You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
thebooknerdscorner's reviews
1453 reviews
Long Live the Pumpkin Queen by Shea Ernshaw
2.0
Sally's story is brought to life in this reimaging of Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas," which gives her more personality and more backstory than ever before.
Sally has just married the love of her life, Jack Skellington, and has officially been appointed the Pumpkin Queen of Halloween Town. Upon marrying Jack, Sally is thrust into a spotlight that she never wanted. It turns out that when one marries a king, it is hard to stick to the shadows that she knows and loves so well. Overwhelmed by all the expectations, Sally flees Halloween Town looking for a break. Her respite takes an unexpected turn when she accidently unleashes a dangerous force onto her beloved subjects. Now she must do everything in her power to save her people before it's too late.
This is the definition of a book that I would never pick out for myself to read. I've never been a huge fan of "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and Sally has always creeped me out, so it's no surprise that this book wasn't high on my bucket list. I found myself reading it now because I allowed some of my best friends to pick out books for me. Unsurprisingly, I found myself quite alienated by this book for several reasons, but I was holding out hope that maybe the writing would be spectacular, or the plot would be super engaging. Sadly, neither was the case.
Disney books are always interesting because they depend greatly on already knowing and loving the characters. In the past, I haven't liked Sally and it has been years since I've watched the original movie, so I found myself constantly having to think real hard to figure out what this book was talking about. This certainly alienated me and constantly took me out of the reading experience, which didn't do this book any favors.
On top of that, the writing was quite simple and though it was super creepy at times, the word choice was overall weak. I found the writing style to be plain and boring, which had me drifting away consistently and having to reread certain sections to catch up on what I had missed.
Lastly, the plot was predictable, cliche, and yet hard to believe at times. Also, a huge portion of this book features Sally traveling through the realms, which made for a real lackluster book. In the midst of all this traveling, Sally finds herself in Dream Town. While there, she learns many hard truths that I found hard to accept. I don't remember "The Nightmare Before Christmas" lore all that well, but this entire scenario just seemed super unlikely. And come on, I knew who the mysterious sand creature was from the first mention, which took away most of this book's urgency.
Overall, "Long Live the Pumpkin King" is probably a decent book, but I am definitely not the target audience. Not only am I not a fan of Sally and "The Nightmare Before Christmas," but I've had a hard time suspending my belief when it comes to the scenarios that are presented in Disney books. I am a stickler on it following Disney's canon, and this book just didn't seem to do that very well with my limited knowledge of the movie. Beyond that, the writing was pretty blah, the plot was predictable, and the travel scenes were all really repetitive. I'm definitely going to try out more of Ernshaw's books in the future as well as more Disney books, but this one didn't do much for me.
Sally has just married the love of her life, Jack Skellington, and has officially been appointed the Pumpkin Queen of Halloween Town. Upon marrying Jack, Sally is thrust into a spotlight that she never wanted. It turns out that when one marries a king, it is hard to stick to the shadows that she knows and loves so well. Overwhelmed by all the expectations, Sally flees Halloween Town looking for a break. Her respite takes an unexpected turn when she accidently unleashes a dangerous force onto her beloved subjects. Now she must do everything in her power to save her people before it's too late.
This is the definition of a book that I would never pick out for myself to read. I've never been a huge fan of "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and Sally has always creeped me out, so it's no surprise that this book wasn't high on my bucket list. I found myself reading it now because I allowed some of my best friends to pick out books for me. Unsurprisingly, I found myself quite alienated by this book for several reasons, but I was holding out hope that maybe the writing would be spectacular, or the plot would be super engaging. Sadly, neither was the case.
Disney books are always interesting because they depend greatly on already knowing and loving the characters. In the past, I haven't liked Sally and it has been years since I've watched the original movie, so I found myself constantly having to think real hard to figure out what this book was talking about. This certainly alienated me and constantly took me out of the reading experience, which didn't do this book any favors.
On top of that, the writing was quite simple and though it was super creepy at times, the word choice was overall weak. I found the writing style to be plain and boring, which had me drifting away consistently and having to reread certain sections to catch up on what I had missed.
Lastly, the plot was predictable, cliche, and yet hard to believe at times. Also, a huge portion of this book features Sally traveling through the realms, which made for a real lackluster book. In the midst of all this traveling, Sally finds herself in Dream Town. While there, she learns many hard truths that I found hard to accept. I don't remember "The Nightmare Before Christmas" lore all that well, but this entire scenario just seemed super unlikely. And come on, I knew who the mysterious sand creature was from the first mention, which took away most of this book's urgency.
Overall, "Long Live the Pumpkin King" is probably a decent book, but I am definitely not the target audience. Not only am I not a fan of Sally and "The Nightmare Before Christmas," but I've had a hard time suspending my belief when it comes to the scenarios that are presented in Disney books. I am a stickler on it following Disney's canon, and this book just didn't seem to do that very well with my limited knowledge of the movie. Beyond that, the writing was pretty blah, the plot was predictable, and the travel scenes were all really repetitive. I'm definitely going to try out more of Ernshaw's books in the future as well as more Disney books, but this one didn't do much for me.
Forget the Fairy Tale and Find Your Happiness by Deb Miller
I was really intrigued by how this book was pitched to me. I was told that it was a memoir that examined classic Disney fairy tales and flipped them on their heads. I found the way that Deb compared her life to fairy tales was quite astute, and the way that her life evolves with Disney's princess narratives was really interesting to hear unfold.
Deb goes through two unsuccessful marriages, raises three kids practically on her own, and has an amazing career in the marketing sector. Despite everything that tries to hold her back, Deb perseveres and doesn't let anything stop her success story. Her life may not have played out like the fairy tales, but that doesn't mean that she hasn't found her happily ever after.
The way that children are influenced by media is a topic that I am quite passionate about. From a young age, we condition our children (especially young girls) and tell them that they must find a mate to be happy and that they will be viewed as abnormal if they aren't seeking out love as soon as possible. I think this is quite sickening, and I think it is really important to showcase all types of lifestyles in which people are happy and thriving, even if they are unmarried, divorced, perfectly happy raising their pet cat, or any other form of living. Deb does a great job of showcasing how her life story was atypical to how it plays out in the movies, but that is perfectly alright (and honestly how it should be). Everyone should be able to live their life the way that they want to, and society has got to lose its hold on who one should love and how they should do it; it's truly not society's business anyway.
I can definitely relate to some of the events that Deb had to go through with her second husband, Sergei. I am only a teenager myself, so I'm not married, but I see a lot of my dad in Sergei. It is always comforting to me to know that not everyone has access to the picture-perfect father, but I also find it soothing to know that my childhood could have been filled with even more strife at the hands of a man.
Overall, "Forget the Fairy Tale and Find Your Happiness" is a powerful memoir that is filled with inspiring circumstances and sound advice. The influence the media has on us is a topic that I find quite interesting, so I found Deb's thoughts on Disney princess movies to be quite interesting. The feminist themes in this book are ones that many young women need to hear, and I'm so glad that Deb was willing to share her story. I hope it reminds people that happiness isn't determined by the person you love, the things you wear, or the money you make. We all have the chance to find our own happiness, and it is up to us not to throw that opportunity away. This book is a solid reminder that it is never too late to follow one's dreams and try to make one's life just a little brighter.
5.0
An inspiring memoir about overcoming societal stereotypes, persevering through tough circumstances, and discovering one's true happiness.
I was really intrigued by how this book was pitched to me. I was told that it was a memoir that examined classic Disney fairy tales and flipped them on their heads. I found the way that Deb compared her life to fairy tales was quite astute, and the way that her life evolves with Disney's princess narratives was really interesting to hear unfold.
Deb goes through two unsuccessful marriages, raises three kids practically on her own, and has an amazing career in the marketing sector. Despite everything that tries to hold her back, Deb perseveres and doesn't let anything stop her success story. Her life may not have played out like the fairy tales, but that doesn't mean that she hasn't found her happily ever after.
The way that children are influenced by media is a topic that I am quite passionate about. From a young age, we condition our children (especially young girls) and tell them that they must find a mate to be happy and that they will be viewed as abnormal if they aren't seeking out love as soon as possible. I think this is quite sickening, and I think it is really important to showcase all types of lifestyles in which people are happy and thriving, even if they are unmarried, divorced, perfectly happy raising their pet cat, or any other form of living. Deb does a great job of showcasing how her life story was atypical to how it plays out in the movies, but that is perfectly alright (and honestly how it should be). Everyone should be able to live their life the way that they want to, and society has got to lose its hold on who one should love and how they should do it; it's truly not society's business anyway.
I can definitely relate to some of the events that Deb had to go through with her second husband, Sergei. I am only a teenager myself, so I'm not married, but I see a lot of my dad in Sergei. It is always comforting to me to know that not everyone has access to the picture-perfect father, but I also find it soothing to know that my childhood could have been filled with even more strife at the hands of a man.
Overall, "Forget the Fairy Tale and Find Your Happiness" is a powerful memoir that is filled with inspiring circumstances and sound advice. The influence the media has on us is a topic that I find quite interesting, so I found Deb's thoughts on Disney princess movies to be quite interesting. The feminist themes in this book are ones that many young women need to hear, and I'm so glad that Deb was willing to share her story. I hope it reminds people that happiness isn't determined by the person you love, the things you wear, or the money you make. We all have the chance to find our own happiness, and it is up to us not to throw that opportunity away. This book is a solid reminder that it is never too late to follow one's dreams and try to make one's life just a little brighter.
Sword in the Stars by Cory McCarthy, A.R. Capetta
4.0
Ari, Merlin, and the rest of the gang have jumped back to ancient Camelot and are now faced with trying to avoid breaking the time continuum itself.
Ari Helix may have been able to stand up to the corrupt Mercer Corporation, but that doesn't mean that her life has gotten easier. In order to save the universe, Ari must go back to the past and steal King Arthur's Grail. Faced with the past versions of Arthur and Merlin, Ari and Merlin are stuck in a nasty situation in which every decision could affect the future as they know it.
I was a bit hesitant whether this book would be able to stand up to the first book in the series. Though it may not be as good as the first, it is still a very solid addition to Ari and Merlin's story that fills in a ton of blanks and answers questions that I had never even dreamed of thinking up.
One of the highlights of this book was how far it pushed the ambiguous nature of the King Arthur mythos. Many parts of his story change from version to version, which allowed the authors to really play with how King Arthur's life goes down. Some of my favorite parts were how the Lancelot and Gweneviere arc plays out, the secrets behind Merlin's elusive past, and why the Lady in the Lake is so bitter against everything. I feel that Capetta and McCarthy really took Arthur's story into their own hands and made a really creative narrative that both gives tribute to the original story's greatness as well as completely made it their own.
Despite there being less space travel in this second installment, this book definitely felt more sci-fi than the first one. The way that this book plays with time travel and the time continuum broke my mind at moments, but that doesn't mean that it wasn't brilliant the whole way through. I love the fact that Merlin is some crazy time wizard and the way that this fact connects into his past as well as the events that go down in "Once & Future."
The ending to this book was actually much less tragic than I thought it was going to be. This was honestly a huge relief, and it didn't even disappoint me. Some things wrapped up a little quickly, but I was mostly satisfied with the events that occurred in the last few chapters in this book. And hey, I'm just glad they gave us all the dirt on Merlin's patchy memories and his unexplained past. Also, Ari and Gwen even get the happily ever after they deserve (despite some of the odd things that they are stuck to live with forever), so that was a huge relief!
Overall, "The Sword in the Stars" was a great conclusion to this wonderful duology that retells the myth of King Arthur in a fun space opera with plenty of time travel shenanigans. I really came to care about Ari, Merlin, Gwen, and the rest of the gang in this series, and I am glad that most of them got the happy endings they deserve. The humorous writing, the queernormative universe, and the crazy time travel elements are some of my favorite parts of this series. I really enjoyed these books, so I am really curious to see what else these two have written and if I would like their other work just as much.
Ari Helix may have been able to stand up to the corrupt Mercer Corporation, but that doesn't mean that her life has gotten easier. In order to save the universe, Ari must go back to the past and steal King Arthur's Grail. Faced with the past versions of Arthur and Merlin, Ari and Merlin are stuck in a nasty situation in which every decision could affect the future as they know it.
I was a bit hesitant whether this book would be able to stand up to the first book in the series. Though it may not be as good as the first, it is still a very solid addition to Ari and Merlin's story that fills in a ton of blanks and answers questions that I had never even dreamed of thinking up.
One of the highlights of this book was how far it pushed the ambiguous nature of the King Arthur mythos. Many parts of his story change from version to version, which allowed the authors to really play with how King Arthur's life goes down. Some of my favorite parts were how the Lancelot and Gweneviere arc plays out, the secrets behind Merlin's elusive past, and why the Lady in the Lake is so bitter against everything. I feel that Capetta and McCarthy really took Arthur's story into their own hands and made a really creative narrative that both gives tribute to the original story's greatness as well as completely made it their own.
Despite there being less space travel in this second installment, this book definitely felt more sci-fi than the first one. The way that this book plays with time travel and the time continuum broke my mind at moments, but that doesn't mean that it wasn't brilliant the whole way through. I love the fact that Merlin is some crazy time wizard and the way that this fact connects into his past as well as the events that go down in "Once & Future."
The ending to this book was actually much less tragic than I thought it was going to be. This was honestly a huge relief, and it didn't even disappoint me. Some things wrapped up a little quickly, but I was mostly satisfied with the events that occurred in the last few chapters in this book. And hey, I'm just glad they gave us all the dirt on Merlin's patchy memories and his unexplained past. Also, Ari and Gwen even get the happily ever after they deserve (despite some of the odd things that they are stuck to live with forever), so that was a huge relief!
Overall, "The Sword in the Stars" was a great conclusion to this wonderful duology that retells the myth of King Arthur in a fun space opera with plenty of time travel shenanigans. I really came to care about Ari, Merlin, Gwen, and the rest of the gang in this series, and I am glad that most of them got the happy endings they deserve. The humorous writing, the queernormative universe, and the crazy time travel elements are some of my favorite parts of this series. I really enjoyed these books, so I am really curious to see what else these two have written and if I would like their other work just as much.
Once & Future by Cory McCarthy, A.R. Capetta
5.0
A queer, genderbent retelling of King Arthur set in space!
Ari and her brother, Kay, have been on the run from the tyrannical Mercer corporation for quite some time now. Desperate to escape from their pursuers, the two find themselves on Old Earth. On the long-abandoned planet, Ari pulls a mysterious sword from the stone. Not long after, she meets a young redhead who proclaims that he is The Merlin, and that she is actually the 42nd reincarnation of the great King Arthur. He seems to believe that she is destined to save the universe, but she's more concerned with rescuing her moms from Mercer's evil clutches. But who says that the two's goals can't align with one another?
I've been in a bit of a rough reading patch, so I'm ecstatic that this book pulled through! I am usually a huge fan of King Arthur retellings, so I was excited to find myself in possession of this sci-fi remix of the classic tale. Set in a futuristic queernormative universe in which King Arthur is actually a young pansexual girl and Merlin is a seventeen-year-old who is aging backwards, I was hooked from the very start of this unique novel. This book definitely has a niche type of humor, but it worked well for me.
I found myself liking Ari and Merlin from the get-go. Ari is a snarky, impulsive young girl and I couldn't help but smile at her carefree attitude and her willingness to take things into her own hands. Merlin is an awkward teenager who was blasted from the past and is now trying to catch up with what is normal. The fact that his magic is music based like in the Disney movie is quite funny, though it was a bit eccentric at times (Merlin singing Katy Perry is truly an image I never thought I'd have). My heart also really goes out to this version of Merlin. Not only does he have to worry about aging backwards and trying to grapple with a futuristic society, he also has had to deal with the pain of losing forty-one versions of his beloved Arthur. I can't imagine living through all that heartbreak. I thoroughly enjoyed the company of both our protagonists and was satisfied no matter the perspective I was in. It isn't always the case that I like them equally, so this was a plus.
The queernormative nature of this futuristic universe is so refreshing. Among the main found family, one is pansexual, several are gay, one is bi, one is nonbinary, one is asexual, and I'm sure I'm missing a few off the top of my head. Things such as genderfluidity, having two moms, and passionate make-out sessions between people of the same sex happened without anyone batting an eye. I can't wait until we actually hit this point in our society. For now, I'll just be refreshed by these fictional worlds that showcase my dreams for someday.
This book is also rather fast-paced, which had me wanting to keep turning the pages. Honestly, I expected the book to end on like three different occasions; there are so many mini climaxes in this book, which made the last third so easy to plow through. The ending of this book sets up for book two, but if the author's would have cut this book at a certain point, it would have made for a great stand alone. We'll have to see where my opinions lie when I finish the second book.
Despite this book's lighthearted nature, it does tackle many serious topics. Racism, corrupt government intervention, capitalism, colonialism, and many other such topics are explored in this book, which I think balanced the humor nicely. I know that this isn't the most popular opinion, but it worked awesomely for me.
The way that this book retells the King Arthur mythos is also quite unique. Essentially, Merlin, Morgana, Arthur, Gweneviere and the Knights of the Round Table are stuck in this cyclical cycle where they all come back again and again until they unite humanity once and for all. This causes Merlin to be very paranoid about Ari falling in love with Gweneviere and Lancelot breaking her heart and other such things that happen in the original story. I think this added a bit more urgency to this book, as well as another layer of humor. As per usual, no one really knows which side Morgana is on, and the Lady of the Lake is helpful when she wants to be (which is practically never). I love seeing different people's take on these beloved characters, and I feel that Capetta and McCarthy did something really interesting and unique with this classic myth.
Also, the romance subplots in this book are beautiful, yet heartbreaking. I'm hoping that things work out for everyone in the end, but I fear for these character's happiness. Please let them be happy!
Overall, I really enjoyed "Once & Future" and its unique take on the King Arthur mythos. I love the queernormative universe, the humorous writing style, as well as the original take on iconic characters (as per usual, Merlin is my favorite). I found myself rooting for Ari, Merlin, and the rest of the gang as they fought against the corrupt corporation that controls their world. I think this book could have been a great stand alone, but I am intrigued by the ending that the authors set up. The sequel will certainly be different than this one, but we'll see if it holds up to the precedent that the first book set.
Ari and her brother, Kay, have been on the run from the tyrannical Mercer corporation for quite some time now. Desperate to escape from their pursuers, the two find themselves on Old Earth. On the long-abandoned planet, Ari pulls a mysterious sword from the stone. Not long after, she meets a young redhead who proclaims that he is The Merlin, and that she is actually the 42nd reincarnation of the great King Arthur. He seems to believe that she is destined to save the universe, but she's more concerned with rescuing her moms from Mercer's evil clutches. But who says that the two's goals can't align with one another?
I've been in a bit of a rough reading patch, so I'm ecstatic that this book pulled through! I am usually a huge fan of King Arthur retellings, so I was excited to find myself in possession of this sci-fi remix of the classic tale. Set in a futuristic queernormative universe in which King Arthur is actually a young pansexual girl and Merlin is a seventeen-year-old who is aging backwards, I was hooked from the very start of this unique novel. This book definitely has a niche type of humor, but it worked well for me.
I found myself liking Ari and Merlin from the get-go. Ari is a snarky, impulsive young girl and I couldn't help but smile at her carefree attitude and her willingness to take things into her own hands. Merlin is an awkward teenager who was blasted from the past and is now trying to catch up with what is normal. The fact that his magic is music based like in the Disney movie is quite funny, though it was a bit eccentric at times (Merlin singing Katy Perry is truly an image I never thought I'd have). My heart also really goes out to this version of Merlin. Not only does he have to worry about aging backwards and trying to grapple with a futuristic society, he also has had to deal with the pain of losing forty-one versions of his beloved Arthur. I can't imagine living through all that heartbreak. I thoroughly enjoyed the company of both our protagonists and was satisfied no matter the perspective I was in. It isn't always the case that I like them equally, so this was a plus.
The queernormative nature of this futuristic universe is so refreshing. Among the main found family, one is pansexual, several are gay, one is bi, one is nonbinary, one is asexual, and I'm sure I'm missing a few off the top of my head. Things such as genderfluidity, having two moms, and passionate make-out sessions between people of the same sex happened without anyone batting an eye. I can't wait until we actually hit this point in our society. For now, I'll just be refreshed by these fictional worlds that showcase my dreams for someday.
This book is also rather fast-paced, which had me wanting to keep turning the pages. Honestly, I expected the book to end on like three different occasions; there are so many mini climaxes in this book, which made the last third so easy to plow through. The ending of this book sets up for book two, but if the author's would have cut this book at a certain point, it would have made for a great stand alone. We'll have to see where my opinions lie when I finish the second book.
Despite this book's lighthearted nature, it does tackle many serious topics. Racism, corrupt government intervention, capitalism, colonialism, and many other such topics are explored in this book, which I think balanced the humor nicely. I know that this isn't the most popular opinion, but it worked awesomely for me.
The way that this book retells the King Arthur mythos is also quite unique. Essentially, Merlin, Morgana, Arthur, Gweneviere and the Knights of the Round Table are stuck in this cyclical cycle where they all come back again and again until they unite humanity once and for all. This causes Merlin to be very paranoid about Ari falling in love with Gweneviere and Lancelot breaking her heart and other such things that happen in the original story. I think this added a bit more urgency to this book, as well as another layer of humor. As per usual, no one really knows which side Morgana is on, and the Lady of the Lake is helpful when she wants to be (which is practically never). I love seeing different people's take on these beloved characters, and I feel that Capetta and McCarthy did something really interesting and unique with this classic myth.
Also, the romance subplots in this book are beautiful, yet heartbreaking. I'm hoping that things work out for everyone in the end, but I fear for these character's happiness. Please let them be happy!
Overall, I really enjoyed "Once & Future" and its unique take on the King Arthur mythos. I love the queernormative universe, the humorous writing style, as well as the original take on iconic characters (as per usual, Merlin is my favorite). I found myself rooting for Ari, Merlin, and the rest of the gang as they fought against the corrupt corporation that controls their world. I think this book could have been a great stand alone, but I am intrigued by the ending that the authors set up. The sequel will certainly be different than this one, but we'll see if it holds up to the precedent that the first book set.
Never Been Kissed by Melody Carlson
1.0
A short book that dives into the dangers of online relationships and being sexually explicit on the internet.
After moving to a new school, Elise wants nothing more than to get the boy of her dreams and be kissed before she turns sixteen. Just as the popular crowd begins to accept her, things take a sour turn. After risqué photos are leaked off her phone, Elise is in a heap of trouble as she sets off to clear her name.
Upon seeing this book, I couldn't help but assume that it was going to be awful. After reading this book, I can't help but feel that my expectations were valid, and that this novel was actually worse than I thought it would be. I honestly don't have anything nice to say about this book, so I'll try to keep it brief.
Here are the two biggest complaints I have. One, the writing is both cringey and preachy. And two, every single part of the plot I saw coming from a mile away. This book is so terribly constructed the whole way through, and I was mostly just turning the pages so that it would end.
The topics of phishing, harassment, and sexting are all serious and I'm glad that they are being talked about more and more, but this book is just not the way to do it. The fact that Elise still values popularity and outer beauty more than anything else is quite sad, and I hate how her story only enforces the negative stigma that many young girls feel as they age. Literally none of these characters are positive role-models in any way, and it would surprise me if an actual teen found this book to be relatable, helpful, or entertaining. This may be a bit harsh, but I can't find it in me to write constructive criticism on this one.
Overall, "Never Been Kissed" is a cringey book that negatively supports many stereotypes about beauty, popularity, and teen drama. The topic matters such as online phishing, bullying, and sexting are all relevant, but the way this book addresses them are just not terribly effective. On top of all that, the writing is a tad cringe and the entire book is predictable the whole way through. Christian stories featuring teen drama is far from my normal reading life, but that doesn't mean I don't believe they have value. However, I will definitely not be reading another one of Carlson's books on my own choice.
After moving to a new school, Elise wants nothing more than to get the boy of her dreams and be kissed before she turns sixteen. Just as the popular crowd begins to accept her, things take a sour turn. After risqué photos are leaked off her phone, Elise is in a heap of trouble as she sets off to clear her name.
Upon seeing this book, I couldn't help but assume that it was going to be awful. After reading this book, I can't help but feel that my expectations were valid, and that this novel was actually worse than I thought it would be. I honestly don't have anything nice to say about this book, so I'll try to keep it brief.
Here are the two biggest complaints I have. One, the writing is both cringey and preachy. And two, every single part of the plot I saw coming from a mile away. This book is so terribly constructed the whole way through, and I was mostly just turning the pages so that it would end.
The topics of phishing, harassment, and sexting are all serious and I'm glad that they are being talked about more and more, but this book is just not the way to do it. The fact that Elise still values popularity and outer beauty more than anything else is quite sad, and I hate how her story only enforces the negative stigma that many young girls feel as they age. Literally none of these characters are positive role-models in any way, and it would surprise me if an actual teen found this book to be relatable, helpful, or entertaining. This may be a bit harsh, but I can't find it in me to write constructive criticism on this one.
Overall, "Never Been Kissed" is a cringey book that negatively supports many stereotypes about beauty, popularity, and teen drama. The topic matters such as online phishing, bullying, and sexting are all relevant, but the way this book addresses them are just not terribly effective. On top of all that, the writing is a tad cringe and the entire book is predictable the whole way through. Christian stories featuring teen drama is far from my normal reading life, but that doesn't mean I don't believe they have value. However, I will definitely not be reading another one of Carlson's books on my own choice.
The Graveyard Book Graphic Novel, Volume 2 by Neil Gaiman
5.0
Neil Gaiman's classic tale of Nobody Owens and the graveyard that he calls home brought to life in a stunning graphic novel format.
Nobody "Bod" Owens is a boy like any other. Well, except for the fact that his parents are ghosts, his caretaker is a solitary type vampire, and he lives in a graveyard. But his time as an inhabitant of the graveyard is nearing its end and the people that put him there in the first place are still out for his blood. . .
I forgot how amazing "The Graveyard Book" truly is. It's a story of fitting in and standing out, facing your past, and finding the strength to walk into your future once childhood is finally over. On top of the nuanced narrative of discovering oneself and growing up, this book is also an intense thriller that had me on the edge of my seat, despite already knowing the ending. Gaiman is truly a genius, and I will always treasure Bod's story. Reading this story as a young adult rather than a child really enhanced the emotional appeal of this story, but it is still as beautiful as I remember it being.
The second half of this story is a million more intense than the first section, but I find them both to be charming in their own right. Learning more about why Jack tried to murder Bod is quite exhilarating and the return of Scarlett is a welcome surprise. The twists and turns were just as exciting the second time around, and I can't wait to see how I react to this story in the future when I return back to "The Graveyard Book."
Overall, I am still in love with "The Graveyard Book" after all this time. Revisiting it in a graphic format and seeing the intense action in this book brought to life in a new style was super fun. The horror elements were done wonderfully in this second installment; truly creepier than I imagined some of these things being. This story does take place in a graveyard, so there's no shock that it's pretty eerie. The part that I will always love the most is the sentimental ending. Gaiman knows how to write a poetic ending that is both heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time. Gaiman is a master at his craft, and I can't wait to read more of his books in the future.
Nobody "Bod" Owens is a boy like any other. Well, except for the fact that his parents are ghosts, his caretaker is a solitary type vampire, and he lives in a graveyard. But his time as an inhabitant of the graveyard is nearing its end and the people that put him there in the first place are still out for his blood. . .
I forgot how amazing "The Graveyard Book" truly is. It's a story of fitting in and standing out, facing your past, and finding the strength to walk into your future once childhood is finally over. On top of the nuanced narrative of discovering oneself and growing up, this book is also an intense thriller that had me on the edge of my seat, despite already knowing the ending. Gaiman is truly a genius, and I will always treasure Bod's story. Reading this story as a young adult rather than a child really enhanced the emotional appeal of this story, but it is still as beautiful as I remember it being.
The second half of this story is a million more intense than the first section, but I find them both to be charming in their own right. Learning more about why Jack tried to murder Bod is quite exhilarating and the return of Scarlett is a welcome surprise. The twists and turns were just as exciting the second time around, and I can't wait to see how I react to this story in the future when I return back to "The Graveyard Book."
Overall, I am still in love with "The Graveyard Book" after all this time. Revisiting it in a graphic format and seeing the intense action in this book brought to life in a new style was super fun. The horror elements were done wonderfully in this second installment; truly creepier than I imagined some of these things being. This story does take place in a graveyard, so there's no shock that it's pretty eerie. The part that I will always love the most is the sentimental ending. Gaiman knows how to write a poetic ending that is both heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time. Gaiman is a master at his craft, and I can't wait to read more of his books in the future.
The Graveyard Book Graphic Novel, Volume 1 by P. Craig Russell, Neil Gaiman
5.0
Neil Gaiman's classic tale of Nobody Owens and the graveyard that he calls home brought to life in a stunning graphic novel format.
Nobody "Bod" Owens is a boy like any other. Well, except for the fact that his parents are ghosts, his caretaker is a solitary type vampire, and he lives in a graveyard. There is always something exciting waiting to be explored around the graveyard, especially due to the fact that Bod isn't allowed to leave its premises.
It was so much fun revisiting "The Graveyard Book" in this new format! It has been quite some time since I've read the original novel, so there were many parts of this book that felt like I was reading it for the first time. On the other hand, reading this graphic novel adaptation felt like revisiting an old friend that I hadn't seen in forever, which was also quite pleasant.
The fact that each chapter of this book was illustrated by a different artist was pretty neat. They did a wonderful job of fitting Bod's story and meshing together nicely so it wasn't terribly jarring from one snippet to the next. This reminded me how much Gaiman's work means to so many people, and it's cool to see people who are passionate about his writing come together and present it to a different target audience.
As for content, this book is the same story that I have always known and loved. Neil Gaiman is a master at his craft, and his writing throughout this novel is as gripping and eerie as I remember it. The humor woven throughout is also quite jovial, and the way that this story explores different mythological creatures and being always had me interested to see what would happen next.
I remember my time with the first half of Bod's story quite fondly. This may be the slower portion of the book in which Bod is mainly just wandering around and getting into childish mischief. I find the slice of life nature of this story to be a great change in pace, but it is still super exciting due to all the supernatural elements that this book entails.
Overall, "The Graveyard Book: Volume 1" is a wonderfully adapted version of an already amazing story. It was quite nostalgic to revisit this tale, and I found myself loving it just as much this time as I did the first time around. The art is quite fitting and gives it an even eerier vibe, which I'm definitely not complaining about. I'm looking forward into diving into the second half and watching the rest of Bod's story unfold!
Nobody "Bod" Owens is a boy like any other. Well, except for the fact that his parents are ghosts, his caretaker is a solitary type vampire, and he lives in a graveyard. There is always something exciting waiting to be explored around the graveyard, especially due to the fact that Bod isn't allowed to leave its premises.
It was so much fun revisiting "The Graveyard Book" in this new format! It has been quite some time since I've read the original novel, so there were many parts of this book that felt like I was reading it for the first time. On the other hand, reading this graphic novel adaptation felt like revisiting an old friend that I hadn't seen in forever, which was also quite pleasant.
The fact that each chapter of this book was illustrated by a different artist was pretty neat. They did a wonderful job of fitting Bod's story and meshing together nicely so it wasn't terribly jarring from one snippet to the next. This reminded me how much Gaiman's work means to so many people, and it's cool to see people who are passionate about his writing come together and present it to a different target audience.
As for content, this book is the same story that I have always known and loved. Neil Gaiman is a master at his craft, and his writing throughout this novel is as gripping and eerie as I remember it. The humor woven throughout is also quite jovial, and the way that this story explores different mythological creatures and being always had me interested to see what would happen next.
I remember my time with the first half of Bod's story quite fondly. This may be the slower portion of the book in which Bod is mainly just wandering around and getting into childish mischief. I find the slice of life nature of this story to be a great change in pace, but it is still super exciting due to all the supernatural elements that this book entails.
Overall, "The Graveyard Book: Volume 1" is a wonderfully adapted version of an already amazing story. It was quite nostalgic to revisit this tale, and I found myself loving it just as much this time as I did the first time around. The art is quite fitting and gives it an even eerier vibe, which I'm definitely not complaining about. I'm looking forward into diving into the second half and watching the rest of Bod's story unfold!
Salt the Water by Candice Iloh
Cerulean Gene can't help but challenge the corrupt authority of his local school. Their teachers are homophobic, racist, and constantly misgender them, and Cerulean is fed up with their constant badgering. Despite this, Cerulean dreams big dreams of moving across the country with their friends and pursuing the life they've always imagined for themselves. One day, Cerulean's life is turned upside down when a fight with a teacher escalates and they find themselves unable to deal with the suppression any longer.
This book has writing that is just as beautiful as the cover implies. Sadly, the execution of this book was incredibly lackluster.
The first section of this book is a tad slow-paced, but I found this okay because it is a very slice of life book. The plot escalates about two-thirds of the way through the book, which had me excited that this book could have been heading in a great direction. Unfortunately, the ending of this book is just awful. I don't want to get too far into spoiler territory, but the last third of this book transitions into other characters' perspective and didn't add a ton to the narrative. The decisions that Cerulean makes late book are truly awful, and they had me not caring what happened to literally any of the characters.
I do like the topic matter that this book explores including dreaming big, standing up to social injustices, creating things with your own two hands, and finding connections with nature. I found a ton of value in all of these themes, but I wish any of them would have been explored more intensely or have been strung together with more finesse.
Overall, "Salt the Water" was a pretty lackluster read with a horrible ending. The writing was lyrical, it has great themes, and I appreciated how this book doesn't shy away from hard topics, but I just found the execution of combining the elements and stringing the story together to not be great. I would certainly give this author's work another try, but this one really didn't work for me.
2.0
A queer black teen faces discrimination and suppression in his public school, but this doesn't stop him from dreaming big and wanting more for himself.
Cerulean Gene can't help but challenge the corrupt authority of his local school. Their teachers are homophobic, racist, and constantly misgender them, and Cerulean is fed up with their constant badgering. Despite this, Cerulean dreams big dreams of moving across the country with their friends and pursuing the life they've always imagined for themselves. One day, Cerulean's life is turned upside down when a fight with a teacher escalates and they find themselves unable to deal with the suppression any longer.
This book has writing that is just as beautiful as the cover implies. Sadly, the execution of this book was incredibly lackluster.
The first section of this book is a tad slow-paced, but I found this okay because it is a very slice of life book. The plot escalates about two-thirds of the way through the book, which had me excited that this book could have been heading in a great direction. Unfortunately, the ending of this book is just awful. I don't want to get too far into spoiler territory, but the last third of this book transitions into other characters' perspective and didn't add a ton to the narrative. The decisions that Cerulean makes late book are truly awful, and they had me not caring what happened to literally any of the characters.
I do like the topic matter that this book explores including dreaming big, standing up to social injustices, creating things with your own two hands, and finding connections with nature. I found a ton of value in all of these themes, but I wish any of them would have been explored more intensely or have been strung together with more finesse.
Overall, "Salt the Water" was a pretty lackluster read with a horrible ending. The writing was lyrical, it has great themes, and I appreciated how this book doesn't shy away from hard topics, but I just found the execution of combining the elements and stringing the story together to not be great. I would certainly give this author's work another try, but this one really didn't work for me.
Attack of the 50 Foot Wallflower by Christian McKay Heidicker
2.0
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.
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
4.0
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.