Cause: Reconstruction America, 1863-1877

by Tonya Bolden
PRMS hardcover 121 pages
genre: non-fiction, history

I feel so ignorant of history! This was an interesting book about the period just after the Civil War. It is a bit disconcerting to think of what the Republicans and Democrats stood for at that point in U.S. history. It was also a very stark reminder that our country had some very serious problems (and that our modern view of things getting really bad is perhaps a bit skewed). It makes me sad to read about some of the ugly things done and to imagine what it would have been like to live (especially in the south) during that era. "Andrew Johnson" has never been a very key president in my mind, but his leadership definitely impacted our country in a powerful way. I can't help but wonder how things would have been different had Lincoln remained in office.

Beastly

by Alex Flinn
Hennepin County Library audiobook 6 discs
read by Chris Patton
genre: YA romance, fantasy

Basically, it's the Beauty and the Beast story in modern NYC.

Liked: interesting enough to listen to, great narrator, happy-ever-after, literary allusions and references

Disliked: the "chat room" stuff with other creatures who've had transformations, generally a shallow story, Kyle's jerk personality dominating so much of the book

Now I know what kind of reader to recommend it to!

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

by John Boyne
PRMS hardcover 212 pages
genre: YA Holocaust fiction

I'm glad I *finally* read this book! Kids seem to love it a lot. It's often gone from my shelves.

Bruno is a nine-year-old boy who really doesn't understand a lot of things. Mistaking "Fuhrer" for "Fury" and "Auschwitz" for "Out-with," he can only relate to the fact that he and his family have had to leave their lovely home in Berlin so that his father can wear a fancy new uniform and be a Commandant. He doesn't understand the large fence next to his new home or why all the people living inside the fence are so skinny and wearing striped pajamas.

I feel silly saying this, but the ending took me a bit by surprise. I wonder if kids reading this book understand the true horrors of the Holocaust, or if Bruno's naive view somehow softens the reality. This would be interesting to do for book club.

Smiles to Go

by Jerry Spinelli
Hennepin County Library audiobook 4 discs
read by Conor Donovan
genre: YA realistic fiction, relationships, family

Although there were some things that were very likable about this book, the irritating behavior of five-year-old Tabby made me not able to appreciate them. She is absolutely horrid in her behavior and her parents are benign figures who just take everything in stride. Protagonist Will Tuppence is definitely a bit too rigid in how he deals with everything in his life (including his little sister), but this story fell flat for me. Will and his best friends Mi-Su and BT are navigating the waters of teenage life, but the friendship dynamic is an odd one with these personalities.

My favorite part: Will getting advice from five-year-old neighbor Korbet.

Bigfoot Boy: Into the Woods

by J. Torres and Faith Erin Hicks
PRMS paperback 100 pages
genre: YA graphic novel, fantasy adventure

Quick. Fun. Rufus is left at his grandma's house, where he escapes her soap operas by following neighbor girl Penny into the woods. He finds a totem necklace and when he says the word on it, Sasquatch, he turns into one. A "younger" more innocent graphic novel.

Creed's Honor

by Linda Lael Miller
Hennepin County Library audiobook 10 CDs
read by: Jack Garrett
genre: romance

Speaking of romance, WHY do I continue to sample them? The protagonist, Tricia McCall, is too wishy-washy. The relationship progression goes: attraction, first kiss, hot sex, first date. What?! Conner Creed is gorgeous, smart, etc. and yet is available. His twin brother Brody has recently returned home, but they have bad history between them.

Redeeming qualities? Not as trashy as some other romance writing. But I know why some people refer to romance novels as "pornography for women." The storytelling was weak. What happened between Brody & what's-her-face to make Conner think his brother betrayed him and caused the two to not talk for over a decade? Why did Tricia stay in a "relationship" for a year and a half with a guy she almost never communicated with? Because he's "safe"? Really? Her great-grandmother vacates her house within a few days once she has decided to move to Denver. Really?

This just didn't work for me. And the romance wasn't. Romantic, I mean. Tricia was just too pathetic for me.

The Moon and More

by Sara Dessen
Hennepin County Library hardcover 435 pages
genre: YA romance, coming-of-age

Better than the Colasanti stuff, but still not my cup of tea! Emaline has been dating the gorgeous Luke since the two were freshman. Ready to enjoy her last summer before college, Emaline gets caught up in a wave of emotions surrounding her relationship with her biological father, ambitious Theo, and her friends and family members.

My favorite parts involved Clyde, the mysterious artist about whom Theo and his obnoxious film-making boss are pursuing a story.

Predictable, but definitely a better story than other YA romances.

Mountains Beyond Mountains: The quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a man who would cure the world

by Tracy Kidder
Hennepin County Library audiobook 9 discs
read by Paul Michael
genre: non-fiction

later!

I finished this a week ago, but the impact it left on me is strong. I had never heard of Dr. Paul Farmer before this story. He is undoubtedly an exceptional person who has not allowed barriers to stop his work in improving health care for Haitians and others. His methodology and philosophy are not acceptable to everyone, however. He can come across as arrogant and self-important. He certainly doesn't hesitate to criticize anyone who disagrees with him.

Yet . . . who of us has worked so tirelessly to help others? His compassion for the poor and frustration with the disparities of rich vs. poor access to health care is very real. He has truly made a difference.

I think this author did an amazing job of capturing and relating the different facets of Farmer's personality, philosophy, and work. I would love to read more of Kidder's work; I think he's a gifted author.

Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain

sub-sub titled "Supercharge your mental circuits to beat stress, sharpen your thinking, lift your mood, boost your memory and much more."

by John J. Ratey, M.D. with Eric Hagerman
Hennepin County Library audiobook 8 CDs
read by  ??? The author, I believe
genre: non-fiction self-help

Must blog later - just realized how late I am!

Later (8/30/13) - started several days ago . . . and am now finishing.

This book was very interesting. The author cited a lot of research that correlates aerobic exercise with mental wellness. He covered the impact of exercise on depression, dementia, addiction, stress, ADHD, etc. My favorite parts were the school-related findings and how exercise can decrease the negative impacts of stress. Now if only I could get it in gear and start moving!