JOHN G
The Warrior Heir by Cinda William Chima
“I’m actually listening to the audiobook.” Audio, another great way to get your daily dose of literature in. John G is pleased with what he’s heard so far out of The Warrior Heir, the first in the Heir series by Chima. “It’s a great teen fantasy set in modern day. Similar to The Hunger Games, there are Wizards searching out the warriors that have magical stones inside them that activate their powers.” And, for an added bonus, John even mentioned some creative editing in the audio book that will keep you entertained as well. And, even more awesome – Cinda William Chima is going to be at this year’s Austin Teen Book Festival which is happening this weekend on Saturday, September 28th! Be there, it is going to be a blast! #ATBF13
TOMMY W
Of Dice and Men by David Ewalt
“This book is 1/3 a history of [Dungeons & Dragons], 1/3 a memoir about Ewalt’s experience with the game, and 1/3 of the book explains the important cultural impact of the game and how it improves the world. D&Ders have been shown to have improved imagination and critical thinking and decision making skills. It’s a neat look for outsiders and those that don’t understand why people dedicate their lives to this game.” Tommy W goes on to talk about how the book highlights all the important people that are immersed in this world. “Ewalt himself is an editor at Forbes and a life-long D&Der. Vin Diesel, as well, even has a tattoo on his body of his favorite character.” True dedication from a world of fans that encompasses both people we normally stereotype and those we would have never guessed. “It’s a hobby that has become a billion dollar industry that’s really just all about story telling, and it’s nice to set the record straight. We’re not just all sweaty, socially useless people.”
KATIE G
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
“Thankfully, I 
was never forced to read The Color Purple in school, so I could give it a chance as an adult. I have never read a more human book before. Alice Walker weaves these stories together that all hit on the essential elements to being human: love, forgiveness, mettle, faith, knowledge, and perseverance. And, it’s just so sweet. The earnestness of Celie’s words just bring you to a place that is so precious and vulnerable that you can’t help but connect with and love her. It is now my favorite feminist novel. These women are beautiful in their transformations and love for each other in a time that was incredibly cruel and socially unjust. I can’t think of a better book for all young women to read.”
ANDREW H
Difficult Men by Bret Martin
We’ve all fallen victim to the golden age of cable TV dramas. We’ve binged and bloated ourselves on marathons of Mad Men, The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, Six Feet Under. Need I go on? Andrew H is reading Difficult Men all about those characters we love to hate but hate to love and the men, some difficult themselves, behind the curtain pulling the strings. “The book shows how cable TV has become this great art form, greater than or on par with the movie industry. It all started with The Sopranos. And, the guy who created that show is just nuts.” When I asked Andrew for more info about his favorite story so far he talked about Deadwood. “The creator of Deadwood, [David Milch], originally pitched this idea as a show about Ancient Rome in the time of Christ, but HBO dismissed it because they already had [Rome]. They wanted a Western, so he too his show and made it into a Western.”
DANNY G
The Singularity is Near by Ray Kurzweil
“In 20 years, computers will have equaled human intelligence and be able to design and build their own technology which leads to an explosion of technology beyond what any of us could have imagined.” That is the plot line of Kurzweil’s latest novel, The Singularity is Near. “The Singularity is that intelligence going beyond humans.” Intelligence is suddenly no longer biological. “This book is well researched. I love the science behind it. It’s so fun to speculate how humans will evolve and shape our future. And, you shouldn’t assume this type of future is evil or negative. It is also the biggest challenge for me, with this book. [Kurzweil] is overly optimistic and has been criticized for this before. He makes a prediction that The Singularity will happen in the next 20 years which a lot of people don’t believe. But, he’s made some really poignant tech predictions before and has a good track record.” Danny’s just waiting to finish up and discover where all Kurzweil predicts this will take us.
BookPeople 