Chicago’s Famous Fair Targets Serial Killer by Alexandra Serrato

Around the blooming years of 1893, when the Chicago World’s Fair also known as The World’s Columbian Exposition was under construction, serial killer H. H. Holmes acquired the fair as a target to find his victims. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson, is a nonfiction novel focused on the construction of The World’s Columbian Exposition and crime being committed around the same time. Murderer H. H. Holmes and architect Daniel Burnham are the main characters of the novel, who counteract but have a connection between them. I would rank this book a three out of five stars, because the novel contains some very high points, with attention-grabbing and exciting sections, yet it also had some low historical sections, that weren’t all that fascinating. I recommend this book to adult who are interested in the evolution of the city of Chicago. The Devil in the White City, would not necessary be a book one would read for fun. However, I would not say this novel is not for teenagers, because it provides good historical information about the city of Chicago as well as an outstanding theme one can walk away with after reading the novel. 

Murder Case Files: Clutter Carnage by Jaime Baeza

The Clutter case originated from Holcomb Kansas in the late 1950’s; during this time, the quite suburban town was struck by chaos due to the brutal murder of the Clutter family on a fateful day. The case was written in a book named In Cold Blood, written by Truman Capote who, in his nonfiction investigation of the murder, dictates the events that occurred before and after November 15, 1959 when the Clutter family, were murdered by Richard Eugene Hickock and Perry Edward Smith with a .12-gauge shotgun. The book begins with the Clutters who go about their daily business, until Dick and Perry, after a long drive, pull up to the Clutter home with a shotgun ready to massacre the unsuspecting victims; the corpses were discovered the next day and the pursuit of these men began, with detectives investigating the case. The book gets a rating of 7 out of 10 stars overall. The book was a well-developed investigative reporting that has credible facts, and a precise chronological order that helped the author produce an in-depth analysis of the event. Although at some points it would drag on becoming boring such as the plot development leading to the ending, it became really interesting as the case lead up to it so that’s why it deserves this rating. In conclusion, In Cold Blood was a very fascinating book that I would recommend to others. I would recommend this to people such as open minded people who are interested in mystery and murder cases.

The Hidden Side of Everything, Freakonomics by Yagdizie Martinez Perez

Often times, people are so worried about doing things exactly right, trying to be perfect. In reality, humans are far from it! Freakonomics is an interesting book that jumps from one topic to another because the authors are trying to provide the readers examples so they can understand what the point the authors are trying to make is. Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner wrote this book in such way that they provide the readers statistical data and real-life examples in order to create credibility. Furthermore, the book discusses how stereotypes are developed by individuals that make presumptions about people’s lifestyles. Rating the book on a personal opinion on a scale from 1-10, ten being the best, I would rate this book an 8 because the topic is hard to engage with. After reading this book, I question those who portray themselves as perfect. Portraying yourself as perfect would mean that you are never willing to cheat for your own benefit. The book gives a new point of view that describes how people react to situations in a self-benefiting way. Personally, I would recommend this book to anybody who is interested in the study of human behavior.

Murders in Chicago by Jovanny Vargas

The year was 1893, murder and mystery had begun to rise in the most dangerous city in America: Chicago, Illinois. The Devil in the White City by Eric Larson talks about the good and evil of life, and the life of Daniel Burnham and his challenges to designing the Chicago World’s Fair and become a famous architect. As for H.H. Holmes, the other character in this thrilling book, is a serial killer that exploits the fair for a number of suspicious reasons. With a rating of 4/5 this book keeps the reader entertained and thinking as to why the characters do what they do. This book is for anyone who enjoys reading about mystery, crime and American history in a time where America was in the process of evolving.

The Silent, Fighting For a Place in This Loud World, But Still Outspoken by Many by Sarah Supangan Unger

We live in a world that is heavily dominated by loud people and the quiet ones are often pushed away to the side, regarded as shy, boring and insensitive. The silent and timid people of the world are outspoken by the louder ones and are therefore fated to stereotyping by those that think this world should be full of loud people, not shy or intellectually thoughtful about anything.

 

Quiet by Susan Cain is a book about introverts (the quiet ones) in an extrovert (the louder ones) world in which no one notices the introverts because they are indeed quiet so people think that they are not fit for our world and must become loud like the rest. The book is very interesting because as a reader, I learned so much more about introverts and their way of thinking that many do not fully understand. The author analyzes everything about introverts, going in depth about their characteristics and their incredible importance in our world surrounded by outgoing people. The book deserves an enormous thumbs up because the author understands introverts, as she classifies herself as one, and by reading the book the reader can understand introverts and their existence with extroverts. The evidence is substantial in proving her points which is also what makes the book very well written. I would recommend the book to an audience interested in psychology and the characteristics of these two types of people because the book is full of thought and the way the minds of these people think.

Mute by Stephanie Santoyo

“Why are you such a quiet person?” Have you ever come across a situation in which you were asked this? Not just in a causal tone, but more of a concerned, distraught, and do you need “help” manner? Where whomever asked it, meant it in a way where being “quiet” was wrong and should not be practiced? Quiet, by Susan Cain, is an informative piece in which Cain expresses and displays the psychological perception to which why one is quiet or as some may interpret it “introverted.” Reading the publication will not only increase one's knowledge on introversion, but also has been scientifically proven to cause an introvert to feel more comfortable in their personal lives as a quiet human being. The piece also includes the situation of  introvert, Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, who is living proof, the quiet characteristic does not interfere with one's potential in any shape or form and does not harm ones life. Steve Wozniak is only one of the several historical figures mentioned, who as an introvert has created a foundation of success for himself and those around him. This writing definitely deserves its five star rating and should be read by both introverts and extroverts due to Cain addressing and specifying to all information in regards to an introvert. Anyone seeking to increase their knowledge on introversion or for mere curiosity of the quiet characteristics that introverts hold, must definitely get their hands on a copy of Susan Cain’s Quiet.

WHY BEING QUIET IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS BEING LOUD by Jesse Salas

In the loud and exciting world of today, one might not feel the ability to fit in, and that is okay.

Quiet by Susan Cain is a nonfiction psychology book about introversion and extroversion in society. Cain is an introvert and has lived a life of one until she broke out of her shell, which is the reason she wrote on this subject.  The book is fueled by her personal experiences and research on the topic. She carries the argument that no matter the temperament one has, it is important to appreciate and accept the weaknesses and strengths of both introverts and extroverts throughout the book. This book is rated a four out of five stars since it was great in that it used research effectively to create more developed and convincing arguments. However, it could have been better, possibly if the author used more emotional appeal to grasp a tighter hold on the readers. I recommend this book to my peers, especially peers who have experienced low self-esteem or depression since Cain does such an outstanding job promoting acceptance and embracement in one’s self.

A Barbie’s True Identity by Maria Rojas Ceron

During late twentieth century, Ruth Handler created the most noteworthy doll no one ever thought would be successful. Barbie is a much known doll that impacted many young girls with the visual appearance of what a real ideal woman might look like. In addition, there were great quantities of influences both positive and negative that Barbie brought along to the society. The Good the Bad and the Barbie, by author Tanya Lee Stone, is a book about the magnificent historical events Barbie marked in her life as the best-selling toy for children. It dictated remarkably whether Barbie was a good role model or a bad role model to younger children. I found the book engaging and astounding to the conclusion. My evaluation on the book would be an 8 out of 10.

Soccer is Life by Benito Rodriguez

Soccer is one of the biggest played sports in the world. For many, it’s a hobby, but for others, it’s their career. The sport is well known and loved, but not many know what happens outside of the field. In the book, How Soccer Explains the World, by Franklin Foer, we get a good illustration from his words what goes on in the chaos. The author himself personally went out on the job and got firsthand knowledge and shares his experiences along with how he felt in situations and his emotions. Like in Europe, some clubs were controlled by gangs, racists and all sorts of people, but that’s only the frosting on the cake; there’s plenty more interesting factors that contribute in the background. The book is interesting and unique, you learn things that you probably weren’t aware about. I highly recommend this book if you’re a soccer fanatic.

The Fast Food Consumer’s Guide to Fast Food Everything, seriously EVERYTHING! by Jesus Ramirez

From the Los Angeles suburb of Downey, California ,where the McDonalds brothers opened their first restaurant, to basically every single street corner in the globe in just a matter of a few decades, McDonald’s and other fast food corporations have reshaped the landscape of human consumption in just a short time period by simply selling hamburgers for $2 apiece. However, the vivid and dark side of the industry is hidden within the colorful advertisements used by these restaurants to stimulate one’s hunger. The book, Fast Food Nation, by Eric Schlosser is about the shady side of the fast food industry. The wide variety of stories and facts told in this non-fiction book accurately describe exactly what the industry truly consists of: fraud, cruelty, lies, abuse, etc. Overall, this book captivates your attention because you can make connections with whatever the author is indicating. However, you could get lost when the author talk about a town in Colorado. And because of this I gave this book a rating of 9-10 out of 10. As a result, I recommend this book to anyone who has at least once in their lifetime visited a fast food restaurant to eat an item in the restaurant’s menu because it forever changes one’s perspective of fast food restaurants.

The Devil in the Black City by Yvette Quiroz Garcia

         In 1893, in the state of Chicago, the most devastating murders were committed by the scams of a serial killer, all behind the legendary World Fair. The title of the book would be The Devil in the White city by Erik Larson. The theme would be that no matter how pleasant something, someone, or some places may seem, they can have the most evil in them.  As already explained, The Devil in the White city consisted of murder cases that took place at the World Fair, which was only to show to places such as New York and Paris that Chicago was just as good as them. Within Chicago, there was the good and also the evil, which you will be running into while getting more into the book and you will find yourself discovering the history behind the tragic walls of Chicago. Reading the book was a great thumbs up. Out of a rating of 5 stars, I automatically gave it 5 stars. The book always had my attention and only made me very interested each time as I read more into the book especially if you’re someone who enjoys murder stories. I recommend this book to teenagers, due to the reason for it being so historical and being so in depth with the telling of murders, which is a big attention grabber to many teens.

Shhh… by Amber Potts

In the back of the English classroom sits a girl who never says much aloud. As the girl approaches the podium to share her writing piece with her peers, her heart begins to beats rapidly. Never speaking much, she opens her mouth and her words start to flow out like a rushing river. Shocked faces begin to arise in the audience; they cannot believe that such powerful words could come from a girl who remains silent in the back of the room. In the non-fiction book QUIET by Susan Cain, she goes into depth to demonstrate to her audience the amazement that introverts have brought upon our society. Cain uses some commonly known historical figures to illustrate and prove her point that introverts are just as equally important as extroverts. This book is definitely a 5 star book because Cain pleads her argument in a way the average reader can understand and does not leave anything unsaid. She makes sure that by the end of the book you know the difference between your average extrovert and your insecure yet very inspiring introverts. I would recommend this book to those who are engrossed in psychology because you really learn a lot about the way people act and why they act the way they act.

 

America, a Leader to the Rest of the World by Hannia Ortiz Vazquez

Ever wonder how America impacts others, globally? The author, Zakaria demonstrates his discoveries on how the world works by his intellectual view. Fareed Zakaria is the editor of

Newsweek International and writes weekly on international affairs. If this fits your interests, then The Post American World book is the right one for you! Zakaria wrote this nonfiction

book in order to illustrate through statistics and personal encounters with important people in order to inform how America will establish its unique traits to prosper as the rest of the world does so as well. I personally give this book a double thumbs up because it expanded my knowledge about the way the world works in the economic field. Additionally, this book is definitely recommended for political and business leaders who want to succeed in this particular area.

The Unbelievable Truth about the Discovery of DNA Structure by Octavio Orozco Ibarra

Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA for short, is what makes up human beings. It contains the genes that make up people’s height, eye color, fingerprint, and numerous physical traits of the human body. The fact that DNA is responsible for the traits of our bodies is widely known, but the intensive and surprising research that was conducted to discover its structure is not known by many people. The Double Helix, by James D. Wattson, is an autobiography that expresses the optimism for discovery of unknown scientific information. Wattson personally claims that many scientists contributed to the discovery of the structure of DNA, with explanations and detailed reviews of the experiments along with stories of the machinery he used, where he traveled, and what life was like in the mid 1900’s. I give this book four out of five stars because it is personally written from the scientist who is mostly credited with the discovery, basic knowledge of science should be enough to understand majority of the book, and the author uses humor and the personal stories give the book some drama to keep the reader hooked to the book. I would recommend this book to students who are in Biology 1-2 and AP Biology because it makes the class a little more interesting and become more thankful because they do not have to go through the tiring process of discovering the double helix.

WHAT ARE YOU EATING?! by Samuel Lopez

Going to McDonalds, or any other fast food restaurant, after school and devouring the food without giving it much thought has become routine for most high school students, without thinking twice about how it affects our bodies. The biggest issue which most people are completely oblivious to is how it affects the country we live in. But if you are just the smallest bit of curious and care to know a bit more about the fast food you are eating, want to know where it came from, what its really made out of and how it affects the country you live in then Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser is going to take off the veil the fast food companies have put in front of your eyes, and you will see truly who these companies are. Schlosser goes into depth with these companies and reveals their dirty little secrets and shows how far greed has taken these fast food companies. This book was truly a four out a five stars book, a two thumbs up. I guarantee you that after you read this book you will think twice before even setting foot in any fast food restaurant again.

An Obsession with Physical Perfection by Maria Gutierrez Leon

Pornography, eating disorders, cosmetic surgeries: all epidemics that have set a beauty standard for women, one that has made women aware of their imperfections. In The Beauty Myth (2002), by Naomi Wolf, however, Wolf expresses that the beauty myth is not really about women, it is about men's institutions, their power over the female race. According to Wolf, women are under attack by the "beauty myth" in all areas of society: through the workforce, culture, religion, sexual relationships, hunger, and violence. They are being oppressed to an extent which can actually reverse the progress they have made in society, instead of developing and advancing that succession. Because of Wolf's both aggressive and persuasive tone, and her ability to support her argument, by not merely citing bits of information but thoroughly examining it and expressing her opinion on the matter, I rate The Beauty Myth with five out of five stars. I recommend this book to women who strive to be the "perfect woman." This book would make those women realize what is being done to them, and motivate them to disregard the beauty myth, therefore making it powerless against the female race.

The Shocking Truth Behind Discrimination against Women by Cristina Garcia

Throughout history, women have been mistreated, discriminated, and judged because of their gender. The book is written about female violation and court cases gone wrong. The Beauty Myth, by Naomi Wolf in 2002, brilliantly analyzes and emphasizes female difficulties. Ms. Wolf describes how women are manipulated into thinking they are worthless, useless and how it negatively reflects on their lifestyles throughout time. Once I completed reading the book, I gave this book at nine out of ten, since she evaluates and gives her audience examples to support her claim. For instance, the fact that women might have the same job as men, however women are paid less to do more work. I recommend this book to men and women who are mature enough to make a connection between the women and their difficult journeys or want to experience the complications through a book.

More than Just a Sport by Jorge Cortez Arvizu

Countless Americans who enjoy soccer, including myself, visualize it as a hobby, source of entertainment, or just a sport. In other parts of the world, however, soccer affects the way in which people live their daily lives. How Soccer Explains the World by Franklin Foer is a non-fiction novel about globalization. In his book, Foer travels to various portions of the world, where soccer is a way of life, and argues that this universal sport can be a potential cause of change in religion, politics, and economics. Overall, I would give this book four out of five stars because Foer does an amazing job of constructing a whole new perspective on soccer. This well written book will honestly change the way in which you view soccer. I would highly recommend this book to those who enjoy soccer

A Year of Obedience by Joselena Cordero Canas

A.J. Jacobs, a non religious man, in A Year of Living Biblically, decides to embark on a year-long mission strictly following and obeying the rules and commands of the Bible. His purpose is to find out whether the rules and morals apply to modern society. He later finds out whether his journey was beneficial or the complete opposite. As the year progresses, his life begins to change. He will realize at the end of his journey how much his life has changed and how it has affected the people around him such as family, friends and society. After reading this book, I rate it a 9 out of 10 because the daily details make it far more interesting. It turned out to be better than I expected. I recommend this book specifically to non-religious people, the reason being, they are able to relate to Jacobs, a non-religious man.  

Murder, Mystery, Madness, Magic, Mayhem and Medicine in Just 400 Pages by Felipe Becerril Castillo

During the early 1890’s, there was an enormous desire to showcase the brilliance of the United States in any manner possible, so the U.S. decided to create a fair in Chicago that would attract millions of types of people from around the world. Unfortunately, the fair managed to attract one preposterous guest that would become infamous for his various homicides, which would leave a permanent mark in the history of the Chicago circa 1893. The Devil in the White City, by Eric Larson, is an informative and extremely descriptive novel about murder and mystery. The book focuses on the Chicago and how it enticed a serial killer named Dr. H. H. Holmes to extract his many victims from the visitors of the fair. The novel focuses on describing the atmosphere in which the central characters were, in order to give the reader a larger understanding of why and how the homicides happened in the fair. I enjoyed the novel immensely and I would give the author nine and a half stars out of ten. I would give Larson this rank because it was a very descriptive book that guaranteed to give us the best thorough interpretation of the events in the fair without neglecting any crucial points that would compromise the readers comprehension of the topic of the book. My only complaint is that the beginning of the novel was not incredibly interesting and there were some descriptions that were not necessary to the storyline. I would recommend this novel to murder and mystery fanatics, mainly because those are the principal elements of the book and the events that occur in the book are extremely surprising. I would also recommend this novel to people who are interested in psychology and have a particular interest in what occurs inside the mind of a narcissistic murderer.

 

A Real Case of Murder Straight out of Fiction by Abraham Batres Rubio

I’m sure you’ve read a murder/mystery story that seemed to get more and more mysterious as the story progressed, but of course you knew it was pure fiction. Well I’m here to tell you about a book that talks about a case of murder that seems straight out of work of fiction. In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote, is a non-fiction book that is about the murder of a family in Kansas during the 1950’s and how the case eventually reached a conclusion. All throughout the book, Truman Capote uses formal language and a fair number of technical terms. This wording does a very good job at painting a picture of just how complex a murder investigation can get by describing the actions of both the murderers and the FBI agents who work to catch them. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars and recommend this book to people who like to read about murder mysteries and/or have interest in the field of law enforcement.

Trust Me, You're Wrong by Raisa Bakari

Quiet will have you completely reevaluate who you are and where you belong in this world. Susan Cain remarkably introduces the world of introversion in a point of view never seen before. Susan Cain recognizes how introverts are being overlooked, and as a counter argument, she amplifies the importance of introversion and the ways in which introverted personalities have shaped the way the world is now. She also not only gives definition to what an introvert is but she introduces and honors the nature of introversion. To prove her credibility, Cain uses historical figures such as Rosa Parks and Eleanor Roosevelt as examples of how, although they were quiet-spoken, their presence was still influential and evidently impacted the world. Susan Cain also throughout the book will include her own personal experiences,because she too is an introvert. There is never a stale moment in the non-fiction book, Quiet, for Susan Cain will answer any questions you may have about your personality and make you feel proud for your unique qualities. Quiet is an extremely intriguing book, in my opinion it deserves a five star rating because it will open your mind and replace old information that you’ve grown accustomed to with a whole new aspect of life. This book would be especially enjoyable for anyone who enjoys a sense of psychological reasoning because the book overall focuses on the mind and the emotional characteristics of introverts and briefly extroverts. It would also appeal to teenagers and parental figures, because of the mature nature and dialog Susan Cain utilizes to illustrate in depth our introvert-filled world.
 

Why The “Quiet” Kid “Never” Talks by Nereida Avila

There are two types of people in this world. There are people who spark conversations out of thin air, and there are those who prefer to sit back, relax, and let everybody else do the

socializing. In the book, Quiet, by Susan Cain, these two types of people are distinguished

according to their personalities: introverts and extroverts. Cain explains the differences between these personalities, along with how they each fit into society. Cain does this by using short anecdotes, research, and a supporting argument. In in this book, a lot of information is presented with anecdotes and examples. Because of this, I enjoyed reading this nonfiction book and the information it had, since it was not like reading a boring textbook. I rate this book a 4 out of 5 because it has new and refreshing information I have never been exposed to. This book will help people learn about their personalities and how they fit into society, especially introverts because that is what Cain focuses on. I recommend this book to the “quiet” ones because it will help them learn more about being introverted and how it is not always a bad thing to be on the shy side.

A Murderer’s Interdependence with the Chicago Fair by Diana Alvarez Chavez

Around the 1800’s, industrialization played a major role on society’s actions, most of which had become conniving and devious. The Devil in the White City by Erik Lawson is a book about how one works to reach their goals and how they need to process the accomplishments. It tells the story and journey of two men’s accomplishments, H. H. Holmes and Daniel Burnham, and how one's pride was built of manipulative ways and the other by intellectual ways. I give this book a thumbs up because it kept me intrigued because of how descriptive and detailed both stories were, making it seem fiction like when in reality  it is a  non-fiction book because it is based on real life scenarios. Lastly, I would recommend this book to readers with a short attention span because this book always manages to catch and grasp the reader’s attention with how he mainly portrays the tragedy that H. H. Holmes and Daniel Burnham go through to reach their goals.

Human? by Stephanie Acosta

Quiet, by Susan Cain, is a book about Introverts and Extroverts. The book gives us a better understanding into why so many people are how they are today. The author gives us many trustworthy sources throughout the book explaining how many scientists have made so many explanations about why human have either an introvert in them or an extrovert in them. For me, I give this book a thumbs up because it opens the reader's mind more. It makes the reader think about the many different people who live around us and interact with us. We may think that we know a person but in reality we do not. I recommend this book to whoever is interested in working in psychology because it will open your mind and keep you thinking about the world around us and the people living in it.

Humanity’s Sin from Sanity by Humberto Soto Jauregui

Humanity has seven deadly sins: Pride, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Wrath, Greed, and Sloth. In the late nineteenth century, a man once conceived to be a charming doctor, tempted by the sins, became the living incarnation of the devil in the so called “White City” of Chicago and murdered countless innocent people using inhumane methods. Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America (2003), was written to inform the reader about Chicago's World's Fair that was held in 1893. More importantly, it addresses the story and juxtaposition of two men; Daniel H.  Burnham, the lead architect in charge of the World’s Fair project, and H. H. Holmes, America's first serial killer. Larson touches upon themes of good vs. evil and the “evanescence of life,” as he puts it in the prologue. He argues that pride leads people like Holmes to commit evil acts because it’s the nature of man filled with ambition. In the course of the book, Larson takes it upon himself to capture the soul of the city, Chicago, and create a narration of Burnham’s life and legacy alongside Holmes deceptive life and the monster that lived within him. Overall, The Devil in the White City deserves four stars out of five due to Larson’s skillful narration of his non-fiction book intensifying the reading. Young readers who are interested in American history and the insight of a serial killer, described in detail, with a particular love for narratives will truly value Larson’s work.  

A City Doomed by the Devil by Jesus Benitez

On May 1, 1983 the World’s Fair not only opened its door to the people, but also to a gruesome and vicious serial killer. In the non-fiction book, Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America (2003), by the author Erik Larson, it describes the horrendous acts of murder committed by H.H. Holmes as he tortured, mutilated, and killed dozens of people throughout Chicago’s World Fair. Though more importantly, Larson addresses the juxtaposition of two very distinct men, Daniel H. Burnham, the architect in charge of the World Fair project, and H.H. Holmes one of the first serial killers in America. Both men are very ambitious and are prideful of their works. Larson touches on the themes of good vs. evil, but more importantly that wherever there is good there is going to be evil present. Overall, The Devil in The White City deserves four out of five stars due to Larson’s astonishing use of description throughout the book, and the invigorating narration that intensifies the read. Ultimately young adults who are interested in a book with historic value and want to experience a series of murders from the eyes of a killer, will value Larson work.

Struggling Fair's Hidden Murderer by Brian Meza

In Chicago, everyone was fortunate to be able to take part in the World's Fair, however the fair was only being used to mask the murders taking place. The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, And Madness at the Fair That Changed America is a non-fiction book by Eric Larson where he illustrates the distinction between good and evil, and when there are good things there are also bad things. In this book, the author Eric Larson depicts the story of two people: Daniel Burnham, and a description of his preparations and development of the World’s Fair in Chicago, also known as The World’s Columbian Exposition; the other, H.H Holmes, uses the World’s Fair to his advantage and murders multiple people.            

Daniel Burnham, an architect, struggles to construct the world fair, at the same time, H.H. Holmes moves to Chicago to fulfill his plans. When the fair is complete, Larson also illustrates the accomplishments it brought, for example the Ferris wheel. Holmes uses the fair to his advantage and designs a building to hide all his evildoings, and also making them easier for him by having a walk in vault, and a kiln the size of a person, supposedly to be used for glass. I would rate this book 8/10, the way the author describes everything makes all the events taking place seem like you are there, and his descriptions allow you to describe the story as if you were there. Additionally, knowing that this actually happened is surprising. Teenagers or adults would enjoy reading this book, if you enjoy reading mystery you would also enjoy this if you are willing to be patient since it isn't suspenseful. Finally, people who enjoy learning about history would like to learn about the building of the fair.

The Homicide Of Holcomb by Irene Ordaz Madrigal

On November 15, 1959, in the small town of Holcomb, Kansas, four members of the Clutter family, a well known family, were brutally murdered. In the non-fiction book, In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, the readers are introduced to the Clutter family and the serial killers Dick and Perry. As the story progresses, Dick and Perry go on the run. The murder of the Clutter family affects both of the killers in different ways. It almost makes the killers split up. Along the way, the author reveals small descriptions of the murder. The book also gives firsthand evidence of the murders.

 

I would give this book two thumbs up. It is a book that locks your attention and doesn’t let go. This book is perfect for the contemporary person, a person who would not read the book just to read, but analyze it as well. A person who loves to read about crimes and likes to get inside the murderer's head. This book was very good. I personally liked it and thought that it was amazing the way the author was describing almost every detail with perfect description.

Two Men Who Created a Fair of Evil by Kevin Lopez

            Chicago, 1890. A city with danger lurking around every corner, waiting to strike. The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America, by Erik Larson, takes place in this time in history, which to us may seem unorthodox, but to the citizens of Chicago, death was not a great surprise. The Devil in the White City is a book about the struggles between good and evil and how they can unwillingly intertwine in the advantage of one or the other. In this case, the good would be Daniel Burnham, an architect credited with many contributions to the architectural field. The evil, would have to be Dr. H. H. Holmes, young, charming but most of all devious. Mr. Burnham was given the task to work with another group of architects to construct a world fair that would outdo the Paris Exposition, which thrived during the late 1800’s.  Holmes would take advantage of this event in order to execute his mischievous needs.

            This book is definitely a five out of five. The reason being is how Larson converts such an intricate topic of history, which in other ways would be vapid, into a story that transports you to Chicago and makes it seem as you were actually around to witness the events referred to in the book. I would recommend this book to any individual who has an eye for mystery and evil, but do not want anything too hardcore. I would also recommend this book to anybody who is interested in history.

Travel with Charley by Joshua Vargas

I feel many people are not particularly fond of reading books because evil teachers make us read boring, long books. That was a joke, teachers are not evil (Or are they?)… Many books are too long, progress slow, or are just too boring to hold the reader’s attention.  John Steinbeck does a great job holding the reader’s attention in Travels with Charley.  This book is not a boring book that will take an eternity to read.  Also, while this book is very simple, I felt Steinbeck wrote it for the readers to read farther into the lines, so to speak.

In Travels with Charley, Steinbeck writes about his “expedition” of driving around America in a truck with his poodle, Charley.  If you are seeking explosions and car chases, this book is not for you, rather, it is for one who enjoys imagining beautiful landscapes.  Although this book is not a thriller, it still leaves the reader wanting to turn to the next page.  Also, the font is peculiarly big and there is a small amount of pages that make up the book.  I rate this book a four out of five fire trucks. Travels with Charley will not disappoint so travel with Charley.

An Edible History of Humanity by Estefanie Contreras Quezada

            Thinking back to how food was first cultivated and how eating habits have evolved throughout centuries can be astonishing for some people because it’s great being able to make connections with our ancestors. An Edible History of Humanity, written by Tom Standage is an outstanding non-fiction book that discuses how food has influenced civilization. Standage not only discuses the history of food but also asserts that food is not only a necessity needed by mankind but it also plays a huge role on how the world works. If you are the type of person that enjoys learning about history, this book is perfect for you. Normally history is thought of as boring and dreadful; however Standage does a fantastic job making those opinions seem hazy. He makes learning about how food was first seen and how it’s evolved throughout the years seem like it’s the best thing anyone could do.

            Tom Standage is an outstanding author that specializes in books about history. He uses a very formal tone, only depends on facts and evidence, and is very clear in position. He begins his book discussing the history of hunter gatherers and how it compares to early farming. Then he talks about the different ways food was obtained and what made it easier access. He also discusses how food later began to make an impact on society by separating social classes. Standage also mentions some great events in history that dealt with food. Throughout the book Standage creates a timeline from the beginning to how it impacts modern day. I believed he did a marvelous job in making his purpose clear. As a whole I believed it was a great book because it’s very informative; however I doubt many teenagers would agree, the reason for that is because it’s a plain book, no action. Its only intention is to teach the history of food and how it has made an impact on civilization. I recommend this book to people who are familiar with the author or are interested in books about history. If I were to rate this book on a scale from 1-10 I’d give it a 7. In all it was a great book written by an outstanding author, very powerful in information.

Corruption and Illusion within the World by Ricardo Parra

We have all been deceived in the way we view the world, mainly due to corruption and a false perspective on the world. This is the main idea in Freakonomics, a non-fiction pbook by Steven D. Levitt and Stephan J. Dubner. It presents ideas to the reader that makes them think outside the box because, as explained in the book, there is always a hidden side to everything. It proves this theory by statistically explaining real life examples. As you read you’ll learn what sumo wrestlers have in common with teachers, the similarities between a Ku Klux Klan member and a real-estate agent, how children are in more danger swimming than being around an actual gun, and how your name may actually effect your future. These are just a few examples of interesting facts and ideas that are presented by these two authors in the 300 pages of Freakonomics. Their main goal for readers is to purely present their ideas in order to open up people minds, and not to live so blindly.

I would honestly rate this book an 8 out of 10 for its ability to make people’s mind blown after realizing that what seemed so distant and uncommon actually is more common than anyone realizes, as well as making the reader have a different perspective than the one they began with. I for one certainly did. However the constant statistical and formal word choice really does make this book confusing at times.

Freakonomics maybe a New York Best Seller, however I do not recommend it to just anybody. I feel it would bore a lot people who don’t really like to read statistical information as well as it may offend those who are strongly against abortions because there is a part where the authors explain how abortions may actually be benefiting society. I do recommend this book if you are one who purely enjoys thinking outside of the box or just thinking beyond the horizon.

Becoming a Freakonomist through Freakonomics by Kevin Nunez

A true students’ mind-set is based on deductive reasoning and utilizes all of the information that it has in its arsenal in order to draw conclusions. Although not all students may understand the meaning of this, those who do choose to abide by this concept are skeptical. The authors of Freakonomics (2009), Stephen J. Dubner and Steven D. Levitt, named these individuals Freakonomists. Freakonomics is based on a series of bizarre complex questions, followed by an extensive analysis of large quantities of data that are answered through a process of deductive reasoning. Despite the fact that the questions presented may, at first sight, appear to be nothing but jokes, they are in fact concrete questions. One question presented is, “What do schoolteachers and sumo wrestlers have in common?” Because Freakonomics implements critical thinking and does so excellently, based on my criteria, this book would receive a score of four, with a perfect score ranging to a five. The reason that Freakonomics would receive a score of four is because of the informal style of writing. However, the authors do an excellent job of presenting basic knowledge necessary to understand difficult topics without disrupting the flow of the text, which allows you to analyze the information and make decisions based on scenarios.

The decision of whether or not Freakonomics is the type of book you would enjoy was made long before you reached this portion of the book review. If you stopped to think about the question presented earlier, then Freakonomics is a book that will introduce you to a new way of thinking; however, if you simply sped through the question without much thought, then this book perhaps may not be the best choice for you, but may certainly be a decent one. That is because Freakonomics depends on the craving of information to diffuse ideas across smoothly to the readers, and if not much thought is given to the questions presented, then Freakonomics’ greatest aspects are nullified. However, I would recommend Freakonomics to every student with hopes to pursue a greater education because of the importance of the contents of the epilogue: Two Paths to Harvard.

The True Cost of Murder by Alisha Medearis

On the chilling morning of November 14, 1954 in Holcomb, Kansas, it was discovered that the four members of the beloved Clutter family had been brutally murdered, leaving the residents of the small town fearsome of another brutal strike. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote is a non-fiction book about the conviction of those who murdered the Clutter family. In this book Capote tries to prove his argument that the murderers are victims to the murder, as well as the murdered.

Overall, I rather enjoyed the book; it showed aspects of a murder from the killers’ perspective, which is something that is often disregarded. I would give this book four stars because it takes a tragic real-life story and turns it into something unbelievable, as the stories in crime TV shows often are, all while keeping the facts. This is a skill that is not very common, in my opinion, and that’s what makes it interesting. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes crime related TV shows, movies, or books, and for anyone who might have to read a non-fiction book, but doesn’t find them interesting. I personally, am not a fan of non-fiction but I found this book quite interesting and would definitely read it again. 

Last to See Them Alive by Carolina Gonzalez Torres

During the late 1950’s, in a small rural town in Holcomb, Kansas, the entire town found themselves astonished and shocked by the savage murder of an entire family. In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote, is a book about murder. Capote presents his novel in a journalistic chronology, introducing the crime from different points of view. After a “planned” robbery results in a brutal murder of a countryside family, two criminals, Perry and Dick, are on the run from the police.

In Cold Blood is recommended for teenagers who enjoy reading cinematic type of books in which the book reflects itself more like a movie than an actual novel. Capote’s novel is full of vivid descriptions and attention grabbers that make it hard for you to put the book down once you have begun reading it. In Cold Blood deserves a huge thumb’s up because this book was very captivating and it had me hooked right until the end!

How Little Things Can Make A Big Difference by Keyla Garcia Vega

Malcolm Gladwell, in his riveting non-fiction book, The Tipping Point, written in 2000, presents us with astonishing facts that will keep you turning the page and is able to introduce reasons as to how one thing can cause another, such as a small flame can ignite an enormous wildfire. There isn't only one cause for epidemics, it consists of a process involving three points: The Law of the Few, The Stickiness Factor, and The Power of Context.

            Gladwell chooses to center his main argument around epidemics and how they spread so quickly. In his book, Gladwell analyzes the society and explains that tipping points are small causes that influence giant results. His thesis surrounds the social phenomena of small ideas said by the right people, at the right time can launch an epidemic outbreak. Malmom Gladwell chooses target marketers as his audience. The Tipping Point is a fascinating book that I would recommend for people interested in marketing and business because learning how to push small things in a certain direction can get you satisfying results. Malcom Gladwell does an excellent job in keeping his audience's attention hooked and intrigued. This book deserves a 4 out of 5, and should be picked up and read by YOU.

The Outliers in Life by Marilyn Galan Albarran

Knowing the reasons as to why Bill Gates and the Beatles became successful can be greatly beneficial. Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell, is about the secrets of success and how someone can become successful. Gladwell provides the reasons as to why people are successful like the Beatles. One can be surprised at the different ways ones success can be aided or demolished. Many factors can just be determined by your birthday or where you are from. This book on a rating from one to ten is a ten. It gets one involved by leaving the reader wondering what aspects can help them be successful. This book should be for mature young adults because it’s focused on encouraging them to become successful in the fastest way possible.

The Journey Across the U.S. by Alejandro Carranza

In the early 1960's, an incredible journey was taken by Steinbeck across the United States in search of his desire to see his country as a whole. Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck is a book about his personal view around the United States, accompanied by his dog Charley. Throughout the book, he encounters many experiences that will never be forgotten. He starts off his expedition on the East Coast, making his way around the U.S. In my opinion, my thoughts about this book were good. I give this book a thumbs up because reading through Steinbeck's journey was interesting as he traveled around the U.S. I recommend this book to students who like traveling. This book will take you to far into the U.S and it will seem like you were traveling with him, as it did to me.

Unraveling the Future to Success by Edith Baeza Avila

For centuries, certain people have become very known to the public. Crowds squeal--"Eeeeeeee! There she/he goes!" But is it natural ability, or is it by the opportunity they had in a moment in their life? The book, Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell, focuses on the success that people acquire and how it is obtained by the opportunities and not the person themselves. Outliers focuses on the ways or path to being successful in anything. Not only is success required by the opportunity, but by the work, or how hard you try, to move forward and make your reality happen. If  you are someone that likes going deep into a subject or finding out the real meaning and reason of an occurrence, than this book might be for you. With the rating of three out of five stars, Outliers is an interesting book to see the little ways that people achieve their goals.  Major points and studies were drawn up to make the reading interesting, and to encourage the reader to keep reading further.
   

The Truth Behind Success by Ismael Alvarado Soto

We come to think of celebrities and star athletes as people who have come to be who they are solely because of their dedication and skills in what they do, but this is not always the case. Outliers is a book with purposes of exploring that which is not given thought to in a common mind. Not only does the book look into the background information as to why someone or something is so successful, but also gives advice or knowledge on how to not just perceive something by how it looks. It wants you to look into the picture much deeper than the common eye will. The overall message of the book is that there are people that are given much more opportunities or face much fewer obstacles on the way to doing something at a high caliber. These people are given the nickname “outliers” by author Malcolm Gladwell. And because of the surplus in opportunities or lack of obstacles, they become who they are today.

I believe this book’s intended audience is those who seek an engaging and influential text, people who are genuinely smarter or more knowledgeable than others. This is because the ideas and arguments the author uses are for more advanced and complex thinkers, those who like learning new things and gaining knowledge they can share with others. People who are open to other’s opinions, in short. The author also raises some eye-opening ideas that will leave the reader asking themselves why had they never thought of that--something that is always enjoyed by any reader. Overall, this book is a fantastic read with an amazing message and view.

The Desire to be the Perfect Women by Verenice Murillo

The vast majority of American women, around thirty-three thousand, admitted to researchers that instead achieving any other goal, they would preferably lose ten to fifteen pounds. In the nonfiction book The Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty Are Used Against Women (2002) by Naomi Wolf illustrates all the challenges women in society go through such as in, work, media, and in the religious sphere. She provides many statistics and anecdotes from several different people to support her ideas. Wolf suggests that women can reevaluate themselves and not live up to men’s institutions. Overall, Wolf gets all her ideas and points across in this book, which is why I give this book a rating of three stars out of five. I would most definitely recommend this to both women and men, mainly women with low self-esteem because it can motivate them to think more highly of themselves. I would recommend this book to men only for the mere reason that their mindset should not be antifeminist. 

What Would Jesus Do? by Berenice Guzman

Living a “correct” life can be hard to distinguish because everyone believes something different, and it’s hard to categorize a lifestyle as good or bad. Yet A.J. Jacobs, author of The Year of Living Biblically: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible, decides to write a humorous documentary on his experience of trying to change his lifestyle to be complimentary to the Bible and try to figure why people have involved certain morals from the Bible into their own personal life and in today’s society. His journey doesn’t come easy though because everything that was written in the times before Christ is difficult and rare to obey in today’s society. Although he had no experience with any religion, he still researched and experienced what the Bible commands man to do.

I would rate this book a 4 out of 5. Not only because is it surprising on how someone living in New York drops his everyday routine to strictly follow every saying in the Bible and apply it in his personal life and out in the open, but it’s easy to follow and understand his journey. This book is not always serious but it contains a lot of astonishing stories that the author goes through to obtain his goal of living according to the Bible for a year which makes it more interesting to read. Therefore I believe that this book is directed to people that are curious on how someone can fully devote themselves to live by a “history book,” or interested in what the Bible actually orders people to live like.

Friday Night Book Review by Elijah Hall Crockett

          When a town was surrounded by nothing but violence, poverty, and racism the one thing that kept them together was football on Friday nights. Friday Night Lights was written by H.G. Bissinger, and he got the idea to write this book because he wanted to know information on how football can impact a town, so he traveled to Odessa, Texas and did his research. The theme of this book is that football can have both positive and negative effects on the players and the town they live in.

            Friday Night Lights is a story about a football team in Odessa, Texas called the Permian Panthers. The economy is rough and racially divided with a lot of violence surrounding it. The only thing good about the town is the Permian football team, which is a very successful team full of talent. This makes the whole town rely on the team for entertainment and success because it is the only thing they have, which puts a ton of pressure on the players to do well and win every game. This book shows the personal lives of Permian football players and the positive and negative effects of being a football player in school and in life. Friday Night Lights is an astonishing book and deserves 5-stars because it affects the reader personally by making you feel sympathy for the characters as if you knew them in real life, and it provides great details and voice. I would recommend this book to students who play sports because this book can relate to some athletes. I would also recommend this book to people who enjoy reading about other people’s lives because the book goes in detail what happens to the players on and off the field.

The Real Friday Night Lights by Devyn Crockett

In 1990, football was big, but, as they say, everything is bigger in Texas, especially football. The book Friday Night Lights was written by H. G. Bissinger and is about how one high school football team carries an entire town of thousands. In this novel, the lives of some of the players on the Permian Panther football team are detailed, revealing an overwhelming abundance of adversity, scrutiny, and attention that these teenage boys endure for the sole reason of playing football on a Friday evening in Odessa, Texas. This eye-opening piece of writing receives 5 out of 5 stars. This book scored so highly because of how genuinely Bissinger articulates the story of the Panthers. Bissinger leaves no details unsaid and gives the audience the uncensored, raw truth. Along with the diction of the author contributing to the outstanding rating of the book, the actual story that is being told is exhilarating. What the boys go through and how much they sacrifice just to call themselves members of the Permian Panther Football team of Odessa is absolutely astounding.  I do not only endorse this novel to sports fans, I recommend this book to any readers interested in learning of how something so small and trivial as a game can impact a whole town so heavily.

What’s so Freakish about Economics? by Anastasia Stillsmoking Avila

In general I know economics could be very boring to discuss or even read about, but

its different with this book in particular. It allowed me, currently a junior in high school, to stay

hooked without even having to overwork my brain or thoughts.

 

 

The nonfiction book, Freakomics, is written by Steven D. Levitt, an economist, and Stephen J.

 

Dubner ,a journalist, who collaborated together to analyze and seek out the truth behind everyday

 

life. They question and analyze the motives that lead to cheating by ironically comparing a teacher

to a Japanese Sumo wrestler, two professions that are entirely different from one another. Other

 

questions that the authors address are:  What is conventional wisdom? Why are drug dealers still

living with their mom?

 

I rate this book a bold four out of five stars, for its simplicity and character. The authors

used such fluid and simple diction that makes it very accessible and easy to understand by

utilizing words that aren’t loaded and complicated . Also, Levitt and Dubner provide

great demonstrations and humor to make the book even more appealing and worthwhile. I

definitely and strongly recommend this book to high school students who are interested in

economics, but also for the people who are curious as well. The book provides a great insight on the

 

fundamental principles in modern economics involved in everyone's life. What is discovered is

 

freakishly surprising.

Living the Biblical life, Really? by Daniella Maldonado

            Trying to live a year by the Bible might seem hard to accomplish, but A.J. Jacobs, happens to be right the person to take on the challenge.  The Year of Living Biblically, written by A.J. Jacobs is a book about following the Bible as literally as possible through the course of a year. He accomplishes this task by following the Ten Commandments and playing the part as well, which included dressing up and blowing a trumpet each month. Jacob hopes that by following the Bible he will gain something out of it, and learn the true meaning behind it, as well as discover how it impacts people.

            On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate this book a 10 because it’s an easy, humorous, informative, and honest book. The author is very straightforward with his opinions, and he expresses his mind fairly well, which is something that I really admired because not many authors express what they really think. This book also provided an easier translation to the Bible, keeping all its facts, while making it funny at the same time. What I also liked about the book was that the author had a bibliography and notes at the back of the book, which provided an easy access in case I needed to look something up. I would most definitely recommend this book to students that are interested in learning more about the Bible because this book is a quick and easy read and it doesn’t require people to actually read the Bible in full. This book is a must read!

The Women Behind the Men by Jessely Enriquez

Men dominate the history lessons of the world; however, there must have been someone who raised these men, influencing the lives of the men and the nation. Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation, written by Cokie Roberts, is a historical non­fiction novel, copyrighted in 2004. This book describes the works of women behind the scenes of the American Revolutionary War, from letters of wives to their husbands or women to friends. Founding Mothers is among the few books that have been written to illuminate women’s actions in the American Revolution beyond what is taught in school. The general point of this novel is to show the works of women and their effects on political leaders and actions such as boycotts.

Overall, I rate this a four out of five stars, and I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys history, especially women’s role in history. I enjoyed this book because this book answers a question that history never covers, unless a person searches through a specific lens throughout historical documents. The book also shows the true power women have over men and that these women would be role models today in politics, war and public relations. Founding Mothers is also written in as a story that doesn’t confuse the reader despite all the history involved.

The Impact of Soccer in the World by Juan Torres Martinez

Soccer has come a long way in our world. Many people across the globe enjoy it, and it is one of the things that brings us together, but it is also what keeps us apart. Franklin Foer, the author of How Soccer Explains the World, explains how soccer has shaped certain places in parts of the world socially and economically. One such example is that in recent times, the winner of the world cup is usually the country that is the wealthiest. That might be something you might not have known and will look back at. This book is told through the events Foer himself goes through to investigate how soccer affects societies in parts of the world. You feel like you are actually witnessing the events through his eyes, which I thought was an intriguing way to write this book. I would rate this book a four out of five. Not only because I am a soccer fan, but because it gives an in-depth view of how soccer plays a role in human society. I would recommend this book to any sports fans in general, and to those who would be interested in politics’ connection with sports.

There May be Danger in our Food by Bernardo Saldana Garcia

An entire family has been killed, and there appears to be sign of a struggle, but the one to blame is unable to use any sort of weapon! It may have been those burgers they each ate a few days ago--the food seemed decent enough, or maybe it wasn’t. Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser is a book about the dangers that may be lurking within the fast food that millions of people consume just about every day.

The book provides a sufficient amount of information about the fast food business and the fast food chains that are well known today. The author, Schlosser, also informs the reader about the secret behind the fast food business, as he goes from what happens behind the counter to what occurs inside the slaughterhouse. As an overall rating, I would give the book an 8 from a scale of 1 to 10. The reason why I gave it an 8 is because of the amount of intriguing information given throughout the book. Although it isn’t perfect (no book is), it is convincing about why the fast food industry is as bad as its food is for one’s health. I highly recommend the book to readers concerned about what is packed within the food we eat, such as athletic individuals or anybody that’s interested in muckraking, but the book is not limited to just those people; anyone may read it and it is guaranteed not to be a waste of time.

Reveal the Hidden Code behind the Myth of Beauty by Theresa Gbekia

You are not much to look at, you are hideous, says the Beauty Myth.

 The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf is a book about the high standards today’s women face, caging them into an endless ritual of self-consciousness, trying to fulfill society’s impossible demands of beauty created by society in effort to degrade women and keep them from having good careers. I rate this book a five star rating because it is very entertaining. This book contain facts supported by research and interviews. Naomi Wolf supplies information on how the Beauty Myth appears in religious atmospheres, sex, culture, media, and employment. You don’t just get to see the horrifying facts of the Beauty Myth, you also discover how to put an end to it. I strongly recommend this book to both high school girls and boys because it is important for our rapidly developing world where men and women are competing. It is good for young women to strive for their maximum ability and it is also just as important for young men to be informed of the Beauty Myth and how it effect women and the world.

Biblical Living in the 21st Century by Sarah E. Gaucin

In the course of a year, A.J. Jacobs’s life drastically changed in every way imaginable. From shaving his head to not sitting where a woman was that is on her menstrual cycle, he dived into every law and decree from the Bible and plunged it into his 21^st century lifestyle. A Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs is a book that shows us the relevance and irrelevance of what a life entirely lived out by the Bible would look like. Prior to embarking on this journey, Jacobs spent numerous weeks studying the Bible and other biblical resources. Though it had a rough start, his journey was one that taught him many core values and brought a sense of divine inspiration to many of his unanswered questions of life. This book is a rating of 4 and a half stars; it’s very easy to read with simple diction and quite funny in some places, but in other places it is somewhat lengthy and a little confusing. I would suggest this book to teen and adult readers who take an interest in religion and concepts in the Bible.

A Murderer within the Fair by Brenda Bautista

The World Fair is said to be the best fair to be created in our homeland, even better that the Eiffel Tower itself. Throughout this grand time, one by one, people disappeared along the face of the earth never to be found or heard of again. The Devil in the White City, by Erick Larson is about the Fair’s development and the murders that were occurring during that time. The Fair was competed for and the winners brought it to Chicago while a man arrived in Chicago slowly rising to be the best doctor, even if it may cost him his life. Just as the fair rose and went through difficulties, so did the man with his accomplishments to meet his goals. From 3 out of 5 stars, the novel was suspenseful. To see how the Fair and the man grew in time was exciting, as was to finally know how he and the Fair both ended, though it was rather confusing as some parts of the novel.  It is best recommended for people around the ages 15 and up, with the interests in murder and historical time since this novel has two different things happening at the same time.

Discovering the Beauty Myth by Galilea Barraza Nunez

            The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf enlightens the reader about many issues women have to face throughout their lives. For example, women are criticized about sexual experiences, relationships, pornography, capitalism, and the pressure to fit in to society’s expectations. This book proves women have lived in a male dominant society for centuries, exposing and enlightening readers, expressing how women aren’t treated fairly.

            Overall, The Beauty Myth is an interesting informational book that highlights many issues today. Rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars are given towards this book from me. I chose this rating because although it was an engaging book, the theme was hard to define. There are many parts in the book where any reader, male or female, can relate to. Thus, any male or female can read this book. I highly recommend this book to women ranging from fifteen years of age and up. At the age of 15, girls tend to try to fit into society’s expectations leading them into doing anything to fit in. This book can benefit 15 year olds, opening their eyes and show them their worth.

CAUTION: Filovirus by Fransisco Ayon

A few years ago, an E. Bola outbreak occurred within a laboratory in the United States. The Hot Zone: A Terrifyingly True Story by Richard Preston is an amazing book that retells the events that transpired during the outbreak. The Hot Zone brilliantly captures the horrifying reality of filoviruses such as Marburg and E. Bola. Preston explains what these filoviruses can exactly do and the magnitude of their severity within the human population. The story can be viewed through the eyes of various military workers in action as they must control the virus from escaping the lab while at the same time controlling their fear of becoming infected.

 

The Hot Zone is a book that will show you the true nature of a filovirus. It portrays them as living creatures whose main goal is to spread throughout the human population. This thrilling book leaves a reader wondering, "Are we ready for the next outbreak?" I would personally give this book a four star out of five star rating. It doesn't exactly answer every question having to do with filoviruses, but it did provide me with a plentiful amount of information while at the same time captivating my attention. This book is a great read for anyone who's interested in the subject of science and diseases or just enjoys reading about topics that affect our way of life.

Women Strive for Beauty by Luz Amaya Arreola

Society pressures women to be a certain way and accomplish certain goals. The myth of female attractiveness affects every woman, every day of her life. Women know their imperfections. Some will not stop until they are satisfied with themselves, and some learn to become confident with the way they are. In the non-fiction book, The Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty Are Used Against Women (copyright 2002), Naomi Wolf describes how woman face every day problems because of their appearance or who they are at work and other areas of life. Wolf gives statistics and anecdotes on behalf of this situation and explains how society and men effect women’s insecurities. As you read this book, you realize how images of beauty are used against women. I would give this book a rating of an 8 out of 10 because of its fascinating facts and statistics and intriguing anecdotes. Generally I would recommend this book to incoming high school teenage girls because this is the age when maturation and insecurities develop. I would also recommend this book to any woman with insecurities because it will help them overcome obstacles they are facing. Women are not alone with these issues. 

To Be Innocent or Not To Be by Valeria Aguilera Avila

During the 1980’s, an injustice occurred when an innocent man was to spend a life in prison. The Innocent Man, a historical legal drama based on a true story, is written as a non-fiction book by John Grisham. This book is about a man wrongly accused of murder and the obstacles two detectives faced in order to prove him guilty. Against the law, two detectives named Dennis Smith and Gary Rogers accused Ron Williamson of contributing to the assassination of Debbie Carter. Beginning with the murder, Ron was pressured and interrogated until he confessed to a crime he did not commit. He was psychologically unstable for some point of his life, from rehab facilities, which made him vulnerable and an “easy target” for the police department. Ron pleaded for his innocence and was sentenced to death.

            Overall, this book deserves four out of five stars. It began with a background of Ron Williamson and was thoroughly developed for a connection with the reader. Towards the end, it gives a new perspective into what happens during a case and what steps are made during a murder trial, which is an intriguing topic to read about. Throughout this non-fictional story, there were some vague parts where it became dull which made it a four out of five, but as a whole the book created a well-structured story. This book is directed for about ages 15 and up, as well as those who are interested in crime based books because it has clear content and has a variety of interpretation of the justice system in America. I recommend reading The Innocent Man because you gain knowledge about law work and a murder investigation including a compelling story about the life of Ron Williamson.

TGB-Reads is a place for Trevor Browne students in AP Language and Composition classes to share comments, reactions, insights, evaluations and recommendations about books they have read.