Title: The Great Gatsby
Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Classic, Fiction, Lit
Pages:195
Publisher: Penguin
Year Published: 1925
Format: Physical Copy (Library Copy)
First Line: "In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since."
"These sumptuous new hardback editions mark the 70th anniversary of Fitzgerald's death.
Jay Gatsby is the man who has everything. Everybody who is anybody is seen at his glittering parties. Day and night his Long Island mansion buzzes with bright young things drinking, dancing and debating his mysterious character. For Gatsby- young, handsome and fabulously rich- always seems alone in the crowd, watching and waiting, though no one knows what for. beneath the shimmering surface of his life he is hiding a secret: a silent longing for the one thing that will always be out of his reach. And soon his destructive obsession will force his world to unravel."
My Rating: 3.75/5
This book starts in a strange way and is not at all what I expected. I haven't read a lot of classics so a goal I have this year is to attempt to read more. After the first 50 pages of this book, I was willing to give up but decided to break the read into 50-page sprints per evening and managed to complete it. I actually enjoyed the story overall. I think that it was interesting to see how the author took things from a certain time period and changed them to a futuristic theme. I found that the characters were interesting, although some were unlikeable it was interesting to see the interactions throughout the short novel and I hope to pick up another classic next month.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Death Note: Boredom
Author: Tsugumi Ohba
Illustrator: Takeshi Obata
Translator: Pookie Rolf
Series/Standalone: Death Note (Vol. 1)
Genre: Manga, Horror
Pages: 195
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
Year Published: 2003
Format: Manga Paperback (Library Copy)
"Light Yagami is an ace student with great prospects- and he's bored out of his mind. But all that changes when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by a rogue Shinigami death god. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and now Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. But when criminals begin dropping dead, the authorities send the legendary detective L to track down the killer. With L hot on his heels, will Light lose sight of his noble goal... or his life?"
My Rating: 4/5
I'd heard so many things about this anime as well as this manga and I have a funny feeling that I watched the first episode when I was like 12 and babysitting at night for the first time. As someone who is a scaredy cat, what a poor choice. I really loved the manga and hope to continue with the rest of the series soon (a good way to get some relaxed reading between chapters of a classic).
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Goliath
Author: Scott Westerfield
Series/Standalone: Leviathon Series (Book #3)
Genre: Steampunk, Young Adult, Science Fiction
Pages: 543
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Year Published: 2011
Format: Physical Copy (Own It)
First Line: "'Siberia,'"
"Alek and Deryn are abroad the Leviathan when the ship is ordered to pick up an unusual passenger. This brilliant/maniacal inventor claims to have a weapon called Goliath that can end the war. But whose side is he really on?
While on their top-secret mission, Alek finally discovers Deryn's deeply kept secret. Two, actually. Not only is Deryn a girl disguised as a guy... she has feelings for Alek.
The crown, true love with a commoner, and the destruction of a great city all hang on Alek's next-- and final-- move.
The thunderous conclusion to Scott Westerfield's Leviathan series, which was called 'sure to become a classic'"
My Rating: 3/5
So I ordered the final book in this series when I saw it on book outlet and I'm not too impressed with how the series wrapped up overall. I found that this series took a direction that I was really willing it wouldn't go even though all the signs were pretty obvious.
The parts I did enjoy through this series are the historical fiction and steampunk aspects that mixed together to create a unique version of our world. I also enjoyed the main characters as separate entities but together I just didn't care for them.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
I started off this series in a similar way as I finished it. I think that this story was a little much for me to take in to start. The idea of fighting Darwinists against Clankers grew on me at the end of the first book. I really enjoyed the characters separately but I found that this story suffered from one of the many YA flaws.There does not need to be romance in every story ever. It's not necessary. And this is definitely how I felt in regards to Deryn and Alek overall.
Characters:
Deryn: I loved that she was so in love with her job, but it hurt my heart to see her leave the ship after being in love with it for so long. But after her injury it only made sense. I also loved that she held strong to her beliefs even though she had developed feelings for Alek.
Alek: He's a sweet guy. But I think that he and Deryn would have made better friends. I also felt like they were far too young to have developed such strong feelings towards each other (I'd say that I imagined they were 13 or 14 not old enough to be doing half of the things they were). And with that statement making me sound super old.
Volger: He's a strong man whose willing to do anything for his country. As long as he believes its best. I think that Deryn was a good match for his feisty attitude.
Tesla: Was he mad or was he just ambitious? Maybe both whose to say.
Borvil: Possibly my favourite character in the whole series even though he is a beastie. I hope that he grows old with Deryn and Alek caring for him.
Malone: More trouble than he's worth.
Moments to Remember:
Pg. 144
"When Alek reached his stateroom door, he pulled it open, extending his hand. 'Ladies first.'
'Get stuffed,' she said but went in ahead of him."
Pg. 402
"'They are Americans,' Volger said, 'They toot their horns for anything.'"
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Station Eleven
Author: Emily St. John Mandel
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Fiction, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Pages: 336
Publisher: Knopf
Year Published: 2014
Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)
First Line: "The king stood in a pool of blue light, unmoored."
"An audacious, darkly glittering novel set in the eerie days of civilization's collapse, Station Eleven tells the spellbinding story of a Hollywood star, his would-be saviour, and a nomadic group of actors roaming the scattered outposts of the Great Lakes region, risking everything for art and humanity.
One snowy night a famous Hollywood actor slumps over and dies onstage during a production of King Lear. Hours later, the world as we know it begins to dissolve. Moving back and forth in the time- from the actor's early days as a film star to fifteen years in the future when a theater troupe known as the Travelling Symphony roams the wasteland of what remains- this suspenseful, elegiac, spellbinding novel charts the strange twist of fate that connects five people: the actor, the man who tried to save him, the actor's first wife, his oldest friend, and a young actress with the Travelling Symphony, caught in the crosshairs of a dangerous self-proclaimed prophet.
Sometimes terrifying, sometimes tender, Station Eleven tells a story about the relationship that sustains us, the ephemeral nature of fame, and the beauty of the world as we know it."
My Rating: 4.5/5
This was my local book club book for the month and I'm really surprised how much I enjoyed it. This story takes place in the before and after of the apocalypse switching perspectives between many characters who somehow intertwine. I think that the author painted a chilling picture of what the world would be like if things ground to a halt. I loved the writing style as well as the organization of the parts of the story. Everything just made it an enjoyable read overall. I also loved the changing of perspectives between the past and the present and how different people lived their lives in these times.
I would recommend this to lovers of science fiction and dystopian if you're looking for a more relaxed reading experience.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
This story was a very confusing read at first. As many of you know I like to go into my books very blind so this story I knew next to nothing about. I knew that it was dystopian and that it started with a Shakespeare play. So I guess I knew a few things. I loved the way this story was told the before and afters of the apocalypse was scary to think about. I also liked that it was told from perspectives that were all very different. I also loved the way the author wrote out different years of the apocalypse and helped the reader to understand how things went south and just when things stopped working. I would definitely reread this book, it was super interesting and in an odd way comforting to think about how everything is connected.
Characters:
Arthur: I wonder how he would have survived if he had made it through the "plague" and if he would still be such a jerk overall with the women he had. He seemed to view each woman as an upgrade which was frustrating to read about. That being said, I think it was interesting to see the difference in how he acted with Miranda in the beginning and then near the end of his life.
Kirsten: Her life would be an interesting one to document especially since she was so young during the collapse of society. She lived a tough life when the collapse happened and lost many people who were close to her. The lengths she went to, to keep her company and others safe. I also hope that her life is happier now that she has entered the airport and seeing progress towards society once again.
Miranda: I felt for her. Especially being an introvert trying to live the best life that she can when having next to nothing. To be "rescued" and taken care of was disguised as a blessing when really her marriage to Arthur seemed rushed and hasty.
Tyson: To see him grow into such a crazy character makes you wonder what happened to him and his mother, when they left the airport to "bring the light" also to think that the light would mean marrying underage girls, is scary to think about. But I guess anything is possible at the end of the world.
Clark: It made me happy to see a character who was able to move on in his life but celebrate his old life. I think having all the memories around him of his past friends and family. Also, all the things he took for granted helped him make a museum and educate people who didn't have as many opportunities as he did as a child.
Elizabeth: What happened to you? Did your son hurt you? Or was your death the thing that pushed him over the edge?
Moments to Remember:
Pg.77
"The revelation of privacy: she can walk down the street and absolutely no one knows who she is."
Pg.223
"'You're from London,' Arthur had said. 'A guy like you can take cities for granted. For someone like me, coming from a small place... look, I think about my childhood, the life I lived on Delano Island, that place was so small. Everyone knew me, not because I was special or anything, just because everyone knew everyone, and the claustrophobia of that, I can't tell you. I just wanted some privacy. For as long as I could remember I just wanted to get out, and then I got to Toronto, and no one knew me. Toronto felt like freedom.'"
Final Line: "He likes the thought of ships moving over water, towards another world just out of sight."
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Behemoth
Author: Scott Westerfield
Series/Standalone: Leviathan (Book #2)
Genre: Steampunk, Science Fiction, Young Adult,
Pages: 481
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Year Published: 2010
Format: Paperback (Library Copy)
First Line: "Alek raised his sword."
"The behemoth is the fiercest creature in the British navy.It can swallow enemy battleships with one bite. The Darwinists will need it, now that they are at war with the Clanker powers.
Deryn is a girl posing as a boy in the British Air Service, and Alek is the heir to an empire posing as a commoner. Finally, together aboard the airship Leviathan, they hope to bring the war to a halt. But when disaster strikes the Leviathan's peacekeeping mission, they find themselves alone and hunted in enemy territory.
Alek and Deryn will need great skill, new allies and brave hearts to face what's ahead."
My Rating: 3.5/5
After being so drawn into the end of the first book, I was hoping to enjoy this book a little more than I did. I don't think that this book is bad by any means, it just seemed to be missing something that I needed as a reader. I enjoyed the change of scenery as well as the different characters we met in this second book, but nothing about it really wowed me. That being said, I do plan on continuing with the series and finishing it in the coming months. So far, I would recommend this series to anyone who is interested in a steampunk war historical fiction. If any of that sounds interesting to you, you would likely enjoy these novels.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
So the first book was kind of hard for me to get into but after getting closer to the end I became more interested in the characters and the plot point. I also enjoyed the use of steampunk elements more and more as the story went on.
I did find the beginning to be interesting but found the more I read, the less I was into the storyline. And I'm not sure why. It just seemed to be a missing plot element for me. Especially with the use of love interests. That being said, I still enjoyed the story and look forward to finishing the series soon.
Characters:
Deryn: I loved her character and how strong she was to live in a group that was only for 'men' and 'boys' but here she is kicking ass. I also really enjoyed her loyalty to Alek as well as her ship. She grew a lot as a character this book, but that being said her increasing interest in Alek is frustrating. I just feel like this love is not necessary to the storyline at all.
Alek: He also grew as a character in this book. He really had to stand for himself in Istanbul and make choices for himself that would have serious consequences. While I didn't agree with all his choices, I loved that he was able to give information on himself before Deryn was dragged in with Malone.
Dr Barlow: I'm interested in her intentions with the creatures and Alek. Is she actually on their side or is she going to turn?
Malone: He was just a huge pain in the ass during the whole story. And I understood that was kind of the purpose of his character but it was extremely frustrating.
Bovril: I'm wondering about his species and what he will be used for now that his siblings are being hatched. What are they for and why are they only for Alek? And what does Barlow suspect?
Lilt: I liked that she was a strong character and willing to stand her ground for what she believed in that being said, I found that she was also an irritating character.
Nene: I hope we get to see her in the final instalment at some point.
Moments to Remember:
Final Line: "What mad providence was this?"
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: After You
Author: Jojo Moyes
Series/Standalone: Me Before You (Book #2)
Genre: Adult Fiction, Chicklit, Contemporary
Pages: 353
Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books
Year Published: 2015
Format: Audiobook
"How do you move on after losing the person you loved? How do you build a life worth living?
Louisa CLark is no longer just an ordinary girl living an ordinary life. After the transformative six months spent with Will Traynor, she is struggling without him. When an extraordinary accident forces Lou to return home to her family, she can't help but feel she's right back where she started.
Her body heals, but Lou herself knows that she needs to be kick-started back to life. Which is how she ends up in a church basement with the members of the Moving On support group, who share insights, laughter, frustrations, and terrible cookies. They will also lead her to the strong, capable Sam Fielding- the paramedic, whose business is life and death, and the one man who might be able to understand her. Then a figure from Will's past appears and hijacks all her plans, propelling her into a very different future...
For Lou Clark, life after Will Traynor means learning to fall in love again, with all the risks that brings. But here Jojo Moyes gives us two families, as real as our own, whose joys and sorrows will touch you deeply, and where both changes and surprises await."
My Rating: 3.75/5
I am so unsure whether this is a 4 star or a lower rating read. The audiobook made me so happy and made me happy that I had chosen to continue on with the series, but the physical copy (I just finished the last 100 pages in a physical book) was just as addicting. That being said there are some flaws with this book, I found that the family dynamic was interesting but also chaotic to a point that wasn't necessary. I also found that some things were very dramatic, so if you're ok with those aspects you would probably enjoy this story. That being said, I loved seeing Lou grow and change in ways that we didn't get to see in the first book. Especially learning to live with Will's loss.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
I was really glad that I continued this series with an audiobook. It helped me to get through the first half of the story but by the second half of the story picked up and sucked me in. In the best possible way, I needed to know what Lou would do, where life would take and what choices she would make based on those in her life. The family antics where also entertaining but there were points where they got a little overdramatic to say the least.
Characters:
Lou: I think that she had a whole lot to overcome in this second book. I'm sure people are quick to judge about how she used the money that Will left her. But to an extent, I understand what she did and why she did it. I also am kind of glad that she took time to feel what she was feeling, and to take time for herself to heal. I'm curious to see how her next endeavour goes in the final book (as far as I know it's the final book... right?).
Sam: I loved his character especially the way he treats Lou. I respect his job and the crap he probably has to deal with. That being said, the shooting was more than a little overdramatic. I think that the fact that Lou was the one who had to hold in his blood was a little much for me. That being said, I'm curious to see how they'll do with distance due to their relationship being so physically based.
Lily: She was possibly my least favourite character in this whole book. I understand that she had a lot going on, but that again was very dramatic and seemed to be blown up repeatedly. I do wonder what she will do with her Granny now that they are getting closer.
Bernard: His final hope to win back his wife made me laugh so hard. The fact that he sat through having his legs waxed to prove a point was fantastic. Also, the fact that he didn't act like he was the man through it all was hilarious.
Josie: Good on her for making a change and seeing that she needed to take time for herself and explore her future. I think it was also important to point out that no matter your age your relationship will go through struggles.
Richard: I wish that he hadn't smartened up in the end. It was kind of nice to have a jerk to pin something on.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Fangirl
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Pages: 435
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Year Published: 2013
Format: Hardcover (Own It)
First Line: "There was a boy in her room."
"From the author of New York Times bestseller Eleanor & Park. A coming-of-age tale of fan fiction, family, and first love.
Cath is a Simon Snow fan.
Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan.
But for Cath, being a fan is her life- and she's really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it's what got them through their mother leaving. Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.
Cath's sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can't let go. She doesn't want to.
Now that they're going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn't want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She's got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words... And she can't stop worrying about her dad, who's loving and fragile and has never really been alone.
For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?
And does she want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?"
My Rating: 4/5
So just to clarify this is the first book that I've read a physical copy of by Rainbow Rowell and overall, I really enjoyed it. I had listened to Eleanor and Park last year and it was far more heart-wrenching in some aspects. That being said I really enjoy this story overall. The characters and the setting (in some ways) reminded me of some of my college experiences. As someone who has anxiety, some of this representation hit pretty close to home when going to college and having a big life change. I also enjoyed the fandom aspect of this series, and look forward to reading Carry On.
The only reason this wasn't a 5/5 for me was that it seemed to drag near the end, but at the same time, it seemed to end abruptly. I'm not sure how to explain my feelings other than this. I didn't realize I'd reached the end until I read the last page and was looking for a bit more.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
This is the second Rainbow Rowell book I've consumed. Overall, I enjoyed the story being told in Fangirl and the idea of change. I understand the fear and anxiety that comes with change as an eighteen-year-old. Especially moving away from home and everything you've known. It's really scary. I'm not going to lie to anyone. But I was happy to see that Cath was able to find some good in the experience that horrified her so much to begin with. I also enjoyed her fanfiction writing and her need to live in her own world. I can relate in a sense. When I was in college I read to escape things, or binge watched tv just to get out of my own head. I think those are pretty common things.
Characters:
Cath: I felt like I could relate to her anxiety and struggles with branching out. It takes alot when you've been able to rely on those around you for a social outlet. That being said, by the end she seems to have her shit together more than Wren and that's saying something. I also appreciated that the author took so much care in describing what might be anxiety or panic attack with Cath's character. I can relate.
Wren: I think the idea of teen drinking was an important part to bring up. In the states, it's notorious that colleges are filled with parties (yes in Canada we party too but our legal drinking age almost across the country is 18). And the idea of using alcohol to cope isn't outlandish. It's rather realistic. Scary even.
Dad: I don't know how I feel about his mental health. I understand that he doesn't want to use medication as the only way to cope with his health problems, but at the same point it's not quite fair that his daughters have to pick up the pieces and keep such a clear eye out for him. But that's the way of life for so many people. I think it's also important to note that mental health is just as important as physical health. It can invade your life and change the outcome of everyday things.
Laura: I have a lot of feelings towards her and they are not good. Yes, she gave birth to the girls, but she doesn't have the right to ask them to get in contact with them now. If you can't handle someone when they're young, what right do you have to come back and try to re-enter their lives?
Reagan: I loved how snarky she was, the only part I wish that her being Levi's ex-boyfriend hadn't been thrown in. Or if it was it had been thrown in earlier. I was glad that they clearly appeared to be over each other though.
Levi: I loved him. His teasing, his easy smile and his friendly manner. I also love that he was able to pick up Cath's fanfiction and fall for her writing. I also really enjoyed their relationship overall. He was willing to take it slow and put in his time with her to get to know her before trying to make a commitment.
Nick: I think in the end he got exactly what he deserved. He was a huge jerk to Cath and treated her like crap.
Moments to Remember:
Pg. 265
"Her dad was wrong about worrying. Cath liked to worry.
It made her feel proactive, even when she was totally helpless."
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
