Book Review: Nightfall by Jake Halpern

Book Review:Nightfall by Jake Halpern

Summary

As Marin and her family prepare to leave her homeland, the world around her is changing as it goes from day to night; an event that only happens every 28 years. The closer they get to night, the more strange things they begin to encounter. When a friend goes missing, Marin and her brother race against time to find Line before the boats leave. Will they make it in time? I could tell you, but then you would miss a great book!

Review
I started reading this book because a teacher recommended it to me. The audio was very well done on this. My only frustration is that the second book wasn’t out yet. LOL. One of the things I liked best in this book was the imagery.You could really visualize the story. 

Quotes

At some point when things go wrong, you have to fix them yourself. 

Recommended Grades: 7-12

Genre: Mystery

Overall Opinion: Recommend 

Source: Audio

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Book Blog: Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

That moment when the list of book reviews you need to do is over one page…and you realize that you haven’t blogged since October…and you can’t decide where to start…yeah. Sooo….without further ado:

Book Review: Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

When Sydney’s brother is arrested, she is left to deal with the aftermath. She is conflicted because she feels a sense of duty to both the victim and her brother. Normally hiding in the shadows, Sydney struggles to find her place in the family now that the roles are starting to change. When she meets new friends, they help her face the future by first better understanding herself. 

Quotes
It wasn’t that I’d broken down, but that I hadn’t been alone when I did so. You only really fall apart in front of the people you know can piece you back together.

I was used to being invisible. People rarely saw me, and if they did, they never looked close. I wasn’t shiny and charming like my brother, stunning and graceful like my mother, or smart and dynamic like my friends. That’s the thing, though. You alway think you want to be noticed. Until you are.

Recommended Grades: 8-12

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Overall Opinion: Recommended

Source: Audiobook

Book Review: The Geeks Guide to Unrequited Love by Sarvenaz Tash

Book Review: The Geeks Guide to Unrequited Love by Sarvenaz Tash

Graham has been in love with Roxy most of his life. The trouble is that she doesn’t know. This year, he plans on telling her at Comic Con, after he arranges the perfect day. Will things go as planned? Of course not, or no one would want to read the book! HA HA.

First, can we just take a moment to love on this cover. You have to admit this is stunning! I think my students who love all things geek will really like this book. It was cute and true to comic con/sci-fi fans. You can tell that some research was done! The plot was quick and will have appeal for reluctant readers. For me, I loved the love affair with writing more than the love affairs in the book!

Quote about writing

“I know what is has to feel is epic. But also sweet. Like the romantic subplot of a superhero movie. Like that rainy, upside-down kiss in Spider-Man. But knowing what something is supposed to convey and actually getting it to do that is hard. Ask any writer.”

Recommended Grades: 12
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Overall Opinion:   Average
Source: Book

Book Review: The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel

Book Review: The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel

Ivy is set to enter into an arranged marriage, but her ultimate goal is to kill her new husband so her father can overthrow the government. The problem? Her new husband is actually a great guy. It’s dystopian, so of course the main character has to question everything and start creating a plan of her own. HA! BUT Ivy is more broken than she realized, and keeps getting in her own way.

I read this book and the second book back to back on audio (minus the few days I had to wait for the someone to finish reading the second one. I really enjoyed this series. I thought there was an honesty about love in this book, and although similar to some other dystopian works, it kept me reading because it was more a study of human nature than anything. The second book is just as good as the first.

Quotes: (listened on audio, so punctuation might be wrong). The second one made me stop and actually rewind. Such powerful words!

“Love isn’t something you can legislate. Love is more than charts and graphs and matching interests. Love is messy and complicated, and it is a mistake to deny its random magic.”

“He didn’t save me though; he allowed me the freedom to save myself, which is the very best kind of rescue.”

Recommended Grades:8-12
Genre: Dystopian
Overall Opinion: Average only because I’ve read so much dystopian, but probably would have rated above average if I’d read a few years ago. I’m curious to read her other book now to see how it compares. I really do enjoy her writing.
Source: audiobook

Book Review: Stars Above by Marissa Meyer

Book Review: Stars Above by Marissa Meyer

This short story collection features the much anticipated back story of some of your favorite characters in the Lunar Chronicles, as well as a few lesser known ones. I mean really…who doesn’t want to be a part of the wedding? And the proposal??

This is a nice addition to any collection that has the Lunar Chronicles. I love the voice in this series, and readers will like the deeper look into some of these plots. The collection flew off the shelf in my library as soon as I added it on display. The audio for this is also very well done. I love that it’s been the same person through the whole series.

Quotes: None because they weren’t the same taken out of context…and didn’t make sense without too much information.

Recommended Grades: 7-12
Genre: Science Fiction
Overall Opinion:   Recommend
Source: Audio

P.S. Sorry for the missing posts this month. Back to school craziness…blah…blah…mostly just lazy about blogging!

Book Review: #Struggles: Following Jesus in a Selfie-Centered World by Craig Groeschel

Book Review: #Struggles: Following Jesus in a Selfie-Centered World by Craig Groeschel

This book takes a detailed look at how social media can potentially change our relationships with God, with others, and with self. It is not a book that says technology is evil, but rather focuses on how to keep your relationships and online habits in perspective.

I hesitated to pick this book up because while I love the author, I wasn’t really sure how much this applied to me. I thought I had my social media stuff under control. I was wrong. This book will have chapters that hit home to different people in different places; because everyone  is unique, but if you have an online presence, you will most likely find yourself somewhere in this book.

P.S. If you haven’t read The Christian Atheist, go read it today. It is one of my favorites! It’s all about the way Christians say they believe, but deny Christ with their lives. Great stuff.

Quotes

“Because Jesus is all we need, let’s pursue him with our whole hearts. Only in him will we find true joy and true contentment. Only he is life, and only he truly satisfies.”

“Social media practically trains us to present a self that isn’t honest.” (I loved this because if you think about it, you don’t post all ten bad pictures you take-you only post the good one)

“But to say that you care but not act is not to care at all. Compassion requires action.”

Recommended Age: Adult
Genre: Nonfiction
Overall Opinion:   Recommend
Source: ebook

Book Review: Words in the Dust by Trent Reedy

Book Review: Words in the Dust by Trent Reedy

Set after the Taliban have left Afghanistan, this novel is a beautiful story of a girl named Zulaikha. Zulaikha’s story involves learning to read, meeting an American soldier who arranges for a surgery to help fix her cleft lip, and the realities of life for a woman in her culture.

This story is sure to capture your heart. The audio for this book is very well done and the story moves quickly. My heart broke for Zulaikha and her family and my head shook at how sometimes we get things wrong even when we try to get them right. Great for fans of Shabanu, but a quality book all on its own.

Quotes: None

Recommended Grades: 7-12
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Overall Opinion:   Above Average
Source: audiobook from Audiobooksync.com