karyn8787
San José Public Library
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karyn8787's rating:
Added Aug 18, 2020
Suitability
Ages 13
karyn8787's rating:
Added Aug 18, 2020
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The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Sallinger is a coming of age novel that tells the story of a 16 year old boy, Holden Caulfield. After flunking out of his fancy prep school, Holden decides to go to New York to escape the phoniness and affectation of his former life. Holden holds himself on a pedestal of sorts because he thinks he is above most everyone else in society because he is not “phony.” He does not understand how much of the world works and in that sense is extremely immature. While in New York, Holden reunites with old friends and meets new people. It is these experiences that make Holden reflect inward on his own personality, aspirations, and immaturity and “come of age,” per se.
It may be because I read this for school and was forced to annotate and overanalyze the entire novel, but I did not enjoy The Catcher in the Rye. I felt like Holden’s character and the entire book in general was extremely predictable. Furthermore, while I understand it was not Sallinger’s intention to create a conventional, likeable character, for the vast majority of the novel Holden was incredibly annoying, pretentious, and phony. This would make reading the book a frustrating, tedious task because I could not bring myself to sympathize with a hypocritical character with a massive superiority complex. With that said, I do see the draws of this book since it does not over romanticize the life of a teenager like most other stories do and it is very well written. I did also enjoy the ending because Holden finally grew out of his childish mindset and it was heartwarming to see. Nevertheless, I just cannot bring myself to really enjoy a book with such an unlikeable main character and relatively predictable storyline.The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Sallinger is a coming of age novel that tells the story of a 16 year old boy, Holden Caulfield. After flunking out of his fancy prep school, Holden decides to go to New York to escape the phoniness and affectation of…
Suitability
Ages 13
karyn8787's rating:
Added Aug 18, 2020
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Animal Farm by George Orwell is political satire in its purest form. Animal Farm tells the story of an uprising within a group of farm animals to overthrow the cruel humans that own them. The pigs lead this revolution in hopes of having fairer working and living conditions in the farm. While you can probably predict how well the animals’ attempt at democracy was considering it is a book about communism, I will just say that saying the pigs lost sight of their founding intentions is a massive understatement. Through this ridiculous plot Orwell explores the concept and consequences of communism and unchecked power.
Personally, I love Animal Farm and have read it multiple times. The novel is a hilarious yet strikingly accurate analysis of Stalinist Russia. However, there are still so many elements of the pigs and the farm that are still prevalent in modern day leaders and politics. It is chock full of intelligent metaphors that make it such an enjoyable yet relatively informative read. It was extremely interesting to read about how and why the animals’ attempt at government failed and see the parallels between the farm and Cold War-era and even modern society. Through the character of Napoleon, the leader of the farm, Orwell analyzes how these Communist leaders were able to take power and be so successful in captivating the people. Animal Farm is relatively short yet an incredibly witty and memorable read, I would definitely recommend this novel for everyone!Animal Farm by George Orwell is political satire in its purest form. Animal Farm tells the story of an uprising within a group of farm animals to overthrow the cruel humans that own them. The pigs lead this revolution in hopes of having fairer…
Suitability
Ages 10
karyn8787's rating:
Added Aug 18, 2020
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Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty follows the lives and drama of five moms and their families in a seemingly perfect suburban town. First, there’s Madeline: passionate, witty, and truly a force to be reckoned with and her best friend Celeste: beautiful, smart, and outwardly perfect. Now enter Jane, new to town hoping for a fresh start from a tumultuous past. Alongside fellow mothers Renata and Bonnie, these women have tons of history, grudges, and secrets. However, the death of a loved one shakes up the whole town and exposes the lies that were once so well hidden.
Big Little Lies is honestly one of those guilty pleasure books you read because it is so incredibly soapy, melodramatic, and impossible to put down. Moriarty structures the novel so that it starts with a scene of the big event (the death of a loved one) that occurred then slowly works its way back to reveal all the details surrounding said death. It is this structure that keeps you hooked and always wanting more. I have to admit, the book starts out pretty slow at first but eventually the plot thickens, pace picks up, and you find yourself unable to stop reading. However, alongside all the drama, the novel also tackles many weighty issues such as domestic violence and sexual assault and makes you realize how little you may know about another person’s life and what they are going through. I would definitely recommend Big Little Lies for anyone looking for a relatively light yet still intriguing and enjoyable read.Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty follows the lives and drama of five moms and their families in a seemingly perfect suburban town. First, there’s Madeline: passionate, witty, and truly a force to be reckoned with and her best friend Celeste:…
Suitability
Ages 15
karyn8787's rating:
Added Aug 05, 2020
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The Hate U Give centers around the story of sixteen-year-old Star Carter. Star lives between opposite worlds: she lives with her family in a poor neighborhood but attends a fancy prep school. However, one day her entire life shattered around her. While heading home from a party, Star witnesses her unarmed friend, Khalil, shot at the hands of a cop. Star knows this killing is unjust but the world around her characterizes her friend as a thug, drug dealer, and gang member. Star is the only witness and her testimony is crucial in his case. However, pressures from her community, family, and friends sway her decisions. Alongside this gripping storyline of police brutality, the novel explores the daily life of Star and how the opposing environments she grew up in impacted her.
The Hate U Give is a beautifully told story that sheds light on a side of America so many are unfamiliar with. It tells the story of police brutality from the perspective of the victim. We have the opportunity to understand the struggles Star goes through after witnessing such a traumatic event. We are able to see her thought process and the tremendous amount of courage it took for her to stand up against the injustices facing her community. Furthermore, the story is an enjoyable read with moments of humor and laughter scattered throughout. The Hate U Give is a story of tragedy, hope, sorrow, and most of all it is incredibly inspirational and heartfelt. In wake of recent events, this novel is especially topical and it tells such an important story that all should read and understand.The Hate U Give centers around the story of sixteen-year-old Star Carter. Star lives between opposite worlds: she lives with her family in a poor neighborhood but attends a fancy prep school. However, one day her entire life shattered around her.…
Suitability
Ages 11
karyn8787's rating:
Added Aug 04, 2020
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Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes is a beautiful and heart-wrenching story centering around a mouse, Algernon, and a mentally disabled man, Charlie. At first, Charlie lived a simple life, he swept the floors of a bakery and he did not have many other aspirations due to his much below average IQ. However, an experiment on Algernon occurs that results in the mouse’s increased intelligence. The experiment moves to human trials and Charlie participates. This newfound intelligence dramatically changes Charlie’s life and we explore his experiences through a series of his journal entries.
I was an emotional wreck after reading Flowers for Algernon. There are truly no words to describe the vast array of feelings conveyed in this novel. It is a story of hope, joy, and perseverance but also about ignorance and lies. However, most importantly, it is a story of humanity. Charlie’s experiences present the idea that intelligence comes at a price and raises the question of whether ignorance is truly bliss. What makes Charlie’s story so unique is that while he becomes this person of unsurmountable intelligence, he still has the brain of a child as he has never had much significant life experience. I cannot stress enough that Flowers for Algernon is a must-read for all people. It will make you feel emotions you don't even know you have and truly change your perspective on so many issues in life.Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes is a beautiful and heart-wrenching story centering around a mouse, Algernon, and a mentally disabled man, Charlie. At first, Charlie lived a simple life, he swept the floors of a bakery and he did not have many…
Suitability
Ages 13
karyn8787's rating:
Added Jul 31, 2020
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Little Fires Everywhere tells the story of the Richardsons; a wealthy, privileged, picture-perfect suburban family; and the Warrens, the exact opposite. The story takes place in Shaker Heights, a suburban community taken to the extreme where everything must be perfect. Now enter Mia and Pearl Warren, a single mother and her daughter who disrupt the peace and status quo that exists in Shaker. The main portion of the story explores the tumultuous relationship between Mia Warren and Elena Richardson, the matriarch of the Richardson household. However, an equally intriguing storyline is explored regarding the fate of an adoption of an American born Chinese baby by a white couple. While these premises seem simple at first, Ng fills the novels with twists and turns you could never expect and makes it near impossible to put the book down.
I can't stress enough how much I LOVED this book. To be honest, I think I am on my third or fourth reread of this book and I still discover new details every time. This novel makes you question your beliefs about motherhood and what determines right and wrong in such morally ambiguous situations. Furthermore, the story still captures the experience of a teenager growing up and the constant societal and peer pressure put on you to conform. The experiences of the children in the story make a beautiful story in itself. In reality, this novel is multiple stories stitched together and interwoven to create a book that is equally gripping, heart-breaking, and provocative. As I mentioned above, this story is filled with plot twists that you will never expect and will keep you at the very edge of your seat. Little Fires Everywhere is a must-read and I highly recommend it to everyone.Little Fires Everywhere tells the story of the Richardsons; a wealthy, privileged, picture-perfect suburban family; and the Warrens, the exact opposite. The story takes place in Shaker Heights, a suburban community taken to the extreme where…
Suitability
Ages 14
karyn8787's rating:
Added Jul 28, 2020
Comment:
I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson is the quintessential YA realistic fiction novel. With that said, I did still enjoy reading this book. I’ll Give You the Sun follows the life of twins: Jude and Noah. The story is told from both of their perspectives with Noah telling the earlier years and Jude the later. In the beginning, Jude and Noah are attached at the hip. Their relationship exemplifies the classic cliche: Jude is outgoing and gutsy and Noah is shy yet incredibly artistic. Without giving too much of the plot away, a series of life altering events devastate their lives. Through a series of twists and turns, the novel explores a number of themes applicable to the lives of many teenagers.
I’ll Give You the Sun is a beautifully written coming of age story. One of my favorite parts of the novel was how the narration was split between Noah and Jude. While they experience similar life events, their perspectives on these events are so different yet you are able to sympathize with both sides. It allows you to realize ulterior motives, the unsaid thoughts in their minds, the reason why they act the way they act. However, Nelson will occasionally lean too much into the YA, coming of age cliches making the novel seem far from realistic and many of the metaphors, especially from Noah, get irritating at times. Nevertheless, the story Nelson presents is beautiful, compelling, complex, and most definitely will tug at your heartstrings.I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson is the quintessential YA realistic fiction novel. With that said, I did still enjoy reading this book. I’ll Give You the Sun follows the life of twins: Jude and Noah. The story is told from both of their…
Suitability
Ages 13
karyn8787's rating:
Added Jul 23, 2020
Comment:
Frankenstein: The 1818 Text is a classic example of where the movie adaptation of a novel is extremely different from the original text. While there is a Monster and quite a bit of death in Frankenstein, in my opinion (at least by modern standards) Frankenstein is not a horror novel. Instead, Shelley explores much more complex, philosophical themes about the distinction between good and evil and what exactly makes people human in the context of a possibly misunderstood monster and its creator.
One of my favorite elements of Frankenstein was Shelley’s writing. She so eloquently describes each character and their desires, motivations, and emotions. She can make you empathize with even the most wretched of characters, like the Monster. Furthermore, while it may be subdued at times, Shelley writes with this feminist voice that sheds light on the importance of women in society.
Personally, I think the key to enjoying Frankenstein is reading it without the mentality that it will be a carbon copy of the movie. I think the sooner you stop eagerly waiting for an action scene and being bored and frustrated when there is not one, the sooner you are able to better appreciate the slight nuisances in Shelly’s writing and the novel for what it is instead of what you hope it will be. At least that was my experience with reading Frankenstein, but for others, this advice may not even be applicable. Nevertheless, Frankenstein was still an enjoyable read and I would recommend others.Frankenstein: The 1818 Text is a classic example of where the movie adaptation of a novel is extremely different from the original text. While there is a Monster and quite a bit of death in Frankenstein, in my opinion (at least by modern standards)…
Suitability
Ages 13
karyn8787's rating:
Added Jul 21, 2020
Comment:
Educated by Tara Westover is an inspiring memoir detailing Westover’s childhood and her journey to receiving education and finding her place in the world. Westover grew up in rural Idaho with limited connection to people outside of her family. Her parents were extreme survivalists and held many traditional beliefs. It was principles that led to Westover never receiving a formal education until age seventeen and never stepping foot into a hospital for the vast majority of her childhood. However, Westover’s relentless passion and determination led to her educating herself, getting into college, and even going to Harvard and Cambridge for her Ph.D. It was these experiences and opportunities that gave her the courage to finally set herself free from a life and family that had only hurt her.
Educated is easily one of my favorite books of all time. This memoir sheds light on a side of America that so many of us are unfamiliar with. For me, I thought this sort of survivalist style of living was a relic of the past. What is most inspiring is that despite all of the obstacles thrown at Westover that would normally be life-crushing, she finds the hope and courage to persist and work towards a goal that seems utmost unattainable. This book will make you laugh and cry and scream and feel every emotion there is to feel. Westover shares the lowest of low points in her life and every step she took to achieve all that she has done. Plotline aside, Westover has an amazing way with words and submerses you into her life and story. Educated is a must-read book!Educated by Tara Westover is an inspiring memoir detailing Westover’s childhood and her journey to receiving education and finding her place in the world. Westover grew up in rural Idaho with limited connection to people outside of her family. Her…
Suitability
Ages 12
Comment: