1 to 5 of 5
Review Date: 3/15/2018
At it's heart, this is a book about the power of love and acceptance, wrapped up in the charming garb of magical realism.
Nashville is a bird boy who hatched from an egg, and his parents love him as their son, despite his difference. But unlike birds, he can't fly, and longs to. Ultimately, this is a story about the magic that happens when we embrace that which makes us different from everyone else. Rather than trying to fit in, as Nash has done for years, in the critical moment, when it matters most, he finally accepts and is grateful for his difference, and that gives way to his magical transformation, where he finally grows his wings. They were there all along, waiting to be grown, but it was only when he truly embraced himself that he finally blossomed. I feel like that's the overall allegorical message of this book. When we finally accept ourselves as we are and are grateful for the things that make us different, it gives us this power to just be who we are, what we are meant to be, and that's incredibly liberating.
There's also the message , with the other kids at Nashville's school, that being different is ok. In the beginning, the kids who don't know him have all kinds of questions, and even pick on him a little because they don't understand him. But as they get to know him, they learn to appreciate what and who he is, and see beyond his beak and feathers to him as a person, and that in turn, inspires them to accept their own differences and become more comfortable with themselves and the things they're insecure about.
I loved Junebug, Nash's sister from the beginning because she never saw the things that made him weird or different, she always just saw him as her brother and lovely him accordingly. Beyond that, she knew when he needed to go and fly free and "be a bird" (or whatever), to be what he was supposed to be, and did all that she could to send him off with love and to support him in becoming his true self. I feel like that's what love truly is, accepting that people you care for will grow and change in ways you can't predict or control, and that occasionally that will mean that you'll have to let them go. Junebug knows that Nash needs to go and fly, and loves him enough to help him on his way. And he doesn't forget her (the honeysuckles prove that). As a side note, I also think that she is the old widow at the very end and very beginning that says that nothing is impossible.
Nashville was darling, his parents are a delightful example of loving, caring people, and his sister is an understanding soul who was simply adorable. I even liked Finnes Fowl, who wasn't the kindest at first, but later showed growth and compassion. Overall, this is a charming little read with a lot of heart. Not to mention it's short enough to hold youngsters' attention span, and I think any middle grade aged kid could easily tackle this and enjoy it's message. After all, we all wish we could fly.
My favourite illustration (though they're all simply adorable): page 136, Nash and June sitting on a tree branch together. I also really like the cover, if for no other reason than the idea of flying birds on string (like walking a dog on a leash), like they're kites, is just too funny and cute.
You Learn Something New Every Day
on page 75, Nash talks about different words for groups of birds, a couple of which I didn't previously know:
There's flock and gaggle, but also a murder of crows, a parliament of owls, an exaltation of larks,a charm of hummingbirds, a bouquet of pheasants, and a caldron of raptors. Awesome.
Nashville is a bird boy who hatched from an egg, and his parents love him as their son, despite his difference. But unlike birds, he can't fly, and longs to. Ultimately, this is a story about the magic that happens when we embrace that which makes us different from everyone else. Rather than trying to fit in, as Nash has done for years, in the critical moment, when it matters most, he finally accepts and is grateful for his difference, and that gives way to his magical transformation, where he finally grows his wings. They were there all along, waiting to be grown, but it was only when he truly embraced himself that he finally blossomed. I feel like that's the overall allegorical message of this book. When we finally accept ourselves as we are and are grateful for the things that make us different, it gives us this power to just be who we are, what we are meant to be, and that's incredibly liberating.
There's also the message , with the other kids at Nashville's school, that being different is ok. In the beginning, the kids who don't know him have all kinds of questions, and even pick on him a little because they don't understand him. But as they get to know him, they learn to appreciate what and who he is, and see beyond his beak and feathers to him as a person, and that in turn, inspires them to accept their own differences and become more comfortable with themselves and the things they're insecure about.
I loved Junebug, Nash's sister from the beginning because she never saw the things that made him weird or different, she always just saw him as her brother and lovely him accordingly. Beyond that, she knew when he needed to go and fly free and "be a bird" (or whatever), to be what he was supposed to be, and did all that she could to send him off with love and to support him in becoming his true self. I feel like that's what love truly is, accepting that people you care for will grow and change in ways you can't predict or control, and that occasionally that will mean that you'll have to let them go. Junebug knows that Nash needs to go and fly, and loves him enough to help him on his way. And he doesn't forget her (the honeysuckles prove that). As a side note, I also think that she is the old widow at the very end and very beginning that says that nothing is impossible.
Nashville was darling, his parents are a delightful example of loving, caring people, and his sister is an understanding soul who was simply adorable. I even liked Finnes Fowl, who wasn't the kindest at first, but later showed growth and compassion. Overall, this is a charming little read with a lot of heart. Not to mention it's short enough to hold youngsters' attention span, and I think any middle grade aged kid could easily tackle this and enjoy it's message. After all, we all wish we could fly.
My favourite illustration (though they're all simply adorable): page 136, Nash and June sitting on a tree branch together. I also really like the cover, if for no other reason than the idea of flying birds on string (like walking a dog on a leash), like they're kites, is just too funny and cute.
You Learn Something New Every Day
on page 75, Nash talks about different words for groups of birds, a couple of which I didn't previously know:
There's flock and gaggle, but also a murder of crows, a parliament of owls, an exaltation of larks,a charm of hummingbirds, a bouquet of pheasants, and a caldron of raptors. Awesome.
Every Young Woman's Battle: Guarding Your Mind, Heart, and Body in a Sex-Saturated World (The Every Man Series)
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
2
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
2
Review Date: 7/1/2017
Now I'm all for communing with God, and living a righteous life.
But I think that the idea that sex makes a person "less pure," just spreads the idea that anyone who has sex is somehow less of a person and I think that idea is downright dangerous.
Instead of looking at sex as some awful thing that only the morally bankrupt participate in, I really think instead we ought to educate people about it.
That is how you raise people who are aware and safe about what they do, and also compassionate enough to understand that some people choose different life paths, make mistakes, or even have bad things that they don't necessarily want happen to them. That is how you raise teens into adults that don't judge, but instead grow up to spread a message of self acceptance and personal responsibility, that's how you raise young people who respect themselves enough to wait until the time is right, not out of fear of committing a "filthy" act, and "sullying" themselves, but rather because they respect themselves, and care about God's plan.
Failing to educate teens about things like this doesn't necessarily means that they will abstain from that thing, it just means that if they do it (and no matter what you teach, some will) they will be woefully unprepared, and that leads to all manner of negative consequences (unwanted pregnancy without a proper partner, health concerns, etc).
In conclusion, I don't care for books like this. Sending the message that sex is something "bad" and "dirty" is far more dangerous than simply educating children about it while also educating them about God's wish for them to wait until they are committed to someone.
But I think that the idea that sex makes a person "less pure," just spreads the idea that anyone who has sex is somehow less of a person and I think that idea is downright dangerous.
Instead of looking at sex as some awful thing that only the morally bankrupt participate in, I really think instead we ought to educate people about it.
That is how you raise people who are aware and safe about what they do, and also compassionate enough to understand that some people choose different life paths, make mistakes, or even have bad things that they don't necessarily want happen to them. That is how you raise teens into adults that don't judge, but instead grow up to spread a message of self acceptance and personal responsibility, that's how you raise young people who respect themselves enough to wait until the time is right, not out of fear of committing a "filthy" act, and "sullying" themselves, but rather because they respect themselves, and care about God's plan.
Failing to educate teens about things like this doesn't necessarily means that they will abstain from that thing, it just means that if they do it (and no matter what you teach, some will) they will be woefully unprepared, and that leads to all manner of negative consequences (unwanted pregnancy without a proper partner, health concerns, etc).
In conclusion, I don't care for books like this. Sending the message that sex is something "bad" and "dirty" is far more dangerous than simply educating children about it while also educating them about God's wish for them to wait until they are committed to someone.
Review Date: 6/30/2017
So firstly, before I get into why I enjoyed this book, let me address the many bad reviews: (on goodreads and in various other places)
Some people have some negative comments about the character and her view:
she is whiny and annoying (yeah, she can be), she cares more about superficial shit like makeup than about her situation (at times it can seem like that), her priorities are totally out of whack (yes, it can seem like that too).
My issue with all these comments though, is that people forget that he book is written as though it is from the perspective of a TEENAGER IN THE APOCALYPSE.
If you were a mere 16-17 years old, you would be a bit whiny too, period. All teenagers are, and it's because they are going through something that is difficult, adolescence. In retrospect, being a teenager seems easy, but has everyone forgotten what a confusing and difficult time that was when they were going through it?
Second, she has plenty to whine about, it's a fucking apocalypse.
Next, yeah, she can be a bit superficial, but you don't stop being who you are, just because the apocalypse happened. If you cared about how you looked before, you're still going to. And beyond that, yes, there are entire passages devoted to how she dies her hair, or loots a pharmacy for some nice makeup, but I'll willing to bet that in an apocalypse, there's not a whole lot to do, and I'm also thinking here that if everyone you have EVER KNOWN AND CARED ABOUT is DEAD, that you probably want a distraction or two. Hence the dyeing of hair and the doing of makeup. It's simply something to distract her for maybe ten minutes fro the fact that her parents, brother, and all her friends are DEAD.
And sometimes, yes, I agree, her priorities are out of whack, or that she doesn't do enough to ensure her safety. She goes outside without bothering to look at the sky which is raining KILLER RAIN.
But I'm also going to wager that it would be hard for most of us to adjust from life as we know it to an apocalypse. That takes a little getting used to, and I don't care how quickly people think they would adjust, learning new behaviour like that takes some time. And when she reflects on those behaviours as she is writing all this stuff down (after is happened), she chastises herself for it, and realizes the stupidity of her actions.
More over though, I think it's very easy for us to all sit here from our comfy beds or couches or whatever, sitting on our nice laptops or smartphones, saying that she's stupid, and saying exactly what she should do in an apocalypse. It's easy to think clearly when you're in no immediate danger, when there isn't a constant threat, when you're not wracked with grief and sorrow, when your whole world hasn't collapsed. It is much harder to make the right decision when you're actually IN THAT SITUATION.
That's all. I think people hate this book, mostly because they forget that it's SUPPOSED to be a scared, confused, messed up KID, telling her harrowing tale of survival. And if you take it as that, I think it's great.
I think the idea is fantastic. take a general post-apocalyptic idea, but put a fresh new spin on it, Water is what kills you, even the tiniest amount, that idea feels fresh to me.
I actually liked the way Ruby tried to describe things, they seemed accurate in the sense that a teenager experiencing this madness would surely not be able to find an eloquent way to express it, but would be confused and scared, and would just try to say what it was they saw and felt.
I liked the journey she took us on with her.
I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing.
And as for the ending being kind of open, it definitely was, but I don't think that's bad thing here. The author obviously intended for there to be more to the story, for things to be continued.
i don't feel as though the first book was unfinished at all. I feel that eh first book is a tale of a young girl trying to go from a normal life to living in the most devastating of times, learning to survive and in all of that chaos, learning what still matters to her. It is simply the story of her transition from normal (is maybe a little shallow) teen, to that of a tough survivor. And I loved that story.
The second book, that is the story of her developing into an adult, and learning to fight for what she believes in. I think booth books are wonderful human dramas that a great number of kids could relate to.
And I think if you're used to the YA genre, and specifically, used to flawed protagonists telling their flawed story (especially if you like the dystopian/post-apocalyptic type books), then this is a story you'll enjoy.
Some people have some negative comments about the character and her view:
she is whiny and annoying (yeah, she can be), she cares more about superficial shit like makeup than about her situation (at times it can seem like that), her priorities are totally out of whack (yes, it can seem like that too).
My issue with all these comments though, is that people forget that he book is written as though it is from the perspective of a TEENAGER IN THE APOCALYPSE.
If you were a mere 16-17 years old, you would be a bit whiny too, period. All teenagers are, and it's because they are going through something that is difficult, adolescence. In retrospect, being a teenager seems easy, but has everyone forgotten what a confusing and difficult time that was when they were going through it?
Second, she has plenty to whine about, it's a fucking apocalypse.
Next, yeah, she can be a bit superficial, but you don't stop being who you are, just because the apocalypse happened. If you cared about how you looked before, you're still going to. And beyond that, yes, there are entire passages devoted to how she dies her hair, or loots a pharmacy for some nice makeup, but I'll willing to bet that in an apocalypse, there's not a whole lot to do, and I'm also thinking here that if everyone you have EVER KNOWN AND CARED ABOUT is DEAD, that you probably want a distraction or two. Hence the dyeing of hair and the doing of makeup. It's simply something to distract her for maybe ten minutes fro the fact that her parents, brother, and all her friends are DEAD.
And sometimes, yes, I agree, her priorities are out of whack, or that she doesn't do enough to ensure her safety. She goes outside without bothering to look at the sky which is raining KILLER RAIN.
But I'm also going to wager that it would be hard for most of us to adjust from life as we know it to an apocalypse. That takes a little getting used to, and I don't care how quickly people think they would adjust, learning new behaviour like that takes some time. And when she reflects on those behaviours as she is writing all this stuff down (after is happened), she chastises herself for it, and realizes the stupidity of her actions.
More over though, I think it's very easy for us to all sit here from our comfy beds or couches or whatever, sitting on our nice laptops or smartphones, saying that she's stupid, and saying exactly what she should do in an apocalypse. It's easy to think clearly when you're in no immediate danger, when there isn't a constant threat, when you're not wracked with grief and sorrow, when your whole world hasn't collapsed. It is much harder to make the right decision when you're actually IN THAT SITUATION.
That's all. I think people hate this book, mostly because they forget that it's SUPPOSED to be a scared, confused, messed up KID, telling her harrowing tale of survival. And if you take it as that, I think it's great.
I think the idea is fantastic. take a general post-apocalyptic idea, but put a fresh new spin on it, Water is what kills you, even the tiniest amount, that idea feels fresh to me.
I actually liked the way Ruby tried to describe things, they seemed accurate in the sense that a teenager experiencing this madness would surely not be able to find an eloquent way to express it, but would be confused and scared, and would just try to say what it was they saw and felt.
I liked the journey she took us on with her.
I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing.
And as for the ending being kind of open, it definitely was, but I don't think that's bad thing here. The author obviously intended for there to be more to the story, for things to be continued.
i don't feel as though the first book was unfinished at all. I feel that eh first book is a tale of a young girl trying to go from a normal life to living in the most devastating of times, learning to survive and in all of that chaos, learning what still matters to her. It is simply the story of her transition from normal (is maybe a little shallow) teen, to that of a tough survivor. And I loved that story.
The second book, that is the story of her developing into an adult, and learning to fight for what she believes in. I think booth books are wonderful human dramas that a great number of kids could relate to.
And I think if you're used to the YA genre, and specifically, used to flawed protagonists telling their flawed story (especially if you like the dystopian/post-apocalyptic type books), then this is a story you'll enjoy.
Review Date: 5/8/2024
this book was haunting and horrific.
it's a really important read about the realities that some girls can face in this disgusting, cruel world. But it's definitely not for the faint of heart. because this book pulls no punches.
it illustrates the brutal, ugly and gut wrenching reality of it's situation without pause or concern for delicacy, which, given the subject matter, is as it should be.
a hard read, but one i'm glad i read nonetheless
it's a really important read about the realities that some girls can face in this disgusting, cruel world. But it's definitely not for the faint of heart. because this book pulls no punches.
it illustrates the brutal, ugly and gut wrenching reality of it's situation without pause or concern for delicacy, which, given the subject matter, is as it should be.
a hard read, but one i'm glad i read nonetheless
Review Date: 6/29/2016
I'm not going to say all that much, if you really want to read my full review,you can
do so on goodreads.
In short, this book was stupid:
It was full of annoying cliches, there was barely a plot to speak of, and nothing really happened. It was pretty dumb in my humble opinion.
Even though I read largely YA books, I guess I just expect more from authors than stuff like this. Teens aren't stupid people, don't write stupid, empty books for them.
do so on goodreads.
In short, this book was stupid:
It was full of annoying cliches, there was barely a plot to speak of, and nothing really happened. It was pretty dumb in my humble opinion.
Even though I read largely YA books, I guess I just expect more from authors than stuff like this. Teens aren't stupid people, don't write stupid, empty books for them.
1 to 5 of 5
