In The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo, Harlem teen Xiomara has a lot to deal with. She is just starting to notice boys, beginning to have serious questions about her Catholic faith, and suspecting that her twin brother is gay. She also writes poetry, but hides it from everyone—especially her intensely strict mother. However, when …
Book Review | Big Red Tequila
I thought I’d read a book by Rick Riordan for a change. (LOL) Rick Riordan’s debut novel, Big Red Tequila, tells the story of Jackson “Tres” Navarre, who has just returned to San Antonio from San Francisco. He spent ten years there, following the murder of his father, Jackson Navarre the Second. Now, he intends …
Page vs Screen: The Martian
In 2011, Andy Weir’s novel The Martian was published and promptly became a bestseller. Then, in 2015, the film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon came out. So here, in 2019, is my belated comparison of the two. (Also, here is my review of the book.) I’ll ramble, then I’ll score both versions. …
Book Review | The Last Olympian
The final book of the Percy Jackson series, The Last Olympian, strangely reminds me of an Avengers movie—a major battle, most of the important characters in one place, lots of danger and a fast-paced plot. But instead of superheroes, purple aliens with gold gloves, and so-called figures from Norse mythology, we have the ever-sarcastic Percy …
Book Review | Dreyer’s English
I never thought I’d laugh while reading a grammar book, and yet here we are. Dreyer’s English is written by Benjamin Dreyer, the current VP and copy chief of Random House—so, you know, he has some worthy credentials. This book serves as a guide for aspiring writers and editors alike, offering advice, definitions, and ways …
Righter of Words 