Proof of Heaven by Eben Alexander. M.D.

Really boring. I believe in life after death and I believe there is a God, and I didn't really notice any glaring opposites of truth in this book, however, I thought it was really boring to read. Maybe it was written in a way that explained too much detail of the scientific background of what was happening to himself, but the neurosurgeon who wrote this book isn't into description of details regarding emotions well enough for me to become engaged in the book. The surgeon was in a comma for a week and survived what should have killed him or left him a vegetable. During his comma he experienced situations which he shouldn't have been able to medically experience therefore proving that there's life after death. He comes to terms with his adoption as well in this book. I would give this book a 2/10.

Extras by Scott Westerfeld

I thought this was the best book in the Ugly Series by Scott Westerfeld because the story was tidy and had a happy ending. Everyone ended up with a conclusion that was satisfactory to me. A Kicker (person who writes stories that get published online) named Aya Fuse sets forth to obtain popularity, which earn her merits in her society, which merits allow her to buy things like nice clothes, larger place to live, and any other luxuries she may want. This is how her society is organized, by popularity merits.

Tally Yongblood, a heroine from the previous three novels, plays a part in Ayas adventures by joining in towards the middle of the novel and saves Aya from dangerous situations which arose out of the popularity she gained from a story she "kicked" regarding people who she thinks may be aliens who are stealing metal from around the world. Aya thinks these people might be planning another war which could possibly end the world.

This young adult/teen science fiction novel was pretty good for me. I liked the clean writing and the interesting story line. Usually I am not that entertained by science fiction, but the Ugly series, including this book seemed to have been able to hold my attention. This was a good book. I would give it an 8/10.

Specials by Scott Westerfeld

For me, this book went too far. Tally, after fighting her way out of being a Bubbleheaded Pretty by just using her mind and not taking medication, undergoes another operation and becomes a Special where she has her brain medically altered once again undergoing BrainSurg (Brain surgery) along with radical body surgery where she is a lethal fighting machine thinking she's super special and more than most people. She ends up being disgusted by her old boyfriend because he is so weak and suffering from brain damage for taking the wrong pill whose nanos eat his brain away. She still loves him though and follows him through an attempted escape from the town in which they live.

As with all the books so far, I find myself being entertained by the story line and I keep on reading. As with all the novels, this book reminds me of Catching Fire a little bit, but this particular one reminds me the most of that novel as it is highly packed action.

I would give this a 6/10. I was turned off by the surgery she underwent.

Pretties by Scott Westerfeld

In this novel the Ugly, Tally Youngblood undergoes a radical operation becoming a Pretty, knowing that her brain is going to be altered be a Bubblehead, unable to concentrate on things and unable to recognize serious situations and react to them. She signed an informed consent at the end of the book, Uglies, giving permission for accepting the medication which is the cure for being a Bubblehead.  No one ever took this medication before.  Tally ends up sharing the medication with her boyfriend resulting in serious complications.

The novel progresses as Tally tries to overcome the operation.

I thought this was an interesting book overall. It was a Scifi book geared toward teenagers and young adults. I would give this book a 7/10.