This book kept popping up on lists of books to read this year. Man, am I glad I read it. It is truly the story of a circus that only opens at night. The premise is that there is real magic going on in the circus and the performers are tasked with making it seem non-magical to protect their secret. There is also a challenge/battle between two illusionists on the stage of the circus. Sounds pretty complicated. Maybe I'm not the best summarizer (I probably would have failed that section of the state standardized tests nowadays).
I have to say, I finished this book two or three days ago and I am still wanting more! I wish there was more story to read and that the book wasn't over. After the humdrum books I've been reading lately, it feels so good to be left wanting more instead of semi-relieved to be done with a book. I would recommend this book, for sure!
Monday, June 25, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Book 16-I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb
Another huge book! A little over 900 pages, but well worth the journey. This is the story of twin brothers told through the eyes of the "lucky" brother. The other twin has schizophrenia and the book is almost like a transcript of his counseling sessions with his shrink. He explores his past, his grandfather's past, his feelings, and his misconceptions of life throughout the book.
I've also read the author's other books, She's Come Undone and The Hour I First Believed. I don't remember liking She's Come Undone too much, but The Hour I First Believed was a good Columbine story told from the point of view of two adults who worked in the school.
If you've got some time, I think there is a good message in this book: that of forgiveness. And can't we all use a little reminder of how important that is?
I've also read the author's other books, She's Come Undone and The Hour I First Believed. I don't remember liking She's Come Undone too much, but The Hour I First Believed was a good Columbine story told from the point of view of two adults who worked in the school.
If you've got some time, I think there is a good message in this book: that of forgiveness. And can't we all use a little reminder of how important that is?
Book 15-Fear by Michael Grant
This is the 5th book in the Gone series and is a great continuation of the story. There will be one more book to finish out the series, which I'm very glad for since I'm not sure how many characters they can kill off and still have people to continue the plots. Since this is a series and you have to read the other books to follow the story, I will not offer a summary. But I would recommend the series!
Book 14-Under the Dome by Stephen King
I listened to this 30 disc book the last month of school and I really loved it. It was very similar to the YA Gone series that I've read, but at warp speed. In this book, an invisible barrier suddenly separates a small town from the rest of the United States. Within a day, there is an evil bully pulling strings to manipulate the townspeople for his own gain. Within two days, the town starts to get warmer, despite it being fall in Maine. It is fascinating to "watch" the degenerization of humanity as they feel trapped and panicked.
I really do love a good Stephen King novel!
I really do love a good Stephen King novel!
Book 13-1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
I got this book because it kept popping up in magazines, newspapers and online. At over 900 pages, this monstrosity was a disappointment. People kept asking me if I liked it and what it was about while I was readig it and I didn't really have an answer for them. Finally, I realized that this is an anime book. If you like anime and the weird "little people" and "spirits" that abound in anime books and movies, then you will like this book. I was not a big fan.
The basic premise of the book (if I can even summarize it...) is that there are two realities or two dimensions to the world. In our normal world, things putter along peacefully. However, the female lead is led down a path to the alternate world where two moons light the night sky and little people work to try and...well, I'm not sure I know what their purpose is. The male lead is drawn into this alternate reality by ghost-writing a novel for a girl who has intimate knowledge of the little people and her story is the truth of the little people concealed as fiction. Oh, and the male and female lead were in 2nd grade together and have been secretly saving themselves for each other. The story is much more complicated than this short paragrah, but if you are interested, then you have to take the long, long, long journey that I did.
The basic premise of the book (if I can even summarize it...) is that there are two realities or two dimensions to the world. In our normal world, things putter along peacefully. However, the female lead is led down a path to the alternate world where two moons light the night sky and little people work to try and...well, I'm not sure I know what their purpose is. The male lead is drawn into this alternate reality by ghost-writing a novel for a girl who has intimate knowledge of the little people and her story is the truth of the little people concealed as fiction. Oh, and the male and female lead were in 2nd grade together and have been secretly saving themselves for each other. The story is much more complicated than this short paragrah, but if you are interested, then you have to take the long, long, long journey that I did.
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