Book Review: In My Head by Alicia Rades

 In My Head

by

Alicia Rades

Quote: "Don't be sorry Mila, if something is wrong with this version of the program, we have to know before we release it to the public." ~ Dad pg.2

Date started/finished: August 3, 2022

Kindle edition/ short story, 98 pages

YA/Sci-Fi

From the cover:

Sixteen-year-old Mila Brooks doesn't have any friends. Her father's position as chief technology manager at the biggest tech firm in the world has alienated her from her peers. As a beta tester for the latest implant, a computer chip that connects you to The Internet of Things, Mila is sure everyone hates her because of her upgrade. When Mila hears Parker's voice in her head, everything changes.

My Review: This is one of the shortest and fastest books I have read in a long time.

Literally took me less than 2 hours to read it. 

From the synopsis and page 1, I immediately got The Giver, and, The Feed vibes. I know there was another book about the brain implant/chips, but I cannot remember it! Ugh!

In my Head, jumps right into the story, and just keeps going. The storyline is easy and quick to follow.

Mila is a typical teenager, except for her upgrade. She has insecurities, and a crush on the popular guy.

Parker isn't really Parker, but it was pretty easy to figure that one out. Ariel is annoying and Carter turns out to be a nice guy.

I wish this had been longer. I think the story and characters could have really developed into a great book. Possibly even a series. I enjoy the futuristic, fantasy storylines. I think it's the "what-if" factors that really grab me into them.

We've experienced so much in the last few years. I don't know how anyone couldn't be wondering.

I'd recommend this to like-minded people.

In My Head by Alicia Rades

I'm giving it 3 stars. 

Only because it was cut short, and we needed more backstory. Still a good read.

Review: The Queen of Kentucky

The Queen of Kentucky

by Alecia Whitaker

Quote: " Sometimes things feel that way. You know, you just think there must've been-must be- something you can do. but in the end, you just gotta do the best you can when you can."~ Luke pg. 198

Started: November 28, 2012

Finished: December 8, 2012

375 pages, hardcover

From the cover:

Fourteen-year-old Kentucky girl Ricki Jo Winstead, who would prefer to be called Erika, thank you very much, is eager to shed her farmer's daughter roots and fit in with the popular crowd at her small-town high school. She trades her Bible for Seventeen  magazine, buys new "sophisticated" clothes, and strikes up an unlikely flirtation with the freshman class's resident bad boy. She's on top of the world, even though her best friend and neighbor, Luke, says he misses " plain old Ricki Jo."

  Caught between being a country girl and wannabe country club girl, Ricki Jo begins to forget who she truly is: someone who doesn't care what people think and who wouldn't let a good-looking guy walk all over her.

  After a serious incident on Luke's farm, Ricki Jo realizes that being a true friend is more important than being popular...and that one boy who matters most has been next door all along.

My Review:

My initial reaction to the end of this book was just.."duh". Honestly, I think you would have to either be fourteen or have the mentality of that to truly enjoy this book. It was well written, again if you actually were fourteen.

This book was way under the YA level it is classified. Other than a drunken-make-out session and the strip- truth or dare at a sleepover, I didn't see any red flags to letting my fourteen year old read it.

I will say, I pray my daughter is a lot more mature than Miss Erika Jo. In more ways than one. Her character was almost unbelievable. I just kept thinking, " Wow, are all/most fourteen- year -old girls THAT immature and naive????"

I pray not! Seriously, she seemed so superficial after seeming to have a strong start in life. Although it doesn't give much insight into her upbringing. It does seem she came from a "good" family with values and at the least a sense of worth and "what really matters."

Maybe I'm being to hard on dear Alecia Whitaker. Maybe I just didn't get it.

I gave this book 3 stars and hope it will be a better read for younger audiences. 

Review: Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children

Miss Peregrine's 

Home For 

Peculiar Children

by Ransom Riggs

Quote: " I bet there's a lot of things about this place she wouldn't like you to know." ~ Enoch pg. 214

Started: Aug.18, 2012

Finished: August, 22, 2012

348 pages/ hardcover

From the cover: 

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear the Miss Peregrine's children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow- impossible though it seems- they may still be alive. A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

My Review:

this was a neat little book with vintage photos to go along. It was very different from anything I have read in quite awhile. Sort of like a fairy tale with photos for adults or YA. although it still left quite a bit of room for your own imagination to fill in the blanks. Each character has their own "talent". Some much more unimaginable than others. The story had a good amount of mystery and suspense throughout. Which I enjoyed. I kept questioning whether what Jacob had heard and was now seeing really were his imagination or were they real as his grandfather had tried to tell him. I also enjoyed the "loop" or time traveling aspect. it was a great way to explain the past through new eyes in Jacob. I gave this book * 4 stars*. well written and very entertaining!