War Girls

Hey guys, Adventure Van here with a report on the book War Girls. Written by Tochi Onyebuchi, this is a futuristic tale involving war and all sorts of fantastical mechanical suits and technology. It has a realistic portrayal of war as well, including the ideology that neither side is truly good or evil, and what roles personal bias and loyalty can play to both keeping one either true or blinded, depending on the point of view used. It helps humanize and keep a grounded tone even while still going into the deep end with all sorts of amazing technologies and prosthetics. The use of prosthetic, and disabilities as a whole during the book, is well written and done well in terms of story. It is also a great book in terms of not having a white protagonist, which is something that really needs to happen more often. I feel even though it may be interpreted differently by different views, it is definitely a well written book that deserves much more publicity. It isn't a book I'd recommend to check out if you get the chance, try to actively seek out an opportunity to read it.

Adventure Van, walking out.

The Hate U Give

Hello guys, Adventure Van here with a blog about The Hate U Give. Written by Angie Thomas, this book is about many things. The divide between communities, gang violence, police violence, and performative against actual protesting. It's very well written in a manner that is short and concise while still creating and dealing with very emotional and raw topics. It is a serious book, centered around death and injustice, and it does not end with all the ends wrapped up. It follows Starr Carter, who has seen two of her childhood friends die in front of her, one to gang violence and the other by a police officer. The book goes on to tell about how gangs and the police work for people, and how it changes drastically for those more privileged. It goes on with other side topics that are still very important like domestic abuse, mixed relationships, and the use of social media and the power of witnessing. Especially right now, because the current movement is still ongoing and will likely always be, it is a vastly important read that should not be understated.

Adventure Van, out.

Animal Farm

Hey guys. Adventure Van here with a report on Animal Farm, a political paper to claims to be a book. Written by the infamous George Orwell, this is a political piece using animals more of an allegory then as a cohesive story. As a book, the character personalities jump around wildly from plot to plot, and there some rather gaping holes. However, read instead as a mouthpiece for his views, it a critique and attack on the idea of communism, which is understandable seeing his part played in fighting during the Spanish Civil War. Due to that, he had some very strong views on the subject. The main problem I can pull is from the beginning and the end of the book, respectfully. The main point is that the rulers of the revolution will become power hungry and turn into the rulers that were overthrown. However, since the point is that things will become the same by removing those who were already in power (the pigs becoming the farmers), then that does not make it so that the original farmers were any better as "rulers". Of course, that's just a matter of opinion, as well is the rest of the book. It is still an interesting read, which will be brought up in many conversations, so it's worth being well read in it.

Adventure Van, squealing.

Gulliver's Travels

Hey guys! Adventure Van here with a report about Gulliver's Travels. A book written by Johnathan Smith, this is a book satire from the author's point of view of all sort of cultures,  as well as at at times just making a few jokes. It follows the misadventures and often kidnappings of a Lemuel Gulliver as he attempts to travel to known ports and instead manages to find bizarre lands unlike anything known to other men. There are a few problems with this book, especially seeing how it was written in 1726, which includes Japan as one of the made up, mystical and strange lands, and some somewhat veiled racism in the form of the "Yahoos" (however, the author instead intends to prod fun at the entirety of humanity with it, as especially prominent in the epilogue). It also makes fun of much more obvious civilizations, including Americans and even his fellow British people. Overall, it was a surprisingly enjoyable read with only a few actual problems that I could find in it. Something worth taking a look over if you have the time.

Adventure Van, sailing away.