Banned Books

Hey there and Happy New Year's Eve!

So I've talked about banned books previously after I reviewed Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. This week I reviewed another banned book so I thought it would be interesting to create a section on the blog that contains the banned books I review because some people want to stay away from those books and some people are drawn towards them. This week I want your opinion on banned books.

Keep reading!
Mackenzie

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

Hello there!

I hope everyone had a nice holiday! My review today is on Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. by Judy Blume.

If anyone tried to determine the most common rite of passage for preteen girls in North America, a girl's first reading of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret would rank near the top of the list. Adolescents are often so relieved to discover that someone understands their body-angst that they miss one of the book's deeper explorations: a young person's relationship with God. Margaret has a very private relationship with God, and it's only after she moves to New Jersey and hangs out with a new friend that she discovers that it might be weird to talk to God without a priest or a rabbi to mediate. Margaret just wants to fit in! Who is God, and where is He when she needs Him?

C
O
Book of Lost Things (The)
R
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.

S

Right from the start I'm going to say: This is a banned book and if you are offended easily please turn away from this page. Really though? I don't see a problem with it other than the reference of God and puberty. This is a book designed for middle schoolers. This book is a classic. My mom read it as a youngster as did my aunts and many people I've talked to. (And they weren't harmed by it) This was the first time I read this book and I'm 21. If you're not offended by God or puberty I would suggest you give this book to your daughter to read. What better way to get insight on living through middle school than reading someone else do it. This book is about how girls deal with what is handed to them and it is written so well. I applaud Judy Blume for taking on this topic and giving these young girls the gift of survival. It was a quick read and perfect for young middle school girls. I gave this book a 4 out of 5 stars.

Happy reading!
Mackenzie

The Book Thief

Hello, hello, hello!

Next up is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and I can't wait to tell you all about it.

It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will be busier still.

By her brother's graveside, Liesel's life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Gravedigger's Handbook, left behind there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery.

So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordian-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor's wife's library, wherever there are books to be found.

But these are dangerous times. When Liesel's foster family hides a Jewish fist-fighter in their basement, Liesel's world is both opened up, and closed down.

I finished every "B" I had on my list so I'm sad to say that I can't fit this in somewhere but I'm glad I still get to review it for you.

I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved this book. This book has a unique narrator who really knows how to tell a story. The descriptions were juicy and the book flowed so well. There was so much emotional attachment to this book and this book makes you feel every emotion possible. I loved this book, I hated it, I cried, I was angry, I threw the book (well wanted to). And when it was all over I felt like a piece of me was missing. This is one of those books that should be on everyone's must read list. Giving you this review doesn't do the book justice. If you haven't already just go pick it up and read it. Really. 

Happy reading!
Mackenzie

P.S. I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars.
P.P.S. I'm truly jealous of those of you who get to read this for the first time.

This Post Brought to You by the Letter J

Hey there!

As I mentioned before, I didn't realize I finished the letter "J".  To complete "J" I read:

Just Breathe

There are also a few other extra reviews under "J" you should check out.

Now as a promised:

Hope you enjoyed the videos and the reviews!

Happy reading!

Mackenzie

Clowns

Hey there!

My simple question this week is a yes or no answer. No deep thought, just want to get a census of what people think. And it's appropriate since this week I reviewed Joyland.

Are you afraid of clowns?

Keep reading!
Mackenzie

Joyland

Hello there!

The next book is Joyland by Stephen King. As I'm trying to fit this in my puzzle of animal names it has occurred to me that I have filled all of the "J"s. That crosses another letter off my list so enjoy this "Just for Fun" review! (and expect some cute "J" video on Friday.)

College student Devin Jones took the summer job at Joyland hoping to forget the girl who broke his heart. But he wound up facing something far more terrible: the legacy of a vicious murder, the fate of a dying child, and dark truths about life—and what comes after—that would change his world forever. 

Let me start by saying I applaud Stephen King, I have not read a recent "Pulp Fiction" book this well written. Right from the start there is that typical pulp fiction narration. I could just picture some kind of detective off to the side narrating the whole book. There were points where King lost the narration but he soon picked it back up. Although this had a supernatural element to it, it still did justice to the genre. There was a lot of going back and forth between past and present that was somewhat confusing but it was only in the beginning of the book where it got a little muddled. I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars because as I said before Stephen King nails the narration and this book would not have been as good without it.

Happy reading!
Mackenzie

Favorite Series

Hey everyone!

So since The Giver is one of my favorite series I wanted to pose the question:

What is your favorite series and why?

Your comments will help me choose what to read next!

Happy reading!
Mackenzie

The Giver Quartet

Hey there!

Over the summer I reviewed The Giver by Lois Lowry. After that I read the last three books in the series. As I did with the "Lorien Legacies", I'm going to lump them all together in one review. If you missed my review on The Giver you can find it at the link below:

The Giver Review

Gathering Blue

Unless you have read the fine print, you would never know this is in anyway related to The Giver. It was a really good book though. I love the fact that there is an imperfect protagonist and she is quite an amazing one at that. The protagonist has a super cute little sidekick too! The story seemed to take place in a time that was before this time. The village has very simple ways that seem less complex than those in The Giver. This book was a really good story. It was fantastical and dystopian, unlike The Giver which is just total dystopian-this-could-be-us-soon story. I gave this a 4 out of 5 stars.

Messenger

My favorite Matt is back. This book is clearly connected to Gathering Blue and connections form to The Giver. I can't stress enough how incredible the writing is in all of these books. This book was very supernatural. Not fantastical and not dystopian really. This book also seems to take place in the past with simplistic ways. The idea of this story was great. This book was a super quick read. I gave it 3 out of 5 stars.

Son

This book takes us back to the very beginning. All the way back to The Giver and the Ceremony of Twelves. And through Claire's life. In this story all things come together. The series ended so nicely, although I was sad to see it end. The adjectives and description in this book were so good! This book almost lived up to The Giver. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

I highly suggest this series. It's so good and one of my favorites.

Happy reading!

Mackenzie

Superpowers

Hi there!

So I've posted a question before about superheroes and the type of images they portray. This week is a bit of a lighter question and because all of the people on Lorien have certain powers:

If you could have any superpower what would it be and why?

As always don't forget to subscribe and comment below!

=============================================================>

Keep reading!
Mackenzie

P.S. As always comment if there's a book you want me to read and review!

Lorien Legacies

Hello, hello, hello

The last book I read was I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore. I read the next three books in the series, The Power of Six, The Rise of Nine and, The Fall of Five. Instead of making three separate postings I'm going to clump them all together in one post and give you just a little bit of insight on each. If you have not read my review on I Am Number Four here is the link:



The Power of Six

In this book Lore starts switching between characters. That's great but he doesn't tell the reader they've switched characters. Hmm....I didn't know who was talking. There were a few continuity errors. These books seem really to be based on luck and I know I will repeat this in my other quick reviews. There wasn't too much action in this one. It was an overall okay read. I gave it 3 out of 5 stars.

The Rise of Nine

There was more character switching in this book but it was a lot more organized. It was almost every chapter that they switched. They explained the seven world wonders from a Lorien point of view which was super cool. Anything Earthly from a Lorien point of view is cool. There were LOTS of love triangles. There was quite a bit of action in this one. Again, the issue of continuity. I also gave this one 3 out of 5 stars.

The Fall of Five

THIS ONE! I would read this whole series just to read this one book. It was that good. This was the most twisted book so far. I could have done without the love stories that were in it. It seemed the love triangles were fixed. Like all the others it was all based on coincidence. It was kind of predictable but oh so good! There was much more action in this one to balance out the amount of waiting time they do. I gave this story 4 out of 5 stars.

November Challenge Update

Hey there!

Here is what I have as of this Monday!

Angels and Demons
R
M
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Doctor Sleep
I Am Legend
L
L
Once Upon a Prince
Superman on the Couch
  
Boy in the Suitcase (The)
Under the Dome
Confessions of a Mask
K
S

C
O
Book of Lost Things (The)
R
A
S
  
Defending Jacob
Insurgent
N
Graveyard Book (The)
O
S

Ender’s Game
Light Between Oceans (The)
Exhale
Persepolis (The Complete)
Happiness Project (The)
Angel in a Fur Coat
Narrative of Fredrick Douglass
Two Towers (The)
Self-inflicted Wounds: Heartwarming Tales of Epic Humiliation

Funniest Cop Stories Ever
E
N
N
E
Chemist (The)
Fellowship of the Ring (The)
O
X-It

Gone Girl
O
R
Inhale
L
L
Along for the Ride
S

Hobbit (The)
E
Divergent
G
E
Handmaid’s Tale (The)
O
G
S

If I Stay
G
U
A
N
A
S

Just Breathe
And the Mountains Echoed
Child of the Dark: The Diary of Carolina de Jesus
K
Allegiant
L
S

K
Angel Sister
N
G
Among Schoolchildren
R
O
O
S

L
I Am Number Four
O
N
S

M
O
N
K
E
Y
S

N
About a Boy
R
Warriors Don’t Cry
H
A
L
S

O
C
Touched by Angels
O
Palestine
U
Speaker for the Dead

Perks of Being a Wallflower
E
A
C
O
C
K
S



Q
U
A
I
L
S

R
A
V
E
N
S

S
N
A
K
E
S

T
U
R
K
E
Y
S

U
R
C
H
I
N
S



V
U
L
T
U
R
E
S 

Where She Went
H
A
L
E
S

Xenocide
E
N
O
Princess Ever After
S 

Y
A
K
S 

Z
E
Bourne Identity
R
Aunt Jane’s Hero

S

I have only finished one animal. I have finished four letters. There are still a lot of letters to read.

Happy reading!
Mackenzie

Happy Thanksgiving

Hey there!

No question for today but I just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving to all of my readers! I know I'll be using the break to do some extra reading!

Happy reading!
Mackenzie

I Am Number Four

Hello there!


Next up on the review line-up: I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore.


Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. We can do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having. We are stronger and faster than anything you have ever seen. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books—but we are real.
Our plan was to grow, and train, and become strong, and become one, and fight them. But they found us and started hunting us first. Now all of us are running. Spending our lives in shadows, in places where no one would look, blending in. We have lived among you without you knowing.
But they know.
They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They killed them all.
I am Number Four.
I am next.

L
I Am Number Four
O
N

S

This was a very typical Sci-Fi plot with aliens from another world trying to live on Earth, There were some cool aspects of this story though. Each Garde member was given a number and they couldn't be killed out of order. Now, that's different and kind of cool. Also, the author is a character. Except everyone on the planet is dead except the 9 Garde and their protectors. Hmmm...okay. The creatures were really cool and most of them original or somewhat of a hybrid. The other thing about this book that was really interesting was the fact that there was an underlying global warming message. It was very simple writing and there were simple grammar mistake (which are my pet peeve!). I know I say this a lot but this book was predictable but it didn't take away from the story. There were still some elements of surprise. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

Keep reading!
Mackenzie

This Post Brought to You by the Letter B

Hello, hello, hello!

So I finished the letter "B". The books I reviewed were:

The Boy in the Suitcase
The Book of Lost Things
The Bourne Identity

I also wanted to show you this cute video of the letter "B".

I hope you enjoyed the video and the reviews!

Happy reading!
Mackenzie

The Bourne Identity

Hello!

Next, on my list was The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum.

He is running for his life. A man with an unknown past and an uncertain future. A man dragged from the sea -- and loved by the woman he had used as a shield, a woman who refuses to believe he is a killer. Until words from his past spill out. One of the words is Carlos, world's most dangerous assassin.

Z

E

Bourne Identity

R

Aunt Jane’s Hero

S

I have finished the "B"s.

Alright, I have to start off with that this was a really good book with a really good plot and concept behind it. I really liked that the reader was finding out who Bourne was as he was finding out. There were no other characters giving background information. It's hard to write in third person and not be objective but Ludlum did it. This book became somewhat of a clustermug (in the words of Big Jim from Under the Dome). Sometimes it would switch between scenes and Ludlum wouldn't explain who was there or where it was happening. The other confusing piece was names. They gave you a person's full name once and then they either used their last name or nickname. I had no idea who have the people were because they had five different names! It became a little overwhelming. I think I missed a lot of big plot twists because I didn't know who they were talking about. This book was fairly dense in general and to read it you need to be focused. I gave it a 4 out of 5 stars because it was overall very, very good.

Happy reading!
Mackenzie

P.S. I don't know if I'll continue with the series but I'll keep you posted on that.

Down's Syndrome

Hey there!

So Monday's review was on A Prince for Jenny by Peggy Webb. The protagonist, Jenny, has Down's Syndrome and I don't believe Webb handled the character correctly. My question this week is:

How does society view mental illness and disabilities? Are people viewing it as it is or are they sugar coating it?

Keep reading!
Mackenzie

A Prince for Jenny

Hello, hello, hello!

So naturally after I read Touched by Angels by Peggy Webb I read the sequel, A Prince for Jenny. If you missed my review of Touched by Angel, please click the link below:



Renowned artist, Jenny Love-Townsend, born special and forced to struggle for every achievement, can never take for granted that she will have what other women do - love, marriage, children.  But when big-hearted Daniel brings his children to sit for a portrait, she dreams that she might finally have a prince of her own. A single dad, Daniel has everything a man could desire - two healthy children, friends, power, wealth - everything except the love of a good woman. Jenny awakens in him a desire to protect and honor...and a forbidden passion so strong it cannot be denied. But in loving a special woman will he destroy her? Can their love survive the headlines, an ex-wife who would use Jenny to regain custody of Daniel's children, and the gossip of people who see Jenny's flaws without seeing her heart?

Since, I'm already done with the letter " I will move straight on to my review.

Much like the first book this is a very sweet book. Maybe a little too sweet.  This book is so similar to the first book it's like rereading it with different character names. No real difference in personalities...nothing! Another rushed ending as well....sigh. My HUGE problem with this book is that Jenny has a disability, specifically Down's Syndrome. The girl described in the book does not have Down's Syndrome. Webb obviously has not done her research, the only thing Jenny has is a limp and loves with her whole heart. There was so much the author could do with Jenny to make her a more believable character, but then I suppose it would "make it difficult" for this crazy handsome, rich man to fall in love with her. I believe Webb was also cushioning us from Down's Syndrome and what it really is. Honestly, if you read the first book, don't bother reading this one. Although it was a quick read, the differences were minimal from the first book. I gave it 3 out of 5 stars because it was somewhat cute.

Keep reading!
Mackenzie

Touched By Angels

Hello there!

Next book on my reading list was Touched by Angels by Peggy Webb.

Single mom Sarah Love is determined to make a fresh start in Alabama for herself and Jenny. Born special, Jenny struggles to do the things other four-year-olds take for granted. Sarah hadn't counted on Jenny escaping her vigilance and racing in front of Jake Townsend's motorcycle. And she certainly hadn't counted on falling for the sexy, complex daredevil who nearly wrecked his bike to save her child. Nor had Jake, who had lost his own child, expected to find himself drawn into the lives of a courageous mother and her stubborn, endearing daughter.  Could Sarah and Jenny be his second chance? Could he be the hero Sarah and Jenny believe him to be? 

O

C

Touched by Angels

O

Palestine

U

Speaker for the Dead

So this was a very sweet book....maybe a little too sweet. It was too perfect. It was definitely a quick read and very easy to read. There were no confusing flashbacks we found out with the character Sarah about Jake's past. Perfect way to tell about a characters past. I don't really have much to say about this book. It was a cute story, I liked the concept. It was definitely a "chick-lit" romantic book. I'm not a huge fan of the mushy gushy but this was a pretty good book. I think the character Jenny really makes the book and without her the book would be very, VERY lame. I gave it 3 out of 5 stars.

Keep reading!
Mackenzie

Challenge Update

Happy Halloween!

Alright, it's been quite a while since I've updated you on where I am overall in my book challenge and since I reached my 100th post (yay!) I thought appropriate to do so. I've finished the letters "F", "P", and "X". I've also finished my first word "Elephant"!

Here is what I have for my remaining words:

Angels and Demons

R

M

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Doctor Sleep

I Am Legend

L

L

Once Upon a Prince

Superman on the Couch

  

Boy in the Suitcase (The)

Under the Dome

Confessions of a Mask

K

S

C

O

Book of Lost Things (The)

R

A

S

  

Defending Jacob

Insurgent

N

Graveyard Book (The)

O

S

Ender’s Game

Light Between Oceans (The)

Exhale

Persepolis (The Complete)

Happiness Project (The)

Angel in a Fur Coat

Narrative of Fredrick Douglass

Two Towers (The)

Self-inflicted Wounds: Heartwarming Tales of Epic Humiliation

Funniest Cop Stories Ever

E

N

N

E

Chemist (The)

Fellowship of the Ring (The)

O

X-It

Gone Girl

O

R

Inhale

L

L

Along for the Ride

S

Hobbit (The)

E

Divergent

G

E

Handmaid’s Tale (The)

O

G

S

If I Stay

G

U

A

N

A

S

Just Breathe

And the Mountains Echoed

Child of the Dark: The Diary of Carolina de Jesus

K

Allegiant

L

S

K

Angel Sister

N

G

Among Schoolchildren

R

O

O

S

L

I

O

N

S

M

O

N

K

E

Y

S

N

About a Boy

R

Warriors Don’t Cry

H

A

L

S

O

C

T

O

Palestine

U

Speaker for the Dead

Perks of Being a Wallflower

E

A

C

O

C

K

S

Q

U

A

I

L

S

R

A

V

E

N

S

S

N

A

K

E

S

T

U

R

K

E

Y

S

U

R

C

H

I

N

S

V

U

L

T

U

R

E

S 

Where She Went

H

A

L

E

S

Xenocide

E

N

O

Princess Ever After

S 

Y

A

K

S 

Z

E

B

R

Aunt Jane’s Hero

S

There's quite a few words I haven't started but quite a few I'm almost done with. I shall carry on and keep you posted! I plan on posting a challenge update at the end of every month.

Happy reading!

Mackenzie

My Name is Rapunzel

Hello!

My next review is on My Name is Rapunzel by K.C. Hilton - this was another book club book.

My tale has been told again and again, and I’ve heard each one. Except for my hair, I barely recognize the pitiful renditions. Muddled versions, crafted to entertain laughing children…but the children wouldn’t have laughed if they’d known the real story. It wasn't their fault. They didn't know the truth. Nobody did. My name is Rapunzel. I will tell you my story. I will tell you the truth

I'm still waiting to use the one "M" in my challenge for a special book, so this one won't count for a letter.

Alright, this is the "true" story of Rapunzel. She's heard all the other stories and those are just versions that are fluffed up to make the public want to read them... well it worked. This one was a little more twisted than Tangled but not as twisted as the Grimm's version. But there really wasn't anything special or different about this version except it takes place in present day, which doesn't really matter because she's kind of shut off from society in a castle. Let's start at the very beginning.  The prologue is a scene in the future meant to capture the reader. Okay, got it. But the scene is supposed to be repeated later in the book and the reader is supposed to be given more detail. Hmm... that was missed. It was glossed over and Hilton basically just said, "This happened somewhere between here and here. And it happened." Then Rapunzel mentions random fairy tales, saying she met this character and these ones but only in passing. Why do the fairy tales have to exist all together, why can't it just be Rapunzel's story. A huge chunk of the story is missing. A HUGE chunk! There's also a lot of switching going on. About halfway through the book she switches to letter format, where we get a little more information about the missing pieces of her life from when she moved into the castle until present day. Also, twice they switch to Henry's point of view. It adds nothing to the story because you find out the exact same information in the next chapter and it just makes it confusing. The ending felt rushed and it was a little convoluted with it's weird love triangle and what not. I don't know.... I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Keep reading!
Mackenzie

Elephants

Hey there!

I finished my first animal! ELEPHANTS! My favorite!

Here are the links to the book reviews that make up ELEPHANTS:

Ender’s Game

Light Between Oceans (The)

Exhale

Persepolis (TheComplete)

Happiness Project (The)

Angel in a Fur Coat

Narrative of Fredrick Douglass

Two Towers (The)

Self-inflicted Wounds: Heartwarming Tales of Epic Humiliation

Since there are nine letters in ELEPHANTS I will post nine pictures and facts.

1. 

Elephants are social creatures.They hug wrapping their trunks together in displays of greeting and affection.

2.

 

A baby elephant often sucks on their trunk for comfort.

3.
 

The elephant trunk, a specialized nose, is analogous to an octopus tentacle in terms of dexterity.

4.
 

Elephants are some of the most intelligent animals on Earth. Their brains weigh 5kg, much more than the brain of any other land animal. Their brains have more complex folds than all animals except whales, which is thought to be a major factor in their intellect. They commonly show grief, humor, compassion, cooperation, self-awareness, tool-use, playfulness, and excellent learning abilities.

5.
 

When baby elephants are upset they throw themselves face first in the mud.

6.


Baby elephant Zhuangzhuang cried inconsolably for 5 hours after his mother rejected him and tried to stomp him to death after giving birth to him on Aug. 30th. Zoo keepers at the wild life animal reserve in China first thought it was an accident. They treated the little calf’s injuries and reunited him with his mother, only to see her try and stamp on him again. So they had to separate the two permanently. Tears streamed down his trunk for 5 hours.

7.


Like children, elephants must be disciplined by the members of their collectivity to turn into responsible members of the elephant society. But male elephants that were orphans turned into adult delinquents in a reserve in South Africa, as they had never been kept under control by mature elephants. 

8.


The trunk contains an estimated 100,000 muscles and tendons in the trunk, giving it extreme flexibility and strength.

9.
 

Elephants are afraid of bees.

Sources of facts:
http://listverse.com/2012/03/05/top-10-facts-about-elephants/
http://factsquest.blogspot.com/2013/01/elephant.html

The Light Between Oceans

Hey there!

This is a very exciting post! You'll find out why if you keep reading...

Next up I read The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman. It happened to line up with one of my Goodreads book clubs.

After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast. To this isolated island, where the supply boat comes once a season, Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel.  Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby. Tom, who keeps meticulous records and whose moral principles have withstood a horrific war, wants to report the man and infant immediately. But Isabel insists the baby is a “gift from God,” and against Tom’s judgment, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy. When she is two, Tom and Isabel return to the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their choice has devastated one of them.

So here comes the exciting part...

Ender’s Game

Light Between Oceans (The)

Exhale

Persepolis (The Complete)

Happiness Project (The)

Angel in a Fur Coat

Narrative of Fredrick Douglass

Two Towers (The)

Self-inflicted Wounds: Heartwarming Tales of Epic Humiliation

I finished my first animal!!! So on Friday expect a post all about elephants!

This book starts in the middle of the story in the prologue and then moves into the past. It soon catches up to the scene that was in the prologue. The main point of this scene is to catch the reader's attention and it did (at least for me). It could be a little confusing though because it jumps around in time, but I think Stedman made it clear enough that the reader would understand, unless they weren't paying attention. This book taught me a lot about lighthouses, which was a little bit boring...not going to lie. There were little details in the book that weren't followed up on and weren't brought up again but should have been. Also, the little girl in the book didn't match her age. She usually acted way beyond her age and being on an island with only your mom and dad, you're not going to develop skills that quickly. I liked how this book was broken down into more than just chapters. It was broken down into nice easy quick sections. The story was great and the characters were well developed. You could feel the emotions pouring off the characters. I gave it a 4 out of 5 stars.

Happy reading!

Mackenzie