Ungifted is another Gordon Korman book that I read in preparation for his visit. I liked it, though it isn't my favorite of his. Familiar themes abound - kids shaking up their worlds, adults who don't quite get them but come to appreciate their creative thinking, and, what I appreciate the most, nothing that is black and white, not even the "bad ( Read more... )

The Rebirths of Tao is the third and (I think) final book in the series. I loved the first two. This one was great, but I think it's a bit less than the others. My gripe is that it picks up events 10 years after the brutal cliffhanger of the second and resolves them a little too neatly. I wanted more explanation, more backstory. It's there, but it ( Read more... )

I listened to Stardust as an audiobook during my daily drive. This one was also read by Neil Gaiman himself. It's been a while since I read this, and I had forgotten how much it diverges from the movie. It's one of the few books that has a worthy movie (re)interpretation, but the original doesn't suffer from that. It's a lovely, charming story with ( Read more... )

I've been on a Judith Merkle Riley kick for the past few weeks. I was saddened to discover that she died a few years ago. Such a great talent. I greatly appreciate her careful research and her realistic portrayals of medieval life. But what makes her books truly special is the deft way she explores the lives of extraordinary women in a place and ( Read more... )

I really wanted to love One Summer: America, 1927, but I just didn't. I'm not entirely sure why. It's well written, but I think it lacked some of the charm or perhaps contagious enthusiasm of Bryson's other works. I also am not all that interested in the subject matter to begin with. I trusted Bryson to motivate me to be interested, but the fact ( Read more... )

I listened to this as an audiobook. It's read by Neil Gaiman himself and I do enjoy his style. This is at least my second time through this book and in some ways it was better than I remember, and in others not as well done. The characters and world building are wonderful. Mr. Vandemar and Mr. Croup are thrilling villains and get some great ( Read more... )

I have the author Gordon Korman coming to speak at my school next month, so I've been trying to catch up on his huge repertoire in preparation. I enjoyed both of these and I see why the kids do as well.

Schooled is now my favorite of his. It's an interesting premise, and I appreciate the raw emotional honesty Korman uses in portraying the perils ( Read more... )

American Elsewhere is an incredible novel. I loved it. I felt bereft when it was over. How is it I've never heard of Robert Jackson Bennett until now ( Read more... )

Side Jobs is a series of short stories and novellas that are companions to the rest of the Dresden Files novels. I've been in a bit of withdrawal since the last book. I bought this for my nephew for Christmas and finally got around to reading it myself. They were all fun - some laugh out loud funny, some very serious, a nice mix. I appreciated some ( Read more... )

City of Lost Dreams is the sequel to City of Dark Magic and it was very nearly as much fun as the first. I can't quite put my finger on why not - it might just be the lack of novelty in being a sequel ( Read more... )