Great Reads for this Summer

Following April’s Great Reads for this Spring, I have decided to share with you, the readers of The Bookshelf, a few awesome, inspiring, and thrilling books that will help you start your summer off right. 

Below is a list of award-winning and accolade-garnished books. I have read a few of these books, but not all of them. A great part of summer reading is discovering new books, so I thought it seemed fit that I include some books that I have yet to read, but I may read later during the summer. Sound cool? [nod your head] Here they are:

• I’ll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan: I own, but have not yet read, this contemporary novel. This book, which has received nearly all perfect reviews, follows the lives of two brothers, Sam and Riddle, and their days in an unstable household. Living with a sketchy father and always moving from place-to-place, Sam does not completely understand how different his life is than others’, until he meets a kind, church-going girl, named Emily. Ultimately faced with two different paths to choose from, living his old life or embarking on a new chapter, bringing Riddle, his little brother, along. This book is said to be a beautiful story about how one person can make a difference and a change.

• The Name of this Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch: Oh, where to start with this witty book? The first in a five book series, this book, whose title I will shorten to Secret, is a wonderful, often humorous story about two best friends, Cass and Max-Ernest, and dysfunctional families; quests to discover big mysteries; nefarious villains; evil chefs; antique stores; little, ugly, friendly creatures; and the Terces (backwards: Secret) society. Sprinkled with quirky illustrations, Secret is a funny and engaging read.

• Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs: (Yet another book with a long title.) I desperately want to read this book, but my local bookstore never has it in stock. Sixteen-year-old Jacob grew up hearing tales from his grandfather about a place where kids with special abilities live. Now that his grandfather has passed away, Jacob finds old pictures of children from this home; kids that can float, kids that can see the dead, kids that can read minds. Determined, Jacob finds this home and is surprised at what he finds: the exact children from his grandfather’s photographs. However, not all is well in this home. A terrible monster is lurking around, a monster only Jacob can see. This book comes complete with the actual photographs owned by Jacob’s grandfather.

• Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce: Last week I finished reading this spectacular retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. In this adaption of the original, there are two sisters, Scarlett and Rosie (both shades of red). After a deadly encounter with a Fenris, a werewolf type thingy, Scarlett is left with a missing eye and scars all over her body. Scarlett fought against the Fenris and was able to save her sister but not her grandmother. Seven years following the incident, Scarlett and Rosie are a Fenris-fighting duo, killing the wolves in attempt to save innocent people around the world. However, when Silas, Scarlett’s old fighting partner returns from an extended vacation away from fighting, Rosie finds herself often wanting to do something other than killing the Fenris. She wants to keep hunting, but she does not want it to be her life. But Rosie feels like she would be betraying Scarlett, who saved her life from a Fenris, if she were to stop hunting. A great tale of sisterhood, friendship, guilt, danger, and fulfillment, Sisters Red should be on the top of everyone’s to-read list. 

There it is! Continue reading The Bookshelf during the summer to discover even more great books of all genres!

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Poll #7: Summer Reading, Revisited

About a year and a month ago, I created the first poll for The Bookshelf, titled Summer Reading. Today, June 21st, is the first day of summer, so I thought it seemed fit to have another summer reading poll on The Bookshelf – a clone of the original. That's right; I'm republishing last year's post with the same question and the same answer options. Some may call this idea lazy, others may call it genius; a brilliant way to see the growth and development of a blog and its readers over a time period of one year. I prefer the latter opinion.    

With that being said, Poll #7 is up and ready to receive precious votes! Remember that we are trying to create a record number of votes on a single poll for The Bookshelf! The current record is taken by Poll #5: Books into Movies, with seventeen votes. We can do better than that! Even if we only make to eighteen votes, we will still have accomplished something. FYI, if the record is broken, a special results post will be posted. It will be like the Guinness Book of World Records, only ten times greater.

The question, same as last year's, Do you plan to read this summer? Following the question are four answer options, also the same as last year's. GO VOTE! If you can only do one thing on this blog, that one thing should be voting on this poll (And, you know, you should appreciate books and their book review counterparts, too...). As always, the poll is located on the right side of the page, above the "about me" section. The poll closes on Thursday, July 7th, so make sure to have your voice heard before time runs out!

The time for summer is here, as is the time for summer reading!

– Jacob

P.S: You may have noticed that this post is shorter than some of my more recent ones (i.e. all posts from this year). This is because, after reading the original, short Poll #1: Summer Reading post, I realized that their can be beauty in simplistic, yet meaningful posts. However, do not expect this to happen often.

Hey! You, yeah, you! Stop reading this postscript and go VOTE! (please.)

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Enclave: Life After Disaster

Dystopian, apocalyptic, post-apocalyptic. Whatever you want to call it, the genre of books about life after monumental and earth-shattering disasters is continuously growing. Enclave, by Ann Aguirre, the first in a new trilogy, has become an official member of this thriving genre.

In a world where you receive your job and your name at age fifteen, Deuce’s, the main character’s, society, known as the College Enclave, is very limited. The College Enclave, or just simply referred to as the Enclave, is an underground establishment that was built to be a safe house after some great disaster that left the rest of the world destroyed and desolate. Because they are living underground with limited resources, the majority of the people in the Enclave only live to be about twenty years old. Citizens of the Enclave live without ever seeing the sun or feeling the grass or experiencing the rain. Everyone in the Enclave stays in the Enclave, underground. Only occasionally do people leave the Enclave, and even then, they are forced out because they broke one of the Enclave’s rules. All people forced out of the Enclave must live Topside, where the world once existed.

Enclave, the book, begins on Deuce’s birthday, the day she scraped off her birth name, Girl15, and received her job, known as an assignment: to be a Huntress. In the Enclave there are three different assignments from which you can be selected from: the Breeders, the Builders, or the Hunters. Newly named Deuce was ecstatic on her birthday to discover that she had earned the title of Huntress, a status she had coveted for years. Hunters leave the Enclave, but without leaving the underground, to scavenge food from traps set up in the many different underground passageways. In addition to hauling back food to the Enclave, Hunters also have the nasty job of patrolling: killing any half human/half monster creatures that try to enter the Enclave. These creatures are known as “Freaks”, and they are hungry, carnivorous beasts that have been battling the Enclave for years.

Like all Hunters, Deuce was marked with six scars on her arms and received her hunting and patrolling partner, a boy named Fade. Fade had always been a mystery in the Enclave. He was the only member of the Enclave to not be born in the Enclave. He was found a few years before he was old enough to receive an assignment, and he claimed he had survived four years in the tunnels of the underground. Strong and quiet, Fade was always detached from the other Hunters and everyone else in the Enclave. Deuce, unsure what to think of him, was wary of him being her partner. But after a turn of events, a few shocking discoveries, and a vow of trust, Deuce realizes that it is the leaders of the Enclave, who tell lies about the outside world, that are not to be trusted. 

Without revealing the rest of the book, and some major spoilers, Deuce discovers from Fade more about the world outside of them and above them. Pulling key elements from other dystopian books such as The City of Ember (living underground), The Hunger Games (strong warrior female character), The Giver and Divergent (assignments/factions), and The Forest of Hands and Teeth (zombie-esque, man-eating creatures), Enclave makes for one powerful and gruesome novel. However, do not misunderstand me; Enclave does not copy these great works of fictions – it builds upon pre-established concepts and creates a world, a life, and a story of its own. Fast-paced, addicting, and gritty, Enclave is a must-read for anyone. 

Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars

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Anne Frank, the Graphic Biography: The Renowned Story in a Different Format

Entirely authorized and sponsored by The Anne Frank House, Anne Frank, the Graphic Biography is one of many adaptions of the beloved diary. This adaption comes in the form of a graphic biography, published to receive a larger audience of the readers of Anne’s diary. As I have mentioned in previous posts, the graphic novel is steadily becoming a popular form of literature and art. While I preferred the book, The Diary of a Young Girl, to this adaption, I was dumbfounded at the knowledge, research, and detail that were put into this book. Since I have already reviewed the book that inspired this graphic biography, I have decided to allow this review to focus more on how the illustrations and photographs conveyed the powerful message of Anne’s words. 

Inside pages

Illustrated and adapted for graphic biography form by Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colón, this adaption sticks close to the original in almost identical detail. Using photographs to set the scene, illustrations to communicate the surroundings, and words to tell the tale, Anne, those around her, and the annex building where they were living come to life. The photographs, which captured portraits of the people in hiding and the setting of Amsterdam, Holland, enforced the idea that this harrowing, yet powerful, story is true. The illustrations, beautifully drawn, were able to display the characteristics of Anne and the external hardships that she faced. The words, my favorite element of the biography, were both parts of the story and captions. Some words were Anne’s, taken from her diary and the original book, others were added to create a well thought graphic biography.

Anne Frank

Admittedly, I did not find Anne Frank, the Graphic Biography as excellent as The Diary of a Young Girl. However, it was still a top-of-the-line graphic novel with accurate descriptions and charming, realistic characters. I applaud Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colón for having the desire and perseverance to thoroughly research, adapt, and illustrate a new form of the diary, with its spectacular voice and inspiring vision of resilience and hope. I am happy that I read this adaption of Anne Frank’s story, her life. I believe that it has given me more insight to how difficult the events that occurred around Anne were, but how, with companionship and faith, she came out strong. Despite not surviving all her obstacles, she most definitely had a strong and influential ending. An ending, and beginning and middle, which needs to be told to all people.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars

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The Results Are In! (Poll #6)

The readers of The Bookshelf have voiced their opinions – the results for the sixth poll, the enjoyment/unenjoyment/neutrality of graphic novels, are in! Graphic novels, known as comic books to many, are stories that are told with pictures. They come in many different forms. There is the original comic book with panels and speech bubbles; manga, which is a Japanese variation of the comic book that reads back-to-front and right-to-left (con.fus.ing); the average novel, with black and white pictures interspersed within the text (examples would be Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Happyface, a book I have reviewed); and there’s the simple picture book. 

Manga

I typically prefer the words of a story over the illustrations. However, the graphic novel is an ever-growing form of literature, art, and fandom. Graphic novels have created new readers and art addicts alike. Due to all the hype and all the expansion of graphic novels, I decided to challenge myself by reading one this month. I chose a graphic novel that would be of interest to me: Anne Frank, the Graphic Biography. Earlier this month I reviewed the original heart-breaking and inspiring novel. I decided that I would like to experience the wonderful tale of willpower and resilience in a different format. A review of Anne Frank, the Graphic Biography will published later today.

On to the results!

The question: Do you like graphic novels? The answer options and results:

• Yes! They are the only books I read! 2 votes, 15%
• Yes, I enjoy both novels and graphic novels. 4 votes, 30%
• They’re OK. The pictures are nice, but I prefer the words. 5 votes 38%
• No, I don’t read books with pictures. 2 votes, 15%

A collection of comic book onomatopoeia

I’m happy to see that all answer options were voted for; a great sense of a variety of different readers is found on this blog. I’m also happy to see that the third option won because that is my views on graphic novels also! Thirteen votes were recorded for The Bookshelf’s sixth poll. Thirteen is the second highest amount of votes on any poll on The Bookshelf – only to be beat out by Poll #5: Books into Movies, with seventeen votes. Thank you, thank you (thank you) so much to everyone who voted, but I know we can do better! I’m offering an opportunity for us to make a record number of votes on the next poll. That’s right; on Tuesday Poll #7 will be published! It will be open until early/mid July – plenty of time for us to establish a new record for The Bookshelf!

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Candor: Picture Perfect (AKA Brainwashed)

Candor, written by Pam Bachorz, is a short, witty, creepy novel about a seemingly perfect community in Florida. In this town, everyone does as they are told, respects themselves and others, and strives for their very best. After the startling and heart-breaking death of his oldest son, Campbell Banks created this town. He, with his wife and younger son, bought an area of plantation in Florida and began to rewrite their lives. Finally relieving themselves of their son’s death, Campbell and his wife, Lucy, began to construct other houses for other families. Because of its ritzy houses and friendly, courteous members, the community began to flourish. Business were built, schools were developed, citizens worked harder than ever to do what was best. From the outside, the Community, named Candor by its founders, Campbell and Lucy, appeared to be the best place to live and especially the best place to raise a child. However, deep under the community’s good virtues and efficiency their loomed a dark, dangerous secret. 

One day, Lucy left the family. She escaped the town of Candor, only leaving a note behind that said, “Don’t come looking for me.” Devastated by his mom’s leaving, Oscar became prone to noticing things that were out of place. Right before his mother left, Oscar noticed she suddenly became uninterested in art, something that she had loved all her life. Oscar also noticed that he, himself, had also developed a distaste for art, too. And junk food and relaxing and breaking the rules. He also noticed that he had discovered a certain joy in cleaning the house and pleasing his father and making perfect scores on his SATs, no matter how many hours into the night he had to study. As more families began to move to Candor, Oscar noticed the change in other children and their parents, too. Determined to discover the meaning of the radical change, Oscar soon discovers it, hidden in all the music that plays throughout the streets and homes of Candor.

Fast-forward a few years later, Oscar has become a master at avoiding the messages that play in the music of Candor. After rifling through his father’s study, he discovers many documents and equipment that reveal to him that messages are entered into the music that is played all around Candor. These messages say things like, Don’t litter, Respect personal space, Lying is bad, and A nutritious breakfast is a key to success. You do not notice these messages, but instead they enter your brain and activate themselves in your subconscious. Oscar, after discovering the truth about the messages that lie in his favorite music, teaches himself how to block the messages sent out by his father and create new ones to keep himself on track. However, to avoid anyone from noticing, Oscar must continue to act the part of a “perfect child.” If he were to let his armor down and reveal to his father the truth, Oscar would be sent to the Listening Room, literally a room where you are forced to listen to messages, hidden in music, until you are “cured.” 

Deciding to take advantage of his knowledge, Oscar begins seeking out children of families new to Candor, hoping to find a new “client.” After successfully combating his father’s brainwashing techniques, Oscar seeks to tell other kids of the terrible actions being played. Calling them his clients, Oscar gives these new kids CDs with personal messages on them. However, these messages were good – they confirm that Candor’s messages force children to be perfect, and that Oscar’s way is right. But Oscar, who I believe is more like his dad than he realizes, doesn’t let these clients get their special music at no cost. Oscar makes them give him something that is outlawed in Candor, such as candy, alcohol, art supplies, photographs, et cetera. 

However, Oscar’s secret business is thrown into jeopardy when he builds connections with two risky clients: Sherman, his blabbermouth best friend, and Nia, a new bold girl who he develops a crush on. After many too-close-to-being-caught excursions, lying, and distrust, Oscar must make decisions on what is right and what is best. Coming to a quick, yet unpredictable end, Candor is a great book with a bad and surprising ending, but as one of my favorite, and most certainly quirky authors, Pseudonymous Bosch, would say:

“Only bad books have good endings. If a book is any good, its ending is always bad because you don’t want the book to end.”

Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars 

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Poll #6: Graphic Novels

The graphic novel is an ever-expanding form of literature. Originally only available in the form of the comic book, graphic novels were typically only read by “nerds” and “geeks” and the occasional “dweeb.” However, now the term graphic novel has expanded its definition. Many people, new to both graphic novels and reading itself, have recently discovered the joy of graphic novels and the different varieties in which they are presented. Of course, there’s the original comic book, but there’s also manga, a Japanese form of graphic novels, read from back to front and right to left (talk about confusing…); there’s the novel with pictures, usually black and white, interspersed (think Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Happyface, a book I reviewed); and lastly there’s the picture book – the simple story with simple sentences with simple words. As you can see, graphic novels are a growing form of both literature and art; a storm that has gripped people of all ages.

Manga

I have mentioned previously that I do not care for this form of literature. I greatly prefer words, and the power and wisdom that they offer, over illustrations. After reading Happyface, by Stephen Emond, my stance on graphic novels changed slightly. But Happyface was an exceptionally written novel, with pictures added here and there. So, I suppose I will be able to tolerate the novels with added pictures from now on.  But what about the comics and manga? Unfortunately, I do not see myself liking those types of graphic novels; too many pictures, not enough words.

However, I am always open to new ideas and formats when it comes to books. So for this month of June I, and you, the readers of The Bookshelf, hopefully alongside me, will be reading one graphic novel. Since this is going to be tough for me – I have a difficult time focusing while reading an uninteresting book – I have chosen to read a graphic novel that might appeal to me: Anne Frank, the Graphic Biography. It is an authorized, sponsored the Anne Frank House, edition of The Diary of a Young Girl. I thought it would be appropriate to choose Anne Frank because I just recently reviewed the original edition of the inspiring, heart-stealing diary. This edition of Anne Frank is written/illustrated as a comic book; it has panels and speech bubbles, but still reads front to back, left to right. I will be publishing a review on this edition of The Diary of a Young Girl, however, the review will not focus on the content of the story, but more on the illustrations, the imagery, and how it compares to the original. 

The review for the graphic novel edition of Anne Frank will be published June 18th, the same day that…wait for it…Poll #6 ends! Yes, the wait is finally over (and I know some of you have been waiting a long time)! Today, I present to you a new poll, one that will be asking your opinion on graphic novels! Don’t worry if you’ve never read a graphic novel before, or if you’ve only read one specific type, or even if you are just learning about graphic novels; everyone’s opinion is valuable. 

The question: Do you like graphic novels? You can find the answer options – and vote too! – above the “about me” section on the right side of the page. Vote now! The poll closes on June 18th!

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The Diary of a Young Girl: A Voice for People of All Types and Ages

“Anne Frank died so others would remember. An extraordinary journey,” wrote Steven Spieldberg in the VIP guestbook at the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, Holland.

“Anne Frank died…” While the Nazis were gaining control of Germany in the late 1930s/1940s, the Frank family, Jewish, was busily escaping to Holland to hide from the “Führer’s” wrath. On her thirteenth birthday, the youngest member of the Franks, Anne, received a diary. She began writing in her diary when her family was moved into hiding when the Germans began to take control of Holland. The Frank family began to hide in a secret annex behind an office building. After a few days of hiding, another family, the van Daans (the van Pels in real life – Anne changed names in her diary to protect identities) joined Anne and her family. With the much grateful help of a group of workers from the office, the Franks and the Van Daans began to live a guarded and risky life. Anne, a voice for underdogs, the disadvantaged and underappreciated people of all ages, used her diary, with her exemplary thinking and writing skills, to overcome prejudice, face adversity, and develop resilience. Anne had ways of thinking light years beyond her age and time. With words and emotion, Anne has reached millions of people everywhere. Unfortunately, even after so much fight, courage, love, and realization, Anne did not make it. It is unsure how, but Anne and her family were captured and placed in concentration camps. Anne’s father, Otto Frank, was the only one that made it out alive.

Whoever is happy will make others happy too.

­– Anne Frank

“…so others would remember.” Upon escaping, Otto Frank returned to the secret annex, hoping to find Anne and Anne’s sister, his daughter, Margot. He was deeply saddened when he discovered an empty hideout, but was in awe when Miep, one of the secret annex’s helpers, gave him Anne’s diary, one of only very few items that survived the Nazis overpower of the annex. After some hesitating, Otto released a revised version of his daughter’s beloved diary. A few years later, The Diary of a Young Girl was published in the United States. After both the New York Times and Eleanor Roosevelt gave the book stellar reviews, the book quickly became required reading in schools across the countries, teaching children about Hitler’s genocide and promoting creative and free thinking.

In 1955, an adaption of the diary was released as, The Diary of Anne Frank, a Tony award-winning Broadway play. Following the play’s monumental success, a movie adaption of the play was shown on movie screens across the country. The Diary of Anne Frank, the movie adaption won three Academy Awards and was nominated for five more, including Best Picture.

Every year, legions of admirers travel to Amsterdam, Holland to visit the Anne Frank House museum. The Anne Frank House is an exact replica of the office building and its secret annex. At the Anne Frank House, you can visit the rooms of every occupant of the annex, and you can see original documents written by Anne, including her honored diary. I cannot wait to visit the Anne Frank House one day; to see for myself what Anne’s life must have been like. However, in the meantime, I, and you, the readers of The Bookshelf, can take an online virtual tour of the entire building – the office, the annex, plus more!

Anne greatly enjoyed writing and always dreamed of being famous. Today, and forever to come, she is famous. People around the world read her story, flock to Amsterdam to live her tale, and write personal messages on a virtual tree to encourage her legend. 

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.

– Anne Frank

“An extraordinary adventure.” It’s no coincidence that Anne’s story is so successful. From the early stages of a diary to a book to a play to multiple movies, Anne’s voice is always strong and determined. Anne always saw the best in people and wanted to be a good person. Despite faced with difficult circumstances, Anne wrote freely about freedom from prejudgment, desire for companionship, and the need to find herself. Anne was an extraordinary person and, as anyone who has read the book knows, a loveable, often humorous adventure. Anne Frank, her life, her story, is an extraordinary adventure.

Who would ever think that so much went on in the soul of a young girl?

– Anne Frank

Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

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Divergent: The Power of One Choice

Divergent is defined by Dictionary.com as, “something that moves, lies, or extends in different directions from a point; something,” or someone, “having no finite limits.” Keep that definition in mind as you continue reading this review of Divergent, by Veronica Roth.

Definitely in my top ten books for this year, Divergent is a powerful first book in what is guaranteed to be a memorable trilogy. In an unnamed year in the future, there exists a very different world. Beatrice, the protagonist of Divergent, lives in a new and different Chicago. This futuristic Chicago is separated into five different factions, or groups, based on a five different virtues – Candor, the honest; Dauntless, the brave; Amity, the peaceful; Abnegation, the selfless; and Erudite, the intelligent. Beatrice is part of the Abnegation faction because that’s the faction her parents chose to live in. Abnegations, often called “Stiffs”, are always thinking of other and are never thinking of themselves. They never wear anything but plain clothes, hardly ever look in mirrors, and serve as the government officials for their city of Chicago. Beatrice is often startled, but intrigued, by the actions of members of other factions. She watches them at her school, which allows all factions to learn together. She stares at the intelligent, know-it-all Erudites, the singing, laughing Amitys, and the discussions and debates amongst the Candors. However, Beatrice is most fascinated by the Dauntless and their form of travel – riding and jumping off of trains. 

All sixteen-year-olds in Beatrice’s Chicago take a test to discover which faction they are best suited for. After taking the test, the sixteen-year-olds decide which faction they would like to join. For the majority of the time, the teenagers choose the same faction as their parents. However, faction-switching does occur, but not without causing much disturbance. Switching factions creates shunning and outrage amongst the teenager’s family and teasing from other factions.

Beatrice has always known that she had been slightly different; it was always difficult for her to be as selfless as the rest of her family. When her testing day arrives, Beatrice faces many surprises. The test, which is actually more like a virtual simulation, provides her with more than one result. Beatrice discovers that she is what is known as a Divergent, someone who is suited for more than one faction. Her test results concluded that she is fit for the Abnegation, the Erudite, and the Dauntless factions. Beatrice’s test supervisor highly suggests that Beatrice not tell anyone of her results because Divergents are considered highly dangerous, and the government often leaves them factionless, homeless and unemployed. Beatrice, scared, but perhaps not entirely shocked, begins to consider which faction she will join; the decision between leaving her family and friends or joining a different faction to be her true self. The big problem is that Beatrice doesn’t know who her true self is. 

Without revealing any spoilers that the author doesn’t want available to anyone who hasn’t read the book, Beatrice finally comes to a decision on which faction she wants to choose. After her brother makes his decision, Beatrice realizes something about herself and finds the strength to choose the faction that appeals to her the most. After joining this faction, Beatrice, who begins to go by the name Tris, starts to live her true identity. Her ultimate identity is not a specific faction, but multiple factions, just like her test concluded. After many tough circumstances, Tris must use many of her skills, which all pertain to many different factions, to survive and make herself known. 

The first in a new trilogy, Divergent captures your mind and steals your soul. It is an engaging story, with breath-taking imagery, about self-identity, discovering both your good and bad qualities, and fighting for yourself. A must-read.

Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

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What's Happening this Month?

May is over, and June, along with the summer heat that it brings, is in full swing! Last month was Favorite Author Month on The Bookshelf. This month will be bringing many new reviews, recommendations, and, yes, finally, polls to The Bookshelf. Summer officially starts on June 21st, but summer reading starts now!

Summer (or late spring – what it is right now) is a great time to enjoy a novel outside in the fresh air, or a great time to enjoy a novel inside your home, 65 degrees, in front of a fan, set on high. Either way, summer brings many opportunities to enjoy great books and read reviews about great books right here on The Bookshelf.

This month will feature reviews of Divergent, an engaging book about identity and decisions, by Veronica Roth and The Diary of a Young Girl, the world’s most famous primary source of World War Two’s horrible extermination of Jews, by Anne Frank. In addition to these two reviews, more reviews will be coming towards the mid and the end of June. 

Reviews are nice (very nice, in my opinion), but I’m sure you must be wondering, “What happened to the polls?” I know, I know – I promised new polls in both March and May, and I didn’t follow up with my promises. However, June will be different. I have two polls already pre-planned – pre-planned so I can’t make up an excuse saying that, “Oops! I forgot!” Expect the first of June’s polls on… okay, maybe I shouldn’t give an exact date, just in case I can’t make the date. Despite not having an official date, polls will be put into place soon.

A Quick Summary for June: Two definite reviews, more reviews are highly likely to be posted, two polls, summer heat, and fun. 

– Jacob 

(Image courtesy of Donna Hopkins, PatchWork Photos)