Review: The Fate of the Tearling

The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Review to come once I have time write! First thoughts: Very good, but not as good as the first two. More to come later!

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Review: The 13th Gift: A True Story of a Christmas Miracle

The 13th Gift: A True Story of a Christmas Miracle by Joanne Huist Smith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a quick and easy Christmas read that my book club picked out. I read it and enjoyed it for the most part, but I read it more to finish it than anything. I have so many books I really want to read, it was hard to be motivated to focus on this one. However, I was more intrigued when I found out that it was based on a true story. I appreciated that the gifts were small and reasonable, but very meaningful to the grieving family. While I think it is a bit of a stretch to say that it was the small gifts that brought the family back together entirely, I recognize that it was an incredibly kind gesture that was clearly helped them get in the holiday spirit. It served as a reminder that small things can make a big difference and it is important to do what we can to help others. I'm looking forward to discussing with my book club in a couple of days!

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Review: I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban

I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I listened to the audiobook version of this, and I really enjoyed it! I was impressed by Malala's maturity, but I also appreciated her moments of immaturity. She did so much for her community and country, but she still discussed how she and her friend Moniba were constantly fighting and not getting along (much like most young teenage girls I know). These moments made her more human. I was also very impressed by her parents, especially her father, who has worked his whole life to promote education in very practical ways.

Malala narrated the prologue, but then an excellent, similar-sounding narrator took over. As an ESL teacher, it was fascinating to me to learn more about the Pakistani culture. I hope someday it is a place of peace both because the people there desperately need peace and because it looks and sounds like such a beautiful area. I looked up photos and it is breathtaking. I can't believe Malala has done so much and she is only 19. I'd love to meet her someday and I am eager to see what she does in the future.

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Review: Two for the Dough

Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I started listening to this on my phone and realized when I was partway through it that I was listening to the abridged version. I was disappointed because I think I may have enjoyed this book more if it hadn't been abridged. I thought about stopping it and finding the book (unabridged) version, but by the time I realized it, I thought I might as well just finish it. I was entertained by it, but it moved too quickly since it was abridged. I may pick up the third one sometime just to see what I actually think of the series. I like mysteries, but I've enjoyed the Charlaine Harris vampire mysteries better than these two so far. I think I'll try for one more book though and see what I think. I have a couple friends who have read this entire series, so it must be decent, right? We'll see. :)

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Review: Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a really interesting look at many difficult issues. I enjoyed the writing style and the unique take on issues such as education, drugs, safety, etc. However, I did have a few issues with it. While Levitt presents many facts and is clearly trying to show that he is leaving his personal beliefs or biases out, but I'm not sure that is the case. He makes a lot of assumptions that do indicate his biases. For example, Levitt writes a lot about high stakes testing and the bad teachers who cheated to have their students do better on state tests. He writes a lot about the "good" verses "bad" teachers, but fails to define what makes them good or bad. Obviously cheating on tests is a terrible thing to do, but there is little to no discussion about how the high stakes tests themselves could be problematic or how students may do poorly on these tests despite having a good teacher. It is simply assumed that if teachers have a group of students that does well on these tests they must be good teachers and if the students do not do well they must have bad teachers. I don't personally believe that. I am sure there are plenty of bad teachers, but I don't think that a multiple-choice state-mandated test can tell you which teachers are good and which or bad (or which students, for that matter). High stakes testing doesn't tell half the story for students or for teachers.

As a teacher and the daughter of educators (one parent is a principal, one a reading specialist), I have a little bit of knowledge about education and was able to see some of the issues with Levitt's writing in this area. Because I don't know much about a lot of the other topics he wrote about, I'm not sure what else I'm missing, but I kept feeling like I may only be getting part of the story. I really enjoyed it and flew through it while reading, but I am still concerned about some of what he had to say. I just kept wondering what else I was missing. He writes about things as though they are indisputable facts, when in fact, there may be other ways of looking at the issues. That can be dangerous. However, it was certainly an entertaining read and I'm glad I finally got around to reading it.



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Review: Commonwealth

Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was very well-written, but I took too long to read it, which made it less enjoyable. I kept getting distracted by other books. I didn't feel like I liked many of the characters that much, and I just felt so upset by how the siblings treated Albie that I almost didn't even want to continue reading it. I think I may have enjoyed it more if I had started reading and stuck with it, but I didn't. Honestly, I skimmed the last 50 pages or so. I just keep hoping Ann Patchett will write something that will entrance me the same way Bel Canto did, but that hasn't happened yet. That said, it is clear that she is an excellent writer and I will probably continue reading her books in hopes of another Bel Canto.

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Review: Dreams of Gods & Monsters

Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a great finish to an extremely enjoyable series. I loved the first two, and this one was wonderful too. The characters, the female friendships, the romance, the high stakes - everything about this made me just want to keep reading! My only complaint would be that (view spoiler)[ I think the ending went on too long. I thought it would have been better if it ended right shortly after they returned victorious rather than going into everything with Akiva and his return to his family's land. I was frustrated by it and I'm not sure how much it added to the story. I found it to be a bit confusing and unnecessary. (hide spoiler)] However, I love Laini Taylor's writing style and I am so glad I randomly picked up the first one! I may check out her other writing and I certainly hope she writes even more.

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Review: Illuminae

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4.5 or 4.75 stars. This was SO good!! I couldn't put it down! I stayed up WAY too late two nights in a row because I couldn't stop reading it! The format was so unique and told such a compelling story. I enjoyed the two protagonists, especially Kady. It was also seriously creepy in some places, but in a way that just makes you want to read more as quickly as you can. The only reason I didn't give it the full 5 stars is simply because while I enjoy science fiction, it isn't my favorite genre personally. This is the best example of science fiction I've read though and I cannot recommend it highly enough! I put Gemina (book 2) on my Christmas list, and if I don't get it, I will be going out to buy it immediately after Christmas because I can't wait!!!

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