Tag Archives: Anika J. ’17

Insatiable by Meg Cabot (review by Anika J. ’17)

August 23, 2013 mspelmanlibrarian Leave a comment

Insatiable by Meg Cabot
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Insatiable is a fantasy tale that brings vampires to life, making readers to empathize with the blood-sucking creatures. Meena Harper may seem like an average person at first sight, but she has a power that not many people know about: She can predict how someone will die when she makes eye contact with them. When she meets Lucien Antonescu at her neighbors’ party, life as she knows it is taken out of her control. A thrilling novel about the lives of the supernatural, Meg Cabot sends readers on a roller coaster of love, death, and unimaginable situations. I would strongly recommend this precisely written novel to someone looking for a fun and intense story. Be sure to follow up with Overbite, the sequel! – Anika J. ‘17

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The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling (review by Anika J. ’17)

August 23, 2013 mspelmanlibrarian Leave a comment

The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the small British town of Pagford, the death of Barry Fairbrother sets off a chain of events that change everything. He leaves behind an empty council seat, commonly referred to as a casual vacancy. Immediately, Cubby Hall, Simon Price, and Parminder Jawanda begin vying for it, causing a social war between factions in town. Families and friends turn against each other, and nobody knows whom they can trust. Personally, I lost my interest near the end because it felt like too much detail was included and unnecessary conflicts had arisen. The novel starts as a comedy but soon evolves into a grim tragedy. A few of the events were a little too depressing for my taste. On the other hand, J.K. Rowling paints a perfect picture of what it would be like to live in Pagford. In general, I enjoyed Casual Vacancy and would definitely suggest it to someone looking for a long yet eventful read. – Anika J. ‘17

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The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan (review by Anika J. ’17)

August 19, 2013 mspelmanlibrarian Leave a comment

The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A compelling story about the unbreakable mother-daughter bond, The Bonesetter’s Daughter features Ruth Young, an adult living with her boyfriend and his two kids, and her superstitious mother LuLing. The women have always had an difficult relationship, usually filled with arguments. Everything changes after LuLing gives Ruth some papers that reveal her past. Ruth finds that her mother’s humble childhood has made her into the woman that she has become, and soon learns about a side of her mother that she never knew – one filled with kindness, bravery, and a bit of rebelliousness. The lessons that Ruth, and the reader, learn about living life as it comes are some that will never be forgotten. A unique novel full of the perfect mix of surprise, laughter, sadness, and love, The Bonesetter’s Daughter is definitely a must-read. – Anika J. ‘17

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Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson (review by Anika J. ’17)

July 29, 2013 mspelmanlibrarian Leave a comment

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An inspirational yet eye-opening novel, Walter Isaacson provides insight into the invention, development, and release of many Apple products. It opens with a description of Jobs’ childhood. Frequently landing himself into trouble at school, few could ever have predicted what he would eventually accomplish. The reader is led through his tumultuous life: the positive memories, such as when he called up Bill Hewlett to ask for some parts, and negative ones, like distancing himself from the daughter he never wanted. I originally thought that I would not relate to Jobs, but to my astonishment, the majority resonates deeply with me. Lessons learned from this book are some that may never be forgotten. It’s definitely a must-read. – Anika J. ’17

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