Hi there!
Welcome back to the FINAL post for 2016 here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.
Many of you are counting down the minutes right now, or quite possibly have even turned the calendar already...as for me, I've been stuck at work all day and in limbo for the 40 minutes waiting on the night crew, so, here I am, wishing you and yours a safe and happy holiday...BUT...it didn't seem right to leave you without a post today either. The book selection today varies from Middle Grade Fiction to Young Adult to Non-Fiction and as the post title suggests, some (at least for this reader) may be better left in the old year versus the new. Ready or not, fair readers, here comes today's final contestants....
by
R.L. Stine
9781250705159
Feiwel & Friends
I was SO SIKED for this one, despite having read it after the Christmas holiday, because it was serving my purpose, nay my tradition of reading some version of A Christmas Carol every year. Well, it DID serve that purpose, but I can't say I enjoyed the ride...and it all comes down to our leading man, Rick Scroogeman. Where do I even begin? He's a bully straight to his core, that doesn't even recognize that he IS a bully. He's been delicately told by teachers, shown videos that were suppose to help put an end to it that only encouraged him more, and after his lessons from three unusual spirits...he's still a grade "A" a**hole. (< --- highlight that area for a mini-spoiler) I mean not to sound all Scrooge-like but he should be boiled in his own pudding for the things he does! My book's end, I was ready to lock him back up in that attic closet and throw away the key. To me, it felt like this one did a Mexican hat dance on the classic we've come to love, so while I can see perhaps young lads getting into it for the micro-scare and humor factors, I'm not certain I'd be comfortable with the other lingering messages it conveys.<- a="" approaches="" but="" creative="" enough="" experience.="" for="" ghosts="" highlight="" it="" make="" me="" mini-spoiler="" my="" nbsp="" one="" p="" read="" s="" save="" stick="" story="" t="" that="" the="" to="" took="" true="" wasn="" were="" with="">
The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily
by
Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
9780399553806
Alfred A. Knopf Books
For those of you who read Dash & Lily's Book of Dares once upon a time, this is the book you didn't know you were waiting on. Was it better than the first? No...sadly, but it would be pretty hard to top that initial intro to these crazy kids. It WAS however, highly satisfying, emotionally evocative, and a refreshing blast of yuletide-iness just perfect for the season. The bookish duos personalities remained intact, allowing readers to find many of those "that-is-so-me" moments along the way. The way Lily described the way Christmas weather SHOULD be versus what was...perfection! I myself have uttered at least half of her monologue throughout this holiday season...seriously, Christmas Day was 80 degrees....New Year's Eve, 35. (WTH?)
Dash was a bumbling genteel gentleman once again, striving to make things oh-so-right but not quite always getting it....same can be said for Lily though. She's in a really dark place this time...think familial illness, sibling upsets, and kama sutra gingerbread couples ~shutters~...but even with "Jahna" making an appearance, you can see our Lily Bear hiding within. Just gotta break her out...leave it to Dash and friends. They got this Christmas on lock. Final note, I adored Mrs. Basil E's character....absolute love and respect for that woman! Highly recommend this read for the holiday season and beyond...
The Lost Airman:
A True Story of Escape from Nazi-Occupied France
by
Seth Meyerowitz
with Peter F. Stevens
9781592409297
Berkley Caliber
This is the reconstructed account of Arthur Meyerowitz's time in World War II. Using first hand accounts shared many years later, and declassified documents, this remarkable man's grandson has created a book that takes us on a journey back in history. It will make you cringe at the atrocities man carried out against their fellow man, shutter at the numerous close calls where capture seemed merely a breath away, and yet, in the midst of all the horror, stand in awe at the resourcefulness and inner strength found among those that would stand for what's right even in the bleakest of hours. The inclusion of pictures of many of the key players, several documents, and scenes from around the area the aircraft was downed really help to solidify that connection between the reader and those that would be subject matter.
For me, I enjoyed learning about this airman and his family, but I wasn't as keen on the deep exploration of some of the other notable characters in history that we also dive into. Yes, they were important to Arthur's quest to see his family once again, but I "signed up" for Arthur's story, not Markel's or anyone else. For me, it devoted a tad too much attention to the other gentlemen, but eventually we got back on track to see our man safely (well, he was alive, at least) home. Recommended for history fans, both military and WWII sub cat's...and a lot of dad's because I know mine was chomping at the bit to get his hands on this one. ^-^
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So in answer to the question posed in the post title, yes AND no. I say don't necessarily forget, but learn from it, grow from it, and pass it on...the same can be said for the year's transition. Review copies received courtesy of the publisher and author for books 1 and 3; book 2 was a Christmas present from Mom, so my thanks to her. (THANKS!) For more information on there titles, authors, or publishers, feel free to click through the links provided above. All books featured are available now, so be on the lookout for them wherever books are sold.
Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
The Twelve Days of Dash and Lilyby
Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
9780399553806
Alfred A. Knopf Books
For those of you who read Dash & Lily's Book of Dares once upon a time, this is the book you didn't know you were waiting on. Was it better than the first? No...sadly, but it would be pretty hard to top that initial intro to these crazy kids. It WAS however, highly satisfying, emotionally evocative, and a refreshing blast of yuletide-iness just perfect for the season. The bookish duos personalities remained intact, allowing readers to find many of those "that-is-so-me" moments along the way. The way Lily described the way Christmas weather SHOULD be versus what was...perfection! I myself have uttered at least half of her monologue throughout this holiday season...seriously, Christmas Day was 80 degrees....New Year's Eve, 35. (WTH?)
Dash was a bumbling genteel gentleman once again, striving to make things oh-so-right but not quite always getting it....same can be said for Lily though. She's in a really dark place this time...think familial illness, sibling upsets, and kama sutra gingerbread couples ~shutters~...but even with "Jahna" making an appearance, you can see our Lily Bear hiding within. Just gotta break her out...leave it to Dash and friends. They got this Christmas on lock. Final note, I adored Mrs. Basil E's character....absolute love and respect for that woman! Highly recommend this read for the holiday season and beyond...
The Lost Airman:
A True Story of Escape from Nazi-Occupied France
by
Seth Meyerowitz
with Peter F. Stevens
9781592409297
Berkley Caliber
This is the reconstructed account of Arthur Meyerowitz's time in World War II. Using first hand accounts shared many years later, and declassified documents, this remarkable man's grandson has created a book that takes us on a journey back in history. It will make you cringe at the atrocities man carried out against their fellow man, shutter at the numerous close calls where capture seemed merely a breath away, and yet, in the midst of all the horror, stand in awe at the resourcefulness and inner strength found among those that would stand for what's right even in the bleakest of hours. The inclusion of pictures of many of the key players, several documents, and scenes from around the area the aircraft was downed really help to solidify that connection between the reader and those that would be subject matter.
For me, I enjoyed learning about this airman and his family, but I wasn't as keen on the deep exploration of some of the other notable characters in history that we also dive into. Yes, they were important to Arthur's quest to see his family once again, but I "signed up" for Arthur's story, not Markel's or anyone else. For me, it devoted a tad too much attention to the other gentlemen, but eventually we got back on track to see our man safely (well, he was alive, at least) home. Recommended for history fans, both military and WWII sub cat's...and a lot of dad's because I know mine was chomping at the bit to get his hands on this one. ^-^
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So in answer to the question posed in the post title, yes AND no. I say don't necessarily forget, but learn from it, grow from it, and pass it on...the same can be said for the year's transition. Review copies received courtesy of the publisher and author for books 1 and 3; book 2 was a Christmas present from Mom, so my thanks to her. (THANKS!) For more information on there titles, authors, or publishers, feel free to click through the links provided above. All books featured are available now, so be on the lookout for them wherever books are sold.
Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
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