This was an interesting book. I borrowed it from AH who had it checked out of the library for a class or something. She liked it a lot. Yep. Again; out of practice.
In Uglies, everyone is ugly and at the age of 16 is made a Pretty through extensive plastic surgery and whatnot. They also get to go party all the time, unless they have a job. I was not clear on that part. Seriously, the back description says "your only job is to have a really great time' but... some of them are doctors or firemen. Tally, the main character, is an Ugly. She is forced to go look for the Smokies, the runaway uglies, at the threat of never becoming pretty.
I'm not sure how I felt about the ending. Aside from a random death and some characters suddenly experiencing the onset of late idiocy, I liked the irony of what Tally decides to do in the last couple pages.
Some things reminded me of concepts in other sci fi future type stories. The concept of making everyone the same reminded me of The Giver. Also, everything was hover hover hover. His version was different but still... I did like the general message however. It's kinda hard to say I hate it since it said being pretty on the outside didn't matter.
Read again? Possibly. Not sure.
You read? Yes.
Rating? Good.
Age level: Teen +
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Wow.
Apparently in the time where I haven't been paying any attention I got my 1000 view! Hurray! That totally matters! to no one! not even me. Meh. This is just something I do. I still haven't even posted any books I read this summer which annoys me but oh well. Life goes on.
Keep viewing, keep commenting, start suggesting books for me to read over Christmas. Some classics, some newbies, even something horrible; I love to complain. It would be my middle name except than I wouldn't have the common 'Marie' as my middle name to complain about in the first place. I'm kidding, mom. It's my first name that's the problem.
Keep viewing, keep commenting, start suggesting books for me to read over Christmas. Some classics, some newbies, even something horrible; I love to complain. It would be my middle name except than I wouldn't have the common 'Marie' as my middle name to complain about in the first place. I'm kidding, mom. It's my first name that's the problem.
Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper
I have not been reading nearly enough and, while this book was really good, it wasn't one that made me want more. This book is about Melody, an 11 year old with cerebral palsy, and how she gained the ability to 'talk' and what happens after. I like Melody well enough; her main characteristics were that she was really smart and got frustrated and loved her family. It would have been nice to have a little more depth but I suppose that wasn't the author's point. I'm also not sure about this book because half the point seems to be, 'she's smarter so we should accept her even though she has a disability'. At another point Melody realizes that the other children with disabilities are a lot nicer than the 'normal' students. I get what Draper was going for but... I don't know. Since when is being smart what makes me worthwhile? Or being nice? Also, it seemed like there weren't in betweens: Draper really tried to have a girl be nice but still look down on Melody; at the end I felt the characters of the book were either perfect or complete jerks. The main point I'd have a problem with in this book is that I don't see this being real life. My disbelief suspension system struggled a teensy bit. Just a little. Also it made me hate everybody. But I think that was the point.
Good stuff: that really was a lot of criticism. I did like this book. It was funny, sad, and I connected with the main character even though I was and still am exhausted beyond belief (yes, mom, I know you are more tired than I am). I do think it made a lot of good points about both people and education. I got seriously upset at some of the special ed teachers. The one that said she didn't want to be influenced by the other teachers so didn't look at the notes they'd left on the students; I wanted to throw the book at her. ABCs? Seriously? No. sorry, you'll have to read the book to understand that. And I want you to read the book. So everything works out in the end, doesn't it? Read this. Especially if you are ever going to work with children, with disabilities or not.
Rating? Very good.
Read again? It's a possibility.
You read? As usual, I am going to say yes.
Age level: Pre teen up.
Good stuff: that really was a lot of criticism. I did like this book. It was funny, sad, and I connected with the main character even though I was and still am exhausted beyond belief (yes, mom, I know you are more tired than I am). I do think it made a lot of good points about both people and education. I got seriously upset at some of the special ed teachers. The one that said she didn't want to be influenced by the other teachers so didn't look at the notes they'd left on the students; I wanted to throw the book at her. ABCs? Seriously? No. sorry, you'll have to read the book to understand that. And I want you to read the book. So everything works out in the end, doesn't it? Read this. Especially if you are ever going to work with children, with disabilities or not.
Rating? Very good.
Read again? It's a possibility.
You read? As usual, I am going to say yes.
Age level: Pre teen up.
Monday, October 03, 2011
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Hey, everybody, guess what?
You have to read this book, that's what.
The Help is a book about writing a book about African American maids/nannies(the help) working in white households in the south. The book was written a year or two ago but the author was raised in the south by one of these maids so I am alright with that.Yep. Ok, I am out of practice.
There are three characters telling their stories in this book; Skeeter (Eugenia), Aibileen, and Minnie. The main focus of The Help is Skeeter's attempt to write a book of interviews that tells the stories of the maids (Aibileen and Minnie, etc.) in Jackson, Mississippi at the time of the Civil Rights Movement. I'm a history major(well, social studies) so I got a lot of this aspect; Stockett made references to a lot of the major and minor events around this time. Stockett also dealt with a lot of other issues, such as motherhood(the help basically raise the children), marriage, illness (Skeeter's mother has stomach cancer), friendship (that sounds cheesy but it's good) and grief. I am not going to get into all of this though; I don't want to ruin the book.
Criticisms: My mother mentioned that she heard or thought that Skeeter was unrealistically progressive in her views on both women and African American equal rights and I think I agree; on the other hand, most people are not going to appreciate that aspect of realism. There were, I think, one or two tiny little things I didn't agree with or that I didn't think were funny when they were supposed to be, but over all I loved this book and everyone who reads my blog and everyone who doesn't read my blog should read this book.
Rating? Very, very good.
Read again? Yes.
You read? Read the first two lines of this post.
Age level? Teen +
You have to read this book, that's what.
The Help is a book about writing a book about African American maids/nannies(the help) working in white households in the south. The book was written a year or two ago but the author was raised in the south by one of these maids so I am alright with that.Yep. Ok, I am out of practice.
There are three characters telling their stories in this book; Skeeter (Eugenia), Aibileen, and Minnie. The main focus of The Help is Skeeter's attempt to write a book of interviews that tells the stories of the maids (Aibileen and Minnie, etc.) in Jackson, Mississippi at the time of the Civil Rights Movement. I'm a history major(well, social studies) so I got a lot of this aspect; Stockett made references to a lot of the major and minor events around this time. Stockett also dealt with a lot of other issues, such as motherhood(the help basically raise the children), marriage, illness (Skeeter's mother has stomach cancer), friendship (that sounds cheesy but it's good) and grief. I am not going to get into all of this though; I don't want to ruin the book.
Criticisms: My mother mentioned that she heard or thought that Skeeter was unrealistically progressive in her views on both women and African American equal rights and I think I agree; on the other hand, most people are not going to appreciate that aspect of realism. There were, I think, one or two tiny little things I didn't agree with or that I didn't think were funny when they were supposed to be, but over all I loved this book and everyone who reads my blog and everyone who doesn't read my blog should read this book.
Rating? Very, very good.
Read again? Yes.
You read? Read the first two lines of this post.
Age level? Teen +
Sunday, October 02, 2011
I am a busy person...
It's been 4 months. Honestly, I thought it had been longer. I've been a bit too busy too read much lately anyway and the books I read in summer I basically just didn't feel like posting. I would apologize but I don't think anyone even noticed. I just wish I could remember half the books I read over summer and these first months of school; that's pretty much why I'm going to try to start this up again.
I'm going to be working on my background and my ratings system, etc before I get in my summer reads; a lot of them were actually pretty good so I'll at least give my basic rating even if I can't remember enough for my normal summary. In the meantime, I will write up my review of the last book I read.
Hope you enjoy.
I'm going to be working on my background and my ratings system, etc before I get in my summer reads; a lot of them were actually pretty good so I'll at least give my basic rating even if I can't remember enough for my normal summary. In the meantime, I will write up my review of the last book I read.
Hope you enjoy.
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Listening For Lions by Gloria Whalen
I read this a while ago too. My mom gave it to me because she liked it and it was pretty good. The middle may have some suspension of disbelief issues but it's a good basic read that's easy to fit in to whatever your schedule might be.
Listening for Lions is about Rachel, the daughter of a British doctor and teacher in Africa during and after an epidemic. Much more than that is a spoiler alert and that basically gives you everything you need to know to decided whether you'll like it or not.
Rating? Good.
Read again? Possibly.
You read? Sure.
Age level? Teen.
Listening for Lions is about Rachel, the daughter of a British doctor and teacher in Africa during and after an epidemic. Much more than that is a spoiler alert and that basically gives you everything you need to know to decided whether you'll like it or not.
Rating? Good.
Read again? Possibly.
You read? Sure.
Age level? Teen.
The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
This is a book I've read many times before; I have also read the two sequels many times. Good books. Oddly enough I did not read it because I wanted to read but because I wanted something to do that I could do while being outside so there you have it.
(Two weeks later)
Alright. I have not been so faithful to this blog for several reasons of varying degrees of value. Some of it is that the books I've been reading haven't been all that great or all that bad. One I'm just not sure I want to put up here because I liked it but I'm not sure I want to admit to the world that I liked it. A couple others my mom got me from the library and one or two I just read to read. Expect a couple entries much shorter than usual.
About The Thief: This book is basically a ancient Greek or Roman mythology type book except the author made the stories up instead of using the existing ones. It's a good, basic story; no romance but lots adventure and it made me laugh.
Rating? Great.
Read again? Already have.
You read? Yes.
Age level? Upper pre-teen to teen+.
(Two weeks later)
Alright. I have not been so faithful to this blog for several reasons of varying degrees of value. Some of it is that the books I've been reading haven't been all that great or all that bad. One I'm just not sure I want to put up here because I liked it but I'm not sure I want to admit to the world that I liked it. A couple others my mom got me from the library and one or two I just read to read. Expect a couple entries much shorter than usual.
About The Thief: This book is basically a ancient Greek or Roman mythology type book except the author made the stories up instead of using the existing ones. It's a good, basic story; no romance but lots adventure and it made me laugh.
Rating? Great.
Read again? Already have.
You read? Yes.
Age level? Upper pre-teen to teen+.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool
It's been so long since I read a book I can't remember my own formula. Here goes an attempt to get back into things. It's been a bit since I read this book so we'll see if this is gonna last.
Moon Over Manifest reminded of Because of Winn Dixie. I'm not sure if this is a criticism or not. on the one hand, it's an interesting style and both are enjoyable reads. On the other hand, both main characters have been abandoned by a mother they can't remember and have distant fathers. Not sure I like that. Vanderpool's book is quite longer and meant for an older audience, but has the same exploring the history of the people of a small town aspect. That's about all I can remember of Winn Dixie right now, but you get the gist.
Moon Over Manifest started off great and ended good with a bit of difficulty in the suspension of belief department. I won't get into it because I'm trying to be on the lower end of the spoiler scale. just now that I was annoyed at a character's death instead of simply being sad. Also, I had forgotten about half of the plot devices by the time they were tied up. I'm still not sure she actually talked about things she referred back to.
Compliments: Also known as good things. As far as I can remember at this point, I did want to know what was going to happen to Jinx, as well as other characters whose names I cannot remember. I liked the characters, even though there were a bit too many. This was a good book; Vanderpool just got a little choppy and ran out of steam a bit at the end, at least according to my mother who gave me this book.
Rating? Good.
Read again? Eventually. Partly because I own it.
You read? Yes.
Age level? Pre-teen+
Moon Over Manifest reminded of Because of Winn Dixie. I'm not sure if this is a criticism or not. on the one hand, it's an interesting style and both are enjoyable reads. On the other hand, both main characters have been abandoned by a mother they can't remember and have distant fathers. Not sure I like that. Vanderpool's book is quite longer and meant for an older audience, but has the same exploring the history of the people of a small town aspect. That's about all I can remember of Winn Dixie right now, but you get the gist.
Moon Over Manifest started off great and ended good with a bit of difficulty in the suspension of belief department. I won't get into it because I'm trying to be on the lower end of the spoiler scale. just now that I was annoyed at a character's death instead of simply being sad. Also, I had forgotten about half of the plot devices by the time they were tied up. I'm still not sure she actually talked about things she referred back to.
Compliments: Also known as good things. As far as I can remember at this point, I did want to know what was going to happen to Jinx, as well as other characters whose names I cannot remember. I liked the characters, even though there were a bit too many. This was a good book; Vanderpool just got a little choppy and ran out of steam a bit at the end, at least according to my mother who gave me this book.
Rating? Good.
Read again? Eventually. Partly because I own it.
You read? Yes.
Age level? Pre-teen+
Friday, May 06, 2011
News Again
Just felt like attempting ot start a new discussion going before I finally enter another book(!!!). Yesterday I realized that I am gonig to be a teacher who accidentally uses gi-NOR-mous words and has to clarify half way through the sentence, just in case. I used the word 'encroaches'. yes, I had just been looking over old docuements and I was teaching on the Constitution (I think that's where I got it) but i still feel this would not have happened if i did not read so excessively. i now feel proud of myself for using 'ginormous', 'encroach', and 'excessive' in one paragraph.
Comment! What's something about you that has been influenced by or created because of your love of books or even something you read?
Comment! What's something about you that has been influenced by or created because of your love of books or even something you read?
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Writing a Paper
is not conducive to writing a blog. I forgot a poem for the 19th. I did not get home until late yesterday and now I owe 2 more poems. I'm about to post the 21st at 12:05 in the morning. The other two I'll come up with sometime over Easter Break.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
more news
It's half way through poetry month and I am running out of poems. Send me anything you think is good. The next couple will probably more funny then themed but I have been successfully fighting the temptation to ruin it all by throwing in my own poems.
I'm currently reading Moon Over Manifest. It's been good so far. We'll see how long it take me to finish it. Feel free to suggest other books you've liked to are curious about.
I'm currently reading Moon Over Manifest. It's been good so far. We'll see how long it take me to finish it. Feel free to suggest other books you've liked to are curious about.
Saturday, April 02, 2011
? by Gustavo Adolfo Becquer.
This poem was show to me by CR, who was a Spanish major. I have included the rough translation. Rima 53. Gustavo Adolfo Becquer.
Volverán las oscuras golondrinas
en tu balcón sus nidos a colgar,
y otra vez con el ala a sus cristales
jugando llamarán.
Pero aquellas que el vuelo refrenaban
tu hermosura y mi dicha al contemplar,
aquellas que aprendieron nuestros nombres
ésas... ¡no volverán!
Volverán las tupidas madreselvas
de tu jardín las tapias a escalar
y otra vez a la tarde, aún más hermosas,
sus flores se abrirán.
Pero aquellas cuajadas de rocío
cuyas gotas mirábamos temblar
y caer como lágrimas del día...
ésas... ¡no volverán!
Volverán del amor en tus oídos
las palabras ardientes a sonar,
tu corazón de su profundo sueño
tal vez despertará.
Pero mudo y absorto y de rodillas
como se adora a Dios ante su altar,
como yo te he querido..., desengáñate,
nadie así te amará. The dark swallows will return on your balcony to hang their nests, and again with his glass wing playing call. But those who refrained flight Your beauty and my joy to behold, those who learned our names those ... Not return! Return the dense honeysuckle Your garden walls to climb and again in the afternoon, even more beautiful the flowers are open. But those of dew whose drops watched tremble and fall like tears of the day ... those ... Not return! Return the love in your ears Ardent words to sound, your heart from its slumbers may awaken. But silent and entranced and kneeling as God is worshiped at his altar, as I have loved you ..., do not kid yourself, and no one will love you.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
Ok, I just remembered something quite embarrassing. Remember how I mentioned a month ago that the next book I would write about was The Three Musketeers? Well, you're going to have to wait a bit...
I lost it.
:'(
:''''''(
In an airport.
I honestly think I may have been pick-pocketed. I only moved once in half an hour and the book disappeared. Come to think of it, that guy sleeping behind the bench I sat on was veeery suspicious. Oh, well, at least the library people were nice about. They only thanked me for letting them know like three or four times.
Anyway...
Now that this post successfully resembles a rather odd e.e. cummings poem, I should get to the point.
The Three Musketeers was good as far as I read it. I recommend it. It's just really long.
Send me poems.
Rating? Very good.
Read again? No. I will finish it though.
You read? Yes.
Age level? Young Adult just because of the length and reading level required to enjoy it. Teens who love to read should go ahead and try it.
I lost it.
:'(
:''''''(
In an airport.
I honestly think I may have been pick-pocketed. I only moved once in half an hour and the book disappeared. Come to think of it, that guy sleeping behind the bench I sat on was veeery suspicious. Oh, well, at least the library people were nice about. They only thanked me for letting them know like three or four times.
Anyway...
Now that this post successfully resembles a rather odd e.e. cummings poem, I should get to the point.
The Three Musketeers was good as far as I read it. I recommend it. It's just really long.
Send me poems.
Rating? Very good.
Read again? No. I will finish it though.
You read? Yes.
Age level? Young Adult just because of the length and reading level required to enjoy it. Teens who love to read should go ahead and try it.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Across the Universe by Beth Revis
This book is one long commentary on society. I just know it.
As sci-fi's go, this was pretty realistic. As stories go, it was also about as terrifying as Fahrenheit 451. The two main characters are Amy (who is supposed to be cryogenicly frozen until she lands and the distant planet that is supposed to be the new Earth but is for some reason woken up early) and Elder (who is supposed to be in charge of the ship until it gets to 'Centauri Earth'). There are a lot of secrets, all of which I guessed before I was supposed to. The author hinted way too strongly at the known mystery and basically destroyed any hint of suspense. There is a limit to how many times people can ask 'Are you sure he's dead?' before I decide he is alive. That limit is 0.
While I'm being annoyed, there is a line between being realistic and being disgusting and Revis slipped over it. She didn't go nearly as far as other authors I've seen, but she definitely passed it. I get that she was trying to make a point with it but there are somethings I don't really need to hear. And overall, I'm not quite sure what she was trying to tell me. Am I supposed to always tell the truth? Be true to my feelings? Stop reading books about how the future will be without emotions?
A personal moral problem I had with this book; the portrayal of suicide as an escape. The character literally abandoned everyone who needed him but no one seems to mind. I'm not getting into this; you all probably know what I mean.
One last criticism: the cover art. While it does get across the mood of a good chunk of the book, when my roommate asked, "Does what is happening on the cover happen in the book?" I did say no. Then I said 'Well,..." And proceeded to ruin the book for her. But yeah, this is the cover...
Good things: Wow. I haven't had one of these in a looong time but here goes.
Lack of belief in the readers' reasoning abilities aside, I did want to know what would happen in the end. I did care about the characters enough to yell at the book when one of them died. I did finish the whole thing in one afternoon and there was a paragraph that made sense but still surprised me.The whole idea that the normal people thought they were crazy and vice versa was interesting and the story did move along very well. My highest praise would have to go to the ending. Revis does not leave the book in an unrealistic, fairy tale blast of happiness. She gives it a realistic ending--whether you look at romance, human nature, science, etc.--but she leaves you with the feeling that the main characters have succeeded and they will make it.
Rating? Good.
Read again? Yes.
You read? Probably.
Age level? mature teen to young adult.
As sci-fi's go, this was pretty realistic. As stories go, it was also about as terrifying as Fahrenheit 451. The two main characters are Amy (who is supposed to be cryogenicly frozen until she lands and the distant planet that is supposed to be the new Earth but is for some reason woken up early) and Elder (who is supposed to be in charge of the ship until it gets to 'Centauri Earth'). There are a lot of secrets, all of which I guessed before I was supposed to. The author hinted way too strongly at the known mystery and basically destroyed any hint of suspense. There is a limit to how many times people can ask 'Are you sure he's dead?' before I decide he is alive. That limit is 0.
While I'm being annoyed, there is a line between being realistic and being disgusting and Revis slipped over it. She didn't go nearly as far as other authors I've seen, but she definitely passed it. I get that she was trying to make a point with it but there are somethings I don't really need to hear. And overall, I'm not quite sure what she was trying to tell me. Am I supposed to always tell the truth? Be true to my feelings? Stop reading books about how the future will be without emotions?
A personal moral problem I had with this book; the portrayal of suicide as an escape. The character literally abandoned everyone who needed him but no one seems to mind. I'm not getting into this; you all probably know what I mean.
One last criticism: the cover art. While it does get across the mood of a good chunk of the book, when my roommate asked, "Does what is happening on the cover happen in the book?" I did say no. Then I said 'Well,..." And proceeded to ruin the book for her. But yeah, this is the cover...
Good things: Wow. I haven't had one of these in a looong time but here goes.
Lack of belief in the readers' reasoning abilities aside, I did want to know what would happen in the end. I did care about the characters enough to yell at the book when one of them died. I did finish the whole thing in one afternoon and there was a paragraph that made sense but still surprised me.The whole idea that the normal people thought they were crazy and vice versa was interesting and the story did move along very well. My highest praise would have to go to the ending. Revis does not leave the book in an unrealistic, fairy tale blast of happiness. She gives it a realistic ending--whether you look at romance, human nature, science, etc.--but she leaves you with the feeling that the main characters have succeeded and they will make it.
Rating? Good.
Read again? Yes.
You read? Probably.
Age level? mature teen to young adult.
Friday, March 18, 2011
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Hey look!
Now you can follow my blog through email!!
Do it and get somewhat weekly updates on what books to read and which to avoid!
Send me more poems so I don't have to hunt everyone down!
Have a nice day.
Now you can follow my blog through email!!
Do it and get somewhat weekly updates on what books to read and which to avoid!
Send me more poems so I don't have to hunt everyone down!
Have a nice day.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Roses for Mama by Janette Oke
I love Janette Oke. I don't know why I stopped reading her books. It couldn't have anything to do with going to college and forgetting libraries exist. Anyway...
I read this book back in high school. I saw it sitting on the church shelf at the church in Texas on my TCW and was annoyed because I couldn't remember what happened at the end. So I read the end. That didn't make any sense so I went back and read the whole book while laying outside during my lunch break. (I now have a pretty decent sunburn on the back of my legs.)
This book is about Angela and her brother Thomas as they struggle to raise their three younger siblings after the deaths of their mother and father. It's not as sad as it could have been, but there is still quite a bit for the reader to relate to emotionally.
Criticism: This isn't so much criticism as a comment. Oke's books are never that hard to predict. I think I've read one out of over twenty where I didn't recognize the person the main character was going to marry as soon as they entered the plot. This is only a comment because I'm pretty sure that it is not the point of her books to be unpredictable. It's just that they are always just the tiniest bit contrived and not so unrealistic. On the other hand, I like her books because when I'm reading them I don't care about those things.
Rating? Good.
Read again? Just did.
You read? Yeah. Or any others of Oke's books. Just watch the doctrine, k?
I read this book back in high school. I saw it sitting on the church shelf at the church in Texas on my TCW and was annoyed because I couldn't remember what happened at the end. So I read the end. That didn't make any sense so I went back and read the whole book while laying outside during my lunch break. (I now have a pretty decent sunburn on the back of my legs.)
This book is about Angela and her brother Thomas as they struggle to raise their three younger siblings after the deaths of their mother and father. It's not as sad as it could have been, but there is still quite a bit for the reader to relate to emotionally.
Criticism: This isn't so much criticism as a comment. Oke's books are never that hard to predict. I think I've read one out of over twenty where I didn't recognize the person the main character was going to marry as soon as they entered the plot. This is only a comment because I'm pretty sure that it is not the point of her books to be unpredictable. It's just that they are always just the tiniest bit contrived and not so unrealistic. On the other hand, I like her books because when I'm reading them I don't care about those things.
Rating? Good.
Read again? Just did.
You read? Yeah. Or any others of Oke's books. Just watch the doctrine, k?
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
MW read this book and said it was cute. I am telling my readers to make up for my lack of posts lately. Also it's by the author in the previous post and I want to remember to read it.
Have a nice day :)
And send me more of your fav poems. I would appreciate having more than one.
Have a nice day :)
And send me more of your fav poems. I would appreciate having more than one.
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
I read this book out loud to my EFE first and second graders two weeks ago. I spent the next week in Texas and this week trying to get everything else figured out. Better late than never?
This is a book about a little girl trying to understand things. Her father is distant and her mother left her when she was young. Winn-Dixie is the dog she finds and the reason for everything that happens in the book. It was a sweet story. I think it's a good book for anyone to read.
No criticisms. I read it too long ago for that. Besides this book is a classic. Whatever I had to say and forgot has already been said many times over, I'm sure.
Rating? Good.
Read again? Maybe to my own class someday.
You read? If your looking for something short and something to relate to.
Age? preteen
This is a book about a little girl trying to understand things. Her father is distant and her mother left her when she was young. Winn-Dixie is the dog she finds and the reason for everything that happens in the book. It was a sweet story. I think it's a good book for anyone to read.
No criticisms. I read it too long ago for that. Besides this book is a classic. Whatever I had to say and forgot has already been said many times over, I'm sure.
Rating? Good.
Read again? Maybe to my own class someday.
You read? If your looking for something short and something to relate to.
Age? preteen
Saturday, March 05, 2011
Stolen by Vivian Vande Velde
I read this because if was by VVV. It was not very original; I think she stole an idea from Brat Farrar but I have no proof. It was short and had basically no point but I wanted to know what would happen to I guess it was ok.
If you want to read a book, read one of her others.
Rating: Ok
Read again? no.
You read? Meh.
Age level? Teen.
If you want to read a book, read one of her others.
Rating: Ok
Read again? no.
You read? Meh.
Age level? Teen.
Friday, February 25, 2011
News
I haven't posted for a while so I figured I'd propose an idea and let you know what book I'm reading:
Send me your favorite poems on fb or through email. I'm going to try and do a poem a day thing for Poetry Month. Get them in by April, I suppose. For those of you who question my every move, no poetry isn't technically related to a blog about books. But it's close enough, k?
I'm reading The Three Musketeers. It's really good.
Finally, the poll is closed and the results are in. 83% if people think that the revised publication of Huckleberry Finn is ruining the book. 17% think I'm dumb for having a poll. The people have spoken. All 6 of them. One of which was me. I love blogging. :)
Send me your favorite poems on fb or through email. I'm going to try and do a poem a day thing for Poetry Month. Get them in by April, I suppose. For those of you who question my every move, no poetry isn't technically related to a blog about books. But it's close enough, k?
I'm reading The Three Musketeers. It's really good.
Finally, the poll is closed and the results are in. 83% if people think that the revised publication of Huckleberry Finn is ruining the book. 17% think I'm dumb for having a poll. The people have spoken. All 6 of them. One of which was me. I love blogging. :)
Saturday, February 12, 2011
heartbeat by Sharon Creech
No, I did not forget to capitalize the title. That's how it's supposed to be. (I don't know how you would start a sentence with this book title .)
This is another book written in a poetry format. This means that it is an easy but enjoyable read; it was 180 pages long but I read it in half an hour this morning right after I woke up. I understood it after sleeping for ten hours; it's not a complicated book.
heartbeat is more of a children's book than Song of the Sparrow was, but still unique enough for an adult to enjoy. It was written by a 12 year old main character and dealt with her grandfather's Alzheimer, her mother's pregnancy, and her best guy friend Max's strange attitude. No, they don't kiss. Seriously, people. They're 12.
There was a unified theme throughout the book between the change in her life and the apple she was drawing. I also felt I had some things in common with the main character, such as running, growing up, and... no, that was it. The basic writing style really seemed to be something a 12 year old might write (especially the footnotes) even as some of her thoughts and ideas seemed very advanced. She was basically every creative teacher's dream student. You'll see what I mean when you read her report on her fears and dreams.
Criticisms: I wasn't sure when this book was set, but that's not a major problem. My main problem was that I occasionally felt like the author has never talked to a 12 year old. No 12 year old is mature enough to say "I like him but it's ok; I have time." Also, while it is quite fun to run around barefoot, in real life one of the two characters who does so would probably have gotten lockjaw at some point in time. It's dangerous. Seriously. I used to walk around barefoot and I stepped on a bee. Twice.
Rating: Great.
Read again? Maybe.
You read? Yes.
Age level? Pre-teen +
Where did I get this book? JM lent it to MW and she told me it was good. She especially said I should read it after she read my complaint about covers. The cover on this book actually makes sense without giving anything away! :)
This is another book written in a poetry format. This means that it is an easy but enjoyable read; it was 180 pages long but I read it in half an hour this morning right after I woke up. I understood it after sleeping for ten hours; it's not a complicated book.
heartbeat is more of a children's book than Song of the Sparrow was, but still unique enough for an adult to enjoy. It was written by a 12 year old main character and dealt with her grandfather's Alzheimer, her mother's pregnancy, and her best guy friend Max's strange attitude. No, they don't kiss. Seriously, people. They're 12.
There was a unified theme throughout the book between the change in her life and the apple she was drawing. I also felt I had some things in common with the main character, such as running, growing up, and... no, that was it. The basic writing style really seemed to be something a 12 year old might write (especially the footnotes) even as some of her thoughts and ideas seemed very advanced. She was basically every creative teacher's dream student. You'll see what I mean when you read her report on her fears and dreams.
Criticisms: I wasn't sure when this book was set, but that's not a major problem. My main problem was that I occasionally felt like the author has never talked to a 12 year old. No 12 year old is mature enough to say "I like him but it's ok; I have time." Also, while it is quite fun to run around barefoot, in real life one of the two characters who does so would probably have gotten lockjaw at some point in time. It's dangerous. Seriously. I used to walk around barefoot and I stepped on a bee. Twice.
Rating: Great.
Read again? Maybe.
You read? Yes.
Age level? Pre-teen +
Where did I get this book? JM lent it to MW and she told me it was good. She especially said I should read it after she read my complaint about covers. The cover on this book actually makes sense without giving anything away! :)
The Mixed-Up Chameleon by Eric Carle
I just read this book and I actually really liked it so I figured I'd throw it in here. I'm sure no one will notice.
This is the story of a chameleon who sees a zoo and decides he wants to be more like the other animals. By the time he's done changing, he looks not only ridiculous and silly but also sort of like a nightmare I had the other night. I'm kidding, but you'll see what I mean.
This book was cute. It wasn't Carle's usual style; the pictures are colored in roughly with crayon. You can use it to teach children about colors or adjectives, etc. It was a good book.
Rating: good.
Read again? Yes.
You read? Idk. Sure.
Age: Children's book
This is the story of a chameleon who sees a zoo and decides he wants to be more like the other animals. By the time he's done changing, he looks not only ridiculous and silly but also sort of like a nightmare I had the other night. I'm kidding, but you'll see what I mean.
This book was cute. It wasn't Carle's usual style; the pictures are colored in roughly with crayon. You can use it to teach children about colors or adjectives, etc. It was a good book.
Rating: good.
Read again? Yes.
You read? Idk. Sure.
Age: Children's book
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
My head hurts after reading this one, but part of that is I forgot to wear my glasses.
I enjoyed this book right up to the last two chapters where I became slightly confused. The last two chapters are more like short stories and the first made me think of The Veldt. If you haven't read The Veldt, you should; it's the creepiest thing ever but it's good.
The two writings of Bradbury's I have now read have been very obviously hinting at the same thing The Giver hints at. People in the future are going to go way to far in their attempts to make everyone equal.The book burning makes me think of Equilibrium. Bradbury also reminded me of Harrison Bergeron. Honestly, I'm having some flashbacks to high school English. Also, MW is playing depressing music from Lost. None of these things are advisable if you want to feel happy.
Fahrenheit 451 is about a fireman. You probably know this already, but in the future (as in 1977) fireman set fires. More specifically they burn books. Why do they burn books? Because books offend people and have dangerous ideas and people just want to be comfortable. Faber says, "We are living in a time when flowers are trying to live on flowers, instead of growing on good rain and black loam" (83). But honestly, I think my favorite part of the book was when someone came up and said, "You guys are reading? Who reads anymore? I don't." Go figure.
Again, I did like this book. It wasn't very emotional in a cry or laugh sense, but it made me think and I did get frustrated along with the protagonists. Bradbury seemed to be writing what he thought would happen and did not mess around with contrived endings; I appreciated that. I can see how Cold War/Red Scare feelings may have influenced Bradbury's writings but I don't think you have to be a history major to read this. I just find it interesting that to think about. This is one of those classic books I avoided as a rule when I was growing up, but I actually think people should read this one for it's own sake. Fahrenheit 451 is well written and intriguing.
Criticism: I wasn't going to have this section but I did think of one more thing. This books was written around 1960 so he focuses on the affects of television. As one of many people fighting against the epidemic addiction to the internet, I find it interesting to think of what Bradbury would say about our society today. Do you think he would consider his prediction was inaccurate? Or would he say it came true???
(Ruining the 'dramatic' end, but I don't really think it has come true. I'm wondering what he would think.)
Rating: Good to great.
Read again? Eventually, probably.
You read? Yes.
Age? Older teens to young adult.
I enjoyed this book right up to the last two chapters where I became slightly confused. The last two chapters are more like short stories and the first made me think of The Veldt. If you haven't read The Veldt, you should; it's the creepiest thing ever but it's good.
The two writings of Bradbury's I have now read have been very obviously hinting at the same thing The Giver hints at. People in the future are going to go way to far in their attempts to make everyone equal.The book burning makes me think of Equilibrium. Bradbury also reminded me of Harrison Bergeron. Honestly, I'm having some flashbacks to high school English. Also, MW is playing depressing music from Lost. None of these things are advisable if you want to feel happy.
Fahrenheit 451 is about a fireman. You probably know this already, but in the future (as in 1977) fireman set fires. More specifically they burn books. Why do they burn books? Because books offend people and have dangerous ideas and people just want to be comfortable. Faber says, "We are living in a time when flowers are trying to live on flowers, instead of growing on good rain and black loam" (83). But honestly, I think my favorite part of the book was when someone came up and said, "You guys are reading? Who reads anymore? I don't." Go figure.
Again, I did like this book. It wasn't very emotional in a cry or laugh sense, but it made me think and I did get frustrated along with the protagonists. Bradbury seemed to be writing what he thought would happen and did not mess around with contrived endings; I appreciated that. I can see how Cold War/Red Scare feelings may have influenced Bradbury's writings but I don't think you have to be a history major to read this. I just find it interesting that to think about. This is one of those classic books I avoided as a rule when I was growing up, but I actually think people should read this one for it's own sake. Fahrenheit 451 is well written and intriguing.
Criticism: I wasn't going to have this section but I did think of one more thing. This books was written around 1960 so he focuses on the affects of television. As one of many people fighting against the epidemic addiction to the internet, I find it interesting to think of what Bradbury would say about our society today. Do you think he would consider his prediction was inaccurate? Or would he say it came true???
(Ruining the 'dramatic' end, but I don't really think it has come true. I'm wondering what he would think.)
Rating: Good to great.
Read again? Eventually, probably.
You read? Yes.
Age? Older teens to young adult.
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
:)
Over 500 views. Holy cow. Too bad some of those were me on other computers... (about 10, I'd say. It's still exciting.)
I should count and see how many books I've actually posted...
In other news, I'm going to read The Three Musketeers and Fahrenheit 451 next.
I should count and see how many books I've actually posted...
In other news, I'm going to read The Three Musketeers and Fahrenheit 451 next.
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Random
1. A Review
For my newer and more critical readers, I thought I'd sum up once again what this blog is about. I write about every book I read to give you suggestions on what you should read. I ask for comments from people who have already read the book or have a question about the book. I also enjoy feedback on my writing. This blog is also a place for me to record and remember what I've read and enjoyed.... (Addition after a comment; this is not a list of criteria, these are suggestions to encourage comments. Write whatever you feel like as long as it is remotely related. Or not. Just don't spam, please. That's all I care about.)
2. A Rebuke
Yes, I know. Surveys are a dumb idea on a blog with two followers. I get it. Now would you vote on something real? I put that option there in an attempt to be funny! (Later... somebody changed their vote. I'm just offending people left and right, aren't I?)
3. A Rant
Lately, I've noticed something and I thought I would make a comment on it. Now, I know I've probably done this and I have nothing against people who do it so don't get offended but here it is; when I ask you how far you are in a book, it does not help me in any way, shape, or form when you give me the page number. I am not a savant. I do not have a photographic memory. Besides that, there are different editions of many books with different page sizes and font sizes. Finally, to be fair, I should know by now to ask 'what's happened so far' instead.
4. A Realization
I realized just now that many of my biggest pet peeves are about books; the one I mentioned above and when it is apparent that who ever designed the cover of the book did not actually read anything more than the first paragraph of the summary on the back. Oh, hey! That's another one; when the summary makes the books sound entirely different from what it is or when it asks yes or no questions. I think I've mentioned that before, as well... Finally, the problem I had with Fire where she went back in time to reuse her antagonist. Lazy.
Comment and tell me your biggest book pet peeve!!!
For my newer and more critical readers, I thought I'd sum up once again what this blog is about. I write about every book I read to give you suggestions on what you should read. I ask for comments from people who have already read the book or have a question about the book. I also enjoy feedback on my writing. This blog is also a place for me to record and remember what I've read and enjoyed.... (Addition after a comment; this is not a list of criteria, these are suggestions to encourage comments. Write whatever you feel like as long as it is remotely related. Or not. Just don't spam, please. That's all I care about.)
2. A Rebuke
Yes, I know. Surveys are a dumb idea on a blog with two followers. I get it. Now would you vote on something real? I put that option there in an attempt to be funny! (Later... somebody changed their vote. I'm just offending people left and right, aren't I?)
3. A Rant
Lately, I've noticed something and I thought I would make a comment on it. Now, I know I've probably done this and I have nothing against people who do it so don't get offended but here it is; when I ask you how far you are in a book, it does not help me in any way, shape, or form when you give me the page number. I am not a savant. I do not have a photographic memory. Besides that, there are different editions of many books with different page sizes and font sizes. Finally, to be fair, I should know by now to ask 'what's happened so far' instead.
4. A Realization
I realized just now that many of my biggest pet peeves are about books; the one I mentioned above and when it is apparent that who ever designed the cover of the book did not actually read anything more than the first paragraph of the summary on the back. Oh, hey! That's another one; when the summary makes the books sound entirely different from what it is or when it asks yes or no questions. I think I've mentioned that before, as well... Finally, the problem I had with Fire where she went back in time to reuse her antagonist. Lazy.
Comment and tell me your biggest book pet peeve!!!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt
I love this book.
I always forget how much I love this book but it's a really good book.
It makes me laugh, it makes me cry, it makes me annoyed and frustrated, and it lets me empathize with not just the sad a character feels but with the fight to do what they know is right verses what they want. Hunt did a good job, in my opinion--and my mother's, for that matter--of catching all the reader's emotions and relating them to things that everyone is going to experience.
I already talked about Up a Road Slowly but I hadn't recently read the book at that point. When I read it yesterday, I realized that I had forgotten about a lot of the reasons I keep reading this book so I decided to write about it again anyway.
This book is about a girl named Julie as she grows from age 7 to 17. In this time, her mother dies, she goes to live with a very proper maiden aunt, deals with her ridiculous liar of an uncle, she struggles with peer pressure and guilt, her sister marries, her father marries, she dates a guy I hate more every time I read the book, and she writes stories. There's a bit of Shakespeare, Sara Teasdale, and Edna St. Vincent Millay thrown in.
This book is set probably around the 1960s. In addition, the situation Julie finds herself in isn't normal. But when reading, I didn't care; I understood what and why she felt what she felt and that's all that really matters. The decisions she makes are always decisions I could see myself making, even if I disagree with the choice.
Look; this is just a good coming-of-age novel. It's short and sweet and entertaining. Read it.
Criticisms: I guess the only problem would be the tendency to go off on little tangents. They always have a lot more to do with the story than White's did, though. Also, I love this book. Read it yourself and find your own criticisms. I got nothin'.
Rating: Great.
Read again? Duh.
You read? If you're a girl. I hate saying that, but I guess I don't read enough guy books. Sorry.
Age? Teen+
I always forget how much I love this book but it's a really good book.
It makes me laugh, it makes me cry, it makes me annoyed and frustrated, and it lets me empathize with not just the sad a character feels but with the fight to do what they know is right verses what they want. Hunt did a good job, in my opinion--and my mother's, for that matter--of catching all the reader's emotions and relating them to things that everyone is going to experience.
I already talked about Up a Road Slowly but I hadn't recently read the book at that point. When I read it yesterday, I realized that I had forgotten about a lot of the reasons I keep reading this book so I decided to write about it again anyway.
This book is about a girl named Julie as she grows from age 7 to 17. In this time, her mother dies, she goes to live with a very proper maiden aunt, deals with her ridiculous liar of an uncle, she struggles with peer pressure and guilt, her sister marries, her father marries, she dates a guy I hate more every time I read the book, and she writes stories. There's a bit of Shakespeare, Sara Teasdale, and Edna St. Vincent Millay thrown in.
This book is set probably around the 1960s. In addition, the situation Julie finds herself in isn't normal. But when reading, I didn't care; I understood what and why she felt what she felt and that's all that really matters. The decisions she makes are always decisions I could see myself making, even if I disagree with the choice.
Look; this is just a good coming-of-age novel. It's short and sweet and entertaining. Read it.
Criticisms: I guess the only problem would be the tendency to go off on little tangents. They always have a lot more to do with the story than White's did, though. Also, I love this book. Read it yourself and find your own criticisms. I got nothin'.
Rating: Great.
Read again? Duh.
You read? If you're a girl. I hate saying that, but I guess I don't read enough guy books. Sorry.
Age? Teen+
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Hey, you!
Way to read my blog. Now vote on the survey. So far only my roommate and my mom have taken it. I need more diversity. Thank you and have a nice day!
Now go read a book.
Now go read a book.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupéry
This was a very... sweet book. I suppose I mean the prince was sweet. It is not a normal book... Basically it's the story of a little prince from a tiny planet and what happens when he leaves to go exploring. It's sort of like what you might think of as a bedtime story but it's longer. It's hard to explain. I would say it's written very simply but it is thought provoking, I suppose. There were some interesting opinions and ideas. Read it yourself and you'll see. It's not that long... You have time.
Rating: good.
Read again? Some day.
You read? Yes.
Age level: This is a good book for anyone, I'd say.
Where did I get this book? It was on the list of books I published months ago. MW had borrowed it from JM and let me read it as well.
Rating: good.
Read again? Some day.
You read? Yes.
Age level: This is a good book for anyone, I'd say.
Where did I get this book? It was on the list of books I published months ago. MW had borrowed it from JM and let me read it as well.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
I'm curious
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2013844418_twainchange05.html?syndication=rss
http://www.newschannel9.com/articles/word-997514-gribben-finn.html
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/256555/don-t-rewrite-mark-twain-rich-lowry
Take the survey to the right. Or comment.
http://www.newschannel9.com/articles/word-997514-gribben-finn.html
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/256555/don-t-rewrite-mark-twain-rich-lowry
Take the survey to the right. Or comment.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
The Necromancer by Michael Scott
To start off, this is the fourth in a series about Nicholas Flamel and is preceded by The Alchemist, The Magician, and The Sorceress. The next book is going to be The Warlock. Just to get this out there, I do not approve of authors who put the first chapter of their next unpublished book at the end of the previous one. It drives me crazy. You'd think I'd've learned by now not to read them, but I suppose the law of inertia applies to reading, too. (I just used a really lame science reference in a blog about books. Wow. Sad.)
The characters in these books are all good and bad and therefore more realistic and less annoying then characters of other books I've read. My favorite character right now is on the wrong side, which is unfortunate...but at least there's a character I like, I suppose. Scott made me want to know what was going to happen and his descriptions are always vivid. The characters travel all over the world and see all sorts of cool places which is interesting. His books have taught me some interesting mythological "facts".
Criticisms: These books are pretty decent. Obviously, they've kept me interested enough to keep reading but on the other hand, I haven't bothered to reread any of the previous ones. This could be caused by a number of things: 1. These books call from mythological stories and legends from all over the world and I don't know much about the originals. 2. As the books have gone on, Scott has added far too many characters. He has to go through five or six chapters to cover what's happening to all of them. By the end of these chapters I don't care what's happening to the first character anymore; I just want to know what's happening to the characters in the last two chapters I read. 3. I have several times yelled at the characters for being idiots. Half of them have the same stubborn, I'm right, distrusting personality and the other half have a greater good, stubborn, I'm right personality. 4. There is a lot of drama. 5. I just read the reviews on goodreads.com and everyone was being really whiny.
Rating: Good. Not as good as the first three, but whatever.
Read again? I'll decide after he finishes the series.
You read? I'll give this a maybe. It's not a must read, but it's pretty good.
Age? Teen +
Where did I get this book? I've been borrowing every book in this series from CR.
The characters in these books are all good and bad and therefore more realistic and less annoying then characters of other books I've read. My favorite character right now is on the wrong side, which is unfortunate...but at least there's a character I like, I suppose. Scott made me want to know what was going to happen and his descriptions are always vivid. The characters travel all over the world and see all sorts of cool places which is interesting. His books have taught me some interesting mythological "facts".
Criticisms: These books are pretty decent. Obviously, they've kept me interested enough to keep reading but on the other hand, I haven't bothered to reread any of the previous ones. This could be caused by a number of things: 1. These books call from mythological stories and legends from all over the world and I don't know much about the originals. 2. As the books have gone on, Scott has added far too many characters. He has to go through five or six chapters to cover what's happening to all of them. By the end of these chapters I don't care what's happening to the first character anymore; I just want to know what's happening to the characters in the last two chapters I read. 3. I have several times yelled at the characters for being idiots. Half of them have the same stubborn, I'm right, distrusting personality and the other half have a greater good, stubborn, I'm right personality. 4. There is a lot of drama. 5. I just read the reviews on goodreads.com and everyone was being really whiny.
Rating: Good. Not as good as the first three, but whatever.
Read again? I'll decide after he finishes the series.
You read? I'll give this a maybe. It's not a must read, but it's pretty good.
Age? Teen +
Where did I get this book? I've been borrowing every book in this series from CR.
Interesting
My mom sent this article to me and, as it talks about some books I've mentioned, I decided to post an excerpt. If it interests you, this is the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/08/books/review/Paul-t.html
Kids’ Books Are All Right
By PAMELA PAUL
While au fait literary types around town await the buzzed-about new novels from Jonathan Franzen and Nicole Krauss, other former English majors have spent the summer trying to get hold of “Mockingjay,” the third book in Suzanne Collins’s dystopian trilogy, so intensely under wraps that not even reviewers have been allowed a glimpse before its airtight Aug. 24 release. What fate will befall our heroine, Katniss Everdeen? My fellow book club members and I are desperate to know. When will the Capitol fall? And how can Collins possibly top the first two installments, “The Hunger Games” and “Catching Fire”?
Oh, did I mention? “Mockingjay” is for teenagers. I am well into my 30s.
But I am not embarrassed by my, shall we say, immature taste in literature....
“A lot of adult literature is all art and no heart,” Foreman, who is currently working on a book about British involvement in the American Civil War, said. “But good Y.A. is like good television. There’s a freshness there; it’s engaging. Y.A. authors aren’t writing about middle-aged anomie or disappointed people.”
...
“We take these books seriously,” said Grossman, whose latest novel, “The Magicians,” has been described as an R-rated Harry Potter. His group recently devoted two sessions — “among the most contentious and shouty we’ve had” — to “The Hunger Games.” Is Katniss a feminist hero? Is she a tool of the state? Is this a conventional romance or a subversion of the genre? “Everybody had an opinion,” Grossman added.
...Y.A. may also pierce the jadedness and cynicism of our adult selves. “When you talk to people about the books that have meant a lot to them, it’s usually books they read when they were younger because the books have this wonder in everyday things that isn’t bogged down by excessively grown-up concerns or the need to be subtle or coy,” explained Jesse Sheidlower, an editor at large at the Oxford English Dictionary and member of Kidlit. “When you read these books as an adult, it tends to bring back the sense of newness and discovery that I tend not to get from adult fiction.”
“There’s an immediacy in the prose,” said Darcey Steinke, a novelist who says she reads about one Y.A. book a month (recent favorites: “Elsewhere,” by Gabrielle Zevin — “better than ‘The Lovely Bones’ — and anything by Francesca Lia Block of “Weetzie Bat” fame). “I like the way adolescent emotions are rawer, less canned.”
...
Fortunately, it’s a you who need not be embarrassed about still reading kids’ books.
Pamela Paul’s most recent book is “Parenting, Inc.” She writes the Studied column for the Sunday Styles section of The Times.
Kids’ Books Are All Right
By PAMELA PAUL
While au fait literary types around town await the buzzed-about new novels from Jonathan Franzen and Nicole Krauss, other former English majors have spent the summer trying to get hold of “Mockingjay,” the third book in Suzanne Collins’s dystopian trilogy, so intensely under wraps that not even reviewers have been allowed a glimpse before its airtight Aug. 24 release. What fate will befall our heroine, Katniss Everdeen? My fellow book club members and I are desperate to know. When will the Capitol fall? And how can Collins possibly top the first two installments, “The Hunger Games” and “Catching Fire”?
Oh, did I mention? “Mockingjay” is for teenagers. I am well into my 30s.
But I am not embarrassed by my, shall we say, immature taste in literature....
“A lot of adult literature is all art and no heart,” Foreman, who is currently working on a book about British involvement in the American Civil War, said. “But good Y.A. is like good television. There’s a freshness there; it’s engaging. Y.A. authors aren’t writing about middle-aged anomie or disappointed people.”
...
“We take these books seriously,” said Grossman, whose latest novel, “The Magicians,” has been described as an R-rated Harry Potter. His group recently devoted two sessions — “among the most contentious and shouty we’ve had” — to “The Hunger Games.” Is Katniss a feminist hero? Is she a tool of the state? Is this a conventional romance or a subversion of the genre? “Everybody had an opinion,” Grossman added.
...Y.A. may also pierce the jadedness and cynicism of our adult selves. “When you talk to people about the books that have meant a lot to them, it’s usually books they read when they were younger because the books have this wonder in everyday things that isn’t bogged down by excessively grown-up concerns or the need to be subtle or coy,” explained Jesse Sheidlower, an editor at large at the Oxford English Dictionary and member of Kidlit. “When you read these books as an adult, it tends to bring back the sense of newness and discovery that I tend not to get from adult fiction.”
“There’s an immediacy in the prose,” said Darcey Steinke, a novelist who says she reads about one Y.A. book a month (recent favorites: “Elsewhere,” by Gabrielle Zevin — “better than ‘The Lovely Bones’ — and anything by Francesca Lia Block of “Weetzie Bat” fame). “I like the way adolescent emotions are rawer, less canned.”
...
Fortunately, it’s a you who need not be embarrassed about still reading kids’ books.
Pamela Paul’s most recent book is “Parenting, Inc.” She writes the Studied column for the Sunday Styles section of The Times.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Franny and Zooey by J.D.Salinger
The person who gave me this book didn't like it. Thank you, JH. Thank you very much lol.
This book made no sense to me... Or did it? I have no idea if what I got out of it was what the author wanted me to think at all. I didn't understand the ending. I didn't understand the beginning, actually. The middle was a muddle. What I mean is, it wasn't very clear what Franny was upset about. Or maybe it was and... I don't even really want to think about this that much.
Alright, I think the point of this book was that you should do what your good at and do your best at it not for the audience but for the individual who sees it? No? I did not get this book. It was New Age apparently and that has never made much sense to me.
Rating: Ok. I read the whole thing, afterall. And it didn't frustrate me; I just didn't understand it.
Read again? No.
You read? this or one of this others, I suppose.
Age level: I have no idea. Young adult?
I am reading The Necromancer which I will probably write about. Then I plan to go back to reading Arthurian stuff. (I really hope Arthurian is a word; I've been using it like crazy.) This is because I read some more in a collection of children's tales and I'm getting more and more curious. Have a nice life.
This book made no sense to me... Or did it? I have no idea if what I got out of it was what the author wanted me to think at all. I didn't understand the ending. I didn't understand the beginning, actually. The middle was a muddle. What I mean is, it wasn't very clear what Franny was upset about. Or maybe it was and... I don't even really want to think about this that much.
Alright, I think the point of this book was that you should do what your good at and do your best at it not for the audience but for the individual who sees it? No? I did not get this book. It was New Age apparently and that has never made much sense to me.
Rating: Ok. I read the whole thing, afterall. And it didn't frustrate me; I just didn't understand it.
Read again? No.
You read? this or one of this others, I suppose.
Age level: I have no idea. Young adult?
I am reading The Necromancer which I will probably write about. Then I plan to go back to reading Arthurian stuff. (I really hope Arthurian is a word; I've been using it like crazy.) This is because I read some more in a collection of children's tales and I'm getting more and more curious. Have a nice life.
Monday, January 10, 2011
The Once and Future King by T.H. White
Alright, this book is 600+ pages and took me around two weeks to read; I am the girl who read the 7th Harry Potter book twice in two days. What this means--to me at least-- is that this book is much heavier reading than the Harry Potter series. On the other hand, this is a good book and it made me laugh; I wasn't bored with the story of his style, either. End of comparison.
While White went on some tangents that I might not necessarily have always followed, this book was for the most part a straightforward story of Arthur from relative beginning to almost end. His tangents either went on about history, animals, about people and why they act how they do, or about how the current piece of the story relates to today. Half the reason this book is so long is all the information White gives you so that you can appreciate who Arthur is, and later on who Guenever, Lancelot, and the Orkney brothers are.
One thing I found interesting was comparing this book to the other similar books I've read. The story of Beaumains, for example, was basically opposite between this book and Morris' book. Morris liked Kai and thought Gareth was an idiot. White gave a much better reason for Gareth being where he was and portrayed Kay as a bit of a bully. I suppose some people might say this means I should pick one to like but I actually enjoyed seeing both views.
Another reason this book was long and heavier reading was that White seemed to really try to make the characters like real people instead of romanticized and two dimensional. This is not to say that anyone in this book acts like anyone I have ever met but I believe that White gave a lot more thought into the motivation of these characters then some other authors I have come across.
Criticisms: This is not a book you pick up in your free time and just start reading. Wait until you know you are going to have a lot of time. Also, I mentioned earlier that White goes on tangents, which aren't necessarily directly involved with the story. He went on a bit about architecture and all the different names of castles as well as some other things I don't currently remember and I'm pretty sure that non history people won't appreciate that. Lastly, it seemed to me that White assumes the reader has read Le Morte D'Arthur which I haven't. I don't even know if that book is available in English. I will find out. That's about it for now.
Rating: Great.
Read again? I would like to but I'm not sure.
You read? Yes.
Age level: I'm going to say young adult, just because it takes a bit of endurance.
Pages: 639 (New Section!!! What a surprise!!)
Note: I am going to try to keep up the Arthurian theme and find some other books on Round Table Knights and Quests, but there will be another book in between as it has been about 6 months since I borrowed it from JH. Also, I was going to make a big deal about my 25th book but I forgot. This is my 26th book reviewed, which is my favorite number but I doubt you care about that. I am off to Art Class.
While White went on some tangents that I might not necessarily have always followed, this book was for the most part a straightforward story of Arthur from relative beginning to almost end. His tangents either went on about history, animals, about people and why they act how they do, or about how the current piece of the story relates to today. Half the reason this book is so long is all the information White gives you so that you can appreciate who Arthur is, and later on who Guenever, Lancelot, and the Orkney brothers are.
One thing I found interesting was comparing this book to the other similar books I've read. The story of Beaumains, for example, was basically opposite between this book and Morris' book. Morris liked Kai and thought Gareth was an idiot. White gave a much better reason for Gareth being where he was and portrayed Kay as a bit of a bully. I suppose some people might say this means I should pick one to like but I actually enjoyed seeing both views.
Another reason this book was long and heavier reading was that White seemed to really try to make the characters like real people instead of romanticized and two dimensional. This is not to say that anyone in this book acts like anyone I have ever met but I believe that White gave a lot more thought into the motivation of these characters then some other authors I have come across.
Criticisms: This is not a book you pick up in your free time and just start reading. Wait until you know you are going to have a lot of time. Also, I mentioned earlier that White goes on tangents, which aren't necessarily directly involved with the story. He went on a bit about architecture and all the different names of castles as well as some other things I don't currently remember and I'm pretty sure that non history people won't appreciate that. Lastly, it seemed to me that White assumes the reader has read Le Morte D'Arthur which I haven't. I don't even know if that book is available in English. I will find out. That's about it for now.
Rating: Great.
Read again? I would like to but I'm not sure.
You read? Yes.
Age level: I'm going to say young adult, just because it takes a bit of endurance.
Pages: 639 (New Section!!! What a surprise!!)
Note: I am going to try to keep up the Arthurian theme and find some other books on Round Table Knights and Quests, but there will be another book in between as it has been about 6 months since I borrowed it from JH. Also, I was going to make a big deal about my 25th book but I forgot. This is my 26th book reviewed, which is my favorite number but I doubt you care about that. I am off to Art Class.
Monday, January 03, 2011
The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf by Gerald Morris
I am only about half way through The Once and Future King and I am still reading it. Since it is really heavy reading and I unadvisedly got some books from the library that I can't bring back to school with me I decided to take a break and read another Arthurian tale. I'm planning to read TOAFK on my way back to school, honestly.
Gerald Morris is one of my favorite authors who I always forget to list as one of my favorite authors. His version of Morgan Le Fay is the one I like best; she's more balanced and realistic as far as good and evil go. It's also the version of Lancelot I like best, as well. On the other hand, I haven't like his version of Mordred as much as Vivian Vande Velde's. But anyway, Morris writes based on the well known stories about Arthur but he has yet to make Arthur a really central character. He likes to pick out minor characters and give their view on stories such as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight which is drawn out in the Squire, his Knight, and his Lady. But anyway, this book.
This was the first book by him that I read and it still makes me laugh out loud. That is just impressive. The love story bit I can't really talk about as it gives too much away. Basically the story is about the sixteen year old Lynet and her long journey to find a knight to rescue her sister from another knight. In the end she is helped by a dwarf and the very directionally challenged, disguised as a kitchen boy Sir Gareth. It's very amusing. I don't really have any complaints about this one. On the other hand, I have yet to convince anyone to read Morris' books.
Rating: Great.
Read again? this was my fourth or fifth time.
You read? Definitely.
Age: Teen to young adult.
Gerald Morris is one of my favorite authors who I always forget to list as one of my favorite authors. His version of Morgan Le Fay is the one I like best; she's more balanced and realistic as far as good and evil go. It's also the version of Lancelot I like best, as well. On the other hand, I haven't like his version of Mordred as much as Vivian Vande Velde's. But anyway, Morris writes based on the well known stories about Arthur but he has yet to make Arthur a really central character. He likes to pick out minor characters and give their view on stories such as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight which is drawn out in the Squire, his Knight, and his Lady. But anyway, this book.
This was the first book by him that I read and it still makes me laugh out loud. That is just impressive. The love story bit I can't really talk about as it gives too much away. Basically the story is about the sixteen year old Lynet and her long journey to find a knight to rescue her sister from another knight. In the end she is helped by a dwarf and the very directionally challenged, disguised as a kitchen boy Sir Gareth. It's very amusing. I don't really have any complaints about this one. On the other hand, I have yet to convince anyone to read Morris' books.
Rating: Great.
Read again? this was my fourth or fifth time.
You read? Definitely.
Age: Teen to young adult.
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