Non fiction book review - Votes of Confidence

Votes of Confidence by Jeff Fleischer

I've never been much of a political person and my understanding of our government was pretty limited, informed as much by School House Rock as it was by actual school lessons. I'm prone to avoiding anything with a political slant. So for me to work my way through this book with any degree of interest or comprehension should be considered a feat and a measure of praise for the author. The first section lays out the basics of our system of government, it's history, and simple functions. This is the part we likely learn in school. It also points out nuance that is typically ignored in school, things that are actually just tradition rather than strict rules. The remainder focuses more on election rules - the different times and types of elections, voter rules, and the ways various groups attempt to manipulate voters and rules for their own ends. I highly recommend this one to any reader, teen or adult, who wants to better understand our political system.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

What am I reading today?

The Edge of Anything by Nora Shalaway Carpenter

Total read in March thus far:  38

Book review - The Queen Bee and Me

Title: The Queen Bee and Me
Author: Gillian McDunn
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: Captain Superlative by J.S. Puller
                      If This Were a Story by Beth Turley
Rating:

a bit more complex than the standard

Summary (provided by publisher): Meg has always found comfort in her best friend Beatrix's shadow. Self-assured Beatrix is the one who makes decisions, and the girls have been a pair since kindergarten. But middle school has brought some changes in Beatrix, especially when Meg tries to step outside her role as sidekick.
A special science elective is Meg's first step away, but when she's paired with quirky new girl Hazel, Beatrix steps in to stake her claim on Meg. Meg is taken aback at how mean Beatrix can be--and how difficult it is to stand up to her friend. But as Meg gets to know Hazel while working on their backyard beehive project, she starts to wonder: Is being Beatrix's friend worth turning down the possibility of finding her own voice?
This pitch-perfect exploration of middle-school friendship dynamics brims with heart and hope, and will resonate with readers of all ages.

My opinion: We get a fair number of books about friendship trouble in the middle school years, especially between girls. McDunn takes a hard look at social dynamics among these girls. We see the manipulative "queen bee', the subservient friend who goes along and spreads gossip to appease the leader, and the outsider who lies to avoid things she doesn't want to talk about, who doesn't really know who to fit en even though she wants to. That's the difference with this book. The outsider wants friends but doesn't really know how to conform. She isn't Stargirl, a determined outsider, just a socially awkward kid. We see each girl learning to stand up for herself and the things she believes in. Each girl has lessons to learn, none of them completely villain or completely victim. It's socially complex and more reflective of real life than we typically see. A solid choice.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

What am I reading today?

Superluminous by Ian De Haes

Total read in March thus far: 35

Listen with me

I had some concerns going into Mortal Engines, primarily regarding genre. I was concerned that it would be hard to follow or maddeningly complex. Those concerns were quickly dismissed by the characters that fill this universe. While the plot wasn't especially innovative, I was blown away by these characters. There are no simple villains or heroes. The villains all have complex motivations and prove to have redeeming values. The heroes realize that they aren't always right, that even "good guys" can find themselves making decisions that hurt other people. I'm especially admiring of Hester. Seldom do we see female characters with heavy scars, driven solely by revenge. These are elements given almost exclusively to male characters.

As far as narration is concerned, Barnaby Edwards does distinct voices for major characters and lends emotional emphasis to the lines. He successfully blends into the story, so it becomes entirely about the plot and not at all about his voice.

If you have any fondness for sci-fi, especially books with a dystopian vibe, give this one a listen.

What am I reading today?

Silverworld by Diana Abu-Jaber

Total read in March thus far: 34

What am I reading today?

Alien Nate by Dave Whamond

Total read in March thus far: 29