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I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

Everyone has most likely heard the quote, "History is written by the victors." Although the quote is often attributed to Winston Churchill, it is not known who originally said it. However, the author does not matter, only the truth of the quote.

Lies My Teacher Told Me: Young Readers’ Edition Everything American History Textbooks Get Wrong by James W. Loewen is part of his campaign to correct mistakes that have been taught in schools for years. His most famous work, Lies My Teacher Told Me, was originally published in 1995.

This history book is geared toward "young readers". I, as an adult, found the information interesting and some was outright surprising to me. However, I think young readers would find it wordy. This was not a book to sit and read cover to cover. I needed time to reflect, discuss, and to research sections for more information.

Adding it to an advanced or higher level history course to complement a traditional history textbook would be an asset to the student's education. Allowing both books to be read at the same time would probably help encourage the reader's curiosity to not just accept what the textbooks offers as history as fact.
  
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Erika (17788 KP) May 24, 2019

I really like this book, and wish they'd teach it in HS. They definitely incorporate it for history majors in universities in the US, hence, why I read it. Very good review.

Cursed (Beholder, #1)
Cursed (Beholder, #1)
Christina Bauer | 2016 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is not my normal read as lately I have been hitting the erotica/contemporary romance hard. However, it had to do with necromancy and that is something I simply cannot pass up. Necromancy is something I am highly interested not only because it is rarely written about (compared to vampires, shifters, etc.), but also because rarely is the hero/heroine ever the necromancer. Usually the necromancer is the villain/antagonist.

This story was refreshing, like a breath of fresh air from what I have been reading. Elea is such a powerful character, both in magic and personality. I could definitely get behind her and her ideals. The author’s created world was also fascinating. I felt she not only created a marvelous world but also did a good job at explaining it. Sometimes in fantasy novels, I get lost concerning the author’s created mythology, but I wasn’t with this novel.

It definitely has a young adult feel to it though. Regardless, I loved it and can’t wait to read more. If you are a fan of strong heroines with interesting magic, and a fascinating world beyond imagination, then you may enjoy this novel. Not to mention the young love that spurs main characters. I am all for young, dewy eyed love…
  
After the Fire
After the Fire
Will Hill | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.8 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

"After the Fire" is a chilling look at a young adult's tale of growing up in and surviving a fictional cult. I have read from the perspective of an adult but this was through the eyes of a young girl, "Moonbeam". She lived for years in the fanatical religious cult with her mother and her "brothers" and "sisters". We are given a glimpse into her thought process, her true faith, and relationships with the other cult members.

By Will Hill selecting Moonbeam as his central character to tell the story of what happened before and after the fire, we are able to empathize with her and the other "family" members. As with any group, there are good and bad, young and old, male and female. We are able to see they are regular, every day people who believe they are following a prophet.

"After the Fire" was inspired by the 1993 Waco siege in which members of the Branch Davidian sect, including children, and government agents died in a fire fight. This story imagines what it was like to like in a similar base (Moonbeam does not like the word compound) and is told mostly through an interview and flashbacks.
  
IA: Invincible Assassin (IA #2.5)
IA: Invincible Assassin (IA #2.5)
John Darryl Winston | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Following on from the events in IA: B.O.S.S. and it's shattering ending, this book sees the world of Naz and the Exclave through the eyes of Harvis Young. A friend of Naz who has his own mysteries, Harvis sees how broken Naz is and resolves to protect him - or protect the world from him.

Naz is bent on revenge and with his superhuman powers could do more harm than good. Harvis must act as Naz's conscience but is also sympathetic to his cause.

Billed as an 'IA Origin' story, this provides a lot of background on Harvis whilst also filling in the gap before IA: Union. This isn't really a stand-alone piece as very little of who Naz is and what he can do is explained and reading of at least the first two books of the IA series first is recommended.

Whereas the other books have been told from Naz's point of view, here we see him through the eyes of his friend as a conflicted and sometimes unpredictable young man, someone who needs to tame his nature.

It is hard to provide any more information without spoiling the plot. But as with the other IA books this is an outstanding and very different 'young adult' read and an essential part of the series.
  
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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Jul 7, 2022  
Author Thomas H. McNeely visits my blog to discuss what it means to lose where we live in an emotional yet touching guest post. Read up on his coming of age/short stories fiction book PICTURES OF THE SHARK while you're there. Be sure to enter the giveaway for a chance to win an editorial critique of an excerpt from an unpublished short story or novel and/or an autographed copy of Pictures of the Shark.

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2022/07/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-pictures-of.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
A sudden snowfall in Houston reveals family secrets. A trip to Universal Studios to snap a picture of the shark from Jaws becomes a battle of wills between father and son. A midnight séance and the ghost of Janis Joplin conjure the mysteries of sex. A young boy’s pilgrimage to see Elvis Presley becomes a moment of transformation. A young woman discovers the responsibilities of talent and freedom.

Pictures of the Shark, by Houston native and Dobie Paisano award-winning author Thomas H. McNeely, traces a young man's coming of age and falling apart. From the rough and tumble of Houston's early seventies East End to the post-punk Texas bohemia of late eighties Austin, this novel in stories examines what happens when childhood trauma haunts adult lives.
     
After The Cure
After The Cure
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Great characters with a story that flows well. (0 more)
A new twist and an old genre.
So, I got this book on google play for 25 cents I think it was. One of their sales. I didn't know what to expect from a book that was about the aftermath of the zombie outbreak but in the end I was surprised.
The characters are ones that I generally cared about and that made the book that much better. The story moved along nicely while not seeming to sacrifice content.
The worst part about this book is that to me it seemed caught between young adult and normal fiction. Not that it hurt but some points just didn't feel up to the task of being a grown up story.
  
The Upside of Unrequited
The Upside of Unrequited
Becky Albertalli | 2017 | Young Adult (YA)
9
8.2 (25 Ratings)
Book Rating
My Review: "What a great read! Honestly, I needed this after reading so many fantasy/young adult books. I don’t read many contemporary books, but when I do, this is what I look for.

First of all, it was relatable on multiple accounts. Second, the characters were so diverse and realistic. Those two things are important for me when I read a contemporary. For me, I know what it’s like for twins, especially twin sisters, as I have younger twin sisters. They two are fraternal and VERY different. They are basically the embodiment of Cassie and Molly; I was shocked how similar they were to my own sisters." Read the entire review here: https://thenerdybookwormsite.wordpress.com/2017/09/20/the-upside-of-unrequited-by-becky-albertalli/
  
Wicked Lovely (Wicked Lovely, #1)
Wicked Lovely (Wicked Lovely, #1)
Melissa Marr | 2008 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
9
7.5 (17 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the very first Melissa Marr's book I have read and it will not be my last. I've always have had an obsession with Faeries but I don't normally read books that feature the fae. I always fear that they wouldn't live up to my expectations. Luckily, my best friend and a bunch of booksellers convinced me to read this book.

The characters were unique, and just downright lovely. The plot was fun and kept me guessing. I loved the twists and turns that were present too. This is a young adult novel but I didn't feel like I was too old for it. It was refreshing.

If you're looking for a great Faery book, look no further! This book is great!
  
Snow White with the Red Hair, Vol. 1
Snow White with the Red Hair, Vol. 1
Sorata Akiduki | 2019 | Comics & Graphic Novels
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The first volume of Snow White with the Red Hair was just okay. It wasn't awful, but it didn't exactly pull me in. It started getting slightly more interesting around halfway through the book. It had a few cute moments, but it seemed like it should have almost been a series targeted for the junior reading age group. However, the subject matter is geared toward the young adult audience. It's just one of those odd stories that hangs in limbo between reading audiences. Also, being a retelling of a classic tale, I must say that it only seemed that way for the first handful of pages, at most. Then it was like every other manga series with the theme that it follows.
  
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Joe Jonas recommended track Everybody Hurts by REM in Automatic for the People by REM in Music (curated)

 
Automatic for the People by REM
Automatic for the People by REM
1992 | Rock

Everybody Hurts by REM

(0 Ratings)

Track

"“Everybody Hurts” is a song that came to me fairly late in my life. As I was maturing into a young adult I started to really fall in love with R.E.M. and find out about their history as a group. This can be read as a kind of simple and sad tune of course, but it’s surpassed that for me. “When you’re talking about iconic frontmen, Michael Stipe is the one and it’s all in his voice: there’s no song that he could sing when you wouldn’t know it was him. I love the lyrics and the melody but I think I’m always attracted to the vocals above everything else. Michael Stipe’s voice is so unique and that’s what I love about R.E.M"

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