Parody speaks the truth while facing criticism
Reporter Justine Wade talks about the parody book “If You Give a Pig the White House” and the criticism it’s receiving.
Category: Book Review
New novel tackles love and incurable diseases
How does one love another that they can never touch? This is the heartbreaking question at the root of Rachael Lippincott’s YA novel “Five Feet Apart,” based on the screenplay by Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Laconis. Lippincott was born in Philadelphia and graduated with a BA in English writing from the University of Pittsburgh. One of the producers for the upcoming film, set to debut March 15, asked Lippincott to write a young adult novel based on the script. “Five Feet Apart” circles around two teenagers, Will and Stella, who both have cystic fibrosis. The two meet while in the…
A book that can bring a lot of light
Brittany Claramunt @BrittClaramunt bclaramunt@foghornnews.com Russian is not my first or second language, nor do I know much about its culture, but that didn’t stop me from reading “Shadow and Bone” by Leigh Bardugo. Shadow and Bone is the first book in a trilogy that follows a girl, Alina, who is saved from going to war because she learns she has the ability to create light. She is taken from the fields to Ravka court where she meets the Darkling, a powerful man who can create darkness. In a nation ravaged by darkness and monsters, her ability can help her nation…
McQueen rants about ‘FAKE NEWS’
Dan McQueen, the former Corpus Christi mayor who infamously resigned after 37 days in office, wrote a book, although reading it is much closer to an experience. I could write an entire thesis on the book, there is truly so much to talk about. But let’s start with the cover. The cover of “37 Day Mayor – Truth – FAKE-NEWS – America’s Future” reminds me of a fake magazine cover that I had to make in my sophomore high school computer class with Microsoft Word (yes, not even Paint). I got a B on the assignment out of pity; a…
Podcast turned book brings new faces to familiar story
“Welcome to Night Vale” is a novel based on a podcast of the same name. The story is the first book written for the podcast by series creators Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor. Unlike the previous books we reviewed, “Mostly Void, Partially Stars” and “The Great Glowing Coils of the Universe,” which were novelized transcripts of the first two seasons; “Welcome to Night Vale” is an original story following two new protagonists in their struggles in the titular town. In Night Vale, the weird and supernatural are commonplace parts of life. The story follows Jackie Fierro, the perpetually 19-year-old proprietor…
“Red Queen” series has fans eagerly anticipating the next one
Brittany Claramunt bclaramunt@foghornnews.com @BrittClaramunt Society is already separated by classes due to economic standings, but what if it was divided by the color of your blood? In the series “Red Queen” by Victoria Aveyard, that is exactly how society is divided. The story follows Mare, a girl who is trying to earn some money for her family to survive. She and her family are considered red blood because they are nothing special, while the elites and royals have silver blood because they have special abilities. While trying to find work, the royals discovered she has an ability even though…
King Arthur and Camelot get a new twist in “Mists of Avalon”
Catarina Murphy cmurphy@foghornnews.com @Cat_MMurphy The tale of King Arthur and Camelot has been told in books in many different versions, mainly through the eyes of King Arthur himself, and sometimes by the magical Merlin. But the story takes on a new and unique perspective in “The Mists of Avalon,” which tells the Arthurian legends through the woman’s point of view. The story is mostly told from the eyes of Morgaine, also known as Morgana and Morgan Le Fay. She is usually depicted as the evil sorceress who aids in the destruction of Camelot and King Arthur’s death, also known as…
“Her Fearful Symmetry” offers mystery and romance
Catarina Murphy cmurphy@foghornnews.com @Cat_MMurphy “Her Fearful Symmetry,” written by Audrey Niffenegger, author of “The Time Traveler’s Wife,” brings us another love story with uncertain circumstances, difficulties and, this time, ghosts. I picked up this book in an airport when I was stuck with a four-hour layover, and what particularly drew me first was that it was written by Niffenegger. I love alternative love stories that make you believe in almost anything, and that’s exactly the magic her books give to me. Niffenegger found her inspiration for the story by actively being a tour guide for the Highgate Cemetery. The…
Former White House press chief mixes humor with advice
Brittany Claramunt @BrittClaramunt I normally read fiction books for fun because the story takes me on an adventure when I really want to escape reality. Over the Christmas break my parents got me two books that were not fiction, they were autobiographies. One of the books was “And The Good News Is…” by Dana Perino. Perino is well known for being the press secretary during the Bush administration. In the book she writes about her life before, during and after her work in Washington, D.C. Going from a small-town girl to the press secretary for the president meant hard…
Popular “Night Vale” podcast now in book form
matthew tamez “Mostly Void, Partially Stars” and “The Glowing Coils of the Universe” are a two-volume written release of the first two seasons of the popular “Welcome to Night Vale” podcast. Originally started in 2012 by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor, “Welcome to Night Vale” quickly grew in popularity. “Mostly Void, Partially Stars” and “The Glowing Coils of the Universe” are a great starting point for many people who wish to become acquainted with the series. Longtime fans of the series will find the books to their liking as well. In an American town out in the desert many strange…