Review: Half Bad

Half Bad by Sally Green
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

One of the most interesting and original ideas from a male witch's perspective since Harry Potter! This first book set up some interesting questions about white vs. black magic, family allegiances, choosing friends from foes, and coming of age. Characters were clever and believable, and I especially appreicate a first-person perspective when the main character is pleasant company with interesting and honest thoughts. You'll also find some new takes on hidden magical elements existing in the real world that make it fun. I'm definitely continuing with the series.

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Review: After You

After You by Jojo Moyes
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Against several recommendations I received to NOT read this sequel...I did. Mostly because it was the only audiobook immediately available on my app's wishlist so I listened to it to pass the time. And it was a capital B Bummer. It wasn't terribly written, but it didn't have the same tenderness or depth or authenticity or provocative message as the first. It was a bit (okay, a lot) more crass and it couldn't decide what its message was. It couldn't decide whether to focus on Louisa's recovery from grief, her career and love life and a new sensual relationship in her life, her tenuous bond with her family, or her new teenage friend's various scandals due to her salacious lifestyle. I felt sort of yanked around and plunged into an uncharacteristically obscene world compared to this story's predecessor. Okay, so mostly the teenage friend put everything over the edge. Way WAY over the edge. It was like a contrived, campy, soap opera subplot. Darn it.

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Review: The Sixty-Eight Rooms

The Sixty-Eight Rooms by Marianne Malone
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Cute, somewhat charming tale about 2 young besties who encounter magic in a museum, go on a magical learning journey, and gain some tools of knowledge they end up using in their "real" lives. I get that this book is intended for a much younger audience. But some books, like, (ahem) Harry Potter, make the crossover. This didn't. I was bored by it. Maybe I have to re-review this after my own kids read it and I can see what they think?

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Review: The Sixty-Eight Rooms

The Sixty-Eight Rooms by Marianne Malone
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Cute, somewhat charming tale about 2 young besties who encounter magic in a museum, go on a magical learning journey, and gain some tools of knowledge they end up using in their "real" lives. I get that this book is intended for a much younger audience. But some books, like, (ahem) Harry Potter, make the crossover. This didn't. I was bored by it.

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Review: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As someone who has thought something was "wrong with me" all my life because I have so many "shy" tendencies, this book is very reaffirming. I'd recommend this to other introverts, but it's maybe even more important to extroverts or anyone who doesn't recognize the introverts around them. Lots of great insights, research, and even advice. It's about what it means to be introverted and how these personality types can actually be an asset in cultures and businesses (and families)) that seem so extrovert-driven. I wish this was a required textbook for business students, actually, because i'm sure it could solve a lot of workplace tension.

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