December Wrap-Up || 2017

TL;DR

Adriana discusses her December reads, including a YA vampire novel, a middle-grade dragon series, a superhero manga, a quiet Irish family drama, a fantasy quest tale, a slice-of-life graphic novel, and a poetry collection.

Transcript

Bibliophiles of the internet, my name's Adriana and today I'm here to finally bring you my December Wrap-Up. Fair warning, this might be a long video, because I did read quite a few things in December, but also because I have very strong feelings. The first book I read in December was a re-read for me, and that was "The Coldest Girl in Coldtown" ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧛 "The Coldest Girl in Coldtown" offers a compelling narrative that combines vampire lore, mythology, and a dark, exciting story.
• 🦸 The "How to Train Your Dragon" series celebrates unlikely heroes and empowers readers with its message of potential and defying expectations.
• 🌍 "My Hero Academia" explores the choices and perspectives that define heroism in a world filled with superpowers.
• 🤭 "Elmet" depicts a quiet Irish family drama, examining themes of freedom, violence, and gender roles.
• 🥳 "Giant Days" is a refreshing and funny graphic novel series that captures the positive energy and diverse friendships of university life.
• ❓ "Black Book of Poems" offers straightforward and accessible poetry with contrasting modern subject matter and traditional rhyme schemes.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is "The Coldest Girl in Coldtown" about?

"The Coldest Girl in Coldtown" is a YA paranormal novel by Holly Black set in a world where vampirism is considered a contagious disease, and quarantine zones called Cold Towns are created to hold those affected. The story follows Tana, who wakes up to find that she and her ex-boyfriend are the only survivors of a party where everyone else was turned into vampires.

Q: What makes the "How to Train Your Dragon" series special?

The "How to Train Your Dragon" series by Cressida Cowell is a middle-grade fantasy adventure that follows the life of Hiccup, a Viking in a society that values physical strength. Adriana praises the series for celebrating unlikely heroes who defy expectations and accomplishing incredible things. She also highlights David Tennant's exceptional narration.

Q: What is "My Hero Academia" about?

"My Hero Academia" is a shonen manga series by Horikoshi Kohei set in a world where most people possess superpowers called quirks. The story follows a young boy named Midoriya who is initially quirkless but receives a powerful quirk from his idol, All Might. He attends a prestigious school for heroes and learns what it means to be a hero.

Q: What is the main theme of "Elmet" by Fiona Mozely?

"Elmet" is a quiet, subtle story about a small Irish family living in seclusion. The father, with a history of violence, raises his two children away from societal expectations. The book explores the threats that challenge their way of life and the characters' struggle to navigate their place in the world.

Q: What is "Giant Days" about?

"Giant Days" is a slice-of-life graphic novel series about three girls in university who become close friends and navigate the ups and downs of college life. The series emphasizes the strength and acceptance of each character's unique personality and showcases their hilarious and relatable experiences.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Adriana reviews "The Coldest Girl in Coldtown" by Holly Black, praising its compelling narrative and strong characters.

• She discusses her love for the "How to Train Your Dragon" series by Cressida Cowell, highlighting its empowering message and David Tennant's fantastic narration.

• Adriana shares her thoughts on "My Hero Academia," praising its examination of heroism and the characters' choices, and giving each volume five stars.

• She reviews "Elmet" by Fiona Mozely, describing it as a powerful story about a family living off the grid and recommends the audiobook narrated by Joe Jameson.

• Adriana briefly discusses "Quests for Glory" by Soman Chainani, mentioning its exploration of binary relationships and giving it four stars.

• She reviews "Giant Days," a graphic novel series by Lissa Treiman and John Allison, praising its delightful and funny portrayal of three diverse friends in university, giving both volumes five stars.

• Adriana concludes with a brief review of "Black Book of Poems" by Vincent K. Hunanyan, praising its authentic and accessible style but finding it somewhat forgettable. She gives it three stars.

• Lastly, she mentions "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng, promising a full book review to come.