BC Reads!
  • Home
  • Book Reviews
    • Student Reviews
    • Faculty/Staff Contributions
    • Illustrations
    • Sort Reviews... >
      • All
      • Alphabetically by Title
      • Alphabetically by Author
      • Alphabetically by Genre
      • Alphabetically by Reviewer
      • Faculty/Staff Contributions
  • Events
    • Boston Book Events
    • News and Events
  • Get Involved!
    • Become a Member
    • Submit a Review
    • Volunteer >
      • Saint Columbkille Partnership School
    • Donate Used Books
    • Become an Illustrator >
      • Work with a Reviewer
      • Design a Bookmark
      • Work on the Publicity Team
  • Resources
    • Where Can I Find Books For Free?
    • Local Bookstores
    • Useful Websites
    • Other
  • About
    • Executive Board
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff Members
    • Special Contributions
  • Contact
  • Untitled

"Heirs of General Practice" by John McPhee

2/17/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Title: Heirs of General Practice
Author: John McPhee
Genre: Nonfiction
# pages: 120
Date published: 1986
5-star rating: 4 stars
Would you recommend it: Yes





Originally published in the New Yorker in 1986, Heirs of General Practice is certainly an artful piece. I found a copy of Heirs lying around my house during winter break, so I took it to read on my flight home – and I finished it before second semester began. The book did not take long to read; it was amusing and informative. Heirs is based on a compilation of John McPhee’s interviews with a dozen or so primary care physicians. McPhee transformed the interviews into a narrative form that goes in depth with each doctor, allowing the reader to get to know them not only as doctors, but also as people.

McPhee explores how each doctor got into medicine, what their practice is like, and other general issues and encounters of rural family practice. All of the doctors come from various backgrounds. Some are from the city, some from the country; some wanted to do medicine all their lives and some decided to be a doctor after years of a separate career (one doctor even quit medical school before returning to do family practice).

Although this book was written in the 1970’s, the ideas are still very relevant because of the high demand for the less glamorous job of a primary physician and the new healthcare reform. The book explains how general practice fell from popularity, when medical specialties and subspecialties began to popularize and explains what medical schools did to combat this demand for doctors.

The book teaches the value and appeal of rural primary care doctors, as well as what it is like to be one. McPhee discusses the most difficult parts about being a family doctor and the most rewarding parts. The storyline basically takes place in doctors’ offices, documenting dialogues from patient visits and exploring the backgrounds of each doctor in between the visits. Physicians also discuss medical school, residency, and other issues with primary care, such as vaccinations and expensive testing methods and imaging.

This book would be especially valuable and interesting for people who are interested in medicine and healthcare systems like I am; however, the story was also very readable even if you just wanted to know more about what it is like to be a doctor or how healthcare system works in rural areas in the seventies. One critique I have is that the book consisted of only sketches of doctors in rural Maine, which might not accurately represent all rural areas of the United States. If the author had interviewed a wider population of family physicians, it would be more applicable to a wider population of people, but it was overall an informative, quick and interesting read!



Review by Colleen Brady, A&S '16

0 Comments

"The Ocean at the End of the Lane" by Neil Gaiman

2/12/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture

Title: The Ocean at the End of the Lane
Author: Neil Gaiman
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction
# pages: 192
Date published: 2013
5-star rating: 5 stars
Would you recommend it: Yes



This was a book I was sad to stop reading. I read the short novel in a few days just to savor the wonderful reading experience. The book was sad and happy and nostalgic and delightful. The Ocean at the End of  the Lane is a bit more personal and reflective than Neil Gaiman’s other novels, but if you are a Gaiman fan, you will not be disappointed.


 An older unnamed narrator returns to his childhood home and visits the Hempstock Farm down the lane, encountering the pond or “ocean” in the backyard. While he is there, he remembers everything from when he was seven years old, when he met Lettie Hempstock, an eleven year old girl who lives with the mysterious Hempstock women down the street. He remembers everything he was not supposed to remember. The seven-year-old narrator discovers the Hempstock Farm is not your mundane dairy farm. It is a land of fantasy, and the Hempstocks are not the average humans – they seem to live longer and have infinite wisdom. As a child, the narrator was an avid reader, which helped him escape the reality of his family and money issues. For him, the lines between fantasy and reality are blurred, and Lettie’s reality is his fantasy. The narrator has a housekeeper-nanny who he dislikes. This housekeeper is terrifying to him, but Lettie views the housekeeper as an evil flea who must be exterminated. The story is about the narrator’s adventure to “exterminate” the housekeeper and about the fantastical events that occur with the Hempstocks and his family that year.

This book is relatable, especially for adults who read a lot as children and could relate to the imagination of the narrator. The fantasy aspect was different, unlike anything I have ever encountered, which made me enjoy the novel more. It was actually quite strange, in a good way though, because it was ambiguous as to whether these events the narrator remembers actually happened. The tale also was really great at characterization. I could recall what it was like to be seven and selfish, yet beginning to realize that everything around me does matter.  Some other themes in the story are the difference between children and adults, coping with family problems, and the meaning of friendship from a child’s point of view.

This book captured me from the very beginning, with fluid prose and an intriguing narrator. As the novel introduced new characters, it kept my attention, because I was curious - I always wanted to know more about them. The Ocean was also thought-provoking, and I wondered if I would be able to face what the narrator faced. It made me feel very close to the narrator. I raved about this book to everyone I saw while I was reading it, so I think anyone would enjoy it. This novel is a step into childhood and I already want to read it again. 


Review by Colleen Brady, A&S '16

0 Comments

"The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

4/27/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Title: The Devil in the White City 
Author: Erik Larson
Genre: Non-fiction     
Pages:
Date published:
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Recommended: Yes!





I read The Devil in the White City at the recommendation of my best friend; after a year of raving about this “must-read,” she finally convinced me this year,, and now I understand why she liked it so much. The book takes place in the late 1800s, during the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, In the midst of this occasionally overwhelming backdrop, the story keeps its focus by centering on two men, an architect and a psychopath, who seem to have no relation to each other; but as the story unfolds, the reader discovers that their lives are become intricately tied together by the World’s Fair. The architect, Daniel Hudson Burnham, dreamed of designing a fair  that would rival the Eiffel tower and attract visitors from across the world, a dream that would challenge both Burnham  and his team of talented architects, including Fredrick Law Olmsted, Charles McKim, and Louis Sullivan. The psychopath, H.H. Holmes, used the excitement and attraction of the fair to keep his series of murders unnoticed, building a hotel where he could trap visitors and torture them. Larson’s characterization brings the history to life – the wholesome, driven Burnham and the charming but evil Holmes  both emerge as deep characters in an almost novelistic sense:,, historical figures, that the reader knows well by story’s end.

The Devil in the White City was not a difficult read and grabbed my attention from the very beginning with the introduction of Burnham and the World’s Fair. Since I grew up near Chicago and am familiar with the city, I was especially interested in the history of the fair and now I would love to visit what remains of the event. Even for those hailing from other states, this book  captivates because of the history involved; sometimes it seems hard to believe that these events really happened. I found The Devil in the White City impossible to put down once I picked it up. Apart from the  suspense, Larson’s decision to alternate between the perspectives of each chapter, kept me interested.

Ultimately, I would describe The Devil in the White City as nonfiction for fiction-readers. Anyone who enjoys art and architecture would also enjoy this book, as would those interested in psychopathology, murder mystery, or  the development of Chicago would also enjoy this. Pulling together all his research from primary sources Erik Larson created a unique and book. 





Review by Colleen Brady, A&S '16


0 Comments

Double Review! "The Casual Vacancy" by J.K. Rowling

1/28/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Title: The Casual Vacancy
Author: J.K. Rowling
Genre: General Fiction
Number of Pages: 503
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars



*Scroll down to see the second review!

It was a big deal when J.K. Rowling announced that she had written another book, and more specifically, a book that wasn’t part of her established Harry Potter series. Expectations were very high given the fact that she had already written what is arguably the most popular book series in the world. Though people expected another fantasy novel, The Casual Vacancy is completely different from HP in so many ways, which is probably the most important thing all should realize before picking it up. If you start this book expecting spells, Hogwarts or Quidditch matches, you will end up disappointed. On the other hand, if you go into it with an open mind, the experience will render itself much more enjoyable.

The Casual Vacancy is a character-driven book that follows the lives of various citizens of a British town called Pagford. One of the members on the Pagford Council dies of a sudden brain aneurysm, which causes a great deal of sadness in the town. Even so, the sudden death leaves an open seat on the council, which, for many townspeople, presents an even larger dilemma. The book follows the lives of the characters – from young rebellious teenagers to snobby old-time Pagfordians – and even documents those citizens new to the town. The Casual Vacancy provides an entertaining story of character interaction, the daily struggle of life, and electoral issues present in today’s world.

Though the book is overall a good one, the characters are so plentiful that at the beginning it can be very difficult to keep track of them and the ways in which they are all related. As a result, immediate engagement is difficult to reach with this novel. However, once you know all the characters, everything suddenly becomes much more interesting. Another thing to bear in mind is that The Casual Vacancy is targeted towards adults, and possibly older teens, due to the mature and disturbing nature of some of Rowling’s major themes. Overall, fans of J.K. Rowling might like to see this new side of her writing, yet even those who were previously not fans of her previous works  might enjoy this take on the British middle class and its resultant society.

Review by Caitlin Mason, A&S '16



Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

When J.K. Rowling announced she was publishing a new book, Harry Potter fans everywhere rejoiced. However, The Casual Vacancy was not exactly what many Potterheads were hoping for. Rowling completely changed genres – going from fantasy to reality. Many of the same people who enjoyed Harry Potter may not like this book, just because it is not the same genre. But there are certainly exceptions to the rule. I am a huge Harry Potter fan and I loved The Casual Vacancy. It is the perfect book for the Harry Potter fans that have completed their adolescence and are ready to experience a more mature novel. The book got a lot of hate because it is just not Harry Potter; it is completely different. J.K. Rowling tackled something close to home, as Casual Vacancy in some ways is almost an expose on how she herself was brought up.

The Casual Vacancy takes place in a tiny English town called Pagford. The plot revolves around the death of Barry Fairbrother and the townspeople’s search for a candidate to take over his position on the town council. Although there are a lot of characters, J.K. Rowling does a good job of fully developing her cast. All the characters have a connection to someone running for council, which allows the reader to see why each candidate potentially deserves the position from all perspectives. These characters are three-dimensional; they have flaws and are not always very likable, but this makes them even more complex, real, and relatable. The book recounts each character’s struggles with family, school, and teenage rebellion – even romance. Rowling also tackles serious issues like drug and child abuse.

At first the book was difficult to get into; the beginning was slow and mostly consisted of introducing all the characters. Once I got into it, the last 300 pages or so went very quickly. I enjoyed getting the insight to how small town governments in England work as it is very different from America. I loved the classic Rowling style – she doesn’t fail to integrate her humor within the pages. Some readers have complained about the vulgar language in this book, which is probably the reason it is tagged as “J.K. Rowling’s first novel for adults,” but that language is an effective way to portray real life and the culture of the characters.

As she did with the Harry Potter series, Rowling triggers emotions and knows how to open up a reader’s heart to otherwise unlovable characters. I definitely recommend this brilliant book and I am looking forward to whatever other worlds Rowling has up her creative sleeve.



Review by Colleen Brady, A&S '16
0 Comments

"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky

11/20/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
Title: The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Author: Stephen Chbosky
Genre: General Fiction / Romance
Number of Pages: 225
Date Published: February 1999

*This is special double review - the rating and recommendations from the reviews appear alongside their individual reviews


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Recommended: Yes

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a book narrated in letters by Charlie, a freshman in high school. The book opens with Charlie’s first day of high school, as he reflects back on his best friend’s suicide in middle school and his favorite aunt’s death. Charlie is an innocent narrator, which makes the book very intriguing because it feels as though the reader is  going through his experiences for the first time as well. Charlie encounters serious issues in high school detailing both family and friendship; sexual abuse and abusive relationships; first love and sexuality; drugs and alcohol; and depression. These real issues and situations are presented in such a way that readers can easily relate to them. Also, the characters are diverse enough that every reader can find someone to identify with.

I read this book in my sophomore year of high school, again my senior year, and I recently opened the binding a third time at the beginning of this year (my freshman year). It is amazing how this book continues to be relevant even though it is told from the perspective of a high school freshman in the ’90s. In fact, the issues it touches on are so universal that I argue it’s impact could be eternally significant. The book is well written with deep, quotable sentences on each page.

It did not take me long to read The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Since it was composed of letters, the chapters were short and left me wondering what would come next. I really love this book.  It made me think a lot about life, happiness, and what it means to be human. It also opened my eyes to what some people have to go through. I was able to relate to some of Charlie’s experiences; he is a very real  and complex character who I wish I could meet and have a conversation with.  The book was a roller coaster of feelings – at times I laughed, and sometimes I even cried. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is one of those books I feel everyone must read. John Green nicely sums up my feelings about it: “Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book.” – The Fault in Our Stars. So stop reading this review and pick up The Perks of Being a Wallflower. (And watch the film after – it is a great complement to the book!)

Review by Colleen Brady, A&S '16


-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Recommended: Yes

Making it through high school is difficult. Among the angst-ridden issues are ever-changing friends, a persistent search for your true identity, a multitude of crushes or lackluster relationships, and way too much meaningless homework, growing up as a teenager can be a bit overwhelming. Yet what is arguably more difficult is finding a book that manages to accurately reflect the emotions and the reality  so many teenagers encounter. Perks of Being a Wallflower  manages to do this beautifully, and surprisingly in a meaningful manner. The story is revealed in the form of letters, which the protagonist, Charlie, a freshman in high school, writes to a mysterious “friend.” In the letters, Charlie discusses all aspects of his life, detailing his weeks much like in a diary. The letters follow Charlie’s life, from the constantly developing relationships with his family, his classmates, and his friends, and all of the crazy and ordinary things they do together. The letters provide an interesting insight into Charlie’s mind, as he writes the questions and concerns about life that many people would not admit to thinking about. Charlie’s emotional journey is entertaining, funny, and moving, with a relatable cast of characters and moments that will make you laugh and cry. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is, essentially, a coming of age and very Catcher in the Rye type of novel that will entertain, but more importantly inspire as well.


Review by Caitlin Mason, A&S '16



0 Comments

"Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs

10/23/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
Title:  Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children
Author:
Ransom Riggs
Genre(s):
Thrillers/Suspense, Action
Number of pages:  352
Year published
: 2011
Rating: 
4 Stars (out of 5)
Recommended?
  Yes

When I picked up Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, the vintage photographs interlaced throughout the book immediately caught my attention. Ransom Riggs spent years collecting these old, haunting photographs before he decided to publish them with a book. These photographs add another dimension to make this novel unique and they complement the story perfectly. The images add rich details that help the reader visualize the setting, but still leave room for imagination.

The story kicks off when the grandfather of the main character, Jacob Portman, is mysteriously attacked and dies while going for a walk. Jacob suspects that this is no ordinary wildlife attack – he believes monsters murdered his grandfather. To investigate further, Jacob convinces his parents to let him go to Wales for the summer, where he encounters an orphanage full of children with rare and strange talents and qualities. Jacob is trying to find out what this place had to do with his grandfather when he discovers what he thought was the impossible. The plot is interesting from the prologue on and the action keeps the reader on his toes.

One downside to this novel is the character dynamic. Frankly, they are not as developed as I would have liked.  Jacob is a moderately relatable character who is adventurous, brave, and curious. The people he meets are interesting and different, but throughout the book I always wanted to know more about the grandfather and the children. If the characters were more deeply developed, I think I would have gotten more out of this book.

I would recommend Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children because it’s one of those books that you really can’t put down – I read it in two days. It was a very easy read that is meant for younger readers, but possesses qualities that make it enjoyable for any age. It was suspenseful, mysterious, and thought provoking with a plot that is complex, surprising, and intriguing. Ransom Riggs is actually an old college friend of novelist John Green, so if you are a fan of Green’s novels, definitely check this one out. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is haunting and mysterious – a relevant and quick read for the Halloween season!

Review by Colleen Brady,  A&S '16

0 Comments

    Who are the authors?

    These book reviews have been submitted by BC Reads! Staff Writers and other Boston College students.

    Archives

    December 2014
    November 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012

    Categories

    All
    Andrew Ireland
    Anne Donnelly
    Autobiography
    Biography
    Brittany Duncan
    Caitlin Mason
    Caroline Grindrod
    Chris Mclaughlin
    Christie Wentworth
    Christine Degenaars
    Colleen Brady
    Fantasy
    Fiction
    General Fiction
    General Non Fiction
    General Non-fiction
    Hallie Sullivan
    Historical Fiction
    Historical Non Fiction
    Historical Non-Fiction
    Horror
    Humor
    Immigration
    Jennifer Heine
    Julia Walker
    Kayla D'Ambrosio
    Kristie Dickinson
    Laura Baumgartner
    Lauren Bly
    Lauren Schlacks
    Liz Handler
    Maria Peroni
    Memoir
    Michael Solah
    Molly Saint
    Morgan Healy
    Movie Franchise
    Mystery
    Non Fiction
    Non-fiction
    Patrick Hughes
    Pulitzer Prize
    Quick Read
    Romantice Fiction
    Satire
    Science Fiction
    Serena Gibbons
    Short Stories
    Steven Nicholas
    Suspense
    Tashrika Sharma
    Thriller
    William Hwang
    Yande Lombe

    RSS Feed


Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.