Jack: The True Story of Jack and the Beanstalk

Link to purchase from Amazon

Title: Jack: The True Story of Jack and the Beanstalk
Author: Liesl Shurtliff
Publisher: Yearling, 304 pages
Publication Date: April 14, 2015
Genre: Children's Books, Action and Adventure, Fairy Tales


Things that I liked:

• This is a really great children's book; it has action and adventure, the characters are all relatable and child friendly, the protagonists are little and have to deal with a world that is much too large for them, and the children are brave, smart and resourceful, and manage to save the entire kingdom.
• Unlike some children's books, this one isn't written on a level that only a child would understand (I picked up one of those recently... not a pleasant experience). This book uses some challenging vocabulary words without going overboard, and it's the kind of literature that demands that the reader pay attention while still managing to remain pleasant and fun. There is some humor (the kind that all people can appreciate, but kids will actually really enjoy).
• This book is the second in a series of three (so far), which makes it that much more fun. Rump is the first of the series (loved it! have not reviewed it, though), and Red is the third (I have the paperback pre-ordered, so I'll get to that one at some point this year). Because this is an ongoing series (this book seems to have paved the way for at least one or two more beyond the three that are already out), the characters interact with each other and the plot just continues to thicken as you go.

Things that I didn't like:

• Basically nothing. This was a cute and fun read, and I am neither a child nor a parent... I just enjoyed it. This is a book that I think would be beneficial for kids, IN ADDITION to being fun. Some kiddie books these days accomplish only the "fun" aspects, and they sacrifice the value of good, well-written literature to do so. I'm glad that this series does not! So NOTHING, there was nothing that I didn't like!

As the title of the book implies, this is a different version of the familiar fairy tale that we all know about Jack and the beanstalk. The other books in the series, Rump and Red, tell the other ("true") stories of Rumpelstiltskin and Red Riding Hood. As I mentioned above, the stories are set in a fairy tale land that is both much alike the ones we've heard and read about in other literature, but with new spins that are fun and very creative. The characters are relatable and there are a lot of good lessons to be learned from your protagonists (and the villains, as well). 

Jack is kind of a trouble maker, but he steps up to the plate and does what he needs to do to bring his family home safely. He is generally annoyed by his sister, but gives her credit and recognizes her as equal when he realizes she is more than just an obnoxious little sister. He is willing to listen to others and do whatever it takes to fix the problems he faces. He is scared at times, but he stands up to his fears, and isn't necessarily reckless in the process. Basically, Jack is the ideal character for kids to read about. He has his flaws, but more important than probably anything else, Jack is able to put others and their needs above of his own. 

Is this a book I would recommend? Absolutely! I already intend to buy it for a couple of kids that I know who will probably enjoy it, and I'll definitely keep a copy handy for my potential future spawn. It's also a book that would be a lot of fun to read aloud as a family.

On a scale of 1-5: 5! 

Faster than Lightning: My Autobiography

Link to purchase from Amazon


Title: Faster than Lightning: My Autobiography
Author: Usain Bolt
Publisher: HarperSport, 291 pages
Publication Date: September 12, 2013
Genre: Autobiography


Things that I liked:

• Usain Bolt is hilarious
• Usain Bolt is incredibly talented
• Usain Bolt manages to be both arrogant and humble
• This was a really fun book to read

Things that I didn't like:

• I only wish this book had been written after the 2016 Rio olympic games. Obviously Bolt didn't know that his winnings would continue, but it would've been a little more powerful and satisfying had it included the triple crown of hat tricks that he did accomplish... he's amazing, btw.

So if you aren't familiar with the fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt, you have no idea what you're getting into. If, on the other hand, you've watched any of the track and field events at the last three (well, four, technically) olympic games, you've probably seen the famous Bolt pose at some point. Not only is he the fastest man in the world, he's also one of the funniest. He has a lot of personality that you see during competition (he approaches each race with a nonchalant and playful attitude), and every bit of his personality comes through this book, which was so much fun. I was a little worried that a ghost writer would take over and diminish the Bolt flair, but that really didn't happen. You can't help but read the book in his voice.

Is this a book that I would recommend? Yep! No doubt, many of my friends and family would really enjoy this book. As I've said, Bolt is just really funny, and the way he tells his story is so entertaining. It's an interesting experience to follow the journey of the fastest man in the world.

On a scale of 1-5, five stars, all the way. 

One of these days I'll have a less than stellar book to review, I imagine, but so far this year has been all winners! Just to clarify-I do NOT love every book that I read. This streak is bound to end, but hopefully not too soon.... 

When Breath Becomes Air

Link to purchase from Amazon

Title: When Breath Becomes Air
Author: Paul Kalanithi
Publisher: Random House, 208 pages
Publication Date: January 12, 2016
Genre: Memoir, Autobiography

GOOD. READ.

Things that I liked:

• Short, but powerful
• Very well-written and flows exactly how you'd want it to
• Amazing (and true) story
• Even if it hadn't ended tragically, this would still be a good read. Sometimes the tragedy makes the book, and in this case it adds to it but the story stands well on its own

Things that I didn't like:

• Well... it has a very sad ending

It's no secret that the author of this memoir dies at the end of the book... they put it right there in the forward. Kalanithi is a neurosurgeon who is JUST finishing his residency when he is diagnosed with cancer. He is young and completely full of promise, and just like that, everything is gone. It's a terribly tragic story that moves you in ways that you cannot forget. This is a painful reminder that nothing in life is promised, not even for neurosurgeons who have their entire careers in front of them. One of the most moving aspects of the story is watching a young and confident neurosurgeon become a weak and scared patient. 

Is this a book that I would recommend? Yes. This would be a great biography, like I said, even without the tragic ending. Kalanithi's telling of his childhood and struggles through school and residency (and personal life) are interesting to read and stand just fine on their own. I can't think of anyone who WOULDN'T like this book.

Five stars.

Triptych (Will Trent, #1)

Link to buy on Amazon


Title: Triptych (Will Trent, #1)

Author: Karin Slaughter

Publisher: Delacorte Press, 393 pages

Publication Date: August 15, 2006

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

Things that I liked:

• This is probably the third Karin Slaughter book I've read, and I do enjoy her style. She tells a good story, and in her "Will Trent" series, you follow the same detective/cops in the Atlanta area. You already know your setting and protagonists, you just need to meet the bad guys (who are often mixed up with prostitutes and live in a particular problem spot in the ghetto). I actually read a different Will Trent novel before this one (this is #1), but it didn't pose a significant problem.
• Slaughter has ongoing themes, which (at least up to this point), makes her fun to read. I like the familiarity and evolution of her stories and characters. I don't know if one day it'll become boring and overdone, but so far it gives me something to look forward to in her books.
• You get a lot of characters, but at no point are you lost or confused. 
• The stories are always really interesting! She writes a decent mystery.

Things that I don't like:

• To no fault of her own, this is pop-fiction. It isn't deep or life-changing, she doesn't give you much to ponder, and in general a lot of the stories are a little too predictable. That being said, I like to take this genre for what it is. In my "about me" post, I mention that I like to mix easier and lighter books in with my non-fiction/heavier reads. This book is great as a palate cleanser to keep you occupied without stealing every last ounce of your brain power and emotional energy. 

Basically, this is a story about a serial killer and his eventual capture. Slaughter takes us back and forth from the past to present, eventually tying the strings of the story together. The story isn't terribly obvious and you aren't able to see the ending from too early on (although it does become predictable at a point). Overall, this is a pretty fun read for anyone who enjoys the mystery/thriller/suspense genres. 

Would I recommend this book? Sure, I have and I probably will again. I know a lot of people who are into this sort of story, and I'm sure they'll enjoy this one as much as any other.

On a scale of 1-5, I'd give this a solid 4. I'm interested to read more from Slaughter because she seems like she improves with each novel. 

Salt to the Sea

Link to buy on Amazon

Title: Salt to the Sea
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Publisher: Philomel Books, 400 pages
Publication Date: February 2, 2016
Genre: Historical Fiction

Let me start by saying I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!!!

Things that I loved:

• So. Beautifully. Written.
• As a work of historical fiction, this is based on a true story, one which I had never previously heard, and the actual true story was mind boggling.
• WWII--not something that I love, obviously, but some of the most impactful and moving stories have come from it. 
• The characters are each extremely interesting and although it takes you a minute to see where things are headed, once you get there---WOW. 
• This book calls attention to an important moment in history that has literally gone unheard of. If you want to enjoy the book for what it is, I suggest you read it without doing any research into the true story until after you've finished so as not to spoil the ending, but this is an important read that I imagine will be required at some point in the near future. 

Things that I didn't like: this category is unnecessary, actually! Literally can't think of one thing I didn't like. I read this book really fast (it was good!) so it took me a minute to be able to keep track of the characters, but that is no one's fault but my own. My one suggestion to readers would be to read the hardcopy (this is a preference thing, obviously, but with ebooks I find it difficult to remember/keep track of the chapters, and in this book each chapter changes perspective from character to character, and there were moments where I was a little lost. Again though, my fault/preference.). 

I don't want to ruin the whole experience by spilling the story, but to briefly summarize it, the book follows refugees of the war on their quest to safety. They fight the winter cold, they struggle through racial tensions, they run from those who intend to kill them. The war brings them together while simultaneously tearing them apart. This book is a beautiful marriage of stellar storytelling ability paired with a life-changing event in history. 

WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK? yes yes yes yes yes, to everyone, yes.

FIVE STARS. This is basically as close to perfect as I can remember reading.

The Things We Wish Were True

Link to purchase from Amazon

Title: The Things We Wish Were True
Author: Marybeth Mayhew Whalen
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing, 290 pages
Publication Date: September 1, 2016
Genre: Literary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Second book of the year was also pretty good... that means I'm 2/2 for 2017 so far!

Things that I liked:

• The characters were pretty relatable and familiar, the author does a good job of making you feel at home in this neighborhood in the south, even if this isn't where or how you grew up
• Based at the beginning of summer, this is kind of a cozy read that makes you feel that summer-happy warm feeling inside; the characters spend copious amounts of time at the neighborhood pool together and do all of the things that make one long to go back to a childhood summer. Being that I read this during the first week of January, it was a welcome setting.
• "They ran out the same gate through which they'd entered, forgetting that spider ever existed. Later I would think about that spider, wondering what its message to us might have been and how it might have made a difference if we had all paid attention." This is the final sentence of the first chapter of the book, and in context, it is a simple yet profound thought to start the story. This is likely the reason I continued to read (and at the pace that I did), and although the entire book wasn't stuffed full of mind-blowing moments, the author earned my respect and garnered my attention from the get-go. 

Things that I didn't like:

• Honestly, there isn't much to list here. There were a few moments that felt over the top and not as natural or realistic as the rest of the book. A couple of the characters do things that one just doesn't find believable. Although these types of people can and do exist in real life, they aren't likely to all land in the same neighborhood at the same time.... it just felt like some nuggets of the story could've been toned down, slightly adjusted to be more plausible, or left out altogether. Again, this wasn't the overarching theme and I wasn't altogether disappointed, just a note to say that there are imperfections that I noticed but wasn't deterred by.

This book is basically a glimpse into the lives of several families living in your average suburban neighborhood. You have all of the usual personalities: there's the nosy empty-nester who is always available to help her neighbors, but does seem to be a little too involved in matters that aren't actually her business; there's the poor family that doesn't necessarily belong; the broken family that is going through the nasty divorce; the "perfect" family, the new family, etc, etc. Each character is relatable in a different way, and Whalen does a good job of showing us who they are and what makes them tick.

Because the majority of the neighbors have lived in such close proximity for so long, there is obviously a constant thread of neighborly drama that unfolds throughout the book. As I mentioned above, there are pieces that feel contrived and a little too far-fetched, BUT, with maybe just another hundred or so pages, I feel like she could've cleaned this up and made it all work. The ending of the book is great and fulfilling, but in retrospect there were parts that I feel like were left hanging and could've used a little more closure.

Is this a book I would recommend? Yes! The one thing that I dislike about ebooks is that you can't hand it to a friend and tell them to read it... more than once I have re-purchased a hard copy of a book for that reason, and I won't be surprised if I eventually buy this one for someone. I did really enjoy it! Whalen tells a great story, and I have her other books on my to-read list. 

On a scale of 1-5, this is probably TECHNICALLY (in my opinion) a 4.5. I'll round it up to a five because it was a good read, even with some of the exaggerated aspects. Hopefully I'll be able to read Whalen again soon, I'm really wondering if she is a one-hit-wonder or if she is actually going to be a favorite of mine. 

UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World, by Michele Borba

Link to purchase from Amazon

Title: UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me
World
Author: Michele Borba
Publisher: Touchstone Hardcover, 288 pages
Publication Date: June 7, 2016
Genre: Psychology, Parenting and Relationships, Education and Teaching


For my first read of the year, this one wasn't too shabby!

Things that I liked:

• The overall topic and resulting discussion
• The author's style and apparent knowledge and experience 
• This was an easy read, but didn't lack quality 
• Although I am not a parent, I was still able to learn a few things that will be applicable both now and in my future as a potential parent and also a coworker/employee/potential employer, etc.

The thing I did not like:

• Basically, the one and only thing that I didn't like about this book was that I was expecting research and commentary on the topic of WHY empathetic children succeed in our all-about-me world. It's right there in the title, after all... instead of showing the rewards of raising an empathetic child, this book just focused on the importance of doing so. It was valuable, to be sure, just not exactly in the ways I expected. 

So overall, yes, this was a good and productive read. As a parenting book, Borba is very successful. At the end of each chapter is a guide to help put into the practice the points that she's stressed, and her methods do seem sensible (again, as a non-parent I obviously haven't personally tried anything suggested in the book, but neither would I be opposed to doing so).

Would I recommend this book? Sure! Likely to new parents or psychology enthusiasts. 

On a scale of 1-5, I'd give this book 3/5 stars. Although I did enjoy it and feel a like it was definitely worth the read, the title was pretty misleading. As I said before, I'd be really interested to read a book about the positive affects of raising a child to be empathetic. I do feel like empathy is invaluable, and I honestly hope that this book reaches the masses. 

(First review down!)

IT'S ALL ABOUT ME

NAME: 

Julia

AGE:

Changes daily, so don't worry about it

FAVORITE ANIMAL:

Irrelevant, but Brahms (my pug-dog)

HOBBIES?

Not really, but I read a lot (often while watching hockey, I enjoy that as well)

WHY TARADIDDLE?

Because it's a funny word.

Also because I am pretentious and I enjoy spewing my opinion like an active volcano; like it or not, here it comes.

While that (^^) is not ENTIRELY true (I don't literally force my opinions on those in my path like molten lava, flowing and flowing and flowing until I've destroyed all that is beautiful and good in my world), that IS what I would LIKE to do, at times. Lesson: do not ask me questions that you do not want answers to... one day, I may answer honestly.

WHY AM I BLOGGING?

One thing that I want more than a lot of other things in this life is to be continuously learning until the day that I die. I want to be the kind of old person that is capable of adapting to whatever the world throws at me with ease, and one of the ways I intend to keep my brain relevant is to be a reading machine. In my (admittedly limited) experience, a well-read person has a vast and often working knowledge of an eclectic variety of topics, and seems to be well in touch with the emotions and feelings of the people around them (invaluable!). 

Keeping a public blog is one way to force myself a) to keep reading b) to actually pay attention to what I am reading, and c) to write something cohesive that I wouldn't be ashamed of should an employer or other random person that I know were to stumble across it without my knowledge. 

WHAT AM I BLOGGING?

BOOKS! 

I currently read an average of 50 books a year. I typically read 1-3 a week, and then either miss weeks entirely due to lifestyle interferences, or skip some intentionally when I need a break.

I will read basically anything, although in the last couple of years I have started to discover just how valuable biographies are. Generally speaking, non-fiction is more interesting to me these days, but it also has a tendency to be heavier material that requires either more time to finish, or more time to recover. Either way, after reading non-fiction, I usually follow-up with several pop-fiction and/or children's books to cleanse the palate (yes, I do love children's books; many of them are EXTREMELY well-written, they can be way deeper than you'd expect, and they are more light-hearted and innocent than adult material... again, a genre that has more value than I had initially perceived). 

Here is my reading plan for 2017 (in writing, so that I'll be more motivated to stick to it):

-12 biographies

-12 works of non-fiction on a variety of topics

-12 pre-releases (those that are offered to Amazon Prime members at the beginning of each month-they can be completely random and are usually debut novels from new authors)

-I have a friend that usually lends me a few mystery novels every month... so approximately 24 of those

-any and all books that are recommended by friends and family

-a myriad of other books that I have already eyed and/or pre-ordered that are being released this year or last (I try to wait for paperbacks, but sometimes I really can't...). These include some pop-fiction, some historical fiction, some children's books, New York Times Bestsellers... just, whatever. 

Obviously, this list has the potential to be well beyond my average of 50 a year. The priority items are the biographies and non-fiction; those are important to me, and I've already read 3/24 (as of Jan. 28th). I also prioritize recommendations and books that people lend me. The one thing that'll almost certainly go undone is the 12 Amazon First books... those are ebooks and are hit or miss for a number of reasons. 

One thing you will see very little of (if any), is the classics. In middle and high school, I read a ton of classics. I enjoyed most of them and I imagine they made a world of difference in my ability to comprehend and ultimately form cohesive opinions and thought processes, but the fact of the matter is that I've already read the major favorites. While I would like to eventually read ALL of the classic novels of all time, I just do not care to do much of that now. I am currently reading (very slowly) one or two classics and I may eventually blog those, but otherwise, don't hold your breath.

SUMMATION:

This blog is largely egocentric; it's a way for me to track my progress and challenge myself to consume and then produce more words than I have in a long time. There were a lot of books read and reports generated in those student years... and there's a part of me that misses the thrill of a due date-that dash to the finish line induced adrenaline rush is the best motivation I've met. As far as I can figure, a book review will take me no less than 30 minutes to complete (and will likely take much longer to be publish-ready); I don't know how my schedule for this is going to work yet, but once I've gotten the hang of things, I'd like to go back and review some of the books that I've read over the last few years. We'll see how it goes. 

CONCLUSION:

By now you've likely picked up on the fact that I can be a wee bit long-winded. As I've said, I don't have an exact procedure in place for writing reviews. I've never done this and I imagine it'll take a few rounds to get into a rhythm, but I hope to eventually become concise and efficient so that a review will be helpful and informative without being overwhelmingly verbose. Comments and opinions are always welcome, discussion is certainly encouraged... my intention is to give an honest opinion of the work, and I'll probably do a rating system of sorts. More than anything I imagine this project will evolve greatly over time, so constructive criticism is also invited. 

Thank you for reading... if you actually made it all the way to the end, you can color me impressed. Hopefully this blog won't ACTUALLY define the word taradiddle, but if it does, consider yourself warned!