Book Review: Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek

Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek

by Maya Van Wagenen

Book Summary:

Stuck at the bottom of the social ladder at pretty much the lowest level of people at school who aren’t paid to be here,” Maya Van Wagenen decided to begin a unique social experiment: spend the school year following a 1950s popularity guide, written by former teen model Betty Cornell. Can curlers, girdles, Vaseline, and a strand of pearls help Maya on her quest to be popular?

The real-life results are painful, funny, and include a wonderful and unexpected surprise—meeting and befriending Betty Cornell herself. Told with humor and grace, Maya’s journey offers readers of all ages a thoroughly contemporary example of kindness and self-confidence.

Book Reaction:

This book is relatable to all teenagers. Anyone in every school knows there is a so called “Popular” group, but sometimes the people you think are in the popular group don’t think they are in the popular group. This book should be read by all teenagers because of a few reasons. First, it is a comical read. Even if you are in a bad mood this book can make you smile whether it is the humor from the characters or from the personalities of the characters.

Another reason is it is relatable. All teenagers can relate to this book in some way, whether you think you are one of the “populars” or you think you are a nobody at your school. The last reason is that it is nonfiction. Most teenagers probably would want to read a cheesy romance book or an epic fantasy novel. But this book actually documents a young teen girl’s life and her finding herself.

Cover Reaction:

The book cover has a girl whimsical look to it. This book would probably attract the female species more than the male species, but the guys shouldn’t shy away from this book because of the cover most guys could relate to this book. Overall this is a cute book cover that would the catch the eye of a female teenager.

Awards/Honors/Nominations:

2015 YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction

2015 New York Times Bestseller

Book review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass

by Sarah J. Maas

Book Summary:

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin. Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.

Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilarating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another.

Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

Reactions to the Book:

This is an incredible book! There is action throughout the whole book, there is never a dull moment. The characters in this book have unique and hilarious personalities. The style of writing was easy to understand and beautiful. Reader will be attracted to this book because of the fantasy elements and way the story is written. This book would be a  great book for any reader who wants to start reading more fantasy books.

Appeal of Book Cover Art:

The cover of the book screams read me, with all the bright colors and the font of the words. I believe no one should judge a book by its cover but if I were to do that I would choose this book. This book cover shows the fantasy elements by the clothing and the weapons on the cover. This book cover screams high fantasy for all readers to enjoy.

Awards/Honors/Nominations:

2013 Best Books for Young Adults (YALSA)