Animal Farm

Animal Farm by George Orwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Unlike many, I never read this book in school. Shocker, I know. I did not know what to expect, and boy was this book a doozy. I wonder if it's being taught in schools right now?

"Can you not understand that liberty is worth more than just ribbons?"

"Man serves the interests of no creature except himself."

This book was written in 1945, so right after WWII. When you think of that and the fact that the pigs who end up leading the animals use the term comrade, the whole thing become a chilling commentary on human nature.

Really, I don't know what to say about this book besides read it. It is a classic worth the time.

Author: George Orwell

View all my reviews

Last Stand of Dead Men

Last Stand of Dead Men by Derek Landy
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As a note, this series gets darker the farther you get, so if you are reading along and find that a book is a little too much, you should probably stop. It has nothing to do with the quality of the series, but it does not go from dark back to light hearted.

The war between sanctuaries really gets me every time. It had been awhile since the first time I read the series, and I had forgotten that the lines between sides is blurred. It's hard to know who the Irish sanctuary can trust outside and inside of itself.

Darquesse of course comes out, because what would these later books be without this lovely character. I know some readers dislike her, but I love her quippy lines and internal monologue, especially when she is discovering some new skill she didn't know she possessed. Maybe, I'm just a sucker for the villain, although, not all the villains in this book are as great as she is. In fact, it's just her, so nevermind. Forget that last thought.

Author: Derek Landy
Content warning: Death, language, war
Age appropriate: Yes

View all my reviews

The Merchant of Death

The Merchant of Death by D.J. MacHale
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is the first book in the Pendragon series. I am working on reading it again since I didn't finish it the first time.

While I do appreciate the premise of the story, there is a lot of complicated plot points that are put in place to make everything work. So many worlds are included in the series that there is constantly issues with misunderstandings and the main character Bobby Pendragon not knowing what is going on. It's not like the longer things go on the more he understands. Things constantly seem to be in flux, which makes it difficult.

It makes sense that the bad guy does not play by the rules, but when Bobby is only explained things according to the rules, he is at a disadvantage when trying to actually do what he came to the land to do, which is save it. That's a lot of pressure to put on a teenager. Honestly, I think the book ended the way it did just so that there series could go on.

Author: D.J. MacHale
Parent content warning: Death
Age appropriate: Yes

View all my reviews

Noodle and the No Bones Day

Noodle and the No Bones Day by Dan Tavis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I think by this point, a lot of people know about Noodle, the pug that sometimes just doesn't want to get up and face the day. For Noodle, these are No Bones days. It doesn't mean that he won't eventually get up, but maybe things might just take a while. Other days, he is ready to go right from the start. People all over the world have used Noodle as their guru as to whether to take chances during their day or not. Should they ask that girl on a date? It was a no bones day, so maybe they should wait until tomorrow.

I'm not saying we should base our life decisions on if a pug decides to get up or not, but this book is a cute little story about Noodle first deciding that not every day needs to start right away. Somedays, it's just fine to start out a little slower, or spend the day just relaxing and spending time with friends and family. For little kids, I found this a cute little book.

Author: Jonathan Graziano


View all my reviews

Signing Their Lives Away

Signing Their Lives Away: The Fame and Misfortune of the Men Who Signed the Declaration of Independence by Denise Kiernan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I've taken a turn for historical non-fiction lately, so I figured I would read about the men who signed the Declaration of Independence. I have to say, while this book could have been boring and densely filled with facts, it had a lot of humor and was a fast read.

I appreciate that nicknames were included, and the reasons behind them. Some of them were just brutal, and should never be brought back.

There is not a whole lot to say about this book since it is each signer is covered in around a page and a half, but it was a fun read. I recommend it for anyone that has any interest in the founding of the United States.

Author: Denise Kiernan and Joseph D'Agnese
Publication Date: 1 May 2009
Publisher: Quirk Books

View all my reviews

Death Bringer

Death Bringer by Derek Landy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A little note at the beginning of this review. I feel that Melancholia St. Clair has one of the most interesting character arcs I've ever read. That arc goes past this book, so I wouldn't necessarily call it a spoiler. She is a semi-side character (I guess that's what you would call her), but she is not flat, which is what tends to happen in other books. I appreciate that characters in this series are given a chance to grow for the most part. Definitely in this book, it's not just the main characters that have change in their lives.

I am convinced, the Necromancers are basically high school mean girls that are in a giant popularity contest with the each other and everyone else. They don't care about what is actually going on in the world, just who is going to be the Death Bringer, and there are two different options, Melancholia and Valkyrie. Each side is doing what they can to convince everyone to join them and be on the "cool" side. It's all very dramatic in a weird emo way.

Valkyrie's internal dialogue is disturbing and yet at the same time hilarious. I have a feeling that I really shouldn't laugh at those little conversations, but gosh dang it, I just can't help it. It's always satisfying every time someone learns who Darquesse is, or even Lord Vile. It doesn't matter what side the characters are on, no one expects the truth, and everyone is thrown when they learn the true identities.

One downside for me was the romance. I'm not a romance person anyway, and Valkyrie's issues are just too much for me. Personally, if I'm going to see one of her boyfriends (I guess Caelan would be called that) interact with someone, I want Fletcher and Valkyrie's dad. On second thought, let's just get a full book of the dad. I would not be mad.

Author: Derek Landy
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's

View all my reviews

The Red Scrolls of Magic

The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I think I know where this book fits in with the rest of the Shadowhunter books, but there are so many of them, that I could be totally off.

I feel like this book was chaotic. There was so much going on and so many random characters introduced for little to no reason. I have to say, I think I have a problem. I'm not really a huge fan of the Shadowhunter universe, but I keep reading the books, so take that for what you will.

Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's UK

View all my reviews

The Awkward Yeti Presents: Heart and Brain: Onward to Good Things!

The Awkward Yeti Presents: Heart and Brain: Onward to Good Things!: A Heart and Brain Collection by Nick Seluk
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Things I will never not love:
1. The Awkward Yeti
2. Heart and Brain

Yes, I know Heart and Brain are part of the Awkward Yeti, and yes, I know that was a double negative. I don't care. I can't think of anyone that would not enjoy this collection of comics, and as someone with mental health issues, I find myself deeply relating to it sometimes.

Author: Nick Seluk
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Publication Date: 2 May 2023

View all my reviews

Lost in Babylon

Lost in Babylon by Peter Lerangis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have to say, for the second book in the series, this was kind of a mind trip. As soon as parallel worlds are introduced, things go crazy, no matter what the book is. I did appreciate the premise of this one and the fact that it provided a way for the characters to actually go back to Babylon. I would say that is a spoiler, but it's in the title, so I think I'm okay.

There is so much that happens in Babylon that I want to touch on, but I can't figure out how to do so without actually giving the story away. Let's say, Marco makes a decision that affects everyone and everything, Cass's abilities are lifesaving, and the kids hold the future of a whole civilization in their hands, so you know, no pressure.

Author: Peter Lerangis
Publisher: HarperCollins
Parent content warning: None
Age appropriate: Yes

View all my reviews

Thinking of You (but not like in a weird creepy way): A Comic Collection

Thinking of You (but not like in a weird creepy way): A Comic Collection by Beth Evans
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I know this was a comic collection, but I was hoping there was some type of story behind each of the comics. Some of them seemed to just be there like a motivational poster. I get it, they are supposed to be motivational, but the style just wasn't for me.

Author: Beth Evans
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Publication Date: 2 May 2023

View all my reviews

Pygmalion

Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I did not realize before, but My Fair Lady is another name for Pygmalion. I think that is what most people know it by. I listened to the audio book, which I would recommend over just reading the play. Since Eliza's accent changes over time, it's great to be able to hear the change and really appreciate the difference. It's also great to hear how it starts. I live in America, I don't know how the different accents in England sound.

The men in the play made me mad. Professor Higgins really just looked at Eliza as a science experiment and didn't even think of her as a person. By the end of the story, I was totally on team Eliza. You treat a lady like a lady even if she sounds and looks like a flower girl.

Author: George Bernard Shaw

View all my reviews

Maximum Security

Maximum Security by Robert Muchamore
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This series has me hooked. Also, this was a crazy first mission for Lauren to do. I have to admit it, she showed those boys how to actually handle a serious mission with a lot at stake.

As the title says, for this mission, James ends up in a Maximum Security Juvenile Detention facility in Arizona. His goal, break out with one specific inmate. You know, just your normal every day easy task. Of course, there are problems around every corner, and plans go sideways. It's not like you can expect a prison break to go to plan. If they did, everyone would be breaking out.

I have to admit, I do question the lady that just helped three kids escape. I know in a way they didn't give her a choice, but also, she had a choice. It's just a little odd. She could have been the adult, but I guess, then the mission would have failed, and so far, every mission has been a success, so we can't have that.

Author: Robert Muchamore

View all my reviews