What I Read This Summer

Okay so I'm semi-cheating. I already used this post on one of my other blogs, but this blog has been neglected!! Besides, I really did enjoy reading these books. They are all young adult fiction. I guess I needed a little bit of a break from the classics over the summer. Anyway, here's the post I stole from myself :)





Like every summer I told myself this year that I was going to read a ton of those books I've been meaning to read for forever! Like always, I didn't accomplish as much as I'd hoped... But I did read some good ones. Now let's see if I can remember them all :)



A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket





I've wanted to read this book for a long time especially after I saw the movie. I found it very enjoyable. The style in which it was written made me laugh, and at the same time I could feel a connection with the three Bauldelaire orphans even though I've never been in a simalar situation. I'd like to read more of the series (perhaps next summer!!). For those who are not familiar with the story, the story begins with the three Bauldelaire children, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny. As they are spending a day at the beach, Mr. Poe arrives to deliver the news that their parents have perished in a fire that destroyed their entire home. This event is the first of a series of unfortunate events for the Baudelaire children, now the Baudelaire orphans. They are taken to live with the horrible Count Olaf who is only interested in getting his hands on the Baudelaire fortune.



Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

This is another one I've wanted to read for sometime. As I read it I kept thinking of all the movies I've seen that tells some version of the Peter Pan story (Disney's Peter Pan, 2003 version of Peter Pan shown in the clip above, Hook, Finding Neverland, and Return to Neverland). It was interesting to consider the differences from these movie versions and the book itself. For instance, I wondered why Disney had Hook try to kill Peter with a bomb whereas in the 2003 movie (and the book) Hook tries to kill him with poison. I'm glad I finally read this book. It was also very enjoyable. Barrie has a great imagination and I liked his style of narration. It's a children's story, but it is also one that makes you think. I was a little sad for Peter, the boy who would never grow up. He is full of joy, adventure, and conceit, things that are commonly found in young boys. But he also had sadness and a grudge against his mother who he couldn't even truly remember although he convinced himself that he did. Peter Pan is a great story full of imagination, laughter, and adventure. All children must grow up except for one who lives with the fairies in Neverland.

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Last year I saw the movie "Howl's Moving Castle" for the first time. Soon after that I discovered that it was also a book by Diana Wynne Jones. This was the first book I read when I got home for the summer. I was curious to see the differences and found that there were particular bits that I really liked from the book and the movie. The book tells the story of Sophie Hatter who is unfortunate enough to be the eldest of three, which is bad luck. Sophie spends much of her time in the family hat shop talking to hats (they are very good listeners!). But her bad luck wasn't going to let her stay cooped up with a bunch of hats forever! One night, Sophie is visited by the Witch of the Waste who mistakes her for someone else and puts a spell on her--a spell that turns her into an old woman. Thus begins Sophie's adventures! She leaves the hat shop behind and goes in search of her fortune, but runs into the dreaded wizard Howl, and offers him her service instead. Sophie must learn how to break her own spell while at the same time trying to free Howl and Calcifer (Howl's fire demon) from theirs and keeping the moving castle clean (a very hard task with Howl around). The two of them butt heads on more than one occasion (you would get after Sophie too if she had mixed up all your bottles so you accidently dyed your hair and you would get after Howl for going after the girls with guitar in hand all the time, I'm sure of it!), but only together can both their curses be broken and the Witch of the Waste defeated. I really liked this book as well. Sophie is a strong character who likes to think out loud or grumble when she's annoyed with Howl. Her personality sucks you into the pages and takes you to a place where seven league boots, enchanted scarecrows, and a castle with portals leading to distant places actual exist. The characters are lovable and believable. You can enjoy a little snippet of the book here. Thank you, Google.

Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo by Obert Skye

This was an interesting story and just the first of the series, I might add. There were some things I really liked about it and some things that started to get on my nerves after a while. Skye has great descriptions of his characters that help form a clear picture of who the characters are or are dealing with. They were unique and many times made me laugh, gasp, or shudder! I liked the characters and their individuality. The thing that bothered me was the repetition of things. Many times it felt like Skye would introduce a character and then a few pages on felt the need to introduce them again with a different description that basically gave you the same idea. The protagonist, Leven, gets depressed and wants to go back home to his guardians who only keep him around because they can force him to do the chores at least three times. I don't know how the other characters could stand it. I would have strangled him. But he does pick up some more positive energy as the book moves to it's close. Curiosity may drive me to read the next book in the series because we all know that first impressions are not always true impressions and sometimes you have to read the second book to enjoy the first. A brief synopsis is as follows: Leven Thumps, who became an orphan soon after his birth, lives with his aunt and uncle, two people who don't care for work and don't care for Leven. One night, while he's sleeping in his bed on the back porch, he meets Clover, a clever little creature who is helping Leven reach his potential and save...well Clover isn't supposed to tell what he's meant to save, but just between you and me, he's the only one who can save Foo, a world which you may not know much about, but it is very important. Your dreams depend on it! Oh, did I mention that Leven also has the ability to see and manipulate the future? Handy, huh? While Leven is trying to figure out what he's meant to do (Clover is very secretive) he meets Winter, a girl sent from Foo to help him on his journey. The only problem is, she doesn't remember that. The only thing she does know is that she was drawn to Leven and she has the ability to freeze things. So the three set off to find Geth who Clover says will tell them what they need to do, but no one knows where he is or where to start looking. Time is running short for both Foo and our world as Sabine sends his shadows to do his evil bidding. Find out what happens for yourself in Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo!

Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke

Last but not least, "Inkdeath" is the third and last book of the "Inkworld" trilogy. It's about time I read it since book number two leaves us with a cliff hanger. I was kind of surprised at the way things turned out, but that's not a bad thing. I think she could still do spinoffs from the series if she really wanted to. I don't want to give too much away as this is the final book, but I had a similar complaint with this book that I did with Leven Thumps. It didn't annoy me as much in this one but I began to feel that repetition in word and thought. I think the redundancy occurred in this story because there were so many characters you had to follow (some of them with similar feelings under the circumstances) and so in attempts to reveal all their thoughts I began to feel like I was reading the same thing over and over. However, I was pleased with the story. It was enjoyable to be reunited with characters I was familiar with as well as becoming acquainted with new ones. There were a couple things that she left somewhat open with no clear conclusion of what happened, but I kind of liked that not every little detail was summed up because life does go on even if that particular story is ended. Not every story will be told from beginning to end. So I don't spoil anything for those of you who still have "Inkdeath" on your list of books to read, here is a summary of the first book, "Inkheart", instead. Mortimer Folchart has an extrodinary gift: he has the ability to bring books to life with his voice...literally. But there's a catch. Whenever something or someone comes out of a book, something else must go back in and take it's place. Mortimer (or Mo as his daughter calls him) first discovers this gift one fateful night as he is reading out of the book Inkheart to his wife, Reesa, and his daughter, Meggie. Out of the book comes three characters: Dustfinger, Basta, and the infamous Capricorn. It is only after Mo's fearful encounter with three people who were only meant to be words on a page that he realizes that Reesa was sucked into the book. Mo vowed never to read out loud again save for one book in attempts to bring his wife back. But Inkheart is out of print and very hard to find, not to mention Capricorn and Dustfinger both want Mo and his talent. Mo tries to runaway dragging Meggie along with him and Capricorn is not far behind. It's a great story and I recommend it!!

So there you have it. That was quite the lengthy post but it makes up for us neglecting you I suppose. Gives these books a try. I hope you enjoy them! Untill next time!

Mon-star!

Frankenstein
by Mary Shelley
1818
pp. 352

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book starts out a little slow, but it is so good! Something interesting that I discovered the last time I read this book was the message it sends about becoming what society claims you to be. Dr. Frankenstein's creature originally desired nothing but basic physical needs and companionship, but he was so grotesque-looking that he was rejected and feared as a monster whenever he was seen. In time, he actually becomes this monster that everyone assumes him to be and seeks revenge on the doctor who abandoned him soon after giving him life. If you know anything about sociology or Howard Becker, labling theory comes to mind. If you call a person something long enough, odds are he will begin to see himself that way and will become whatever they have been labled as.

This novel is a little Phantom-of-the-Opera-ish in that there are moments when you feel so sorry for the monster, but there are also many times when you wish him dead.

Their Eyes Were Watching God

Their Eyes Were Watching God
By Zora Neale Hurston
1937
pp. 184
-- Included on Time Magazine's "100 Best English-language Novels from 1923-2005" list.

This is another one of my favorite books. I remember reading it my senior year of high school and really enjoying it; however, I couldn't remember any details before I reread it this semester. Mostly I remembered being involved in some sort of group project concerning the novel, and we would get together at Starbucks. Mmm...raspberry hot chocolate. Anyway, my love for Their Eyes Were Watching God was recently renewed. Oprah Winfrey loved this book so much, she had it made into a film. After seeing one particular Youtube clip, I must say it looks pretty cheesy, but I think I'm going to have to watch it anyway. I'll let you know how it goes.

The story begins with Janie returning to Eatonville, Florida, an all black community, after spending some time away with her third husband, Virgible Woods, more commonly known as Tea Cake. The town has been gossiping about what supposedly happened to Tea Cake and why he has not returned with his wife, but Janie's good friend, Phoeby, is the only one she takes the time to share the truth with. Janie takes us through all three of her marriages, the role she plays in each, and her progression towards a loving relationship and, eventually, independence. Near the beginning of the novel, her grandmother tells her that the black woman is the mule of the world because when a white man gives a job to a black man, the black man gives it to the black woman. This concept is illustrated throughout the novel, and although Janie's life is difficult, and her story is generally an unhappy one, the reader is able to see Janie grow as a character, overcome her role as "mule of the world," and learn how to live for herself.

Hurston chooses to write the dialogue in the dialect of the time and culture in which the novel takes place. Some find this frustrating, but one cannot deny the effect this dialect has on the spirit of the novel. It is not degrading to the black culture as some people say; the white police officers in the book use the same dialect. I can't seem to put it into words, but this dialect is necessary for this novel to be the masterpiece that it is. This detail helps depict the black community as it was at the time and adds to one of many messages Hurston expresses: although differences between cultures exist, there are certain human experiences and emotions that cross those barriers.

"The wind came back with triple fury, and put out the light for the last time. They sat in company with the others in other shanties, their eyes straining against crude walls and their souls asking if He meant to measure their puny might against His. They seemed to be staring at the dark, but their eyes were watching God."

(I'm sorry if referring to people as black and white is not politically correct. Actually, I'm not, although I mean no disrespect. I love all children of God equally. I just don't generally use the term "African-American." My ancestors didn't originate in America either, but you don't expect people to call me "Irish-Scottish-English-German-American.")

Speak: a well crafted story on a sensitive subject

Speak

By Laurie Halse Anderson
c. 1999

pp. 240

-- Awards: National Book Award, Michael L. Printz Honor Book, SCBWI Golden Kite Award

-- Summary: As Melinda Sordino enters her first year of high school, she carries a burden that no one knows about. Everyone knows her as the girl who called the cops at the biggest party over the summer, but no one knows what really happened. Melinda was raped, and she can’t tell anyone. Sometimes it’s better not to say anything at all. Speak is the story of a ninth grade girl struggling to cope with what has happened with her, and learning to be herself as she was before.

-- My Thoughts: Very well written. I first read this book in the seventh grade. Back then, it, as I like to say, “scarred me for life.” To put simply, I was not ready for the subject material. However, I personally decided that I should read it again before I made a final judgment as I thought I may have been too sensitive for the book the first time I read it. I love the way Anderson wrote the book. It is wonderfully crafted and it sucks you in from the beginning. I also felt that the rape scene wasn’t too graphic, which is one of my main concerns from a novel with such subject matter. However, it still made me a little uncomfortable more because I had an understanding/connection with the character this time around. There were a couple other times in the book where it felt a little dark or awkward but it fits in with the situation that Melinda is in. Overall, I think it would be a great book especially for girls who have been in similar situations. I feel that Anderson's approach is one of the best ways of going about writing a book on this subject. If you are sensitive to such subject matter, this probably isn't the book for you. I still don't know if I can put it on my shelf because of those few moments that made me a little uncomfortable. But I cannot deny that it is wonderfully written and those few awkwards moments may actually be an example of how well Anderson pulls this off.

This book has also been turned into a movie starring Kirsten Stewart (you may know her better as Bella Swan from "Twilight")

Just Shoot Her With a Silver Bullet Already!!

Blood and Chocolate

By Annette Curtis Klause

Genre: Supernatural
c. 1997

pp. 264

-- Summary: Vivian Gandillon has a secret; she and her family are werewolves. When she begins to fall for Aiden, a human boy, she puts her secret and her whole pack in danger. Things get even worse for the pack when mangled bodies begin to show up around town. Can Vivian find a way to stay with Aiden and protect her pack even if she is behind the mysterious killings?

-- My Thoughts: To be perfectly honest, I didn't like this book at all. I felt there was only one scene which was well written. The character develpmont was weak and the characters were on more than one occasion unbelievable. I wasn’t convinced of Vivian’s feelings toward Aiden or vice versa. Also, the character of Gabriel, who is basically the head of the werewolf pack, was confusing. I thought I had him figured out but then at the very end, he seemed a lot kinder and capable of love than he did through the rest of the book where he was a jerk through and through. The idea wasn't bad (as you can see with the success of a book like Twilight), but I only found a few portions of the book engaging. There is also some sexual content that isn't explicit, but I didn't feel it was necessary. In this case it was just another turn off. The book has also been adapted as a movie, which I hear at least has a better ending. I'm a little curious to see it, but I'm afraid I will enjoy it just about as much as I enjoyed the book. Perhaps I will make another post in the future letting you know how that went :)

Gotta Love Your Controversy Every Once in a While: Phillip Pullman's "The Golden Compass"

Last semester I had the opportunity to take a Young Adult Fiction class. We had to read a total of 25 books by the end of the semester and we had to cover certain categories. For my fantasy choice, I chose to read the controversial "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman. You can read a little bit about the book and its being banned here.

I decided to read the book for a couple reasons. I saw the movie in theaters and that generally encourages me to read the book if I haven't already. Also I must admit that the controversy is part of what enticed me to read it. After seeing the movie, I couldn't really see what the big deal was. I knew there was apparently meant to be Atheist theology embedded in the story but I couldn't see it (most likely because they appear more in the book than the movie :) go figure). So I decided I couldn't judge the story for myself until I actually read it.

Here's a little background for those of you who don't know already. The book is set in a world much like our own. However, each person has a daemon, which is essentially a person's soul that follows them around in animal form. The protagonists are a young orphan girl by the name of Lyra and her daemon, Pan. It's one of your innocent embarking on a journey type of stories. There are a group of people known as Gobblers who capture children that they think won't be missed such as orphans. Lyra's quest first starts when her best friend, Roger, is captured by the Gobblers. To make this summary very, very brief, Lyra must travel to the north to save her friend and disrupt the work of an organization called the Magisterium. Where does the golden compass fit in? The compass, known as the Aletheomiter if I remember correctly, will answer any question as long as you know how to read it. It was given to Lyra, but she soon finds that there are people who would do anything to get it from her hands and keep her from fulfilling the destiny that she doesn't even know she is meant to be a part of.

At first I didn’t think I was going to like the book. It was okay, but it didn’t pull me in from the start. I also found the beginning a bit confusing. In one aspect that works with the story as we view the story through Lyra’s eyes, and she knows very little of the world outside of Oxford where she grew up. However, it took a long time for Pullman to explain what daemons are and the sort of laws or taboos that come with them. When he finally does describe them, we only get small bits at a time, so a complete picture isn’t created until at least halfway through the book.

I really began to enjoy the book from about the time Lyra meets an armored bear, Iorek Byrnison, to the end. She meets Iorek halfway through the book FYI. That is where I began to feel connected to the characters and that drive to finish just so I could know what happened. That alone makes me want to read the rest of the series. As far as the controversy is concerned (most of it actually stems from the third book in the series), Pullman doesn’t hide the fact that the Magisterium is essentially a branch of the Catholic Church. The Magisterium also conducts experiments on children which may also be open to controversy. Neither of these things bothered me when I read the book. I was a little bothered by the children experimentation when I saw the movie since slthough we don't see them being probed or tortured or anything, we see the aftermath when Lyra finds one of the children who has escaped.

I suggest that you don't judge this book by it's controversy before you try to read it for yourself. There are plenty of banned/challenged books that are wonderful. Have a look for yourself! Or even a second glance! Now I understand that some books have been banned reasonably, so be wise in your choices. But there are challenged books Madeliene L'Engle's "A Wrinkle in Time" that I just have to stand up for!

There are two more books that follow "The Golden Compass" which are "The Subtle Knife" and "The Amber Spyglass".

Dang Yankee

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court
By Mark Twain
c. 1889
pp. 336

I recently finished reading A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain for my American Lit class, and I was glad when it was over. It's difficult to give even a synopsis of the story as there is not a solid plot, but I'll give it a whirl. The main character is Hank, who, after being struck by one of his employees, finds himself back in medieval times--in Camelot, no less. Hank is to be hanged the next morning, but luck is with him, and he remembers learning about a solar eclipse that happens to occur that very next day. He claims to be a magician and "prophecies" the darkness that was to occur and thus escapes death. He becomes second only to King Arthur, who is too ignorant to figure out anything on his own anyway, so Hank becomes known far and wide as "The Boss."

The remainder of the novel jumps all over the place with random people, random adventures, and random rambling. Hank is constantly referring to the ignorance of the people at that time and introduces nineteenth century technology to help keep up his magician status. The book has its moments and was amusing at times, but as I mentioned before, there isn't a solid plot--fifteen mini plots, maybe. It was a tolerable book, but I will most likely not read it again.