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Book Review: Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer

Everything Is Illuminated is a novel by author Jonathan Safran Foer, who wrote another book that I’ve read (and you’ve probably heard of), Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, which was adapted into a movie.

I quite enjoyed Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, but I hadn’t heard much about Everything Is Illuminated.

Essentially, I bought it because I liked ELaIC (too much to type more than a few times. Foer definitely has some interesting and creative titles to his name.

Here’s the cover of Everything is Illuminated, which I think is pretty nice:

This is the synopsis of Everything is Illuminated from Amazon:

“With only a yellowing photograph in hand, a young man — also named Jonathan Safran Foer — sets out to find the woman who may or may not have saved his grandfather from the Nazis. Accompanied by an old man haunted by memories of the war; an amorous dog named Sammy Davis, Junior, Junior; and the unforgettable Alex, a young Ukrainian translator who speaks in a sublimely butchered English, Jonathan is led on a quixotic journey over a devastated landscape and into an unexpected past.

By turns comic and tragic, but always passionate, wildly inventive, and touched with an indelible humanity, this debut novel is a powerful, deeply felt story of searching: for the past, family, and truth.”

Finally, here’s my review of Everything is Illuminated!

This book hooked me from the very first page. It starts with a letter from Alex in the Ukraine to Jonathan in New York. His writes in English as if he translated each word individually from Ukrainian into English and then used a Thesaurus to make each word more interesting. However, it feels as though he disregards all meaning and this makes his writing gut-splittingly funny and charmingly heartwarming.

As the book went on, I became more and more enthralled with the characters and what would happen to them, but I also enjoyed the reading of the story less. It is a difficult feeling to describe.

I also definitely didn’t like the ending. I hate to be like that, but not liking the end of a story really dampens how I feel about it.

Other Noteworthy Stuff

The story was really unique. This is not something you’re going to recognize other storylines in. The perspectives were different and refreshing, and the conflict is particular and quirky.

The narrative structure is different as well, flipping back and forth between narrators Alex and Jonathan. It also includes letters from Alex to Jonathan. I felt this really helped the story along, and if it only had one perspective, it would have felt much more arduous to read.

Overall, 4/5 stars.

I didn’t like the direction the plot took and enjoyed reading the book less and less as it went on. However, I still thought it was an enjoyable and interesting reading experience.

Happy reading!

– Paperback Patronus

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Book Reviews: A History of Magic and the Illustrated Fantastic Beasts

Two reviews in one with this post! The first is of Harry Potter: A History of Magic,  put together by the British Library to accompany their exhibition of the same name. The second is of the new illustrated and updated edition of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander, written by J. K. Rowling and illustrated by Olivia Lomenech Gill.

First, Harry Potter: A History of Magic!

I essentially buy any book that comes out to do with Harry Potter. I even have multiple editions of the series itself. So, when this book came out, I knew I had to have it!

First, here’s the beautiful cover of Harry Potter: A History of Magic:

And here’s the synopsis from Amazon:

“Harry Potter: A History of Magic is the official book of the exhibition, a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration between Bloomsbury, J.K. Rowling and the brilliant curators of the British Library. It promises to take readers on a fascinating journey through the subjects studied at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry – from Alchemy and Potions classes through to Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures.

Each chapter showcases a treasure trove of artefacts from the British Library and other collections around the world, beside exclusive manuscripts, sketches and illustrations from the Harry Potter archive. There’s also a specially commissioned essay for each subject area by an expert, writer or cultural commentator, inspired by the contents of the exhibition – absorbing, insightful and unexpected contributions from Steve Backshall, the Reverend Richard Coles, Owen Davies, Julia Eccleshare, Roger Highfield, Steve Kloves, Lucy Mangan, Anna Pavord and Tim Peake, who offer a personal perspective on their magical theme.

Readers will be able to pore over ancient spell books, amazing illuminated scrolls that reveal the secret of the Elixir of Life, vials of dragon’s blood, mandrake roots, painted centaurs and a genuine witch’s broomstick, in a book that shows J.K. Rowling’s magical inventions alongside their cultural and historical forebears.

This is the ultimate gift for Harry Potter fans, curious minds, big imaginations, bibliophiles and readers around the world who missed out on the chance to see the exhibition in person.”

Finally, here’s my review of Harry Potter: A History of Magic!

I really loved the premise of this book. It combines actual real-world history of magic and magical artefacts with the history of magic in the world of Harry Potter.

Also, it was amazing to see the early drawings J. K. Rowling made of her characters (she’s pretty good at drawing!) and the early drafts and edits she shared of the series.

One of the things I didn’t like much about this book was that there was some repetition – first because I read the illustrated Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them a few days prior, and especially in the “Care of Magical Creatures” section, there are a lot of quotes from FB, and second because there is some overlap between the different sections of the book and they often say exactly the same thing twice, but in two different sections. I think this wouldn’t matter as much if you were reading it like a coffee table book, intermittently or in passing. However, reading it in the span of less than 24 hours made it a bit annoying.

Extra-Memorable Elements

I loved the way this book was structured. It has several sections. Each section is a subject at Hogwarts, such as Herbology or Defense Against the Dark Arts. Each section is then themed around the history of magic in that subject.

I also really loved the essays from experts that introduced each section. They were interesting and insightful. Even better, each writer was very creative and seemed to be a fan of the Harry Potter universe themselves.

Overall, 4/5 stars.

Definitely an interesting read for people who love history or the Harry Potter universe, or both. The images and stories are enthralling, and the essays by different experts are very good. However, it is a bit repetitive.

Next, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them!

I already have a copy of the original Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, but I’m all over anything illustrated. Further, this edition has some new magical beasts in it that weren’t in the original edition. Newt Scamander’s introduction explains that. It even ties in with the recent Fantastic Beasts movie, which I think is awesome.

This is the cover of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (and also a sneak peek of something I’ll be sharing soon):

Here’s the synopsis from Amazon:

“This glorious new edition of Newt Scamander’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (considered a classic throughout the wizarding world) features an extraordinary array of magical creatures, from Acromantula to Yeti via ten different breeds of dragon – all beautifully illustrated in full colour by the brilliantly inventive, Greenaway Medal shortlisted Olivia Lomenech Gill.

Famed Magizoologist Newt Scamander’s years of adventure and exploration have yielded a work of unparalleled importance, admired by scholars, devoured by young witches and wizards, and even made available to Muggles in the early years of this century. With this dazzling illustrated edition, readers can explore the magical fauna of five continents from the comfort of their own armchairs. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is essential reading at Hogwarts.

This new edition features the fully updated 2017 text – which includes new profiles of six magnificent beasts that inhabit North America and a new foreword by J.K. Rowling, writing as Newt Scamander.”

And finally, here’s my review of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them!

The most obviously amazing aspect of this book is the illustrations. Olivia Lomenech Gill knocks it out of the park.

Listed alphabetically, this book describes the origins and characteristics of the fantastic magical beasts that make up the world of the Harry Potter books and Fantastic Beasts movies.

Even better, the book connects these magical creatures to real-world phenomena, such as Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster. Awesome.

Other Noteworthy Stuff

The introduction by J. K. Rowling as Newt Scamander is surprisingly funny. Also, I loved how it tied in with the recent Fantastic Beasts movie. I love that the magic of the Harry Potter universe never dies. It seems to be constantly adapting and evolving. I am so happy that I will likely get to experience the expansion of this wonderful universe for many years to come.

Overall, 5/5 stars.

This is magical book in terms of content, writing, and illustration. So, I highly recommend it for all ages and lovers of the Harry Potter universe.

Happy reading!

– Paperback Patronus

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Book Review: Wonder by R. J. Palacio

Wonder is the first book by author Raquel Jaramillo, under the pen name R. J. Palacio.

I’d heard a lot of great things on Bookstagram about this one, and rave reviews about the movie.

Of course, I’m a READ IT FIRST kind of girl. I hate going to movies based on books if I haven’t read the book, because I feel like seeing the movie first ruins the experience of reading the book.

So, I picked it up.

Here’s the cover of Wonder, which I quite like (and was adamant about getting instead of the new movie one that just came out – more on that in another post):

This is the synopsis of Wonder from Goodreads.

“‘My name is August.
I won’t describe to you what I look like.
Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.’
Ten-year-old August Pullman wants to be ordinary. He does ordinary things. He eats ice-cream. He plays on his Xbox. He feels ordinary – inside.
But Auggie is far from ordinary. Born with a terrible facial abnormality, he has been home-schooled by his parents his entire life, in an attempt to protect him from the cruelty of the outside world. Now, Auggie’s parents are sending him to a real school. Can he convince his new classmates that he’s just like them, underneath it all?
Narrated by Auggie and the people around him whose lives he touches, Wonder is a frank, funny, astonishingly moving debut to be read in one sitting, pass on to others, and remember long after the final page.”

Finally, here’s my review of Wonder!

Wonder feels like an honest telling of what goes on at school. I teach grade 8 and 10 at a secondary school, and although a 10-year-old like Auggie would attend elementary school, I think I’ve spent enough time working as a teacher (and more time than I would have liked as a substitute in elementary schools) that I can say that with confidence.

The things that occur in the book are heartbreaking, partly because they are sad and mean and horrible, but also partly because they are real and possible and probable. And that is an important moral truth.

However, I love how hopeful this book is. The tagline for the movie release was #choosekind, and that was clear throughout the story. I especially liked the precepts that Auggie’s English teacher introduced each month. In my opinion, it is the Social-Emotional lessons that are the most important part of a teacher’s job. The things students learn through those types of activities are what make them positive, caring, and contributing adult citizens.

Other Noteworthy Stuff

Not only is Wonder a heart-warming tale of resilience, kindness, and hope, but it is also a harrowing cautionary tale. It demonstrates the kind of hatred and meanness that young people are capable of if they are not taught kindness. It’s an important lesson that needs to be taken seriously, for adults and children alike.

Also, this is the first time I’ve cried reading a book in as long as I can remember. It was wonderfully cathartic. I won’t tell you what made me cry because it would be a spoiler. But any book that can make me cry is certainly worth a read. It really is a wonder.

Finally, I really loved the different perspectives in this story. It starts out from the perspective of August, but switches to other characters in the story that are a part of his life. It definitely adds to the story for it to switch around like that.

Overall, 5/5 stars.

I definitely recommend Wonder! One caveat: I based this rating on the fact that this is a book intended for young(ish) readers.

Happy reading!

– Paperback Patronus

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Monthly To Be Read List: January 2018

I got a lot of books during Black Friday sales that I’m really excited about, so I had a pretty ambitious To Be Read (TBR) stack for December, and I’m doing the same for January.

Without further ado, here’s it is, pictured with the beautiful book lamp my husband got me for christmas! It opens like a book and is insanely satisfying.

Harry Potter: A History of Magic – The British Library
The Invention of Wings – Sue Monk Kidd
Caraval  – Stephanie Garber
Rebel of the Sands – Alwyn Hamilton
#GIRLBOSS – Sophia Amoruso
Lily and the Octopus – Steven Rowley
The Wonder – Emma Donoghue
The Hate U Give – Angie Thomas
Braving the Wilderness – Brené Brown
I’ll Give You the Sun – Jandy Nelson
The Graduate – Charles Webb
Station Eleven – Emily St. John Mandel
This Song Will Save Your Life – Leila Sales
Suicide Notes From Beautiful Girls – Lynn Weingarten

Where I’m at, and what I’m looking forward to!

As it’s already January 6, I’ve finished three of these! I read Harry Potter: A History of Magic first, Caraval second, and Rebel of the Sands third. Reviews upcoming for all of them! Out of the three, I enjoyed Rebel of the Sands the most! I think my next read will be #GIRLBOSS! I’m feeling some non-fiction.  I think my most highly anticipated reads of this month are The Hate U Give and Station Eleven, which both come highly recommended from friends and Bookstagram alike.

It’s highly possible that you think there’s no way I’ll finish all of these…

You might be right, but I’ve already read three and I read 15 books in December! I’d bet on myself for this one.

Now that I’ve shared this with you, I’m off to keep working on all the reviews I need to post thanks to my warp-speed holiday break reading spree!

– Paperback Patronus

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Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: December 2017

I’m pretty proud of my wrap-up for this month! I was off work for a week of it, which helped. I just love the holiday season – guilt-free reading at its best!

Without further ado, here’s my December Wrap-Up! I totally destroyed this month!

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander – J. K. Rowling, Illustrated by Olivia Lomenech Gill ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – J. K. Rowling, Illustrated by Jim Kay ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Doug the Pug – Leslie Mosier ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steal Like An Artist – Austin Kleon ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Renegades – Marissa Meyer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wonder – R. J. Palacio ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Warcross – Marie Lu ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Turtles All the Way Down – John Green ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Columbine – Dave Cullen ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck – Mark Manson ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Everything Is Illuminated – Jonathan Safran Foer ⭐️⭐️⭐️
the sun and her flowers – rupi kaur ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Silver Chair – C. S. Lewis ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Last Battle – C. S. Lewis ⭐️⭐️⭐️

That’s 15 books! I didn’t read everything I’d planned (see my December TBR). However, I only planned to read 12 and ended up reading 15, so I’m proud of that.

2017 Challenge Wrap-Up:

I beat my Goodreads reading challenge goal of 100 books by 5, for a total of 105 books! If you’re interested in the Goodreads reading goal I’ve set for 2018, you can check out my upcoming January TBR post!

My favourite book of this month was Turtles All the Way Down, but I also read some other books in December that made my honourable mentions list for 2017. They are Renegades, the sun and her flowers, The Smell of Other People’s Houses, and Warcross! I also highly recommend the illustrated Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, it’s just gorgeous. It’s also updated from the original edition, and is quite funny.

As usual, I enjoyed almost all of what I read, but this month in particular seems to have been the month of the 5-star review. You win some, you lose some.

My next posts will be my review of Wonder, and then my January TBR so stay tuned to find out my 2018 reading goal and what I plan to read this month!

– Paperback Patronus

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My Favourite Reads: 2017 Wrap-Up

It’s the fifth day of 2018, and I’m ready to talk about my favourite reads of 2017!

This year was probably my best reading year ever.

I read 105 books, and I really enjoyed almost all of them. That made it difficult to choose favourites. So, I decided to pick one per month and then add some honourable mentions. I’ll also give each book a little blurb, because I didn’t start posting my reviews on here until November. I’ll link my review if there is one.

Here we go!

Title links take you to Amazon, and the links underneath are to my reviews, if applicable.

January: Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo and Me by Ellen Forney

This is my favourite graphic novel of all time. It’s a stunning, true memoir of the author’s experience with Bipolar Disorder, medication for it, and her relationship with her psychiatrist.

February: For Today I Am a Boy by Kim Fu

This is a book I had heard nothing about when I picked it up, and it was a haunting story of coming of age  as a transgender person.

March: Caliban’s War by James S. A. Corey

This is the second book in the futuristic sci-fi saga called The Expanse. I recently wrote a review of Nemesis Games, the fifth book in the series. Clearly I’m enjoying it, having read four of them this year.

April: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

This is another great sci-fi with some pretty fantastic 80s references. And it’s coming out as a feature film this year!

May: everything I never told you by Celeste Ng

This was a haunting story of family and growing up.

June: The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg

The Paper Magician was a really interesting, unique take on magic, and I’m hoping to read the second book in the series, The Glass Magician, this year!

July: On Beauty by Zadie Smith

A “The Breakfast Book Club” choice, On Beauty was a chuckle-worthy and deeply moving story of a multiracial family and their feud/relationships with another such family.

August: Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Illuminae is quite possibly the most original book format I’ve ever read. Pieced together from case files, text conversations, letters, reports, images, etc., it is an exciting story of futuristic political and physical battles, family, friendship, and love.

September: A Feast for Crows by George R. R. Martin

The fourth installment in the Game of Thrones series, A Feast for Crows was an excellent fantasy read. My only beef is that as the fifth book follows different characters, I will not get to follow along with these characters’ stories until Martin finally publishes book 6!

October: It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

This was a story of depression that was incredibly realistic and heart-warming.

November: Another Day by David Levithan

Another Day is the sequel to Every Day, which is one of my favourite YA contemporary books. This sequel definitely did not disappoint.

December: Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

I have read everything John Green has written solo, and this is hands-down my favourite. A story exploring anxiety and the meaning of life. Check out my review if you’re interested.

Honourable Mentions!

Some books didn’t quite win out as best of each month, but they were awesome and I have to recommend them on here! In no particular order…

One

the sun and her flowers; milk and honey – both by rupi kaur

Simultaneously heartbreaking and uplifting poetry and illustrations. I recently reviewed the sun and her flowers!

Two

The Smell of Other People’s Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock

A beautiful story of intertwining narratives set in small-town Alaska and Canada. Also the most recent review I’ve posted on my blog!

Three

The Break by Katherena Vermette

Another “The Breakfast Book Club” choice, this was a harrowing story of connected Métis voices in Winnipeg.

Four

Warcross by Marie Lu

This was a really exciting story, similar to Ready Player One, but also with an interesting speculative fiction/warning feel. My review is also on the blog!

Five

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

This book was incredibly inspiring and I definitely agree with Gilbert’s premise about creative ideas.

Six

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

This was a crushing story of hope and perseverance in the midst of debilitating illness.

Seven

The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking

This is now my Bible.

Eight

scrappy little nobody by Anna Kendrick

A hilarious look into the life of a wonderful woman.

Nine

Renegades by Marissa Meyer

A fun superhero/sci-fi novel about family, revenge, and justice. I wrote a review for it in December.

Well, there you have it! My favourite reads of 2017. I hope you enjoyed this list and you take some inspiration from it for your next read (or several)!

– Paperback Patronus

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Book Review: The Smell of Other People’s Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock

The Smell of Other People’s Houses is the first book by writer Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock.

Once again, this was a cover buy for me, but also a title buy. I’ve always had a slight fascination with the striking differences in the smell of people’s homes.  Smells have always affected me strongly. Some can make me nauseated almost instantly. Others can make me cry, and still others make my throat close over (that part is because I’m allergic to a lot of smells). I really enjoyed the fact that this title actually ended up being integral to the plot of the novel. More on that later.

Now, I don’t want to ruin the effect of first seeing the cover for you by telling you what it looks like, but I will say that it has stars on it, and generally anything with stars on it is an instant cover-buy from me.

So, here’s this gorgeous cover I’ve been talking up:

Now, before I get to what I think, here’s the synopsis of the book, pulled from Amazon:

“This deeply moving and authentic debut set in 1970s Alaska is for fans of Rainbow Rowell, Louise Erdrich, Sherman Alexie, and Benjamin Alire Saenz. Intertwining stories of love, tragedy, wild luck, and salvation on the edge of America’s Last Frontier introduce a writer of rare talent.

Ruth has a secret that she can’t hide forever. Dora wonders if she can ever truly escape where she comes from, even when good luck strikes. Alyce is trying to reconcile her desire to dance, with the life she’s always known on her family’s fishing boat. Hank and his brothers decide it’s safer to run away than to stay home—until one of them ends up in terrible danger.

Four very different lives are about to become entangled. This unforgettable William C. Morris Award finalist is about people who try to save each other—and how sometimes, when they least expect it, they succeed.“

Finally, here’s my review of The Smell of Other People’s Houses!

Reading this book was an interesting experience in terms of the meta-thought processes that were going on.

Now that I’ve started reviewing every book that I read, I find myself taking time between reading sessions (or while I’m reading) to think about what I would rate it at any given point.

When I started The Smell of Other People’s Houses, I was thinking I’d probably give it a 3. Pretty unusual for me; I tend to love absolutely everything I read and it’s usually a decision between 4 and 5. While this is relevant to the conversation now, I figure it is also important to let my readers know early on that I’m unlikely to dislike a book and my star ratings might not be terribly helpful. However, by the end of the book…

I was enamoured.

I tend to love novels that include several disparate characters’ perspectives whose connections aren’t obvious until they come together by divine providence or magical happenstance or for a really stupid reason or for no reason at all or for some combination of all the above reasons. This one was no different. Hitchcock artfully stitches together the characters’ stories, slowly and carefully, with just the right amount of suspense. Even better, the ending was perfect and didn’t feel contrived.

Other Noteworthy Stuff

First, I get a bit uncomfortable when I realize that a white person is writing about Aboriginal experiences, but Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock was born and raised in Alaska and consulted several authentic voices on this subject. Also, this was by no means purported to be a true or authentic story; further, from my (admittedly white) perspective, it does feel as though she’s tried to be as truthful as possible, without romanticizing or glazing over the difficult aspects of Aboriginal life as they were in the setting of the book.

That being said, there was some really beautiful symbolism at work in this text. I feel as though saying too much more would be a spoiler. So, I’ll just leave this topic by saying that I think the main symbols in this book are artfully interwoven. They really made the story that much more magical.

Finally: I can’t believe I haven’t talked about it yet. The author crafts the theme of smell wonderfully and explores it with great detail throughout the text. It definitely supports the symbolism as the base layer for the tons of beautiful imagery threaded throughout the text.

Overall, 4.5/5 stars.

Slightly difficult to get in to. Absolutely enrapturing after a little while, and a stunning ending to knit all the narrators’ stories together.

Happy reading!

– Paperback Patronus