Transitive Verve

The Anthropocene Reviewed began its life as a podcast . Perhaps I should just share the podcast's description, because I really can't explain it better in my own words: The Anthropocene is the current geological age, in which human activity has profoundly shaped the planet and its biodiversity. On The Anthropocene Reviewed, #1 New York Times bestselling author John Green (The Fault in Our Stars, Turtles All the Way Down) reviews different facets of the human-centered planet on a five-star scale. I'm not sure where along the way I started listening to the podcast, but while I liked it a lot, I also found myself putting off listening to the episodes because usually, when I listen to podcasts, it's because I'm doing something else and I just want some audio to fill the space while I'm doing what I'm doing. I knew after a couple of episodes that TAR  is NOT a space-filler type of podcast; it deserves attention, and consideration, and reflection. Thus, I have no...

So, for the past couple years on this blog, I've recapped my top ten YA books that I've read for the year. Looking back at my 2017, I realized that I haven't read that much YA this year that came out this year . I've read and reread a lot of older books, and I've read a lot of non-YA (like, mainly romance). So I don't really have much of a list for you this year, but it's a list, nonetheless :/ Here are my top FIVE YA books from this year, in no particular order (I read more than five, but definitely didn't love them as much as these): Turtles All the Way Down  by John Green The much anticipated follow-up to TFIOS, TATWD manages to be awesome all on its own in very different ways. Yes, it's a mystery story, and yes, there are plucky, intelligent teenagers, but TATWD takes a very close, personal look at Green's own experiences with OCD and thought spirals through protagonist Aza Holmes. Read my review here . When Dimple Met Rishi ...

I got to see John Green (and Hank!!!) for the TATWD book tour! I've been SUPER excited about this for WEEKS, if you couldn't tell by my uber-capitalization and excessive use of exclamation points!!!! The only bummer about this was that there wasn't actually a signing where we could've met the Green brothers, but hey, we all got a signed copy of the book (and swag) included with admission, so... I'm not complaining all that much. You guys, you have to know how much this means to me to even be in the same room as John Green. He's not just the author of my #4 favorite book of all time (TFIOS); he's one of my favorite HUMAN BEINGS (that I don't personally know). I know it's dangerous to put people on pedestals, but he's one of the few famous people in the world I would feel even remotely comfortable nudging in the general direction of the proverbial pedestal. As a book lover, as a media consumer, and as a teacher, I am so heavily influenced...

Thoughts at a glance: ***** (It was amazing!) Summary: I honestly don't know how to sum it up better in my own words, so here's the official copy: Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Russell Pickett’s son, Davis. Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts. 

Valentine's Day is coming, and if you happen to be unattached, you may be looking forward to spending some time with your favorite book boyfriend. Hell, I'm even in a relationship myself, and I will probably end up spending Valentine's Day with a book. (Though, this is because we choose not to celebrate, so don't feel bad for me or anything.) I thought I would take some time to make a list of some of my favorite dudes. These are the guys who make me swoon every time I read, who are just too precious cinnamon-roll-y for the real world, but whom I love all the same. Note: I fully acknowledge that this post is absolutely heteronormative. Also note: For any teenaged YA guys that I choose, that crush is coming from Teenaged Me. Or I'm projecting them forward into adulthood. I am not literally imagining mid-30s me with a teenage boyfriend, because that would be Not Okay. Also ALSO note: Spoiler warnings for all the books listed below. There were MANY I could...

I just got to spend a Night on the Towns! As with TFIOS , there was a special early showing of Paper Towns simultaneously across the continent, followed by a livestream Q&A with the cast, crew, and John Green.  A short summary of the story: Quentin has been in love with Margo ever since they were kids. Over the years, they've drifted apart, and Quentin has watched Margo become the most popular, legendary girl at school, thanks in part to her hijinks of mythical proportions: she often takes off to go do whatever, leaving behind clues as to her whereabouts. After Margo solicits Q's help out of the blue for one night of crazy schemes, she suddenly disappears. With the help of his friends, Q finds clues that Margo has left behind, and he finds himself on a mission to bring back the girl he loves. For a more detailed discussion, check my writeup of the book here . My writeup of the movie assumes that you have read the book, or that you don't care about me spoili...

The latest John-Green-to-movie adaptation is going to be his novel Paper Towns , which I finally got around to reading last week, in anticipation of the trailer's release yesterday and the movie's release in July. It's the third John Green book I've ever read, after TFIOS  and Looking for Alaska . Thoughts at a glance: **** (I really liked it) *Possible spoilers for the book ahoy* Q (for Quentin) is a kid growing up in a subdivision in Orlando, living next door to Margo Roth Spiegelman since they were two. And yeah, he's totally in love with her, has always been in love with her. At the age of 9, they find a dead body in the park where they usually play. Spoiler: this body has nothing to do with the mystery that happens later, but it does in some way set the tone for things to come. The ever-intrepid Margo investigates and finds out that the man had apparently committed suicide. "Maybe all the strings inside him broke," she says, which is a prett...

And here are my smattering of reviews for book-to-movie adaptations! Thoughts on the 2011 adaptation of  Jane Eyre Thoughts on the movie adaptation for  The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Thoughts on the movies for  The Hunger Games ,  Catching Fire , and  Mockingjay Part 1 . Thoughts on the movies for  New Moon ,  Eclipse ,  Breaking Dawn Part 1 ,  and  Breaking Dawn, Part 2 Thoughts on the movie for  Divergent Thoughts on the movie for  The Fault in Our Stars