You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
thebooknerdscorner's reviews
1455 reviews
Iconic sci-fi horror movies coming to life is just an average day for Phoebe Lane in this eccentric novel that gives a tribute to all that the 50s entailed, especially when it comes to the weird and the strange.
Phoebe and her mother have been fleeing from monsters for as long as she can remember. The only thing that has kept them alive this long is Phoebe's dad who just so happens to be a giant titan in the sky who seems to know exactly where the next monster attack will strike. Phoebe yearns to be able to lay down roots somewhere, but that's easier said than done when there are giant radioactive ants following your every move. When Phoebe's mom suddenly disappears, Phoebe is forced to investigate the mysterious circumstances that led to her vanishing. Phoebe ends up discovering more than she bargained for and is in for the ride of her life if she hopes to save her mother and the very planet itself.
I don't even know where to begin with this one. Seriously, this book has to be in the top five weirdest books I've ever read.
I guess I'll just start from the beginning. Since I never read back of books, the only things I had to go off of going into this one is the title and the cover. From those things alone, I figured this was going to be a crazy read. What I didn't expect was literally nothing to make sense for a good fifty pages or so. I was so lost at the start of this book, and I literally felt insane trying to figure out what in the world was going on.
Eventually, the book did a decent job of laying down the playing field. Yes, there is a giant man in the sky that controls the universe with a giant TV remote. Yes, he impregnates women just by thinking about them. Yes, if they don't please this crazy huge guy, the world might literally be turned off. Yes, this is some seriously bizarre stuff we're dealing with here.
After learning the basics, I found myself drawn in by this crazy, alternate version of Earth during the 1950s. This book adheres to the societal standards of the era, which makes it a solid look into American society in the past. Reading about the gender inequalities, the racism, and the homophobia really reminded me how far we've come, yet how much work we still need to put in as a society.
Following Phoebe's journey as she tries to distract her father from destroying the world made for some fun reading with an edge of suspense. The segments in which Phoebe is hiding out while she is growing are a great look in how interpersonal relationships can really change people for the better. How the world reacts to Phoebe post change is pretty typical, but it is awesome to see the people that stick by her and recognize her as a beautiful, important creature despite her physical transformation that would often be viewed as monstrous.
This book had me enjoying myself until the makeout scene that happened on page 265. This, my friends, was too much for me and I swear I almost upchucked my breakfast. Not only was this so disturbing, but the rest of the book after that just kinda fizzled. We explore a little into the multiple channels/multiverses which was fairly neat, but that doesn't change the fact that the rest of the book tied up our enormous issues relatively quickly. Some ambiguity with the ending in a book like this would check out, but I felt sincerely unsatisfied with the way the conflict with both Phoebe's father and the secret society are dealt with.
Overall, "Attack of the Fifty Foot Tall Wallflower" was one of the most bizarre and unhinged books I've ever read, but I can't really say that it was in a good way. The writing was solid, the historical accuracy was there, and I could tell that the author was passionate about the niche topics included, but this book truly wasn't for me. Sci-fi and horror really aren't my genres in the first place, so it's not a surprise that this one wasn't exactly my cup of tea. The ending definitely tanked my rating on this book, both for the gross scenes with the ants (I still can't decide what the worst part was) and the quick solutions that resolved all the points of conflict. This was certainly a unique book and I'm interested to read more of this author's work, but I personally can't say I'll remember this one fondly. Though I'm sure it will lurk in my memory with all the other books that sport bug horror for a long, long time.
Phoebe and her mother have been fleeing from monsters for as long as she can remember. The only thing that has kept them alive this long is Phoebe's dad who just so happens to be a giant titan in the sky who seems to know exactly where the next monster attack will strike. Phoebe yearns to be able to lay down roots somewhere, but that's easier said than done when there are giant radioactive ants following your every move. When Phoebe's mom suddenly disappears, Phoebe is forced to investigate the mysterious circumstances that led to her vanishing. Phoebe ends up discovering more than she bargained for and is in for the ride of her life if she hopes to save her mother and the very planet itself.
I don't even know where to begin with this one. Seriously, this book has to be in the top five weirdest books I've ever read.
I guess I'll just start from the beginning. Since I never read back of books, the only things I had to go off of going into this one is the title and the cover. From those things alone, I figured this was going to be a crazy read. What I didn't expect was literally nothing to make sense for a good fifty pages or so. I was so lost at the start of this book, and I literally felt insane trying to figure out what in the world was going on.
Eventually, the book did a decent job of laying down the playing field. Yes, there is a giant man in the sky that controls the universe with a giant TV remote. Yes, he impregnates women just by thinking about them. Yes, if they don't please this crazy huge guy, the world might literally be turned off. Yes, this is some seriously bizarre stuff we're dealing with here.
After learning the basics, I found myself drawn in by this crazy, alternate version of Earth during the 1950s. This book adheres to the societal standards of the era, which makes it a solid look into American society in the past. Reading about the gender inequalities, the racism, and the homophobia really reminded me how far we've come, yet how much work we still need to put in as a society.
Following Phoebe's journey as she tries to distract her father from destroying the world made for some fun reading with an edge of suspense. The segments in which Phoebe is hiding out while she is growing are a great look in how interpersonal relationships can really change people for the better. How the world reacts to Phoebe post change is pretty typical, but it is awesome to see the people that stick by her and recognize her as a beautiful, important creature despite her physical transformation that would often be viewed as monstrous.
This book had me enjoying myself until the makeout scene that happened on page 265. This, my friends, was too much for me and I swear I almost upchucked my breakfast. Not only was this so disturbing, but the rest of the book after that just kinda fizzled. We explore a little into the multiple channels/multiverses which was fairly neat, but that doesn't change the fact that the rest of the book tied up our enormous issues relatively quickly. Some ambiguity with the ending in a book like this would check out, but I felt sincerely unsatisfied with the way the conflict with both Phoebe's father and the secret society are dealt with.
Overall, "Attack of the Fifty Foot Tall Wallflower" was one of the most bizarre and unhinged books I've ever read, but I can't really say that it was in a good way. The writing was solid, the historical accuracy was there, and I could tell that the author was passionate about the niche topics included, but this book truly wasn't for me. Sci-fi and horror really aren't my genres in the first place, so it's not a surprise that this one wasn't exactly my cup of tea. The ending definitely tanked my rating on this book, both for the gross scenes with the ants (I still can't decide what the worst part was) and the quick solutions that resolved all the points of conflict. This was certainly a unique book and I'm interested to read more of this author's work, but I personally can't say I'll remember this one fondly. Though I'm sure it will lurk in my memory with all the other books that sport bug horror for a long, long time.
A travel essay that explores human actions and the consequences that come with them set in the backdrop of the Alaskan wilderness.
"Into the Wild" is often viewed as a controversial book. Mainly because so many people have such strong opinions about Christopher Johnson McCandless. I think it is mean to judge him too harshly as an individual that has never met him, but I gleaned a ton from witnessing Krakauer tell the account of this young man and how he ended up perishing in the Alaskan wild. This book is filled with a ton of speculation which only adds to the intrigue and the wonder that I felt while reading it.
This book moved a tad slow at the beginning, but I found myself so fascinated by the last fourth of this book that I couldn't bear the thought on not knowing what happened to McCandless for another day. The first half of this book was pretty mid for me, but the latter half was stellar!
Seeing wanderlust in so many formats was also a neat part about this book. I am definitely the kind of person that would rather curl up in bed with a nice book and never leave my house if I didn't have to, but this doesn't mean that I'm not fascinated by the fact that many people are so curious about the world around them. Hearing about McCandless and Krakauer's journeys into the bush was quite interesting, and I found the philosophical musings to also be a highlight of this book.
Overall, I didn't love much of my time with "Into the Wild," but I certainly recognized the beauty that this book is. Wanderlust and the fear of missing out persists greatly in many individuals, and this book illustrates that perfectly. The mystery aspect of this book had me rapidly flipping the last dozen or so pages in the hopes that some truth would come from all the intrigue. Though no one can be sure what exactly happened to Christopher McCandless, I found Krakauer's take-aways to be quite astute, especially once he reached the site of the young man's death himself. This definitely will not be my go-to nonfiction rec, but I found it to be a worthwhile read.
"Into the Wild" is often viewed as a controversial book. Mainly because so many people have such strong opinions about Christopher Johnson McCandless. I think it is mean to judge him too harshly as an individual that has never met him, but I gleaned a ton from witnessing Krakauer tell the account of this young man and how he ended up perishing in the Alaskan wild. This book is filled with a ton of speculation which only adds to the intrigue and the wonder that I felt while reading it.
This book moved a tad slow at the beginning, but I found myself so fascinated by the last fourth of this book that I couldn't bear the thought on not knowing what happened to McCandless for another day. The first half of this book was pretty mid for me, but the latter half was stellar!
Seeing wanderlust in so many formats was also a neat part about this book. I am definitely the kind of person that would rather curl up in bed with a nice book and never leave my house if I didn't have to, but this doesn't mean that I'm not fascinated by the fact that many people are so curious about the world around them. Hearing about McCandless and Krakauer's journeys into the bush was quite interesting, and I found the philosophical musings to also be a highlight of this book.
Overall, I didn't love much of my time with "Into the Wild," but I certainly recognized the beauty that this book is. Wanderlust and the fear of missing out persists greatly in many individuals, and this book illustrates that perfectly. The mystery aspect of this book had me rapidly flipping the last dozen or so pages in the hopes that some truth would come from all the intrigue. Though no one can be sure what exactly happened to Christopher McCandless, I found Krakauer's take-aways to be quite astute, especially once he reached the site of the young man's death himself. This definitely will not be my go-to nonfiction rec, but I found it to be a worthwhile read.
A young comedian learns to embrace the positive when she joins her school's improv troupe despite her lack of experience and fear of being in the spotlight.
Winnie Friedman has always viewed herself as the funniest person alive. Unfortunately, hardly anyone recognizes her true potential. Sure, her parents and best friends laugh at her jokes, but that's not saying a lot. Everything is about to change though after one fateful day at lunch when the funniest kid in her grade, Evan Miller, laughs at a joke she makes. When he invites her to the school's improv troupe, Winnie knows this is her moment to prove to the world that she is truly hilarious. Feeling ready to embrace comedy again for the first time in a while, Winnie is hit with a shocking twist: her father has been diagnosed with ALS. Now, Winnie must try to focus on the positive despite everything that is happening at home.
This book was leagues better than I thought it was going to be. I seriously blame the cover for my lackluster expectations of this book, but I'm glad that it panned out to being a pretty solid read. I found myself laughing aloud constantly (which I guess shouldn't be too unexpected from a book called "Crying Laughing," but I was a bit surprised nonetheless). And this book has a ton of depth, which is something I really wasn't expecting.
Going into this book, I had no idea that it was centered around the wonderful art of improv. In college, I took an acting class in which we spent a ton of time practicing improv, so I definitely could relate to all the feelings that Winnie had towards this complicated art. There were times I was super nostalgic over some of the improv pieces that I had the chance to participate in and view. But I definitely felt the dread that can come after a not so successful round of improvisation. Improv comes naturally to some, but it is truly a learned artform. I really enjoyed reminiscing in my own experiences as I watched Winnie grow into a more confident performer, despite her obvious shortcomings.
The other half of this book focuses on Winnie's father's ALS diagnosis. ALS is a truly awful condition and every time I read about it, my heart goes out to everyone who has ever had to deal with this condition. Winnie learns a ton about her parent's past and struggles to cope with what her future might entail now that her father may only have a few more years to live. Books featuring chronic conditions always pull on my heartstrings and this book was no different.
Something that I found great about this book was the fact that it mentioned Amy Poehler/Leslie Knope nine times. The author of this book is definitely a fan of Amy Poehler and "Parks and Recreation," as am I, so it was really fun to read all the references that he decided to include. I wasn't aware of the depth of Poehler's career in improv though, so I'm even more excited to read her memoir "Yes Please" to learn more about this part of her life.
My least favorite part of this book was Evan. He wasn't terrible as an acquaintance of Winnie's, but I hated him as soon as he started playing the romantic interest. He was controlling, never consulted her for literally anything, and moved way too fast for my comfort. I'm glad that he convinced Winnie to join the improv group, but I'm so relieved that she picked up on his red flags almost instantly.
The diversity rep in this book is also great. Winnie's best friends are Muslim, her dad has ALS, and there are several characters that are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. This story briefly touches on issues such as racism, Islamophobia, and the like, which I greatly appreciated even though it was more about learning to live with change and overcoming the hurdles that life throws at you.
Overall, "Crying Laughing" was a funny read that also has a ton of depth and heart. I've never read a book that focused on the art of improv, so that was super refreshing. I think improv is fascinating and I've partaken in it a time or two, so I really enjoyed how important improv is to this story.
Seeing Winnie's family learning to deal with her father's ALS diagnosis was the most impactful part of the story in my opinion, but I enjoyed Winnie's exploits into dating, learning to prioritize her friends, and growing confidence in herself as well. This book was way better than I thought it would be which certainly reminded me that one can't accurately judge a book by its cover.
Winnie Friedman has always viewed herself as the funniest person alive. Unfortunately, hardly anyone recognizes her true potential. Sure, her parents and best friends laugh at her jokes, but that's not saying a lot. Everything is about to change though after one fateful day at lunch when the funniest kid in her grade, Evan Miller, laughs at a joke she makes. When he invites her to the school's improv troupe, Winnie knows this is her moment to prove to the world that she is truly hilarious. Feeling ready to embrace comedy again for the first time in a while, Winnie is hit with a shocking twist: her father has been diagnosed with ALS. Now, Winnie must try to focus on the positive despite everything that is happening at home.
This book was leagues better than I thought it was going to be. I seriously blame the cover for my lackluster expectations of this book, but I'm glad that it panned out to being a pretty solid read. I found myself laughing aloud constantly (which I guess shouldn't be too unexpected from a book called "Crying Laughing," but I was a bit surprised nonetheless). And this book has a ton of depth, which is something I really wasn't expecting.
Going into this book, I had no idea that it was centered around the wonderful art of improv. In college, I took an acting class in which we spent a ton of time practicing improv, so I definitely could relate to all the feelings that Winnie had towards this complicated art. There were times I was super nostalgic over some of the improv pieces that I had the chance to participate in and view. But I definitely felt the dread that can come after a not so successful round of improvisation. Improv comes naturally to some, but it is truly a learned artform. I really enjoyed reminiscing in my own experiences as I watched Winnie grow into a more confident performer, despite her obvious shortcomings.
The other half of this book focuses on Winnie's father's ALS diagnosis. ALS is a truly awful condition and every time I read about it, my heart goes out to everyone who has ever had to deal with this condition. Winnie learns a ton about her parent's past and struggles to cope with what her future might entail now that her father may only have a few more years to live. Books featuring chronic conditions always pull on my heartstrings and this book was no different.
Something that I found great about this book was the fact that it mentioned Amy Poehler/Leslie Knope nine times. The author of this book is definitely a fan of Amy Poehler and "Parks and Recreation," as am I, so it was really fun to read all the references that he decided to include. I wasn't aware of the depth of Poehler's career in improv though, so I'm even more excited to read her memoir "Yes Please" to learn more about this part of her life.
My least favorite part of this book was Evan. He wasn't terrible as an acquaintance of Winnie's, but I hated him as soon as he started playing the romantic interest. He was controlling, never consulted her for literally anything, and moved way too fast for my comfort. I'm glad that he convinced Winnie to join the improv group, but I'm so relieved that she picked up on his red flags almost instantly.
The diversity rep in this book is also great. Winnie's best friends are Muslim, her dad has ALS, and there are several characters that are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. This story briefly touches on issues such as racism, Islamophobia, and the like, which I greatly appreciated even though it was more about learning to live with change and overcoming the hurdles that life throws at you.
Overall, "Crying Laughing" was a funny read that also has a ton of depth and heart. I've never read a book that focused on the art of improv, so that was super refreshing. I think improv is fascinating and I've partaken in it a time or two, so I really enjoyed how important improv is to this story.
Seeing Winnie's family learning to deal with her father's ALS diagnosis was the most impactful part of the story in my opinion, but I enjoyed Winnie's exploits into dating, learning to prioritize her friends, and growing confidence in herself as well. This book was way better than I thought it would be which certainly reminded me that one can't accurately judge a book by its cover.
Two teens put everything on the line in a deadly horse race in the hope that they will finally be able to achieve their dreams.
Every November, the Scorpio Races are held. Riders attempt to tame dangerous water horses called capall uisce. Only one racer wins, but many others will be dead before the race is over. Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He may not have a way with words, but he certainly has a way with horses, especially the murderous kind that killed his father. Puck Connelly on the other hand, has never once worked with a water horse. But she has no other choice than to enter the Scorpio Races in order to keep her family from falling apart. As the first girl to ever compete, she may have bitten off more than she can chew.
For the first one hundred fifty pages of this book, I was bored out of my mind. After reading several two star books in a row, I feared that this one was going to enter the same territory. Luckily, things eventually started to pick up and catch my interest.
This book is by no means fast-paced or intense, but I found myself really caring about Puck and Sean as characters. They have both gone through some serious trauma surrounding the water horses and yet they are brave enough to face their pasts and compete in the Scorpio Races in the hopes that they can obtain the things they wish for the most.
This story at its core, is a love letter to the bond between people and their animal companions. I never went through a huge horse era like some girls do, but I can still appreciate the extremely powerful bond between a horse and its rider. Puck's love for Dove is insurmountable and Sean is literally willing to give up his entire livelihood for Corr. The way that the four of them bond throughout the course of this novel is truly beautiful and they made for a wonderful found family. Puck and Sean's dedication to their mounts is a sight to behold and one of the biggest takeaways from this novel.
The romance elements in this book aren't super strong, but I do love the subtly of Puck and Sean's blossoming feelings for one another. They both are a bit of outcasts who love their horses more than anyone else, so it was great seeing them learn to trust each other in a way that they've never trusted anyone before.
I'm honestly glad that the Scorpio Races only made up such a small portion of this book. Super intense action scenes aren't typically my favorite, so I appreciate that the cool down after the race was so much more prominent. Seriously, the last chapter is written so well. It didn't bring tears to my eyes, but I think if you are a horse person, it definitely has the potential to.
Overall, "The Scorpio Races" starts off pretty slow, but it picks up after a while and turns into a poignant story about chasing your dreams and learning to trust. The romance is subtle and sweet, the bond between horse and rider is strong as steel, and the writing surprised me in a good way. This was my first Stiefvater read, and this has me hopeful that the rest of her books may actually be up my alley. She's making her way up my TBR list for sure!
Every November, the Scorpio Races are held. Riders attempt to tame dangerous water horses called capall uisce. Only one racer wins, but many others will be dead before the race is over. Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He may not have a way with words, but he certainly has a way with horses, especially the murderous kind that killed his father. Puck Connelly on the other hand, has never once worked with a water horse. But she has no other choice than to enter the Scorpio Races in order to keep her family from falling apart. As the first girl to ever compete, she may have bitten off more than she can chew.
For the first one hundred fifty pages of this book, I was bored out of my mind. After reading several two star books in a row, I feared that this one was going to enter the same territory. Luckily, things eventually started to pick up and catch my interest.
This book is by no means fast-paced or intense, but I found myself really caring about Puck and Sean as characters. They have both gone through some serious trauma surrounding the water horses and yet they are brave enough to face their pasts and compete in the Scorpio Races in the hopes that they can obtain the things they wish for the most.
This story at its core, is a love letter to the bond between people and their animal companions. I never went through a huge horse era like some girls do, but I can still appreciate the extremely powerful bond between a horse and its rider. Puck's love for Dove is insurmountable and Sean is literally willing to give up his entire livelihood for Corr. The way that the four of them bond throughout the course of this novel is truly beautiful and they made for a wonderful found family. Puck and Sean's dedication to their mounts is a sight to behold and one of the biggest takeaways from this novel.
The romance elements in this book aren't super strong, but I do love the subtly of Puck and Sean's blossoming feelings for one another. They both are a bit of outcasts who love their horses more than anyone else, so it was great seeing them learn to trust each other in a way that they've never trusted anyone before.
I'm honestly glad that the Scorpio Races only made up such a small portion of this book. Super intense action scenes aren't typically my favorite, so I appreciate that the cool down after the race was so much more prominent. Seriously, the last chapter is written so well. It didn't bring tears to my eyes, but I think if you are a horse person, it definitely has the potential to.
Overall, "The Scorpio Races" starts off pretty slow, but it picks up after a while and turns into a poignant story about chasing your dreams and learning to trust. The romance is subtle and sweet, the bond between horse and rider is strong as steel, and the writing surprised me in a good way. This was my first Stiefvater read, and this has me hopeful that the rest of her books may actually be up my alley. She's making her way up my TBR list for sure!
When a peaceful protest turns into a sketchy government ploy, three teens team up to fight for the justice that eludes them.
Jamal Lawson is an aspiring journalist. Hoping to get into a prestigious college, Jamal attends a protest in Baltimore to get evocative photos for his portfolio. However, when the government initiates an impenetrable dome around a section of Baltimore, Jamal is stuck inside a dangerous dome filled with racially charged violence and a government that doesn't care whether he lives or dies. After chance meetings with a hacker and a former military woman, Jamal and his new friends come up with a plan to escape the dome and free the suppressed citizens of Baltimore.
I hate to give a book that addresses such a major problem in America such a low rating, but this book truly had a ton of issues that I can't look past. Not only was this book repetitive and slow, but it also had a ton of errors and a really clunky writing style. There were so many times where I paused reading and I was like, "that was a weird way to describe something" (and it definitely wasn't in a good way). I also zoned out many times during this book that caused me to miss some things from time to time, which had me having to reread things and make presumptions about what probably got the characters in a situation or how they acquired different objects. Also, what was that ending? Super bizarre and not helpful in any way.
I really do appreciate the attention that this book draws to police brutality, government bias, and the injustices that minorities face on a daily basis. The fact that Jamal is an aspiring journalist who wants to give a voice to those who are being silenced is an awesome way to share some of these ideas and messages. It did sadden me though that Jamal himself did make some rather stereotypical judgements about others despite the fact he is constant being judged himself for the color of his skin and his sexual identity.
The idea of sections of the government putting up domes around groups of protesters or areas that have extreme violence present within them is certainly a disquieting thought. This was certainly an intense form of racism that allowed the government of Maryland to entirely cut of a ton of people who seriously care about equal rights and silence them without the rest of the world knowing. The technology in the dome made it so that no technology worked except for the governments, which really put the inhabitants of Baltimore in a terrible position and truly silenced the voices of the Black and Latinx communities that dwell within the city.
Overall, "Survive the Dome" does a great job of using a creative dystopian situation to showcase injustices that are currently happening in our world, but it had too many issues that I couldn't ignore that made it a less than enjoyable read. The writing was clunky, the pacing was totally off, and I found the entire thing to be too repetitive and boring for my taste. I love the messages about giving voices to those that are being silenced, standing up to police brutality, and that a single person can make a huge difference. However, all the other elements of this book weren't up to snuff in my opinion.
A queer love story of a girl who is trying to redefine herself after losing her girlfriend, her social status, and her college savings.
Astrid is just trying to survive her job serving frozen yogurt to jerks so that she has something saved up for university next year. It's been a long time since she's truly enjoyed anything for herself, so she joins a local robotics team to put herself out there. What she didn't expect is that the robotics captain is a cute nerdy girl that steals her heart.
This book felt like eating cardboard. I can't say that the plot entirely sucked, but the writing was so bland that I couldn't bring myself to care about much of anything. The characters are so flat and have little personality; people aren't supposed to be robots despite what the author may believe.
A sapphic robotics romance has the potential to be really cute, but this bland book certainly didn't do this concept justice. I understand that this book is penned for reluctant teen readers to fly through, but I feel that there still could have been any sort of creative writing throughout.
The biphobia and anti-queer themes this book addresses are good, but I've seen this done time and time again in more elaborate ways than a bully making fun of a queer girl and treating his bisexual girlfriend like trash.
Overall, "The Love Code" was an incredibly dry book that made me feel very little while reading it. I admit that it has positive messages about standing up to queerphobia and girls in STEM, but it's lacking in much else. I wish the writing would have had any personality whatsoever, then maybe this book would have gone somewhere. As it is, I found it too bland to find any enjoyment out of reading this quick queer romance.
A novella that explores the concepts of fated meetings, second chances, and the gender expectations that are deeply engrained into our society.
Beth as a newly single woman in her forties doesn't know what to do with her life now that she now has an empty nest and she broke things off with her husband. One fateful day in New York City, she meets a man twenty years younger than her who shakes her world forever. Liam is a newly graduated youngster who has been backpacking around the world trying to fill the void inside of him now that college is through. When Liam meets Beth, sparks fly and their worlds begin to fill with sunshine. However, there are a ton of obstacles keeping them apart. But then why does the universe keep bringing them back together again?
For a novella, this story is rock solid. Heck, I think Liam and Beth's tale would have been beautiful even as a short story. This novella is much steamier than the books that I usually enjoy, but the topics that this book dives into had me putting that aside to think deeply about the questions that this story evokes.
At the forefront of this tale is rediscovering oneself and fated encounters. Beth is going through a midlife crisis, and she is in a desperate need to find that spark that brings her from living to truly alive. I think it is common for middle-aged people to forget the things that bring them joy, and I found it inspiring to see Beth rediscover feelings that she has long forgotten. And for fated encounters? I've always found this to be a fascinating topic. I totally believe that we are in charge of our own destinies for the most part, but the way that events line up sometimes seems a bit too suspicious to not be ordained in some way. I know that this is a fictional story, but I think this notion definitely applies to Beth and Liam. The way that these two reconnect after their original chance encounter truly feels like fate, and I think most people can think of a few times in their life that seem a little too unlikely to just be chalked up to chance.
One of my favorite parts of this novel is the way that it explores gender expectations and sexual stereotypes that exist in this world, especially in American society. This book talks in great length about how it is generally accepted when an older man dates a younger woman, but that a woman is often shunned if she dates a man who is younger than her. This is so sexist and backwards, yet I can agree that most of society would probably be pretty disgusted by everything that goes on between Beth and Liam.
From time to time, Liam also talks about the "bro code" in which men feel like banging girls is a necessity and that men are seen as less masculine if they don't get laid constantly by a variety of women. I think this is such a dated concept, but it is a stark reminder that many people feel that they have to do certain things or else be viewed as weak by other members of society, which is quite sickening. Beth as a mid-aged woman sometimes feels as though she shouldn't be viewed as someone who desires sexual attention and tries to conceal her innate beauty that she doesn't feel entitled to. Women in society are often viewed as solely monogamous when it comes to sexual activity, which is both false and unfair.
I think that there are expectations for both males and females that society presses onto everyone, but I think people often forget that stereotyping gets us nowhere, and that so many people don't fit into any such labels. (I mean, so many people don't even fit into the so called "gender binary," so knowing how one is supposed to act can be challenging to say the least. And then who wants to fit into these stupid gender expectations anyways?) Also, some boys would never imagine straying from their designated person, and some girls are just as notorious skirt chasers as men. Gender and sexual stereotypes are a horribly shallow part of society, and I think it is greatly important that books such as this novella come around to shake up the status quo and remind the world that all humans are their own individuals.
The ending of this novella was exactly what I expected it to be, but it was still a stark reminder to me that nothing is eternal and the things that we cherish can vanish in a single instant. The ones we love are definitely something that people take for granted way too often, so this is another important reminder that this book may instill on the reader.
Overall, "The Sun Never Dies" certainly wasn't the novella that I thought it would be. Though the spice count is higher than I'd usually prefer to palate, the prose is masterful and the themes are altogether powerful. The way this book takes a deep dive into gender stereotypes and the inequality of expectations that society presses on people is adept. I've always enjoyed pondering the possibility of fated encounters, so this book really had my gears spinning in multiple ways. If you want a short read that addresses some powerful topics, I wouldn't hesitate to point you in the direction of "The Sun Never Dies."
Beth as a newly single woman in her forties doesn't know what to do with her life now that she now has an empty nest and she broke things off with her husband. One fateful day in New York City, she meets a man twenty years younger than her who shakes her world forever. Liam is a newly graduated youngster who has been backpacking around the world trying to fill the void inside of him now that college is through. When Liam meets Beth, sparks fly and their worlds begin to fill with sunshine. However, there are a ton of obstacles keeping them apart. But then why does the universe keep bringing them back together again?
For a novella, this story is rock solid. Heck, I think Liam and Beth's tale would have been beautiful even as a short story. This novella is much steamier than the books that I usually enjoy, but the topics that this book dives into had me putting that aside to think deeply about the questions that this story evokes.
At the forefront of this tale is rediscovering oneself and fated encounters. Beth is going through a midlife crisis, and she is in a desperate need to find that spark that brings her from living to truly alive. I think it is common for middle-aged people to forget the things that bring them joy, and I found it inspiring to see Beth rediscover feelings that she has long forgotten. And for fated encounters? I've always found this to be a fascinating topic. I totally believe that we are in charge of our own destinies for the most part, but the way that events line up sometimes seems a bit too suspicious to not be ordained in some way. I know that this is a fictional story, but I think this notion definitely applies to Beth and Liam. The way that these two reconnect after their original chance encounter truly feels like fate, and I think most people can think of a few times in their life that seem a little too unlikely to just be chalked up to chance.
One of my favorite parts of this novel is the way that it explores gender expectations and sexual stereotypes that exist in this world, especially in American society. This book talks in great length about how it is generally accepted when an older man dates a younger woman, but that a woman is often shunned if she dates a man who is younger than her. This is so sexist and backwards, yet I can agree that most of society would probably be pretty disgusted by everything that goes on between Beth and Liam.
From time to time, Liam also talks about the "bro code" in which men feel like banging girls is a necessity and that men are seen as less masculine if they don't get laid constantly by a variety of women. I think this is such a dated concept, but it is a stark reminder that many people feel that they have to do certain things or else be viewed as weak by other members of society, which is quite sickening. Beth as a mid-aged woman sometimes feels as though she shouldn't be viewed as someone who desires sexual attention and tries to conceal her innate beauty that she doesn't feel entitled to. Women in society are often viewed as solely monogamous when it comes to sexual activity, which is both false and unfair.
I think that there are expectations for both males and females that society presses onto everyone, but I think people often forget that stereotyping gets us nowhere, and that so many people don't fit into any such labels. (I mean, so many people don't even fit into the so called "gender binary," so knowing how one is supposed to act can be challenging to say the least. And then who wants to fit into these stupid gender expectations anyways?) Also, some boys would never imagine straying from their designated person, and some girls are just as notorious skirt chasers as men. Gender and sexual stereotypes are a horribly shallow part of society, and I think it is greatly important that books such as this novella come around to shake up the status quo and remind the world that all humans are their own individuals.
The ending of this novella was exactly what I expected it to be, but it was still a stark reminder to me that nothing is eternal and the things that we cherish can vanish in a single instant. The ones we love are definitely something that people take for granted way too often, so this is another important reminder that this book may instill on the reader.
Overall, "The Sun Never Dies" certainly wasn't the novella that I thought it would be. Though the spice count is higher than I'd usually prefer to palate, the prose is masterful and the themes are altogether powerful. The way this book takes a deep dive into gender stereotypes and the inequality of expectations that society presses on people is adept. I've always enjoyed pondering the possibility of fated encounters, so this book really had my gears spinning in multiple ways. If you want a short read that addresses some powerful topics, I wouldn't hesitate to point you in the direction of "The Sun Never Dies."
Four teens turn to a life of crime in order to escape the harsh eye of the corrupt government that deems to control every aspect of their lives.
Nimmo appears to the naked eye a teen like any other. But if you really knew him (which no one does), you'd know that Nimmo actually has dozens of secret identities, works with some of London's scariest crime bosses, and is tasked with a secret mission that might just get him and the three kids he's working with killed. Nimmo, FX, Manikin, and Scope have been tasked with a deceptively simple task: steal a box from the daughter of a dead scientist. They have been tasked to follow her every move to find out where this box is all without being caught by WatchWorld, the corrupt government always on the lookout. Nimmo knows there is more to their mission than what meets the eye, so he begs the other teens to proceed with caution and heed his every warning if they want to make it out of this heist alive. . .
This one was, quite frankly, better than I thought it was going to be. I'm not saying that it's anything special, but I felt like this one had a pretty solid chance to tank. I'm not always the hugest fan of sci-fi, so reading them is always a risk. This one was a pretty typical dystopia society much like in the classic "1984." It reminded me quite a bit of Eoin Colfer's "The Supernaturalist" with the gang of youngsters trying to steal something. The writing styles are also similar; Irish science fiction truly goes crazy!
I was intrigued early on about who exactly killed Brundle and why. I appreciated the who-dunnit aspect of this book immensely; it kept me motivated to keep turning the pages. Once I learned more details it became decently easy to sus out who was the guilty party, but other aspects of the book started to ramp up later on, so it was alright in my book.
The nanotechnology that Brundle was experimenting with is some surreally messed up technology. I won't go into any specific details due to the late reveal of the details surrounding this tech, but man, I would be horrified if a government could abuse its power. I must say, a world in which everyone is forced to have this technology inside of them would be absolutely terrifying and would make for a perfect sci-fi thriller.
I think my two biggest complaints about this book is the lack of depth to the characters and the overall lack of urgency in the pacing. Beside Nimmo and Scope, I didn't care for any of the characters at all. And Nica was alright, I guess. We didn't really learn much about any of the characters and Scope was the only one who had me liking her before the end of the story. She's into forensics, has asthma, and is one of the mob boss's personal pets. These things gave her some depth and her personality is likable, which is more than I can say about the other three.
I feel as though this book should have read more like a thriller, but the stakes never seemed all that high despite the constant danger the kids were in. Things do ramp up eventually in the last fourth of the book, but I feel as though this entire book should have been slightly more intense.
I did appreciate how the final heist scene was pulled off. It definitely wasn't what I was expecting to read when I first started this book, so that was a welcome surprise. The reunion scene with Nimmo was pretty great, but not as great as the final chapter in which Bunny and Punkin's purpose are finally revealed. These two idiots are just kinda floating around the entire story, but it's all worth it for the play that the final chapter reveals.
Overall, "Rat Runners" is a typical dystopian novel featuring a gang of teens trying to pull off an incomprehensible heist. The world wasn't super unique, the characters are pretty flat, and the writing was missing the suspense aspect I desired. I did enjoy the exploration of the nanotechnology and the murder mystery elements of this story though, so this book had some redeeming qualities that made it an enjoyable read.
Nimmo appears to the naked eye a teen like any other. But if you really knew him (which no one does), you'd know that Nimmo actually has dozens of secret identities, works with some of London's scariest crime bosses, and is tasked with a secret mission that might just get him and the three kids he's working with killed. Nimmo, FX, Manikin, and Scope have been tasked with a deceptively simple task: steal a box from the daughter of a dead scientist. They have been tasked to follow her every move to find out where this box is all without being caught by WatchWorld, the corrupt government always on the lookout. Nimmo knows there is more to their mission than what meets the eye, so he begs the other teens to proceed with caution and heed his every warning if they want to make it out of this heist alive. . .
This one was, quite frankly, better than I thought it was going to be. I'm not saying that it's anything special, but I felt like this one had a pretty solid chance to tank. I'm not always the hugest fan of sci-fi, so reading them is always a risk. This one was a pretty typical dystopia society much like in the classic "1984." It reminded me quite a bit of Eoin Colfer's "The Supernaturalist" with the gang of youngsters trying to steal something. The writing styles are also similar; Irish science fiction truly goes crazy!
I was intrigued early on about who exactly killed Brundle and why. I appreciated the who-dunnit aspect of this book immensely; it kept me motivated to keep turning the pages. Once I learned more details it became decently easy to sus out who was the guilty party, but other aspects of the book started to ramp up later on, so it was alright in my book.
The nanotechnology that Brundle was experimenting with is some surreally messed up technology. I won't go into any specific details due to the late reveal of the details surrounding this tech, but man, I would be horrified if a government could abuse its power. I must say, a world in which everyone is forced to have this technology inside of them would be absolutely terrifying and would make for a perfect sci-fi thriller.
I think my two biggest complaints about this book is the lack of depth to the characters and the overall lack of urgency in the pacing. Beside Nimmo and Scope, I didn't care for any of the characters at all. And Nica was alright, I guess. We didn't really learn much about any of the characters and Scope was the only one who had me liking her before the end of the story. She's into forensics, has asthma, and is one of the mob boss's personal pets. These things gave her some depth and her personality is likable, which is more than I can say about the other three.
I feel as though this book should have read more like a thriller, but the stakes never seemed all that high despite the constant danger the kids were in. Things do ramp up eventually in the last fourth of the book, but I feel as though this entire book should have been slightly more intense.
I did appreciate how the final heist scene was pulled off. It definitely wasn't what I was expecting to read when I first started this book, so that was a welcome surprise. The reunion scene with Nimmo was pretty great, but not as great as the final chapter in which Bunny and Punkin's purpose are finally revealed. These two idiots are just kinda floating around the entire story, but it's all worth it for the play that the final chapter reveals.
Overall, "Rat Runners" is a typical dystopian novel featuring a gang of teens trying to pull off an incomprehensible heist. The world wasn't super unique, the characters are pretty flat, and the writing was missing the suspense aspect I desired. I did enjoy the exploration of the nanotechnology and the murder mystery elements of this story though, so this book had some redeeming qualities that made it an enjoyable read.
A cute theatre romance in which a messy showmance love triangle ends with two boys discovering who they truly are deep down.
Wade Westmore is the definition of a theatre kid. He craves attention, is addicted to musicals, and pouts around when he isn't given the lead role during his final production as a high schooler. Not to be dramatic but losing a dream role to an ex-boyfriend is quite painful. Now, Wade is stuck with Reese rehearsal after rehearsal. Elijah Brady, on the other hand, has never been noticed before in his life. It's not like he isn't trying to make friends, but nobody is interested in a shy gay boy like him. Joining the stage crew of the musical seems like the perfect way to blend in while also branching out. When the two run into each other (literally), Wade and Elijah strike up a deal. Elijah wants to learn how to be more confident while Wade wants to prove to Reese that he cares for other people more than he cares about himself. As Wade works to help out the new and improved "Brady," the two boys may learn more about themselves than they bargained for.
As a lover of all things theatre and musicals, I was so excited to read this one. I'm not super familiar with "My Fair Lady," but that never once lessened my joy of reading this story. This has got to be the most theatre-filled theatre romance I've ever read, so it is no surprise that I ended up loving this book, despite all of the teen drama that ensues.
Wade and Elijah's relationship starts out pretty akin to Galinda and Elphaba's in the musical "Wicked." Wade is a popular kid who wants to win the attention of Reese (who I suppose is the Fiyero in this situation). Elijah, just wants to learn how to fit in. Wade takes on Elijah as a pity project in order to gain Reese's attention, but Reese ends up catching the hots for Elijah. Let's just say, there are a ton of complex teen emotions flying high in this book. I think this is also the first love triangle romance I've read where all three of them have feelings for each other.
This book had me feeling so nostalgic for my time I spend doing theatre productions in college. The way that it talks about being on stage, seeing the cast list posted, and all of the emotions that happen on closing night really hit me in the feels. I can say with certainty that I teared up by the end of this book just on the vibe of closing night alone. Following all the different theatre kids, both the actors and the techies, was truly a joy as a person who has been on both sides of the stage.
I relate a ton to Elijah as a person. He is anxious about pretty much everything, from having conversations, to ordering at restaurants, to learning to drive. I am an introvert who pretty much shuts down in all social settings, so I really relate to Elijah on a personal level. Just remember, everyone ISN'T always watching.
The romance in this book wasn't overly suffocating. This book is more a journey of two teens learning who they really want to be in this world. Yes, Wade wants to woo his ex and Elijah is looking to experience stereotypical high school things, but the romance elements of this book are rather subtle compared to many romances. Wade and Elijah's relationship is quite the bromance, and I loved seeing the two of them pulling each other out of their comfort zones in various ways.
The camping scenes in this book also brought back many nostalgic memories of camping with my best friends. There is a part of me that hates camping, but I always think back on it so fondly. I don't think you could convince me to go camping in Minnesota during March. As a Minnesota girl, that sounds like torture, even if one has a heater and a cabin. The scenes that go down between Wade and Elijah while they are camping are so wholesome, and I love the wonder filled side of Wade we get to see while the boys are out in the middle of the woods.
This book also very briefly brings up some societal issues. One of the characters is transgender and talks about her experiences. Another thing that this book examines in great detail is the toxicity of popularity. There is a huge difference between being confident and being popular. There is also a huge difference between the good type of popular and the bad type of popular (which Elijah definitely learns about firsthand). Prom is another huge part of this book, and unfortunately, this book doesn't rain on its parade as much as I would have liked. Luckily, the school seems more queer normative than many places, which was nice to see. It did make me sad that Elijah didn't fight harder to avoid all the prom "rites of passages" that society seems to press onto teenagers (such as getting a hotel room).
Overall, I loved reading every part of "My Fair Brady." This book was truly a deep dive into nostalgia for me. From the theatre elements to the camping trip to the Galinda and Elphaba coded nature of Wade and Elijah's relationship, it all brought back so many happy memories for me. I love how much of this book is directly centered around theatre; it is truly a love letter to theatre kids new and old. I would definitely recommend.
Wade Westmore is the definition of a theatre kid. He craves attention, is addicted to musicals, and pouts around when he isn't given the lead role during his final production as a high schooler. Not to be dramatic but losing a dream role to an ex-boyfriend is quite painful. Now, Wade is stuck with Reese rehearsal after rehearsal. Elijah Brady, on the other hand, has never been noticed before in his life. It's not like he isn't trying to make friends, but nobody is interested in a shy gay boy like him. Joining the stage crew of the musical seems like the perfect way to blend in while also branching out. When the two run into each other (literally), Wade and Elijah strike up a deal. Elijah wants to learn how to be more confident while Wade wants to prove to Reese that he cares for other people more than he cares about himself. As Wade works to help out the new and improved "Brady," the two boys may learn more about themselves than they bargained for.
As a lover of all things theatre and musicals, I was so excited to read this one. I'm not super familiar with "My Fair Lady," but that never once lessened my joy of reading this story. This has got to be the most theatre-filled theatre romance I've ever read, so it is no surprise that I ended up loving this book, despite all of the teen drama that ensues.
Wade and Elijah's relationship starts out pretty akin to Galinda and Elphaba's in the musical "Wicked." Wade is a popular kid who wants to win the attention of Reese (who I suppose is the Fiyero in this situation). Elijah, just wants to learn how to fit in. Wade takes on Elijah as a pity project in order to gain Reese's attention, but Reese ends up catching the hots for Elijah. Let's just say, there are a ton of complex teen emotions flying high in this book. I think this is also the first love triangle romance I've read where all three of them have feelings for each other.
This book had me feeling so nostalgic for my time I spend doing theatre productions in college. The way that it talks about being on stage, seeing the cast list posted, and all of the emotions that happen on closing night really hit me in the feels. I can say with certainty that I teared up by the end of this book just on the vibe of closing night alone. Following all the different theatre kids, both the actors and the techies, was truly a joy as a person who has been on both sides of the stage.
I relate a ton to Elijah as a person. He is anxious about pretty much everything, from having conversations, to ordering at restaurants, to learning to drive. I am an introvert who pretty much shuts down in all social settings, so I really relate to Elijah on a personal level. Just remember, everyone ISN'T always watching.
The romance in this book wasn't overly suffocating. This book is more a journey of two teens learning who they really want to be in this world. Yes, Wade wants to woo his ex and Elijah is looking to experience stereotypical high school things, but the romance elements of this book are rather subtle compared to many romances. Wade and Elijah's relationship is quite the bromance, and I loved seeing the two of them pulling each other out of their comfort zones in various ways.
The camping scenes in this book also brought back many nostalgic memories of camping with my best friends. There is a part of me that hates camping, but I always think back on it so fondly. I don't think you could convince me to go camping in Minnesota during March. As a Minnesota girl, that sounds like torture, even if one has a heater and a cabin. The scenes that go down between Wade and Elijah while they are camping are so wholesome, and I love the wonder filled side of Wade we get to see while the boys are out in the middle of the woods.
This book also very briefly brings up some societal issues. One of the characters is transgender and talks about her experiences. Another thing that this book examines in great detail is the toxicity of popularity. There is a huge difference between being confident and being popular. There is also a huge difference between the good type of popular and the bad type of popular (which Elijah definitely learns about firsthand). Prom is another huge part of this book, and unfortunately, this book doesn't rain on its parade as much as I would have liked. Luckily, the school seems more queer normative than many places, which was nice to see. It did make me sad that Elijah didn't fight harder to avoid all the prom "rites of passages" that society seems to press onto teenagers (such as getting a hotel room).
Overall, I loved reading every part of "My Fair Brady." This book was truly a deep dive into nostalgia for me. From the theatre elements to the camping trip to the Galinda and Elphaba coded nature of Wade and Elijah's relationship, it all brought back so many happy memories for me. I love how much of this book is directly centered around theatre; it is truly a love letter to theatre kids new and old. I would definitely recommend.
A cute, queer paranormal graphic novel featuring a ghost who falls in love with the one person that can see him.
Blue is a ghost and he is having a hard time moving on. He's in love with his best friend, Hamal, who happens to still be alive. When strange things start happening around town, Blue starts to worry for Hamal's safety. Blue will do anything to keep Hamal safe. . . even if it means losing him forever.
This one was sweet. Unfortunately, it lacks much more depth than that. Blue and Hamal's connection is cute and the fact that they work in a flower shop is quite wholesome. The conversations between Blue and Hamal are pretty funny, which is definitely a plus. The little found family of ghosts that Hamal has surrounding him is also pretty neat. This is about the extent of the entire graphic novel, though.
Overall, "Taproot" is a queer graphic novel about the balance between life and depth. It is short and sweet, but lacks depth in pretty much every aspect. The art is cute, and the characters are likable. This is about the extent of the novel though. It's pretty cozy, but mostly forgettable.
Blue is a ghost and he is having a hard time moving on. He's in love with his best friend, Hamal, who happens to still be alive. When strange things start happening around town, Blue starts to worry for Hamal's safety. Blue will do anything to keep Hamal safe. . . even if it means losing him forever.
This one was sweet. Unfortunately, it lacks much more depth than that. Blue and Hamal's connection is cute and the fact that they work in a flower shop is quite wholesome. The conversations between Blue and Hamal are pretty funny, which is definitely a plus. The little found family of ghosts that Hamal has surrounding him is also pretty neat. This is about the extent of the entire graphic novel, though.
Overall, "Taproot" is a queer graphic novel about the balance between life and depth. It is short and sweet, but lacks depth in pretty much every aspect. The art is cute, and the characters are likable. This is about the extent of the novel though. It's pretty cozy, but mostly forgettable.