After the heaviness of Poisonwood, I ripped through this book in a day. This is another YA.
In this book, a high school boy receives a mysterious package of 7 cassette tapes (what are those?). When he pops in the first tape, he hears the voice of a girl he once kissed as she explains why she killed herself.
I go back and forth on whether or not I like this book. I think it's probably good that kids are reading it, because it does a good job of showing how little things can make a big impact on teens. But, it irritated me at times that this girl who committed suicide is so torn apart by little tiny things and blames a lot of people for her decision to kill herself. Can you really blame someone who says you have the nicest ass of the Freshman class? I mean, how terrible is that, really?
It was a very quick read and pretty interesting. I guess if you've got a day and an interest, I would read this.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Book 31-The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
This book will go on my list of best books of all time. Normally, I take some time with books before reviewing because I need to marinate on them for a while before I make my recommendation. Not with this one! I finished it at 11:00 at night and immediately knew that it had been an amazing ride. With soooooo much to think about and ponder and WOW!
This is the story of a family of missionaries in Africa (Congo, to be exact) told in different voices. We hear from the mom and try to decide if she is a strong character or a big weenie. We hear from Rachel, the oldest daughter who is more obsessed with her mirror and her hair than in finding food to eat in the Congo. We hear from Leah, the "whole" twin who learns many lessons from living a rough life alongside the Africans. We hear from Adah, the "half" twin who was born with only half her brain working and refuses to talk, although she is the only one in her family who has learned French, the language of business in their area. And finally, we hear from the baby, Ruth Mae. The author does an amazing job of giving us 5 very distinct voices to read and experience the story through.
I loved this book. Loved loved loved this book. Read it!
This is the story of a family of missionaries in Africa (Congo, to be exact) told in different voices. We hear from the mom and try to decide if she is a strong character or a big weenie. We hear from Rachel, the oldest daughter who is more obsessed with her mirror and her hair than in finding food to eat in the Congo. We hear from Leah, the "whole" twin who learns many lessons from living a rough life alongside the Africans. We hear from Adah, the "half" twin who was born with only half her brain working and refuses to talk, although she is the only one in her family who has learned French, the language of business in their area. And finally, we hear from the baby, Ruth Mae. The author does an amazing job of giving us 5 very distinct voices to read and experience the story through.
I loved this book. Loved loved loved this book. Read it!
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Book 30-Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
I really liked this book because it took me to another time and place: China in the days of footbinding. This book gave me a great understanding of women's places in this time period, the geography of life, and so much more.
This is the story of Lily, from around age 6 to her death, and her relationship with her "old same." An "old same" is, as far as I understand it, another girl from another town who is contracted to be a lifelong best friend. This is also the story of women in China, from their secret language to their losses and the ancient stories and songs that get passed down through generations.
I found a lot of similarities between this book and Memoirs of a Geisha...it's a fascinating look into a culture and time period that I was completely ignorant of. The footbinding story was unbelievable to me and I had to look up pictures online before I could really picture what Lily and her friends were going through. Yikes!
This is the story of Lily, from around age 6 to her death, and her relationship with her "old same." An "old same" is, as far as I understand it, another girl from another town who is contracted to be a lifelong best friend. This is also the story of women in China, from their secret language to their losses and the ancient stories and songs that get passed down through generations.
I found a lot of similarities between this book and Memoirs of a Geisha...it's a fascinating look into a culture and time period that I was completely ignorant of. The footbinding story was unbelievable to me and I had to look up pictures online before I could really picture what Lily and her friends were going through. Yikes!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Borders book store closing
I am so sad that Borders is closing...I love bookstores and could spend days in them. And now the closest bookstore to me is closing. Where am I going to go to browse books?? I understand that most people buy online, but there is just something about feeling the books in my hands...
Book 29-Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross
This is the story of a girl who disguised herself as a boy in order to receive a decent education in a time where women were there for baby-making and man-taking-care-of. As she continues her education, she moves up the heirarchy of the Catholic church until she is eventually elected Pope.
I really enjoyed the history behind these tales and will admit that the storyline is very captivating. But...the storyline seemed pretty dang contrived. Everything happened so wonderfully by chance. Pretty far-fetched, if you ask me.
I would recommend this to someone interested in Catholic history (although this particular chapter either doesn't exist or was erased) or historical fiction.
I really enjoyed the history behind these tales and will admit that the storyline is very captivating. But...the storyline seemed pretty dang contrived. Everything happened so wonderfully by chance. Pretty far-fetched, if you ask me.
I would recommend this to someone interested in Catholic history (although this particular chapter either doesn't exist or was erased) or historical fiction.
Book 28-Prague by Arthur Phillips
I read this book on advice from my sister Emily. I don't know if I thought it was quite a great as she did, but it was worth the read.
This is the story of several ex-pats living in Budapest in a time when everything is happening in Prague. There is always this underlying idea that they are not living the best life they could be living because they are in Budapest and not Prague. The usual stuff happens: they get jobs, lose jobs, find girls, and get denied by girls. Usual plotlines for a book, but it all happens in a foreign country!
At the end of this book, there were only one or two characters that I didn't absolutely hate. In the quest for fame and fortune, some of the characters did some pretty crappy things. I'm having a hard time talking about this book without giving away too much of the plot. There is a lot there and it would be a great book club book.
This is the story of several ex-pats living in Budapest in a time when everything is happening in Prague. There is always this underlying idea that they are not living the best life they could be living because they are in Budapest and not Prague. The usual stuff happens: they get jobs, lose jobs, find girls, and get denied by girls. Usual plotlines for a book, but it all happens in a foreign country!
At the end of this book, there were only one or two characters that I didn't absolutely hate. In the quest for fame and fortune, some of the characters did some pretty crappy things. I'm having a hard time talking about this book without giving away too much of the plot. There is a lot there and it would be a great book club book.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Book 27-Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Another YA! This one is nominated for the 2011-2012 Gateway Award. This is the love story of Grace and Sam. For Grace, it was love at first sight when she saw Sam for the first time...as a wolf in her backyard. Strange? Okay. But after all of the funky things that have been written for YA lately, I can buy it. When Grace sees Sam as a boy, the love is magnified...but then she realizes that Sam is running out of time to be a boy!
There, that's my summary. I liked this book, I guess. It was a page-turner, which is what I needed after trying to read some heavier stuff this summer while my kids run around and ask questions and watch iCarly. I need something a little easier. This is certainly easy. As a YA reader, I was glad that there wasn't a love triangle in this book. Those get sooooo tiresome. Yes, the heroine is so beautiful (but she never realizes it, of course) that she has multiple men who would lay down their lives for her. Yawn. Not in this book. The main characters only have eyes for each other. However, the absentee/oblivious parents were present. That's kind of a bummer...
I would pick this book up if you need something for a car ride or the beach (if you are so lucky)...
There, that's my summary. I liked this book, I guess. It was a page-turner, which is what I needed after trying to read some heavier stuff this summer while my kids run around and ask questions and watch iCarly. I need something a little easier. This is certainly easy. As a YA reader, I was glad that there wasn't a love triangle in this book. Those get sooooo tiresome. Yes, the heroine is so beautiful (but she never realizes it, of course) that she has multiple men who would lay down their lives for her. Yawn. Not in this book. The main characters only have eyes for each other. However, the absentee/oblivious parents were present. That's kind of a bummer...
I would pick this book up if you need something for a car ride or the beach (if you are so lucky)...
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