Paige would.  Amy Gumm is whisked away to the land of Oz by way of tornado and that is where her similarities to Dorothy ends. All Amy really wants to do is survive, but Dorothy has turned into quiet the sociopath and that is just not in her plan.  Power has corrupted the originals from Oz.  Its just amazing how thoroughly it has.

Legend by Marie Lu

So I have been on an end of the world kick/Dystopian novel kick for the last couple of years.  I have tried to read a variety of these types of books and usually I just love them.  You will probably see many more reviews for this genre throughout the blog so I like to think I know a bit about the genre.
With that said let me talk about Legend.  I wanted to read this books when it first came out but for some reason I just never got around to it.  Not really sure why but it was always on my to read list but other books always called louder to me.
This is the first book in a series and I think this book will be the only one in the series I read.  I wanted to love it, then I wanted to like it.  I felt neither.  I didn't even hate it.  I just wanted to finish it.  I kept giving it another chance hoping there would be something to pull me to it.
While I know dystopian novels and science fiction genre are not realistic they should make you believe that they could be.  I am not sure if it was the story line or the charterers but I just didn't care enough about either to believe in them.

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

This historical tale tell the compelling story of Chiyo and her life after being sold to a Geisha house at nine years old because her family can no longer afford to care for her.  We watch as Chiyo struggles with life around her and then see her transform into Sayuri a popular Geisha sought after by many. This vivid tale is difficult to put down as we hope that Sayuri finds the happiness and love she seeks.  

18 Things by Jamie Ayres

This was a tough one, because I honestly am not sure if I liked it or not.  I know I didn't love it.  Olga the main character suffered a great tragedy witnessing the death of her best friend and secret crush Connor.  (This happens I think within 20 pages of the book and I think it is in the blurb so not a spoiler.)
There were times when my heart was literally breaking for her pain.  But then just as quick I was bored and felt the story dragging.
Then about 4 chapters in I figured something out and I lost all interest in the story.  I kept reading, but more skimming just in case I was wrong. Turns out I wasn't.  Will I read the other books in this series?  I highly doubt it.  But I never say never.

Cress by Marissa Meyer

I am completely enjoying the way the series is progressing and I am so looking forward to the last installment of Winter in November.  I have already pre-ordered it.  There is a good balance between action, adventure, a touch of romance and a lot of humor.  I find myself laughing out loud at the sarcasm and banter between the characters.  I have grown attached to them and feel their joy and pain right along with them.

Cress our title character of this segment has been trapped away in a satellite for the last seven years.  Trapped to due the bidding of Mistress Sybil.  While sequestered away she lets the net dramas she watches invade her imagination and her fantasies.  When she is finally rescued will reality live up to them?

Cress is our Rapunzel, and Cinder and Scarlet come into play.  I am rooting for them all.