I can't believe that this is my first Jodi Picoult book I've ever read. It definitely will not be my last. I had heard in passing in college that ShakI can't believe that this is my first Jodi Picoult book I've ever read. It definitely will not be my last. I had heard in passing in college that Shakespeare might not actually be the writer of his plays but after reading this, I am fully convinced he was the not the writer. While Picoult admits in her author's note that she embellished and did a great deal of presumptions, the die was cast for the dubious nature of Shakespeare being the original writer. I am so happy our school has a staff book club because I never would have read this had it not been. Kudos to Jodi Picoult for her meticulous research that made me want to go down my own rabbit hole of Shakespeare's "works."...more
ETA: I mistakenly said this was Ribay’s second book and was incorrect, he has a couple other books prior to Patron Saints of Nothing
What an absolutelETA: I mistakenly said this was Ribay’s second book and was incorrect, he has a couple other books prior to Patron Saints of Nothing
What an absolutely beautiful multi-generational story that pairs historical fiction with contemporary fiction that meets in modern-day Philadelphia at the start of the pandemic. Randy Ribay is proving to be one of my favorite authors with this sophomore effort. He somehow manages to do something completely different from his debut novel, Patron Saints of Nothing, while still being equally emotionally resonant, which is extremely difficult to do with a second book. I can't wait to see what the future has in store for his writing career if his first two books manage to be this beautiful and impactful....more
Everything in this book feels a little too unfinished and unexplored. Characters� motivations could have really been delved into and gone into more daEverything in this book feels a little too unfinished and unexplored. Characters� motivations could have really been delved into and gone into more dark and twisted detail. I think alternating between present-day and the 1790s really takes the reader out of the atmospheric setting and leaves us wanting. ...more
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg grew up to witness the poverty and injustices of the Great Depression and World War II. For that reason, they found themselJulius and Ethel Rosenberg grew up to witness the poverty and injustices of the Great Depression and World War II. For that reason, they found themselves identifying politically with the communist party. Unfortunately for them, this was probably the worst time in American history to identify as a communist� right after the end of World War II and the start of the Cold War resulted in a groupthink of paranoia that led the U.S. into the McCarthy era Red Scare that ruined many people’s lives with a simple accusation of being a communist. Unfortunately for the Rosenberg’s that accusation also came with charges of espionage� of selling nuclear secrets to the USSR and a death sentence.
This novel in verse covers a very intense story in American history and will make readers want to learn more about the Rosenbergs. ...more
I still need to sit and process what an important book I just read. From Kwame's opening " Note from the Author" to the very last page, I was completeI still need to sit and process what an important book I just read. From Kwame's opening " Note from the Author" to the very last page, I was completely immersed in the story and could feel its gravitas as I was reading. The second I closed the book, I started looking into the history behind the story because I knew from reading it that there was so much I didn't actually know. And that is the mark of a great author of historical fiction: to reveal a moment of history through fiction that many people didn't know about and inspire them to learn more. I hope this book will also be a catalyst to move beyond Euro-centric history and compel readers, both kids and adults alike, to learn more about African history that is rarely or never taught in school in the U.S. ...more
As always, Ruta Sepeys' attention to detail and her ability to shine a light on moments in history that so few know about is a special gift. In I MustAs always, Ruta Sepeys' attention to detail and her ability to shine a light on moments in history that so few know about is a special gift. In I Must Betray You, she shines a light on the gruesome communist dictatorship in Romania and its ultimate yet complicated end in 1989. ...more
Just as the title suggests, this YA historical fiction in verse by Kip Wilson is dazzling. Berlin is my favorite city on earth, mostly because there has always been a provocative, defiant, avant-garde, and counter-cultural energy about it. That was true in 2004 when I visited for the first time, and it was certainly true when this novel takes place.
But just as this book is a window into 1930s Germany, it's also an alarming mirror to societies, including American society, that allow idealogues and populists to rise to power.
Revisiting a beloved favorite children’s book in graphic novel form was an absolute joy. I loved getting to return to Key West with Turtle and the DiaRevisiting a beloved favorite children’s book in graphic novel form was an absolute joy. I loved getting to return to Key West with Turtle and the Diaper Gang. My only criticism is that the original novel is so beloved to me, that the quick nature of reading a graphic novel doesn't allow you to savor the story as much as you can when you read a prose novel. But, getting to actually visuals definitely gives the reading experience something new and different. There are benefits of both reading experiences. ...more
The Black Kids is a book that immerses the reader into the time period of the 1990s during the Los Angeles riots, while also being able to make connecThe Black Kids is a book that immerses the reader into the time period of the 1990s during the Los Angeles riots, while also being able to make connections to the present day. ...more
Kent State is structured like a novel in verse but it’s so much more than that. The varying perspectives are of collective voices and points of view, Kent State is structured like a novel in verse but it’s so much more than that. The varying perspectives are of collective voices and points of view, showing the reader just how difficult it was to get a consensus on what happened on that campus back in May of 1970. But even more important than that, Deborah Wiles circles it back around and points to how this moment in history still matters today and compels you, the reader, to be a vocal and participating citizen in our democracy. Put this book at the top of your TBR pile. I promise you won’t be able to put it down....more
Loading...
