Year in Review & Review of A Whole New World

 

Front Cover

My Year in Review 

This year has been tough for everyone. And while I have been reading or rather listening, I haven’t felt like sitting down to share about the books I’ve read.  

Not only is 2020 a year with a pandemic, the library I work at recently (ok in August) moved to a new larger building. I have been pretty busy as this was my first full year as Branch Lead/Manager (oh whatever the title is, I’m supervising the branch). I helped with organizing the move and this was all done during a Pandemic after many years of others’ hard work. I just took over and was there in the end.  On top of a move, I’ve also tried to work on shifting how I think about programing, not very successfully in my opinion. Though I have recorded multiple Virtual Storytimes for my job which are quite successfully received.  

Well, enough about my job life is pretty good all things considered, I just haven’t been motivated to share my reading with anyone. That is until now, below is a brief summary and review of A Whole New World: A Twisted Tale by Liz Braswell. This is the second Twisted Tale I’ve read. For those interested these are a “what if” type tale about the classic Disney Princesses and Princes. 

Review: A Whole New World: A Twisted Tale 

Back Cover

As I mentioned above the Twisted Tales shares the “What IF” side of Disney stories. A Whole New World examines the question “What if Aladdin Had never found the lamp?” (Braswell, 2015, back
cover). Though in my opinion this idea is not fully correct, you see Aladdin does technically “find” the lamp, he just can’t keep the lamp. Those who remember the movie will remember the scene in the cave of wonders where Carpet rescues Aladdin and they escape from the wrath of the Cave of Wonders only to be shoved down by Jaffar in disguise. In Braswell’s tale this is where everything changes, Aladdin is trying to escape with the lamp, however is unsuccessful, and sadly so is Abu (his monkey friend, as you might recall he steals the lamp back in the movie). This leaves Aladdin stuck in the cave to die or escape with only a magic carpet and Abu, no Genie.  

Braswell then sends Aladdin through the desert to discover what has come of Agrabah, unaided by the Genie who is now in the service of Jafar. Can Aladdin rescue Jasmine, free the Genie, and save Agrabah?  The tale unfolds to show Jasmine as a strong woman who, once secure in herself, can lead an army of Street Rats to save the city! While Aladdin is the hero in the movie, he comes to play a supporting role for Jasmine, who has suffered much at the hands of Jafar. 

I enjoyed this alternate story of Jasmine & Aladdin. It allowed the reader to explore another view of what could have happened and how they could save the city from Jafar without magic. I look forward to reading more from the Twisted Tales series. 

Reference 

Braswell, L. (2015). A whole new world: A twisted tale. Los Angeles: Disney. 

Images take by me of A Whole New World by Liz Braswell

 

 

They called us Enemy Reivew

Screenshot from Libby

Side notes

Well, it's been awhile since I wrote a review but wanted to share a few thoughts on this graphic novel I read.  The review is short but I truly enjoyed the book and highly recommend it to everyone, especially those interested in WWII or even wanting to see some of the background to current events. 

Review

In this memoir, the reader follows the childhood of George Takei, best known for his role as

Screen shot from Libby: Takei as Sulu

 Sulu on Star Trek: The Next Generation.  This well illustrated graphic novel shows the realities of the Japanese interment from the perspective of a child. In the vane of Farwell to Manzanar Takei shares his families experience during WWII in internment camps.  The novel begins as if it were a Ted talk or other event with Takei sharing his story then continues on with his life and the events that lead him 

to where he is today. 

Screenshot from Libby: Leaving home

The illustrations show the reality as seen from a child’s perspective. Each page is full of mixed emotions as his parents' grapple with the reality of losing their home and being forced out by a country they have come to love which are contrasted with George and his brother’s excitement over taking a train ride or a “vacation”. Each new development comes with slow realization that only time and age would help George to fully understand. 

The full reality of the internment camps will never fully be understood by those not encamped there and as Takei shares even some of the children do not understand the extent of the injuries their parents suffered. This book shows a simple glimpse into the past and the experiences of one family. The lasting impact the camp had on George Takei stayed with him as he sought to make a career for himself in Hollywood. Learning from the past and understanding that much is still shrouded in lost memories is important to not repeating it again. Seeing what we have done and where others have been is important in empathy for others. 

The illustrations and narrative work wonderfully together to create a sense of loss mingled with hope. Each new chapter in Takei’s life brought something new though many events, such as meeting Mrs. Roosevelt, were shadowed by memories of the past wrongs done to Japanese Americans.  

I enjoyed the graphic novel and learned much. The historical information is often overlooked in textbooks and schools but so very important for an understanding of how to handle many situations today. Learning what was done wrong and how to not repeat such incidents can only be done when we listen to our past. The graphic memoir brings the story of one family to life in an easy to understand way. 

 

Screenshot from Libby: George Takei's dedication

Reference 

Takei, G. (2019). They called us enemy [Digital edition]. Marietta, GA: Top Shelf Productions.  

#HarryPotterAtHome Review of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone on Libby

Screen Shot from Libby #HarryPotteratHome

Well I finally “read” the first Harry Potter. I found that it was better than I remembered, maybe I’m older or maybe it was because I was using it to keep me from going crazy alone in this strange time. While I belong to the target demographic while the books were coming out I was never able to get into them. So, while others kids were reading Harry Potter, I was reading J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings.

  

Libby and #HarryPotterAtHome 

Well, I started this post about a week ago when I finished the book but will now write my thoughts.  

I was browsing for a book to listen to while cleaning and doing simple tasks at my closed library (note I’m the only one in the building of the small town library and we are prepping for a move, strange to say this but it is May 2020 as I write this and times are strange). So, eight hours alone is just way too much and I have found that Libby is a great resource for not going insane. While browsing for books I noticed that the first Harry Potter was available. I decided well why not read this, after all I keep meaning to and being asked if I ever read it and now is as good a time as any and if I hate it I can simply listen to a new book or more likely just have it play in the background while I do various tasks. This was before I noticed it was for #HarryPotterAtHOme and not knowing how much demand would be for the second book (which I am now waiting for).

Summary...Not really 

So, since most people have read the book by now and I seem to be the last person on the planet (Ok, I know this is an exaggeration but really that is how I feel sometimes) I won't write the summary but if YOU haven’t just google it or watch the movie (maybe, still haven’t seen those either...).  IF like me you haven’t read it, but can still quote the story because of hearing about it constantly I will say briefly that this book is about Harry Potter when he is 11 and the crazy magical antics he and his classmates get up to in their first year at Hogwarts. 

Review and thoughts 

Well, it wasn’t as bad as I remember and was easy to follow. The plot did have many points of convince but it is a children’s book and they do all use magic so why not. It was a light read for me and I was able to happily go about doing my own work while not feeling so alone in a library by myself (which was a plus, believe me if you have ever been in a building that should have people you will understand). However, since I did know much of the story and surprise points the book was not as exciting as everyone said.  

So, will I read/listen to the next installment, most likely yes if things continue as they are and I have already joined the Libby que for both books 2 & 3 (book 2 has a 20 week wait time...WHAT!). Would I reread book 1 like some people do every year forever, no. The book is simply not as good as J.R.R. Tolkien or C.S. Lewis in my opinion both of which series I have reread multiple times in my life. I just finished listening to C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia and am looking forward to listening to or reading The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings in the near future.

References 

Rowling, J.R. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer Stone. (2012). Pottermore Publishing [Audiobook Libby version]. Retrieved from Libby.