Two things before I launch into my review(s): (1) being an adjunct professor of anything takes all your free time, including reading; (2) it’s easier to take back time reading books than writing reviews. I’m seriously like ten reviews behind, and I actually jotted this one down a few weeks ago, but haven’t actually typed it up. I’m glad it’s only September. I need to catch up and move back into my regular groove! Okay, onto the good stuff. I first read a short story […]
The absolutely true story of an Indian who defied stereotypes and taught us compassion
“‘I used to think the world was broken down by tribes,’ I said. ‘By black and white. By Indian and white. But I know that isn’t true. The world is only broken into two tribes: The people who are assholes and the people who are not.’” (176) I have begun working my way through “25 YA Novels Everyone–Even Adults–Should Read”–a list I discovered on the internet. Numbers one and two are the Harry Potter and Golden Compass series, so I decided it was legit–even if […]
Sherman Alexie is one of my favorites.
*Disclaimer: this book was read via audiobook.* Sherman Alexie’s writing never ceases to astonish me. He is brutally honest while also being personal, funny, and witty at once. I appreciate the stories he tells, and the way he tells them keeps me interested and engaged. I saw the audiobook at my library and what got me to check it out was his narration of the book–well worth it. War Dances is a collection of short stories and poetry, like much of his other work. One […]
Seriously, one of the best YA novels I’ve ever read.
I’ve been meaning to read this book for a long, long time. Finally, I galloped through it this afternoon, and already I want to read it over again. It’s what Eric Gansworth’s If I Ever Get Out of Here wanted to be. It’s what so many young adult novels want to be. Junior (aka Arnold Spirit) has 99 problems, and extra cerebral fluid in the brain is just one of them. He also is part of the Spokane Reservation, which means he’s super poor. And […]