The Power of Different: The Link Between Disorder and Genius

The Power of Different: The Link Between Disorder and Genius by Gail Saltz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I am a big fan of this book. I feel like anyone who has a brain disorder and those that want to gain a greater understanding of them, should read this book. The Power of Different is not just a clinical look at people who have disorders like autism, bipolar, and OCD, but a look at their actual lives, and the ways they are able to contribute to society that others are not able to do.

When we give something a label like "disorder," people start to think that those that deal with it are somehow less than others. In reality, having a brain that works differently is an advantage. They are able to see the world in a way that others miss. This helps them to accomplish amazing things they may not have been able to do if they did not have their disorder.

For those that have a brain disorder, I feel like this book brings hope, and helps you realize that you have special skills that are uniquely yours because of your differences. There are struggles that go along with all of the disorders mentioned in the book, but there are also wonderful opportunities that many people don't even realize come with it.

Author: Gail Saltz
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Publication Date: 2017

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The Girl in the Well Is Me

The Girl in the Well Is Me by Karen Rivers
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I had wanted to read this book for a while, but I have to admit, I didn't think the title would be taken so literally. If you want a story that features many different locations and interaction between many characters, this book is not for you. There are many characters, but for the most part, it is an internal dialogue.

As it stands right now, I'm not really sure how I feel about this book.

Author: Karen Rivers
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Publication Date: 2016

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Ten Miles One Way

Ten Miles One Way by Patrick Downes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I decided to read up on bipolar, and came across this book. Ten Miles One Way is well written, showing the inner dialogue that goes on in the head of someone that is battling issues like bipolar. It doesn't go into the clinical issues of the disease, but focus on the personal struggles.

Author: Patrick Downes
Publisher: Philomel Books
Publication Date: 2017

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City of Bones

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I started reading this series because there has been so much fuss about it. I'm not sure I see what the fuss is all about, but there is a good villain. Many of the other characters are kind of annoying, which makes it difficult to remain invested in the story.

I'm on book two now, so we will see how it goes.

Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication Date: 2007

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Not a Stick

Not a Stick by Antoinette Portis
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

While this was a cute book, I prefer Not a Box. Like Not a Box, I feel like little kids would like this book. Since the book was written for that audience, it does its job. I appreciate that it shows kids how to use their imagination and have adventures with everyday objects. You don't need a screen or something that required batteries to have fun.

Author: Antoinette Portis
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: 2007

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The Magic of the Unicorn

The Magic of the Unicorn by Deborah Lerme Goodman
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Well, I didn't die, but things also did not go according to plan. The good news is, while my character's life with kind of sideways, I saved the village! Three cheers for keeping a whole village alive!

Author: Deborah Lerme Goodman
Publisher: Chooseco
Publication Date: 1985

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The Darwin Awards II: Unnatural Selection

The Darwin Awards II: Unnatural Selection by Wendy Northcutt
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As sad as it may sound, Darwin awards always make me feel better about myself. If I'm having a hard day at work, all I have to do is read some of the awards. It's hard to focus on your screw ups when you have so many examples of people that have done much worse than you. Of course, if you read Darwin awards and don't understand why you shouldn't do something, you may want to take a closer look at the choices you are making in your life.

Author: Wendy Northcutt
Publisher: Plume
Publication Date: 2001

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Cures of the Pirate Mist

Curse of the Pirate Mist by Doug Wilhelm
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

While reading this book, I kept thinking that my character was way over his head. It seemed like it didn't matter what choice I made, they all seemed like they were going to end badly. Good news, my character lived, which is more than I can say for some of the Choose Your Own Adventure books.

This is one of the more intense Choose Your Own Adventure books.

Author: Doug Wilhelm
Publisher: Chooseco
Publication Date: 2011

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Sh*t My Kids Ruined: An A-Z Celebration of Kid-Destruction

Sh*t My Kids Ruined: An A-Z Celebration of Kid-Destruction by Julie Haas Brophy
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

While reading this book, I was kind of glad I don't have kids.

The book is formatted using the A-B-Cs. For each letter of the alphabet, there are things that kids have ruined. The pictures bring a whole new life to the words. You can say that your child ruined the t.v, but that doesn't have the same impact as a picture showing the t.v. utterly destroyed.

If you are thinking about having kids, this might not be the best book to read. You may end up with nightmare and start questioning your decisions.

If you have children that are older, you will probably get a good laugh at the struggles of parents. Once your children are safely out of that stage, you have a greater appreciation for the parents still struggling.

Author: Julie Haas Brophy
Publisher: Villard
Publication Date: 2010

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Pirate Treasure of the Onyx Dragon

Pirate Treasure of the Onyx Dragon by Alison Gilligan
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I must admit, this is one of the least memorable Choose Your Own Adventure books I have read. Not one I would pick to read again.

Author: Alison Gilligan
Publisher: Chooseco
Publication Date: 2011

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Surf Monkeys

Surf Monkeys by Jay Leibold
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Let the record show that my character died a horrible, yet fantastic, death. On top of that, his friend is still missing. Honestly, I'm really bad at making choices that will actually lead me to my goal. It's a good thing that my real life is kind of boring, I don't think I could make choices like this in my actual life.

Author: Jay Leibold
Publisher: Skylark
Publication Date: 1992

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I Work at a Public Library: A Collection of Crazy Stories from the Stacks

I Work at a Public Library: A Collection of Crazy Stories from the Stacks by Gina Sheridan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I Work at a Public Library is a collection of antidotes from librarians. Now I wonder what crazy stuff goes on at the libraries I go to? Just because I've never seen anything happen, doesn't mean it doesn't.

Librarians, I salute you. You have one crazy job.

Author: Gina Sheridan
Publisher: Adams Media
Publication Date: 2014

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Welcome to Shadowhunter Academy

Welcome to Shadowhunter Academy by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

First off, do not read Cassandra Clare's books out of order. Nothing good will come of it. I read this before I finished The Mortal Instruments series. Now, I know things before they actually happen.

Short story, so short review. For someone that started out as your everyday human, Simon has been making the rounds. I'm waiting for him to become a werewolf next. Seriously, how about we just have a series based on Simon's life?

Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication Date: 2015

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Terror on the Titanic

Terror on the Titanic by Jim Wallace
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I've discovered that when I'm reading these books, I end up wanting to have a happy ending no matter what the story line. While reading this one, I tried to be brave and make choices that were different than what I would do if it was real life. After a little while, I wimped out and went back to playing it safe. Having to face the literary consequences of the choices you make changes the way you interact with the book.

On the plus side, my character survived.

Author: Jim Wallace
Publisher: Chooseco
Publication Date: 2007

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Dear Baby

Dear Baby: I'm Sorry...: Apologies for Life's Little Parenting Fails by Sarah Showfety
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book is a quick easy read that shows that while sometimes little kids can be crazy, the adults in their lives might have deserved it. It is a humorous look at the fails parents make on a daily basis when their kids are too young to do anything about it. If you want a real world look at parenting, this is it.

Author: Sarah Showfety
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Publication Date: 2016

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