Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

from goodreads

4 stars

I can't believe it is already past the half-way mark of September. Seriously, where did the time go. Since school has started I am starting to get into a bit of a familiar groove. Having two little ones at home is a nice change, though I do miss my older ones. During the day I only have one child coming with me with demands and desires instead of three. (The baby doesn't count, while he likes to eat he isn't super demanding.)

Now I just need to get into the groove of doing things for me again. Get into my schedule. I am looking forward to that!

Synopsis

Jacob loved hearing the stories behind his grandfather's pictures but that is what they were to him, stories. When his grandfather is horrifically killed Jacob decides to go to the orphanage, on an island off the welsh coast, where is grandfather grew up to find out more about him. What he finds is not what he expects.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure I would. The cover made me think it might be more creepy or more of a horror genre, which I am not into, but it wasn't and I was able to really get into the story.

The story was simplistic but there was a depth to it. You didn't get lost in details but there was a depth in character and story line that I liked.

I loved the concept that the author used of taking old pictures and then putting a story around them. Some of the photos were incredible and even though they didn't seem that they were connected Riggs was able to do it in such a clever interesting way that made complete sense.

Jacob's father was an interesting character, definitely an anti-hero. He was a good juxtaposition against Jacob.

The time loop thing was a bit wonky. I got confused by it a little bit. But I'm sure, if you are into time loops and know a lot about them it would make complete sense.

There are two more books in the series and I am excited to read them... I will have to stick them into my never ending to read list!

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

from goodreads

4 stars

When you were younger did you ever see other kids' parents and wish they were yours? It might have been the cool mom, or the industrious mom. It might have been the kid who had the coolest clothes or had their hair crimped. (Remember the crimping phase?) The briefest glimpse we got of other people's mothers made us envious and wish our mom was as awesome. For surely those moms never made their kids eat their vegetables or tidy their rooms. It was probably all fun and giggles.

As we grew up and as a parent ourselves we realise that there is no perfect mom. They all have issues and struggles. They are all going to insist on eating vegetables and tidying rooms. Sometimes when we see kids with all the cool gadgets that is often a way for the parent to make up for time away or feelings of guilt or to make the kids be quiet while the parent gets on with their life.

We all have our moments of parenting glory and parenting embarrassment. I know I will not be honoured for the mom of the year award... probably ever. And you know what that's okay. I know I am trying the best I can in the moment and that's all that can be asked of me or anyone. And I know, or at least hope, that someday my kids will understand that and then in their eyes I will be the awesome mom they always wanted.

Synopsis

Coraline feels a bit neglected by her always working, weird food eating parents. She discovers a mirror world with the perfect mother... or so she thinks.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book. I am a bit late on the Neil Gaiman scene, but I definitely need to read more from him.

As a parent reading this book it helped to show life through a child's perspective. Sometimes when we become an adult we forget what it was like to be a kid, or sometimes adult concerns overwhelm us that we forget to take a moment and just be and let our kids be kids. This book helped me think about the actions I do each day and ask myself, Am I being neglectful? Am I meeting their emotional needs?

This book was a great way to show kids and adults alike that things that seem perfect aren't always what they seem. We all have problems, some just show more than others.

I liked the whole quest part that Coraline must go on. The goal she had kept her focused and kept her from getting distracted. The rock with the hole in it that helped her see clearly helps us know that when we are unsure about something there is always a way to see clearly.

This book offers great insight to the modern family. Yes work is important, yes our own interests are important, but kids and their likes and dislikes are just as valid an important. We need to find a balance so that everyone can feel loved and heard.

This is a great book. I would think kids 9 and up would enjoy it. Their are some creepy bits and some of the pictures in my copy where a bit creepy (even for me), but it is definitely worth the read.

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

from goodreads

3.5 stars

Have you ever wondered what your life would be like in an alternate reality? Would you be the same type of person you are or would you be someone completely different.

Some of my favourite episodes of sci-fi shows have been when they put characters in an alternate reality. I think my favourites are from Stargate SG-1. Hilarity often ensues, but it gets you thinking.

I think using alternate realities or rethinking history is such a cool genre. There is enough the same that you feel comfortable and know what's going on. But, the changes are so quirky that you want to know what is going on and how it will end.

I guess there could be some purists who live for historical accuracy and don't want the timelines messed with. And for those who are the purists, well they don't have to read these books. But for those who want some fun, or often think what if this genre of book is great!

Synopsis

It is a tale of clankers vs darwinist machines.

Prince Aleksander is running away from the Austro-Hungarian Empire after his father, the Grand Duke, and his mother die. Deryn is a girl undercover as a boy in the British Air Force.

Their paths cross on the eve of World War I in this really fun and fantastic adventure series.

My Thoughts

This is the first steampunk book that I have ever read. It is not my favourite genre, but I would read another one.

I thought this was a really cool alternate reality. There was enough the same that it was believable but enough different to make for a really cool science-fiction.

I thought it was neat how the Darwinist airships were a living thing. What a neat idea. It was cool to see how all the systems had to work together for it to work.

As for the story itself, it didn't keep me riveted. The story was good enough but it wasn't something that left me in awe of the originality of the ideas. I think it was because this was a set up book for the rest of the series. There is so much in this world that is different that you do need to set things up for the next book so everyone gets this world. Also, there was a lot of back and forth between Aleksander's story line and Deryn's story line so that did disrupt the flow. All that being said I am looking forward to the next book.

I think this book would be great for 10 and up. Also, while good for both boys and girls, if you have a boy that doesn't want to read, this might be a good book to change his mind with.