This is my last book of the summer; finished the morning right before leaving for a Teacher Inservice.
Brian's Winter (YA) by Gary Paulson. This is a companion piece to Paulson's Hatchet, a story about a young boy who is stranded in the Canadian wilderness for a summer. Brian's Winter is the story of what would have happened to Brian had he not been rescued.
Of course, this book is a bit fanciful. Things tend to go off pretty well for Brian. At the same time, Paulson does great things with the descriptive narratives of the wilderness. A few chapters into the book, I was yearning for my first winter snow (and snow day). I love taking hikes in the snow, and by hikes, I really mean long walks.
At times, the book was too predictable. For example, the moment the skunk appeared, it becomes apparent that Brian and the skunk will form some sort of symbiotic relationship of food and defense.
Regardless, this book achieves an A/B+ for being a solid accompaniment to Hatchet (and for getting me totally enthused about winter).
Next Up: David Sedaris's newest book
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
It sucked.
Terry was right. It sucked.
I waded through the whole book in just days, only to be rewarded with no battle! After my last post, the threat of the Volturi (the vampire royalty) finally emerged. And my reading motivation perked up! A battle! A fight preparation! Death!
But, alas, the Volturi came and they made up and everyone lived happily ever after! Seriously.
Ugh.
Throughout the first three books, Bella defines herself only in comparison to Edward. In this book, she finally becomes immortal and gains equal footing with the Cullens. This could have been a great opportunity for character development. Bella becomes a mother and comes to learn that she has one of the most valuable supernatural powers around, but she is still defined by Edward.
Here's a blog post with comments that I totally dig: http://electrolicious.com/2008/08/my-breaking-dawn-review
I waded through the whole book in just days, only to be rewarded with no battle! After my last post, the threat of the Volturi (the vampire royalty) finally emerged. And my reading motivation perked up! A battle! A fight preparation! Death!
But, alas, the Volturi came and they made up and everyone lived happily ever after! Seriously.
Ugh.
Throughout the first three books, Bella defines herself only in comparison to Edward. In this book, she finally becomes immortal and gains equal footing with the Cullens. This could have been a great opportunity for character development. Bella becomes a mother and comes to learn that she has one of the most valuable supernatural powers around, but she is still defined by Edward.
Here's a blog post with comments that I totally dig: http://electrolicious.com/2008/08/my-breaking-dawn-review
Monday, August 4, 2008
One more bite before I puke...
Breaking Dawn
I'm not quite done with it yet. It's like Les Mis length, okay? But I'll probably be done with it soon-- despite the fact that I can't stand it.
Yesterday, Terr texted me with "The book sucked." I wasn't sure what she meant, and I never called her for clarification. I have two possible interpretations of that message.
1) The book sucked. As in, the book was poorly written, the plot wasn't great or was too all-encompassing, etc.
2) The book sucked because a beloved character died.
Well, my only hope is that both of the above are true. Because #1 is already true, and I think that #2 is the only possible option that will salvage this story.
Now this is the thing, the Twilight series isn't great literature. But they have been great reads. Sure, they're fantastic, indulgent, and over the top. But they are adrenaline pumping reads. I can imagine this series will last for a long time, but not like Harry Potter. The difference is that I really cared about the characters in Harry Potter, but most of the time I can't muster one bit of connection to the characters in this series. (Tangential Aside: I detested the Epilogue in the final HP book.) Quite frankly, I felt more connected to Stephanie Plum in Evanovitch's books than I do to Bella Swan, but then again I am an adult like Stephanie Plum and not a hormone-ridden teen like Bella. So I imagine it must be quite different for all of those girls out there who are getting dressed up like the characters. Which is neither here nor there.
Breaking Dawn is over-indulgent pulp, saccharine to the extreme. Dark Shadows multiplied 10 times with a huge dash of fashion from Vogue. All the emotions - like the hugest, longest roller coaster ever. Perhaps that's teenage life. I can't remember. But the emotions - all either felt to the nth degree or felt too shallow at all. For example, Bella becomes a mother. Sure there are descriptions of her all-encompassing love for her child, but it feels as heartfelt as one's love for vanilla soft serve. (I wish I had some right now. And I am sorry McDonald's employee at whom today I yelled. --Ugh what one will do to avoid ending on a preposition.--) You can feel heartfelt love for ice cream, but I sure do hope I have more depth of feeling for my future children.
BUT I CAN'T STOP READING IT. It's giving me a headache. It's got some crazy narcotic effect. I almost feel like I just ate a whole packet of Lik-m-aid, but it's a book. Mmm... Lik-m-aid.
I'm not quite done with it yet. It's like Les Mis length, okay? But I'll probably be done with it soon-- despite the fact that I can't stand it.
Yesterday, Terr texted me with "The book sucked." I wasn't sure what she meant, and I never called her for clarification. I have two possible interpretations of that message.
1) The book sucked. As in, the book was poorly written, the plot wasn't great or was too all-encompassing, etc.
2) The book sucked because a beloved character died.
Well, my only hope is that both of the above are true. Because #1 is already true, and I think that #2 is the only possible option that will salvage this story.
Now this is the thing, the Twilight series isn't great literature. But they have been great reads. Sure, they're fantastic, indulgent, and over the top. But they are adrenaline pumping reads. I can imagine this series will last for a long time, but not like Harry Potter. The difference is that I really cared about the characters in Harry Potter, but most of the time I can't muster one bit of connection to the characters in this series. (Tangential Aside: I detested the Epilogue in the final HP book.) Quite frankly, I felt more connected to Stephanie Plum in Evanovitch's books than I do to Bella Swan, but then again I am an adult like Stephanie Plum and not a hormone-ridden teen like Bella. So I imagine it must be quite different for all of those girls out there who are getting dressed up like the characters. Which is neither here nor there.
Breaking Dawn is over-indulgent pulp, saccharine to the extreme. Dark Shadows multiplied 10 times with a huge dash of fashion from Vogue. All the emotions - like the hugest, longest roller coaster ever. Perhaps that's teenage life. I can't remember. But the emotions - all either felt to the nth degree or felt too shallow at all. For example, Bella becomes a mother. Sure there are descriptions of her all-encompassing love for her child, but it feels as heartfelt as one's love for vanilla soft serve. (I wish I had some right now. And I am sorry McDonald's employee at whom today I yelled. --Ugh what one will do to avoid ending on a preposition.--) You can feel heartfelt love for ice cream, but I sure do hope I have more depth of feeling for my future children.
BUT I CAN'T STOP READING IT. It's giving me a headache. It's got some crazy narcotic effect. I almost feel like I just ate a whole packet of Lik-m-aid, but it's a book. Mmm... Lik-m-aid.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
I was bitten.
I know, I know. A cheesy title: "I was bitten." But I did go to B&N, and I couldn't resist. Or rather my husband persuaded me to treat myself. This way I can talk to Terry about the book, rather than waiting to see her to borrow it.
I also picked up a Demonata book (#2 in the series after Lord Loss). These books are a bit too scary for me, I think. I've read the first chapter of Lord Loss. Just as one of my students said, the first chapter was way creepy/scary. But I picked up this one because it only cost a few bucks on clearance, and it was hardcover. Who knows? Maybe I'll read it. (Certainly before The Outsiders! Oh! Woe is me (I)! An English teacher who struggles with S.E. Hinton and just finished her first complete Dickens novel! And what a pill it was!)
I almost got the McBride book, but I figured I can pick that up at the library.
Well, I must go see what is going on in the melodramatic lives of Bella and Edward.
I also picked up a Demonata book (#2 in the series after Lord Loss). These books are a bit too scary for me, I think. I've read the first chapter of Lord Loss. Just as one of my students said, the first chapter was way creepy/scary. But I picked up this one because it only cost a few bucks on clearance, and it was hardcover. Who knows? Maybe I'll read it. (Certainly before The Outsiders! Oh! Woe is me (I)! An English teacher who struggles with S.E. Hinton and just finished her first complete Dickens novel! And what a pill it was!)
I almost got the McBride book, but I figured I can pick that up at the library.
Well, I must go see what is going on in the melodramatic lives of Bella and Edward.
Christmas in July: Mission Completed
Good News!
On August 1st, I finished Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Huzzah for the good reader! I accomplished my goal of Christmas in July!
That's book 12.
Now on to The Outsiders. Now in the past when I have said, "I'm reading The Outsiders," that was usually code for "I'm going to read the first few chapters" or "I'm going to skim through it." In truth, I don't have a lot of motivation for reading it in its entirety. The only motivating factor is that it is an available novel at my school. We'll see if I really read it or not. You see, tonight I plan on convincing my husband to stop at a bookstore with me. While there I will salivate over the new Meyers' book Breaking Dawn. But I'm also interested in Thirteen Reasons Why and The Dead and the Gone (Pfeffer's companion book to Life As We Knew It). There's even a few adult books I really want to read, including McBride's (?) Miracle at St. Anna.
So will I resist the siren song of Barnes & Noble? Or will I remain resolute and strong and read The Outsiders?
On August 1st, I finished Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Huzzah for the good reader! I accomplished my goal of Christmas in July!
That's book 12.
Now on to The Outsiders. Now in the past when I have said, "I'm reading The Outsiders," that was usually code for "I'm going to read the first few chapters" or "I'm going to skim through it." In truth, I don't have a lot of motivation for reading it in its entirety. The only motivating factor is that it is an available novel at my school. We'll see if I really read it or not. You see, tonight I plan on convincing my husband to stop at a bookstore with me. While there I will salivate over the new Meyers' book Breaking Dawn. But I'm also interested in Thirteen Reasons Why and The Dead and the Gone (Pfeffer's companion book to Life As We Knew It). There's even a few adult books I really want to read, including McBride's (?) Miracle at St. Anna.
So will I resist the siren song of Barnes & Noble? Or will I remain resolute and strong and read The Outsiders?
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