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mehsi's reviews
16528 reviews
The Secret Tree by Natalie Standiford
5.0
In a small neighbourhood are various mysteries, from a Man-bat to a Witch House. And now added to that, is a Secret Tree. What is a Secret Tree? Well a tree where you can put in your secret and it will be eaten by a ghost, well that is the story that is being told.
Minty was a wonderful character, I really liked her, though I also felt sad for her. Growing up is no fun. Her best friend Paz leaves her for another friend (who for most book was a total (sorry for the language) bitch). Luckily Minty finds another friend, named Raymond.
Raymond was an interesting character, I quite soon knew what was wrong though, and also why he was living in that model house and not with his mom. And who his mom really is. :)
I loved Raymond and Minty together, solving the secrets and pasting them in a big book under pictures of those people. :) And of course spying at evening and being mistaken for a prowler. Lol.
I didn't like Thea or Melina though. At times they were ok, but most of the time Thea was just whiny. Maybe if she was just a bit nicer Minty wouldn't do the things she does.
The secrets were fun and interesting. Some were sad, some were happy. Most were really big secrets that you wouldn't want anyone finding out about.
I really loved this book. It is all about growing up, last summer before a bigger school, finding new friends and finding yourself.
I would write more, but I don't want to say more, find it out yourself by reading this book.
Minty was a wonderful character, I really liked her, though I also felt sad for her. Growing up is no fun. Her best friend Paz leaves her for another friend (who for most book was a total (sorry for the language) bitch). Luckily Minty finds another friend, named Raymond.
Raymond was an interesting character, I quite soon knew what was wrong though, and also why he was living in that model house and not with his mom. And who his mom really is. :)
I loved Raymond and Minty together, solving the secrets and pasting them in a big book under pictures of those people. :) And of course spying at evening and being mistaken for a prowler. Lol.
I didn't like Thea or Melina though. At times they were ok, but most of the time Thea was just whiny. Maybe if she was just a bit nicer Minty wouldn't do the things she does.
The secrets were fun and interesting. Some were sad, some were happy. Most were really big secrets that you wouldn't want anyone finding out about.
I really loved this book. It is all about growing up, last summer before a bigger school, finding new friends and finding yourself.
I would write more, but I don't want to say more, find it out yourself by reading this book.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
5.0
READ IT! It is absolutely beautiful, stunning and lovely!
I would write a review, I tried many times, but I just can't find the words to describe how awesome this book is. Sorry, you all will just have to read it to experience it.
There are some parts that aren't all the good, I sometimes got a bit tired of Aristotle and how gloomy he was, but other than that, wow!
And I would love to have this in my collection, but sadly, every edition has those ugly as hell stickers on it. Yeah for it winning prices people, but no need to stuff so much stickers on it that you can barely read the title. :\
Recommended to, everyone!
I would write a review, I tried many times, but I just can't find the words to describe how awesome this book is. Sorry, you all will just have to read it to experience it.
There are some parts that aren't all the good, I sometimes got a bit tired of Aristotle and how gloomy he was, but other than that, wow!
And I would love to have this in my collection, but sadly, every edition has those ugly as hell stickers on it. Yeah for it winning prices people, but no need to stuff so much stickers on it that you can barely read the title. :\
Recommended to, everyone!
It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
5.0
I wasn't sure what to think of the book before I started it. It sounded quite awesome after I read the blurb, and after reading the book, I now know for sure, this book is epic!
Craig was a wonderful character. I loved how strong he was, calling a hotline when everything goes bad and also sticking to the whole treatment plan, even having a good time at the hospital.
I can say, you see that the author knows his stuff about psychiatric hospitals, it was at times just like I was there, not reading the book, but just standing between those people and watching them. So applause for that. It is not something everyone can achieve, it really made me love the book even more.
Really everyone should read this book, it is just wonderful and it shows a great character, who struggles, but also does he best to find his way back in society, without having all those problems.
Craig was a wonderful character. I loved how strong he was, calling a hotline when everything goes bad and also sticking to the whole treatment plan, even having a good time at the hospital.
I can say, you see that the author knows his stuff about psychiatric hospitals, it was at times just like I was there, not reading the book, but just standing between those people and watching them. So applause for that. It is not something everyone can achieve, it really made me love the book even more.
Really everyone should read this book, it is just wonderful and it shows a great character, who struggles, but also does he best to find his way back in society, without having all those problems.
The Very Hungry Zombie: A Parody by Michael Teitelbaum
5.0
I saw this book on Thinkgeeks, and just had to read it. A parody on The Very Hungry Caterpillar? Now with Zombies? Yes, yes, yes please!!!!
The format is pretty much the same, there are holes (this time through heads and also through body parts) which make the book really fun. The story was fun, though I can feel a sequel must be around or is coming soon. The ending was a bit open, and I would love a book where our Very Hungry Zombie will eat up some more people.
Is this book for kids? Sure, it is not too gore, and I am sure kids these days see worse things. I am sure most kids will love this book and will devour it. :)
The colours and illustrations are really close to the Caterpillar book, so there were waves of nostalgia going over me.
I loved this book and I am happy that I found out about it. I am hoping for more parody books, I will be sure to get them.
Review first posted on http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
The format is pretty much the same, there are holes (this time through heads and also through body parts) which make the book really fun. The story was fun, though I can feel a sequel must be around or is coming soon. The ending was a bit open, and I would love a book where our Very Hungry Zombie will eat up some more people.
Is this book for kids? Sure, it is not too gore, and I am sure kids these days see worse things. I am sure most kids will love this book and will devour it. :)
The colours and illustrations are really close to the Caterpillar book, so there were waves of nostalgia going over me.
I loved this book and I am happy that I found out about it. I am hoping for more parody books, I will be sure to get them.
Review first posted on http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett
5.0
This was adorable, funny and magical story.
Annabelle is a wonderful character and I love how she just continued knitting, making her town from drab and gray to alive and colourful. Instead of keeping it all to herself, or selling it, she kept it and cared more about her town and the people in it.
The last few pages were interesting, and I like the twist, but I think it would have been better had we not had it. I can imagine why it was added though. So we would know the secret of the box. However, with that secret out, it only made me more curious as to how it works and why some people can and some people can't use it.
The ending was also a bit too plain and it felt like something was missing. I kept checking to see if I missed a page.
The art is gorgeous (as expected from Jon Klassen, it is also one of the reasons why I bought the book) and I really enjoyed seeing the characters, but also the the town and several details. I loved the colours used, I would have loved to have a jumper in that colour!
All in all, if you are looking for a calm, magical story, this might just be your book. I would recommend it to everyone (young and old).
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Annabelle is a wonderful character and I love how she just continued knitting, making her town from drab and gray to alive and colourful. Instead of keeping it all to herself, or selling it, she kept it and cared more about her town and the people in it.
The last few pages were interesting, and I like the twist, but I think it would have been better had we not had it. I can imagine why it was added though. So we would know the secret of the box. However, with that secret out, it only made me more curious as to how it works and why some people can and some people can't use it.
The ending was also a bit too plain and it felt like something was missing. I kept checking to see if I missed a page.
The art is gorgeous (as expected from Jon Klassen, it is also one of the reasons why I bought the book) and I really enjoyed seeing the characters, but also the the town and several details. I loved the colours used, I would have loved to have a jumper in that colour!
All in all, if you are looking for a calm, magical story, this might just be your book. I would recommend it to everyone (young and old).
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Picture Me Gone by Meg Rosoff
5.0
This was a terrifically fun and good book. I really enjoyed the characters, the mystery and how our main character just could connect and see things.
Mila is a wonderful girl and I loved her a whole lot. She was smart, interesting and finally, she didn't fall head over heels as soon as she meets a guy, instead it takes time for her to fess up the feelings.
I loved her being a British girl, it made the whole going to the US a whole lot more fun. Her expectations, her thoughts, everything was funny and nice to read about. How she thought the country was nice, but found out that not everything is what it seems.
You also see her grow. Starting as a girl who just likes solving puzzles, she grows more mature, more adult. However, as she also said, she doesn't always like it and wishes (quite a few times) that she could just go back to what she was.
I liked her relationship with her best(?) friend. How even though the two are clearly growing apart, they still try to be friends, try to be there for each. I really enjoyed reading about them both, how they were in the past and how great the fitted together. Sadly people grow up, find other friends and friendships just fall apart.
The other characters were pretty decent, though I felt like they were just all characters in the big mystery that Mila had to solve. Every character she met (even her dad) was just a piece of the puzzle. Everyone had something to do with Matthew, all the lines connecting to him.
The big revelation was a bit of a surprise and I felt so sorry for Mila. She didn't deserve this, not at all and I am happy to see that she reacted as she should. Didn't pretend, didn't twirl around it, no, she was upfront about it, clearly showing her anger, her sadness.
The sentences took me some getting used to, even after 100 pages. They went like this: "I guess nobody heard anything from him, she says, but doesn't wait for an answer. She knows that any hearing from him would have been the first thing I reported. How are you my darling? Are you lonely?
A little, I say. Though at this moment it would be more honest to say a lot."
As you can see this little part shows the sentence structure, and how at times, it was highly confusing. At times I was wondering if someone was still saying something, or if someone was saying anything at all. If thoughts were actually said aloud or were just thoughts.
Also big plus points to this cover and also the book. I really liked how I could open the cover and see another set of signs on the next page. :)
There was just one little thing I didn't like particularly. Something I can forgive a normal person, but not a writer who is supposed to do research. There is a constant talk about our main character's mom going to Holland. Unless the writer meant the region then it is ok, but otherwise it is not correct. My country is called the Netherlands. And again I can forgive a normal person this, because I am already happy that they know it exists. However, writers should have done research, should have checked things. And it really sounds weird coming from someone who lives across the pond (aka the UK).
All in all though, this is a book I would highly recommend to everyone.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Mila is a wonderful girl and I loved her a whole lot. She was smart, interesting and finally, she didn't fall head over heels as soon as she meets a guy, instead it takes time for her to fess up the feelings.
I loved her being a British girl, it made the whole going to the US a whole lot more fun. Her expectations, her thoughts, everything was funny and nice to read about. How she thought the country was nice, but found out that not everything is what it seems.
You also see her grow. Starting as a girl who just likes solving puzzles, she grows more mature, more adult. However, as she also said, she doesn't always like it and wishes (quite a few times) that she could just go back to what she was.
I liked her relationship with her best(?) friend. How even though the two are clearly growing apart, they still try to be friends, try to be there for each. I really enjoyed reading about them both, how they were in the past and how great the fitted together. Sadly people grow up, find other friends and friendships just fall apart.
The other characters were pretty decent, though I felt like they were just all characters in the big mystery that Mila had to solve. Every character she met (even her dad) was just a piece of the puzzle. Everyone had something to do with Matthew, all the lines connecting to him.
The big revelation was a bit of a surprise and I felt so sorry for Mila. She didn't deserve this, not at all and I am happy to see that she reacted as she should. Didn't pretend, didn't twirl around it, no, she was upfront about it, clearly showing her anger, her sadness.
The sentences took me some getting used to, even after 100 pages. They went like this: "I guess nobody heard anything from him, she says, but doesn't wait for an answer. She knows that any hearing from him would have been the first thing I reported. How are you my darling? Are you lonely?
A little, I say. Though at this moment it would be more honest to say a lot."
As you can see this little part shows the sentence structure, and how at times, it was highly confusing. At times I was wondering if someone was still saying something, or if someone was saying anything at all. If thoughts were actually said aloud or were just thoughts.
Also big plus points to this cover and also the book. I really liked how I could open the cover and see another set of signs on the next page. :)
There was just one little thing I didn't like particularly. Something I can forgive a normal person, but not a writer who is supposed to do research. There is a constant talk about our main character's mom going to Holland. Unless the writer meant the region then it is ok, but otherwise it is not correct. My country is called the Netherlands. And again I can forgive a normal person this, because I am already happy that they know it exists. However, writers should have done research, should have checked things. And it really sounds weird coming from someone who lives across the pond (aka the UK).
All in all though, this is a book I would highly recommend to everyone.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
You Can't Scare a Princess! by Sarah McIntyre, Gillian Rogerson
5.0
The first book for me in the series about Princess Spaghetti!
Ah, and what a delightful tale it was. We got roller skating (and roller skating cats!), pirates, treasures, a castle/island made out of delicious foods and a kick-ass little princess named Princess Spaghetti.
I really loved our little princess. Instead of doing what normal princesses would do in a situation with pirates (Hint: screaming/panicking/calling for help, all in all acting like a damsel in distress), she helps them out with finding a treasure, and when things go wrong she shows them the wonderful world of roller skating.
I loved how she looked/acted with hair like spaghetti, a princess dress (of course!) and a kick-ass attitude.
The pirates weren't that scary, if anything I felt kind of sorry for them. They are quite a motley crew of pirates and can't seem to do anything right. I wanted to give them all a hug!
The illustrations are gorgeous and vibrant. I really enjoyed looking at them. Even when I was done with the story on the pages, I just kept looking at the illustrations. I kept finding new things, little details to other adventures and other times. I loved how the castle looked from the inside. And during the digging? It was fun to see the tunnel with the pirates, but also with some curious bunnies and not so happy moles.
All in all, this book is a book I would highly recommend. Young, but also older people will love it. Will embrace Princess Spaghetti in their hearts and will cheer for this little girl with the kick-ass attitude. A girl who isn't afraid of some silly pirates!
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Ah, and what a delightful tale it was. We got roller skating (and roller skating cats!), pirates, treasures, a castle/island made out of delicious foods and a kick-ass little princess named Princess Spaghetti.
I really loved our little princess. Instead of doing what normal princesses would do in a situation with pirates (Hint: screaming/panicking/calling for help, all in all acting like a damsel in distress), she helps them out with finding a treasure, and when things go wrong she shows them the wonderful world of roller skating.
I loved how she looked/acted with hair like spaghetti, a princess dress (of course!) and a kick-ass attitude.
The pirates weren't that scary, if anything I felt kind of sorry for them. They are quite a motley crew of pirates and can't seem to do anything right. I wanted to give them all a hug!
The illustrations are gorgeous and vibrant. I really enjoyed looking at them. Even when I was done with the story on the pages, I just kept looking at the illustrations. I kept finding new things, little details to other adventures and other times. I loved how the castle looked from the inside. And during the digging? It was fun to see the tunnel with the pirates, but also with some curious bunnies and not so happy moles.
All in all, this book is a book I would highly recommend. Young, but also older people will love it. Will embrace Princess Spaghetti in their hearts and will cheer for this little girl with the kick-ass attitude. A girl who isn't afraid of some silly pirates!
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/