Front Desk by Kelly Yang

Summary from Goodreads:

Mia Tang has a lot of secrets.

Number 1: She lives in a motel, not a big house. Every day, while her immigrant parents clean the rooms, ten-year-old Mia manages the front desk of the Calivista Motel and tends to its guests.

Number 2: Her parents hide immigrants. And if the mean motel owner, Mr. Yao, finds out they've been letting them stay in the empty rooms for free, the Tangs will be doomed.

Number 3: She wants to be a writer. But how can she when her mom thinks she should stick to math because English is not her first language?

It will take all of Mia's courage, kindness, and hard work to get through this year. Will she be able to hold on to her job, help the immigrants and guests, escape Mr. Yao, and go for her dreams?

Review:

So, kids books are just killing it. I swear every single one I read is moving me. This one had me crying all over the place (in times of sadness, great frustration, but also happiness….) It gave me all the feels. I know the summary mentioned this book being about a child running a front desk of a motel that helps hide immigrants, but I still thought it was going to be a lot lighter…I guess the cover is just so adorable, I was expecting a more adorable story.

I’m not saying this is a tragedy. There are such pure, tender moments of happiness in this that I literally cried from happiness. It just was a little more intense than I thought it would be, based on the cover.

The characters and people that form a family at this motel are just wonderful. Mia and her parents learn a lot about income inequality, racism, immigration, business, safety, and American in general while working at this motel. The sacrifices this family makes for each other are just heartwarming. I’m almost tearing up writing this review and thinking about it now. I think though, what got to me the most was Mia’s relationship with her mother. I don’t want to spoil anything. And it’s rather complicated. But, there’s something so universal about a daughter trying to explain her dreams to an older generation. But, also, understanding why the mother feels how she does too was so important for me.

This book really makes me think about all the things I take for granted. I never considered myself upper class or wealthy growing up, and I know there were times when my family struggled more than others. But, we always had a home and food. I never had to share one hamburger for dinner with my whole family. To read a book about a kid going through this who is so smart and whose parents are so capable and who work so hard, is devastating. A lot of what Mia’s family goes through is awful.  I definitely think this can be a great book for learning and discussing the immigrant experience in America. It’s actually based on a true story.

But, also know so much of the book is also about the people Mia’s family surround themselves with and learning that good people are out there, and good people can make all the difference too. Mia’s family work around a terrible boss, and end up helping so many people. They stand up to racism. They help their neighbors. There’s such a strong sense of community in this book.

All in all, this book blew me away. The characters were amazing. The setting was fantastic. The message couldn’t be more relevant. I hope this book helps people. I can see it helping people. It made me feel so many emotions. I give it a 10/10.

Swamp Thing by Maggie Stiefvater and illustrated by Morgan Beem

Summary from Goodreads:

Twins Alec and Walker Holland have a reputation around town. One is quiet and the other is the life of any party, but they are inseparable. For their last summer before college, the two leave the city to live with their rural cousins, where they find that the swamp holds far darker depths than they could have imagined.

While Walker carves their names into the new social scene, Alec recedes into a summer school laboratory, because he brought something from home on their trip—it’s an experiment that will soon consume him. This season, both brothers must confront truths, ancient and familial, and as their lives diverge, tensions increase and dormant memories claw to the surface.

Review:

I had no idea this book was coming out! The only reason I found out about it is because I saw a picture of it on someone else’s Instagram! It was a special surprise by one of my favorite authors. I had no idea what it was about before starting it, and it was a lot of reading this with no knowledge of it at all. This made the somewhat dark, spooky storyline even more eerie.

For starters, the artwork in insane. The plants came to life because of the talent of the artist. And the collaboration between the bold colors and Stiefvater’s haunting words was just perfect. I hope she writes more graphic novels. Seriously, what a great medium for her.

I liked that this was a classic horror kind of story. But, also, at its heart, it’s really a family story. It’s about two twin brothers growing up and growing apart. I loved watching them trying to work together. Their relationship felt so real. Their fighting seemed like real brother fighting. And that moment at the end that I won’t mention because it would be a HUGE spoiler just melted my heart. I had the tiniest bit of a tear in my eye. What typical horror story does that?

This story will make you feel something. It will also creep you out just a little bit. And you won’t want to stop looking at the pages and pages of plants. I read it super quickly, but I kind of want to go back to it and read it again and look at things more closely. I give it an 8/10.

Keeper of the Lost Cities 2: Exile by Shannon Messenger

Summary from Goodreads:

Sophie Foster thought she was safe. Settled into her home at Havenfield, surrounded by friends, and using her unique telepathic abilities to train Silveny--the first female alicorn ever seen in the Lost Cities--her life finally seems to be coming together.

But Sophie's kidnappers are still out there. And when Sophie discovers new messages and clues from the mysterious Black Swan group, she’s forced to take a terrifying risk—one that puts everyone in incredible danger.

As long buried secrets rise to the surface, it’s once again up to Sophie to uncover hidden memories—before someone close to her is lost forever.

In this second book in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, Sophie must journey to the darkest corners of her luminous world in a sequel that will leave you breathless for more.

Review:

I’m so glad I splurged for my birthday and just bought all these books. I was a little surprised by how long the books were, but also secretly happy. This one was 568 pages, and it looks like they only get longer! They are so addicting. And also, this one has a flying unicorn…take all my money, books.

I don’t think I enjoyed this sequel as much as the first one. Not as much transpired plot-wise as did in the first book. And, it was a lot more predictable for me. However, I loved that my least favorite character, Sophie’s crush, was pretty much MIA for the whole book. He really annoyed me in book 1. And my annoyance grew to hatred in book 2. I could not believe how awful he was. Again, Sophie forgives him everything!

Any way, I got to know other characters better. I have to say that I love Keefe. I also love the best friend character, Dex. Though, I find his powers a little convenient. I also got to know Sophie’s new family a little better. And the world a little better. I found the first half of the book to be a little slow. There’s a lot of build up about Sophie’s light-inspired headaches, and trying to impress the tribunal with training the unicorn (aka: alicorn). But, the book definitely picks up in the second half with secret missions, codes left behind by the Black Swan, lessons in the elite tower, weird choreographed elf dances, and flying adventures, etc.

At some point I came to the realization that this author has definitely read all of the books I have read. It’s like she’s combined elements of J.K. Rowing, Tamora Pierce, Rick Riordan, and even Stephenie Meyer, and morphed it all into this modge podge fantasy of everything. I didn’t love this as much as book 1, but I’m hooked now. And I can’t wait to keep reading the series. I give this one a 7/10.

The Trials of Apollo Book Five: The Tower of Nero by Rick Riordan

Summary from Goodreads:

At last, the breathtaking, action-packed finale of the #1 bestselling Trials of Apollo series is here! Will the Greek god Apollo, cast down to earth in the pathetic moral form of a teenager named Lester Papadopoulos, finally regain his place on Mount Olympus? Lester's demigod friends at Camp Jupiter just helped him survive attacks from bloodthirsty ghouls, an evil Roman king and his army of the undead, and the lethal emperors Caligula and Commodus. Now the former god and his demigod master Meg must follow a prophecy uncovered by Ella the harpy. Lester's final challenge will be at the Tower of Nero, back in New York. Will Meg have a last showdown with her father? Will this helpless form of Apollo have to face his arch nemesis, Python? Who will be on hand at Camp Half-Blood to assist? These questions and more will be answered in this book that all demigods are eagerly awaiting.

Review:

It has been a joy reading this series. I have to say The Trials of Apollo has been, hands down, the best Rick Riordan series I have read. It has had the most humor, the greatest character arcs, the widest range of mythology –both Greek and Roman, the most involvement with the gods, and it has my favorite ending. Reading this book was a treat.

I’m not going to lie; I remember having no idea what I was getting into when I started book 1. I remembered the vain Apollo who sang all the time and recited poetry to unwanted ears. And we kind of got him in the beginning. Okay, we kind of got him the whole time…But, he grew more in 6 months than dare I say Percy even grew in the years since book 1 was written? What Apollo was willing to sacrifice in this book actually caused a tear to roll down my cheek. The actual character would be so happy to know that…

I loved seeing old friends in this book. I also loved that characters were still mourning in this book! I hate when characters pass away in other series, and then two books later, they are forgotten. No one is forgotten here! Also, the action in here was crazy. As one comes to expect in all Riordan books, it pretty much begins on page one. This time, on a train!

I also come to love and expect the humor in this series. And I know the cows were deadly in this book. But, oh my god. All the deadly cow haikus killed me. I could not stop laughing. And to think they were so worried about the cows not having food for two days at first….I also have to bring up Meg. She also grew a lot in this series. Her friendship with Apollo was everything. I could read whole books about the two of them just being annoyed with each other.

I feel like there was a bit of a setup for another series in this book. I’m not sure, but when a prophecy is involved with another character, I feel like that’s Rick Riordan saying, prepare now for this character to have a series….I guess we will see? I guess I’m all for it. It will definitely be much darker than the past books. I’ll miss the humor of Apollo for sure. But, I was totally happy with this ending. I loved this book. I loved this series. It was definitely my favorite so far. I give it a 10/10.

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

Summary from Goodreads:

"With a bolt of lightning on my kicks . . .The court is SIZZLING. My sweat is DRIZZLING. Stop all that quivering. Cuz tonight I'm delivering," announces dread-locked, 12-year old Josh Bell. He and his twin brother Jordan are awesome on the court. But Josh has more than basketball in his blood, he's got mad beats, too, that tell his family's story in verse, in this fast and furious middle grade novel of family and brotherhood.

Josh and Jordan must come to grips with growing up on and off the court to realize breaking the rules comes at a terrible price, as their story's heart-stopping climax proves a game-changer for the entire family.

Review:

I feel like 2020 is the year I’m finally getting to books I’ve been meaning to read for a long time! Also, it’s the second basketball book I’ve read this year. And, the second basketball book that blew me away! I had all the feels in this book. This book, written in verse, about two twin basketball stars moved me so much more than I was expecting.

And now I want to read all of Kwame Alexander’s books. That’s how great this book was. I’ve read his picture books. And I’ve recommended this book to kids at my library before. But, now I’ve finally read it. I get it.

I weirdly connected to Josh. On the surface, I have very little in common with him. I’m an adult, white female who does not play basketball. I do not have a twin. There was just something so universal about his feelings of being left behind, about his not being told about his dad’s health, about being kept out of everything. I connected to his anger about the unfairness of the world. I connected to him. And I guess if I (with my myriad of surface differences) could connect with Josh, so many others could too.

This book wasn’t just about basketball, though a lot of it was. It was about family, love, loss, and growing up. It was just so unique to have a book written in verse accomplish all that this did, and have its focal point be basketball too. I loved this. Some of the poems read more like a regular novel. You’ll read it like you are reading a normal book. And then some come across like poetry that’s meant to be read aloud. Or maybe that’s just my own interpretation? I read some of it out loud to myself. It just sounded like it needed to be read that way.

All in all, I found this book to be powerful. I’m not sure why it took me so long to get to it. I’m just glad to have read it. And I can’t wait to read more by this author. I give it a 9/10.

Ture or False: A CIA Analyst's Guide to Spotting Fake News by Cindy L. Otis

 

Summary (from inside book –non available on Goodreads):

Discovering the truth has never been easy…From Ancient Egypt to the French Revolution to today, fake news has always been around. And in today’s world, with our unprecedented access to information, the phenomenon is more powerful and present than ever. But finding the truth is still possible.

In True or False, former CIA analyst Cindy L. Otis guides readers through the impact of fake news over the centuries and empowers them to fight back by sharing lessons learned in over a decade working in intelligence.

With this comprehensive guide, you too can learn to find the truth and fight back against fake news!

Review:

I’m not normally a nonfiction reader, but I’ve been a lot more interested in nonfiction this year. This book was incredibly interesting and relevant to everything going on today. Nick and I have family that have worked for the CIA, and we have such respect and appreciation for what they do. I also know how hard it is for someone who used to work for the CIA to publish a book. To say I was curious about this annalists perspective on fake news would be an understatement.

And then I started the book…. I couldn’t put it down. The first half read more like a history of journalism then just a history of fake news. To see how leaders, governments, kings, rebellions, and individuals have used the news over time to manipulate people is just insane. News has been manipulating people since before newspapers even existed, let alone Facebook. Pharaohs in Ancient Egypt used fake news! I had no idea. To learn about it’s evolution in this way was just so unique and mind boggling for me.

Of course it all culminated in the 2016 United States presidential election. I learned that “6.6 million tweets provided links to publishers of fake news and conspiracy news. Interestingly, 65 percent of the fake news links that spread on Twitter during the election came from the same ten fake news websites. …” and “it means that false information spread farther and reached more people than real news did ahead of the election. And it was not that there were thousands of fake news sites pushing it out. Most of the fake news came from the same key fake news websites and social media accounts. But they would not have had the reach they did without real people who shared the articles on social media and visited their sites” (145).

The book lists the top 10 fake news stories, and I hadn’t heard of most of them. They are so absurd to me. But, people read them as truth. Also, A big take away for me from this book was that, fake news doesn’t change people’s minds; it works at people’s insecurities that already exists and makes them believe things harder.

Also, this book made me so much more fearful of Russia, a country who apparently has been a player in the fake news game since way before Facebook, and played a major role in the 2016 election. According to Otis, one of the IRA’s (Russia’s Internet Research Agency) big jobs was dividing the Democratic party after Hilary became the nominee. When Sanders lost the primary election, IRA accounts went to work on Sanders supporters, their goal being to turn them against the Democratic Party and discourage them from voting for Clinton, so Trump would get more votes.

The author also explains that fake news isn’t news that you don’t agree with. The difference between news and fake news is intent. Fake news is intending to deceive. When a French King or United States President doesn’t like what is said in an article, they can’t just say it is fake news. That’s not the right word. Calling something fake, when it’s not just makes people doubt everything in the media more.

The second half of the book is about handling this doubt. Otis shows readers how to figure out if something is fake or not. For instance, she explains that memes are not news.  (Side note: a lot of political joke memes are created in Russia). She lists fact checking sites you can use. She shows how to check things on Instagram, what to look for in a URL, what red flags are giveaways, etc. I have to admit, she goes into way more detail than I am willing to spend time doing… A lot of figuring out what is fake takes time. However, I have found myself looking a lot more closely at the news articles I’ve been reading. I’m a lot less likely to share an article, or a Meme. And I look up the details of the authors of articles now. So, has this book helped me? I’d say certainly!

This book is written for a Young Adult audience. I wish I had this book in high school. But, I also wish I could give it to everyone I know (kids, teens, adults especially). It’s maybe one of the most important books I’ve read in years. I learned a lot from it. I took a way a lot on a subject I thought I was already pretty solid on: research. And it was unbelievably fascinating. Sadly, I don’t think fake news is going anywhere. I think it’s going to get worse. Why not use all the tools we can to fish out the real from the fake? This was a super helpful tool. I highly recommend it. It was easy to read and I read it in one weekend. I give it a 10/10.

A Good Week in Books (224)

I’ve been reading a lot again. I read 3 books this week. I guess that’s my current 2020 version of a lot. I read one YA nonfiction book, and two middle grade books. And I loved all 3 of them! I also received 3 new books for review, thanks to Macmillan and Hachette. I had a birthday last week, and I went a little overboard and let myself buy a whole middle grade series I recently got into.  Happy birthday to me! These books are huge…I cannot wait to devour these books. I have a feeling it’s going to be a long winter, and the books will come in handy!

The new books:

 

Instant Karma by Marissa Meyer
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Rebel Rose by Emma Theriault
Keeper of the Lost Cities Book 2: Exile by Shannon Messenger
Keeper of the Lost Cities Book 3: Eeverblaze by Shannon Messenger
Keeper of the Lost Cities Book 4: Neverseen by Shannon Messenger
Keeper of the Lost Cities Book 5: Lodestar by Shannon Messenger
Keeper of the Lost Cities Book 6: Nightfall  by Shannon Messenger
Keeper of the Lost Cities Book 7: Flasshback by Shannon Messenger
Keeper of the Lost Cities Book 8: Legacy by Shannon Messenger