Summerland by Elin Hilderband

Genre:  Fiction

Published by:  Little Brown & Company

Pages:  Paper Back

Rating:  3 JAGS

In Summerland by Elin Hilderband, it’s June 15^th and in the sleepy town of Nantucket, MA, students gather on the beach for the traditional graduation celebration bonfire. Penny Alistair, the home-town celebrity who is revered for her singing voice, is involved in a tragic car accident that leaves Penny dead and her brother in a coma.

Penny’s boyfriend Jake and friend Demeter, walk away from the accident unharmed, but are left to deal with the emotional turmoil that wrecks not only them, but the community at large.  Questions arise as to what happened before Penny took the wheel that ended her life, as Jake and Demeter each take different paths to deal with their pain.  

Overall, the story was slow moving, predictable and most importantly, forgettable. Elin Hilderband's Summerland explores how a tragic accident can bring closure to a community and how the people most affected by the death of Penny, deal with survivors guilt and a surprising love that seems to flourish from the pain. I would personally wait to purchase this book. Check your local resale shop for a discounted copy.

We are Anonymous Inside the Hacker World of LulzSec, Anonymous, and the Global Cyber Insurgency by Parmy Olson

Genre:  Non-Fiction

Published by:  Little Brown & Company

Pages:  Hard Cover

Rating:  8 JAGS

Parmy Olson pulls the back the curtain to show us a thriving hacker culture in We are Anonymous. Started in chat rooms of 4chan to initiate pranks called lutz on unsuspecting people and businesses, Anonymous has evolved into a force of cyber warfare and has taken the charge to champion a free internet while exposing corporations and governments.  Amassing a digital following of hackers all across the world, Anonymous has brought down and defaced such sites for The Church of Scientology, Westboro Baptist Church, The Vatican, PayPal, Master Card and Visa and even the FBI, before infighting and betrayal exposed the small collective who orchestrated this movement.

Who are they? What do they want? Are they friends or foes? Are they helping or hurting freedoms on the internet? Parmy Olson tries to answer these questions among countless others, as she goes behind the scenes in interviews with the core group that call themselves Anonymous. What she uncovers in not only a digital war being played out online, but paranoia, manipulation and shocking betrayals.

We are Anonymous

We are Legion

We do not forgive

We do not forget

Expect us

This is a definite buy new. Parmy Olson has given us a glimpse at a world where there are no secrets that cannot be revealed. Whoever holds the key, is king, and the fight to stay on top is a currency that everyone should be made aware of. This book was bone chilling and scary at what is capable with just a few keystrokes. This book will keep you up at night. In the end, Anonymous has the potential as a movement that could change the world for the better, but only time will tell.

 

Ghost Dances proving up on the great plains by Josh Garrett-Davis

Genre:  Fiction

Published by:  Little,Brown and Company

Pages:  Hard Cover

Rating:  7 JAGS

Ghost Dances proving up on the Great Plains speak volumes from the narrative of a young man coming of age in the richness of history and vast emptiness of the prairie. Josh Garrett-Davis takes the reader on an exploration of the rise and fall of the Great Plains from the eyes of a child-looking for an identity through stories of bison, Native American Ghost Dances and the lure of heavy metal rock bands. His quest to find answers in the plains marks a journey that will defend his character.

This was an interesting read. Josh Garrett-Davis put out a story of incredible detail and heart. You could not help but imagine sitting right next to him as he rode down long stretches of highway through a vast emptiness. I would recommend this book for a new purchase. The story is relaxing and thought out in a way to make you feel like you are part of the conversation.  Perfect pick up and purchase. Really enjoyed.