Thursday, January 26, 2012
Book 4: The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
Someone told me to read this book before I see Midnight in Paris, so I picked up the audio version to "read" on my way to and from work. This book is the fascinating story of the first wife of Ernest Hemingway and their life together in Paris. It is fascinating to hear the stories of Gertrude Stein and F. Scott Fitzgerald and how they were all in the same social circles, even before they made names for themselves. The book is very well-written: towards the end, there were characters/people that I absolutely hated. I mean, I couldn't stand them and if they were still living today, I would be tempted to send hate mail. So it must be a good book, right? I recommend it. I haven't seen Midnight in Paris yet...maybe this weekend...
Book 3: The Death Cure by James Dashner
Well, I breezed through the last book of this trilogy. I would recommend it! There are comparisons to be made between this book and the Hunger Games, but right now, I'm feeling like I liked this trilogy better. The last book of the Hunger Games was just a bit of a let-down. Has anyone else read both? What did you think?
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Book 2: The Scorch Trials by James Dashner
This is the second book in a YA trilogy. I read the first book in 2011, so I'm not counting it here, but I'll kind of give a summary anyway...
This book takes place after a natural disaster, but our main characters don't know that...yet. All Thomas knows is that he woke up in an elevator with no memories of anything that happened to him before. He arrives on a sort of compound populated with adolescent boys who are sustaining themselves with farming and the sort while a select group, called Maze Runners (the first book is called The Maze Runner) are trying to escape from the maze. Eventually they realize that they are being tested to see who will survive the Maze and the Glade.
The second book is the second trial testing the survival skills of the "Gladers" as they are called.
I really like these books. I finished the second book in about 4-6 hours and just started the third book today. If you thought Hunger Games was a little too romantic or you wish the main character had been a dude, this is the series for you. I am loving it!
This book takes place after a natural disaster, but our main characters don't know that...yet. All Thomas knows is that he woke up in an elevator with no memories of anything that happened to him before. He arrives on a sort of compound populated with adolescent boys who are sustaining themselves with farming and the sort while a select group, called Maze Runners (the first book is called The Maze Runner) are trying to escape from the maze. Eventually they realize that they are being tested to see who will survive the Maze and the Glade.
The second book is the second trial testing the survival skills of the "Gladers" as they are called.
I really like these books. I finished the second book in about 4-6 hours and just started the third book today. If you thought Hunger Games was a little too romantic or you wish the main character had been a dude, this is the series for you. I am loving it!
Book 1: Columbine by David Cullen
Oh my goodness, everyone who "remembers" Columbine needs to read this book. This is a work of non-fiction written by one of the first journalists to cover the story. I found out that much of what was reported directly after the shooting was hearsay and the detectives and police department did not release much information at all. Over the past ten years, the survivors and the families of the victims have worked hard to get the reports released. David read every piece of information available, double-checked the facts with eye-witness reports and interviews, and created this work detailing everything that happened before, during and after the shooting.
I was AMAZED at how much of what I thought I knew was absolutely not true. For example, the two shooters were never bullied in school, were not outcasts, and were not a part of the "Trenchcoat Mafia". There is so much more too. I recommend this book!
I was AMAZED at how much of what I thought I knew was absolutely not true. For example, the two shooters were never bullied in school, were not outcasts, and were not a part of the "Trenchcoat Mafia". There is so much more too. I recommend this book!
A break in the action
Well, I took a grad-level French literature class last semester, which took all of my extra time...no time to read other stuff. Here is what I read in class, in case any of you are interested in French contemporary literature.
Enfant de sable by Ben Tahar Jelloun: This is the story of an Arabic family with all girls. The father is so ashamed that he decides that the next child will be raised as a boy, no matter what. This is the story of that child, born female but raised male.
Le premier siecle apres Beatrice by Maalouf: This is the story of a world where it becomes possible to choose male or female children. The results are devastating to the globe as nature is messed with.
Le Ventre de l'Atlantique by Diome: This is the story of an African girl living in France and her struggle with identity. It is also the story of her brother, still in Africa, who wants to play soccer in France more than anything in the world.
Diego by Redonnet: This is the story of an ex-political prisoner who flees to France upon his release from jail. The book talks about how les clandestins are treated in France and the "underworld" of these illegals.
L'Adversaire by Carrere: This is a true story of a man who truly lived a lie. He "attended" medical school alongside his friends, got a job with the World Health Organization, and had many famous friends. In reality, he had no degree and no job. He supported his family by taking others' savings and "depositing" them in a Swiss bank where they would grow more quickly and wouldn't be subject to taxes. Eventually, others start to question him about his life and he kills his family and tries to kill himself. VERY disturbing story.
Whew! That explains my last semester. I can't decide if I'll try to remember any English books that might have come in that time, or if I will just start anew with 2012.
Enfant de sable by Ben Tahar Jelloun: This is the story of an Arabic family with all girls. The father is so ashamed that he decides that the next child will be raised as a boy, no matter what. This is the story of that child, born female but raised male.
Le premier siecle apres Beatrice by Maalouf: This is the story of a world where it becomes possible to choose male or female children. The results are devastating to the globe as nature is messed with.
Le Ventre de l'Atlantique by Diome: This is the story of an African girl living in France and her struggle with identity. It is also the story of her brother, still in Africa, who wants to play soccer in France more than anything in the world.
Diego by Redonnet: This is the story of an ex-political prisoner who flees to France upon his release from jail. The book talks about how les clandestins are treated in France and the "underworld" of these illegals.
L'Adversaire by Carrere: This is a true story of a man who truly lived a lie. He "attended" medical school alongside his friends, got a job with the World Health Organization, and had many famous friends. In reality, he had no degree and no job. He supported his family by taking others' savings and "depositing" them in a Swiss bank where they would grow more quickly and wouldn't be subject to taxes. Eventually, others start to question him about his life and he kills his family and tries to kill himself. VERY disturbing story.
Whew! That explains my last semester. I can't decide if I'll try to remember any English books that might have come in that time, or if I will just start anew with 2012.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Book 32-13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
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.
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.
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!
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