Tag Archives: review
The Nazis Next Door: How America Became a Safe Haven for Hitler’s Men
History
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH)
2014-10-28
288
A revelatory secret history of how America became home to thousands of Nazi war criminals after World War II, many of whom were brought here by the OSS and CIA—by the New York Times reporter who broke the story and who has interviewed dozens of agents for the first time.
Review:
“The Nazis Next Door” is a book about the various Nazis living in our country after the war, along with how our government not only helped bring them here but helped them avoid prosecution through various means, including forged documents.
As opposed to many history books, this one is easily read and accessible not only to the novice, but also provides little known information to historians. My major was history, with a concentration in Jewish history, and I was appalled by just how much has been hidden for so long. The fact that Patton himself was an anti-Semite made me feel physically ill.
A secondary benefit to the history lesson is the knowledge at just how carefully we need to question the actions of our own intelligence agencies. This is certainly a timely topic, and one that we could all use a reminder regarding.
If a reader has an interest in the Holocaust, especially the more unexplored topics surrounding it, I cannot recommend “The Nazis Next Door” enough. Novice or professional, it is an excellent resource.
This review is based upon an advance copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
As this is a book meant for adults, no content warning will be given.
A Letter to My Cat
Literary Collections
Crown Archetype
2014-10-28
176
A follow-up to A Letter to My Dog collects celebrity letters of love, whimsy and gratitude to their feline companions juxtaposed against four-color kitty portraits, in a volume that includes contributions by Dr. Oz, Mariel Hemingway and Jackson Galaxy. Illustrations.
Review:
This review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
“A Letter to My Cat” is filled with love letters to, well, cats. They range from hilarious to heartbreaking, and I was going from laughing to crying every few minutes. The letters are written from a wide range of people owned by cats, from celebrities to children to a soldier who went to great lengths to bring his feline companion home. All are lovely and reveal the unique quirks and bonds that make cats so indispensable to those who love them.
Additionally, the photography is absolutely gorgeous and captures the personality of each subject. As anyone who has tried to photograph a cat knows, it is difficult to capture much more than a blur or a squinty-eyed look of derision. These photographs are true works of art worthy of being framed.
In short, cats cats cats cats cats. What’s not to love? I recommend this book to all but those who believe cats are the portent of evil belonging only to witches, because they are surely the only ones who will not love it.
Content Warning:
Excessive Feels
Meritropolis
Meritropolis
Meritropolis, Book 1
Young Adult Fiction
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
September 9, 2014
Paperback
226
The year is AE3, 3 years after the Event. Within the walls of Meritropolis, 50,000 inhabitants live in fear, ruled by the brutal System that assigns each citizen a merit score that dictates whether they live or die. Those with the highest scores thrive, while those with the lowest are subject to the most unforgiving punishment--to be thrust outside the city gates, thrown to the terrifying hybrid creatures that exist beyond.
Review:
This review is based on a complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
“Meritropolis”, by Joel Ohman, was a wonderful surprise when it comes to the sometimes predictable world of young-adult dystopian literature. The action is non-stop, and while the story has great depth and backstory, it is presented in a way which is not bogged down and unnecessarily complicated. It’s a very easy to understand premise.
What I found to be the major selling point is that it is a very attractive story for advanced middle reader males, a market which is surprisingly sparse. As the primary purchaser of books for a twelve-year-old male bookworm, it becomes frustrating to find a story that’s full of adventure, intelligent, and a bit light on the romance. “Meritropolis” fits the bill perfectly, and I would like to thank Mr. Ohman personally for writing it.
I wish 4 1/2 stars were possible, because the only reason I did not give it the full five is because the paragraphs were long, with lots of description. While not necessarily a bad thing, it may be off-putting for more reluctant readers.
I highly recommend “Meritropolis” for lovers of dystopian novels, both old and young alike.
Content Warning:
Violence, Adult Themes, Animal Death
Heart of Dread: Frozen
Frozen
Heart of Dread, Book 1
Juvenile Fiction
Putnam Publishing Group
2013-09-17
336
More than a century after a catastrophic disaster wiped out most of humanity and covered much of the earth with ice, fifteen-year-old Cass yields to the voice in her head urging her to embark on a dangerous journey across a poisoned sea to the mythical land, Blue.
Review:
This review is based on a complimentary copy provided by Hatchette Children’s Books in exchange for an honest review.
When I began “Heart of Dread: Frozen”, I thought I was going to be reading a somewhat typical dystopian novel. Boy, was I ever wrong. It is impossible to place it in one, or even two, categories. Finally, I decided to go with dystopian, apocalyptic, and fantasy. There is an even amount of all of them.
This novel is a wild ride right from the start, alternating between third person points of view focusing on two flawed, mysterious, and very different individuals. We have Wes, the mercenary, and Nat, the girl with a secret. Their backstories are revealed very slowly, and combined with the action, it makes it difficult to put down.
If I describe any of the plot that is not already included in the synopsis above, I run the risk of spoiling a surprise, and that would take away from the fun. And if nothing else, this is one fun book. Anything that could possibly be included in it is, and the ending was a cliffhanger that has me upset that I need to wait a few months for the next.
I normally try to avoid fandom-speak in my reviews, but my thoughts can be summed up by this: “I didn’t mean to ship it this hard.”
Content Warning:
Violence, Animal Death, Some Sexual Talk
Wildlife
Juvenile Fiction
Poppy
2014-09-16
400
During a semester in the wilderness, sixteen-year-old Sib expects the tough outdoor education program and the horrors of dorm life, but friendship drama and an unexpected romance with popular Ben Capaldi? That will take some navigating. New girl Lou has zero interest in fitting in, or joining in. Still reeling from a loss that occurred almost a year ago, she just wants to be left alone. But as she witnesses a betrayal unfolding around Sib and her best friend Holly, Lou can't help but be drawn back into the land of the living. Fans of Melina Marchetta, Rainbow Rowell, and E. Lockhart will adore this endearing and poignant story of first love, true friendship, and going a little bit wild.
Review:
This review is based on a complimentary copy given through Netgalley by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.
“Wildlife” by Fiona Wood is a book about two vastly different girls coming together during a semester in a wilderness type camp required by their school. It’s set in Australia, and while the differences are strange at first, I thought it was fun to learn more about the life of teenagers there.
The book is absolutely beautifully written, and takes many twists and turns that I did not expect at all. The two main characters, along with a secondary character (Michael), were so well-developed that your heart breaks when theirs do, and you laugh when they laugh. The mood is up and down with the story, ranging from sad to embarrassing to hilarious, and it makes the whole thing realistic.
Speaking of realistic, there is a LOT of strong language and talk of sex in “Wildlife”. It fits with the story, and I love when authors are brave enough to write how real teenagers speak, but I did want to mention it in case anyone likes to avoid those types of things.
The only reason I gave “Wildlife” four stars instead of five is because the ending felt somewhat rushed. It was a natural conclusion, but felt like it needed a couple of more chapters to make it seem less jarring. It was a bit like being on a pleasant drive and then slamming on the brakes. However, it is not anywhere near enough to ruin a wonderful book.
I highly recommend “Wildlife”.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Underage Drinking, Drug Use, Animal Death
The Alliance: A Registry Novel
The Registry, Book 3
Fiction
William Morrow Paperbacks
2014-09-02
448
In this deadly endgame, the final move is hers . . . In America, the Registry weds girls to the highest bidder and raises boys for its army. Mia Morrissey escaped to make her life her own, and now that she has, she will risk everything so that everyone can be free. Going undercover as part of a diplomatic mission, Mia returns to America. But life there is more dangerous than ever as the walls grow taller, and the forgotten country faces its most ruthless leader yet, Grant Marsden . . . a shadow from Mia's past. With the help of Andrew, Carter, and other members of the subversive group Affinity, she embarks on a perilous journey to defeat Grant, bring down the government, and destroy the Registry once and for all. But when a terrible betrayal exposes the operation, Mia discovers that her enemies have used her—and so have her friends. Alone and frightened, she's uncertain of whom to trust—or whether the mission is worth the sacrifice. With the fate of her friends and the future of her country on the line, Mia knows that her next step may be the last for her . . . and America.
Review:
I admit that I was a little reticent to continue “The Registry” series, by Shannon Stoker, but the premise was promising enough to get me to give “The Alliance” a try, and I’m glad a did.
While the writing still lacks some polish and over-use of certain words (said being an example), the author showed a great deal of growth in how she handles character interaction and personal thoughts. The backstories sprinkled throughout made the characters feel less like caricatures and more like humans. I genuinely began to care about most of them, even the less than likable ones from the previous “Registry” novels.
I loved the beginning of each chapter including the history of how the society came to be using accounts from diaries of the period. It provided answers to questions that had been nagging me from the beginning, and the explanations made perfect sense in the context of the story. The ending was also plausible and satisfying.
I’m very impressed with Stoker’s growth and look forward to seeing what else she publishes.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence, Sexual Situations
Walt Before Mickey: Disney’s Early Years 1919-1928
Biography & Autobiography
2014-09-01
384
The untold story of ten critical, formative years in the great producer's life
Review:
This review is of a complimentary copy provided through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
“Walt Before Mickey” by Timothy S. Susanin is one of the, if not the, most exhaustive accounts of Disney’s early years that can be found. The research is thorough, and it shows.
I have mixed feelings on “Walt Before Mickey”. As a historian, and a huge Disney nerd, the facts presented are a treasure trove. Almost all of the information is rare, the sources are solid and well-documented, and it brings a feeling of closeness to Disney himself.
On the other hand, there is almost too much information. Every single person he met has a painstaking account of their looks and history. Not that those things are not important, but it slows it down and takes away from what is important. More than once I found my mind wandering during these descriptions, and it really is a shame that it mars what is otherwise an exceptional account of a great man.
I can highly recommend “Walt Before Mickey” to historians or those with an intense interest in Disney himself, but would recommend those with a casual interest to give this one a pass.
The Bully Order
Fiction
Harper
2014-09-02
400
Washington Territory, 1886 Jacob and Nell Ellstrom step from ship to shore and are struck dumb by the sight of their new home—the Harbor, a ragged township of mud streets and windowless shacks. In the years to come this will be known as one of the busiest and most dangerous ports in the world, and with Jacob's station as the only town physician, prosperity and respect soon rain down on the Ellstroms. Then their son, Duncan, is born, and these are grand days, busy and full of growth. But when a new physician arrives, Jacob is revealed as an impostor, a fraud, and he flees, leaving his wife and son to fend for themselves. Years later, on a fated Fourth of July picnic, Duncan Ellstrom falls in love. Her name is Teresa Boyerton, and her father owns the largest sawmill in the Harbor. Their relationship is forbidden by class and by circumstance, because without Jacob there to guide him, Duncan has gone to work for Hank Bellhouse, the local crime boss. Now, if Duncan wants to be with Teresa, he must face not only his past, but the realities of a dark and violent world and his place within it. Told from various points of view, Brian Hart's novel follows the evolution of the Harbor from a mudstamp outpost to a city that rivals the promise of San Francisco. The Bully of Order is a meditation on progress, love, and identity; a spellbinding novel of fate and redemption—told with a muscular lyricism and filled with a cast of characters Shakespearean in scope—where everyone is as much at the mercy of the weather as they are of the times.
Review:
This review is of a complimentary copy provided by Harper through the Goodreads First Reads program in exchange for an honest review.
“The Bully Order” by Brian Hart is an unapologetic novel set on the coast of Washington State in the early 19oo’s. It is gritty and doesn’t shy away from just how brutal and miserable things were during that time in that area.
I really wanted to like this novel. The history is sound and a refreshing take on an era that is all too often romanticized. A few of the characters were engaging and made me want to know more about them. Unfortunately, those were the only redeeming qualities I found.
The beginning of the book is slow and filled with words that make it seem as though the writer went crazy with a thesaurus. It really bogs the flow down and makes it near impossible to get sucked into what may otherwise be a good story. The flips between points of view were enough to make me seasick. I stuck with it in the vain hope that it would get better, but the flaws pulled me too far out to ever really settle into the story.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence, Sexual Situations, Rape
Dataclysm
Computers
Crown Pub
2014-09-09
304
An irreverent analysis of what our online lives reveal about who we really are draws on information from major online sources, from Twitter and Facebook to Reddit and OkCupid, to explain how the science of human behavior is dramatically evolving. 125,000 first printing.
Review:
The copy I am reviewing was received through Netgalley from Crown publishing in exchange for an honest review.
In “Dataclysm”, Christian Rudder embarks on the mission to bring Big Data to the masses. Big History and Big Economics are popular today, and I think this book is going to achieve the mission with great success.
Math is not known for being embraced by many, so Rudder’s work was cut out for him. His subject choices and examples were well-chosen and interesting, and concepts are explained in a way not “dumbed down” too much, but easily understood by anyone wishing to put the effort into learning about them. At a few points it became a bit too dense with information, and that is why I give the book four stars instead of five. I wish four and a half were an option, because while it keeps it from having the ability to capture the attention of any reader who may pick it up, I believe that the author is respecting those who want to truly gain knowledge, thereby making the density not a necessarily bad thing.
The facts and writing were both funny and horrifying. One minute I would be laughing at the idea that Belle and Sebastian are the whitest band in America, and the next I was completely uncomfortable with the racism that is inherent in the population as a whole. It’s easy to say “I am not racist”, but quite different when the patterns of a large group are put on display and analyzed and you recognize your own behaviors in there. It’s food for thought, and something most of us are not even conscious that occurs, so the hope that we can now see it on display and work to make changes in our thoughts is a very real one.
The most unsettling question raised is whether or not the social gains are worth the privacy we are sacrificing. Since it’s a new field, it’s up to the people to set standards, so learning about it is more than educational or entertaining. Without knowing what is going on, we cannot object or consciously aid in what it’s used for.
Also, please be sure to read the author’s notes at the end. He does an excellent job of explaining where and how he got the data, as well as the approaches and controls he used in his research. It’s fascinating and adds the legitimacy numbers often require.
If you enjoy facts, data, charts and graphs (the ones in “Dataclysm” are excellent), or are inquisitive in any way I recommend you give this a try. The first couple of chapters may feel a bit overwhelming, but eventually the read becomes easier, and it is well worth the time.
Content Warning:
This isn’t a book for kids, nor is it marketed as such, though teenagers may enjoy it. There are some words some may find objectionable, and the usage of data from a dating site does make sex a topic that frequently comes up.
Graduation Day
The Testing, Book 3
Juvenile Fiction
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
2014
304
In book three of The Testing series, the United Commonwealth wants to eliminate the rebel alliance fighting to destroy The Testing for good, and though Cia is ready to lead the charge, will her lethal classmates follow her into battle? 75,000 first printing.
Review:
I absolutely loved “The Testing”, and while a bit disappointed in “Independent Study”, I still enjoyed it. I wish I had stopped before I read “Graduation Day”.
The one redeeming factor of “Graduation Day” is the action, so I will begin there. The action sequences were intense and real page turners. Unfortunately, there was not enough of it.
It all seems like the author is trying too hard to put in plot twists. Some of it came nowhere and made no sense. Characters made decisions not in line with what had been established about them previously, and at some point Cia became just as cold and uncaring as those she was trying to overthrow. The ending made her seem like she cared about no one but a cause- the same way of thinking that created the testing in the first place.
I wanted to love this book, or to even just “like” it. Neither of those are possible. There are barely even any resolutions to the multitude of problems in their society. It was enough of a letdown to make me regret reading past the first book.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence
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