Nerd Girl Loves Books

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

4 stars

This was another book club choice, and I really enjoyed it. The subject matter is not light and fluffy, but that’s ok, because it’s beautifully written. The author, Paul Kalanithi, was a 36 year old man finishing his last year of residency as a neurosurgeon when he discovers that he has stage IV lung cancer. Suddenly, his dreams of having a successful, meaningful career as a neurosurgeon and neuroscientist, husband and father are dashed. Paul makes the pivot from doctor to patient and chronicles his journey through his diagnosis, treatment and finally, his death. Continue reading “When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi” →

November 5, 2016 0

Gilded Cage by Vic James

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4 Stars. I really enjoyed this book. The publisher describes this book as appealing to readers that enjoy Kiera Cass and Victoria Aveyard, and I would agree. The story is set in a dystopian modern England. The monarchy has been abolished and the country is run by magical aristocrats called Equals. The Equals have very powerful gifts, including controlling people’s minds and actions, reading their thoughts, blowing things up and even killing people with their minds. Everyone else must serve the Equals for a term of 10 years as slaves at some point in their life before they turn 55 years old. Most slaves serve in slave towns as laborers in manufacturing and call centers. Some slaves also serve as house servants in Equals homes. Continue reading “Gilded Cage by Vic James” →

November 4, 2016 0

The Forgetting by Sharon Cameron

3.5 Stars. This was an interesting twist on the dystopian novel. The story is about a group of people living in a town named Canaan. The town is surrounded by a high wall and no one is allowed to leave. Every 12 years something happens and everyone in town forgets everything they know about themselves, their lives, their jobs, their loves, everything. Everyone keeps a book tethered to themselves and must write down their true memories everyday so that when they forget, they can read the books and learn who they are again. Everyone forgets, except Nadia. Continue reading “The Forgetting by Sharon Cameron” →

November 4, 2016 0

The Reader by Traci Chee

4 stars

Hello.
If you’re reading this, then maybe you know
you ought to read everything. And maybe
you know you ought to read deeply. Because there’s
witchery in these words and
spellwork in the spine.
And once you know to look for signals in the smoke,
for secrets in the sea, then you understand what it is
to read. This is a book. You are the reader. Look closer.
There’s magic here.

And so begins this utterly fascinating book, about….a book. What?! A book about reading and a book? C’mon! You had me at Hello….:-) Continue reading “The Reader by Traci Chee” →

November 2, 2016 0

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

4 Stars. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next book in the series. The Martial Empire conquered the Scholars and rule them harshly. Even minor infractions are met with death. Laia’s parents were leaders of the Resistance and were killed. She and her brother Darin live with their grandparents, until one night soldiers arrest Darin for treason, killing their grandparents. Laia runs for her life and stumbles on Resistance fighters as she flees. She begs them to free Darin. The Resistance agrees, but only if she’ll sneak into the soldier’s training academy as a slave and spy for them. Continue reading “An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir” →

October 31, 2016 0