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-
Showing posts with label Book review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book review. Show all posts
Monday, September 5, 2011
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.
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-
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