The first thing I liked about this book is that it's short - less than 400 pages. Fahrenheit 451 is kinda reminiscent of The Giver (in a good way) because it's pretty much about a dystopian world in which there is extreme censorship, and the protagonist realises how wrong it is, with the guidance of some old guy. Like The Giver, the book doesn't end with all the loose ends tied up, but it's not so dramatic to be called a cliffhanger, which I personally did not mind. A tiny critique that most people probably won't mind or notice- it's one of those books where you can tell the author is a white man. That's all I'll say about that. The world-building could have been much, much better. Though it's probably meant to be set in the future, the book feels very much like it's set in the past, with the women obsessed with television drama, which came off as slightly sexist, as the only ones who saw past the delusions of their entertainment or whatever were men. The characters are one-dimensional, even for a short novel. I guess during the time this book was written, there was this idea that people would be so obsessed with TV that they would forget how to read or books would just cease to be read. We know now, of course, that that is pretty far-fetched, and there is little doubt that books will pass the test of time. In this regard, the whole book's theme is a little outdated. According to the author, the book was written in nine days, which is pretty telling how deep the story goes, and I feel like not much thought was put into it the story once t was written. To be honest, I only read this book because it's so damn popular, and overall, I can kinda see why. It presents some interesting ideas about people's need for books and above all, something meaningful in life, in a short, thoughtful way. However, it didn't feel as profound as others have said, although I will admit I skimmed over some parts. Maybe a better read person could probably infer more symbolism in the book than I could, but in all, I enjoyed it reading a short book. My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5 stars) I'd love to hear your thoughts on this book so be sure to leave a comment!
0 Comments
In case you don't know, Enola Holmes is a Netflix movie that came out in September about Sherlock Holmes' independent and feisty younger sister, starring Millie Bobby Brown. If you haven't watched it, don't worry, this tag hasn't got any spoilers. Thank you to Cielo from Bellerose Reads for creating this fun tag! I found it through a post from Dovey from Dovey Reads. Now, on to the rules. Rules
Prompts
Consider yourself tagged and let me know if you do the tag in the comments! I'd love to hear your thoughts so be sure to leave a comment and let me know what kind of posts you'd like to see in the future.
SYNOPSIS (via Goodreads) Twelve-year-old Noura Alwan's family is granted asylum in the United States, after spending two years in a Turkish refugee camp, having fled war-torn Aleppo. They land in Tampa, Florida, on January 30, 2017, just days after the president restricted entry into the US from nations with a Muslim majority population. Twelve-year-old Jordyn Johnson is a record-breaking swimmer, but hasn't swum well since her mom had a miscarriage during one of her meets. Her family has volunteered to help the Alwan family through their church. She knows very few people of Arab descent or who practice Islam. The girls' lives intersect at Bayshore Middle School where Jordyn serves as the Alwan children's school ambassador. Noura knows that her family is safe from the civil unrest in her home country, but is not prepared for the adversity she now faces on American soil. Jordyn is sympathetic to Noura's situation, but there are other members of their Florida community who see the refugees' presence to be a threat to their way of life. While the president's Muslim ban tests the resolve and faith of many, it is friendship that stands strong against fear and hatred. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Just a week into his presidency, Donald Trump announced the Muslim Travel Ban. The ban meant that he number of immigrants admitted to US was lowered, supposedly to prevent terrorism, despite the countries affected posing no risk to the US. During this time, thousands of of protesters gathered at airports and other locations throughout the United States to protest against the order. Many took to social media as well, using the hashtags #MuslimBan and #GrandParentsNotTerrorists. The ban was lifted on March 6, 2017, but prejudice againsts Muslims, unfortunately, has not. MY REVIEW This is a spoiler-free review! Flying Over Water is an important book that reflects the experiences of many refugee families living in America in the current political climate. It brings awareness to issues surrounding Islamophobia and prejudice in way that is personal and easy for middle-schoolers to understand. The dual-narrative between Noura and Jordyn shows the way both characters face their fears and overcome big changes in their life. Noura's family is the the midst of rampant Islamophobia, but Jordayn's family helps them adjust to their new life and find happiness in their new life. Jordayn's side of the story also talks about how she deals with the aftermath of her mum's miscarriage, which leads to her suffering from severe anxiety. Noura, in turn, helps Jordyn deal with her trama. Through confiding their hardships to each other, the girls realize they have more in common with each other than they thought. This story also brings light to how different communities can come together and help each other out during times of difficulty. Flying Over Water deals with many deep issues, it doesn't only focus on the bad! It also showing the unity and friendship that is formed in the face of hardship, and how people of with different backgrounds and beliefs can come together in harmony. This book is perfect for classrooms and I hope to see more books like these in schools. Overall, this well-written, must-read book is great for all ages and is highly recommended! My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars) BOOK LINKS AUTHORS' INFORMATION Shannon Hitchcock is the author of One True Way, which received a starred review from Kirkus. The critically acclaimed Ruby Lee and Me was a nominee for the 2017-2018 Nebraska Chapter Book Golden Sower Award, Pennsylvania’s Keystone Award, Iowa’s Children’s Choice Award, Japan’s Sakura Medal, and Alaska and Montana’s Battle of the Books. She divides her time between Tampa, Florida, and Hendersonville, North Carolina. For more, visit her website at shannonhitchcock.com.
N.H. Senzai is the author of Shooting Kabul, which was critically acclaimed and on numerous award lists. Publishers Weekly called it “hard hitting, emotionally wrenching.” Her second book, Saving Kabul Corner, was nominated for an Edgar Award. She is also the author of Ticket to India and Escape from Aleppo. Ms. Senzai lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family. Visit her online at NHSenzai.com.
Audible is offering free audio books for kids for a limited time, be sure to check them out! "For as long as schools are closed, we're open" said Audible on its website. There's a collection of stories from six different languages for all ages. Even though Audible says its collection is for kids, it features a range of classics, like Frankenstein and Anne of Green Gables. I and my younger siblings listened to an Audible Original called 'Interview with the Robot' by Lee Bacon. Despite being listed as Elementary, it's suitable for ages 10+, and I highly recommend it. Even my mum found it interesting. Even if you're not a big fan of books, you should check this out. Might as well make use of this opportunity while it lasts! I first picked up this book because 1) the author's name, 2) the pretty cover, and 3) I've recently been looking for books written by modern Muslim writers. If you're a fantasy or romance fan, this book ticks all the boxes. I'm neither, so I didn't go into it expecting to be particularly hooked by it. Boy, was I wrong. In her debut novel, Faizal creates and an enchanting ancient Arabian world, in which Zafira, a seventeen-year-old girl, disguises herself a man to venture into the mysterious forest of Arz to feed her people, thus adopting the name the 'Hunter'. Nazir is the son and assassin of the tyrant king. It's a refreshing change from the typical American teen romance book, and unique in the way it's written. Near the start of the book, it's pretty predictable that Zafira and Nazir will end with feelings for each other. Zafira is set on a mission to restore magic to their land and save her people from their nearing doom by retrieving a lost artifact. Nazir, on the other hand, is ordered by the sultan to kill the Hunter and retrieve the artifact. An twist of fate compels Zafira and Nasir to build a little more than acquaintanceship, and together they face an ancient, sinister, evil, intertwined in their past and present. Alitar, Nazir's companion on their quest, is a true gem of a character and he provides comic relief throughout the story. We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal is full of unexpected twists, turns and revelations, as well as lovable charters and funny, witty dialogue. Fazial's words drip with eloquence, and each line is deliberately written, almost like poetry. I recommend to anyone over the age of 11, especially those looking for a new, unique and refreshing read. It's a welcome addition to modern young adult fiction, and Faizal's voice in literature is one I'll be looking forward to in the future. The second installment in the Sands of Arawiya series, We Free the Stars, is expected to be released on January 19, 2021 . To see what I'm reading, follow me on Goodreads!
How many books do you think you can read this year? Set a goal on Goodreads!
Be sure to check out the Goodreads Choice Awards 2019 for the top books this year if you're wondering what to read next. You can also visit my Goodreads profile to see what I've read this year.
Use this list to write down the books you wan to read and tick them off when you're done! Let me know what you think of this list and let me know if you'd like me to make more in the comments. Here's a preview: Click below to download for free!
|