The Imitation Game | Jim Ottaviani

*This book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Summary:

This book is a graphic novel interpretation of the life and research of Alan Turing, told from the perspectives of the people who new him best as well as his own correspondences. 

Review:

I really liked this book. The artwork was well done, the book was well researched, and the story was very intriguing. This isn't just a book about math or logic. This is a book about World War II history,  breaking the German Enigma machines, and the gender bias in British Army. This book even has the first computers! That's how intriguing Turing's life really is, it involves so much world history.

Yes, there are long(ish) segments where Turing talks through his ideas on logic, but they are written in a natural language that makes a lot more sense to a layman than a logic book. What's funny to me is that the artwork for these streams of consciousness, it often shows Turing moving on ahead while his acquaintances are left behind, having problems keeping up with him. Considering how few people seemed to understand him, it makes sense in the moment and overall.

 This is not just a book for mathematicians or logicians. This is a good read for people interested in cryptography, World War II, LGBT history, or even just real life drama. The art style is appropriate for the story and the dialogue is easy to read. I happily give The Imitation Game 4.5 Hoots!

                                          Hoot!Hoot!

                Hoot! Hoot!

                    Hoo

Galileo's Middle Finger by Alice Dreger

This book ended up being a lot more autobiographical and filled with drama than I initially thought it would be. To be fair, there are a lot of topics in the book that make it hard to separate emotions from fact. In the overall scheme of the book, this may actually be a good thing for Dreger's main message. She continuously discusses the need to keep going and searching for the truth, which would be incredibly difficult, if not impossible, without an emotional interest.

I strongly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in activism or academia. It is an unfortunately accurate portrayal of how the noble quest for truth has been seriously hindered by personal agendas, politics and the sheer power of public outrage at any sensitive topic being discussed rationally. It is filled with stories of the messenger being shot, especially when they are simply trying to be fair and follow the facts.

Overall, I happily give this book 4 hoots!

           Hoot!Hoot!

           Hoot!Hoot!

The Before Now and After Then by Peter Monn

I have a tendency to avoid coming-of-age stories and love stories. The vast majority of them, for me, have ranged from bad to meh. That being said, I really enjoyed this book!

Within the first 20-25 pages, the narrator/main character speaks of grief and loss in one of the most realistic, honest ways I have read from a contemporary author. Peter Monn has the greatly appreciated ability of describing emotions in a real way, nothing flowery or over dramatic. This theme of "real" continues throughout the entire book. No matter how strange any of the characters may seem, I know people like that. This is especially true of Danny (narrator) and his high school peers, still trying to find out who they are. Granted I didn't meet my real-life version of Cher until college, but the fact remains, these people are realistic. 

The love story that is central to this book may come off as nothing more than a whirlwind romance, nothing but the product of two teens who think they're in love, but they moved at about the same pace that me and husband did as adults. I appreciated the Monn's portrayal of love as something that isn't based on romance. Rather it is what it is and romance is just one manifestation of it.There is familial love, love for your friends, etc.

Overall, The Before Now and After Then, by Peter Monn, is a moving book that I couldn't put down. There was nothing in this book that felt out of place, fanciful, or overly emotional. It is a very real story of young man who goes through the trials and tribulations of being a homosexual teenager starting a new school after the loss of his twin brother. I happily give this book 5 hoots and recommend it to all!

Hoot!Hoot!

Hoot!Hoot!

Hoot!

***This book was provided in electronic format by the publisher, Pen Name Publishing. This does not have an effect on my review.