tabatha_shipley's reviews
1326 reviews

I'm a fan of Mitch Albom books, in general. He has a great way of looking at the world and making you think about your place in it. This book was no different. Eddie winds up taking us on a journey through an afterlife that is much different than we may have expected. You'll think about your connection to people in a new way.


Five stars. It's a quick read and I highly recommend it.

This book is a wonderful example of how authors can spin creative realms to tell a story that seems just outside of possibility. Basically, this book exists in a future where humans have conquered death but still want to honor the tradition of death, mostly for overpopulation. Can you imagine being tasked with the killing of humans? Enter Scythes.

Citra and Rowan are the main characters here. Two teens who are chosen to apprentice a Scythe and learn the skill. I was completely entranced by their story lines and compelled to keep reading. I am starting book 2 today and cannot wait to see where it goes.

I highly recommend this one!

"It's the thrill of leaping without being able to see the ground right below you, right before you realize that's called falling."

I admit I grabbed this book because of the Twitter page the posts "Incorrect Cruel Prince". I laughed out loud at the way that person portrays Carden and Jude. I decided I had to give the book a read. I don't regret the choice.

The book begins with death. Jude's parents are murdered and she witnesses the event. From there, the story takes Jude and her sisters to the world of Faerie.

The masterful way that Jude interacts with the Faerie's was thoroughly enjoyable. The mystery was well done. The story kept my interest. I am looking forward to book 2, which is not available yet.

I recommend this one. It lives up to the hype.

What happens when life is turned inside out?

Alice Hoffman explores what tragedy can do to the people who survive it. The journey of these characters, including but not limited to main character Shelby, after a single event changes everything is realistic and relatable. The pain they all experience is raw. I loved Alice Hoffman's ability to capture their pain and their struggles.

This one is an emotional roller coaster, but I recommend you take the journey.

To five-year-old Jack the room is the entire world. It is where he was born and grew up. It is where he learns about life and plays with his Ma. To Jack the Room is everything. But to Ma the room is a prison where she's been held captive for seven years.

This is a book that will stay with you. Donoghue makes the choice to have Jack tell his story himself. The story is dark and dangerous from an adult standpoint. Once we learn what is really going on with the story, it's our worst nightmare come to life. But when a child tells the story, particularly a child who has never known anything else, the story takes on a whole new dimension. It's brilliant. This take on the story is one that we, perhaps, never would have thought about. She doesn't just tell us about how hard this is for the child, we live it and experience it with him. Yes, it was hard to understand some of what the five-year-old narrator is talking about. But it's worth it for what you learn and feel from this perspective.

A wonderful, highly recommended book.

I read this book after already watching the TV series. That seems important to mention because it definitely influenced my love of the book. I don't think I've ever said I love a book with a premise that I hate as much as this one, but that is the point.

This book, if you're unaware, is based in the dystopian future society where women are slaves to men in the biblical society, Gilead, where they reside. They are stripped of their names and used only for what they can bring to society. The premise is disgusting and shocking. If you're looking for a feel-good book, this isn't it. But it is important. It will give you feelings about your own worth. There are even lessons in there about perseverance and what humans are capable of withstanding.

Recommended.

This book takes everything I love about YA (characters, angst, self doubt, new love, passion) and everything I love about mystery (question everything, trust no one) and throws them into one novel. It's a great read and the great who-done-it story.

Some of the aspects were a bit easy to predict, but I have to remind myself here that someone who has read as many mystery novels (for adults and teens) as I have isn't necessarily the intended audience. The predictability didn't ruin the story.

I loved the characters. The writing was well done. I recommend this book!