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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
darjlj75 has commented on (14) products
Fullmetal Alchemist Volume 1
by
Hiromu Arakawa
darjlj75
, February 04, 2018
Very similar to the anime. I think a bit close to Brotherhood at first. Ed's expressions seem a bit more mature for some reason and he seems snarkier. Al is sweet as always. It quickly gets into the story. The action is easy to follow. Good balance of art and text. I love how these brothers work together. They have quickly learned from a heavily tolled mistake and seem to be doing there best to right what they can of it. Part fantasy with the alchemy and lots of action but there is also good character depth that has me craving more.
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Death Note 1: Boredome
by
Tsugumi Ohba
darjlj75
, January 28, 2018
This looks like it will be full of intrigue! I love the catch these two "Good guys" find themselves with each other. TO catch or be caught. To be a judge of death itself. Some curious things to ponder arise in this story. At first I kind of liked Light but he quickly becomes a bit of a jerk who obviously cares for no one but himself. Not even his own family apparently! Sheesh! Jury is out on L as of this volume. Ryuk amuses me and I loved the mini cartoon strip at the end.
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Independent Study
by
Joelle Charbonneau
darjlj75
, January 28, 2018
Well it seems The Testing is far from over. The Induction process seems almost as bad. Luckily more can pass but failure in any way in University can cost one their life! Yikes! I am a bit surprised where Cia is but for her field of study since she is under suspicion. I wish Tomas was in this one more. We get some new characters, 2 of whom I like so far (Enzo and Raffe) but not sure if they are actually good. Damone drives me nuts! I love how Cia is given an internship she can do a lot with but annoyed how she doesn't seem to use it! Overall a good book. It drives me crazy at times (in a good way that had me itching to read more), had me on edge at others. But no matter the reaction I had, I enjoyed every page!
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Silent Night: A Christmas Suspense Story
by
Mary Higgins Clark
darjlj75
, January 27, 2018
Not a bad story. Nice and short but still a bit edgy. A dash of holiday but not so much that you can't read it anytime of the year. All I could think while reading this was "Oh my goodness, I hope they get the boy back before his father finds out." While not completely edge of your seat style, it does have some good moments of anticipation. And a couple close calls. It is a fast paced story from early on until nearly the last paced. Easy to read in just 1-2 sittings. Brian really is one brave little boy!
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Sweet Valley High 101 Boyfriend War
by
Francine Pascal
darjlj75
, January 27, 2018
There was a lot of unnecessary character scenes with Amy & Carolyn that seem to serve no purpose. Elizabeth's movie scenes are over-thinking angst get annoying real quick. How she allows a week of movies turn speculation about her mother into fat I have no idea...Drove me crazy. And I got to meet a reach douchebag in this one. Mich. Ugh He made me sick! While he does get some payback bestowed upon him I really hated every time he opened his mouth. How both Lila and Jessica could fall for them I have no idea. While it was an okay story, this is far from a favorite in the series.
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Firebolt
by
Adrienne Woods
darjlj75
, July 26, 2014
Where is the next book?! I want more.... Can you tell I enjoyed this? This was an interesting blend of medieval fantasy mixed with some more modern urban fantasy. Lots of Harry Potter-like qualities to this book. And a book any fan of the aforementioned series should check out! I had so much fun reading this book. It wastes no time getting right into the story. Elena is constantly moving around with her dad. Always running from bold text: something. One particular night on the run they are suddenly attacked by dragons. Next thing Elena knows she is in another world and her father is dead. Great things are expected from her and she is thrust into the school of Dragonia. There she learns of magic, dragons, Dragonians and more. Elena is your average, run-of-the-mill teenager. Clumsy, speaks her mind, average skills, etc. The one thing she excels at are riddles, which is amusing as she apparently doesn't like them. She is easy to relate to being she is not your over-the-top heroine. The book is first person as her. Her mind is an easy-going, comfortable place to sit back and enjoy the ride. The world she has entered is very similar to our own. They have cars, museums, shopping centers, "cell" phones, etc. Yet theirs is better even than what we have. Plus they have Dragons. In fact, about half of Elena's new classmates are dragons in human form. She has a lot to learn in this school and she struggles through it all. Elena also uses an adorable phrase: "For the love of blueberries." This made me smile every time I read it. The school really reminds me of Harry Potter. Not in the magic sense but the classes, friendships, mix of the regular word and the magical, etc. Subtle things. Aspects of Eragon, Lord of the Rings, and other stories are also evident. I love the characters. Over flirtatious Brian, Prince Lucian, sweet Sammy, courageous Becky and the enigma...Blake. I so wanted more about him. Alas, I must wait for the next book. This book was read almost entirely in one sitting. Very entertaining and well-paced. A great balance or story and action. A bit predictable so far though. Not necessarily a bad thing though, while how it is written. But I did want to jump in and shake a character with the truth of certain matters. Although some of these "truths" are yet to be told in this book so there is a chance I am wrong. This book is rich in its telling. Not just the current story but the very world it is in. Adrienne Woods really did create a whole new world, including a wonderful back-story. Overall, a joy to read. One to re-read. While there are some grammar mistakes (especially lack of spacing between words), the story helps to compensate and overlook most of them. If you want Dragons, romance, action and friendship this is assuredly a must read for you! -Jamie @ Vailia's Page Turner
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Viral Nation
by
Shaunta Grimes
darjlj75
, July 26, 2014
Well done, Shaunta Grimes. This is the first book I have ever read by her, and I don't plan on it being the last! She quickly draws you in with a great prologue where a virus has broken out and most the the US population is dying. Suddenly there is a cure! But for many, it was too late. Each state was reduced to a single city worth of people. In the state of Nevada, only 20,000 remain, many of them children. Yikes! What a way to start, right? Jump up 16 years to young Clover (16) and her older brother, West who is her guardian. These are our main characters and they are very well done. The relationship is strong and easy to relate to. Clover is autistic and the author did a superb job capturing that. The lack of touch, need for space and quite. The reactions to sudden movements, etc. Due to the autism she has a dog, Mango, who is just the sweetest thing and I want to take him home myself. The world is vastly different and well done as a post-apocalyptic society. With a cool twist. Certain people can go two years into the future to see what is happening. It is how the cure was found in the first place. They go to the future for updates and to learn and crimes to stop them before they happen. Soon after Clover ends up being one of those that go into the future, she and West are given some shocking news that he will soon be killing someone. Clover is also visited by a young man who gives her some odd information that changes everything she knows about the cure, the company and the very world she lives in. While I enjoyed this book, I did notice some small plot discrepancies that I hope will be explained in the next book. Also I really, really wanted to know about the rest of the world. Was this a US only virus? If so, why? What about Canada or Mexico especially since they are right next to the US? Nothing. The only reference we have is in the plot summary but nothing in the actual story. To me, that was important to the world building an a fairly big miss. So beside the above mentioned flaw, I found this book to be quite well done, relatively realistic to follow, great characters and concept. I hope the next book brings out more of the other characters, such as Leanne, Jude, etc more. This was not a book easy to put down. Once you start, you just want to keep going. The pace is never ending. We are constantly being feed more pieces of the story and this world. It leaves you craving to know what will happen in the next book. -Jamie @ Vailia's Page Turner
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The Hunger Games: Hunger Games 1
by
Suzanne Collins
darjlj75
, July 26, 2014
Well this book lived up to a lot of the hype that surrounds it. While the name and cover still do not grab my attention the story, once started, did. This book is written in first perspective, from the heroine's aspect. Her name is Katniss Everdeen. She starts off in her home, a simple, poor area of the land. She is the provider for her mother and sister with her hunting skills. To protect her younger sister, she is sent to the capitol, along with local boy Peeta, to 'participate' in the annual Hunger Games. These 'games' are fights to the death, aired and shown to the capitol and all 12 districts under its control, in a survival arena of sorts. The book shows, throughout the story, a somewhat futuristic dystopia society. The tributes (Katniss, Peeta and others in the game) are given basic weapons (bows, spears, clubs) and the district where Katniss is from uses herbs and eats basic foods (squirrel, wild turkey, etc) but the capitol has voice command room service, automatic hair dryers, and a camera/screen set that tracks and shows the tributes (no matter where they go) to the viewers. It is an interesting combination. There is a 'romantic' setting as well. Katniss and Peeta are to appear as a united team to the people. Peeta even admits to liking her during his interview. So a setting for 'star-crossed lovers' is created. However, Katniss has various feelings toward Peeta throughout the book and its very realistic and understandable, especially when there is possibly another guy back home. Yet while there are time I can relate to her, at the same time several of her thoughts want to make my roll my eyes or drop my head onto a desk. While she is survival smart, she is not people smart. She can't socialize and cannot read people worth a darn. While it is annoying at times, it is also endearing and has created a unique character. Overall, very good book. 4 1/2 stars is my official opinion, but I will give it 5 since I can't do halves. Its a constant pace of survival, and action with just the right touch of romantic possibilities. I look forward to the next book. -Jamie @ Vailia's Page Turner
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(6 of 12 readers found this comment helpful)
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Selection 01 uk
by
Kiera Cass
darjlj75
, July 26, 2014
To start off, I will say that I liked this book more that I thought I would. I was originally looking for a book for a reading challenge (needed blue covers) and just happened to see this at the library and figured it didn't look too bad and that I would just read it since nothing else was working. I will admit, the concepts are not very original. The ideas that is is in between The Bachelor and Hunger Games (in the dystopia sense)is fairly accurate, with heavily leanings on The Bachelor. The love triangle setting adds a bit extra to character complexity. I will not say much on what the books is about. The summary already does that in itself on this book. The book is written from America's perspective and what I will say otherwise is what I thought. First, I must admit, I dislike the character names. Yes I know the last names refer to what the person does, but the first names are horrid in my opinion. Yet the main thing is the writing style and pace. I literally laid down last night thinking I would read a few chapters. Next thing I knew, the sun would be rising soon and the book sat finished in my hands. I don't get that with many books anymore. This book made me giggle at times, and twitch in anticipation at others. It left me desperately craving the sequel. Wondering who she picks, or who Maxon picks,what is up with the other girls, etc. So, while the concept is not original, the characters are interesting, and the story is written in a way that is easy to get wrapped up in it. I actually just put it back on hold at the library so I could skim through it once again before them next book comes out. I read it so fast I fear I might have missed things. I honestly had a hard time rating this. In the way in captured my attention once I started reading, and my desire to read it again I would normally say 5, but since it does lean SO heavily on the concept of The Bachelor. So, I give this a 4. -Jamie @ Vailia's Page Turner
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Testing
by
Joelle Charbonneau
darjlj75
, July 26, 2014
I loved this book! An amazing dystopian novel that is very realistic and believable. One of the best heroines I have read about in recent years. and a world that, while devastated, is one I almost wish I could visit to see what it it like. Lucky for readers, Joelle Charbonneau does a wonderful job in her deliverance of this world to us. This book is a first person novel from the view of Cia. Cia is a young teen who is specially selected to join in The Testing. The Testing is about selecting future world leaders or specialists of various fields. Cia's father was previously chosen and warns Cia that things may not be as they seem. Cia is a smart young woman. One of the best and well-written characters is YA fiction I have read. Down to earth, smart, compassionate, high sense or morals, dignity and more. She is not all powerful, super-strong, etc. She is your everyday person who has faith in herself. She is helpful to others yet not naive enough to trust others. She is very observant. This simplistic seeming skills are what has her standing apart from the crowd. The imagery of this story leaves you feeling how real this world is. You can tell that this is still the US that the story takes place in. We get to see what Chicago is like in the story. We have war ravenged mutants, loss of civilization, loss of plant life, water and more and it is very well laid before us exactly to really live in Cia's reality. The world is fighting hard to correct itself. Signs of hope are everywhere yet government lords over everything with an iron grip. While Cia makes friends, and confronts other less-than-friends, Thomas is her main constant. There is an element of romance in this book but not over the top. Although it never quite feels very real either. The main story line of the test, and Cia's goals and hope are still the focus. The pace is very consistent. There is a LOT happening in this book, but it is not overwhelmingly done. The personality and style of writing is amazing! Conspiracy, survival, friendship and more collide in the spectacular novel!
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Testing 01
by
Joelle Charbonneau
darjlj75
, July 26, 2014
I loved this book! An amazing dystopian novel that is very realistic and believable. One of the best heroines I have read about in recent years. and a world that, while devastated, is one I almost wish I could visit to see what it it like. Lucky for readers, Joelle Charbonneau does a wonderful job in her deliverance of this world to us. This book is a first person novel from the view of Cia. Cia is a young teen who is specially selected to join in The Testing. The Testing is about selecting future world leaders or specialists of various fields. Cia's father was previously chosen and warns Cia that things may not be as they seem. Cia is a smart young woman. One of the best and well-written characters is YA fiction I have read. Down to earth, smart, compassionate, high sense or morals, dignity and more. She is not all powerful, super-strong, etc. She is your everyday person who has faith in herself. She is helpful to others yet not naive enough to trust others. She is very observant. This simplistic seeming skills are what has her standing apart from the crowd. The imagery of this story leaves you feeling how real this world is. You can tell that this is still the US that the story takes place in. We get to see what Chicago is like in the story. We have war ravenged mutants, loss of civilization, loss of plant life, water and more and it is very well laid before us exactly to really live in Cia's reality. The world is fighting hard to correct itself. Signs of hope are everywhere yet government lords over everything with an iron grip. While Cia makes friends, and confronts other less-than-friends, Thomas is her main constant. There is an element of romance in this book but not over the top. Although it never quite feels very real either. The main story line of the test, and Cia's goals and hope are still the focus. The pace is very consistent. There is a LOT happening in this book, but it is not overwhelmingly done. The personality and style of writing is amazing! Conspiracy, survival, friendship and more collide in the spectacular novel! Great quote from the book that helps set the stage: “Things don't always work out the way we hope. You just have to pick yourself up and find a new direction to go in.” -Jamie @ Vailia's Page Turner
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Adventures of the Princess & Mr Whiffle The Thing Beneath the Bed
by
Patrick Rothfuss, Nate Taylor
darjlj75
, July 25, 2014
I am short for words for this one, especially without spoiling anything. The author is quite correct in stating this is NOT for children. While the black/white cover may look like a creepy kids book, and the other look all 'sunshine and rainbows,' they are not. This is a three part story. The first part is relatively light-hearted,the second part creepier and the third....well read for yourself. I highly advise watching where you leave this book lying around if you have young children. Seriously. They can probably read the first part, maybe the second but I advise against the third part. What I will say is fans of Calvin and Hobbs, Charlie the Unicorn, South Park and Robot Chicken will likely enjoy this. When I finished reading this (not paying any attention to other reviews) I just sat there, shocked a bit, then I went through the book again to look for hints. It was worth the second look through. But read it normally once, for full effects then go back and pay attention to the pictures. Have fun! -Jamie @ Vailia's Page Turner
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Acceptable Risk
by
Robin Cook
darjlj75
, July 25, 2014
Its been a long time since I have read a Robin Cook novel. I had fun with this one. The book has a long prologue that takes place in the late 1600's, in Salem, where a woman named Elizabeth is tried and hung for being a witch. Move up 300 years to Kim, Elizabeth's descendant. She is the co-owner of the original land of home of Elizabeth and family. She meets and starts to fall for a scientist, Edward. Together the look into the families hidden past. Along the way the come across some fungus that Edward tries to prove is what caused the 'ifflictions' that occurred all those years ago. However, it is so much more that what he anticipated. This novel is of two parts. Medical mystery/thriller as Edward tries to use the new findings in his lab and historical mystery as Kim researches her family history to uncover the truth. I feel the author did a good job blending the two. I do feel the ending was a bit abrupt and jumped forward too quickly for the final chapters, but I understand that the medical search was also a main focus that was mostly done being told. The pace at the beginning was good, then slowed toward then middle, then over-rushed the last 40 pages. I wish Cook spent just a bit more time cover the relationship between Edward and Kim. The entire time is seemed very awkward and fake. Other than that, it was nicely done for what it was. -Jamie @Vailia's Page Turner
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12.21.12: The Vessel
by
Killian McRae
darjlj75
, July 25, 2014
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was an interesting variety of genres. Mystery, mythology, science fiction with an 'end of the world' twist. Killian McRae blended many concepts, both new and old and created an original story worthy of some praise. The book centers around several characters.W e have Sheppard Smythe (known as Shep) an archeologist who lost his wife in a traffic accident in Egypt and is called in to assist on a dig site yet gets caught up in some trouble beyond what he could imagine. Victoria who seems to be an assistant at the site but may be a criminal, and even rumored to be a goddess. Then there is Dmitri, a supposed Russian mob lord who knows more than what one might think. Each character is closely intertwined to one another, along with other characters in more ways than any of them realize. Each of them hold a piece of a puzzle that leaves the reader guessing until the end. The book is written from different perspectives as the story moves along. Sometimes this added to the story. However it also left questions to the characters themselves at times and why they thought or acted the way they did. Certain behaviors, especially Victoria's feelings, seem awkward or inaccurate at times. I also wish there was more detail to the surroundings, such as the dig site and other places the characters stayed. While the book is enjoyable one major thing lacking is a lasting effect. When I finished the book I was quickly able to move on to the next story on my shelf. I like wanting to take the time to think on the characters and plot. This one didn't have me doing that much for some reason. I cannot say why. Yet regardless of these desires I truly enjoyed the story in and of itself. -Jamie @ Vailia's Page Turner
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