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. :)
Friday, February 25, 2011
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!!!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)