45: Truth and Beauty: A Friendship
Finished: August 2011
Pages: 257
I am astonished in myself that I was able to get so far behind in my blogging that I totally forgot about two of the actual good books that I read this summer while I was in Newport, RI. My friend Anna gave me this book for my birthday this year, and I had been putting off reading it for quite some time because I knew the basic premise of the story and didn't really want to read it until I was good and ready. This is the lovely portrait of a friendship from the point of view of Ann Patchett, and discusses the friendship that she had with the writer Lucy Grealy, a woman with a bleak and tragic personal history who, for a while, overcomes the despair and depression and with whom Patchett shares a deep and abiding love. They epitomize the expression that friends are the family you choose. Not an autobiography or a biography, it instead is the story of their intertwined lives, the moments that they share both together and apart, through success, and failure, drugs and alcohol, love and hate, life and death. It was excellent and the ending of the book left me haunted.
46: Graveminder
Finished: August 2011
Pages: 336
An excellent plane read, the story centers around a small town where the dead will rise up from their graves if they are not given the attention that they deserve. As Kathy put it, "Not charming, ghostly poltergeist havoc, but ghastly cannibal zombie havoc."
Obviously some terrible and terrifying things begin to happen when the old graveminder is murdered and the new one doesn't know what to do. It takes a really long time to figure out what is going on, and the supernatural implications. I never really felt like it was explained in a way that I was comfortable. There is also a sort of love story, the relationship between Rebekkah and Byron is one of fate and is more than a little obnoxious as they stumble around each other. The narrative speed was one that I think was helped by the fact that I was on a plane and needed to distract myself from the fact that I was so high up in the air. An interesting premise, I was reading an advance copy that had many typographical errors that I hope were fixed before it was released. I also don't think that it was particularly "adult fiction" but rather normal YA fiction with slightly older, but not more mature, characters.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Showing posts with label YA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label YA. Show all posts
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Books 23-29: TAKS Week
Book 23: Ash
Finished; April 25
Pages: 264
Claims to be a retelling of Cinderella, but I would say more that it simply shares some of the motifs of Cinderella: mean stepmother, magic, servitude. I read the first chapters of about 6 books on Monday before I decided to read this one, and then I finished it that day. It was interesting, sometimes confusing, with interesting magic and characters. I particularly liked the fairy tales that were told throughout the book, because they were stories that I had never heard before, and I like when the authors make up new fairy tales but they sound like old stories.
Apparently, according to goodreads, this is a lesbian story, and therefore a big effing surprise. I picked up on the subtle hints that homosexuality was a normal part of the magical world that the author had created. It helps that I am not a teenage girl, though.
Book 24: Chalice
Finished: April 25
Pages: 272
I've read this one before, but it's such a good book I had to read it again. I thought I read it last year, but I can't find my review of it, so maybe I read it back in 2009? There are parts of this story that I loved, and parts of it that I was a little disappointed in. The main character, and the world in which she lives are well developed and interesting. The antagonist seems thrown in at the last minute and not as malicious as I would have hoped for.
Book 25: Penelope's Daughter
Finished: April 26
Pages: 357
Recommended to me by Lydia, this is the story of The Odyssey, sort of. It imagines a world where Odysseus has a daughter born nine months after he leaves for the war. Reminded me a lot of The Red Tent, with an interesting female perspective on a story told formerly only through male eyes. The background information and religious details were interesting and believable. Once I sat down and really tried to read this, I really enjoyed this book, though I will admit it was slow going at the beginning.
Book 26: Perfect Fifths
Finished: April 26
Pages: 258
Another re-read, this is the conclusion to one of my favorite young adult series, and a book that I pick up ever once in a while just to amuse myself for a couple of hours. I really like that it is in five parts, and each part is written in a different style. The first three books are entirely journal entries, and I can't remember how the fourth book was written, but the fifth one starts in third person omniscient, then we get first person, then an entire chapter of dialogue transcript, and then haiku, followed by a return to the first person viewpoints of each character. I dunno, it's not high-brow literature, but I still love this series.
Book 27: The Toughest Indian in the World
Finished: April 27
Pages: 238
Sherman Alexie is awesome. This collection of short stories continues the trend. My favorite story is about a white man who holds us a diner asking everyone for a dollar and for someone to help him believe in love. An old Indian man stands up, is renamed Salmon Boy and they embark on a "non-violent killing spree" across the Southwest.
My favorite quote was from the story "Assimilation", and the relationship between an Indian woman and her white husband, when someone asks about their love:
Love is Love. They knew is was romantic bullshit, a simpleminded answer only satisfying for simpleminded people, but it was the best available defense. Listen, Mary Lynn had once said to Jeremiah, asking somebody why they falling love is like asking somebody why they believe in God. You start asking questions like that, she had added, and you're either going to start a war or you're going to hear folk music (15).
Book 28: Ophelia
Finished: April 28
Pages: 328
Retelling of Hamlet from the point of view of Ophelia. I think that here we have an interesting idea, but I'm not sure how I feel about it. I liked the writing, but Ophelia was at times too wimpy for me, and some of the actions that she takes after the action we know of in the play was a little silly. I did like how some lines from the play were seamlessly thrown in to the dialogue of the novel. Overall, decent, but maybe not my cup of tea.
Book 29: The Graveyard Book
Finished: April 29
Pages: 307
This is an extremely interesting novel for young adults that involves illustrations reminiscent of The Sandman comics that won Gaiman fame. Personally, I love the world that Gaiman has created here, that was inspired by London's High Gate cemetery. Since it's never explicitly stated in the novel, I was merely guessing, until I saw the credits in the back, where he thanks Audrey Niffenegger (of Her Fearful Symmetry fame) for being a tour guide around the cemetery. Since she was a tour guide at High Gate, it all makes sense to me. The premise is that a young child, only one or two years old, barely escapes from a murderer who kills the rest of his family by stumbling out of the house and into the cemetery. There, the ghosts and other protectors of the cemetery vow to keep him safe until such a time as he is able to fend for himself. Named Nobody Owens by his ghostly parents, he grows up hidden in the cemetery, learning how to Haunt, and create Fear and Terror, and other ghostly talents, as well as learning traditional education from 15th century schoolmarms. The reader follows Bod as he discovers the world outside the cemetery and unravels the mystery about his parents' deaths.
Seriously, it's adorable and quirky and hilarious, just as I would expect from Gaiman.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Finished; April 25
Pages: 264
Claims to be a retelling of Cinderella, but I would say more that it simply shares some of the motifs of Cinderella: mean stepmother, magic, servitude. I read the first chapters of about 6 books on Monday before I decided to read this one, and then I finished it that day. It was interesting, sometimes confusing, with interesting magic and characters. I particularly liked the fairy tales that were told throughout the book, because they were stories that I had never heard before, and I like when the authors make up new fairy tales but they sound like old stories.
Apparently, according to goodreads, this is a lesbian story, and therefore a big effing surprise. I picked up on the subtle hints that homosexuality was a normal part of the magical world that the author had created. It helps that I am not a teenage girl, though.
Book 24: Chalice
Finished: April 25
Pages: 272
I've read this one before, but it's such a good book I had to read it again. I thought I read it last year, but I can't find my review of it, so maybe I read it back in 2009? There are parts of this story that I loved, and parts of it that I was a little disappointed in. The main character, and the world in which she lives are well developed and interesting. The antagonist seems thrown in at the last minute and not as malicious as I would have hoped for.
Book 25: Penelope's Daughter
Finished: April 26
Pages: 357
Recommended to me by Lydia, this is the story of The Odyssey, sort of. It imagines a world where Odysseus has a daughter born nine months after he leaves for the war. Reminded me a lot of The Red Tent, with an interesting female perspective on a story told formerly only through male eyes. The background information and religious details were interesting and believable. Once I sat down and really tried to read this, I really enjoyed this book, though I will admit it was slow going at the beginning.
Book 26: Perfect Fifths
Finished: April 26
Pages: 258
Another re-read, this is the conclusion to one of my favorite young adult series, and a book that I pick up ever once in a while just to amuse myself for a couple of hours. I really like that it is in five parts, and each part is written in a different style. The first three books are entirely journal entries, and I can't remember how the fourth book was written, but the fifth one starts in third person omniscient, then we get first person, then an entire chapter of dialogue transcript, and then haiku, followed by a return to the first person viewpoints of each character. I dunno, it's not high-brow literature, but I still love this series.
Book 27: The Toughest Indian in the World
Finished: April 27
Pages: 238
Sherman Alexie is awesome. This collection of short stories continues the trend. My favorite story is about a white man who holds us a diner asking everyone for a dollar and for someone to help him believe in love. An old Indian man stands up, is renamed Salmon Boy and they embark on a "non-violent killing spree" across the Southwest.
My favorite quote was from the story "Assimilation", and the relationship between an Indian woman and her white husband, when someone asks about their love:
Love is Love. They knew is was romantic bullshit, a simpleminded answer only satisfying for simpleminded people, but it was the best available defense. Listen, Mary Lynn had once said to Jeremiah, asking somebody why they falling love is like asking somebody why they believe in God. You start asking questions like that, she had added, and you're either going to start a war or you're going to hear folk music (15).
Book 28: Ophelia
Finished: April 28
Pages: 328
Retelling of Hamlet from the point of view of Ophelia. I think that here we have an interesting idea, but I'm not sure how I feel about it. I liked the writing, but Ophelia was at times too wimpy for me, and some of the actions that she takes after the action we know of in the play was a little silly. I did like how some lines from the play were seamlessly thrown in to the dialogue of the novel. Overall, decent, but maybe not my cup of tea.
Book 29: The Graveyard Book
Finished: April 29
Pages: 307
This is an extremely interesting novel for young adults that involves illustrations reminiscent of The Sandman comics that won Gaiman fame. Personally, I love the world that Gaiman has created here, that was inspired by London's High Gate cemetery. Since it's never explicitly stated in the novel, I was merely guessing, until I saw the credits in the back, where he thanks Audrey Niffenegger (of Her Fearful Symmetry fame) for being a tour guide around the cemetery. Since she was a tour guide at High Gate, it all makes sense to me. The premise is that a young child, only one or two years old, barely escapes from a murderer who kills the rest of his family by stumbling out of the house and into the cemetery. There, the ghosts and other protectors of the cemetery vow to keep him safe until such a time as he is able to fend for himself. Named Nobody Owens by his ghostly parents, he grows up hidden in the cemetery, learning how to Haunt, and create Fear and Terror, and other ghostly talents, as well as learning traditional education from 15th century schoolmarms. The reader follows Bod as he discovers the world outside the cemetery and unravels the mystery about his parents' deaths.
Seriously, it's adorable and quirky and hilarious, just as I would expect from Gaiman.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Book 21: The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
Finished: April 16
Pages: 340
I checked out five books from the school library to read during my students' fifteen minute reads this last six weeks. I figured it would take me all six weeks to finish them because I wasn't sure about any of them when I started, not because they didn't grab my attention, but instead because I thought I would be too busy to want to read outside of class. Turns out I was wrong.
This is a delightful book, a sort of scientific To Kill a Mockingbird, and I loved every minute of it. Maybe it was trying too hard to have Calpurnia be the next Scout, but that didn't make her less endearing, or her trials and tribulations more trivial.
Taking place in Fentress, Texas in the summer and fall of 1899, this young adult novel gives us a glance into the life of a budding scientist inspired by Charles Darwin, and her relationship with her grumpy but loveable grandfather, who is a founding member of the National Geographic Society, as they strive to discover a new species of plant or animal. Add to this six amusing brothers, young ladies coming to call, a mother convinced that a woman's place is cooking and sewing, and a family cook who strongly resembles Harper Lee's Calpurnia, this Calpurnia struggles to find her place in the world and keep her pinafore clean.
There were several heartfelt moments in the novel, including her grandfather's stories of the Civil War, Calpurnia trying to check out The Origin of the Species at the library and being denied, not to mention the way that Calpurnia talks about the inherent racism of the time period. Obviously that was because the person writing the book is a modern woman who knows to throw these comments in, and she did a good job of doing so.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Pages: 340
I checked out five books from the school library to read during my students' fifteen minute reads this last six weeks. I figured it would take me all six weeks to finish them because I wasn't sure about any of them when I started, not because they didn't grab my attention, but instead because I thought I would be too busy to want to read outside of class. Turns out I was wrong.
This is a delightful book, a sort of scientific To Kill a Mockingbird, and I loved every minute of it. Maybe it was trying too hard to have Calpurnia be the next Scout, but that didn't make her less endearing, or her trials and tribulations more trivial.
Taking place in Fentress, Texas in the summer and fall of 1899, this young adult novel gives us a glance into the life of a budding scientist inspired by Charles Darwin, and her relationship with her grumpy but loveable grandfather, who is a founding member of the National Geographic Society, as they strive to discover a new species of plant or animal. Add to this six amusing brothers, young ladies coming to call, a mother convinced that a woman's place is cooking and sewing, and a family cook who strongly resembles Harper Lee's Calpurnia, this Calpurnia struggles to find her place in the world and keep her pinafore clean.
There were several heartfelt moments in the novel, including her grandfather's stories of the Civil War, Calpurnia trying to check out The Origin of the Species at the library and being denied, not to mention the way that Calpurnia talks about the inherent racism of the time period. Obviously that was because the person writing the book is a modern woman who knows to throw these comments in, and she did a good job of doing so.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Book 17: My Name is Memory
Finished: March 20
Pages: 11 CDs (342)
I figure it counts because it took up quite a bit of my time driving home from Denver. I saw it in the bookstore several times, but it wasn't until I was standing in a Borders that was closing that I actually decided to read it. The idea sounded just preposterous enough that the story would keep my interest on the (excruciating) drive home.
Here's the premise: girl meets boy at school, instantly intrigued by him, feels like she knows him somehow. The night of the senior dance, they meet and he talks to her for the first time, and explains that he knows her because they've known each other in past lives, she just doesn't remember. He calls her by a different name, totally freaks her out, and spends the next five or six years living in the shadows, reliving his past lives and trying to avoid seeing her. It's been a while, so I don't remember her name, maybe Lucy? (Just checked goodreads, that's her name, and his is Daniel.) Lucy slowly has a series of events, including a psychic reading and a hypnosis session, that awaken feelings that she might just be this Sophia he kept calling her. Then there is some conflict involving Daniel's brother, who is evil, and pretends to be Daniel when he meets Sophia, and takes her off to Mexico, and she goes with him even though she doesn't really like him. Lucy/Sophia is rescued by Daniel and he takes her to a monastery to keep safe while he goes to find and fight his evil brother.
The end of the book left me very angry, because it was a total cliffhanger, and there was no indication that this was a series. Goodreads and amazon.com reviews have now led me to believe that it will be a series, rather than a stand alone, but the book could have easily been a complete idea if she had spent less time having Daniel repeat himself when he is the narrator. I did enjoy some of his memories, and some of the stories that he told, particularly the parts about his interaction with Sophia in previous lives, but other parts seemed totally extraneous. But let's be honest, it's a story about someone who can remember all his past lives back to the year 200 A.D. or so. I can't imagine that all of the parts are supposed to make sense.
For a book written by the author of the Traveling Pants series, I suppose I shouldn't have expected brilliance, but over all the ending of the book left me too angry to appreciate the rest of the story, or even its ability to hold my attention for 17 hours striaght. I just couldn't get past the fact that I wouldn't know what happened next.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Pages: 11 CDs (342)
I figure it counts because it took up quite a bit of my time driving home from Denver. I saw it in the bookstore several times, but it wasn't until I was standing in a Borders that was closing that I actually decided to read it. The idea sounded just preposterous enough that the story would keep my interest on the (excruciating) drive home.
Here's the premise: girl meets boy at school, instantly intrigued by him, feels like she knows him somehow. The night of the senior dance, they meet and he talks to her for the first time, and explains that he knows her because they've known each other in past lives, she just doesn't remember. He calls her by a different name, totally freaks her out, and spends the next five or six years living in the shadows, reliving his past lives and trying to avoid seeing her. It's been a while, so I don't remember her name, maybe Lucy? (Just checked goodreads, that's her name, and his is Daniel.) Lucy slowly has a series of events, including a psychic reading and a hypnosis session, that awaken feelings that she might just be this Sophia he kept calling her. Then there is some conflict involving Daniel's brother, who is evil, and pretends to be Daniel when he meets Sophia, and takes her off to Mexico, and she goes with him even though she doesn't really like him. Lucy/Sophia is rescued by Daniel and he takes her to a monastery to keep safe while he goes to find and fight his evil brother.
The end of the book left me very angry, because it was a total cliffhanger, and there was no indication that this was a series. Goodreads and amazon.com reviews have now led me to believe that it will be a series, rather than a stand alone, but the book could have easily been a complete idea if she had spent less time having Daniel repeat himself when he is the narrator. I did enjoy some of his memories, and some of the stories that he told, particularly the parts about his interaction with Sophia in previous lives, but other parts seemed totally extraneous. But let's be honest, it's a story about someone who can remember all his past lives back to the year 200 A.D. or so. I can't imagine that all of the parts are supposed to make sense.
For a book written by the author of the Traveling Pants series, I suppose I shouldn't have expected brilliance, but over all the ending of the book left me too angry to appreciate the rest of the story, or even its ability to hold my attention for 17 hours striaght. I just couldn't get past the fact that I wouldn't know what happened next.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Book 15: The Girl in the Green Sweater
Finished: March 10
Pages: 288
The Diary of Anne Frank is much better. I found this memoir to be repetitive, though the story should have been very interesting. In Poland, three families survived the occupation of Lvov by living in the sewers, saved by three sewer workers, including Leopold Socha, a former thief. The girl in the green sweater is the narrator, Krystyna Chiger, and her green sweater, was given to her by her grandmother, who did not survive the liquidation of Lvov to join them in the sewers. The green sweater now hangs in the Holocaust museum in Washington D. C., which is pretty cool.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Pages: 288
The Diary of Anne Frank is much better. I found this memoir to be repetitive, though the story should have been very interesting. In Poland, three families survived the occupation of Lvov by living in the sewers, saved by three sewer workers, including Leopold Socha, a former thief. The girl in the green sweater is the narrator, Krystyna Chiger, and her green sweater, was given to her by her grandmother, who did not survive the liquidation of Lvov to join them in the sewers. The green sweater now hangs in the Holocaust museum in Washington D. C., which is pretty cool.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Book 14: Clockwork Angel
Finished: March 1
Pages: 479
So, I have an confession to make. I love steampunk. I'm relatively sure that I have made this obvious on other occasions, like when reading The Somnambulist, and while this book isn't pure steampunk (it has too many elements of fantasy: werewolves, vampires, etc.), it certainly is the most I've seen in any young adult book so far.
This series is a prequel of sorts for The Mortal Instruments series that I read last year. This story takes place in Victorian London, with all the trappings and atmosphere to go with it. The foggy, rainy streets are the perfect location for a society bent on protecting normal people from "Underworlders" (previously identified werewolves, and vampires). It's got a little Sherlock Holmes, a lot of historical fiction, and some fantasy all rolled into one, and I like the vibe of these books, not to mention the characters themselves a lot more than the related series, The Mortal Instruments series, that I read last OFYP week. Even the girl characters, who seem to be little shrinking violets have backbone, which is nice to see. I think that she's really getting into the swing of things with this series. I look forward to the next one, which should be out in a few months.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Pages: 479
So, I have an confession to make. I love steampunk. I'm relatively sure that I have made this obvious on other occasions, like when reading The Somnambulist, and while this book isn't pure steampunk (it has too many elements of fantasy: werewolves, vampires, etc.), it certainly is the most I've seen in any young adult book so far.
This series is a prequel of sorts for The Mortal Instruments series that I read last year. This story takes place in Victorian London, with all the trappings and atmosphere to go with it. The foggy, rainy streets are the perfect location for a society bent on protecting normal people from "Underworlders" (previously identified werewolves, and vampires). It's got a little Sherlock Holmes, a lot of historical fiction, and some fantasy all rolled into one, and I like the vibe of these books, not to mention the characters themselves a lot more than the related series, The Mortal Instruments series, that I read last OFYP week. Even the girl characters, who seem to be little shrinking violets have backbone, which is nice to see. I think that she's really getting into the swing of things with this series. I look forward to the next one, which should be out in a few months.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Book 12: A Sweet Disorder
Finished: February 20
Pages: 418
Eh. It was alright, but I'd rather just read Phillipa Gregory, because this is the same idea but much more poorly written.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Pages: 418
Eh. It was alright, but I'd rather just read Phillipa Gregory, because this is the same idea but much more poorly written.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Book 11: The Ring of Solomon
Finished: February 16
Pages: 398
I was so happy to see this novel come out because I read the first three books back in 2006, and I was sad to see the series end. I still love Bartimaeus and his snarky use of footnotes. Rather than the ridiculous and unnecessary footnotes of other books we have read (cough cough Someday my Prince will Come cough), these set up the characterization of Bartimaeus as rude, uncivilized, yet underneath his creepy, let's face it, downright demonic attitude, he can have a real sweet side. Bartimaeus is a djinn, living in a world that is partially based on ours, but where spirits can be summoned by magicians.
It's a funny, light-hearted romp in the world of ancient Egypt and Jerusalem, and people who have studied that part of history will find some really amusing inside jokes. It's not really advanced literature or anything, but definitely better than many of the young adult books out there.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Pages: 398
I was so happy to see this novel come out because I read the first three books back in 2006, and I was sad to see the series end. I still love Bartimaeus and his snarky use of footnotes. Rather than the ridiculous and unnecessary footnotes of other books we have read (cough cough Someday my Prince will Come cough), these set up the characterization of Bartimaeus as rude, uncivilized, yet underneath his creepy, let's face it, downright demonic attitude, he can have a real sweet side. Bartimaeus is a djinn, living in a world that is partially based on ours, but where spirits can be summoned by magicians.
It's a funny, light-hearted romp in the world of ancient Egypt and Jerusalem, and people who have studied that part of history will find some really amusing inside jokes. It's not really advanced literature or anything, but definitely better than many of the young adult books out there.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Friday, February 11, 2011
Book 9: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Finished: February 11
Pages: 230
I've loved Sherman Alexie for a long time, and I don't know what has taken me so long to read his young adult stuff. I can totally understand why this novel won the National Book Award, much less the other 22 awards and honors. It is excellently written, with heartbreaking tragedy and an inside look at the world of our young people and their interactions with the world around them. It also has that insider's honesty about the ramifications of growing up on an Indian Reservation, the kind of people who work there, and the politics of that kind of life.
The story is narrated by Arnold Spirit Jr. Called Junior on the reservation, Arnold at the white school he attends, and illustrated by him as well. He communicates some of his best ideas through pictures, and they are at times both heartbreaking and hilarious.
The life of an Indian living on the reservation is a life that I would not want for myself. Arnold leaves the reservation school because a teacher asks him to find hope, to not let
When his grandmother dies, Arnold's mother reacts by sobbing violently, a reaction that is familiar to us all, and Arnold's poignant observation that "When anybody, not mater how old they are, loses a parent, I think it hurts the same as if you were only five years old, you know? I think all of us are always five years old in the presence and absence of our parents" shows how mature the narrator is.
As a white person, I am occasionally guilty of some of the things that are brought to light in this book, no matter the intentions. The misrepresentation of Indians in mainstream culture can have a pretty powerful impact on how we interact with one another. The novel is full of wonderful cartoons and illustrations that go a long way to put into words (1,00 to every picture) the things that Arnold tries to express about his life, and the lives of everyone on his reservation.
Good reading,
Caitlin
Pages: 230
I've loved Sherman Alexie for a long time, and I don't know what has taken me so long to read his young adult stuff. I can totally understand why this novel won the National Book Award, much less the other 22 awards and honors. It is excellently written, with heartbreaking tragedy and an inside look at the world of our young people and their interactions with the world around them. It also has that insider's honesty about the ramifications of growing up on an Indian Reservation, the kind of people who work there, and the politics of that kind of life.
The story is narrated by Arnold Spirit Jr. Called Junior on the reservation, Arnold at the white school he attends, and illustrated by him as well. He communicates some of his best ideas through pictures, and they are at times both heartbreaking and hilarious.
The life of an Indian living on the reservation is a life that I would not want for myself. Arnold leaves the reservation school because a teacher asks him to find hope, to not let
When his grandmother dies, Arnold's mother reacts by sobbing violently, a reaction that is familiar to us all, and Arnold's poignant observation that "When anybody, not mater how old they are, loses a parent, I think it hurts the same as if you were only five years old, you know? I think all of us are always five years old in the presence and absence of our parents" shows how mature the narrator is.
As a white person, I am occasionally guilty of some of the things that are brought to light in this book, no matter the intentions. The misrepresentation of Indians in mainstream culture can have a pretty powerful impact on how we interact with one another. The novel is full of wonderful cartoons and illustrations that go a long way to put into words (1,00 to every picture) the things that Arnold tries to express about his life, and the lives of everyone on his reservation.
Good reading,
Caitlin
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Book 1 to 3: or, Why I Love Benchmarking
Book 1: The Demon King
Finished: January 4
Pages: 506
I read Williams' other young adult series a couple years ago, at the behest of several students, and I really enjoyed it. This series, while very different from the "Heirs" series, set in a fantasy world and full of political intrigue was very interesting. She has set up a complex society and I look forward to seeing this series through.
All of the main characters are complex and there are many twists and turns. Although several of the "bad guys" are definitely bad, it's nice to see a Young Adult novel with complex undertones.
Book 2: Behemoth
Finished: January 5
Pages: 485
The sequel to Leviathan, which I finished in a day over Christmas break, was just as good as the first one, if not a little better. Set during the beginning of WWI, this alternative, steampunk history is very entertaining. I like the development of the characters and their relationships to each other.
Book 3: The Exiled Queen
Finished: January 6
Pages: 586
The second in the Seven Realms Series, the follow up to The Demon King was just as enjoyable as the first. All the main characters, the princess and her loyal guard; the thief Han, his friend Dancer; as well as the "bad guys" Micah and his sister are all attending the school on neutral ground. This allows for the characters to show some growth and additional character, which helps the book move the action forward, if slowly. This one reminded me more of Harry Potter, just because of the addition of schooling to the plot. It's nice to see that the princess continues to learn a few lessons in humility and reality that she began in the last book.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Finished: January 4
Pages: 506
I read Williams' other young adult series a couple years ago, at the behest of several students, and I really enjoyed it. This series, while very different from the "Heirs" series, set in a fantasy world and full of political intrigue was very interesting. She has set up a complex society and I look forward to seeing this series through.
All of the main characters are complex and there are many twists and turns. Although several of the "bad guys" are definitely bad, it's nice to see a Young Adult novel with complex undertones.
Book 2: Behemoth
Finished: January 5
Pages: 485
The sequel to Leviathan, which I finished in a day over Christmas break, was just as good as the first one, if not a little better. Set during the beginning of WWI, this alternative, steampunk history is very entertaining. I like the development of the characters and their relationships to each other.
Book 3: The Exiled Queen
Finished: January 6
Pages: 586
The second in the Seven Realms Series, the follow up to The Demon King was just as enjoyable as the first. All the main characters, the princess and her loyal guard; the thief Han, his friend Dancer; as well as the "bad guys" Micah and his sister are all attending the school on neutral ground. This allows for the characters to show some growth and additional character, which helps the book move the action forward, if slowly. This one reminded me more of Harry Potter, just because of the addition of schooling to the plot. It's nice to see that the princess continues to learn a few lessons in humility and reality that she began in the last book.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Book Sixty-Four: Leviathan
Book Sixty-Four: Leviathan
Finished: December 27
Pages: 464
The first in a new series by the author of the Uglies series, I received this young adult novel from a friend for Christmas. It was a very entertaining read during the lull of Christmas activities in Oklahoma (where there is nothing else to do late at night, trust me) and on the ride home.
A few things stand out for this book in a sea of young adult literature. First, it's an alternative historical fiction, which isn't that big of a surprise until you realize that the history is the First World War. Second, the science fiction-y, steam punk nature of the novel is not something that I have run across in young adult lit lately.
The set up is fairly simple. Draw the lines previous to WWI in the same places, but add in a few extras: England and their allies are Darwinist countries, where Charles Darwin unlocked the keys to DNA and was able to create all kinds of creatures that fodm the technology of the day, whales turned into zeppelins, etc.; while Germany and their allies are called Clankers: mechanical technology with walking robots, steam powered airplanes and the like. The two protagonists of the story are as diverse (if predictable) as you could imagine; a girl, Deryn, disguised as a boy in the service of the British Air Service, a boy, Alek, the imaginary son of Archduke Ferdinand and his wife Sophie. Eventually, some might say inevitably, our characters meet and our stories become intertwined, causing hijinks and all sorts of adventures.
One thing that was not predictable, and that I certainly appreciated, was the lack of romance between our two heroes. In all other books I've read, it would seem impossible to resist throwing romance into the mix, and I appreciate Westerfeld for resisting.
I'm definitely going to read the rest of the series as they come out; I definitely want to see where this ends up.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Finished: December 27
Pages: 464
The first in a new series by the author of the Uglies series, I received this young adult novel from a friend for Christmas. It was a very entertaining read during the lull of Christmas activities in Oklahoma (where there is nothing else to do late at night, trust me) and on the ride home.
A few things stand out for this book in a sea of young adult literature. First, it's an alternative historical fiction, which isn't that big of a surprise until you realize that the history is the First World War. Second, the science fiction-y, steam punk nature of the novel is not something that I have run across in young adult lit lately.
The set up is fairly simple. Draw the lines previous to WWI in the same places, but add in a few extras: England and their allies are Darwinist countries, where Charles Darwin unlocked the keys to DNA and was able to create all kinds of creatures that fodm the technology of the day, whales turned into zeppelins, etc.; while Germany and their allies are called Clankers: mechanical technology with walking robots, steam powered airplanes and the like. The two protagonists of the story are as diverse (if predictable) as you could imagine; a girl, Deryn, disguised as a boy in the service of the British Air Service, a boy, Alek, the imaginary son of Archduke Ferdinand and his wife Sophie. Eventually, some might say inevitably, our characters meet and our stories become intertwined, causing hijinks and all sorts of adventures.
One thing that was not predictable, and that I certainly appreciated, was the lack of romance between our two heroes. In all other books I've read, it would seem impossible to resist throwing romance into the mix, and I appreciate Westerfeld for resisting.
I'm definitely going to read the rest of the series as they come out; I definitely want to see where this ends up.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Monday, December 6, 2010
Book Sixty-one: The Grimm Legacy
Book Sixty-one: The Grimm Legacy
Finished: December 6
Pages: 325
This book is definitely a cute idea, of a library that contained objects instead of books, and this specific library contains the objects talked about in the Grimm Fairy Tales, like seven league boots, and the twelve dancing princesses shoes, not to mention the Evil Queen's mirror from Snow White.
This story follows the story of Elizabeth Rew, who becomes a worker at the library, and her adventures with the other young people working at the library. I would definitely read the book with a child of mine, but probably wouldn't read it again myself.
Pretty cute, definitely younger adult, but worth the read if you want a bit of fluff.
Thanks for the read, Lydia!
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Finished: December 6
Pages: 325
This book is definitely a cute idea, of a library that contained objects instead of books, and this specific library contains the objects talked about in the Grimm Fairy Tales, like seven league boots, and the twelve dancing princesses shoes, not to mention the Evil Queen's mirror from Snow White.
This story follows the story of Elizabeth Rew, who becomes a worker at the library, and her adventures with the other young people working at the library. I would definitely read the book with a child of mine, but probably wouldn't read it again myself.
Pretty cute, definitely younger adult, but worth the read if you want a bit of fluff.
Thanks for the read, Lydia!
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Book Fifty-Six to Sixty: Young Adult Extravaganza
Book Fifty-six: The Hunter's Moon
Finished: November 3
Pages: 289
Super-lame, under-developed, fake mythology with a cast of characters right out of archetypes-r-us.
Bleh.
I would like my hour and a half back, please.
Book Fifty-Seven: The Naming
Finished: November 5th
Pages: 528
Wanna be Lord of the Rings with a girl protagonist. There are four more books in this series, I think. I'm not going to rush out and check them out of the library any time soon.
Book Fifty-Eight: Jinx
Finished: November 7
Pages: 272
Cute, girly, appropriately young adult. Plus, Meg Cabot is pretty adorable. The best I can say is "yay happy endings."
Book Fifty-Nine: The Ask and the Answer
Finished: November 18
Pages: 544
Seriously, this book could not have been more disappointing. Also, I am super tired of dramatic cliffhangers at the end of books just so you have to go out and get the next one. I suppose I should be thankful that the third book in this series is already out, so if I wanted to know what happens I could find out today, but quite frankly, I just could not stand to read another one of these books. There was no resolution whatsoever for any of the conflicts in the novel!
The only good thing was this quote: "To see the ocean once is to learn how to miss it" (156).
Book Sixty: All We Know of Heaven
Finished: November 22
Pages: 310
I have decided that one of the worst things in Young Adult Lit is when a woman old enough to have teenagers herself takes it upon herself to write in the voice of teenagers. It sometimes works perfectly, but in this case, it sounds fake and sad. There is nothing more embarrassing than reading a book like this one. It was overly sentimental, contrived, and quite frankly, outlandishly unrealistic. This coming from someone who loves fantasy! Two girls are mistaken for each other after a car wreck, and the resulting fallout of mistaken identity, guilt, and remorse. It could have been an excellent choice, but the lack of proper grammar, inappropriate use of slang, and ridiculous punctuation and capitalization of the dialogue of even the adults in the story made me regret ever starting it. I think that a story like this could really be used to inspire students to overcome obstacles, but it just made me want to punch every single character in the face for being the stereotypes they were.
"Good" reading,
Caitlin
Finished: November 3
Pages: 289
Super-lame, under-developed, fake mythology with a cast of characters right out of archetypes-r-us.
Bleh.
I would like my hour and a half back, please.
Book Fifty-Seven: The Naming
Finished: November 5th
Pages: 528
Wanna be Lord of the Rings with a girl protagonist. There are four more books in this series, I think. I'm not going to rush out and check them out of the library any time soon.
Book Fifty-Eight: Jinx
Finished: November 7
Pages: 272
Cute, girly, appropriately young adult. Plus, Meg Cabot is pretty adorable. The best I can say is "yay happy endings."
Book Fifty-Nine: The Ask and the Answer
Finished: November 18
Pages: 544
Seriously, this book could not have been more disappointing. Also, I am super tired of dramatic cliffhangers at the end of books just so you have to go out and get the next one. I suppose I should be thankful that the third book in this series is already out, so if I wanted to know what happens I could find out today, but quite frankly, I just could not stand to read another one of these books. There was no resolution whatsoever for any of the conflicts in the novel!
The only good thing was this quote: "To see the ocean once is to learn how to miss it" (156).
Book Sixty: All We Know of Heaven
Finished: November 22
Pages: 310
I have decided that one of the worst things in Young Adult Lit is when a woman old enough to have teenagers herself takes it upon herself to write in the voice of teenagers. It sometimes works perfectly, but in this case, it sounds fake and sad. There is nothing more embarrassing than reading a book like this one. It was overly sentimental, contrived, and quite frankly, outlandishly unrealistic. This coming from someone who loves fantasy! Two girls are mistaken for each other after a car wreck, and the resulting fallout of mistaken identity, guilt, and remorse. It could have been an excellent choice, but the lack of proper grammar, inappropriate use of slang, and ridiculous punctuation and capitalization of the dialogue of even the adults in the story made me regret ever starting it. I think that a story like this could really be used to inspire students to overcome obstacles, but it just made me want to punch every single character in the face for being the stereotypes they were.
"Good" reading,
Caitlin
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Book Fifty-five: Keturah and Lord Death
Book Fifty-five: Keturah and Lord Death
Finished: November 2
Pages: 214
This National Book Award Finalist was a remarkably quick read, and yet, in those short pages, I was blown away by the imagery in the prose. I have always been fascinated by stories about Death, and this one was no less surprising, for all it's a story that's been told over and over again. A mix of Scheherazade's 1,001 Nights; the myth of Persephone; and traditional fairy tales like Beauty and the Beast, or Cinderella, whose retellings delight me even if they are a little too "kiddy" for me; I loved the characterization of both Keturah, our narrator, the other girls in her village, and Lord Death. I loved the twists and turns in the narrative. I love the ending, because you both expect and don't expect it, and I like to be kept guessing. I like that the story takes place over such a small portion of time, but you still feel close to all the characters.
Definitely more worth the read than anything else that I've read so far this month.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Finished: November 2
Pages: 214
This National Book Award Finalist was a remarkably quick read, and yet, in those short pages, I was blown away by the imagery in the prose. I have always been fascinated by stories about Death, and this one was no less surprising, for all it's a story that's been told over and over again. A mix of Scheherazade's 1,001 Nights; the myth of Persephone; and traditional fairy tales like Beauty and the Beast, or Cinderella, whose retellings delight me even if they are a little too "kiddy" for me; I loved the characterization of both Keturah, our narrator, the other girls in her village, and Lord Death. I loved the twists and turns in the narrative. I love the ending, because you both expect and don't expect it, and I like to be kept guessing. I like that the story takes place over such a small portion of time, but you still feel close to all the characters.
Definitely more worth the read than anything else that I've read so far this month.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Book Fifty and Fifty-One: City of Ashes, City of Glass
Book Fifty: City of Ashes
Finished: October 7
Pages: 453
Book Fifty-One: City of Glass
Finished: October 7
Pages: 541
So, I finished this series. I couldn't leave it half done. I needed to know where she was going with the story and characters. I must admit, I do love the world that she created. I like the way that the various fantastic creatures lived and interacted with the "real world" and I also enjoyed the layers of politics. I found many of the characters to be cliched and repetitive. Some of the ends were too neat. I don't really like stories that are happy endings; when there are so few sacrifices on the part of the reader, it doesn't make it easy to stay invested in the story.
I found the two main characters, Clary and Jace, to be pretty obnoxiously into each other, especially since they are supposed to be brother and sister through most of it. Even if it does turn out to be incorrect at the end, I still spent a large portion of the books being totally weirded out.
If you only read one Young Adult series ever, this is not the one to spend your time on, though I think this is definitely better than Twilight. If nothing else, it is a quick read.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Finished: October 7
Pages: 453
Book Fifty-One: City of Glass
Finished: October 7
Pages: 541
So, I finished this series. I couldn't leave it half done. I needed to know where she was going with the story and characters. I must admit, I do love the world that she created. I like the way that the various fantastic creatures lived and interacted with the "real world" and I also enjoyed the layers of politics. I found many of the characters to be cliched and repetitive. Some of the ends were too neat. I don't really like stories that are happy endings; when there are so few sacrifices on the part of the reader, it doesn't make it easy to stay invested in the story.
I found the two main characters, Clary and Jace, to be pretty obnoxiously into each other, especially since they are supposed to be brother and sister through most of it. Even if it does turn out to be incorrect at the end, I still spent a large portion of the books being totally weirded out.
If you only read one Young Adult series ever, this is not the one to spend your time on, though I think this is definitely better than Twilight. If nothing else, it is a quick read.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Monday, September 20, 2010
Books Forty-six and Forty-seven: Brightly Woven and Dead Until Dark
Book Forty-six: Brightly Woven
Pages: 354
Finished: September 17
Well, surprise, surprise! I read some more young adult fiction. I know, you're shocked! What can I say? It's the beginning of the school year, and I don't really want to read a lot of heavy stuff right now.
This is your basic Young Adult plot: Girl meets mysterious boy with secret. Girl is taken away from everything she knows on wild adventure with mysterious boy. Girl develops secret magic powers. Boy and girl have conflict. Girl runs away/gets kidnapped/gets in trouble. Discovers she is in love with Boy. Boy saves girl/girl saves herself. Boy and girl fall in love. The End.
Whoops, sorry. I just ruined every Young Adult Fantasy novel in existence.
Book Forty-seven: Dead Until Dark
Pages: 336
Finished: Sometime in the last three weeks
Many of my friends are obsessed with Trueblood. So, I decided to take the Charlaine Harris books for a spin. I was also checking to see if these were books that I would want to have in my classroom, since my kids are all obsessed with Twilight. Man, was I wrong on that count! I just don't feel comfortable having my kids read books with that much sex in them. If it had been a couple isolated incidents, I would not have minded, but these are definitely trashy books, with little redeeming value.
Did I enjoy this book? Certainly. When I need a trashy light read I will turn to the rest of this series, but I don't think I'll recommend them to my students.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Pages: 354
Finished: September 17
Well, surprise, surprise! I read some more young adult fiction. I know, you're shocked! What can I say? It's the beginning of the school year, and I don't really want to read a lot of heavy stuff right now.
This is your basic Young Adult plot: Girl meets mysterious boy with secret. Girl is taken away from everything she knows on wild adventure with mysterious boy. Girl develops secret magic powers. Boy and girl have conflict. Girl runs away/gets kidnapped/gets in trouble. Discovers she is in love with Boy. Boy saves girl/girl saves herself. Boy and girl fall in love. The End.
Whoops, sorry. I just ruined every Young Adult Fantasy novel in existence.
Book Forty-seven: Dead Until Dark
Pages: 336
Finished: Sometime in the last three weeks
Many of my friends are obsessed with Trueblood. So, I decided to take the Charlaine Harris books for a spin. I was also checking to see if these were books that I would want to have in my classroom, since my kids are all obsessed with Twilight. Man, was I wrong on that count! I just don't feel comfortable having my kids read books with that much sex in them. If it had been a couple isolated incidents, I would not have minded, but these are definitely trashy books, with little redeeming value.
Did I enjoy this book? Certainly. When I need a trashy light read I will turn to the rest of this series, but I don't think I'll recommend them to my students.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Friday, September 10, 2010
Book Forty-five: Fire
Forty-five: Fire
Pages: 461
Finished: September 9
This is a companion to the world of Book Six, that I read back in January, called Graceling. I think that it is interesting how much the author had grown in many ways in the course of just one book. While this book takes place in the same Universe as the first, it isn't necessary to read the other book to know what is going on, and the action takes place many years prior to the first book. I like the character Fire, because she is strong, and independent, and I like female characters who are conscious of some of their faults, and also characters that are not entirely "good" or "bad." Fire has some very good characteristics, but she also has some very bad aspects, as any person with the kind of powers that she has would be tempted by. I like the large supporting cast of characters, and the descriptive quality of Cashore's writing.
It's a well-developed world, with a fight for the kingdom, just like most fantasy novels, and the well-written action means I'll come back to this author again to see where she goes from here.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Pages: 461
Finished: September 9
This is a companion to the world of Book Six, that I read back in January, called Graceling. I think that it is interesting how much the author had grown in many ways in the course of just one book. While this book takes place in the same Universe as the first, it isn't necessary to read the other book to know what is going on, and the action takes place many years prior to the first book. I like the character Fire, because she is strong, and independent, and I like female characters who are conscious of some of their faults, and also characters that are not entirely "good" or "bad." Fire has some very good characteristics, but she also has some very bad aspects, as any person with the kind of powers that she has would be tempted by. I like the large supporting cast of characters, and the descriptive quality of Cashore's writing.
It's a well-developed world, with a fight for the kingdom, just like most fantasy novels, and the well-written action means I'll come back to this author again to see where she goes from here.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Book Thirty-eight: The Knife of Never Letting Go
Book Thirty-eight: The Knife of Never Letting Go
Pages: 479
Finished: 4:25 a.m. July 28
So, you guys? I'm a little overwhelmed. This book is CRAZY. Seriously. Because, you guys? I totally just read it in two and a half hours. The WHOLE BOOK. That's 479 pages of normal sized Young Adult book text in less than three hours. You know how I read Catching Fire in one night because of how good it was? and how I can't read the last Harry Potter in anything less than 5 and a half hours straight through, don't call me I won't answer the phone, must cry for Snape insanity? This was like that, but a different kind of intense, plus there is a talking dog. Let me repeat that: There is a talking dog in this book and it is endearing as hell. It is pretty much exactly the way I picture dogs talking. Like in UP but cuter because I get to give the dog whatever voice I want.
PS. I've only read one other book all the way through in the past three weeks, and I don't understand why we can have all these really easy to read interesting books for young adults, but I feel obligated to slog my way through Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali to make myself feel guilty about being an American who didn't have to go through difficulties.
Issues with the book were not completely absent. Pretty much half the book is misspelled. This bothered me for about forty pages, and then I just tried to think of it like Huckleberry Finn, and it was fine. It makes sense that if you have a narrator whose words you can see, you would see them misspelled if he doesn't even know how to read. P.S. Super adorable when he tries to read. I mean it.
The premise of the book is also interesting. Human settlers leave Earth (or I'm assuming it's Earth) and land on a new planet. The new planet causes everyone to be able to hear all the thoughts of all the men. Different groups of people have different reactions. The story goes on from there. The way that they give you these bits and snippets of history and "truth" is also very vividly written.
Probably not for fans of sci-fi, but an enjoyable read, so maybe you should try it anyway.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Pages: 479
Finished: 4:25 a.m. July 28
So, you guys? I'm a little overwhelmed. This book is CRAZY. Seriously. Because, you guys? I totally just read it in two and a half hours. The WHOLE BOOK. That's 479 pages of normal sized Young Adult book text in less than three hours. You know how I read Catching Fire in one night because of how good it was? and how I can't read the last Harry Potter in anything less than 5 and a half hours straight through, don't call me I won't answer the phone, must cry for Snape insanity? This was like that, but a different kind of intense, plus there is a talking dog. Let me repeat that: There is a talking dog in this book and it is endearing as hell. It is pretty much exactly the way I picture dogs talking. Like in UP but cuter because I get to give the dog whatever voice I want.
PS. I've only read one other book all the way through in the past three weeks, and I don't understand why we can have all these really easy to read interesting books for young adults, but I feel obligated to slog my way through Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali to make myself feel guilty about being an American who didn't have to go through difficulties.
Issues with the book were not completely absent. Pretty much half the book is misspelled. This bothered me for about forty pages, and then I just tried to think of it like Huckleberry Finn, and it was fine. It makes sense that if you have a narrator whose words you can see, you would see them misspelled if he doesn't even know how to read. P.S. Super adorable when he tries to read. I mean it.
The premise of the book is also interesting. Human settlers leave Earth (or I'm assuming it's Earth) and land on a new planet. The new planet causes everyone to be able to hear all the thoughts of all the men. Different groups of people have different reactions. The story goes on from there. The way that they give you these bits and snippets of history and "truth" is also very vividly written.
Probably not for fans of sci-fi, but an enjoyable read, so maybe you should try it anyway.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Books Thirty through Thirty-three: The Pagan Chronicles
Book Thirty: Pagan's Crusade
Finished: June 1
Pages: 256
Book Thirty-one: Pagan in Exile
Finished: June 2
Pages: 336
Book Thirty-two: Pagan's Vows
FInished: June 3
Pages: 336
Book Thirty-three: Pagan's Scribe
Finished: June 3
Pages: 368
Okay, as you might remember (or as you read below) I read Babylonne without realizing that it was a sequel to this series, so I decided to read the rest of them to see if I liked it better afterward. The answer is certainly "yes." There is something endearing about Pagan, the young Christian Arab who grows up in Jerusalem during the medieval Crusades, and the fall of Jerusalem to Salahadin. Pagan becomes a squire to a young Templar knight named Roland, and the first three books are told from Pagan's point of view as they adventure from Jerusalem to the south of France. My favorite book, however, is Pagan's Scribe, the fourth, partially because it introduces a new character, Isidore, who I had met previously in Babylonne. The endearing quirks of Pagan's character, the amusing sarcasm that is his irreverant nature, and contrasting deep love for his friends is much more apparent from an outsider's perspective. While I think that perhaps a teenager might enjoy these books more than I did, I certainly didn't hate them at all. They were funny, and the witty banter that Pagan keeps up, first with himself, then with Roland, and finally with Isidore, would be enough to keep me reading.
The grammar issues that I faced with Jinks' other writing is even more apparent here. The incomplete sentences, as well as multiple tangential phrases did at times make it difficult to keep up. During battle scenes in the first book, and then in other times of fast action, it is hard to keep track of who is talking, but often seemed purposeful, since in the heat of the moment it would be difficult to keep track of what was going on in real life.
I think that the characters were well developed, and certainly Babylonne would have made so much more sense had I read these in order, but at the same time, I had a good time figuring out the mystery that was Pagan in the same way that Babylonne herself did, through a whole lot of digging. I wouldn't recommend this book to a really high-minded Christian, since there is quite a bit of blasphemy, but anyone with a decent brain between their ears would see that most of the irreverence is directed towards stupid characters rather than God. All in all, pretty hilarious, and I'm glad I wasted my days reading them.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Finished: June 1
Pages: 256
Book Thirty-one: Pagan in Exile
Finished: June 2
Pages: 336
Book Thirty-two: Pagan's Vows
FInished: June 3
Pages: 336
Book Thirty-three: Pagan's Scribe
Finished: June 3
Pages: 368
Okay, as you might remember (or as you read below) I read Babylonne without realizing that it was a sequel to this series, so I decided to read the rest of them to see if I liked it better afterward. The answer is certainly "yes." There is something endearing about Pagan, the young Christian Arab who grows up in Jerusalem during the medieval Crusades, and the fall of Jerusalem to Salahadin. Pagan becomes a squire to a young Templar knight named Roland, and the first three books are told from Pagan's point of view as they adventure from Jerusalem to the south of France. My favorite book, however, is Pagan's Scribe, the fourth, partially because it introduces a new character, Isidore, who I had met previously in Babylonne. The endearing quirks of Pagan's character, the amusing sarcasm that is his irreverant nature, and contrasting deep love for his friends is much more apparent from an outsider's perspective. While I think that perhaps a teenager might enjoy these books more than I did, I certainly didn't hate them at all. They were funny, and the witty banter that Pagan keeps up, first with himself, then with Roland, and finally with Isidore, would be enough to keep me reading.
"Name?"
"Pagan Kidrouk, sir."
"Age?"
"Sixteen. Sir"
"Born in?"
"Bethlehem."
Rockhead looks up. The brain peeps out from behind the brawn.
"Don't worry, sir. It didn't happen in a stable."
Clunk. Another jest falls flat on the ground.
"Why did you leave?"
"It was the jokes, sir. In the guardroom. Not that I object to jokes as such. Some of my best friends are complete jokes. But I don't like leper jokes. Or dysentery jokes. Especially when I'm eating."
The grammar issues that I faced with Jinks' other writing is even more apparent here. The incomplete sentences, as well as multiple tangential phrases did at times make it difficult to keep up. During battle scenes in the first book, and then in other times of fast action, it is hard to keep track of who is talking, but often seemed purposeful, since in the heat of the moment it would be difficult to keep track of what was going on in real life.
I think that the characters were well developed, and certainly Babylonne would have made so much more sense had I read these in order, but at the same time, I had a good time figuring out the mystery that was Pagan in the same way that Babylonne herself did, through a whole lot of digging. I wouldn't recommend this book to a really high-minded Christian, since there is quite a bit of blasphemy, but anyone with a decent brain between their ears would see that most of the irreverence is directed towards stupid characters rather than God. All in all, pretty hilarious, and I'm glad I wasted my days reading them.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Monday, May 31, 2010
Book Twenty-nine: Babylonne
Book Twenty-nine: Babylonne
Finished: May 31
Pages: 384
Okay, I'll be honest. I picked this up on a whim, when I was looking for the second book in the Mortal Instruments trilogy at the library. Since they didn't have the book that I was looking for, I decided to go with a random book that had intrigued me for a while. Since it's my last week in the library at school for three months, I've been picking up a lot of these books since they are fast reads and generally entertaining. Besides, if they aren't entertaining, I don't feel bad about just taking them right back downstairs.
So, I didn't realize that this book was part of a series when I first picked it up. It certainly stands on its own, but I will say this, it probably would make more sense if I had read the others first. The story is of a young girl named Babylonne who lives during the 1200's in France, and her travels of discovery, both of herself and her absent parents. My hope is that if I had read some of the other books I would have a better understanding of the culture and characters. Babylonne is a member of a sect of Christianity called Cathars, and knowing nothing about either that faith, or the politics of the time, I was lost for a vast majority of the book. The style of writing also takes some getting used to, as most of the book is written in a stream of consciousness style that interrupts itself interrupting itself. Very hard transition to make from the more straightforward narrative I had been reading the past few books. To be sure, Babylonne's voice is very apparent, and she does seem to come alive once you get past the first few chapters and get into the swing of things. She has an entertaining and sarcastic view of the world that certainly does not fail to amuse. For example, when describing her grandmother's snore she says "She has a snore like an armored corpse being dragged across dry cobblestones" (11). I mean, can you really be more descriptive?
I have many questions about her father, Pagan, who apparently is the main character in all the previous books. I think that these questions would be answered already had I noticed that there was a particular order to them. Whoops. Perhaps I will hold off all further judgment of the narrative and its plot holes until I have read the other books. After accustoming myself to the style of prose, I had a good enough time, but we shall see. I certainly enjoyed it enough to read the rest of the series.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
Finished: May 31
Pages: 384
Okay, I'll be honest. I picked this up on a whim, when I was looking for the second book in the Mortal Instruments trilogy at the library. Since they didn't have the book that I was looking for, I decided to go with a random book that had intrigued me for a while. Since it's my last week in the library at school for three months, I've been picking up a lot of these books since they are fast reads and generally entertaining. Besides, if they aren't entertaining, I don't feel bad about just taking them right back downstairs.
So, I didn't realize that this book was part of a series when I first picked it up. It certainly stands on its own, but I will say this, it probably would make more sense if I had read the others first. The story is of a young girl named Babylonne who lives during the 1200's in France, and her travels of discovery, both of herself and her absent parents. My hope is that if I had read some of the other books I would have a better understanding of the culture and characters. Babylonne is a member of a sect of Christianity called Cathars, and knowing nothing about either that faith, or the politics of the time, I was lost for a vast majority of the book. The style of writing also takes some getting used to, as most of the book is written in a stream of consciousness style that interrupts itself interrupting itself. Very hard transition to make from the more straightforward narrative I had been reading the past few books. To be sure, Babylonne's voice is very apparent, and she does seem to come alive once you get past the first few chapters and get into the swing of things. She has an entertaining and sarcastic view of the world that certainly does not fail to amuse. For example, when describing her grandmother's snore she says "She has a snore like an armored corpse being dragged across dry cobblestones" (11). I mean, can you really be more descriptive?
I have many questions about her father, Pagan, who apparently is the main character in all the previous books. I think that these questions would be answered already had I noticed that there was a particular order to them. Whoops. Perhaps I will hold off all further judgment of the narrative and its plot holes until I have read the other books. After accustoming myself to the style of prose, I had a good enough time, but we shall see. I certainly enjoyed it enough to read the rest of the series.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
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