Greg Heffley's on a losing streak. His best friend, Rowley Jefferson, has ditched him, and finding new friends in middle school is proving to be a tough task. To change his fortunes, Greg decides to take a leap of faith and turn his decisions over to chance. Will a roll of the dice turn things around, or is Greg's life destined to be just another hard-luck story?
Book description and image via Goodreads
My Review:
I first picked up a Diary of a Wimpy Kid book while I was student teaching and noticed many of my students reading them. I have to admit, overall, I enjoyed the first few books the most. These newer ones aren't as good, but they're still very enjoyable. I find Greg completely relateable as we all know what it's like to try and navigate those awkward middle school years. I missed Rowley being a major part of the book. It's a quick and fun read for adults (I read it in one afternoon) and a fun read for kids.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
Book Description:
In this mischievous and utterly original debut, Hansel and Gretel walk out of their own story and into
Book description and image via Goodreads
My Review:
I first saw this book at my school's book fair and thought it looked interesting and might make a good read aloud. I'm glad I read it first! It is a very original plot and the narrator often speaks directly to the reader. However, it's not lying when it says it's a tale that is dark and grim. There are things such as children's heads being cut off, fingers being cut off and used as keys, children being turned into flowers, venturing into Hell, and a man who eats children. I guess the original Grimm's Fairy Tales are dark, but I think I prefer the Disney versions.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars.
Paper Towns by John Greene
Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back into his life - dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge - he follows. After their all-nighter ends and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues - and they're for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer Q gets, the less Q sees the girl he thought he knew.
Book description and image via Goodreads
My Review:
I guess my years as a teenager were not the norm. Either that or what John Greene writes about is not the norm. Are teenagers really this angsty and depressed? Do they really make the crude sexual remarks he depicts and do the things his characters do? These things happen in all of his books that I've read. I prefer happy books or if I book is going to be sad, I like it to have meaning. I did enjoy this one better than Waiting for Alaska. Other than that, I don't have much to say about it.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars.
The Ruby Brooch by Katherine Lowry Logan
Book Description:
As the lone survivor of a car crash that killed her parents, paramedic Kit MacKlenna makes a
Book description and image via Goodreads
My Review:
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I had a hard time putting it down because I wanted to find out the mystery behind where Kit came from. I also enjoyed the time travel element. The one thing that stood out to me as a problem with this book was all the information you receive at the beginning of the book (important names and events that come into play later) that you forget about as you read. I actually went back and read the first chapter again after I finished the book and found several things I missed the first time. I also was confused on some of the time travel elements, but I tried not to overthink it. I like a good romance book occasionally and this book fit the bill.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
The Promise of Stardust by Priscille Sibley
Matt Beaulieu was two years old the first time he held Elle McClure in his arms, seventeen when he first kissed her under a sky filled with shooting stars, and thirty-three when he convinced her to marry him. Now in their late 30s, the deeply devoted couple has everything-except the baby they've always wanted. When an accident leaves Elle brain dead, Matt is devastated. Though he cannot bear the thought of life without her, he knows Elle was afraid of only one thing-a slow death. And so, Matt resolves to take her off life support. But Matt changes his mind when they discover Elle's pregnant. While there are no certainties, the baby might survive if Elle remains on life support. Matt's mother, Linney, disagrees with his decision. She loves Elle, too, and insists that Elle would never want to be kept alive on machines. Linney is prepared to fight her son in court-armed with Elle's living will. Divided by the love they share, Matt and Linney will be pitted against each other, fighting for what they believe is right, and what they think Elle would have wanted resulting in a controversial legal battle that will ultimately go beyond one family . . . and one single life.
Book description and image via Goodreads
My Review:
Wow! I LOVED this book. This is a book club type of book. It definitely made you think. It's not a fast paced, action packed book, but I had trouble putting it down nonetheless. One of the elements of the story that I loved was how the story starts off with Matt finding out Elle was in an accident and brain dead. So, we never actually get to "meet" Elle. However throughout the book, Matt reads Elle's journal entries and we get to know her through those. We also get to read through some various flashbacks. So, we learn little pieces of Matt and Elle's story throughout the book. Even though she's brain dead throughout the book, we still get to know her. It was very well written and the end had me in tears.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling
Book Description:
Mindy Kaling has lived many lives: the obedient child of immigrant professionals, a timid chubster
Book description and image via Goodreads
My Review:
I've never watched The Office or The Mindy Project, so I'm not sure what made me decide to read this book. I can say that I don't think you need to be a fan of those shows to enjoy it. I always find it interesting to read these types of books and learn some behind the scenes things about a world that is so foreign to many of us. I enjoyed Mindy's humor and liked her use of lists.
I give it 3 out 5 stars.
I also read a novella called Mara as part of a blog tour. You can read my review for it here.
What have you read this month? Have you read any of these books?
