Alexander Hamilton: The Graphic History of an American Founding Father by Jonathan Hennessey and Justin Greenwood

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Publication date: 2017
Publisher: 10 Speed Press
Pages: 176
My rating: 2.5 stars
Ages: 15+

Who was Alexander Hamilton? What led him to become such an important, and at times controversial, figure in American history? Learn about the man and legend through this graphic novel.

I have to start by admitting that I'm not very familiar with graphic novels; this may only be the third one I've ever read in my life. With that admission, I have to say that I just didn't feel that a graphic novel was the best form to use for this. I usually think the words and pictures work together to tell the story, but I didn't even look at the art most of the time. The only time that I felt it was done well was at the end during the duel, where the story was told by the characters speaking and by the pictures showing their actions. Most of the rest of the time, there was hardly any dialogue, just exposition.

This book would be much more approachable to younger readers if the author had taken a more creative nonfiction direction. As it was, it took a long time for me to read because it was things that I already knew and presented in a way that wasn't too interesting.

Some of the art was interesting. When Hamilton first came to America, he was a teenager, but he was drawn like a middle-aged man. Then there was some symbolic or metaphorical art that I could never really understand. I also felt that all the women were drawn too modern, with smirks and sass (this especially bothered me with Elizabeth Schuyler, Hamilton's wife).

There was talk of sex, with pictures of Hamilton in bed with a woman, which is why I put the age where I did.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Women in Sports: 50 Fearless Athletes Who Played to Win by Rachel Ignotofsky

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Publication date: 2017
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Pages: 119
My rating: 5 Stars
Ages: 8+

Do you know who the first woman figure skater was? Or that a woman dressed as a man for 20 years in order to play polo? This book explores the life and achievements of women in sports from the 19th century to the present.

Just like in Ignotofsky's previous book, this book was just as wonderful and charming! It's colorful and bright, with fun illustrations and interesting facts. Each athlete gets a two page spread, with a one page bio.

While there are obviously a lot more women who could have been featured in this book, Ignotofsky chose women who were trail blazers, record breakers, or especially respected in their sport. There are mountaineers, coaches, weightlifters, jockeys, and so many other kinds of sports.

This is a must for anyone and is particularly good for children to learn more about athletes and sports history.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
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On Edge: A Journey Through Anxiety by Andrea Petersen

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Blogger's note: I recently started grad school, which means that I can't read as much as I used to. For the foreseeable future, reviews will no longer be every Monday, but will be posted when they are written. Thank you.

Publication date: 2017
Publisher: Crown Publishers
Pages: 320
My rating: 3 stars
Ages: 18+

During her first year of college, Andrea experienced symptoms of breathlessness and racing heart. After months of going to doctors and having tests done, she learns that she has an anxiety disorder. For the next two decades, Andrea tries different ways to reduce and control her anxiety. This includes looking into medication, behavioral therapy, and the history of mental illnesses.

What was nice about this book was that, while Petersen does include factual data from experiments, it never feels too hard to swallow. Part of that is because she includes her own experiences with her anxiety. Petersen also talked to mental health experts around the world, which was interesting.

There were times when I couldn't read it because reading about someone else's anxiety can peak anxiety. Also, there were times when I read it and thought, "Well crap," based on findings of certain experiments, but there were also some really good things I learned from it too.

I put the age up so high because of the reading level, but not because of any sort of content. That being said, there is mention of sex and recreational drug use.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

The Inkblots by Damion Searls

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Publication date: 2017
Publisher: Crown Publishing
Pages: 416
My rating: 3.5 stars
Ages: 18+

Seen as a stereotype of quackery, the Rorschach test has long been misunderstood, almost since the beginning. But it is more than just random pictures. The test consists of 10 carefully curated inkblots, with meanings derived from multiple factors. Only those trained to use the test (usually in conjunction with other psychological tests) can make sense out of the answers.

I need to be honest. I didn't finish this book. Not because I didn't want to, or because it wasn't interesting, but because of life. Just after starting this book, I started grad school and the combination of the technicalities in the book and the technical things I was reading for my classes, it was difficult to want to read this.

However, the third of the book I did read was very interesting. I find psychology fascinating, so learning the little I did about the test and how it works was cool. The book starts with a modern day example of using the test and how patients react differently to the inkblot test than they do to other psychological tests.

Great for those interested in the history of psychology.

No swearing or sex.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Chinese Cinderella: The True Story of an Unwanted Daughter by Adeline Yen Mah

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Publication date: 1999; 2010 (this edition)
Publisher: Ember
Pages: 203
My rating: 3 stars
Ages: 12+

Blamed with her mother's death, Adeline Yen was treated as the lowest of the low in her family. Left at boarding school and forgotten, she was able to flee to Hong Kong just ahead of the communists. Trying to prove herself to her family and schoolmates, Adeline works hard to get good grades and earn a place in the world and her family.

This gives an interesting look at pre-communist China from the view of a child. There was also a lot about the Chinese written language and how it work (which was really fascinating).

It was a little juvenile, but that just made it easy to understand and more approachable for the audience that I believe Mah was writing for. The children who are ignored or blamed for things they had no choice in.

It was sad, but optimistic. Mah didn't seem to let the situations of her childhood negatively affect her. Instead, she worked hard and remained optimistic. This is probably because she had at least one adult who believed in her.

No language or sex.

*I do not receive compensation from Amazon.

All These Wonders ed. by Catherine Burns

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Publication date: 2017
Publisher: Crown Archetype
Pages: 327
My rating: 5 stars
Ages: 16+

Seeing Pluto for the first time. Surviving a concentration camp. Sharing custody of a dog. Summer camp. Each person has a story to tell, a story to share, about facing the unknown. The Moth has collected these stories into one volume, to share with the world.

I love these slice of life stories. They could be funny, sweet, sad, or happy. Each person shares something from their life that we can all identify with, even if we've never worked with a space craft or was a spy in WWII or been a refugee. But we've all lived life, experiencing new things, encountering death and birth, living through all those moments that make life what it is.

Because these are transcripts of oral stories, the voice of the person is kept intact, in a way that written stories seem to lose. I kept telling my family about certain stories I had read, even reading one out loud in it's entirety to my mom as she made dinner one night ("A Phone Call" from Auburn Sandstrom). Others I just summarized, though I'm sure really poorly.

Well worth reading. These are the things that help us see that we are a human family, connected by the things that are universal.

Some hard language and references to sex.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy by Sam Maggs

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Publication date: 2015
Publisher: Quirk Books
Pages: 207
My rating: 3.5 stars
Ages: 15+

What does it mean to be a "fangirl"? How do you defend yourself as a geek? What is the most important things to know about cons? This and so much more are discussed in Maggs's guide for fangirls of all kinds.

This was a lot of fun to read. Maggs tries to be inclusive, which is a difficult thing to do, so I don't think I can fault the guide for not including some things that I believed should have been included or approached differently. People from different backgrounds will always have different ideas and approaches, which I think Maggs did a good job at acknowledging, especially with the interviews she conducted with famous geek girls.

My favorite parts was probably the "One of Us" chapter, the chapter on surviving conventions, and the lists of resources and fandoms of all kinds.

There were some editing/design things that made me cringe, as an editor, but they weren't necessarily wrong more than that they went against what I had been taught.

There is some mild language and references to sex.

*I do not receive compensation from Amazon.

Talking As Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham

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Publication date: 2016
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Pages: 205
My rating: 4 stars
Ages: 14+

From auditioning with her butt to the Gilmore Girls revival, Lauren Graham shares the struggles and successes of her acting career. Her humor and honesty is as refreshing as the first smell of snow in Stars Hollow.

Graham writes the way she speaks, which I love. I love reading something and being able to hear in my head how the person would say it.

There was something refreshing about Graham's book, something different than the other celebrity memoir I've read. I think it was because Graham seemed to see everything in a positive light, or at least wrote of it positively. She also seemed to have a relatively normal life. I think we sometimes think that creative people are tortured eccentrics with drug and alcohol problems, so it's nice to read about someone from a loving family with relatively few problems.

It was also fun to hear her thoughts on the original Gilmore Girls series and the filming of the revival.

Very mild language.

*I do not receive compensation from Amazon.

Writing Magic: Creating Stories that Fly by Gail Carson Levine

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Publication date: 2006
Publisher: Harper
Pages: 161
My rating: 4 stars
Ages: 12+

Best-selling author and Newbery Award winner Gail Carson Levine gives advice and writing techniques that work. From how to create a character to working through writer's block, she walks the beginner writer through each step of the process. Each topic has a writing activity to help the reader put what they just learned into action.

I'm a huge Levine fan, so getting this book was kind of a given. What I liked about this book is that each chapter was short and to the point, making it a lot more approachable than some other books. This makes it particularly good for young writers who are interested in getting better at writing.

I do have to admit, I didn't do any of the writing activities. I was usually reading the book during lunch at work or in bed before going to sleep, so I wasn't really interested in doing them. However, just reading through it is something that I think will help me in my writing.

*I do not receive compensation from Amazon.

Besties by Leah Reena Goran

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Publication date: 2016
Publisher: Clarkson Potter
Pages: 96
My rating: 3 stars
Ages: 15+

There are friends and then there are besties. A bestie is someone who knows you inside and out, who you have inside jokes with, and who you can trust to be honest.

This is a celebration of besties everywhere. Through colorful illustrations and simple explanations, the book talks about that girl in your life who is basically family.

I don't really feel that this book was groundbreaking in anyway. It's more something that I would expect to see at a Hallmark store or similar places. Mostly, this would be a cute book to buy for your bestie for her birthday. That being said, there were several times when I thought of my own bestie--who I have known for 20 years. There are just certain things in this life that are universal, and the experience of best friends is one of those.

I put the age up where I did because there are some adult themes.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
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Where Am I Now? True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame by Mara Wilson

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Publication date: 2016
Publisher: Penguin Books
Pages: 255
My rating: 5 stars
Ages: 16+

Most people know Mara Wilson from when she played the title role in Matilda. In this book of essays, Wilson talks about her childhood as a star, her family, and what it's like to be an adult who is still seen as her most famous character--who happens to be an eight-year-old.

I don't know if I can even describe how I felt reading this book. It only took me a day to read, and had me in tears several times. Wilson is only a year older than me, and I could see myself in her, so I understood the world she was talking about. I may never have become a child star, but that is such a small part of who she is.

I remember going to see Matilda in theaters for a friend's birthday party (I had to leave during the cake eating part because it made me feel sick). And then, I have to be honest, I hadn't really thought about Wilson after that. Until I started listening to Welcome to Night Vale, a strange podcast where she has a small recurring role. Then I started following her on Twitter, and she's funny and smart and down to earth. So all of that kind of sparked my interest, and the book was definitely something I felt like I needed to read.

I'm glad I did. I like knowing about people, what makes them tick, why they are the way they are. Wilson opened up pieces of her life in this book, including her struggle with mental health, the openness of which is something that I appreciate. Each essay is like glimpsing through a window of Wilson's life-house, going from childhood, teenage years, and adult at different times, focusing on different things. It was a refreshing way to read a person's memoirs, instead of strictly chronologically. Wilson's openness and honesty were sincere and endearing.

There is some strong language and sexual references.

*I do not receive compensations from Amazon.

Master Lists for Writers by Bryn Donavan

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Publication date: 2015
Publisher: Munds Park Publishing
Pages: 269
My rating: 3.5 stars
Ages: 18+

Do you ever find yourself lacking the right word, or not knowing how to perfectly describe how one of your characters is feeling without telling it? Master Lists for Writers contains over 50 lists of descriptions, words, plots, names, and more.

I came across Donovan's website while searching for writing resources on Pinterest. I found her lists interesting and helpful, so I bought her book.

Just reading through this book helped me realize things about me as a writer, especially when it comes to my weaknesses and how to make them better. This isn't just a book of lists, but includes explanations of why certain things are important and how using things on the list effectively can make your writing better.

I put the age so high because there is a section geared toward romance writers, which discusses different aspects of sex.

*I do not receive compensation from Amazon.
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You're Saying It Wrong by Ross Petras and Kathryn Petras

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Publication date: 2016
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Pages: 192
My rating: 4 stars
Ages: 12+

Have you ever said a word and then been told you've been saying it wrong your whole life? In this book, we are given 150 of the most commonly mispronounced words in the English language, with the correct pronunciations and history behind the words. Never be caught in an awkward situation again! (Well, at least when it comes to pronunciation.)

The problem of being a reader is that I know a lot of words and what they mean, but haven't heard many of them ever said out loud. Which means that I have had a few embarrassing situations where I have said a wrong wrong.

This book is a great, and fun, resource. The pronunciations are written out phonetically, so you don't have to try to figure out what all the marks mean. Then the Petrases explain how the mispronunciation probably came about, and the history behind the words. This could be boring, if they weren't so entertaining.

There were a few words that I just couldn't seem to get my mouth around. Others, I was proud to see I already did pronounce right, even if I wasn't sure because I'd heard others say it wrong ("dais" being one).

Great book for all word people.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art by Madeleine L'Engle

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Publication date: 1980 (original); 2016 (this edition)
Publisher: Convergent
Pages: 190
My rating: 4 stars
Ages: 15+

In an attempt to explain "Christian art;" L'Engle wrote this treatise on how all art is religious, if done well. If story is truth, there is religion in it, even if not written by a religious person.

I first read A Wrinkle in Time when I was in elementary school. And I remember reading it again in sixth grade with the class and I got upset when I was asked to read the part of one of the Mrs. and my teacher said I was reading it wrong. I pictured her with an ethereal, echoing kind of voice, but my teacher said it was a stutter. Anyway, that's off topic.

I read it again sometime in the last two years and I was struck by what a big part religion had in it. I loved it, because it showed what I believe, which is that God and science are not separate, but work together. Reading this book, I learned that L'Engle believed the same.

This book spoke to me as a writer, as a Christian, and as a "Christian writer." It felt so multifaceted and there was so much that spoke to me on all of these levels. At first I was marking passages with sticky notes on the page, but realized that I was marking nearly every page, so I switched to a highlighter. Advice on how to write, quotes on art or religion, facts or stories that spoke to me on some sort of level--these were all marked and I hope to look back over them when I need to.

There were times when I felt that I just couldn't keep up with L'Engle, her writing was so intelligent and high level. I couldn't understand it, but I know what it was about (something she says a reader told her about the first time she read Wrinkle).

Great and interesting read which shows just how talented and amazing L'Engle was.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Every Frenchman Has One by Olivia de Havilland

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Publication date: 1961 (original); 2016 (this edition)
Publisher: Crown Archetype
Pages: 138
My rating: 4 stars
Ages: 15+

In 1953, Olivia de Havilland (Hollywood movie star and Academy Award winner) moved to France to marry a Frenchman. From her American point of view, France and the French have many peculiarities, which she isn't afraid to share with the world.

To me, Olivia de Havilland will always be synonymous with Maid Marion, since that is the part of hers I know the best. I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but de Havilland shares the things she has observed and learned living among the French with tremendous wit.

I laughed as she talked about learning the French language and the gaffes she made from not being familiar with the culture.

I'm glad that this book was printed again to celebrate de Havilland's 100th birthday. There is a new interview with her for the new edition, which shows that wit doesn't disappear with age.

Definitely recommend.

*I do not receive compensation from Amazon.

Alexander Hamilton's Guide to Life by Jeff Wilser

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Publication date: 2016
Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Pages: 291
My rating: 4 stars
Ages: 14+

Alexander Hamilton has been overlooked in our schools, known by most as the person on the $10 bill. But in this unique book, Hamilton is more than some dead guy, he is a fount of wisdom on every part of life: careers, family, money, and etiquette.

The musical is all the rage right now, which has sparked renewed interest in Hamilton. Before reading this book, what I knew about Hamilton was he was killed in a duel and he was a Founding Father. But this guide made me interested in this amazing and complex man.

This isn't necessarily a biography. Instead, Wilser uses Hamilton's life as a framework to give advice. Or maybe he uses the advice as a framework to share Hamilton's life. However it is, it's interesting and engaging, even funny. It's like going to a lecture by your favorite college professor: he makes it fun and maybe takes a few liberties, but ultimately, you learn more from him than you do from anyone else.

I loved all the seemingly off-the-wall comments on Aaron Burr (which may only be funny to those who know Burr's significance).

All in all, an enlightening and entertaining read and look at history.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky

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Publication date: 2016
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Pages: 121
My rating: 4 stars
Ages: 8+

Women have been contributing to science since the beginning of time, though it has always been difficult. From Hypatia in Ancient Egypt to astronaut Mae Jemison, this book celebrates and introduces these women to a new generation of scientists.

This book is wonderful! Each scientist gets her own two page spread, with a wonderful illustration of her and her work, along with a quote, interesting trivia, and a page of information about her life and work. The illustrations are colorful and fun and the information just simple enough to be understood but not to seem condescending.

There were a lot of women in this book who grabbed my interest. Some I had heard of before, some I didn't know anything about. I felt empowered by them. The women are from all time periods (that we have history of), different countries, different races, and different disciplines. I loved learning that every single one of these women had someone who believed in them and supported them--whether that was their parents or spouses or mentors. It's really important to know that you aren't doing it all alone.

This is a great book for everyone to read, whether you're a kid or an adult, male or female.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
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somethingtofoodabout by Questlove

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Publication date: 2016
Publisher: Clarkson Potter
Pages: 239
My rating: 4 stars
Ages: 16+

Questlove (from The Roots) takes his love of good food across America as he talks with some of the best and most innovative chefs about their methods, creativity, and art. From New York to Seattle, this is a journey of passion and food.

I don't consider myself a "foodie." I like good food and I like cooking, but I'm not innovative or particularly passionate about it. So when I first started reading this book, one of my first thoughts was "These people are insane." But the more I got into the book, I realized how fun it was to read.

One reason for this is that Questlove is a fun, intelligent person. The other reason is that when people talk about things they are passionate about, it's interesting--no matter my personal feelings on the matter. Each chef had a unique approach to their restaurant, to food, and to their motivation behind what they do.

There's one chef who has basically set up a laboratory, using a lot more science than any other chef to create innovative meals that shock and surprise the diners. Then another chef who changes his menu every three months, never returning to a previous menu. And one more chef who is trying to make good quality food at fast food prices so that everyone can enjoy it, not just the upper crust.

The pictures are interesting and Questlove's footnotes alternate between funny and educational.

There is some language.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

How to Weep in Public: Feeble Offerings on Depression From One Who Knows by Jacqueline Novak

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Publication date: 2016
Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Pages: 242
My rating: 2.5 stars
Ages: 18+

Defying the normal parameters of self help, Novak instead teaches "depressos" how to be successful at being depressed.

This book is satire embellished with self deprecation, blue, observational, and dark comedy. So, almost a little bit of everything. Some of these types of humor aren't easy to understand in print, so part of my fear is that some confused teen might pick up this book and think to take it serious. Also, I personally don't find some of the humor funny.

However, it was interesting look at depression by someone who has dealt with it. It was an honest attempt at breaking the stigma of mental illness. Novak held nothing back.

As mentioned, there is quite a bit of "blue humor," including language and sexual talk. That, along with the satire and topic, is why I have put the age up so high.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography by Laura Ingalls Wilder, edited by Pamela Smith Hill

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Publication date: 2014
Publisher: South Dakota Historical Society Press
Pages: 370
My rating: 3 stars
Ages: 16+

From pioneer girl to beloved children's writer, Laura Ingalls Wilder was and continues to be a major part of American history. In the never before read first draft of her autobiography, she details the family's many moves and hardships.

While very interesting, this wasn't quite what I was expecting. This was the result of a documentary editing project. Having worked on a similar project, I understand the amount of work and research that goes into creating a volume like this. And I found the introduction very interesting, but I wish that the footnotes had been endnotes--either at the end of the section or at the end of the book. The notes got in the way of reading the book, sometimes taking up an entire page or two. For others, all the notes might be of interest, but there were only a few times when I wanted more information.

I found it very interesting to learn how Wilder's real life differed from the fictional Laura's in the Little House books. Before reading the autobiography, I had read somewhere that some people believed that Wilder's daughter, Rose, actually wrote the novels. However, Wilder's writing was very similar to the novels and Hill goes into detail about their relationship as writer and editor. To tell the truth, Rose seemed like a little bit of a piece of work. But I'll let the reader decide that for themselves.

Because it's so historical, I think that younger children who would be able to read the novels would not find the autobiography so interesting.

*I do not receive compensation from Amazon.