Flowers For Algernon

AUTHOR: Joseph Wurtenbaugh
PUBLISHER: Mariner Books
PUBLICATION DATE: May 1, 2005 (first published 1966)
PAGES: 311
SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS:
The story of a mentally disabled man whose experimental quest for intelligence mirrors that of Algernon, an extraordinary lab mouse. In diary entries, Charlie tells how a brain operation increases his IQ and changes his life. As the experimental procedure takes effect, Charlie's intelligence expands until it surpasses that of the doctors who engineered his metamorphosis. The experiment seems to be a scientific breakthrough of paramount importance--until Algernon begins his sudden, unexpected deterioration. Will the same happen to Charlie?

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MY RATING: Flowers For Algernon is undeniably one of the saddest or heart-wrenching novel I've read so far. There are numerous times that some parts of this book that made me teary eyed, especially on how Charlie was maltreated by his own mother and younger sister, and by his colleagues in the bakery. This novel was first published on the late 50's, thus the people narrated during that time treated people with down syndrome differently. I cannot say that those who had this genetic disorder nowadays no longer experienced discrimination or maltreatment, but perhaps people are more considerate and open-minded now because of the massive information that we can access regarding this. If you're not into reading sad novels, then you should skip this one. However, don't fail to read this if you can handle distressing stories such as this.

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365 Classic Bedtime Bible Stories: Inspired by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut'sStory of the Bible

AUTHOR: Jesse Lyman Hurlbut
ILLUSTRATOR: Alessia Girasole
PUBLISHER: Shiloh Kidz
PAGES: 384

SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS:

Story Time--The Most Important 10 Minutes in a Child's Day!
Your children or grandchildren will delight in this fully-illustrated storybook that brings 365 read-aloud classic Bible stories to life for impressionable young hearts.
Beginning with the creation story, "God Creates the Earth," and ending with "In Eternity with God,” your children will develop faith in an almighty God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, while journeying alongside Bible characters like Samuel, Jonah, Esther, David, John the Baptist, Mary, Joseph, and many more.
365 Classic Bedtime Bible Stories promises to make bedtime reading a delightful learning and faith-building experience for your kids 3 and up.

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MY RATING: 
I've already seen a similar theme of 365 bible stories whenever I check the children's book section in the bookstore. The huge difference is that this version by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut is much better compared to those I've seen before. Some of the differences I can cite are: each story is printed per page, the font is bigger that's why it is readable, and that the illustrations drawn by Alessia Girasole are full page. Therefore, this book is much appealing and pleasant to read than the currently available versions in the market.

Thank you to the publisher for providing the ARC of this book.

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A World Full of Animal Stories: 50 favourite animal folk tales, mythsand legends

AUTHOR: Angela McAllister
ILLUSTRATOR: Aitch
PUBLISHER: Frances Lincoln Children's Bks
PUBLICATION DATE: October 5, 2017
PAGES: 128

SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS:

Discover a menagerie of animals with this book that brings together 50 best-loved tales from all around the world!Meet the Big Bad Wolf, the Ugly Duckling, and many other favorite characters from classic stories, myths, and legends in these fresh and vibrant re-tellings. Perfect for reading aloud!

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MY RATING:
The publisher sent a sample of this book which includes three stories: two from Europe, and one from North America. The illustrations done by Aitch are beautifully drawn and the young readers would absolutely love them.

When I'd read the title of this book, some of the Philippine fables crossed my mind. One particular animal fable that is really popular here in our country is the story of The Turtle and The Monkey. Hence, I was really expecting that story, which was popularized by our national hero Dr. José Rizal, will be included in this book. I'm a little disappointed that it is not; nevertheless, I still enjoyed reading the ARC/sample copy that the publisher provided.

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Grumpy Cat/Garfield #3

AUTHOR: Mark Evanier
ILLUSTRATOR: Steve Uy
PUBLISHER: Dynamite Entertainment
PUBLICATION DATE: October 4, 2017
PAGES: 26
SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS:

The adventure continues with the two crankiest cats around! Grumpy Cat, the sensational scowling star from the internet, teams up with the legendary newspaper-strip sourpuss Garfield -- and their meeting might just be a match made in heaven – if they don’t drive each other crazy first! Better hope that SOMEBODY brought lasagna!

 

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MY RATING:Grumpy Cat and Garfield as happy and obedient cats isn't right; thank goodness that the invention of the Pet Mogul Corp. didn't succeed because it only lasts for 24 hours before it fades. While reading this 3rd issue of this comic series, both Grumpy Cat and Garfield kinda reminds me of one our dogs that is also grumpy and a bully. Sometimes we prayed that that dog of ours will have a 180 degree change in his personality, but we realized that he'll be entirely a new dog if his personality changed. hahaha So we just accepted that he's just like that.

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Space Battle Lunchtime, Volume 1: Lights, Camera, Snacktion!

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Natalie Riess
PUBLISHER: Oni Press
PUBLICATION DATE: October 25, 2016
PAGES: 120
SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS:
Collecting the first four issues of Natalie Riess's delectable series, SPACE BATTLE LUNCHTIME! Earth baker Peony gets the deal of a lifetime when she agrees to be a contestant on the Universe's hottest reality TV show, Space Battle Lunchtime! But that was before she knew that it shoots on location... on a spaceship... and her alien competitors don't play nice! Does Peony really have what it takes to be the best cook in the Galaxy? Tune in and find out!

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MY RATING: Space Battle Lunchtime is a cute and entertaining comic series about Penny and her adventure competing to be the greatest chef in the galaxy. If you enjoy watching cooking show competitions on TV, there's no doubt that you will also enjoy reading the 1st volume of this comic series. Thank you to Oni Press for sending me a free copy of this.

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Traitor's Hope by Virginia McClain

AUTHOR: Virginia McClain
SERIES: Chronicles of Gensokai
PUBLISHER: Artemis Dingo Productions
PUBLICATION DATE: October 14, 2017
PAGES: N/A
SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS:
Traitors lurk around every bend. Mishi’s mind is betraying her, and she fears her kisō and katana will betray her next. Taka’s heart abandons her for a person she cannot possibly trust. Now that the two friends are obliged to help re-establish peace in the land of Gensokai, the only question is where the next betrayal will come from and if Mishi and Taka will have the strength to survive it.

 

 

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MY RATING: I was not aware that the Traitor's Hope is the sequel to the Chronicles of Gensokai series. But despite that this is second installment already and that I still haven't read the first book in the series, Blade's Edge, I was able to still follow what the story is all about. After the battle in Roju City, Mishi felt that she's broken because of what happened, but she still wants to seek out new female kisoshi, or an elite warrior. During the battle, Mishi would have died if Taka, a healer, wasn't able to save her. Mishi used so much of her kiso (fire) power during the battle that results to her fear that she might harm others because thought that she can't control it. However, Tsuku-san and Yanagi-Sensei told her that she must her kiso daily because it will help her channel it and will make it grow. Mishi was tasked by the New Council to fight once more, but she tried to decline because she thought she can no longer do it. Nevertheless, she still accepted the offer and together with the natural tracker Mitsu, they were assigned by Tsuku-san to track the group(s) of sanzoku or the mountain bandits. The former enemy Kusuko, a hishi or an assassin, became an ally during the battle of Roju. Yet, Mishi was still cautious of this former ex-foe because Kusuko killed Sachi, which can be read in Blade's Edge. But Kusuko was able to prove that she's no longer an enemy when she was able to protect Taka from her own father, Mamushi-san. Traitor's Hope is quite a long novel and I'm not familiar with the Japanese words/terms, but the author included a glossary of terms in the beginning of the book for easy access. The storyline is unique and those who are fascinated with the East Asia or Japanese culture, as well as fantasy fiction novels, this book by Virginia McClain will certainly enthralled them.

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A Prophet Without Honor: A Novel of Alternative History

AUTHOR: Joseph Wurtenbaugh
PUBLISHER: N/A
PUBLICATION DATE: October 10, 2017
PAGES: 604
SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS:
‘A Prophet Without Honor’ is that rare novel that provides a rich, entertaining and fully immersive reading experience, along with a resonant, thought-provoking subtext. Written in epistolary style and populated with interesting, fully-realized characters, the multi-general narrative is a seamless blend of authentic fact and sound speculation. The plot focuses on the one great, unrealized opportunity of the Twentieth Century.
In the first months of 1936, Adolf Hitler risked everything by ordering his untrained military to reoccupy the Rhineland. It was a bluff. The Germans would have been forced to retreat if the French or British had offered the slightest opposition. But the bluff succeeded. History changed decisively. Hitler quieted the opposition at home, and marched the world relentlessly on, to the edge of destruction and beyond.
The story examines that lost chance in detail. The result is a compelling story full of intrigue, danger, romance, and action, culminating in the reckoning that Hitler might have faced, had events taken a different course. It is a celebration of ordinary integrity and the enduring power of simple good will - even in times when honesty is the most dangerous virtue of all and the effects of good will seem lost in obscurity.

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MY RATING: The story of A Prophet Without Honor by Jospeh Wurtenbaugh almost fooled me that the Haydenreich family and their story is real. There are a lot of long correspondences between the family of Haydenreich to other people, and there were several letters of Dwight Eisenhower also especially to Karl's widow; thus, I nearly believe their existence. The first part of the book is one of the best portion of this book and also my favorite because the exchange of letters between Karl's father, Heinrich, and of her Jewish stepmom, Rosamunde, is immensely romantic. Aside from that, the life of Karl Haydenreich growing up, and the story of how his German grandfather and a fanatic of Hitler had almost corrupt his young mind, should not be missed . I had read several memoirs of the Holocaust survivors in the past; and this historical fiction from the account of German who's a Jewish sympathizer, is a fresh take because it shows a different perspective during the Nazi Germany. If you are just like me who love historical fiction, notably the WWII, I highly recommend this novel of Wurtenbaugh because I'm certain that you will have a pleasant time reading this.

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Tale of a Boon's Wife by Fartumo Kusow

AUTHOR: Fartumo Kusow
PUBLISHER: Second Story Press
PUBLICATION DATE: October 10, 2017
PAGES: 376
SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS:

A young Somali woman defies convention and clan to marry the man she loves, but must face the consequences.

Despite her family’s threat to disown her, Idil, a young Somali woman, rejects her high Bliss status to marry Sidow, a poor Boon man. Her decision transforms her life, forcing her to face harsh and sometimes even deadly consequences for her defiance of a strict tribal hierarchy. Set in the fifteen-year period before Somalia’s 1991 Civil War, Idil’s journey is almost too hard to bear at times. Her determination to follow her heart and to pursue love over family and convention is a story that has been told across time and across cultures.

 

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MY RATING: Tale of a Boon's Wife is unquestionably one of the best novel I've read this year. This book narrates the hardships of a young Somali girl Idil, from a Bliss tribe, who fallen in love with a Sidow, a Boon guy. The Boon tribe was a lower class tribe in Somalia because they were once slaves to the upper class tribes, such as the Bliss. Due to the difference to the social class, apart from Idil's younger brother Emil, other members of her family strongly opposed her relationship to SIdow. They had no choice but to elope because her parents were planning to marry her to Jamac. From there on, several suffering were experienced by the couple: from drought, civil war, poverty, and death. Women's hardships were clearly described in this novel; the quote in this book, "A man's dirt is his woman's wash, always," is the appropriate representation how women were viewed since then. Until now, some women still experiences this kind of treatment from their husband or partner, especially those who are older. Moreover, being a second class citizen/person of women in a Muslim country were also addressed in this remarkable novel. I love how Idil showed courage particularly in the latter part of the book; I was extremely happy while reading the ending because Idil and her family will finally have a better life away from her father; her older brother Omar and her second wife Rhoda; and from her pursuer Jamac.

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