Review: Small Favor

Small Favor by Jim Butcher
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Harry, Harry, Harry. You will never change, and that's why I love you so much. More sass. More monsters. And more coins floating around Chicago, harassing Murph and Harry. Luckily they have the knights and wardens to help them fight evil.

Marcone is trouble, and Mab calls on Harry to bail him out. He reluctantly helps his frenemy, because he just can't resist the siren's call of trouble. He gathers his band of merry men and women, and they quest on to save the good people of Chicago. And Ivy. And Marcone. Harry makes some missteps and bad decisions, puts everyone in danger, and barely saves the day, as usual. And he gets his ass kicked as many times as you would expect. But what's that I smell around the corner? Could it be romance? Nah, I feel like Butcher is messing with us. Guess we will see in book 11.

You should try these books on audio. So good! Just like you would think Harry would sound. 3.5 stars.

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Fool Moon (The Dresden Files #2)

Fool Moon by Jim Butcher

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


More fun and mayhem with Harry and friends!

Werewolves. In Chicago. And it's up to Harry to solve the mystery and save the town. As usual, he rises to the occasion while taking an ass-whipping. Harry, seriously, take those martial arts classes with Murphy. I have never seen a man get beaten up as much as you.

There were twists and turns in this one, and a sad part in the police station that shocked me. But it all worked out in the end, natch, and now Harry has a new set of friends to call upon when Chicago is in peril. Because you know it will be, because that's how it all works.



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The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1)

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Oooh, book, I wanted to love you so much. Alas, it was not meant to be. Friends?

Allison is an unregistered human living on the fringe of the vampire society. But then things get interesting. She gets into serious trouble and makes a tough choice to survive by allowing herself to be turned. So much potential! I was with the story all the way until they got to Chicago, but the ensuing drama fell flat for me. Undecided if I will read book two. Not bad, not great.



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Harvesting the Heart

Harvesting the Heart by Jodi Picoult

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


It's amazing how your opinions change over time. I have read this book three times. Once before I had kids, once when my kids were young, and now when they are nearly grown. I have viewed it differently and taken something different from it each time.

I have more mercy for Paige and Nicholas this time around, but the real standout for me was Astrid. The first time, I felt I understood May. The second time, I felt I understood Paige. And this time, I relate most to Astrid. It's like I was a different person each time I read it, and I suppose I was.

Marriage is hard. Motherhood is hard. Growing up is hard. Anyone who tells you differently is a liar.

Anyway, Jodi Picoult, I still love your books, no matter what version of myself is reading them.



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Yes Please

Yes Please by Amy Poehler

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Amy Poehler, I want to be your best friend. Is that weird?

Seriously, I think she and I would be the best of friends. She's funny, and smart, and seems like a genuinely good person and a good mom. She has stayed humble despite her fame, and is still a little self-conscious and brave enough to share it in her book. I loved the stories about her time on SNL. I laughed out loud several times throughout and fell even further in love with Parks & Rec, my favorite show. She's a funny, funny woman. I want to hang out with her and listen to more stories. Love you, Amy!

P.S. I recommend this on audiobook format. She reads it herself and has celebrity guests as well. Not sure how it is in book format.

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The Girl Who Fell From the Sky

The Girl Who Fell from the Sky by Heidi W. Durrow

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This book was an expected surprise. I started reading it when I saw it on my Oyster app, knowing nothing about it. I'm glad I did.

Rachel. Poor Rachel. The sole survivor of an unspeakable tragedy, she grows up with her grandmother and aunt and tries to find her place in the world. I can't relate to the issues of race, class, and social justice, but I found it fascinating to see a different side to things. Rachel's voice was strong throughout the book. She doesn't fit in either the "black" world or the "white" world, and is caught somewhere in the middle of it all.
Part coming of age novel, part examination of race and class issues in America, and part mystery of what really happened on the roof that day, it's worth the read.



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White Night (The Dresden Files #9)

White Night by Jim Butcher

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Still loving my Dresden Files journey. Book 9 doesn't disappoint. Harry is still deeply flawed with a heart of gold, solving crimes and keeping the streets of Chicago safe from the supernatural.

It begins with Harry reluctantly continuing to be a warden, and also tutoring Molly so she doesn't turn to the dark side. Murphy has been busted down to Sergeant, and she brings Harry in covertly on a murder masquerading as suicide. Harry catches the clues, naturally, and it's off to catch another supernatural killer. Yes, the White Court is still up to their shenanigans, and Laura Raith is still running the show. It ends in a fantastic battle that will not disappoint.

Things I loved: Gentleman Johnny Marcone. I like him now that we see more of his layers. He's complex, conflicted, and the enemy Harry knows. Rameriz as Harry's warden partner (love him even more now that Laura outed his secret). Thomas as a White Court knight in shining armor (literally). Murphy because she kicks ass, always. Mouse. He's simply the best part of Harry's life. The conclusion with Lasciel was more satisfying than I would have imagined.

Things I didn't love: Not enough Bob. Elaine. She's bad news for Harry, and I don't want her around. No Michael Carpenter--every book should have Michael.

Butcher has set things up for an interesting showdown between the White Council and the Black Council, but I'm ready for the war with the various vampires to be over. Looking forward to the next book in the series.



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Proven Guilty (The Dresden Files #8)

Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Harry's back, newly (and reluctantly) promoted to his role of warden for Chicago. Lots of fun in this one! Set mainly at a horror convention (Splatter Con! haha), we are re-introduced to Molly, Michael Carpenter's all grown up daughter, and she has a big girl crush on Harry. Harry, my favorite white knight in a leather duster, is having none of it. But you know what he wants to have? Murphy, in a big, big way. Yes, my favorite star-crossed lovers may never happen, but at least Harry is taking baby steps in the right direction. Murphy, open your damn eyes, please. Harry is amazing.

My least favorite character, Charity, plays a big role in this one. I'm not saying I like her, but at long last I understand part of her deep-seeded loathing for Harry. Misplaced, mostly, but understandable. All of my favorites are here: Ebenezer, Mac, Mouse, Thomas, Bob and Michael. Michael, in his typical fashion, is the ultimately the savior. Damn, I love him.

We get unexpected allies in the Summer Court and Mab and her Winter Court cronies make another appearance. It's all fun, and as usual, Harry can't catch a break without help from the people around him. Possibly my favorite book of the series so far.

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The Testing (The Testing #1)

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Standard dystopian fare, but enjoyable. The world is recovering from war, destruction, and Mother Earth fighting back. There are parallels to the Hunger Games, Divergent and Legend, but with unique twists. Corrupt government? Check. Earth in chaos? Check. Plucky female lead? Check. Budding teen romance? Check. It's all here.

In the United Commonwealth of the former United States, high school graduates can be selected for the Testing for entrance to University. The Testing consists of 5 trials. If you survive these five trials, they interview you and determine if you are worthy to enter University and be a part of rebuilding the country. Cia is a bit of a Mary Sue, but I think she'll bloom in the next book. We'll see. Truth be told, I really want to find out more about her father, so I'm hoping he plays a bigger part in book 2. Or just write me a prequel, Joelle.

Fans of young adult dystopian should check it out. Three stars.

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Social Science Week

Social Science

This week we each read a social science book from one of the subtopics we laid out for Reading University.  Our subtopics needed to fit one of the following criteria:

Anthropology - fiction or non-fiction book set in a culture or country different from yours
Religion - fiction or non-fiction book about a religion, sect, or cult, or about a religious figure
Psychology - fiction or non-fiction book about psychology, a psychological disorder, a psychiatrist, or where the main character has a mental disorder
Education - fiction or non-fiction book about education, an educator, or set in a school
Political Science - fiction or non-fiction book about a political movement, government, politicians, or spies


Books Selected:

Zach (Political Science - Politics and Governments)

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
My rating: 4 1/2 of 5 stars

A Game of Thrones is an epic series by George R.R. Martin (aka the American Tolkien). In the first book, Ned Stark becomes the hand of the King, not by choice. What happens next is full of political intrigue, violence, and drama. If you enjoy medieval settings, adventure, politics, or high fantasy books, you should definitely check out this series.




Michelle (Psychology - Addiction and Recovery)

Blackout Girl: Growing Up and Drying Out in America by Jennifer Storm
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Pull out your powdered wigs and gavels, everyone, because judgments are incoming!

Blackout Girl is a book about one woman's journey into addiction at age 12 to her recovery 10 years later. Along the way, terrible, terrible things happen because of her poor decisions, the company she keeps, and her family. Yes, her family. I place partial blame on her parents. Jennifer Storm has a lot of love for her father and disdain for her mother. It's clear she doesn't blame her father for his poor parenting skills or lack of involvement, but there is a lot of blame for her mother along the way. I blame all three equally for the route Jennifer's life took. This book hits all of the qualifications for addiction: traumatic emotional event? Parental divorce? Siblings involved with a "bad crowd"? No parental rules, supervision, or involvement? Between the cutting, the drugs, and the staying out all night, I wanted to stage an intervention with the entire family.

I believe some people do have a genetic disposition for addiction, and Jennifer Storm also lived in an environment that created the perfect storm for her life's journey. Kudos to her for finding her way out before she killed herself, and she seems to have come to terms with who she is and has a relatively normal adult life.

You will want to shake her and her parents along the way, but stick with the story until the end to hear what she learned and how she made a commitment to change her life one day at a time. Then go hug your kids and tell them to never, ever touch drugs, and ground them for a week just to be safe. Just kidding! Mostly.


Maddie (Political Science - Politics and Government)

Divergent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Divergent is set in future Chicago, and the government has split society into 5 factions: Dauntless for the brave, Candor for the honest, Abnegation for the selfless, Erudite for the intelligent, and Amity for the happy. When each kid turns 16, they go to a sorting ceremony and choose which faction they will join. That faction becomes their family. The story is about Tris, the choices she makes, and how she becomes her own person.  It is also about the government and how it impacts their lives with rules and regulations.

Blood Rites (Dresden Files #6)

Blood Rites by Jim Butcher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dresden goes through more crap, has the worst luck ever, then finds he actually does have a family. Nicely done, Jim Butcher. Nicely done.

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Divergent

Veronica Roth; 4 stars
Divergent #1
Chicago