jess

I have mixed feelings about this book. Honestly, I picked this up because one of my kiddos is working through Viking history, and I thought this might be a little fun reading. The structure is set in a way that you can read for short periods and still get a full story of a person. The asides, like the “Know Your Viking and grey parts (example: “The Moo of Insanity” on p. 106) give bite sized facts in a creative way and break up the text.

The actual treatment of the history and mythology was lacking in three ways: 1) it is difficult to distinguish between the author's jokes and actual history especially due to the somewhat comical names of people; 2) even with jokes, the text is dry and gets tedious - tough for the target audience; and 3) the author clearly knows his stuff, but claims that things don't make sense (like why Baldur can only die in such unusual circumstances) that have explanations.

I recommend folks browse this book. The asides are great, and interested readers can pick and choose based on the chapter titles to read the parts that work for them. I would also recommend that parts of it could be read as an introduction to an in-depth exploration of a topic. I would not; however, just assign this as reading for a middle schooler and expect them to enjoy it.

I did not read the book; rather, I listened to it on a Playaway from the library. I'm confident that I made the right choice because the author narrates the book, giving the stories real life. I would not have been able to hear the stories in her voice. Overall, it's funny and entertaining - I loved her unsolicited advice and opinions, no nonsense self-deprecation, and stories about family and love and learning. I did not love the detailed stuff about particular shows that feel too...too, um, close to the shows. Since I've never seen 30 Rock, I couldn't understand any of the discussion about the writers and actors and their MVP jokes. It felt like a list...a list that your friend is just rattling off about work or their kids that you just don't care.

Pick up the audio book if you want to laugh a little and are either: a) madly in love with all the shows that Tina Fey has been involved with or b) able to happily ignore the parts that will be boring to you.

The narrators maybe can't be trusted (or can they?), and it is fun to switch back between Carter and Sadie Kane as they tell us about their adventures. I listened to the story on audible, so I can't speak to the pacing as a reader. The story goes by fairly quickly, as the young narrators tell us about their quest. The tale is imaginative, and you can almost feel the joy and terror, and gushy teenager-ness just pouring out of the narrators.

Readers of the Percy Jackson or Heroes of Olympus sets will be interested to meet a new set of gods and a new mythology - this time out of Egypt.

I'd recommend this one to middle grade readers, but I would probably offer up the Percy Jackson series first for reluctant readers. Switching perspectives continuously may be hard for some. In addition to a fun story, this book (and Kane series) is a useful reinforcement for kid's Egyptian mythology and ancient history studies.

This cartoon history combines lighthearted cartoon images with an engaging character focused journey through history. I've only seen this volume, but I bet the whole series would be a fun read. It's quick and covers a broad range of topics.

Wow. I feel a split in my thought on this book. I remember loving this story in high school. On my most recent dive into it, I fully enjoyed the hilarity of Don Quixote's affliction and especially the running commentary of his buddy Sancho. But, I became disenchanted as female character after female character arrived in the story with only her beauty and virginity of any worth. Clearly, it's a reflection of the culture of the time, but that knowledge brought me no pleasure. It made me angry to think that in such a good humored story, women's value decreases substantially once and then quickly over time.

Ignoring the misogyny, the story is funny and the characters endearing. I'd still recommend it to people who enjoy adventure stories and don't mind them being dreadfully long. Children, even teenagers, may not really understand all of the references, and the dialogue is complicated. However, there is nothing in the content explicit enough to exclude readers of any age.

This is almost a must read if you've read the first book in the Kane Chronicles series. The story continues, as the narrators have still not saved the world.

The drama in the second book is consistent with the first, and the reader gets exposure to more Egyptian mythology.

What a whirlwind! The 13 1/2 lives of Captain Bluebear are exciting, sad, whimsical, clever, and intriguing. I loved the characters - the madness - and the wisdom of this story. The stories build on each other, and it all starts to make a little sense near the end, maybe. While the cover and whimsy scream: little kids book!!! this is definitely a story for the youth in all of us. There are some very long words and complex sentences (at least in the English translation) that may be hard for young children to follow. Frankly, I think children will get bored with this book because many of the jokes require basic understanding of physics and biology.
Captain Bluebear gives us a fairly reliable narration of his autobiography - we get to see and experience his lives with him. Some are much longer than others. My favorites are the third and the half.

This could be read as a collection of stories, probably the best way to approach it if you are reading with children or just don't have time to commit to such a long work of fiction. NOTE: Some of the lists and intrusions from the encyclopedia get tedious - I think skipping them won't hurt anything.

Rao really brings it home here. If you are creating things, you need to know your audience. Rao takes the stance that your audience should be you. YOU. Not some nameless they or a large public. By creating art or whatever that makes you happy, you are authentic and able to improve and grow in a way that will ultimately make what you create better.

This is a fantastic story of love and faith and the challenges that come with them. While just a narrow glimpse into a few characters lives, Go Tell It On the Mountain is deep and cutting and leaves so much room for considering the counterfactual. What should/would he/she/you have done in the same situation. What is right? What is beautiful? What is love?

I'll admit that I've tried to read this book before, but I didn't get absorbed. The audiobook is something wholly other. The narrator does such a fantastic job breathing life into the characters and giving them the voices that I wanted but did not quite get right in my head for reading.

What a perfect little book for teens (or any age, really) about accepting and loving yourself and those around you. There are lots of quotes from people, cute graphics, and simple steps to follow (along with examples and explanations from the author) to reframe self criticism into empowerment.

This is a bit of biography and a bit of psychology based on the absolutely zany behavior of the real-life Bill Murray. Probably best for big fans and not for those just browsing the biography section. The book does include some interesting perspective on the early TV comedy styles of Saturday Night Live.

I have listened to Gretchen's podcast and love the banter between Gretchen and Elizabeth. I sorta figured that I would already have this content in my head, but no. Gretchen creates a narrative arc with compelling stories and lots of categories and ideas that really making thinking about habits differently.

Love to be walking away with new ideas.

Fantastic. What an instructive bit of prose - history, biography, and moral structure.

I think the audiobook is a good way to get through the material, but a text may be well used for reference, remembrance, and motivation.

A very different sort of read. I enjoyed diving into this world and was surprised by the character's choices. What would you do?

As a reader, you know stories have power. Kwame Mbalia gives a refreshing take on that power in this story. This story is about the power of story, sure, but also the power of cooperation, compassion, honesty, and self- confidence.

As a bonus, the underlying myths and legends are African American folk tales that I have not seen in very many other stories.

Great stuff. Would be nice to read out loud to younger kids or put in the hands of middle grades and beyond.

Rating and reviewing this book is difficult.

The book offers an invaluable and insightful account of history of Seabeck - something I am very interested in discovering. Unfortunately, the narrative is difficult to follow, at times repetitive, and often disjointed.

If you are interested in Seabeck history, this is a must read, but also read Seabeck Tides Out Tables Set.

Full of useful insights and ways to measure your health and money. I found the health measures easier - but that is because they aren't something that requires you to figure out records and what not.

Following the structure of the book - and actually doing the exercises, takes time. It is not entirely enjoyable. However, I did feel more aware of my current status and more prepared for future after doing the exercies.

wow. David Daley draws a painfully critical narrative on the reality of gerrymandering in historic and much more recent history in the United States.

I first heard about this book on the Politically Re-Active podcast with W. Kamau Bell and Hari Kondabolu when they interviewed the author. It immediately hit my “to read” pile. And there it stayed because it seemed to never be available from my library. I finally picked it up on my own.

This book is worth a listen or read. It covers so much about what political districts mean for us and for our government. Maybe if my district is designed to only include people who are like me in almost every way, I will find representatives that I agree with on many issues. However, history shows that the representatives will come to more and more reflect extreme views within those who are like me. Views that mean the very next street over might have nearly the opposite approach. We'd probably all be better off if the representatives needed to be closer to the middle (most of us are fairly moderate).

My explanations are not nearly as compelling as the author's narrative.

There is so much tension in this story. Many of our favorite characters from the series have big things happen to them – both good and bad.

I truly enjoyed the expansion on the world in this second book - we get more mythology, more landscape, more history. Our characters become deeper.

This book ends essentially with a semi-colon for book 3. I dunno if anyone could stop at the end of this book.

There are great bits in here, but the overall effect didn't work for me. I love fiction and I thought the journey metaphor would hold. I'd recommend Design Your Life or Level Up as more engaging books covering the same topics.

This might work better for someone super in to movies - maybe the references would be compelling.

This narrative weaving of science and history is well done and engaging. I was surprised by how short the time that the mosquito was really “a problem” for North America, and also how challenging mosquito-born disease has been, and continues to be, for people throughout the world.

I enjoyed learning this layer of history - like the book, Salt, the Mosquito gives you a hyper focused view of one major influence on human development along with the bigger picture.

I'd recommend this book for people who enjoy history and science. It'd be fine for junior high on up.

What an interesting collection. This collection of stories has just enough about each story to make it distinct in the narration. So many princesses, not being “story book” princesses. Big takeaway: princesses are people.

This book is perfect for when you want light historical stories of interest. The short stories makes perfect bite sized reading or listening.

This is a wonderful collection of writings from E.B. White.

The book is grouped into several themes with a selection of E.B. White editorials in each theme. Not that individual writings are limited in theme. By theme, I mean, “Education” or “Environment”.

E.B. White lived in New York and Maine - his writing is a reflection of his immediate community, the world at large, and the time in which he is living. I truly enjoyed how well set in the present moment each piece was.

The writings are short, grounded in that current moment, and mostly humorous - with a lovely dry wit. Many of these pieces stand the test of time - while we still grapple with the same issues. The “present” of 1938/1947/1955/etc. feel just as salient today.

I truly enjoyed this collection. The writings are fine for all ages but would probably not be understood, as being news-ish items from the past, by younger readers.

At this point, you have to know what is happening with the characters.

I am not super into the awkward romance setup in this series, but I do like the political intrigue, adventure, and the world.

This book goes by fast, but it leaves everything unfinished. The ending is not so much an ending as a pause. You have to read the next book.

This book starts moving right away in a well developed world and with characters that you already care about.
Ultimately, this story is following the characters to see if the people can unite to save the world as they know it.
I was impressed with how this closed out. Absolutely a good adventure. I recommend this series for folks who love fantasy novels.