It's Kind of a Funny Story, by Ned Vizzini
03 Mar 2011
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Good for: While this isn't a memoir, it was written after Vizzini checked himself into a ward as a teen, so it's good for anyone interested in a survivor's tale of teen depression.
The Pleasure Seekers, by Tishani Doshi
01 Mar 2011
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Good for: It's got good qualities, but it's a bit directionless. I recommend reading Zadie Smith's White Teeth instead.
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, by Junot Díaz
01 Mar 2011
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It's truly amazing how much I learned from this book without really realizing I was learning.
Good for: Just about anyone, although some people may be put off by references to pop culture and non-English phrases (although, in my opinion, they're easy to understand in context).
The Oracle of Stamboul, by Michael David Lukas
01 Mar 2011
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Good for: Anyone looking for an escape.
The Help, by Kathryn Stocket
23 Feb 2011
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Good for: I'm not sure—I enjoyed the story when I read it, but kept feeling a nagging thought: "Can a young white woman really know what black maids felt then?" It's a bestseller with a lot of hype, but according to amazon reviews, many people actually found this book offensive.
Hush, by Jacqueline Woodson
23 Feb 2011
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Good for: Anybody, and it's good bibliotherapy for teens dealing with the issues of a developing identity.
Miniature Reviews
23 Feb 2011
Sometimes, I read a book and, for some reason or another, I do not feel like reviewing it. Maybe it's an older book and I doubt anyone will be interested. Maybe I can't figure out a way to make the review work in this format. Maybe I just don't feel like it. Maybe, even though I read a lot of different things, I've started to focus on reviewing young adult books because, hey, everyone needs a niche!
What I'm saying is, since I've started this website I've read a lot of books that I haven't reviewed. My original goal was to review every single book I read, but this has changed over time.
However, you are now in luck! It's the last three weeks of grad school for me and I am really flipping busy. In a moment of genius, I have figured out a way to maximize my time while simultaneously making use of the books I didn't review. For a week or two, I will update every couple of days with a bunch of little book reviews.
Timothy and the Dragon’s Gate, by Adrienne Kress
12 Feb 2011
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Good for: People who liked Alex and the Ironic Gentleman. Although, while I think it's equally good, it is darker and very different.
Alex and the Ironic Gentleman, by Adrienne Kress
09 Feb 2011
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There will be a bonus update on Friday Saturday this week.
Good for: Fans of Roald Dahl, Lewis Carroll, or Lemony Snicket.
I Shall Wear Midnight, by Terry Pratchett
02 Feb 2011
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Good for: Discworld fans, and I suppose any Tiffany Aching fans (like me) who can't help themselves from picking it up. But sadly I think you really need some other Discworld knowledge to enjoy this one.