Book Blog #177: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Title: The Great Gatsby
Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald
# of Pages: 192 (paperback)
Genre: Classic, Fiction, Romance
Rating: ★★★★★
Synopsis: The story of the fabulously wealthy Jay Gatsby and his love for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan, of lavish parties on Long Island at a time when The New York Times noted “gin was the national drink and sex the national obsession,” it is an exquisitely crafted tale of America in the 1920s.
Review: This is one of the best books I read this year.

Back in 2013, I had tried to read The Great Gatsby so I could stay true on my (loose) "read it before you watch it" policy. However, I had difficulty comprehending the first page, and not long after my first attempt did the book find its way onto my "to-be-read" shelf, not to be picked up again for over two years.

Although I never got to see it in theaters, I recently found myself being forced to watch the 2013 version of The Great Gatsby before I could even make a second jab at reading the book. After watching an hour of the movie and being captivated by the story (which was nothing like I originally expected), I eagerly began reading Fitzgerald's book, determined to finish it before I went back to finish the rest of the movie.

Seeing the beginning of the movie really enhanced my reading experience. The movie and the book are very similar, although I feel I would not have enjoyed either one as much without the other. With the visuals provided by the movie, the colorful depictions of The Great Gatsby were considerably less confusing. This helping-hand allowed me to finish the book with ease but in awe.

While many praise it for its discussion of the American Dream, I admired its powerful message of transcendentalism, a topic that I have recently been studying after reading Into the Wild. While I may not agree with everything in transcendentalist philosophy, I could easily connect with the message of materialism and greed that is manifested within The Great Gatsby.

Although it was not one of the happiest books I've read this year, Nick's story of Gatsby is incredibly captivating, and the tragedy that befalls the characters will leave the reader emotionally moved. Highly recommended.

Book Blog #176: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Title: Their Eyes Were Watching God
Author: Zora Neale Hurston
# of Pages: 219 (paperback)
Genre: Fiction, Classic, African American
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Synopsis: Told in the captivating voice of a woman who refuses to live in sorrow, bitterness, fear, or foolish romantic dreams, it is the story of fair-skinned, fiercely independent Janie Crawford, and her evolving selfhood through three marriages and a life marked by poverty, trials, and purpose.
Review: Although it has been a couple of weeks since I finished the book, I will do my best to review it.

There are some really great messages about love, relationships, and nonconformity. Hurston's attention to detail - from the game of checkers to the carefully selected names - was admirable.

However, I was not enthralled by the story line. Most of Janie's life is unimpressive as she is continuously influenced by those around her. While I understand that this is part of her journey to finding her identity, the resolution of her conflict through her third marriage is not a satisfactory ending. Her continuous dependence on men through all of her marriages defeats the sense of feminism that the story was trying to develop.

This book did not meet my expectations and is among the less impressive classics I have read in my life time. While Their Eyes Were Watching God was decent overall, I would not recommend it.

Book Blog #175: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Title: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Author: Mark Twain
# of Pages: 292 (paperback)
Genre: YA, Classics, Historical Fiction
Rating: ★★★★☆
Synopsis: Huckleberry Finn, rebel against school and church, casual inheritor of gold treasure, rafter of the Mississippi, and savior of Jim the runaway slave, is the archetypical American maverick. Fleeing the respectable society that wants to "sivilize" him, Huck Finn shoves off with Jim on a rhapsodic raft journey down the Mississippi River.
Review: Other than To Kill a Mockingbird, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has to be my favorite classic I've read so far.

Huck's narrative is incredibly entertaining (and his few interactions with Tom even more so) making this book an enjoyable read. It started strong, but the ending was somewhat abrupt.

However, the sections including the king and the duke were not as pleasant to read. Their progression from kind and understanding to greedy and corrupt darkened Huck's adventure and the overall lightheartedness of the plot. While there is nothing wrong with having these types of parts in the book, I saw them as the book's weakness. While I understand why Twain wrote the characters' language the way he did, when characters with a similar speech pattern as Jim would speak, it would be difficult to understand and disrupt the flow of reading. I had to go on Sparknotes to read the "modern" text just to avoid spending too much time trying to decipher what was being said (which at times was a hassle; I just want to be able to read the book!).

I highly recommend this book!

Book Blog #174: Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

Title: Into the Wild
Author: Jon Krakauer
# of Pages: 207 (paperback)
Genre: Non-fiction, Biography, Adventure
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆
Synopsis: In April 1992 a young man from a well-to-do family hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt. McKinley. His name was Christopher Johnson McCandless. He had given $25,000 in savings to charity, abandoned his car and most of his possessions, burned all the cash in his wallet, and invented a new life for himself. Four months later, his decomposed body was found by a party of moose hunters. How McCandless came to die is the unforgettable story of Into the Wild.

Immediately after graduating from college in 1991, McCandless had roamed through the West and Southwest on a vision quest like those made by his heroes Jack London and John Muir. In the Mojave Desert he abandoned his car, stripped it of its license plates, and burned all of his cash. He would give himself a new name, Alexander Supertramp, and , unencumbered by money and belongings, he would be free to wallow in the raw, unfiltered experiences that nature presented. Craving a blank spot on the map, McCandless simply threw the maps away. Leaving behind his desperate parents and sister, he vanished into the wild.
Review:

"Eating with gristly meat with our fingers, [Krakauer and his companions] slap at mosquitoes and talk about this peculiar person whom none of them ever met, trying to get a handle on how he came to grief, trying to understand why some people seem to despise him so intensely for having died here." -Krakauer p.180.

Well, writing a book about McCandless isn't helping much either.

I had briefly heard about McCandless before reading Into the Wild and had accidentally watched the ending of the movie a few years ago. I didn't have any passionate feelings toward his story, but I was mildly irked by his stupidity. However, when I heard I had to read a book about McCandless, saying I was disappointed would have been a major understatement. Despite the book's relatively small size, I had no interest in the topic at hand. Before I even started reading, I knew it would be a tedious read.

Before I talk about the content, I would like to discuss the structure; it was all over the place. While it would have been nice if McCandless' fate hadn't been spoiled on the cover of the book (and in the first few chapters, if the reader didn't bother to look at the cover), I understand that the author probably wrote this book with the intention of it being informational instead of an enthralling story for the reader. But Krakauer would skip from the time McCandless was in Alaska, to after his death, to the beginning of the journey, etc. He even threw in some stories in the middle about other people who's situations (and downfalls) were considered to be similar to McCandless'.

And don't even get me started on the story Krakauer told about himself. I know the point of the story was to show why McCandless went out on this crazy adventure (and to show how McCandless wasn't suicidal), but c'mon; it's hard enough to hear about one guy's stupidity. If you want to tell people about your adventure, then write a different book so I don't have to hear about it.

"But the meaning he wrested from existence lay beyond the comfortable path: McCandless distrusted the value of things that came easily. He demanded much of himself - more, in the end, than he could deliver." p.184

Learning about McCandless' story only degraded my view of him; he made up these stupid rules such as how he wouldn't look at a map so that "in his own mind, if nowhere else, the terra would thereby remain incognita" (174). Since he chose to disregard crucial skills/tools to help himself survive, it's his own fault that he ended up dead and doesn't deserve the amount of recognition that he does today. A book AND a movie for this guy? It doesn't make any sense.

Another aspect I found irritating were the statements made by the people who McCandless interacted with on his journey. For example:

 "'[Alex] did a lot of socializing. Sometimes I think it was like he was storing up company for the times when nobody would be around.'" p.44-45

 I don't really care about what these people think now when they're reflecting on McCandless' actions. They're only saying that because they know he spent so much time by himself in Alaska. If they didn't know and just assumed he continued to travel around America, people like Burres would have said he was just social. While the actual statement (and the many like it that were found throughout the book) are not the author's fault, he should have taken the opinionated bits out.

I absolutely do NOT recommend this book.

Book Blog #173: The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp

Title: The Spectacular Now
Author: Tim Tharp
# of Pages: 294 (paperback)
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆
Synopsis: So, my girlfriend, Cassidy, is threatening to kick me to the curb again, my best friend suddenly wants to put the brakes on our lives of fabulous fun, my mom and big sister are plotting a future in which I turn into an atomic vampire, and my dad, well, my dad is a big fat question mark that I’m not sure I want the answer to.

Some people would let a senior year like this get them down. Not me. I’m Sutter Keely, master of the party. But don’t mistake a midnight philosopher like me for nothing more than a shallow party boy. Just ask Aimee, the new girl in my life. She saw the depth in the Sutterman from that first moment when she found me passed out on the front lawn. Okay, so she’s a social disaster, but that’s where I come in.

Yes, life is weird, but I embrace the weird. Let everyone else go marching off into their great shining futures if they want. Me, I’ve always been more than content to tip my whisky bottle and take a ride straight into the heart of the spectacular now.
Review: I didn't even know this book existed until I heard about the movie. I didn't know about the movie until I watched the movies TFIOS and Divergent. I wasn't really interested in watching the movie, but when I saw The Spectacular Now at the book store, I figured that I'd better read it in case I happen to watch it some time in the future.

Going into the book, I didn't really know to much about the plot. By briefly scanning the synopsis, it seemed to be a typical slice-of-life novel, which are usually enjoyable to read. But I couldn't get into TSN. I couldn't connect at all with any of the characters, and the plot wasn't interesting enough to draw me in. I went days straight without reading just because I didn't feel like reading it. Even the ending, which sometimes saves books from receiving a two star rating from me, fell flat. Maybe it was too realistic? Even so, an ending could be realistic without leaving the reader feeling dissatisfied.

Not recommended .

Book Blog #172: Ark Angel by Anthony Horowitz

Title: Ark Angel
Author: Anthony Horowitz
# of Pages: 323 (paperback)
Genre: YA, Action, Adventure
Rating: ★★★★☆
Synopsis: The sniper’s bullet nearly killed him. But Alex Rider managed to survive . . . just in time for more trouble to come his way. When kidnappers attempt to snatch a fellow patient from the exclusive hospital where Alex is recovering, he knows he has to stop him. But the boy he saves is no ordinary patient: He is the son of Nikolai Drevin, one of the richest men in the world. The eccentric billionaire has been targeted by Force Three, a group of eco-terrorists who claim his project Ark Angel—the first luxury hotel in outer space—is a danger to the environment. Soon Alex discovers that Force Three will stop at nothing to destroy Ark Angel, even if it means sending four hundred tons of molten glass and steel hurtling down to Earth and killing millions . . . unless Alex can stop them.
Review: While I've read more attention-gripping books in my lifetime, this book served its purpose.

What I like about Alex Rider is that its a series based on action; there's no romance to muddle up the plot line. However, the plot was drawn out slightly too much. I enjoyed reading the end and the scene that involved Force Three; everything else could have been cut shorter.

If you liked the other Alex Rider books, you'll like this one too!

Book Blog #171: Night of the Soul Stealer by Joseph Delaney

Title: Night of the Soul Stealer
Author: Joseph Delaney
# of Pages: 489 (paperback)
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Fantasy
Rating: ★★★★☆
Synopsis: As the weather grows colder and the nights draw in, the Spook and his apprentice Tom Ward must be even more vigilant in their battles against the boggarts, witches, and ghosts roaming the county. When they receive an unexpected visitor, the Spook decides it is time to move to his winter house in Anglezarke. It is a bleak, forbidding place, full of witches and secrets. Tom hears rumors of menacing creatures stirring on the moors nearby, including the evil beast called Golgoth. Who was the mysterious visitor? And is Tom prepared for what he will find in Anglezarke?
Review: Pretty much just as good as the first two.

This was the copy from this series where there were illustrations at the beginning of each chapter,  which I'm usually fine with except for the fact that some of them REALLY freaked me out. The book itself isn't even scary, but the image of a feral witch is.

If you liked the other books from The Last Apprentice series, you'll like this one as well!

Book Blog #170: The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez

Title: The Book of Unknown Americans
Author: Cristina Henriquez
# of Pages: 286 (paperback)
Genre: Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Synopsis: When fifteen-year-old Maribel Rivera sustains a terrible injury, the Riveras leave behind a comfortable life in Mexico and risk everything to come to the United States so that Maribel can have the care she needs. Once they arrive, it’s not long before Maribel attracts the attention of Mayor Toro, the son of one of their new neighbors, who sees a kindred spirit in this beautiful, damaged outsider. Their love story sets in motion events that will have profound repercussions for everyone involved.
Review: This book could have been so good.

I loved reading about Maribel's story and learning about her relationship with Mayor. Concentrating on Maribel and her family's life in the United States would have made this a very interesting story that would appeal to both teen and adults.

However, there was point-of-view switching. And while I usually strongly dislike POV switching, it was so much worse in Henriquez books. Henriquez switches between not two people, not three people, but TEN people. "Henríquez seamlessly interweaves the story of these star-crossed lovers, and of the Rivera and Toro families, with the testimonials of men and women who have come to the United States from all over Latin America"? The stories are far from seamless. It took me over a week to finish this book, which is way longer than the two days I had anticipated. Part of the reason why it took me so long was because I was uninterested with the random stories from other characters. It disrupted the flow of the Maribel's story. If Henriquez had cut down the POV to Alma and Mayor, it would have so much better.

If this book wasn't given to me as a gift, and I knew beforehand that there was so much POV switching, I wouldn't have read it. While it's not the worst book I've every read, I still wouldn't highly recommend it.

Book Blog #169: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

Title: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Author: Jesse Andrews
# of Pages: 295 (paperback)
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Humor
Rating: ★★★★☆
Synopsis: This is the funniest book you’ll ever read about death.

It is a universally acknowledged truth that high school sucks. But on the first day of his senior year, Greg Gaines thinks he’s figured it out. The answer to the basic existential question: How is it possible to exist in a place that sucks so bad? His strategy: remain at the periphery at all times. Keep an insanely low profile. Make mediocre films with the one person who is even sort of his friend, Earl. This plan works for exactly eight hours. Then Greg’s mom forces him to become friends with a girl who has cancer. This brings about the destruction of Greg’s entire life.
Review: I have no idea how to write this stupid review.

Seriously, this book was a strange combination of funny and general weirdness that I don't know what to think. One moment I was mentally hating on the crazy formatting (scripts/bullet points/lists), and the next I was literally laughing out loud.  I almost gave this book three stars instead of four because I was really getting an "Average Joe" vibe. I'd say the actual rating is three and a half stars.

"Though this novel begs...comparisons to John Green's The Fault in Our Stars, it stands on its own in inventiveness, humor, and heart." -Kirkus Reviews

At first glance, this book seems like TFIOS. There's a "dying girl", the writing style and characters are a bit quirky, and both are realistic fictional stories about teenagers. But that's basically where the similarities end.

"This book contains precisely zero Important Life Lessons, or Little-Known Facts About Love, or sappy tear-jerking Moments When We Knew We Had Left Our Childhood Behind for Good" (Andrews 3). 

 TFIOS is definitely more emotionally engaging (fall in love with Gus and Hazel's relationships and then cry at the end) while MEDG is mostly for the laughs. I wasn't even remotely close to crying at the end of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, and I don't think you're necessarily suppose to.

I actually wanted to be more emotionally engaged so that's part of the reason why I didn't give it a perfect score/rating. The other reason was because the ending was incredibly underwhelming.

This book is great for teens age 14+, or people who can tolerate profanities and crude(?) humor. And MEDG is GREAT for people who trying to get into reading.

Book Blog #168: Fallen by Lauren Kate

Title: Fallen
Author: Lauren Kate
# of Pages: 452 (paperback)
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Romance
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Synopsis: There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce--and goes out of his way to make that very clear--she can't let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.
Review: I had really low expectations for this one. With only a 3.75 star average and a page load of one and two star reviews, there wasn't much hope left for this book as far as first expectations.

I'll give it a little bit of credit; it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. With everyone comparing it to Twilight, I was expecting Twilight-quality or less. But I must have gotten soft or something (because I've always been a harsh critique, scrutinizing even the smallest, insignificant details and whatnot). For some reason, I didn't think this book was quite as bad as the infamous vampire romance we all love to hate. And that's why it's getting two stars instead of one.

But why didn't it get three? Just because it's better than Twilight doesn't mean that it's even remotely close to any of  the other books I've rated two stars, let alone three. It's better than Twilight, but just barely. And don't worry; I'll tell you why.

1. The Plot

I found it a  little funny that I happened to read Fallen right after I read Vampire Academy. Both struggle from the same problem; the plot lacks structure. Just as Vampire Academy was revolved around rumors, Fallen revolved around stalking. Kate tried to keep Daniel so mysterious so she could make this grand reveal at the end....only for it to fall flat. It's pretty obvious what Daniel  is; if you can't figure it out by the title or the EXTREMELY obvious hints throughout the story, it basically tells you in the Goodreads genre list.

Seriously.

2. The Protagonist

Typical damsel in distress. Luce cries way too much, can't seem to make good decisions, and doesn't even really try that hard to defend herself. She's not a good role model; the way she handles the love triangle business was...terrible, for the lack of a better word. But, somehow, Kate expects me to believe her character is amazing academically with "a full academic scholarship at the best college-prep school in the country" (326)?  And if that wasn't good for you, she supposedly knows Latin, French, won the science fair three years in a row, AND does the Sunday crossword puzzle (sometimes) under an hour.  While her little list of achievements is only mildly impressive (because there are some students out there who are ACTUALLY amazing and have a lot longer list than Luce), it's the fact that the author/Luce lists it out in such an immodest way that bugs me. I surprised she could accomplish half of the stuff on her list.

3. Twilight Similarities

Once I saw a few reviews that mentioned how this book was similar to Twilight, I began comparing the two. There's the life-threatening situation that remind me of Twilight. In Twilight, it was Edward stopping the truck from hitting Bella. In Fallen, it's Daniel saving Luce from the falling statue. Also, Luce is pale like Bella ["In a landscape of southern sunbathers, Luce's paleness had always made her feel self-conscious" (148)]. And both Bella and Luce do Internet research on their love interests like a stalker. Both Bella and Luce aren't very good at being the strong, empowered women who I like to read about.

4. The Setting

The whole setting at the Sword and Cross school is kinda unbelievable. The school uniform is all BLACK? The campus is rundown and has mismatched buildings? This school is totally catering towards the whole delinquent image, which is unrealistic. If I were creating a dress code for children criminals, black would be one of the last colors I would choose; I'd pick some brighter color so it's easier to keep an eye on them.

5. Repetition

For example, Kate can't seem to stop mentioning that the gym used to be a church.

"'Over here, you'll find out state-of-the-art gymnasium...[a shrink] donated a shit-ton of money so they'd covert it into a gym'" (33).

"It was a large Gothic structure with flying buttresses and fieldstone turrets that made it look more like a church than a place where one would go to break a sweat" (124). (big surprise there, since it USED TO BE a church)

"The pool had been set down right in the middle of what used to be a massive church" (129).

I get it. It used to be a church, but now it's a gym. Telling me once was sufficient.

I haven't decided whether I'm going to continue reading this series or not. You could better send your time reading something else. Not recommended.

Book Blog #167: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Title: Vampire Academy
Author: Richelle Mead
# of Pages: 332 (paperback)
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Fantasy
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Synopsis: Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with a rare gift for harnessing the earth's magic. She must be protected at all times from Strigoi; the fiercest vampires - the ones who never die. The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa's best friend, makes her a dhampir. Rose is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making Lissa one of them.

After two years of freedom, Rose and Lissa are caught and dragged back to St. Vladimir's Academy, a school for vampire royalty and their guardians-to-be, hidden in the deep forests of Montana. But inside the iron gates, life is even more fraught with danger... and the Strigoi are always close by.

Rose and Lissa must navigate their dangerous world, confront the temptations of forbidden love, and never once let their guard down, lest the evil undead make Lissa one of them forever...
Review: I was a little surprised when I saw the average rating on Goodreads was 4.15 stars. Whenever I see the word "vampire" in the title, and the book is young adult, my expectations drop A LOT. I was expecting (without reading the synopsis) a female teenage vampire protagonist who attends an academy (duh) and falls in love with some hot guy. It's the basic young adult vampire romance format.

But I was kinda wrong. The romance bit with the protagonist wasn't as big of a component as I thought it would. Instead, I found there was some kind of womance (like a bromance?) going on between Lissa and Rose. I know they're best friends and all, but I mean they were closer than normal, even with the paranormal-fantasy aspect of their characters. But, hey, you do you.  It's just not what I was expecting nor was it what I really was interested in reading about. I was all ready to read a cheesy romance novel, but I guess that's what happens when I don't read the synopsis.

I didn't particularly care for the protagonist, Rose. She's not someone I can admire or even relate to...and her ignorance was mildly irritating. Sometimes she just doesn't know certain facts that I would hope everyone at her age would know. Some examples:

"'I had to do a report on Russia and the R.S.S.R.'" (122).

"'Was...was there anything else?' [Rose] stammered. He shook his head. 'No. You probably need some primary sources, but we don't have any here.' 'Primary what?'" (136).

The plot lacked structure. Every once in a while, I would ask myself, "What's the point in all of this? What's this leading up to?" It's really just a slice of life type of book but paranormal fantasy style that has an exciting conclusion that I wasn't really expecting.

And I think this line sums up how I feel about Rose's love relationship/crush. I think Dimitri stated it well:

 "'Rose, I'm seven years older than you. In ten years, that won't mean so much, but for now, it's huge. I'm an adult. You're a child'" (313).

One of the less interesting books I've read recently, but still somewhat entertaining. I'm hoping that the series will improve as it goes along since I've heard so many good things about Vampire Academy and Bloodlines. If your on the fence, I suppose I would recommend it. I'm not even sure myself at the moment.

OTS #14: Seventh Son, the Movie

This morning, I finished reading Curse of the Bane by Joseph Delaney, the second book in The Last Apprentice Series. I had the 2-in-1 copy of the book, which also included Revenge of the Witch, and it had the movie cover on it. So I decided to watch the Seventh Son movie.

If I didn't recognize the name of the characters, I wouldn't even know the movie and the books were related. There were some many differences that the plot was practically unrecognizable.

MOVIE AND BOOK SPOILERS AHEAD

The way Mother Malkin was freed from the pit, which was a huge part of the first book, was a very small and insignificant detail in the movie. Supposedly, Mother Malkin and the Spook were in some sort of relationship way back when (but in the book, Spook didn't have any love relations with her).

One detail that most disturbed me was how passionate the Spook was for burning witches. It was made very clear in the book that he thought of burning as a very cruel way to kill someone, and his compassionate nature had rubbed off on Tom, which is why he stopped  Alice from burning Mother Malkin. But in the movie, the Spooks is more than willing to burn them. When Tom was sympathetic to witches, the Spook became angry. Tom had said he wasn't like the Spook, and the Spook he replied that if he didn't learn to burn witches, he was of no use to him.

This was wrong on so many levels. There are so many ways a Spook can be useful and deal with witches without killing them (e.g. putting them in a pit, because they usually can't break out like Mother Malkin did in the movie). In the end, Tom burns Mother Malkin, finally becoming more like the movie Spook, which is far from a good thing.

Other less significant differences include the death of Tom's mam by Mother Malkin and the necklace (which wasn't in the book at all), Tom's and Alice's ages, etc.

MOVIE AND BOOK SPOILERS END

I understand that there are some necessary changes when going from a book to a movie. The change in the ages of the characters, for example, is understandable. But when the important qualities of characters are changed to the point where they're unrecognizable? That's unacceptable. 

Book Blog #166: Curse of the Bane by Joseph Delaney

Title: Curse of the Bane
Author: Joseph Delaney
# of Pages: 455 (paperback)
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Horror
Rating: ★★★★☆
Synopsis: The Spook and his apprentice, Thomas Ward, rid the county of witches, ghosts, boggarts, and other creatures of the dark. And there's some unfinished business to attend to in Priestown. Deep in the catacombs lurks a creature the Spook has never been able to defeat; a force so evil that the whole county is in danger. The Bane!

But the Bane is not their only enemy. The Quisitor arrives, intent on hunting down anyone who meddles with the dark. Thomas Ward and the Spook must prepare for the battle of their lives.
Review: Pretty much enjoyed the sequel as much as the first one.

To address the horror aspect of the book, most of it's more gross than scary. While Delaney is a good writer, he's not at writing horror (but you won't see me complaining). I read this book at night, and it wasn't scary like I expected it to be. The "horror" scenes lack the build up of suspense that usually freak me out. It has the grotesqueness I would expect from the genre but not the scariness.

The Last Apprentice series reminds me a lot of The Ranger's Apprentice series (which shouldn't be surprising). Both books were published within the same year, so neither author copied the other. The reason why I'm bringing this up is because I think the reason why I like The Last Apprentice so much is partially because I enjoyed The Ranger's Apprentice. Don't get me wrong; they both have very different aspects (for one, I didn't have to worry about reading Ranger's Apprentice at night, and I find Halt more admirable than the Spook). But if you like Ranger's Apprentice, you'll like this series too (and vice versa).

Like the first book, it's a very quick read. I finished it within 24 hours. Recommended.

Book Blog #165: Revenge of the Witch by Joseph Delaney

Title: Revenge of the Witch
Author: Joseph Delaney
# of Pages: 294 (paperback)
Genre: YA, Horror, Paranormal
Rating: ★★★★☆
Synopsis: For years, Old Gregory has been the Spook for the county, ridding the local villages of evil. Now his time is coming to an end. But who will take over for him? Twenty-nine apprentices have tried—some floundered, some fled, some failed to stay alive.

Only Thomas Ward is left. He's the last hope, the last apprentice.
Review: I usually avoid horror books at all costs.

My scare tolerance is extremely low. Both the book and Disney movie for A Christmas Carol gave me nightmares (I only got two pages into the book before I threw it out of my room. I later gave the book to a friend; I didn't even want it in my house. As a general rule, I avoid any book in the "horror" or "thriller" genre.

When I first saw this book in the department store, I didn't know it was considered to be a horror book. I had heard that it was made into a movie and that the Last Apprentice series was suppose to be pretty good. I read the first half of the first chapter and loved it (the description of the food may have had something to do with it, but that's unimportant. As I usually do before buying a new book, I looked up the book on Goodreads.

When I saw the genre, I was disappointed. After reading a few reviews, I came under the impression that it was going to be scarier than Stephen King books (who's books I've avoided even looking at). I didn't buy the book that day.

Weeks later, I was still thinking about the book. I went to the book store again and read the beginning of the second chapter. Then, against all better judgement, I bought it. But I set a few ground rules; I would only read it during the day when I wasn't alone, and I would definitely not read it once it got dark.

Apparently, these rules worked pretty well because I didn't find it very scary at all. Sure, the "scary" parts would have undoubtably been scary if I read it in the dark at 3 am, but I didnt, so it wasn't. Delaney's writing flowed well and was an easy and quick read.

However, Delaney would unnecessarily explain the definition of words; if he thinks the reader won't understand them, then he shouldn't use them. Even if he did it to show how young and naive Tom is, it doesn't make it any less annoying to the reader.

EX: "'Malevolent means evil,' he explained. 'Benign means good.'" (84-85).
"The Spook had told me that the main topic in an apprentice's first year was boggarts, together with such subjects as botany, which meant learning all about plants.." (99).
"'Mr. Gregory called it the definitive work,' I said, "which means it's the best book ever written on the subject.' [Alice] looked up from the book then, and to my surprise her eyes were filled with anger. 'I know what definitive means,' she said. 'Think I'm stupid or something?'" (228).

Took the words right out of my mouth, Alice.

Otherwise, I loved this book! I'll be reading the second book. Recommended!

Book Blog #164: City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Heavenly Fire
Author: Cassandra Clare
# of Pages: 725 (paperback)
Genre: YA, Paranormal-Romance, Fantasy
Rating: ★★★★☆
Synopsis: Lives will be lost, love sacrificed, and the whole world changed in the sixth and last instalment of the internationally bestselling The Mortal Instruments series. Erchomai, Sebastian had said. I am coming. Darkness returns to the Shadowhunter world. As their society falls apart around them, Clary, Jace, Simon and their friends must band together to fight the greatest evil the Nephilim have ever faced: Clary's own brother. Nothing in this world can defeat him - must they journey to another world to find the chance?
Review: I've stayed up late in order to finish this book, so I'm going to try to portray what I am feeling right now as accurately but quickly as possible.

The first hundred pages were hard to get into. I was a little thrown off by the prologue with Emma and Julian, two characters who weren't very important in the previous book and who I had not recollection of. What threw me off even more is how big their role was in the book. The problem is, I didn't drag my way through five books just to hear about some random 12 year-olds. They wasted my time and made the book just that much longer.

The book really didn't need to be as long as it is. Most scenes could have been condensed with an exception to the final scene/climax. Clare's writing style is still rough in some areas (e.g. I didn't like how she wrote some of the dialogue for Emma, especially when she talks to Clary; 12 year-olds may be young, but they aren't THAT young).

I had been torn between three stars and four stars because of my continued dislike for Clare and Alec, along with the reasons I have mentioned above, but decided to go with the latter. The reason was because the last two hundred pages flowed really well. I was not expecting to read over three hundred pages today (my goal  was to read 150), but I was engaged in the plot.

I was a little upset for a while about Simon; I hated Clare for taking his memories away. I was ranting to anyone who would listen; why did she have to do it to SIMON of all people? She couldn't have settled for Clary or Jace or Alec or evnn Magnus? But I shouldn't have been so quick to judge because the epilogue made me extremely satisfied.

But the epilogue also felt like a giant ad for the rest of Clare's books. She mentions the Codex, hints at the Bane Chronicles, and the whole book was leading up to The Dark Artifices series. The only series I'm interested in reading is The Infernal Devices, which was also viciously advertised through mentions of Tessa and her mysterious relationships with various people CoHF.

Overall, one of the better books of the series, despite its unnecessary length. While I expect most of you to be TMI fans who I going to read the book regardless of what I say, I recommend it.

Book Blog #163: Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley

Title: Magonia
Author: Maria Dahvana Headley
# of Pages: 320 (hardback)
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Rating: ★★★★☆
Synopsis: Aza Ray is drowning in thin air.

Since she was a baby, Aza has suffered from a mysterious lung disease that makes it ever harder for her to breathe, to speak—to live. So when Aza catches a glimpse of a ship in the sky, her family chalks it up to a cruel side effect of her medication. But Aza doesn't think this is a hallucination. She can hear someone on the ship calling her name. Only her best friend, Jason, listens. Jason, who’s always been there. Jason, for whom she might have more-than-friendly feelings. But before Aza can consider that thrilling idea, something goes terribly wrong. Aza is lost to our world—and found, by another. Magonia.

Above the clouds, in a land of trading ships, Aza is not the weak and dying thing she was. In Magonia, she can breathe for the first time. Better, she has immense power—and as she navigates her new life, she discovers that war is coming. Magonia and Earth are on the cusp of a reckoning. And in Aza’s hands lies the fate of the whole of humanity—including the boy who loves her. Where do her loyalties lie?
Review: I'm genuinely impressed.

I bought this book in a spur of the moment decision and only looked at the synopsis/ratings after I got home. It worried me because the average rating was 3.76, and the plot didn't seem like something I'd be interested in. Nevertheless, as it was one of  the smaller (therefore quicker) reads on my shelf, I began to read  it.

Magonia has been called a combination between The Fault in Our Stars and Neil Gaiman's Stardust. While I haven't read Stardust, I read Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book and loved it. With The Fault in Our Stars being one of my favorite books, Magonia had big shoes to fill.

The writing style, especially in the beginning, is somewhat similar to John Green's. Aza seems to be a quirky teenage girl who unfortunately suffers from a mysterious disease, which is strikingly similar to Hazel in TFIOS. The writing style and tone of the story in the beginning is different from the rest of the book, and Headley makes it her own.

I loved this book because I was really engaged in the plot, and I felt connected to the characters. There are some POV changes, which always irks me and was unnecessary.

I recommend reading Magonia! If there will be a sequel, I definitely plan on reading it.

OTS #13: "Real" Books?

Hello everyone!

The school year is coming to an end which means more YouTube marathons and, of course, more reading! In the past year, I've been watching Youtubers such as danisnotonfire, Amazingphil, ThatcherJoe, Pointlessblog, Zoella (a little), Tyler Oakley, etc. And what I noticed is that all of them (in addition to others not mentioned here) have written some form of a book. It seemed a little strange to how everyone decided to write something. None of them are known for their writing, so what's the big deal with all of them getting published? 

Each of them has their own story behind their published works. For example, danisnotonfire and Amazingphil are creating a book together about their lives - a memoir perhaps. Tyler Oakley says he turned down a publisher, practiced writing for many years, and then approached different publishers himself. And to be honest, I don't really care if these YouTubers writing books or not. I probably won't buy them; The Pointless Book seems like its title - pointless, and I'm just not interested. But if they want to make a book - whether its for the money or because they really like writing - more power to them.

What inspired me to make this post was an incident the other day while I was at my local bookstore. I had finally begun to read books again (I had forced myself to only read required books these past few months), and I need to replenish my to-read shelf. As a browsed the shelves, I noticed two young girls, one in middle school and one in late elementary school. They were looking at the books on the shelf parallel to the one I was at. 

Inevitably, I was able to hear their conversation. Typically, I try to tune everyone else out when I'm shopping, but the mention of some familiar names caught my attention. One of them was on the phone with their dad, telling them about the books they were going to buy, and she had mentioned Zoella's book, Girl Online. She had paused as her dad spoke and then said, "Oh yeah, I'm going to get some real books too."

This surprised me because unlike Dan and Phil's book, Girl Online was suppose to be a fictional novel. What this made me realize was that some people don't recognize the credibility of some of these YouTubers, including their fans. I'm not saying that they should (or shouldn't) be considered credible, but it was interesting how even the most supportive fans, who even go as far as to purchase the books, may have an unexpected perspective. 

Book Blog #162: Off the Page by Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer

Title: Off the Page
Author: Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer
# of Pages: 384 (hardback)
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Synopsis: Meet Oliver, a prince literally taken from the pages of a fairy tale and transported into the real world. Meet Delilah, the girl who wished Oliver into being. It’s a miracle that seems perfect at first. Sure, Oliver doesn’t know that you shouldn’t try to open your locker with a dagger or that there’s no such thing as “the ruler” of the local mall. But he also looks at Delilah as if she’s the only girl in the world—the only girl in any world—and Delilah can’t help feeling that being with him is a dream come to life.

But not every story can have a happy ending. Because the book wants Oliver back. And it will turn both worlds upside down to get him.

Oliver and Delilah will have to decide what—and who—they’re willing to risk for love and what it really means for a fairy tale to come true.
Review: Answering Rhetorical Questions in the Book

"If a tree falls in the forest and now one is there to hear it, does it really fall?"

Of course it does. It's already stated that the tree falls in the forest. And the philosophical saying is actually "If a tree falls in the forest and no one ks there to hear it, does it make a sound?" (In which the answer is still yes).

I'm not sure if three stars is the correct rating.

The romance was a bit shallow for me (and too much kissing to the point that even I - a sucker for romance - was a little disgusted), yet I loved the book's comedic factor. If it makes me laugh, it's a winner.

What really bothered me was how Hollywood-like the high school was. Everyone was sorted into their stereotypical groupings without any flexibility, which, in my experience, is not how high school actually is. This prominent labeling so early on in the book really degraded my impression of it.

The different colored font, pictures, and point-of-view changes are still unnecessary and bother some. If you've been following my review, you know I dislike POV changes with a passion. The colors and illustrations lack maturity.

Despite the lack of depth, I recommend this book, but only if you've read Between the Lines first!

---

Read my Between the Lines review on Goodreads!

Book Blog #161: Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

Title: Into the Still Blue
Author: Veronica Rossi
# of Pages: 389 (paperback)
Genre:  YA, Romance, Fantasy
Rating: ★★★★☆
Synopsis: The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do—and they are just as determined to stay together.

Within the confines of a cave they're using as a makeshift refuge, they struggle to reconcile their people, Dwellers and Outsiders, who are united only in their hatred of their desperate situation. Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. Then Roar arrives in a grief-stricken fury, endangering all with his need for revenge.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble an unlikely team for an impossible rescue mission. Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival--he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.
Review:

"How much time is left, Soren?" Roar asked.
"When you asked me that five minutes ago, I guessed three hours."
"What's your guess now, Soren?"
"Two hours and fifty-five minutes, Roar."

Like I said in my Through the Ever Night review, you should definitely read this book immediately after the others. However, thanks to this list of Under the Never Sky character list, I was able to enjoy this book more than than second.

It's been almost two years since I read Under the Never Sky and over a year since I read Through the Ever Night. While I seemed to have some pretty strong feelings regarding Aria and Perry's relationship before, I think they were cute in this book.

Into the Still Blue is pretty enthralling and is a satisfactory ending for the trilogy. Some parts felt a bit drawn out (especially around the middle-ish hundred pages of the book). Otherwise, a very good read.

Soren is my favorite character because he's the **COMIC RELIEF** (unnecessary stars), and he made me smile!

Recommended.

Book Blog #160: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Title: Red Queen
Author: Victoria Aveyard
# of Pages: 383 (hardback)
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance
Rating: ★★★★☆
Synopsis: The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.
Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?
Review: "'You want me to pin my entire operation, the entire revolution on some teenaged love story? I can't believe this.'"

Well, I sure can.

Based on the title and a quick glance over the synopsis on the back, I thought Red Queen would rival The Demon King. But a few pages in, I check a different online synopsis to find it being compared to the Graceling and The Selection. If you haven't reading either of this books, they're completely different. Despite the fact that I gave The Selection five stars (the same amount as Graceling), Graceling is in a completely different league than The Selection.

In hindsight, the online synopsis was fairly accurate. There are components from both books in Red Queen, and I would consider it better than The Selection (which is mis-rated) but not as good as the Graceling. Despite that lack of suspense and excitement throughout the plot (I found it very predictable), this book kept drawing me to it. I finished it in a reasonable amount of days, which may have been a result from the quality of the book, my YA deprivation these past months, or both.

I fell into the trap of believing in Maven. I saw the signs and recognized the foreshadowing, but I CHOSE to ignore all of it because I WANTED to believe he was good. With the three possible love interests (Cal, Maven, and Kilorn), I was rooting for Maven the most.

The revelation that he was evil didn't shock me but disappointed me. Mare probably knew it in the back of her mind too, but we both ignored the obvious.

Since its a YA book, I'm fully expecting her to end up with someone by the end of the series. However, I have no idea who she is going to be with. Maven is now out of the question; Cal, while appealing at the beginning of the book, isn't the best option either. Kilorn may be a good choice, but I don't feel as connected to him as other characters; I view him as the Gale of the series.

Mare isn't exactly that great of a person either. She has a hard time controlling her feelings (kissing two brothers in that small of a time span? C'mon!), and she's easily manipulated. Overall, not someone I look up to.

I would recommend this book (but not HIGHLY recommended).

Book Blog #159: Civilization: The West and the Rest by Niall Ferguson

Title: Civilization: The West and the Rest
Author: Niall Ferguson
# of Pages: 432 (paperback)
Genre: Non-fiction, History, Economics
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Synopsis: How did the West overtake its Eastern rivals? And has the zenith of Western power now passed? Acclaimed historian Niall Ferguson argues that beginning in the fifteenth century, the West developed six powerful new concepts, or “killer applications”—competition, science, the rule of law, modern medicine, consumerism, and the work ethic—that the Rest lacked, allowing it to surge past all other competitors. Yet now, Ferguson shows how the Rest have downloaded the killer apps the West once monopolized, while the West has literally lost faith in itself. Chronicling the rise and fall of empires alongside clashes (and fusions) of civilizations, Civilization: The West and the Rest recasts world history with force and wit.
Review: I shouldn't have been surprised how pro-Western Ferguson was going to be.

Ferguson tries to be relatable by using apps on a phone as an analogy for the aspects of Western society that made them "superior" to the Rest. This analogy falls miserably flat; I thought he was going to compare competition, science, property, medicine, consumerism, and work ethic (the six "killer apps") to actual apps that could be found on a phone (Twitter, Instagram, Trivia Crack).

Despite this, the book had a strong start. I had heard that this book was difficult to get through, but I found it easier to read that The History of the World in 6 Glasses. However, the book got progressively worse until one reached the last chapter where Ferguson speculates about the end of the world.

Overall, not recommended.

Book Blog #158: To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Title: To Kill A Mockingbird
Author: Harper Lee
# of Pages: 376 (paperback)
Genre: YA, Classics, Historical Fiction
Rating: ★★★★☆
Synopsis: To Kill a Mockingbird is primarily a novel about growing up under extraordinary circumstances in the 1930s in the Southern United States. The story covers a span of three years, during which the main characters undergo significant changes. Scout Finch lives with her brother Jem and their father Atticus in the fictitious town of Maycomb, Alabama. Maycomb is a small, close-knit town, and every family has its social station depending on where they live, who their parents are, and how long their ancestors have lived in Maycomb.
Review: First Impressions - Before Reading

I had no idea what this book was about; I had avoided any synopsis, review, and discussion. The extent to my exposure to the book is someone accidentally telling me that there is a court case and that one of the characters is Boo Radley. If I were to guess what the book was about, looking at the cover in front of me, I would say it would be about a boy (in the 1900s, since this book is a classic) who is somehow involved in killing a mockingbird.

After Reading

This is probably the best book I've ever been required to read. Sure, George Orwell's 1984 and Animal Farm were fine, but TKAM surpasses all of them.

I was totally wrong with my plot prediction before reading, and I was pleasantly surprised with Scout and her relatable personality (she was part of the reason why I loved this book so much). It was very revealing of life in the early-mid 20th century in southern America.

I defiantly recommend it!

(Sorry if this review is sloppy, I was writing it while watching Dan and Phil's live show).

Book Blog #157: Landry Park by Bethany Hagen

Title: Landry Park
Author: Bethany Hagen
# of Pages: 400 (paperback)
Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Madeline Landry is practically Gentry royalty. Her ancestor developed the nuclear energy that has replaced electricity, and her parents exemplify the glamour of the upper class. As for Madeline, she would much rather read a book than attend yet another debutante ball. But when she learns about the devastating impact the Gentry lifestyle—her lifestyle—is having on those less fortunate, her whole world is turned upside down. As Madeline begins to question everything she has been told, she finds herself increasingly drawn to handsome, beguiling David Dana, who seems to be hiding secrets of his own. Soon, rumors of war and rebellion start to spread, and Madeline finds herself at the center of it all. Ultimately, she must make a choice between duty—her family and the estate she loves dearly—and desire.
Review: "I dug out an old book from my bag and held it over my head, but the rain was falling in sheets and curtains" (104).

WHAT?

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!

DON'T USE BOOKS AS UMBRELLAS!

~~~

When I began reading this book, my first instinct was to hate it. Everything – the dialogue, the setting, the people – seemed so fake. I wanted to feel like I was stepping into a world that had been developed two-hundred years ago. Instead, it felt as if everyone was as unfamiliar with the world as I was. 

I thought the society Hagen’s created was a bit peculiar. I love reading books with the components of the Regency era, and I love books from the science fiction/dystopian genre. But putting those two together? I’m not exactly sure if they mixed well.

The characters are hard to relate to. Madeline, (without giving too much away), makes choices that I can’t really understand. I can’t understand most of the characters’ way of thinking; I can’t relate to them and their problems (and not just because they’re freakin’ rich either). 

Nevertheless, this book was addictive, and the fact that I finished it in a matter of days showed me that (somehow) I actually liked something about this book. Perhaps Hagen’s writing style improved as the book progressed (after all, as I just noticed, this book is her debut novel). 

If the synopsis sounds interesting to you, then you might enjoy reading this book. But don't overestimate it.

Book Blog #156: My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Title: My Sister's Keeper
Author: Jodi Picoult
# of Pages: 423 (paperback)
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Synopsis: Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukemia that has plagued her since childhood. The product of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate -- a life and a role that she has never challenged...until now. Like most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she truly is. But unlike most teenagers, she has always been defined in terms of her sister -- and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be unthinkable, a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal consequences for the sister she loves.
Review: A long time ago, I saw someone watching a movie about, from what I could tell, a girl who does not want to donate to her sister anymore. I walked away without ever knowing how it ended and never expected to hear anything about it every again.

But then I was at my local library and saw a poster with a book recommendation on it. It caught my interest because the book's cover had JODI PICOULT in big letters on it. Although I have always thought it was strange when the author's name is bigger than the title, it is obviously effective because it caught my attention. I began to read the synopsis and then realized it was the same plot as the movie. I got my hands on a copy as soon as I could and cracked it open eagerly.

Only to be disappointed.

There are point-of-view changes. And not just between two people; it switches between Anna, Brian, Jesse, Sara, etc in first person. And to make it worse, Picoult threw in a few flash backs too. It's a terrible mix. I am beginning to question her writing style since the only other book I've read of hers is Between the Lines which she co-wrote with her daughter.

Nevertheless, I tried my best to enjoy it. It was pretty good besides the POV, but it didn't make a strong emotional connection with me until the very, very end (which, by that time, was too late). The writing was borderline sloppy, but not the worst I've seen as far as structure.

If you are interested in the plot, then yes, I recommend it.

Book Blog #155: 1984 by George Orwell

Title: 1984
Author: George Orwell
# of Pages: 326 (paperback)
Genre: Classics, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Synopsis: Hidden away in the Record Department of the sprawling Ministry of Truth, Winston Smith skilfully rewrites the past to suit the needs of the Party. Yet he inwardly rebels against the totalitarian world he lives in, which demands absolute obedience and controls him through the all-seeing telescreens and the watchful eye of Big Brother, symbolic head of the Party. In his longing for truth and liberty, Smith begins a secret love affair with a fellow-worker Julia, but soon discovers the true price of freedom is betrayal.
Review: This book was totally different from what I expected.

I would definitely recommend reading Animal Farm before reading 1984 because together they show the progression of a totalitarian society...

The beginning was very interesting but the content slowly became stranger and stranger. Sexual intercourse is overused in this novel, and the ending contains gruesome details.

I didn't really enjoy reading 1984 and would probably have been fine never reading it in the first place. If you like Orwell's books, then I recommend reading it. If you are indifferent, look elsewhere.

Book Blog #154: Lucky by Alice Sebold

Title: Lucky
Author: Alice Sebold
# of Pages: 256 (hardback)
Genre: Non-fiction, Memoir, Autobiography
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Synopsis: Alice Sebold reveals how her life was utterly transformed when, as an eighteen-year-old college freshman, she was brutally raped and beaten in a park near campus. What propels this chronicle of her recovery is Sebold's indomitable spirit-as she struggles for understanding ("After telling the hard facts to anyone, from lover to friend, I have changed in their eyes"); as her dazed family and friends sometimes bungle their efforts to provide comfort and support; and as, ultimately, she triumphs, managing through grit and coincidence to help secure her attacker's arrest and conviction. In a narrative by turns disturbing, thrilling, and inspiring, Alice Sebold illuminates the experience of trauma victims even as she imparts wisdom profoundly hard-won: "You save yourself or you remain unsaved."
Review: This exceeded my expectations.

I was shocked. Sebold included graphic images of her rape in her book, (so if that is going to bother you, don't read this book) which I thought was amazing - she could describe such a difficult situation in such detail.

It is well written, though she mentions a lot of different people, which was confusing for me (and the reason why the rating I am giving it isn't extremely high).

If you are interested in this book at all, even if you haven't read/watched Lovely Bones (like me), definitely read it!

Book Blog #153: Hiroshima by John Hersey

Title: Hiroshima
Author: John Hersey
# of Pages: 152 (hardback)
Genre: Non-fiction, War, History
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Synopsis: On August 6, 1945, Hiroshima was destroyed by the first atom bomb ever dropped on a city. This book, John Hersey's journalistic masterpiece, tells what happened on that day. Told through the memories of survivors, this timeless, powerful and compassionate document has become a classic "that stirs the conscience of humanity" (The New York Times).

Almost four decades after the original publication of this celebrated book, John Hersey went back to Hiroshima in search of the people whose stories he had told. His account of what he discovered about them is now the eloquent and moving final chapter of Hiroshima.
Review: After reading - and enjoying - BOMB by Steve Sheinkin and Night by Elie Wiesel, I wasn't surprised that I gravitated towards Hiroshima.

It wasn't as insightful as I was hoping for. I wanted to learn more about the bombing of Hiroshima that I already didn't know, and I didn't learn as much as I wanted. The writing style left a lot to be desired; it didn't explore as much of the emotional side as I wanted it to. It wasn't until the fifth section, the Aftermath, when I really started to enjoy the book.

One major aspect of this book that I disliked was the fact that it was about six different people. Even though it is written in third-person, the constant back-and forth is as degrading and confusing as first person. This may be the reason why I liked then ending the best; it went through each person without the switching.

IF you are interested in learning more about the bombing of Hiroshima, then, yes, read this book. If you are looking for recreational reading, this may not be the book for you.

Book Blog #152: Hidden Girl: The True Story of a Modern-Day Child Slave Shyima Hall

Title: Hidden Girl: The True Story of a Modern-Day Child Slave
Author: Shyima Hall
# of Pages: 232 (hardback)
Genre: YA, Memoir, Non-fiction
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Synopsis: Shyima Hall was born in Egypt on September 29, 1989, the seventh child of desperately poor parents. When she was eight, her parents sold her into slavery. Shyima then moved two hours away to Egypt’s capitol city of Cairo to live with a wealthy family and serve them eighteen hours a day, seven days a week. When she was ten, her captors moved to Orange County, California, and smuggled Shyima with them. Two years later, an anonymous call from a neighbor brought about the end of Shyima’s servitude—but her journey to true freedom was far from over.
Review: While Shyima's story is a great one to learn of, it's presentation through this book degrades its quality.

I was hoping the writing wouldn't be as simplistic as it was....something that may have been fixed with better editing and writing help. She would also tend to repeat herself excessively. Due to the writing style, I couldn't sympathize with Shyima as much as I might have been able to.

In addition, most of the story was about her life AFTER slavery. It was very inspirational to read about how accomplished she became after escaping bondage, but I didn't think it was going to be a memoir of her whole life.

There was a lot left to desired. If you want to learn of Shyima, it would be much faster if you Googled her.

Book Blog #151: Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick

Title: Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock
Author: Matthew Quick
# of Pages: 273 (paperback)
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Synopsis: In addition to the P-38, there are four gifts, one for each of my friends. I want to say good-bye to them properly. I want to give them each something to remember me by. To let them know I really cared about them and I'm sorry I couldn't be more than I was--that I couldn't stick around--and that what's going to happen today isn't their fault.

Today is Leonard Peacock's birthday. It is also the day he will kill his former best friend, and then himself, with his grandfather's P-38 pistol. Maybe one day he'll believe that being different is okay, important even. But not today.
Review: I can't say if my expectations for this book were met because I don't know what I was expecting.

If you couldn't tell by the synopsis, this is not a light-hearted book with a happy-ever-after ending. While this book is powerful emotionally, everything seems so over exaggerated for me. The futuristic chapters are out of place, although they may have flowed better with the rest of the books if they weren't so...dystopian.

Sometimes, this book reminded me of John Green's writing style; there'll be something so profound...that aspect of the book I love.

I don't think I'd ever read this book again. If you are interested in reading it, they do. But otherwise, it's no rush...

Book Blog #150: We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Title: We Were Liars
Author: E. Lockhart
# of Pages: 240 (hardcover)
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Mystery
Rating: ★★★★★
Synopsis: A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth.
Review: If you haven't read We Are Liars,  stop reading the reviews for this book all together. Don't even read the synopsis (even though it doesn't make a lot of sense anyway).

Since this book is so popular, you have to go into reading it with an unbiased opinion. It's a bit like The Fault in Our Stars when it went mainstream; if you go in with high expectations, you won't enjoy it as much as you could (because, believe it or not, even that book has its imperfections).

When I started reading this book, all I knew was its Goodreads genres and that it was a 2014 Goodreads Choice Awards winner. I thought it was going to be some Twilight-esque romance novel...which just made this book even better.

The reason why I'm saying all of this is because this book is in no way close to perfect. The main character was annoying, and I had a hard time relating with her. I don't really enjoy reading about this "perfect family" (with high expectations of their image) on a "private island" (which is yet another difference from my family). It was very hard to keep tract of whether the chapter was describing the present (summer 17?) or the past (summer 15-ish), especially since I tend to stop reading in random places.

But there was also so much to love. The story didn't drag-on; it's short and sweet(?). I loved the poetic nature of Lockhart's writing; it caught me completely off guard. For example:

“Then he pulled out a handgun and shot me in the chest. I was standing on the lawn and I fell. The bullet hole opened wide and my heart rolled out of my rib cage and down into a flower bed. Blood gushed rhythmically from my open wound, 

then from my eyes,

my ears,

my mouth.

It tasted like salt and failure. The bright red shame of being unloved soaked the grass in front of our house, the bricks of the path, the steps of the porch. My heart spasmed among the peonies like a trout.” 

I had taken it literally at first...but when I realized what the situation was actually representing...it was just that much more beautiful.

This book deserves a reread. Please pay attention to detail when reading! I highly recommend this book!!!