Posts Tagged: book review
Out of the pot and into the firefight
INTERNMENT introduces us to Layla, a teen American-Muslim, and her frustration and incredulousness at how basic civil liberties are being dismantled—while the people around her seem to just watch in defeated silence. Layla knows, and we know, that we were warned. This is happening because we didn’t do anything. INTERNMENT shakes us out of our stupor and encourages us to speak now and fight against a world that is spiralling towards complete oppression.
Out of the pot and into the firefight
INTERNMENT introduces us to Layla, a teen American-Muslim, and her frustration and incredulousness at how basic civil liberties are being dismantled—while the people around her seem to just watch in defeated silence. Layla knows, and we know, that we were warned. This is happening because we didn’t do anything. INTERNMENT shakes us out of our stupor and encourages us to speak now and fight against a world that is spiralling towards complete oppression.
At the core of power: choice vs circumstance
Like many chosen ones, Elisa grapples with being special—she doesn’t think she is and she is not even sure that she wants to be. But this book differentiates itself in the deliberateness of Carson’s language and of her narrative. When it is obvious that a writer has taken the time to consider the significance of even the smallest details, a reader can’t help but feel valued and respected. And in this book, it is undeniable that the small thrilling details all add up to an enjoyable and organic whole.
At the core of power: choice vs circumstance
Like many chosen ones, Elisa grapples with being special—she doesn’t think she is and she is not even sure that she wants to be. But this book differentiates itself in the deliberateness of Carson’s language and of her narrative. When it is obvious that a writer has taken the time to consider the significance of even the smallest details, a reader can’t help but feel valued and respected. And in this book, it is undeniable that the small thrilling details all add up to an enjoyable and organic whole.
Just do away with the girl
I don’t remember ever having to say this about any other story. Friends would maybe always hear/read me say that the love angle in a certain story could have been done away with. But I have never, EVER, felt like a lead character was completely unnecessary. Unfortunately, in my honest opinion, The Raven Boys could have done without the girl.
Just do away with the girl
I don’t remember ever having to say this about any other story. Friends would maybe always hear/read me say that the love angle in a certain story could have been done away with. But I have never, EVER, felt like a lead character was completely unnecessary. Unfortunately, in my honest opinion, The Raven Boys could have done without the girl.
‘Nemo, Ang Batang Papel’ teaches us about reality and the need for escape
The National Children’s Book Day blog tour posts the question “What is your favorite local children’s book?” Getting Paged participates with this review of Nemo, Ang Batang Papel (created by Rene O. Villanueva, Haru H. Sabijon, and Adarna House).
‘Nemo, Ang Batang Papel’ teaches us about reality and the need for escape
The National Children’s Book Day blog tour posts the question “What is your favorite local children’s book?” Getting Paged participates with this review of Nemo, Ang Batang Papel (created by Rene O. Villanueva, Haru H. Sabijon, and Adarna House).
Cutely disturbing/ Disturbingly cute, if a bit out-of-focus
In this book, the evil stepmother was more than a trope. She was Charlie’s perfect scapegoat for everything that has been going wrong with his life. She becomes such a source of anger that Charlie starts disengaging from his friends and family. And in this festering anger, Charlie’s nightmares find power to trap him in their world while they break into his.
It’s not dazzlingly original, but it’s a good plot. Unfortunately, the writers decided it wasn’t good enough.
Cutely disturbing/ Disturbingly cute, if a bit out-of-focus
In this book, the evil stepmother was more than a trope. She was Charlie’s perfect scapegoat for everything that has been going wrong with his life. She becomes such a source of anger that Charlie starts disengaging from his friends and family. And in this festering anger, Charlie’s nightmares find power to trap him in their world while they break into his.
It’s not dazzlingly original, but it’s a good plot. Unfortunately, the writers decided it wasn’t good enough.
Conjuring possibilities and magical histories
With a distinctly hopeful—some would say overly and naively idealistic—voice, The Apothecary offers an ambiguous look at the Capitalism vs Communism issue, with good guys and bad guys at either end. When discussed like this, it must all seem particularly yawn-inducing. Thankfully, it isn’t. This story was equally heart-stopping and profound, because even with such a bleak issue at its core, it maintains its balance with bigger-than-life characters. It did not disappoint. Break my heart, it did, in the ways good stories sometimes do. But fall below my expectations, it certainly did not.
Conjuring possibilities and magical histories
With a distinctly hopeful—some would say overly and naively idealistic—voice, The Apothecary offers an ambiguous look at the Capitalism vs Communism issue, with good guys and bad guys at either end. When discussed like this, it must all seem particularly yawn-inducing. Thankfully, it isn’t. This story was equally heart-stopping and profound, because even with such a bleak issue at its core, it maintains its balance with bigger-than-life characters. It did not disappoint. Break my heart, it did, in the ways good stories sometimes do. But fall below my expectations, it certainly did not.
Nothing queer about being gay
I think it’s about time for us Filipino adults to stop the pretense and give our kids the credit they deserve: they are reading and they are ready, maybe even more than us. It wouldn’t hurt to have something like this story, told from the point-of-view of 16-year old Steven who is struggling with the idea that just because he seems to be attracted to male people and likes square-dancing, people might consider him gay. And he is absolutely, positively not gay.
Nothing queer about being gay
I think it’s about time for us Filipino adults to stop the pretense and give our kids the credit they deserve: they are reading and they are ready, maybe even more than us. It wouldn’t hurt to have something like this story, told from the point-of-view of 16-year old Steven who is struggling with the idea that just because he seems to be attracted to male people and likes square-dancing, people might consider him gay. And he is absolutely, positively not gay.
Prose on cons: a heist of high praises
What more would one ask for in a heist story? All I demand is a believable method of stealing and escape—and given that our thieves here are teens, that’s already a challenge—and this book delivered the goods.
Prose on cons: a heist of high praises
What more would one ask for in a heist story? All I demand is a believable method of stealing and escape—and given that our thieves here are teens, that’s already a challenge—and this book delivered the goods.
Of wild woods and even wilder logic
It would seem that, generally, the way to move children towards an adventure is for parents to be dead, estranged, or hyperdysfunctional. I would, therefore, consider Colin Meloy brave for choosing to give parents to his two lead characters, Prue and Curtis. Too bad it didn’t work.
Of wild woods and even wilder logic
It would seem that, generally, the way to move children towards an adventure is for parents to be dead, estranged, or hyperdysfunctional. I would, therefore, consider Colin Meloy brave for choosing to give parents to his two lead characters, Prue and Curtis. Too bad it didn’t work.
Inciting revolution through literature
Filipino readers remain largely under-served in terms of mere access, let alone language or cultural representation. As a nation that seems to keep falling in the trap of forgetfulness, my country needs books similar to this—books that will help us remember. There is power in Octavian’s story, power that draws much from Anderson’s eloquent storytelling and diligent research. There is power in Octavian’s story, because his story is also ours.
Inciting revolution through literature
Filipino readers remain largely under-served in terms of mere access, let alone language or cultural representation. As a nation that seems to keep falling in the trap of forgetfulness, my country needs books similar to this—books that will help us remember. There is power in Octavian’s story, power that draws much from Anderson’s eloquent storytelling and diligent research. There is power in Octavian’s story, because his story is also ours.
Not Romeo and Juliet, where Shakespeare makes fun of love
Nelson Mandela said, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” I feel so strongly about Eleanor & Park that I have to plan this review around 3 hard-to-translate-into-English Pinoy terms.
Not Romeo and Juliet, where Shakespeare makes fun of love
Nelson Mandela said, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” I feel so strongly about Eleanor & Park that I have to plan this review around 3 hard-to-translate-into-English Pinoy terms.
Save the bird. Save the world.
Jacob begins his story by telling us that he will always think of the events in his life split between Before and After. I think of this book in quite the same way.
Save the bird. Save the world.
Jacob begins his story by telling us that he will always think of the events in his life split between Before and After. I think of this book in quite the same way.
Min Green, I can’t stop thinking about you.
Making use of the outcast and popular kid archetypes, Why We Broke Up finds a solid foundation in the opposites-attract template and reminds us that clichés only became stale because when they work, THEY WORK.
Min Green, I can’t stop thinking about you.
Making use of the outcast and popular kid archetypes, Why We Broke Up finds a solid foundation in the opposites-attract template and reminds us that clichés only became stale because when they work, THEY WORK.
Getting Paged 