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?

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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!

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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.