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Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Rebirth in Books
Jan 12, 2018
[Rebirth] by[Debbie Brown] began with a quick pace that made it difficult for me to put down. The characters were authentic and you fell right in with their plight. The statement that was made about the youth being our hope could not have rung more true.
I would have liked to see more development and I am hoping she continues this story line. It had the potential to be wide read YA fiction given the current climate of the genre.
I have to try and find a paper version of this so I may add it to my classroom library.
I would have liked to see more development and I am hoping she continues this story line. It had the potential to be wide read YA fiction given the current climate of the genre.
I have to try and find a paper version of this so I may add it to my classroom library.
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Poster Boy in Books
May 22, 2019
Broadcast live, Rosa Lincoln takes to the stage at her brothers memorial service with a bomb concealed beneath her clothes. Being in Jimmys shadow was never easy, even when he was alive, but in death he has become a national hero.
When she crosses paths with the enigmatic Teresa, she discovers that those she has been taught to view as enemies may not be the real villains after all.
The lies need to be stopped, and Rosa intends on doing just that.
Wow! This book started with a bang - well a potential bang - and didn't let up until the very end with all its twists and turns along the way.
Although this is fiction it very much reflects what is going on around the world right now, sadly. It has its basis in fact and recent happenings which makes it hard-hitting, emotive, topical and timely.
The main issues it explores are terrorism, extremism, propaganda, xenophobia, nationalism, racism, good vs evil and the current political climate; it does so with considerable tact while questioning each of them making this a thought-provoking read.
Very good work of dystopian fiction.
Recommended.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
When she crosses paths with the enigmatic Teresa, she discovers that those she has been taught to view as enemies may not be the real villains after all.
The lies need to be stopped, and Rosa intends on doing just that.
Wow! This book started with a bang - well a potential bang - and didn't let up until the very end with all its twists and turns along the way.
Although this is fiction it very much reflects what is going on around the world right now, sadly. It has its basis in fact and recent happenings which makes it hard-hitting, emotive, topical and timely.
The main issues it explores are terrorism, extremism, propaganda, xenophobia, nationalism, racism, good vs evil and the current political climate; it does so with considerable tact while questioning each of them making this a thought-provoking read.
Very good work of dystopian fiction.
Recommended.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Ecosystems in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Ecosystems by Mary Lindeen is an informative, non-fiction book in the Physical Science Series. The book provides an interesting way that is easy for children to understand about some of the ecosystems in the world. Some of the things explained include location, climate and what might be living there.
This is an early reader book so will also help to reinforce reading skills and build confidence. At the back of the book it lists the high frequency words as well as content words that can be pre-taught or discussed if the book is being read aloud. There are facts given during the reading accompanied by wonderful photos and many labels. The section at the back for parents and teachers gives suggested activities for connecting concept as well as resources for further investigation.
I recommend this book for young readers and for parents and teachers to read to children.
I received this ARC from NetGalley via Norwood House Press in exchange for an honest review.
This is an early reader book so will also help to reinforce reading skills and build confidence. At the back of the book it lists the high frequency words as well as content words that can be pre-taught or discussed if the book is being read aloud. There are facts given during the reading accompanied by wonderful photos and many labels. The section at the back for parents and teachers gives suggested activities for connecting concept as well as resources for further investigation.
I recommend this book for young readers and for parents and teachers to read to children.
I received this ARC from NetGalley via Norwood House Press in exchange for an honest review.
Hazel (1853 KP) rated The Thing: Zero Day in Books
Dec 17, 2018
<i>I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
The Thing: Zero Day </i>is a short science fiction, horror story by Lee McGeorge. Inspired by John Carpenter’s film <i>The Thing</i> and the story <i>Who Goes There? </i>by John W. Campbell, McGeorge has created a creepy, fast paced thriller for readers to enjoy.
It is 1982 and a group of twelve Norwegian climatologists witness the crash landing of an unidentified flying object. Curiosity getting the better of them, they try to salvage what they can of the craft and discover an alien in a block of ice. What at first seems like a magnificent discovery turns frightening after all but three of the climate scientists begin behaving strangely, becoming impassive as if something has a psychological hold over them. The story becomes more horrific as it goes on with gruesome descriptions of the things that happen to the men.
The book is short enough to be read in one sitting, however it ends, annoyingly, without a definite conclusion, leaving the reader to imagine what happens next. <i>The Thing: Zero Day</i> is not a novel but a piece of fan fiction for the film <i>The Thing</i>. Although I have not seen the film I am led to believe that this book is a sort of prologue to the main story line.
Being short, the narrative is gripping from start to finish, jumping straight into the story. Readers are sucked into the tale and will most likely read it from beginning to end without putting it down. <i>The Thing: Zero Day</i> is obviously recommended for lovers of the film, however people who have not had the opportunity to view it, yet enjoy horror and science fiction, will also enjoy this book.
The Thing: Zero Day </i>is a short science fiction, horror story by Lee McGeorge. Inspired by John Carpenter’s film <i>The Thing</i> and the story <i>Who Goes There? </i>by John W. Campbell, McGeorge has created a creepy, fast paced thriller for readers to enjoy.
It is 1982 and a group of twelve Norwegian climatologists witness the crash landing of an unidentified flying object. Curiosity getting the better of them, they try to salvage what they can of the craft and discover an alien in a block of ice. What at first seems like a magnificent discovery turns frightening after all but three of the climate scientists begin behaving strangely, becoming impassive as if something has a psychological hold over them. The story becomes more horrific as it goes on with gruesome descriptions of the things that happen to the men.
The book is short enough to be read in one sitting, however it ends, annoyingly, without a definite conclusion, leaving the reader to imagine what happens next. <i>The Thing: Zero Day</i> is not a novel but a piece of fan fiction for the film <i>The Thing</i>. Although I have not seen the film I am led to believe that this book is a sort of prologue to the main story line.
Being short, the narrative is gripping from start to finish, jumping straight into the story. Readers are sucked into the tale and will most likely read it from beginning to end without putting it down. <i>The Thing: Zero Day</i> is obviously recommended for lovers of the film, however people who have not had the opportunity to view it, yet enjoy horror and science fiction, will also enjoy this book.
Little Ray Of Sunshine (41 KP) rated Kilimanjaro My Story in Books
Jan 11, 2019 (Updated Feb 10, 2019)
Book Review | Kilimanjaro My Story by Rod Wood
Review
..
I love I had this opportunity to read this non-fiction book usually I don't read non-fiction I more read fiction books. But when I was given from the author I read the blurb (I always do this) the story grabbed me. The story is about Rod Wood (author) he had the dream to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. It wasn't easy for him as personal events affected him and the dream was pushed to the back of his mind.
While reading the story I felt for Rod as he struggled with his personal meltdown but I loved that he got support from his parents and his friends to push him to do this dream.
I am happy that he plucked up the courage and achieved this amazing experience. I loved he added the photos as this made it personal and heartwarming as it made you feel that you have gone on the journey with Rod.
It's amazing that through the book you can see Rod's confidence grown and how he bonded with the other team members and porters. It, not just the story of his achievement what grabbed its that the three volcanoes, Kilimanjaro, Mawenzi, and Meru are changing due to the climate change and the global warming, as we had periods of warmth, and periods of extreme cold so this helped the glaciers to grow and cover the summit. It also how people who visit these volcanoes treat them by leaving litter behind and not clean up after their selves.
..This book makes me what to write my own bucket list and achieve some goals what have been on my mind what I have pushed aside.
..
It is worth the read and I would recommend to you if you into traveling and what to climb Mount Kilimanjaro yourself.
..
*Thanks, Rod Wood for sending me the book to read and everything I have written is my honest review and opinion.
..
Thanks for reading.
..
Q. What non-fiction book have you read this year and would like to share with me? Comment below please x
..
I love I had this opportunity to read this non-fiction book usually I don't read non-fiction I more read fiction books. But when I was given from the author I read the blurb (I always do this) the story grabbed me. The story is about Rod Wood (author) he had the dream to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. It wasn't easy for him as personal events affected him and the dream was pushed to the back of his mind.
While reading the story I felt for Rod as he struggled with his personal meltdown but I loved that he got support from his parents and his friends to push him to do this dream.
I am happy that he plucked up the courage and achieved this amazing experience. I loved he added the photos as this made it personal and heartwarming as it made you feel that you have gone on the journey with Rod.
It's amazing that through the book you can see Rod's confidence grown and how he bonded with the other team members and porters. It, not just the story of his achievement what grabbed its that the three volcanoes, Kilimanjaro, Mawenzi, and Meru are changing due to the climate change and the global warming, as we had periods of warmth, and periods of extreme cold so this helped the glaciers to grow and cover the summit. It also how people who visit these volcanoes treat them by leaving litter behind and not clean up after their selves.
..This book makes me what to write my own bucket list and achieve some goals what have been on my mind what I have pushed aside.
..
It is worth the read and I would recommend to you if you into traveling and what to climb Mount Kilimanjaro yourself.
..
*Thanks, Rod Wood for sending me the book to read and everything I have written is my honest review and opinion.
..
Thanks for reading.
..
Q. What non-fiction book have you read this year and would like to share with me? Comment below please x
ClareR (5561 KP) rated The Future in Books
Mar 26, 2024
I couldn’t get enough of The Future by Naomi Alderman. This book pressed all of my Sci-Fi/ Speculative fiction/ dystopian buttons ALL AT ONCE!!
I’m not actually sure how I should explain this… There’s so much going on in this book - doomsday preppers with an awful lot of money, climate breakdown and pollution, social media influencers.
Actually, that doesn’t explain half of it.
This is the story of a heist. A pretty daring one, and one that could so easily fail, but in order to save the future, a group of friends decide that they will have to do something to protect the world from three of the most powerful and influential billionaires.
The story is told in punchy, short chapters, interspersed with excerpts from a chatroom ( I loved these parts - I didn’t think I would to begin with, but I really enjoyed them). This style really propels the story forward. Actually, the STORY propels the story forward.
Look, I just really, really loved this book, and I think you should go and read it. Ok?
I’m not actually sure how I should explain this… There’s so much going on in this book - doomsday preppers with an awful lot of money, climate breakdown and pollution, social media influencers.
Actually, that doesn’t explain half of it.
This is the story of a heist. A pretty daring one, and one that could so easily fail, but in order to save the future, a group of friends decide that they will have to do something to protect the world from three of the most powerful and influential billionaires.
The story is told in punchy, short chapters, interspersed with excerpts from a chatroom ( I loved these parts - I didn’t think I would to begin with, but I really enjoyed them). This style really propels the story forward. Actually, the STORY propels the story forward.
Look, I just really, really loved this book, and I think you should go and read it. Ok?
ClareR (5561 KP) rated Moonlight and the Pearler’s Daughter in Books
Jul 19, 2022
Moonlight and the Pearler’s daughter ticked a lot of the boxes on my ‘favourite books’ list:
Historical fiction ✅
Set somewhere completely out of my previous knowledge ✅
A strong female character, operating in a difficult situation ✅
A bit of a mystery ✅ (I don’t really want to try and solve it, I just like the big reveal!)
As is often the case, the expectation of women in historical fiction is to stay at home, look after the house, wait to get married and have babies. But Eliza won’t stay at home when her father goes missing - she doesn’t assume he’s dead like the rest of the townsfolk.
There’s a real feeling of danger in a town where there appears to be no law keepers - not honest one’s, anyway. And if the corrupt, prejudiced townsfolk don’t get you, the climate and the wildlife (jellyfish, crocodiles!!) will.
This is a gripping, descriptive novel, that puts the reader firmly in Eliza’s world. I certainly had more of an idea of the hardships of living in NW Australia at this time. What will stay with me however, is Eliza’s determination to save her father and her family. She’s single-minded in her quest to find him, and determined not to let anyone else take the blame for his supposed death. It’s unnerving at times, when the attitudes of the white settlers towards the Aboriginals and other people of colour are starkly described.
A dark time in history, indeed.
And I’d highly recommend this. It’s wonderfully told.
Historical fiction ✅
Set somewhere completely out of my previous knowledge ✅
A strong female character, operating in a difficult situation ✅
A bit of a mystery ✅ (I don’t really want to try and solve it, I just like the big reveal!)
As is often the case, the expectation of women in historical fiction is to stay at home, look after the house, wait to get married and have babies. But Eliza won’t stay at home when her father goes missing - she doesn’t assume he’s dead like the rest of the townsfolk.
There’s a real feeling of danger in a town where there appears to be no law keepers - not honest one’s, anyway. And if the corrupt, prejudiced townsfolk don’t get you, the climate and the wildlife (jellyfish, crocodiles!!) will.
This is a gripping, descriptive novel, that puts the reader firmly in Eliza’s world. I certainly had more of an idea of the hardships of living in NW Australia at this time. What will stay with me however, is Eliza’s determination to save her father and her family. She’s single-minded in her quest to find him, and determined not to let anyone else take the blame for his supposed death. It’s unnerving at times, when the attitudes of the white settlers towards the Aboriginals and other people of colour are starkly described.
A dark time in history, indeed.
And I’d highly recommend this. It’s wonderfully told.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Mar 19, 2021
Kyera (8 KP) rated Amina's Voice in Books
Feb 1, 2018
Aminas Voice is a powerful middle-grade novel that I believe is so important for young readers to experience. Amina is a Pakistani-American, so we are given a wonderfully diverse, young voice to understand her world and it is so important in the current world climate. We, as a people, need to foster a sense of understanding and acceptance rather than fear and hate.
One of the events that happen in the books is heartbreaking and you wonder how people could behave in that manner. Unfortunately, these things happen in the real world and its dismaying to see people treat other fellow human beings in a less than honourable and respectful manner. It was so wonderful to see the community come together after the event, no matter their race or religion to help their neighbors. It is a ray of light in the darkness.
This short book follows Aminas life from her sixth-grade classes and middle school friends to her time at the Mosque with her Muslim friends and family. The tale is honest and heartwarming, allowing us into her mind and connecting with her family. Although it is a short tale, it is no less important to read. I would highly recommend it to middle-grade readers (and really anyone else who is open to middle-grade fiction) because it is such a powerful and important read.
One of the events that happen in the books is heartbreaking and you wonder how people could behave in that manner. Unfortunately, these things happen in the real world and its dismaying to see people treat other fellow human beings in a less than honourable and respectful manner. It was so wonderful to see the community come together after the event, no matter their race or religion to help their neighbors. It is a ray of light in the darkness.
This short book follows Aminas life from her sixth-grade classes and middle school friends to her time at the Mosque with her Muslim friends and family. The tale is honest and heartwarming, allowing us into her mind and connecting with her family. Although it is a short tale, it is no less important to read. I would highly recommend it to middle-grade readers (and really anyone else who is open to middle-grade fiction) because it is such a powerful and important read.
ClareR (5561 KP) rated Emily Eternal in Books
Apr 12, 2022
Emily Eternal is a lot of what I love about science fiction. M. G. Wheaton has taken something that is pretty unbelievable (the end of the sun five billion years early) and made it perfectly believable. That, and the sentient computer programme, Emily.
Emily has been developed in order to help humanity. Primarily, she is supposed to counsel people who had been through trauma - and there’s a lot of it going around with all the impending doom, climate catastrophes etc. But this counselling has been used as a way of Emily teaching herself to become more human. She learns, constantly. I say “she”, because Emily is portrayed as a normal human being. She has daily routines, washes her hair, sleeps, eats. She learns from the people she counsels and watches through the various security cameras. And she forms attachments with her programmers and the other people she encounters.
But things go horribly wrong, and Emily escapes just in time. She is helped by her human companions for most of the book: Jason and Myra.
I don’t want to say too much more, because if you’re going to read this, I wouldn’t want to spoil it. It was a gripping story of a computer programme who has taught ‘herself’ how to care for humanity and to do her best for them. I loved it.
Recommended to all those who like Sci-Fi that’s light on the science and heavy on the personal relationships.
Emily has been developed in order to help humanity. Primarily, she is supposed to counsel people who had been through trauma - and there’s a lot of it going around with all the impending doom, climate catastrophes etc. But this counselling has been used as a way of Emily teaching herself to become more human. She learns, constantly. I say “she”, because Emily is portrayed as a normal human being. She has daily routines, washes her hair, sleeps, eats. She learns from the people she counsels and watches through the various security cameras. And she forms attachments with her programmers and the other people she encounters.
But things go horribly wrong, and Emily escapes just in time. She is helped by her human companions for most of the book: Jason and Myra.
I don’t want to say too much more, because if you’re going to read this, I wouldn’t want to spoil it. It was a gripping story of a computer programme who has taught ‘herself’ how to care for humanity and to do her best for them. I loved it.
Recommended to all those who like Sci-Fi that’s light on the science and heavy on the personal relationships.