This is one of those stories that blurs the lines between dystopian and all too possible. Ng has a lot to say about race relations, nationalism, and sThis is one of those stories that blurs the lines between dystopian and all too possible. Ng has a lot to say about race relations, nationalism, and separation of families, and she does it with a beautifully written story. There are a few instances where things teeter on the edge of didacticism, but overall the flow is compelling. I appreciate Ng’s nod to librarians, making them the badass defenders of eroding freedoms. Her note at the end is powerful.
A must-read for fans of The Handmaid’s Tale.
Thank you to Penguin Press and Libro.fm ‘s ALC program for the audiobook access.
Enjoyably twisty boarding-school thriller, told through the eyes of Bodie Kane, a successful podcaster and film studies professor whose return to her Enjoyably twisty boarding-school thriller, told through the eyes of Bodie Kane, a successful podcaster and film studies professor whose return to her high school boarding school causes new questions about her roommate’s murder senior year to surface. The author is very passionate about crimes against women, which can occasionally come across as heavy-handed. But the points she raises are timely and relevant. Thank you to Libro.fm and Viking for the audiobook....more
I read this years ago and found it kind of meh, but my friends and my husband recently convinced me I HAD to read it again. So I did. And I came to thI read this years ago and found it kind of meh, but my friends and my husband recently convinced me I HAD to read it again. So I did. And I came to the conclusion that I am just not a fan of absurdity. I appreciate why so many people enjoy Douglas Adams, but, whew!, for me it was a slog. Apologies to all of my friends who adore Arthur and Zaphod and Trillian and the gang....more
I appreciated the originality of this novel and the emphasis on storytelling. The author strings together some beautiful phrases and sentences, but soI appreciated the originality of this novel and the emphasis on storytelling. The author strings together some beautiful phrases and sentences, but sometimes less is more. Many of the passages were so meandering that I had to go back and reread several times. I think tighter editing could have preserved the beautiful language that the author employed, while keeping the reader (well, me anyway) more engaged....more
Until I read this, I had absolutely no idea of how much I didn’t know (and had assumed I knew) about the Deaf community. Sara Novic’s novel allowed meUntil I read this, I had absolutely no idea of how much I didn’t know (and had assumed I knew) about the Deaf community. Sara Novic’s novel allowed me to glimpse circumstances that I had not considered. And allowed me to meet some fantastic, relatable characters along the way. I’m grateful to the Alex Award Committee for putting this on the radar of a wider audience....more
This sweet and engaging story of relationships and found family checked so many boxed for me. The audio version was well-done. I loved the relationshiThis sweet and engaging story of relationships and found family checked so many boxed for me. The audio version was well-done. I loved the relationship between Tova and Marcellus. Four stars rather than five because there’s little doubt of how things are going to end. But sometimes, that’s exactly what I’m in the mood for… life is uncertain enough these days!...more
Such an immersive, beautifully written story. As I followed Sadie’s and Sam’s and Marx’s individual and intertwined stories through their college yearSuch an immersive, beautifully written story. As I followed Sadie’s and Sam’s and Marx’s individual and intertwined stories through their college years and adulthood, I was right there with them. I wasn’t sure that I would connect, since so much of the story centers on their video game designing, and I’ve never been a gamer, but wow! Zevin allows her readers to see the creativity and artistry and business decisions that go into bringing a new game into the world.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Jennifer Kim and Julian Cihi, and highly recommend it....more
This one lives up to all the hype. Set in 1830s Oxford, it starts off with Harry Potter-ish vibes, but quickly moves into darker, more complex territoThis one lives up to all the hype. Set in 1830s Oxford, it starts off with Harry Potter-ish vibes, but quickly moves into darker, more complex territory. An astute examination of the effects of Western imperialism wrapped in a terrific story....more
I adored this story of two awkward teens whose art (combined with summertime boredom) accidentally causes the Coalfield Panic of 1996. I read Nothing I adored this story of two awkward teens whose art (combined with summertime boredom) accidentally causes the Coalfield Panic of 1996. I read Nothing to See Here when it came out, and with this latest, I’m officially in love with Wilson’s distinctive, quirky writing. And holy cow, his comments at the end.
In the words of Frankie and Zeke, “The edge is a shantytown filled with gold seekers. We are fugitives, and the law is skinny with hunger for us.”
Thanks to Libro.fm and their ALC program for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook. Wonderful narration from Ginnifer Goodwin....more
In contemporary Nigeria, 14-year-old Adunni wants nothing more than an education so that she can make a difference in the world. Her widowed father haIn contemporary Nigeria, 14-year-old Adunni wants nothing more than an education so that she can make a difference in the world. Her widowed father has other plans: he sells her into marriage to pay off his debts. Adunni must learn to navigate a household with two other wives, one very cruel to her, and repeated sexual assault by her new husband. When Khadija, the wife who has attempted to ease Adunni’s way, dies from pregnancy complications, Adunni flees the marriage and the village. Desperate, she gratefully accepts an offer of employment as housemaid for a wealthy Lagos couple. All to soon, she realizes she has been trafficked into working for a cruel woman and her lecherous alcoholic husband.
Adunni relates her story in nonstandard English. While this works beautifully for the audiobook (narrated by Adjoa Andoh), I’m guessing that I would have been more distracted and less engaged reading the print version.
Bearing witness to Adunni’s experiences is not easy. The power of the story is in that thin line if resolve that Adunni manages to hold onto, and her unshakeable faith in the possibility that she will somehow be able to change her circumstances. Nigerian author Abi Daré has given us a protagonist who shines a light on the beauty and the ugliness of the country, and who amplifies the changes that need to occur for all young girls to claim their louding voices....more
Excellent portrayal of Salem, Mass. in the first half of the nineteenth century, through the eyes of Isobel Gamble, recently arrived from Scotland. IsExcellent portrayal of Salem, Mass. in the first half of the nineteenth century, through the eyes of Isobel Gamble, recently arrived from Scotland. Isobel dreams of creating patterns and opening her own dress shop, but her overbearing and opium-addicted husband will not hear of her earning money. When her husband decides to go back out to sea as a doctor for the same ship that brought them from Scotland, he leaves Isabel penniless in a town that mistrusts new arrivals and women who don’t know their place. As she tries to earn a living , she keeps crossing paths with young Nat Hawthorne. Although he is seen as an oddity with his reclusive, writerly ways, his old family name smooths his way in society. Their meetings quickly grow into a reciprocal infatuation, and in her husband’s absence, Isobel finds herself drawn into an affair. When her husband’s ship is due back, she is devastated to find that Nat has no interest in continuing the relationship, and prefers to see himself as a victim of her “bewitchment.” Isobel is a courageous protagonist, and the author skillfully weaves in racial themes, women’s lack of rights, and Salem’s dark history of accusation and judgement.
The audiobook narrator, Saskia Maarleveld, does a lovely job invoking Isabel’s Scottish background. Thank you to Libro.fm, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin’s Press for the audiobook....more
Enjoyed listening to the audiobook version of Horse, thanks to Libro.fm.
As always, Brooks’s historical research is meticulous. It is rewarding to see Enjoyed listening to the audiobook version of Horse, thanks to Libro.fm.
As always, Brooks’s historical research is meticulous. It is rewarding to see how her three narrative strands ultimately come together. My main issue is that two of the main characters are young Black men— enslaved Jarret in the mid-1800s and art-student Theo in 2019– and as a white woman, Brooks was not able to write these characters with the authenticity and nuance they deserved. There are several coincidences that stretch credulity.
I learned a lot about a phenomenal horse along the way, but this wasn’t my favorite of her novels....more
I love the premise and the digital artwork. And the endnote is hilarious.
I don't love the font, though... it blends in with the illustrations in severI love the premise and the digital artwork. And the endnote is hilarious.
I don't love the font, though... it blends in with the illustrations in several instances. When several of the household items are talking at once, the order in which things are read can be confusing.
4 for the originality and the affirmative message that we don't need to be bound by others' expectations, but I have to go with an overall 3 given the design choices around the text....more
**spoiler alert** Ugh. I feel a little slimy after finishing this. The plot, the insta-love, the convenient autobiography and letter, were all so ridi**spoiler alert** Ugh. I feel a little slimy after finishing this. The plot, the insta-love, the convenient autobiography and letter, were all so ridiculous and over-the-top.
I enjoyed It Ends With Us. That one is popular with our students, and I wanted to see if Verity was in the same vein and should be considered for the collection (a big nope. Lots of gratuitous sex scenes).
I know my rating is in the minority, and I appreciate the strong fan base that Hoover has built, but I don’t think I’ll be reading any more of her “psychological thrillers.”...more
This picture book is so empowering, and is a breath of fresh air for any child who has ever felt less than. An inclusive marriage of powerful text andThis picture book is so empowering, and is a breath of fresh air for any child who has ever felt less than. An inclusive marriage of powerful text and lovely illustrations....more
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