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rubygranger's reviews
305 reviews
The Mystery of the Jewelled Moth by Katherine Woodfine
I read the first book in this series ('The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow') last year and really loved the quintessential nature of Woodfine's Victorian London. I am largely interested in this period and so the references to everyday occurrences, items and expressions was deeply comforting and warming. I also enjoyed the frequent snippets from the Guide for Debuntes!
Aside from this, the mystery itself is interesting and, whilst I did not feel the same LEVEL of suspense as I did in the first book, I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Aside from this, the mystery itself is interesting and, whilst I did not feel the same LEVEL of suspense as I did in the first book, I enjoyed it nonetheless.
软刺 by Emily Fridlund
5.0
This is, without a doubt, one of the best books which I have read. Fridlund has this beautifully ethereal tone of writing, one which skims across the surface of the Minnesotan lake, the empty branches of the woodland and Linda's own straw bed. This is the sort of book which needs to be read slowly, with intense appreciation of each image. Fridlund's similes are small revelations, accurate but, with the jarring comparisons, also slightly disconcerting, only enhancing the mist which surrounds Paul, the boy who lives in the house across the lake with his mother Patra. With narrative jumps in time, both reflective and current, a reader can see the intense impact which this family had on Linda (14/15), something which is both comforting but disturbing at the same time. A reader wonders why...
This should be a part of any list of Books to Read before your Die. I urge you to pick up a copy and trudge with Linda through the ice and snow of Minnesota.
This should be a part of any list of Books to Read before your Die. I urge you to pick up a copy and trudge with Linda through the ice and snow of Minnesota.
Eleven by Tom Rogers
4.0
Whilst this book was certainly a light read in terms of the writing itself, the story was emotionally charged and filled with Alex's own suspense as he wonders whether his dad will come home. Rogers explores the permanency of 9/11 and how massive a calamity it was, but in a way that is easily accessible to kids (maybe 10+?). One thing I particularly loved was the kindness which arose from strangers after that morning.
The Overachievers: The Secret Lives of Driven Kids by Alexandra Robbins
5.0
Well... This was possibly one of the best books I have ever read. You know that I am stingy with my 5-star book ratings but this one was sorely deserved. The book is non-fiction, following the stories of several high schoolers and providing a commentary on the US education system and the beginning of the Age of the Comparison. It was written around 2008 and so the statistics are obviously outdated but I think one of the most shocking things is that, despite Robbins's clear and factual critique, the same trend in student anxiety continues. This in itself is a cause for concern. Why are we not doing more to investigate and improve student well-being and the corruptness of much of the system?
Not only is this factually interesting, however, but also personally enlightening. I would identify as an overachiever myself (having been called this by multiple people) and I did find myself relating intensely to many of the characters interviewed by Robbins. This was especially powerful, I think, because she wrote it as a story, meaning that there was substance, suspense and progression in a way which is rarely seen in pieces similar to this. If you are frequently anxious about your grades at school, I would definitely recommend this book to you. If you feel as though you always have to be the best, you should read this.
This has made it into my Top Five.
Not only is this factually interesting, however, but also personally enlightening. I would identify as an overachiever myself (having been called this by multiple people) and I did find myself relating intensely to many of the characters interviewed by Robbins. This was especially powerful, I think, because she wrote it as a story, meaning that there was substance, suspense and progression in a way which is rarely seen in pieces similar to this. If you are frequently anxious about your grades at school, I would definitely recommend this book to you. If you feel as though you always have to be the best, you should read this.
This has made it into my Top Five.
The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder
4.0
Seeing as I study spanish, I loved the hispanic undertones to this book and enjoyed translating snippets from Castilian into English. Not only this, but there was a strong Catholic undercurrent in the novel, no doubt a consequence of the denomination's popularity in the hispanic world, and this made for enjoyable analysing. The novel is told by means of three separate stories, each one sending with the same event: the bridge. It's a beautiful representation of human community and the connections which exist between us. Oh, even if you don't want to read the whole thing, I urge you to find the book and READ THE LAST PAGE!