To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

9 Stars

I'm not sure why I have never read this. I remember classmates reading it in high school but I never did.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

9-10 Stars 

Summary (Amazon.com): A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don't know what, if anything, awaits them there. They have nothing; just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food—and each other.

Wow. A deeply moving story about love and hope set in a completely hopeless world. I'm not sure I would recommend this to just anyone because it is a real downer and has some seriously disturbing images. That said, the writing is absolutely beautiful, feeling very personal and yet coldly distant at the same time. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time and one that I will stew over for years to come. I know that I will read it again someday. Perhaps I should go buy myself a copy. 

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

7 Stars

Summary (taken from copyright page): When Ivan, a gorilla who has lived for years in a down-and-out circus-themed mall, meets Ruby, a baby elephant that has been added to the mall, he decides that he must find her a better life.

I rarely cry in books, but this one had me sniffling a few times. Even though the language is simple (a children's book after all) you really get a sense of the feelings for Ivan and his friends. I was first afraid that the story would turn out too preachy or one-sided in regards to animal rights but you also feel for the human characters and understand the reasoning behind their actions. A quick and enjoyable read, I highly recommend this one.

The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins

7.8 Stars

After North America was destroyed, the people who remained founded a country called Panem.  It consisted of a capitol city and 13 districts.  The districts rose up against the Capitol's harsh treatment but lost the war.  To punish the residents of the districts and remind them who held the power, the Capitol founded The Hunger Games.  Each year, one young man and one young woman from each district was selected to participate in the hit reality TV show where only one of them would walk out alive.  That is, until Katniss Everdeen enters the arena and ends up inadvertently becoming the Mockingjay, the face and inspiration of the rebel uprising once again seeking to bring down the ruthless, dictatorial authority of the Capitol.

I am close to giving the trilogy an 8 but I'm not quite there.  My favorite was the second book, Catching Fire.  That may be because I already had a general idea of what was going to happen in the first book but I wasn't really sure where she would take the second.  For whatever reason, I didn't feel the emotion I should have during the first book.  I would give The Hunger Games 7 stars, Catching Fire 8 stars and Mockingjay 7.3 stars.  Somehow that averages to 7.8.  Lay off, math wizards.

They are easy to read.  All of you could read these in a day or two if you had nothing else to do.  They are interesting enough that they're worth reading once.  They are very violent but not in a disturbing, creepy way where you feel like the author is just trying to make people queasy.  The story would fall very short if it weren't extremely violent simply because of the material it deals with.  However, I think the author does a good job of tying in not just the outward violence, but the inner psychological struggles and interpersonal relationships.

And thus ends my brief foray into fiction.  Now I'm off to keep reading Steve Jobs' biography.  G'night.

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

The picture is tiny because this is the only one I found of the version I read (Signet Classics)

10 Stars

From CliffsNotes (the first paragraph):  Jean Valjean, after spending nineteen years in jail and in the galleys for stealing a loaf of bread and for several attempts to escape, is finally released, but his past keeps haunting him. At Digne, he is repeatedly refused shelter for the night. Only the saintly bishop, Monseigneur Myriel, welcomes him. Valjean repays his host's hospitality by stealing his silverware. When the police bring him back, the bishop protects his errant guest by pretending that the silverware is a gift. With a pious lie, he convinces them that the convict has promised to reform. After one more theft, Jean Valjean does indeed repent. Under the name of M. Madeleine he starts a factory and brings prosperity to the town of Montreuil.

And that's all you get for a summary of the story.  The book is 1200 pages long so I'm not going to pretend that I can adequately sum it up for you.  All you really need to know is Jean Valjean is da bomb.  What do you know?  Maybe I can adequately sum it up.

Victor Hugo is known to wander in his writing but it is so amazing to watch him tie all the meandering together.  However, somewhere around page 800 or 900 I started getting mad at him every time he would go off into the woods of his literary mind to give more details about French history.  The action was finally picking up and I just wanted to know what was going to happen!  For this reason, I don't know if I would read the unabridged version again but I could definitely read an abridged version at some point.   

The story is fantastic, the characters are unforgettable, and the writing is stupendously brilliant.  If you haven't read it, you should.  So says I.

Seeking Persephone by Sarah M. Eden

8 Stars

From the back cover: When Persephone Lancaster receives a marriage proposal from the ill-tempered Duke of Kielder, she refuses — and then reconsiders. The obscene sum of money he’s offering Persephone would save her family from ruin. With her characteristic optimism, she travels to the far reaches of Northumberland to wed a greatly feared stranger.

Lodged deep in a thick forest infested with wild dogs, the Duke’s castle is as cold and forbidding as the Duke himself, a man with terrible scars on his body and his soul. But the Duke’s steely determination to protect his heart at all costs is challenged by his growing attachment to his lovely and gentle bride. With caring persistence, Persephone attempts to pierce the Duke’s armor and reach the man beneath. Yet he cannot tolerate such exposure, and his repeated rejections take their toll. But when grave danger arises, the Duke realizes he must face the risk of revealing his true feelings or lose the woman he cannot live without.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Seeking Persephone, by Sarah M. Eden.  Ms. Eden is an LDS author and writes books set in Regency England.  This is the first book in a series based around the Lancaster family.  At only 280 pages it was a fairly quick read. Although it's set in Regency England, the descriptive language is not as difficult to read or understand.  It was sweet, clean, moved quickly and had interesting and witty characters.  I enjoyed the dialogue between characters, and insights into relationships.  I'm giving it 8 stars because it is definitely a chick book, and therefore won't appeal to all readers.  If you enjoy books from authors like Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters, you'll probably enjoy this!

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

7 Stars

"The Second Civil War was fought over reproductive rights.  The chilling resolution:  Life in inviolable from the moment of conception until age thirteen.  Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, however, parents can have their children "unwound," whereby all of the children's organs are transplanted into different donors, so life doesn't technically end." ~ Taken from book jacket

"In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth, as part of his family's strict religion. Brought together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance. If they can survive until their eighteenth birthday, they can't be harmed -- but when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, are wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away.

In Unwind, Boston Globe/Horn Book Award winner Neal Shusterman challenges readers' ideas about life -- not just where life begins, and where it ends, but what it truly means to be alive." ~ Description taken from Neal Shusterman's site, HERE.

I found that I actually really enjoyed this book.   I liked the character development of all of the main characters...it's told from several character's perspectives, so you don't feel like this book is about any one person.  It is a VERY thought provoking and interesting read.  And, also creepy...sort of a futuristic Dr. Moreau...with a twist.

I've only given this 7 stars on account of the creep factor.  The book is written for teens/young adults, but it's got some pretty serious stuff in it.  There are some fairly descriptive chilling moments, and the theme is definitely on the macabre-side, because of the 'unwinding' process and abortion/life issues.  If you're looking for an edge of your seat, sci-fi psychological thriller, this one's for you.

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

8 Stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was funny and fresh and gave what I thought to be a very real interpretation of the turn of the century from a young girl's perspective. Not that I was alive in 1900, but you get what I mean. Calpurnia Tate is a heroine that I think any young girl would admire and Jacqueline Kelly was able to touch on some controversial issues without being too preachy, in my opinion. All in all, a very fine read and I would recommend it to anyone. In fact, I personally feel that this book deserved to be the Newbery Winner instead of an honoree...but I digress.

Austenland by Shannon Hale

7 Stars

"When her great-aunt bequeaths her a trip to a role-playing resort called Austenland, Jane must discover whether playing dress-up in Regency clothes can cure her of her [Mr. Darcy] obsession and help her find real love, once and for all." (Synopsis taken from the Superfast Reader.)

My Review:

This book was HALE-arious!

...

Ok, I couldn't resist. Sorry. Seriously, this book was a refreshing read and very funny. Perhaps only funny to those of us that get Austin-humor (when reading section to my husband; not so funny) I thoroughly enjoyed all the awkward moments and the regency air and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone that has seen or read Austin. It was clean and I loved the quirkiness of the main character.

There and Back Again: An Actor's Tale by Sean Astin

7 Stars (-2 for language)

Ok, maybe it's because Sam was my favorite character in Lord of the Rings but I really enjoyed this book. It's been sitting on my shelf for years and I finally read it. I thoroughly enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look not only at the making of the trilogy but of the workings of Hollywood as well (I can safely say that I will never be an actress, thank you very much). However, Astin's humor and his focus on family made this an enjoyable read.

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender

4 Stars

"On the eve of her ninth birthday, unassuming Rose Edelstein bites into her mother's homemade lemon-chocolate cake and discovers she has a magical gift: she can taste her mother's emotions in the slice..." (Taken from RandomHouse.)

So, I keep vacillating on how to rate this book. The story line that follows Rose and her journey through coping with the unusual ability to read people through the food they make is interesting and poignant. And Aimee Bender's writing emphasizes Rose's solitude and internal struggles, making it much more meaningful as she gains each small triumph. HOWEVER, the story takes a huge (not to mention really bizarre) turn with Rose's older brother. (He can turn into a chair. Okay, that's an over-simplification as well as a spoiler, but it's more or less the gist.) I really, really enjoyed most of the book, but I felt like Bender pushes the suspended disbelief way too far, and that was so distracting that it ruined the book for me. Her writing was intriguing, though, so I would consider trying a different book.

Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok

8 Stars (-2 for mild language and one pretty racy scene)

"When Kimberly Chang and her mother emigrate from Hong Kong to Brooklyn squalor, she quickly begins a secret double life: exceptional schoolgirl during the day, Chinatown sweatshop worker in the evenings. Disguising the more difficult truths of her life--the staggering degree of her poverty, the weight of her family's future resting on her shoulders, her secret love for a factory boy who shares none of her talent or ambition--Kimberly learns to constantly translate not just her language but herself, back and forth, between the worlds she straddles." (Taken from Jean Kwok's web site.)

I found this book fascinating. I think it translates well (no pun intended) to any person emigrating to somewhere new. The cultural difference that Kimberly faces is often met with misunderstanding and even beligerence. But I love Kwok's ability to make a reader unfamiliar with Chinese culture feel companionship and sympathy for the two women's plight as well as inspired by their courage and integrity. There are so many great things about this book, but the content (though not excessive) is still enough of an issue that I couldn't recommend it to everyone. It was definitely a thought-provoking and well-written read.

Harry Potter, 1-4

(okay, so this is books 1-6 but whatevs. Just though we would enjoy some different covers for a change)

10 Stars

Okay, I usually don't give anything 10 stars, but I've been listening to the Harry Potter books as I work around the house and I may be a bit prejudiced. If I were to grade each book individually, I would have different stars though. For example, Book Two would be more like a 7 - it's always been my least favorite. Book Three would get a 9, and so on. But as the whole, the series gets a round 10. I'm excited to listen to the Fifth and Sixth again since I only read them once when they came out and hardly remember anything about them. What do you all think of the Harry Potter books?

The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale

7 Stars

"Mormon housewife Becky Jack is seven months pregnant with her fourth child when she meets celebrity heartthrob Felix Callahan. A few hours, one elevator ride, and one alcohol-free dinner later something has happened, though nothing has happened...It isn't sexual. It isn't even quite love. But soon Felix shows up in Salt Lake City to visit and before they know what's hit them, Felix and Becky are best friends... Becky's loving and devoted husband, Mike, is mostly unconcerned. Her children roll their eyes. Her large extended family and neighbors gossip endlessly. But Felix and Becky have something special, something unusual, something that seems...completely impossible to sustain." (Taken from the inside cover.)

I agree with Manda in her review of this book in that I'm not sure if I liked this book after reading it. Despite being engaging enough that I could not put it down, it was too much like many real experiences so it made the reading slightly uncomfortable. However, I must say that there were several hilarious passages.

David Golder by Irene Nemirovsky

7 Stars

*Please excuse the short review since I'm pressed for time* Even if the characters were unlikeable and the plot slightly depressing, it was so well-written that I couldn't put it down and I actually enjoyed it.

Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

8 Stars*

This was my first Shannon Hale book and I only read it because my mother said it was one of her favorite books. It's not that I have anything against Shannon Hale. Who knows why it's taken me so long to read her books? Anyway, I really liked it and if Hale's other books are anything like this I will definitely be giving them a try. I liked the main character's philosophy of life (although I'm probably more like the princess in the story...) I also enjoyed the Asian-esque culture that Hale created. A fine read indeed. Also, check out Amanda's review of it here.

*I decided to start linking the "Meaning of Stars" post to my reviews so that I don't have to keep going back to read it every time*

Life...It's As Good As You Make It by Ron Woods

8 stars

This book became so big (in Japan) that I couldn't even find an image of it. Picture this:

• Thin blue hardcover book with a blue dust cover
• In big red letters it says "Life..."
• Then in yellow not-as-big letters it says "It's As Good As You Make It"
• Below that is a shadow of a person holding a trophy in the air with victory aglow. No, really, the trophy is all blingy like the sun is behind it just poking through, ie: victory aglow.

Now you have a picture of the book.

The subtitle of this book (yes, it has a subtitle. It has two apparently) is "practical advice on dealing with the past, enjoying the present, and preparing for the future". That is all the description it needs.

I'm a sap for books like this so when I saw it at my parent's house I decided to pick it up.

8 stars may be a little high if we're judging on literary mastery. What I really like about it, though, is its simplicity and lack of literary mastery. I've read lots of "self-help" books where the author feels a need to prove they are right or where they seem to be guilting the reader. This book does give suggestions but it never comes off as overbearing or preachy. I really like that instead of explaining concepts he uses fictitious life experiences to demonstrate the concepts in action. Even better, he uses a lot of the stories to promote questions, not necessarily to give answers. There were a lot of thought-provoking "ah-ha" moments in it.

Ron Wood is LDS and the book is very much written to an LDS audience. The concepts apply to those who are not LDS but he uses LDS jargon throughout. The simplicity of the writing, the short life stories throughout, the moments that made me review my internal motivations and challenges, and the fact that it is short (110 pages of large font) make it a book I hope to read again in a few years to garner new perspective.

Hooray!

There. Now we can all cheer because someone whose name does not start with the letter 'A' has posted sometime in the last 6 months.

See you in 6 months.

The Thirteenth Child by Patricia C Wrede

7 stars

Summary: Eff's father is a 7th son. Eff's twin brother, Lan, is the 7th son of a 7th son. As everyone knows, everything in life comes easier to them because they are blessed with good luck. Eff, on the other hand, is the 13th child which makes her unlucky and likely to grow up being evil and a menace. Eff's uncle never lets her forget it. She finally gets away from him when her family moves to the frontier of the wild west. There, near the Great Barrier magic spell set up by the Founding Fathers to keep Eastern Columbia (The United States) safe from magical creatures roaming the Old West, Eff struggles to overcome self-doubt and a concern that maybe her uncle was right.

Review: This is my first Patricia C Wrede book and I liked it. Its no masterpiece. It doesn't even have that fantastic of a plot and the climax is fairly short-lived. However, it is exactly what I expect a good book written for middle school kids to be. Its fun. Its creative. Its fairly fast-paced and entertaining to read.

Patricia Wrede creates an entire new history of the United States (known as Columbia in the book) where magic and all the magical creatures it brings with it have always existed. She doesn't try to explain that new history, she just acts as if its common knowledge and throws in enough information to make the world believable. Its that sort of writing that makes this book enjoyable. If I wanted to read amazing descriptions of a new world I would pick up Lord of the Rings.

Overall, the book was an enjoyable read written with creativity, good dialogue, and with interesting characters and interactions. Its a short read that would be good to pick up on a lazy summer weekend. Its something like 340 pages but with big font and easy language to follow.

Emma by Jane the Austen

6 stars (-2 because the first 300 pages are (almost) pointless)

We read this a few months ago so let me see if I can remember what its about. Rich girl thinks she's the bomb diggity. Rich girl is a brat. Rich girl tries to set up her not-rich friend with some rich dudes and fails miserably making everyone else's life...miserable...did I use that word already? Rich girl decides to be not so bratty but instead tells her not-rich friend off for liking on her man even though she would never admit he was her man. If you want to know the ending, you'll just have to read it. Better yet, watch the movie. This may be one of the few instances where I will say the movie was better.

Yeah, that about sums it up. If you can't tell, Emma is not my favorite person in the literary world. Although she is slightly higher up than Bella (of Twilight fame. As if there were any other Bella to confuse her for).

I think I like Jane Austen. She seems to be witty and writes great dialogue. However, I'm not too sure I want to read another Jane Austen book because Emma was SOOOOOOOO long. The story was alright and, as mentioned, the writing was good but every time Amanda or I started reading it just seemed to drag on...and on...and, you get the drift. In fact, when Amanda looked at our copy to tell me how long it is I was flabbergasted that its only 380-some-odd pages long. It seemed like there was so much more book while we were reading it.

I suppose that's my only complaint. It seems rather petty now that I look back on it but I very clearly remember feeling great disdain towards the first 300 pages of this book. When you're entrenched in 300 pages of blah to get to 80 pages of a good story that is well written, the clock ticks just a little bit slower. And that, my friends, is enough to knock poor Emma from her high horse.

Was I too harsh?