Letters From A Nut

Letters From A Nut


By: Ted L. Nancy
Reviewed by: Felicity T., 16
Rating: Really liked it


This is by far one of the weirdest books I have ever picked up, but I've spent hours enjoying the whimsical and just-plain-crazy letters in this collection!

"Letters from a Nut" is a strange and unusual collection of letters, written by Ted L. Nancy, who must be a really interesting guy. In this book, Nancy has compiled some of his best letters, which are basically prank letters written to companies, businesses, and other people/groups of interest. These letters are unbelievably outlandish! Nancy writes, usually asking nutty and unthought-of questions to unsuspecting celebrities or corporations, and I mean this very literally. You can see a scan of an excerpt at this link: http://www.rebeccastmartin.com/writing/letters/manequin.jpg.

In a weird, but kind of nice and definitely entertaining way, this book makes you think about things differently and gives you laughs when you least expect them!


Recommended to: People with a weird sense of humor, people with a sense of humor, people who like to make fun of businesses

The Hiding Place

The Hiding Place


By: Corrie Ten Boom, with John and Elizabeth Sherrill
Reviewed by: Felicity T., 16
Rating: It was amazing!


A Quick Summary:
"The Hiding Place" is essentially the autobiography of a Dutch woman named Corrie ten Boom, and her family, who lived during WWII. (In case you're confused, ten Boom is a Dutch last name.) Masterfully written, this story is an amazing account of the ten Boom family and their incredible Christian faith. Corrie, the author, follows the development of her family, recounting stories from her childhood and years growing up, all the way until her middle-age years, when Nazi Germany invades Holland and imposes its rule over the land. This includes laws about religious practice, and particularly the oppression of Jewish people. In the end, Corrie ten Boom and her family become the centers of a massive underground operation in Holland, housing and helping Jews escape Nazi tyranny. The meaningful bulk of this story takes place after the ten Boom family is caught and imprisoned by German authorities. Told with Corrie's tasteful perspective and hopeful faith, the book recounts agonizing years spent in concentration camps in a way unlike any other. The most inspirational theme behind "The Hiding Place" is the hope carried by the ten Boom family's enormous personal faith and spirituality, even in the middle of sorrowful and humanly impossible circumstances.

My Opinion:
As someone who shares the same faith as the very real characters in "The Hiding Place," I've found this book to be an immense spiritual instrument in growing my own faith. On a broader level, the hope and joy flowing from such a sorrowful story are overwhelming and inspiring and powerful to move us all to live with meaning and selflessness and gratitude, even in the darkest circumstances. Corrie and the rest of the ten Boom family are some of my greatest heroes!
I also think that this book offers some solid historical insight into the German occupation of Holland during WWII, which isn't often looked into.

I would 100% recommend this story to anyone!


Recommended to: Christians, People with WWII interest, People who like tear-jerkers

Titanic

Titanic


Directed By: James Cameron
Reviewed by: awesomeVia, 15
Rating: It was amazing!


The movie, "Titanic" is phenomenal! It does deserve the 11 Oscars it has won (though most were Technical Oscars) because that was cutting-edge technology back then. It used to be the most-grossed movie ever until "Avatar", another James Cameron movie, beat it. The movie is romantic, unusual coming from Cameron, who is known for the Terminator, Alien, and etcetera. The romance is being pushed off to side as the special effects of the sinking of the Titanic became the main focus. He did a good job in making the sinking of the ship look real.

It is basically about the romance of a first-class girl and a third-class boy with various surrounding pressures from peers and the sinking ship. The plot is hard to explain so the best thing to do is to watch it for yourself. The type of romance story is kind of common but the viewers will not notice because of Cameron's technical skills. Also because of that, the long three hour running time will not be noticed too. This is a movie worth watching.


Recommended to: Everyone, fans of James Cameron directed movies, etc.

Push

Push


By: Sapphire
Reviewed by: awesomeVia, 15
Rating: Didn't like it


The book which is now a movie directed by Lee Daniels which won a Best Supporting Oscar and a best Adapted Screenplay Oscar is really intense. I would not recommend the book to anyone because the book is so intense. It was intense enough that the book was put down after the first chapter was read. The lives of the characters inside to book are unimaginable, somber. I have no idea how Sapphire puts so much emotion into it. The book is sexually explicit, literally has a curse word in every line, and I am so glad I put it down.

There is a happy ending because I peeked at it. Takes place in Harlem during the 1980s. Lots of controversial issues discussed.


Recommended to: No one. Too intense to the innocent mind

The Notebook

The Notebook


By: Nick Cassavetes
Reviewed by: awesomeVia, 15
Rating: It was alright...


The movie, The Notebook, based off of the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks, was just another sappy romance. It was really predictable, even this movie buff could predict what the ending would turn out to be. There were many scenes of awkward romance.

(Whole next paragraph is a *spoiler*)
The movie starts with a scene where elderly Noah (Gone through two heart attacks) read elderly Allie (with dementia), "The Notebook". Young Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Young Allie Hamilton (Rachel McAdams) met at a county fair and Noah awkwardly asked her out. He threatens her with suicide and Allie said yes. They instantly fell in love. They eventually took risks together and even had their relationship go a little too far. Noah's father approved of their relationship but Allie's parents (wealthy Southern people) did not. Allie then heads off to Sarah Lawrence in New York while Noah eventually gets drafted into World War II. During the war, Allie volunteers as a nurse for the wounded soldiers and was really determined to find Noah again. She then found her future husband. Noah on the other hand comes back and his dad sold their house and bought the plantation. Noah rebuilt it in hopes of luring Allie back. He even had a woman who is a war widow date him. But as we all know it, Allie and Noah are back together again!

There were many scenes where the notebook entries, being read by elderly Noah, were put to life by young Allie and Noah and then when he stops reading, they go back to now. Allie remembers more and she realizes that Noah is right there beside her. The ending is sad but ends well, romantically. Let us just say that a lot of people would love to see an ending like that.

By the way, the Notebook is based off of how Sparks' parents-in-law and his parents met.


Recommended to: Fans of Nicholas Sparks, anyone who has seen "A Walk to Remember", romance buffs, mainly women

Surfer Rosa

Surfer Rosa

By: The Pixies
Reviewed by: Matt G., 14
Rating: It was amazing!


This is by far one of my favourite albums to listen to in any situation. If you're ever interested in the Pixies, then this is the first thing to check out.

track listing:
1. Bone Machine
2. Break my Body
3. Something Against You
4. Broken Face
5. Gigantic
6. River Euphrates
7. Where is My Wind
8. Cactus
9. Tony's Theme
10. Oh My Golly!
11. Vamos
12. I'm Amazed
13. Brick is Red


Recommended to: everyone

Graceling

Graceling


By: Kristen Cashore
Reviewed by: Yuuki, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


As the niece of King Randa, Katsa is treated with more than that of respect, but with fear. She is one of many people who are Graced. People who are Graced are born with extreme skills, in which because of their Grace they are often feared by others. Upon learning of an evil plot that includes an old king of a neighboring country, Katsa teams up with another Graced fighter to find out who is behind the plot.

I truly enjoyed this book! It's really just about Katsa trying to fight against her Grace and keep herself from being angered. It's also about how she's trying to get a sense of freedom, since her uncle has treated her more like a dog enclosed in a cage. The bit of romance in the story helps the story flow and will have you keep turning the page. Not only that, but the anxiety of what's to come is also intriguing, to a point where I couldn't put the book down. So read it! It'll have you hanging for more.


Recommended to: anyone who enjoys adventure and romance

Annie On My Mind

Annie on my Mind


By: Nancy Garden
Reviewed by: Jacklin N., 17
Rating: It was amazing!


This is a really good book about a girl who doesnt know she is into girl but as soon as she meets this one girl she knows she like her and she doesnt know what to do about it.


Recommended to: People who like hopeful stories

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist


By: Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
Reviewed by: Matt G., 14
Rating: Really liked it


As edgy teen novels go, this was a gem, something unique in the pile of romances and cheerleading based refuse that is teen novels.

Nick is the straight bassist in a queercore band, while at a show he sees his ex, Tris, and wants to avoid her. Norah is a girl he saw there (and incidentally, knows Tris). To successfully avoid this, he asks Norah to be his girlfriend for five minutes. This basic, awkward event leads to a crazy night that will take them through clubs where nuns make out, a Korean market that sells stale Oreos, all across New York City and of course through that strange sensation that we call 'love'.

A great read with an equally good sound track, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist should be read by anyone looking for a good time reading a book. And if you've already read it, don't see the movie, because your soul may be crushed.


Recommended to: teens generally, if you have any qualms about strong themes and language this isn't for you

One-X

One-X

By: Three Days Grace
Reviewed by: Sandor S., 14
Rating: It was amazing!


1. "It's All Over" 4:09
2. "Pain" 3:23
3. "Animal I Have Become" 3:51
4. "Never Too Late" 3:29
5. "On My Own" 3:05
6. "Riot" 3:27
7. "Get Out Alive" 4:22
8. "Let It Die" 3:09
9. "Over and Over" 3:11
10. "Time of Dying" 3:06
11. "Gone Forever" 3:41
12. "One-X" 4:46

The second album of three days grace.It is a really awesome album 2 listen to muliple times.


Recommended to: 12 and up