Monday Musings (1)

Monday Musings is hosted by Should Be Reading

This week’s musing asks…
 Do you belong to any book clubs — face-to-face, or online? If so, how long have you been with the group(s)? If not, why?

I am so happy to be able to answer yes to this question!  I just joined a new book club, I say "just" because I have only been to one meeting.  I have been looking for a book club for some time as I am on maternity leave and have been craving human contact!  I searched high and low and was just about to give up hope when I friend of my husband came to visit the baby and mentioned that she was reading The Hunger Games for her new book club.  My eyes lit up and my husband told her "uh oh, you just said the magic words!".  

I have also been thinking a lot about starting a book club for my students when I go back to work in September.   I think that a small venue and high interest books would be fun for the avid readers and might encourage those who haven't yet been bitten by the reading bug.  

 

Books of my Childhood: Stand Alone Edition

This is part two of my Books of my Childhood posts (Part 1 can be found HERE)  These are the books that made me a reader, the books that kept me up at nights and the books that I read and re-read until I could see them printed on the inside of my eyelids!

1. The Secret Garden - Frances Hodson Barnett: What little girl doesn't love the story of a magical garden all their own.  I always imagined that one day I would stumble my own secret place and I still harbor dreams of creating a garden with that wonderful balance between cultivation and wildness.  This is truly a book that stands the test of time and one that I am sure I be reading to my own children one day.




2. Fog Magic - Julia L.Sauer:  Fog Magic is a magical book about a little girl who discovers an entire village from the past that emerges and disappears with the fog.  It captures that mysterious sense of wonder that a foggy morning can bring.  It is such a sweet story and I recall checking this one out of the school library so many times that, at one point, the checkout card was filled and all of the names were mine!

3. Something Upstairs - AVI:  I recall this book as being the first one that made me want to stay up all night to finish it and then, upon finishing, turn right back to the start and read it again.  I am sure that if I were to re-read it now, I would find it tame but, at the time, my little girl mind was blown with the incredible sense of suspense in this story. 

4. Tuck Everlasting - Natalie Babbitt:  The first time I read this book, it was the assigned class novel study for my grade 6 class.  By this point I was already a big reader, but I recall that ALL the students in my class liked this book, which is a pretty impressive feat to accomplish.  Again, this has a magical element that really appeals to young readers.

5. Charlotte's Web - E.B. White:  I don't think any children's list could be complete without the heartwarming and heartbreaking tale of a pig and a spider.  I distinctly remember discussing this book with my 1st grade teacher and I think that was the moment that my parents and my teachers realized that I was well on my way to becoming book obsessed.

Book Review: Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Title: Wither
Author: Lauren DeStefano 
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Release Date: March 22, 2011

Rating: 4/5

Cover Impressions:  At first glance, this cover falls into the category of "pretty girl in a pretty dress".  However, upon closer inspection there are several elements that tell a lot about the story.  These elements are tied together by lines and circles, the reader is enticed to follow.  I am a big fan of covers that beg re-examination and allow for exclamations of "Oh!" as the text and the cover begin to meld together in a wonderful stew of symbolism. 

The Gist:  Rhine Ellery's life is ebbing away.  She knows that, like all young women born of her generation, she will die at the age of 20.  No longer believing in the possibility of a miracle cure, she was content to live out her days struggling for survival with her brother, Rowan.  However, the Gatherers had different plans.  They swept her off the streets of New York and put her on display as a child bride for the wounded Linden.  Now, surrounded by wealth and opulence, Rhine sees the damage and decay beneath the beautiful facade and begins her fight to escape and to live the meager years she has left, as she chooses.

Review:  On the surface, it appears that Rhine has found paradise.  A sprawling mansion, a gentle and caring husband and fellow wives whom she grows to love as sisters.  However, this world is based on an illusion, nothing on the surface is real and it is only when one ventures below that they finally see the sharks that have been circling their legs the entire time.  Rhine must decide whether it is better to live (and die) in a beautiful illusion or to risk her life escaping to a world that is harsh and cruel, but real.  

Destefano does not allow for one dimensional characters and presents each of her creations as a unique individual with motivations and desires that are the reader can understand, even if we don't necessarily agree with them.  Vaughn, in particular, is an incredible villain.  He is singularly focused and willing to sacrifice anyone in order to further his cause.  His every word is cold, calculating and dripping with double meanings.  But, even in such a cruel an cunning man, we are able to see his motivation and to question what levels we might stoop to in the hopes of finding a cure.

In Wither the plot does not explode like a firework but rather unfurls slowly but steadily, enveloping the reader and investing them in the lives of each character.  Unfortunately, there is a lack of tension that tempers the excitement level. I adore books that leave the reader holding their breath, willing for fate to step in an ensure success for our heroine, this was not one of those books.  There was simply not a strong enough sense of danger to make me actually fear for Rhine's life. 

This book is a strong opening to the trilogy.  I look forward to seeing what other horrors this world holds.

Teaching/Parental Notes:

Age: 15 and up
Gender: Female
Sex: Spoken about but not described. 
Violence: Kidnapping, poisoning?

Inappropriate Language: None
Substance Abuse:  Underage drinking

Other Issues: Child brides, polygamy, pregnancy in a young girl and her giving birth

Book Review: Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Title: Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side
Author: Beth Fantaskey

Publisher: Harcourt

Release Date: Feb 1st, 2009

Rating: 2/5

Cover Impressions: The cover is cute but nothing special.  It falls into the cliche of pretty girl in a pretty dress.  If you read my reviews, you know that I prefer the cover to accurately reflect the character and this model is NOT the size 10 that Jessica claims to be.  In the book we watch Jessica grow to accept her curves and curly hair as signs of beauty, strength and having "a presence in the world" yet, the cover features the typical slim young girl - such a shame.

The Gist:  Jessica's has always known she was adopted from Romania but when the dark and mysterious Lucius waltzes into town claiming not only to be her betrothed but also, a vampire, she is forced to examine just how strange her heritage might be.  As Jessica grows to accept the dark past of her parents and the strange new urges of her body, she realizes that if she does not become the princess her family needs, she may lose the future that she never knew she wanted.

Review:  I found this book on the Bargain Shelf at my local book store and thought that it might be a good fit for some of the girly girls in my classes.  Because I picked up this book knowing that it was not to my taste, I was fairly forgiving while reading it.  Jessica's Guide falls into the category of "fluff", it was a quick, fairly entertaining read that did not require much brainpower.  It is not a particularly unique story (we have all read these "oh surprise I'm actually a princess" stories before and it makes use of several cliches in its 300+ pages.  

Jessica is presented as an overweight Math nerd with self-esteem issues.  Naturally, with encouragement from Lucius, she transforms into the confident and poised Princess that she was meant to be (actually she puts on a pretty dress and stops straightening her hair).  I was NOT happy that, as she began her "transformation" her math skills suffered.  What the heck Fantaskey? Can't she be pretty AND smart?  Of course, her competition was slim, blonde and (say it with me now) A CHEERLEADER!  And she was named, wait for it ....... Faith Crosse.  Seriously? In a book about Vampires you combine the words Faith AND Cross?

There was some attempt at a love triangle (though poor Jake didn't really stand a chance) that pitted the sweet, honest farm boy against the dark and dangerous vampire.  Just once, I would like to see a heroine actually choose the nice guy, come on girls, the nice guy will bring you soup and tissues when you are sick.  The bad boy will take one look at your puffy eyes and snotty nose and run in the opposite direction.  The nice guy will not understand when you sob uncontrollably, clutching The Fault In Our Stars to your chest unwilling to read another page for fear of more heartbreak, but he will hold your hand and try to make you feel better by cracking lame jokes.  The bad boy will not even be there to see your pain because he doesn't think a chick who reads is sexy.  The nice guy will be there when your best friend moves away, when your Dad gets sick or your childhood puppy passes away.  The bad boy will be off finding some other pretty young thing who he can seduce with his recipe of aloofness, brooding and danger.

Of course, Lucius is the typical literary bad boy who can be rescued from the brink of self destruction by his "true love", a woman who is not willing to give up on him, no matter what heinous acts he commits.  Again, ladies, put this particular brand of bad boy in the same category as unicorns, dragons and hairdressers that think 1inch = 1inch - they don't exist!

The writing itself was mediocre, but the sections featuring Lucius' letters were cringe-worthy.  His use of local colloquialisms were laughable and the constant reminders that his uncle hits him left me annoyed rather than appalled.  The plot was quick, if predictable, and I know this will appeal to those students who enjoy the the Pretty Little Liars series.   This is one of those YA novels that doesn't quite translate to an adult audience but would probably be a very enjoyable (and perhaps forgettable) read for many teenagers. 

Teaching/Parental Notes:

Age: 13 and up
Gender: Girls
Sex: Mentioned by several characters but not actually written about
Violence: Blood drinking, a beating, a staking, reference to child abuse

Inappropriate Language: None
Substance Abuse: None

Early Review: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Immortal Rules 
Author: Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Release Date: April 24, 2012

Rating: 4.5/5

Cover Impressions: This cover doesn't do much for me.  Firstly, the main character is Asian, this model is .... not.  I don't like that.  If the person on the cover is meant to represent a character, then make them look like that character.  No white-washing please.  Secondly, the expression on the model's face is bland, I would prefer her to look upset, or angry or determined or ... something.  Thirdly, the tear, while eye catching, seems off somehow.  Perhaps it is because it starts in the very middle of her eye, perhaps it is because it doesn't wash away any of that heavy eye makeup.  I do like the font and am thankful that, although Kagawa is already a successful author, her name doesn't appear bigger than the book title.

The Gist:  In Allison Sekemoto's world vampires rule with an iron fist and humans are treated as no more than cattle.  Here she fights for survival alongside other scavengers, constantly aware of the threat lurking in the shadows.  When her daring leads to a deadly attack, Allison is offered a choice: die on the dusty street or become what she loathes most. 

Review:  The Immortal Rules is one of those rare YA novels which combines an interesting world, and an action packed plot with a strong, capable heroine. Allison is not your average YA female, she pulls her weight and doesn't depend on the men around her to act as her savior.  She never balks at an impossible situation and she doesn't whine.  When she is faced with a task and other issues threaten to steal her attention she says things like "I would sort all this out later" and "though I hated this, I forced myself to concentrate".  Despite her claims to own the keys to lonerville, Allison continually surprises herself, and the readers, by risking herself in order to protect that people that she is supposed to think of as nothing more than food.  

The world that Kagawa has created combines the dystopian elements of a post-plague city ruled by bloodthirsty vampires with the heart-thumping zombie-like "Rabids" who stalk the lands outside.  The rabids are terrifying, difficult to kill and can erupt beneath the very ground you walk on.  Their mindless quest for blood creates exciting battles and heart-thumping moments as we push for human survival.  As Allison travels with a pack of humans, ever conscious of their tempting vulnerability, she struggles with her hunger and fights to pull together the tattered remains of her humanity creating a sense of suspense as we wait for the inevitable.

While the second half of this novel is ruled by action, the first half does contain a certain amount of info-dumping, mostly through Kanin - Allison's maker.  I did not find this too distracting as the world Kagawa has created is a very interesting one, but I do wish that the character of Kanin had been a little more animated in his lessons.  I am very confident that, now that the world building has been established, the other books in this series will scarcely give the readers a moment to breathe.  

Teaching/Parental Notes:

Age: 16 and up
Gender: Either
Sex: None
Violence: Vampirism, swordplay, gunfights, violent attacks by "rabids"

Inappropriate Language: Whore, Bitch, Bastard
Substance Abuse: None

Books of my Childhood: Series Edition

While watching my 12 year old cousin immerse herself in the world of Panem, I got to thinking about the books that made me who I am today.  I come from a very small town (read 800 people), the nearest bookstore was a 4 hour drive away and I am old enough that I pre-date online shopping.  My options were limited to the rare (maybe once a year) trips to a bookstore and the tiny school library.  There were books in that tiny room that I read over and over and my appetite for reading so impressed the librarian that the "only 3 books at a time" limit never applied to me.  These are the books that helped me escape, they were my companions in the dark of night, cuddled under the blanket with a flashlight, they were my friends when no one else was.

1. Nancy Drew  These were the books that introduced me to the world of mystery.  Even though there was never any real fear of Nancy (or Bess) getting hurt, I was right there along with them, heart thumping as they unraveled mystery after mystery.  I haven't read any since, but I certain that if I ever have a little girl, I will immediately start collecting this series.

2. Goosebumps  Ah Goosebumps - Horror stories for kids.  I think these were pretty popular even among reluctant readers because they had such an awesome freak out factor.  These were the perfect books for the inevitable winter power outage and were probably the ones to instill my love of reading scary books by candlelight. 

3. The Chronicles of Narnia I must have followed Lucy through the wardrobe at least a hundred times.  I loved this series so much that, back when I still worked at a bookstore, I used my discount to buy the entire series in the hopes that I could read it to my children one day.  I think The Witch and the Wardrobe may have been the very first book to make me cry, peering through blurry eyes, frantically turning pages, hoping for a miracle, then turning back to re-read in the hopes that somehow I imagined it and Aslan has not really died.  I think one of the things that make series like this (and Harry Potter and The Hunger Games) is that they do not talk down to a young audience or assume that they cannot handle emotional deaths.  If you give kids the opportunity to act like adults (once in a while) they will love you for it.

4. Roald Dahl This entry is not technically a series but I couldn't post each title that I loved individually because there are simply too many.  I would re-read every Dahl book that my library carried at least once a year.  They were my first foray into absurdity and the books that paved the way for my love of Christopher Moore.  My favorites were The Witches and Matilda.  Again, the box set of these books was purchased for my future kids LONG before I even knew if I would have any. 


There they are, the series that made me a reader, I would love to hear about yours.

COMING SOON: Books of my Childhood: Stand Alone Edition

Waiting on Wednesday (1)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is: Sacre Bleu by Christopher Moore which is due to be released on April 3rd

Absolutely nothing is sacred to Christopher Moore. The phenomenally popular, New York Times bestselling satirist whom the Atlanta Journal-Constitution calls, “Stephen King with a whoopee cushion and a double-espresso imagination” has already lampooned Shakespeare, San Francisco vampires, marine biologists, Death…even Jesus Christ and Santa Claus! Now, in his latest masterpiece, Sacre Bleu, the immortal Moore takes on the Great French Masters. A magnificent “Comedy d’Art” from the author of Lamb, Fool, and Bite Me, Moore’s Sacre Bleu is part mystery, part history (sort of), part love story, and wholly hilarious as it follows a young baker-painter as he joins the dapper Henri Toulouse-Lautrec on a quest to unravel the mystery behind the supposed “suicide” of Vincent van Gogh.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Christopher Moore.  If you haven't read his books, check them out.  Or come over to my house, I own them all!  Whenever I have to explain my love of Moore I usually explain that I brought home A Dirty Job and read the first chapter or so right before bed.  An hour or so later, I turned over in bed and jumped because their was an eerie green light on my nightstand.  THE COVER GLOWED IN THE DARK!  If you are so willing to enter into the realm of absurdity that you create a cover that glows in the dark then you are the literary man for me!

Moore's books make me chuckle, giggle, guffaw and sometimes close my eyes and pound the couch while tears stream down my face.  His characters are incredibly unique and twisted with quirks and flaws that make them all at once completely absurd and oddly relatable (though that may speak to my own special brand of crazy).  If you haven't read any of his books yet, and want to get a head start, try Lamb: the Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal - it takes a particularly disturbed (and fascinating) mind to spoof the life of Jesus and you will not regret exploring Moore's, just be sure to wipe your feet first, brain matter shows every speck of dirt.