Losing Touch March 10, 2009

There are just so many technologies, that I’m overlapping them. I was recently introduced to goodreads.com, where you can store already-read books, write reviews, as well as add to to-be-read shelves and give and receive comments from your friends. So, I’m finding myself updating that quicker than this. But, here it goes. This is what I’ve been reading recently that I would definitely recommend.

Deadline by Chris Crutcher, which is a great companion to Jenny Downham’s Before I Die. In Deadline, Ben decides to hide his illness in order to make his senior year normal, but really learns the lesson that those he loves truly deserved to know earlier, especially to cope with his loss. Crutcher always has a lot of characters in complex situations, and this book is no exception, yet all of the characters have an endearing quality that makes them likeable and readable.

Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman is also very similar to another recent read that is fantastic called Keeping Corner by Sheth.  In Venkatraman’s novel of India during World War II, Vidya learns that books are her gateway to a better life, especially now that her father is physically incapable of supporting the family and her brother has decided to join the war effort. A beautiful and inspiring read.

As you all know, I’m quite the fan of Ann Rinaldi’s body of work. So, I was excited to see another on the shelf, this time about Nat Turner, the slave and preacher who rose up against southern plantation owners and murdered them in The Letter Writer. Caught in the middle is Harriet, who gave Nat Turner the map to plot his uprising, yet also saved some plantation owners from death once she realized what Nat Turner was doing (as he was attacking and murdering her family on their plantation).

Now, there are other books I’ve read and found interesting, yet not particularly noteworthy. Big Fat Manifesto by Vaught, Now You See Her by Mitchard, Raiders Night by Lipsyte, Many Stones by Coman.

Time Out February 20, 2009

I definitely go in spurts when it comes to posting lately, so here it goes.

My Most Excellent Year by Kluger, Devil’s Knot by Leveritt, Quaking by Erskine, and Black Pearls by Hawes.

I wasn’t too impressed with Black Pearls, however I can definitely see who’d I’d recommend the book to, those who love twisted fairy tales, fractured fairy tales, or anything like it. I do to an extent, I mean, I loved Book of a Thousand Days, but there’s just something about the little stories that didn’t intrigue me the way an entire story would unfold.  The other book I wasn’t too impressed with was Quaking, I don’t know what I expected, but it certainly wasn’t that. I can’t describe why I didn’t care for it, whether it was because I disliked Mattie, the main character, or because at times I didn’t quite know how all of the pieces fit together to weave a story and an idea.

However, I was a big fan of  Kluger’s novel. I was endeared to all of the characters, which at times did get a big overwhelming, but for some reason it reminds me of witty novels like a new favorite, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks. There were a few layers to each characters experiences that created very real and very dynamic characters. The format was also fun, with instant messages, emails, essays, etc. the reader felt more like a voyeur than just an outsider. It was fun and easy. Then, there’s the nonfiction novel, which I don’t generally read, but I have already seen the documentaries about the West Memphis Three, so I thought it was worth flipping through. While much of the information was gathered before reading the book, it was still worth a look. Three eight year old boys are murdered in West Memphis, while three teenage boys are accused of the crime.

Electricity Will Do It December 15, 2008

Although I would never want the power out for very long (heat, the food in the refrigerator, etc), it was nice because I got to sit down and READ most of the day. So, here are the books I read during the “Ice Storm of 2008.” Alex Flinn’s Nothing to Lose was a bit disappointing because it was so predictable. Boy leaves home, reader finds out that a murder took place in the home, and the whodunit begins. Was it the mother who was physically abused by her husband or was it the step-son who couldn’t stand to see his mother beaten one more time? That part was the bland part, it was actually more exciting to read the parts about his adventures as a carnie after he left home!

The second book was a spooky ghost story called Spirit by J.P. Hightman. Although the undertones of the book are about the Salem Witch Trials, the focus really deals with the main characters’ fight against the dead, who have unfinished business. It’s definitely something to be experienced.

The next was Elephant Run, which is another book by Roland Smith, who I’ve come to enjoy recently (after reading Peak).  It is a little bit of a carbon copy when it comes to the relationships in the book, specifically father and son, to his other, yet it’s such a completely different adventure that it’s intriguing. But, maybe it’s also because one of my favorite animals is an elephant?

A New Season November 16, 2008

With a few book clubs and courses I’m taking, I’ve been trying to read as much as I can, yet I can’t find the time to actually post. So, I’ll make this quick and try my best to keep up. I just finished Flight, a new one by Sherman Alexie. I have to admit, I was a little thrown with the back to the future chapters, but it all wrapped itself nicely into a pleasant package by the end. The swearing will definitely keep the guys’ attention, but will the subject matter and flashbacks keep them reading? The second book, that I had to lend out immediately, was Such a Pretty Girl by Weiss. I had started this one on audio about a year ago and stopped it pretty soon into it because the narrator was awful, but then I picked up the book and was enthralled. Chirp is a strong character, who sacrifices a lot because her mother is so short-sighted and her father is such a pervert. I was frustrated most of the book for good cause, Weiss does an excellent job of making the readers’ skin crawl whenever her father walks into a room.

It’s About Time! September 23, 2008

Again, I’m such a bad librarian. (Yes, I have been reading, but no, I haven’t been posting). So again, I’m just going to rattle off some of my new favorites, just because we got some new books in the library and I had the rest of the summer to catch up on books from the public library.

The Gossip According to Larry by Tashjian is a humorous story, not a new story, but nonetheless entertaining. Raging against the corporate machine (of which his father is part of), Larry creates an online alter ego that is an instant global hit, so until he’s found out, he’s going to have a lot of fun. And, so is the reader!

Into the Wild by Krakauer was a departure from the norm. I rarely read nonfiction, but this was on a required reading list for our school’s English department. Plus, I had heard a lot of praise for it. Let me tell you, it’s like Gary Paulsen on steroids about the true story of Chris McCandless’ “walk on the wild side” that leaves him dead in the Alaskan wilderness. Totally check it out!

Last for this entry is Right Behind You by Giles. I’m becoming a fast fan of Gail Giles after picking up Shattering Glass, with the explosive ending. Right Behind You is another poignant story of moving on and forward in a life that has been marred by violence and destruction. Definitely a story with many layers that you can easily peel back to understand what’s going on on as many layers as you’d like to read into.

Summer Season July 3, 2008

What a slacker I am! But, summer is here, which means that I’ve got more time to read. Summer officially began for me a few weeks ago; I was turning out books left and right, which means I can’t remember most of them, but I will include the most recent ones.

I just finished Paul Volpni’s Black and White, and I must say, I’m extremely impressed with his stories. Each of the three books that I’ve read of his (Rooftop and Rucker Park Setup) all seem a little similar, but each brings race, violence, and the streets to life– dare I say– better than Walter Dean Myers. Now, I know Myers’ stories aren’t really hard-core, so if you want more realism, then Volponi’s your guy. In Black and White two friends, one black and one white, get into some trouble when they hold a few stick-ups to get quick cash for the end of their senior year in school.

Then there’s Nothing But the Truth (And a Few White Lies) by Headley, which I must admit I skimmed. I couldn’t get into it, but it seemed like something I should try to get through. So, I can’t say much more than it’s cheeky and funny and about self-discovery.

Another one that I skimmed was Generals Die in Bed by Harrison. It was originally published in the 30’s, which could explain some of my issues in connecting, but there’s enough treachery, war, and violence to keep some people’s interest. And, it’s about WWI, which isn’t as frequently written about. Overall I’d rank it pretty low on my list of a “good reads.”

The only other one I’ll mention right now is another GREAT one: Shattering Glass by Gail Giles. The ending especially left me exhausted from the adrenaline that was pumping from the final scenes of the story (cut off abruptly, but in a good way). I love stories like this– and of course others hate it! What a significant story about bullying, high school drama, girls, and secrets. It would go great with another book I recently read, Jake, Reinvented by Gordon Korman. Both have similarities about wanting to be popular and have it all by sacrificing yourself. Pick up BOTH of them!

Overload April 24, 2008

Alright, I’m going to get it out of my system. I know I’ve been terrible; I’ve been reading a lot, but not stopping to file them away for you all to see. Here’s a list (I’ll make a short comment for all):

Annie On My Mind by Nancy Gardner– Wonderfully romantic and sappy, but a first for it’s time (it was written in the early 80s) about two girls who find love with one another and discover the adversity that comes with being themselves. Definitely enjoyable.

Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman– I could have taken or left it. I’ve heard much about it, so I decided to give it a whirl. It’s a quick read and entertaining, just not my style.

Boot Camp by Todd Strasser– I like his stuff and I wasn’t disappointed. Though it might be mildly unrealistic, it’s still a thought-provoking read and worthwhile. Great guy book.

Quad by C.G. Watson– One of those books that can be read as a cautionary tale in the wake of so much school violence. It’s a whodunit after a school shooting erupts in… you got it… the quad at school. Interesting points of view to keep you guessing… whodunit!

Rucker Park Setup by Paul Volponi– Another great guy book like most of Walter Dean Myers’ basketball books, except it was short, sweet, with little character depth, but just enough action and backstabbing (no pun intended) to make it fulfilling.

Freaks: Alive, on the Inside by Annette Curtis Klause– I have a colleague to thank for recommending this book to me, and I’m glad I sat down and read it. It’s got all the elements of a great book including wonderfully lively characters, all with flaws, who then find themselves on a journey to find peace in their lives while being “normal” or “freaky.”

Beating Heart by A.M. Jenkins– Oh so sexy and oh so short! She’s always into writing for brevity, and I could have done with more from this one just because it’s a cool, intriguing plot line. Girl gets murdered, girl’s ghost then haunts large, busted-up home, boy moves into home, girl ghost takes boy as “lover.” That got your attention? Chills!

Sorry it was short, but it was succinct. Tune in next time!

Alright Already! April 9, 2008

I better catch up fast! A few I’ve finished in the last few days and week have been pretty good. The one I just finished this morning was Quad by C.G. Watson. It definitely has the feel of other books about school shootings, but paints a picture of the cruelty and tortue of everday high school. Each character has problems that lead you to assume they each could be the school shooter, nonetheless, it’s still surprising when you find out AT THE VERY END who it was. Definitely worthwhile.

The second book I won’t talk about until it is set to be published (I got an advanced reader copy), so sorry!

Again, I can’t say enough about Joan Bauer! You’ll see another posting within a few days about Stand Tall, which I just picked up today at the public library, but I did read Squashed recently. Like all others, there’s just a certain something that makes me love her characters and her for writing such sentimental literature.

Animoto.com April 5, 2008

Animoto.com

A Long, Long Time Ago… April 4, 2008

I can’t believe I haven’t written in a while, so I’m going to catch up tonight!