August 11, 2011
I learned of this trilogy because it is a series on ABC Family. It seemed like an exciting show, and I always like to read the book or books prior to watching any adaptations. The book is about a girl, Chloe King, who discovers that she has cat-like traits because she is Mai, a race descended from the Egyptian goddesses Bastet and Sekhmet. What do cats do best? They sleep, and this book was a real *yawn* sleeper. I continued reading waiting for something to happen and was sorely disappointed. I can only hope that the television series packs more punch than its namesake.
My grade: a generous D-
Monday, September 5, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
Book Trilogy: The Wolves of Mercy Falls: Shiver, Linger, & Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
August 4, 2011
I read this trilogy in three days. It captured my attention and enticed me to keep reading. I was recommended this book ages ago by an eighth grade student, but I wasn't interested in it at the time. Now that it is summer, I decided to give these books a spin...I'm glad I did. Shiver, Linger, and Forever are well written young adult fiction. They are exciting without being over-done with a touch of tenderness to which most teens can relate.
Basic premise: Grace was attacked by wolves when she was 11, but one of the wolves saved her from being killed. Grace and the wolf watch each other from afar for years. At age 17, Grace discovers that the wolves are actually werewolves, and she and the aforementioned wolf fall into a very Shakespearean tragedy influenced star-crossed love affair. Ultimately, this is a love story with a splash of werewolves, the theme of true love conquers all with a dash of suspense here and there. The series is well written and will definitely capture the attention of the 15+ age group (probably more the girls than the boys).
The problem I have with this series (and most YA fiction, for that matter) is the lack of strong parental characters. I realize that the nuclear family of the 1950s has long since gone by the wayside, but it would be nice to read a book geared toward the younger set that shows a respectful, healthy relationship between the protagonist and his/her parental units.
Out of all of the books, I felt that Shiver was the strongest and best written, but each book holds its own appeal. Even though these novels were written for teens, this thirty-something mother certainly appreciated this tender trilogy.
Grade: B+
I read this trilogy in three days. It captured my attention and enticed me to keep reading. I was recommended this book ages ago by an eighth grade student, but I wasn't interested in it at the time. Now that it is summer, I decided to give these books a spin...I'm glad I did. Shiver, Linger, and Forever are well written young adult fiction. They are exciting without being over-done with a touch of tenderness to which most teens can relate.
Basic premise: Grace was attacked by wolves when she was 11, but one of the wolves saved her from being killed. Grace and the wolf watch each other from afar for years. At age 17, Grace discovers that the wolves are actually werewolves, and she and the aforementioned wolf fall into a very Shakespearean tragedy influenced star-crossed love affair. Ultimately, this is a love story with a splash of werewolves, the theme of true love conquers all with a dash of suspense here and there. The series is well written and will definitely capture the attention of the 15+ age group (probably more the girls than the boys).
The problem I have with this series (and most YA fiction, for that matter) is the lack of strong parental characters. I realize that the nuclear family of the 1950s has long since gone by the wayside, but it would be nice to read a book geared toward the younger set that shows a respectful, healthy relationship between the protagonist and his/her parental units.
Out of all of the books, I felt that Shiver was the strongest and best written, but each book holds its own appeal. Even though these novels were written for teens, this thirty-something mother certainly appreciated this tender trilogy.
Grade: B+
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Book: Room by Emma Donoghue
August 4, 2011
This book came highly recommended by my friend, Kate. If you haven't heard of this book, then you are most likely unaware of these obscure titles as well: The DaVinci Code, Twilight, or Harry Potter either...Room has had plenty of hype, and it deserved it all.
When I learned of the basic premise from a student of mine, I didn't want to read this book because I feared it would be too depressing (it wasn't). Here's the plot synopsis: a 19 year old girl gets abducted and confined in an 11 x 11 shed, she gives birth to a son, Jack, who, when the story begins, is turning five years old. The story is told from Jack's perspective which was an interesting choice, but painted the novel in a light that would not have been possible from any other point of view. Jack's perception of life is confined to the limitations of Room. His optimistic and happy proclivity counterbalance the shadow that clings to his mother. His mother, affectionately known only as Ma throughout the novel, is an amazing, intelligent woman and mother given her circumstances; she uses her resources to teach her son not only literacy and numeracy, but also gifts him with compassion, protection, and her unconditional, unrelenting, and heart-breakingly honest love.
Room is the type of book that captured me from the first few lines and rendered me incapacitated until it was complete. Yes, there were some unbelievable parts, which, due to spoilers, I won't mention. This story's plot may have started as a heart-wrenching story of abduction and abuse, but it ends as an endearing love story between mother and son.
My grade: I would give Room an A, all day, every day.
This book came highly recommended by my friend, Kate. If you haven't heard of this book, then you are most likely unaware of these obscure titles as well: The DaVinci Code, Twilight, or Harry Potter either...Room has had plenty of hype, and it deserved it all.
When I learned of the basic premise from a student of mine, I didn't want to read this book because I feared it would be too depressing (it wasn't). Here's the plot synopsis: a 19 year old girl gets abducted and confined in an 11 x 11 shed, she gives birth to a son, Jack, who, when the story begins, is turning five years old. The story is told from Jack's perspective which was an interesting choice, but painted the novel in a light that would not have been possible from any other point of view. Jack's perception of life is confined to the limitations of Room. His optimistic and happy proclivity counterbalance the shadow that clings to his mother. His mother, affectionately known only as Ma throughout the novel, is an amazing, intelligent woman and mother given her circumstances; she uses her resources to teach her son not only literacy and numeracy, but also gifts him with compassion, protection, and her unconditional, unrelenting, and heart-breakingly honest love.
Room is the type of book that captured me from the first few lines and rendered me incapacitated until it was complete. Yes, there were some unbelievable parts, which, due to spoilers, I won't mention. This story's plot may have started as a heart-wrenching story of abduction and abuse, but it ends as an endearing love story between mother and son.
My grade: I would give Room an A, all day, every day.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Book: Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
7/26/2011
Final thoughts
Wait! Final thoughts? Yes, because I read this book in about 2 1/2 hours. Why is it that so many books are in these ridiculously long series? Money, money, money! I digress...let's talk about the book.
It's definitely not literature, but it certainly is a guilty pleasure read. I had seen the commercials for the television show of the same name, but I have never watched it. Basic premise: a group of priviledged white girls' best friend (Alison) disappears and is presumed dead. The group becomes estranged, fast forward three years and they begin to get notes, texts, IMs, and emails from "A" who knows all their dirty little secrets. Cue spooky music here...
When I saw the book, I thought that I would check it out and see if it is an appropriate book for my eighth grade classroom library. It isn't. While it is a YA book, it glorifies drinking, drugs, skinny dipping, bulimia, shoplifting, sex, and trying to be "perfect". Oh, and did I mention the affair with a teacher? Yeah, that's not going anywhere near my classroom library. HOWEVER, and it's a big however, I liked the book. I couldn't put it down. It was catchy and had a lot of intrigue. I love a good mystery, and I was so disappointed when I got to the end and my big questions were still unanswered. Then I looked for the sequel and found out that there are TEN, yes, that's right, you read correctly TEN books in this series. I doubt Shepard will divulge all the secrets in book number two...is it worth reading on? I don't know. I just want to know this one thing: who is A, and how does he/she know every one's secrets?
I definitely didn't need to use much brainpower to read this book, but it was a quick and fun read.
Grade: low B, high C
Final thoughts
Wait! Final thoughts? Yes, because I read this book in about 2 1/2 hours. Why is it that so many books are in these ridiculously long series? Money, money, money! I digress...let's talk about the book.
It's definitely not literature, but it certainly is a guilty pleasure read. I had seen the commercials for the television show of the same name, but I have never watched it. Basic premise: a group of priviledged white girls' best friend (Alison) disappears and is presumed dead. The group becomes estranged, fast forward three years and they begin to get notes, texts, IMs, and emails from "A" who knows all their dirty little secrets. Cue spooky music here...
When I saw the book, I thought that I would check it out and see if it is an appropriate book for my eighth grade classroom library. It isn't. While it is a YA book, it glorifies drinking, drugs, skinny dipping, bulimia, shoplifting, sex, and trying to be "perfect". Oh, and did I mention the affair with a teacher? Yeah, that's not going anywhere near my classroom library. HOWEVER, and it's a big however, I liked the book. I couldn't put it down. It was catchy and had a lot of intrigue. I love a good mystery, and I was so disappointed when I got to the end and my big questions were still unanswered. Then I looked for the sequel and found out that there are TEN, yes, that's right, you read correctly TEN books in this series. I doubt Shepard will divulge all the secrets in book number two...is it worth reading on? I don't know. I just want to know this one thing: who is A, and how does he/she know every one's secrets?
I definitely didn't need to use much brainpower to read this book, but it was a quick and fun read.
Grade: low B, high C
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Book: Insatiable by Meg Cabot
20 July 2011
Initial Thoughts:
Chapter 1-Chapter 11 (They're really short chapters):
I love the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris, and a friend compared this book to that series. Yes, it's another vampire book to add to my repertoire, but that's fine with me! I am starting to get pulled into the book, but even at chapter 11, Cabot is still laying the expository groundwork. I find myself pulling the pieces of the puzzle together and trying to configure the final product. Despite the fact that it is fun to determine the plot of a novel prior to the events unfolding, I always find myself rooting for the book to surprise me. Yes, I have some satisfaction in being right, but that also takes the thrill out of reading.
25 July 2011
Final Thoughts:
So, I liked this book. It took me awhile to get into it because of the exponential amount of exposition, but once the storyline was established, I couldn't put this book down. Yes, there are similarities to Sookie Stackhouse (e.g. heroine has telepathic abilities, falls in love with a vampire, chaos ensues, etc.). I prefer the Stackhouse series, but was pleasantly surprised by this novel.
Cabot's heroine, Meena Harper alludes to several successful vampire series such as Harris' Southern Vampire series (Stackhouse) and Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series with disdain because she is tired of hearing about vampires, but then gets wrapped up in her own vampire adventure.
The biggest complaint that I had was that the novel was very ambitious, and tries to accomplish myriad subplots without delving into them with the detail that they truly needed (and really the book would be 2,000 pages long if she did). Also, Meena, along with some of the minor characters, seems to suffer personality changes throughout the novel, so as a reader, I could not get a good estimation of who she was.
Maybe I'm just a sucker for a vampire novel, but I did enjoy this book. I think I will try the sequel next Overbite. Hopefully it doesn't overly bite.
Grade: B-
Initial Thoughts:
Chapter 1-Chapter 11 (They're really short chapters):
I love the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris, and a friend compared this book to that series. Yes, it's another vampire book to add to my repertoire, but that's fine with me! I am starting to get pulled into the book, but even at chapter 11, Cabot is still laying the expository groundwork. I find myself pulling the pieces of the puzzle together and trying to configure the final product. Despite the fact that it is fun to determine the plot of a novel prior to the events unfolding, I always find myself rooting for the book to surprise me. Yes, I have some satisfaction in being right, but that also takes the thrill out of reading.
25 July 2011
Final Thoughts:
So, I liked this book. It took me awhile to get into it because of the exponential amount of exposition, but once the storyline was established, I couldn't put this book down. Yes, there are similarities to Sookie Stackhouse (e.g. heroine has telepathic abilities, falls in love with a vampire, chaos ensues, etc.). I prefer the Stackhouse series, but was pleasantly surprised by this novel.
Cabot's heroine, Meena Harper alludes to several successful vampire series such as Harris' Southern Vampire series (Stackhouse) and Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series with disdain because she is tired of hearing about vampires, but then gets wrapped up in her own vampire adventure.
The biggest complaint that I had was that the novel was very ambitious, and tries to accomplish myriad subplots without delving into them with the detail that they truly needed (and really the book would be 2,000 pages long if she did). Also, Meena, along with some of the minor characters, seems to suffer personality changes throughout the novel, so as a reader, I could not get a good estimation of who she was.
Maybe I'm just a sucker for a vampire novel, but I did enjoy this book. I think I will try the sequel next Overbite. Hopefully it doesn't overly bite.
Grade: B-
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Book: Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
Intial thoughts:
Preface to Chapter 4:
When I read the summary for the book Beauty Queen by Libba Bray, I was instantly intrigued. I am a fan of Lord of the Flies, Lost, and satire. I am in love with this book! It's sardonic and smart and I can't wait to read more...
Final thoughts:
Upon completion of this book, I felt a little disappointed. I wanted to LOVE this book, but instead, I only had a slight crush on it. I enjoyed the sarcasm and the feminist message, but as a novel, it lacked a little oomph. This was not a book that I had to keep reading, and it took me longer than most to read because I didn't feel compelled to read until the wee hours of the night. It was original, it was snarky, and it was humorous; however, I still found it lacking. It reminded me of cooking from a recipe and even though I followed all the directions and it looks like the picture, it doesn't taste like I thought it would. Beauty Queens is missing some spice.
Grade: a generous C-
Preface to Chapter 4:
When I read the summary for the book Beauty Queen by Libba Bray, I was instantly intrigued. I am a fan of Lord of the Flies, Lost, and satire. I am in love with this book! It's sardonic and smart and I can't wait to read more...
Final thoughts:
Upon completion of this book, I felt a little disappointed. I wanted to LOVE this book, but instead, I only had a slight crush on it. I enjoyed the sarcasm and the feminist message, but as a novel, it lacked a little oomph. This was not a book that I had to keep reading, and it took me longer than most to read because I didn't feel compelled to read until the wee hours of the night. It was original, it was snarky, and it was humorous; however, I still found it lacking. It reminded me of cooking from a recipe and even though I followed all the directions and it looks like the picture, it doesn't taste like I thought it would. Beauty Queens is missing some spice.
Grade: a generous C-
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Well hello there...
I'm new to blogging, but I'm not new to writing or journaling. I've decided to create this blog to reflect on what I'm reading as I'm reading it as a personal book club. I read avidly, and although my friends are also avid readers, they may not be reading what I'm reading at the time. As a result, I often have a hard time remember what it was that I liked or disliked about a book when they want to discuss a book. The main reason of this blog is for my own personal use, but if it is beneficial to anyone else then all the better!
It should be mentioned that I read a lot of young adult novels because I teach middle school English, and I like to know what my students or young people their age are reading, and if I'm being perfectly honest, YA literature is usually much more exciting than adult literature!
I may not only reflect on books, but anything else that piques my interest, gets scanned on my radar, and deserves a post (whether good or bad).
So, if you're reading this, welcome! I hope you enjoy :-)
Thanks,
Nikki
It should be mentioned that I read a lot of young adult novels because I teach middle school English, and I like to know what my students or young people their age are reading, and if I'm being perfectly honest, YA literature is usually much more exciting than adult literature!
I may not only reflect on books, but anything else that piques my interest, gets scanned on my radar, and deserves a post (whether good or bad).
So, if you're reading this, welcome! I hope you enjoy :-)
Thanks,
Nikki
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