Aladdin

• Rated 3 stars

“Fun to read about a fellow Iowan/entertainer - one who's obviously done quite well for himself!”

Aladdin wrote this review Friday, December 2, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 4 stars

“Keen's argument is not always consistent, but it is always thought-provoking. I agree with some of the other comments here, that he seems to put too much faith in the mainstream mass media. Still, I think there is a lot to his central theme: that in an age where everybody is self-publishing and self-marketing, true talent in all fields is being buried under an avalanche of mediocrity. This book focuses mainly on the internet, but I'd like to see a larger examination of this idea as it relates to the non-electronic world as well. After all, we have karaoke bars replacing rehearsed musical performances, and reality shows replacing scripted & crafted TV shows. (Keen only touches on this briefly.) Somewhere, Andy Warhol is laughing and saying, "See? I told you so!"”

Aladdin wrote this review Tuesday, April 15, 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“I enjoyed this one. It does, however, seem like the Newbery committee has been stuck on autism books the past few years!”

Aladdin wrote this review Thursday, January 31, 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“A real departure from recent Newbery Medal picks. This book is a treat, with stories, poems, songs, and drawings about life in and around an English village circa 1255. Short entries told from the point of view of a wide variety of characters build on one another, bringing another time and place to life. Thumbs way up!”

Aladdin wrote this review Saturday, January 19, 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“This was one my favorite books when I first read it in junior high, but before recently re-reading it, I was nervous that it might not have weathered the test of time very well. After all, the title is now more likely to conjur up thoughts of the hit song by The Carpenters than the book. Yes, it oozes early 1970s. Yes, it's idealistic. And yes, I still love it. A short, intensely moving book. ”

Aladdin wrote this review Monday, January 14, 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“This is a calendar book, so as a functional tool, its shelf-life is limited. But if you're a Hello Kitty fan, you'll want to keep this book long past its expiration date! Adorable pictures of Hello Kitty in a variety of scenarios, with an amazingly diverse wardrobe. Very cute!”

Aladdin wrote this review Monday, January 14, 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“This book can easily be read in one sitting, but it deserves repeated reading, which is what I intend to give it!”

Aladdin wrote this review Monday, January 14, 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“Hilariously twisted take on the fairy tale! Complete with happy (and unexpected) ending!”

Aladdin wrote this review Saturday, January 12, 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“Some mighty strange time signatures, cleffs, and keys all in one place! ”

Aladdin wrote this review Thursday, January 10, 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“Jazz afficionados will appreciate all the inside jokes that fill this fun picture book.”

Aladdin wrote this review Sunday, November 18, 2007. ( reply | permalink )