Community of Readers

Title Slither Author Stephen Hall Call Number N/A Location Other Rating Recommended Book Review Slither explores biological and cultural aspects of snakes. The book covers topics such as herpeto-sociology, venom, metabolism, sensation, reproduction, locomotion, and adaptation. This book is a good introduction for those who want to learn more about snakes, without being too heavy-handed with the scientific jargon. It can be an enjoyable read for those interested in biology and anatomy, as snakes really break every rule we know in those fields. I wish the author had included diagrams for some of the visual aspects. Submitted By Caylin Schmenk Department or Major Leatherby Libraries Status Staff Chapman Email schmenk@chapman.edu

 

Community of Readers

Title Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam Author Omar Khayyam and Edward Fitzgerald Call Number N/A Location Other Rating Somewhat Recommended Book Review The edition of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam I own has all five English translations by Edward Fitzgerald. It's a translation of one of the Persian polymath and poet's poems. The poem focuses on life, death, and wine. The author took some translation liberties (even called out by the publisher over 100 years ago), so who knows how accurate the reading is. Submitted By Caylin Schmenk Department or Major Leatherby Libraries Status Staff Chapman Email schmenk@chapman.edu

 

Community of Readers

Title Star Wars: Betrayal Author Aaron Allston Rating Somewhat Recommended Book Review For the first book in a roughly 9-10 book series, it wasn't the best read. Everything takes place about 30 years after Episode 4. At this point, there is a semi-newly established government that's showing traces of the Empire by its actions against Han Solo's home world and people, which divides the characters. In the middle of this is an underlying sub-plot involving one of Han and Leia's Jedi sons, who really, really, really likes to be philosophical in explaining why he has issues with the Jedi Order. Exposition with that character - and subsequent writing - takes away from the novel. I found myself not interested in about 150 pages of the book as a result. Submitted By Carl Privette Department or Major Leatherby Libraries Status Staff Chapman Email privette@chapman.edu

 

Community of Readers

Title Star Wars: Bloodlines Author Karen Traviss Rating Recommended Book Review Book 2 in the 9-10 book series about essentially the rise of another Empire, with Han and Leia's son (Jacen) at the center of everything. Throw in Jacen's subtle manipulation of Luke's son; the further divide within the Solo and Skywalker family over the Galactic Alliance's actions regarding Han's home world and its people; Boba Fett and HIS family; and you got yourself a book that's miles more interesting than Book 1 in the series. Another quick and easy read. Submitted By Carl Privette Department or Major Leatherby Libraries Status Staff Chapman Email privette@chapman.edu

 

Community of Readers

Title Rites of the Starling Author Devney Perry Rating Recommended Book Review This book really tugged at my heart strings. I've been in a romantasy slump lately and this really pulled me out of it. While I wouldn't say that this book is groundbreaking for the genre, it's extremely refreshing to read something that isn't riddled with cliches or dialogue that makes you cringe. If you like romantasy, but have been sick of the same book over and over, this is a great thought provoking yet fun read. Submitted By Amanda Snow Department or Major Business College Status Staff Chapman Email hasnow@chapman.edu

 

Community of Readers

Title The color out of Space Author HP Lovecraft Call Number n/a Location Other Rating Recommended Book Review This was one of many stories I read by Lovecraft, and it was the one I liked best. The writing is very evocative and scary, but there are often bits of his writing that remind the reader of how racist the author was, which makes some stories difficult to read. This one, about a meteorite that poisons a family, was very interesting Submitted By Laura Neis Department or Major Business College Status Staff Chapman Email lneis@chapman.edu

 

Community of Readers

Title Parable of the Sower Author Octavia Butler Rating Recommended Book Review I really enjoyed this book even if I walked in not really knowing fully what to expect. For a book written in 1993, but set in 2024-2026, the human elements were scarily accurate to how I would imagine a dystopian wasteland. It was terrifying to read about a semi-apocalyptic environment where there were pockets of normalcy surrounded by viciousness. Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book and the existential perspective that it gave. There were quite a few biblical references that went more over my head, but I think the core of the book is grounded in the relationship we as humans have which each other and the world and how much our intention has in shaping the world around us. Submitted By Alyssa Castanon Department or Major Schmid College Status Staff Chapman Email alycastanon@chapman.edu

 

Community of Readers

Title The Serpent and the Wings of Night Author Carissa Broadbent Location Other Rating Somewhat Recommended Book Review Okay this book was definitely a very up and down ride. I put it down for about a month before I finally finished it, and I will say that the last third of the book sped by. I think that the world building is interesting and I am hoping to dive further into it in the second book. Personally, I don't think the characters were as fleshed out as I would have liked, but the spin at the end hooked me and now I have to finish at least the duology. Overall, did not love did not hate, definitely an average romantasy book. Submitted By Alyssa Castanon Department or Major Schmid College Status Staff Chapman Email alycastanon@chapman.edu

 

Community of Readers Title One Plus One Author Jojo Moyes Call Number other Location Other Book Review Can someone be as unlucky as Jess? No matter how hard she works at her two jobs, she still winds up skint and at the end of the line in life and love. Her math wiz daughter and eye line wearing son from her x-husband's previous relationship, understand how they must live to get by. Bullied at school and in their counsel housing, piles on more to their collective daily dread. To win $ to help with her tuition at a top notch school, Jess accepts a chance for her daughter to enter the Math Olympiad. But it's a long way to drive. Ed Nichols, who has his own legal issues and is one of the tech millionaire's she cleans house for, offers to drive them to Scotland. Jess has her reservations, but is unable to deny her daughter this opportunity. Close proximity with two kids, a horse sized dog and his cleaner, Ed witnesses other people's struggles and realizes this was the most unselfish thing he has every committed to. Submitted By Annalisa Goode Department or Major Law School Status Staff Chapman Email agoode@chapman.edu

 

Community of Readers Title Disneyland and the Rise of Automation: How Technology Created the Happiest Place on Earth Author Roland Betancourt Call Number N/A Location Other Rating Somewhat Recommended Book Review This book is about how Walt Disney and his corporation applied and incorporated factory machinery and practices into the creation of Disneyland's rides. The author argues that Disneyland used mid-century technology, factory practices, and the phenomenon of automation to essentially design create rides that resembled assembly lines in the park to efficiently maximize the main product from guests: fun. The abundant amount of academic and industry-specific jargon made it difficult to enjoy. Submitted By Carl Privette Department or Major Leatherby Libraries Status Staff Chapman Email privette@chapman.edu

 

Community of Readers

Title The Rook Author Daniel O'Malley Call Number N/A Location Other Rating Recommended Book Review U.K. version of Men in Black: espionage meets the supernatural. The main protagonist wakes up with her memories completely erased and with a different personality. She discovers she works for a secret organization who employees people - including herself - with unnatural abilities. Her former self leaves letters behind to help the current-her figure out how past-her lost her memories. Last 20 pages could have been classified as an Epilogue, but I found the book overall engaging and wanting to read the rest of the series. Submitted By Carl Privette Department or Major Leatherby Libraries Status Staff Chapman Email privette@chapman.edu

 

Community of Readers Title I, Medusa Author Ayana Gray Call Number n/a Location Other Rating Recommended Book Review This retelling of the gorgon Medusa's backstory taught me some new things about mythology and was a quick and enjoyable read. There were times I noticed the author's style seemed more appropriate for young readers, and I found out this is the author's first adult book. I enjoyed it. Submitted By Laura Neis Department or Major Business College Status Staff Chapman Email lneis@chapman.edu

 

Community of Readers Title The Giver of Stars Author Jojo Moyes Call Number PR6113.o94G592019 Location 2nd Floor Humanities Rating Highly Recommended Book Review Moyes easily entwines human liberties, civil justice, American history, and high drama in creating this women-centric story about the all female book lending librarians on horse back project created by the WPA from 1937-1943 under the leadership of Eleanor Roosevelt to promote learning in rural Kentucky. I enjoyed this story and this author's creative take on one of America's successful educational programs. Submitted By Annalisa Goode Department or Major Law School Status Staff Chapman Email agoode@chapman.edu