Miles "Pudgy" is a junior looking for the Great Perhaps by following in his father's footsteps and trying out a boarding school. He meets an unlikely possey of new prankster friends, including the elusive Alaska. When tragedy strikes, "don't rat" takes on a new meaning as these friends work through their grief by trying to piece together what happened that day in Alaska's head.

I love the way John Green writes about death and teenagers. He's so spot on with characterization and dialogue. I also identified with a lot of this because I went to a private school - I wasn't cool enough to hang out with this kind of group, but still. I think this book was banned, and I will shout it from the rooftops: READ BANNED BOOKS.

This book helped me answer questions about death and the conundrum of what's left of a person after they die.

pairings: things fall apart, perks of being a wallflower,

Second book are tough, and Riggs does a great job with this one. I think I enjoyed the picture pairings even more in this book than his first. While the beginning started a little slow, he kept the story moving, which is sometimes a hit or miss in a second book. I'm excited to see what happens in book three!

There were a few muddled scenes, but it still kept my interest and I kept reading. In fact, I read the whole book in one sitting! :)

I really enjoy Riggs' characters, which is what I think he does best...and I also love that I actually have a face for all of these characters! :) I love the way Riggs executes these "old souls" (pun intended) trapped in the bodies of children/teens. It's such an interesting idea, and I've enjoyed seeing the juxtaposition of their older/younger desires - the tidbits of bickering children paralleled with bickering old people made me smile.

Tidbits:
-I didn't buy that Emma would be so forthright with her past so quickly.
-I like that Jacob is growing in his character some, but at his true nature, he's still an awkward teen. :)
-I love that ordinary people can still have peculiarities about them.

I'm beginning to pick up on some of the themes Riggs is writing about, and I appreciate what he's trying to say. I'll try to write more about those after I finish the third book.

SPOILERS.

Riggs' ending is definitely what I imagine fans hoped for - everyone lives happily ever after without Jacob having to give up too much. Again, I think this is believable because of the juxtaposition of the old souls in the children's bodies.

I did not buy that closing the time loop suddenly fixed everything - this went against loops that were closed previously. Still - plotholes are inevitable, and it could've been worse.

I wished we had more time in the library of souls - more description, knowing a little more about its purpose, etc. This would've been interesting.

All in all, a great series. I'd say skip the movie though, unfortunately.

Parings: heart of darkness; the time traveler's wife;

While reading this book, I discovered that I am not a huge fan of biographies. Please keep this in mind as you read the following review.

This biography was well-written and informative. The author portrayed the tension of what was happening as Julia was becoming famous in the US and how honest she should/could be about her fame when she was back 'home' in France. The way Child handled the situation says a lot about her, and she handled it pretty well. Child's dedication to her art was inspirational, and it was encouraging to realize that her huge successes weren't until later in her life.

Critiques: The biography read a little rambly. The details about meals she ate showed her passion for food, but some descriptions and passages around these descriptions didn't fit well together. I was personally more curious about her climb to 'fame' and how that affected her and less about her meal choices, but I understand that this was 1) probably a literary device and/or 2) recorded because that's just how she was – food was probably tied with her memories. The end felt rushed, but again, this is my opinion.

For a biography, this was written well, but it will probably be the last biography I read for awhile. Give me fiction. :)

I did not want to like this book.

But I did.

Shauna's willingness to be vulnerable in these memoirs made me feel less alone in my weaknesses. Even though I don't know her history and she (rightly) didn't go into detail about her specific life happenings, she identified the feelings we all have during dark times and showed us the hope there. I feel like that's a big theme in my life right now (hope amidst dark times) and I'm thankful that she wrote it. I often shy away from Christian books geared towards women, but this one left me pleasantly surprised, and it held deep truths that are not often found in Christian literature.

Sometimes I am still floored that we often see vulnerable people as courageous rather than the way we imagine it will go - that people will think we are gross. This is what I needed to read, and I am thankful for her work and willingness to share.

One of the books I wish I had written.

Nothing happens, and yet so much happens. This is a beautiful coming of age novel.

Many of Smith's images are breathtaking in this incredible book - I will carry her image of snow on brick "like fairy lace" in my heart.

All of the characters are endearing - of course, I identified deeply with Francie when her dad died. I think people who have experienced death write about it much differently than those who haven't. I wish I had read this when I was younger.

And any time an author ties the ending with the beginning as well as Smith did...really amazing writing.

Sad story, but excellent writing - my two favourites!!

The girls were flat characters...but round characters...and/yet SO intriguing. I'm uncertain if this was his first work, but if so? Wow.

Can't wait to read Middlesex.

Never stop reading.
Never stop reading.
Books are friends.