Review: The Value of Life - Andy Crowson

Format: e-Book

Genre: Fiction

Published: January 2011

Pages: 413

Read in March 2012

Rating: 3/5 Stars

I read this because I just got the nook and it was a free book. It had potential but there were things that were said too quickly and I missed it. It just jumped a lot and I had to go back a few times to things that I missed. But it was still an OK read. A man goes and kidnaps kids for ransom and never really hurts the kids. You have feelings for the kidnapper and you are not really sure why. He is no real monster but kidnapping is still bad. I think that there was a great story line but was written too quickly and I think it needed more passion it in.

Review: Fade - Lisa McMann

Genre: YA Fiction

Format: Trade Paperback

ISBN: 9781416974482

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Published: 2009

Read: February 2012

Series: Dream Catchers #2

This is such a quirky fun story. I gave the same rating to the first book Wake. I really enjoyed it. I like the dream sequences and I like how she is learning to use her "powers". The whole TiVo thing is pretty neat too. The things that really scared me in this book are the relationships with the teachers. I mean when I was younger we kinda hung out with some of the teachers but never was it uncomfortable or in a closed space. We would all hang out openly in a restaurant or what-have-you. It just scares me that I have 2 girls who may have to endure such thing when they get older.

Anyways, it is a good series and I am just hoping that I will like the last one, Gone, is just as good as the first to. I highly recommend for a light and interesting read.

Review: In Serena's Web - Kay Hooper

Genre: Fiction
Format: Mass Market Paperback

ISBN: 9780553590555

Rating: 1/5 Stars

Read: August 2011

I only picked up this book because I was nervous about the minor earthquake here in NYC that I left my book at work. So when I got home and wanted to read I wanted to read something small and quick. I saw this book that someone had given me and I decided it looked small and easy and it was but it just wasn't a good story. It could have been if there were more details and excitement. It moved to quickly and I feel that there was a lot of parts left out. Serious parts. I just felt like I walked into a major story and was left confused and wanted more. I just don't think it really wasn't much of a read and I felt cheated.

Review: Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and Other Stories - Tim Burton

Genre: Short Stories / Poetry

ISBN: 9780668156817

Pages: 128

Published: November 1997

Rating: 5/5 Stars

I got this book because I am a huge fan of Tim Burton's stuff. He is truly an amazing artist and a creative genius. I loved this book of short stories. I laughed throughout the whole thing and just thought it was such a fun and interesting read. He never ceases to amaze me. it took me some time to find this book and when I finally did I just had to read it straight away! I totally recommend this book to anyone with an open mind!

Review: The Island of the Blue Dolphin - Scott O'Dell

Genre: YA Fiction
ISBN: 0440439884
Pages: 181
Format: Trade Paperback
Rating: 3/5 Stars

I know I may have rated it different if I were reading this and was a fourth grader. I just couldn't really fully enjoy myself. I like the writing and I like the way O'Dell captured Karana and this beautiful island. I could see what he was talking about but most of the time I also felt like I was reading a "how-to" guide. I know now what I would do if I were stuck on an island but I don't even think I would survive as long as she did but I am a city girl and that's where she grew up. Another reason why I didn't love this book was because the story was about her really and I felt no connection to her just the island in itself. Maybe that is what O'Dell had in mind? Or maybe not. I dunno I just rating it as I saw fit.

Review: Between Shades of Gray - Ruta Sepetys

Genre: YA Historical Fiction

ISBN: 9780399254123

Pages: 346

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Format: Paperback / ARC

My husband found this book and I just needed to read it. It doesn't come out until March of this year (2011). The cover is beautiful as well as the story. The video below is a great piece of the story and is amazing of how Ruta incorporated real stories into her own. I knew a lot of Stalin's rule and I too believed he was just as bad as the rest of them , if not worse. Didn't he shoot his own wife?

Anyway, the story is heartbreaking from beginning to end. I loved the epilogue and I just wish I could have read it in itself. Maybe there will be another book? Who knows? But this story was so sad and also courageous. It is a bout a young Lithuanian girl (about 15) and how her, her mother and brother were taken from their homes and cent away during WWII. They were not Jewish but were considered Fascists and criminals because of their rankings in society. The people who were taken away were librarians, teachers, doctors, lawyers and the like. They were sent away to farms and camps to build for the Soviets. It is a very good story and beware because it is very emotional.

I am thinking I need to read something a little more upbeat! All these sad books are killing me!!!!

Enjoy the Video.

Ruta Sepetys discusses her upcoming novel, Between Shades of Gray from Penguin Young Readers Group on Vimeo.