Bird's comments
(member since May 05, 2009)
Bird's comments from the Wild Things: YA Grown-Up group.
(showing 1-20 of 22)
5.4 Secret of Platform 13 (mother/son relationship important) 231 pages25.1 Scat - contemporary, 304 pages
Igraine the Brave - fantasy, 224 pages
Tales from the Odyssey: The Gray-Eyed Goddess - historical, 128 pages
Totals: 155 points, 2875 pages
25.2 The End of the Beginning by Avi (144pages)The Beasts of Clawstone Castle by Eva Ibbotson (192 pages)
These were the random library picks, and I hated them both. Ugh.
Total points: 125
Total pages: 1988
I have mixed feelings. It does seem like many YA authors are going the series route lately. I do love being able to follow the same characters for multiple books and see them change and develop, but on the other hand I hate getting sucked into a series and feeling compelled to read them all. (I'm slightly compulsive!)
I have been reading many series lately, and I find that when I read a stand alone novel it feels strange to know I'm "done" with the story/characters, you know?
Carl Hiaasen writes both adult and YA books. I've only read his YA books so far, but I have a few of his adult ones on my TBR shelf.
As a teacher, I hate to hear of students being denied access to certain books because some church officials don't like/agree with them. A few months ago, I heard of a school that was prohibiting teachers to send out the monthly Scholastic book orders and canceled the book fair because they said Scholastic was promoting "anti-God" literature. (ie, Harry Potter)
Like many of you, I have only seen the cartoon movie version. I am very hesitant to watch the newer version, because I'm almost positive I will be disappointed with it.
P - Philip Pullman (Dark Materials)
Well in that case, we agree with you! :O)
I'm getting ready to re-read this for one of the challenge tasks. I adored it when I was a kid, and I hope I enjoy it just as much now. I felt a strong connection to Fern, as I am also an animal lover.Did anyone else like this book when they were younger? Has anyone re-read this as an adult?
I completely agree with Kandice. I consider those books classics as well! I do believe that HP will be considered a classic down the road because it attracts a wide readership and is fun/engaging while still dealing with some very serious issues.
25.3 The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke, 348 pages (Set in Venice, Italy)Total: 100 points, 1652 pages
There is also a spoof of the book, Goodnight Goon, which young kids might enjoy.
PMR has another novel with similar themes, Becoming Naomi Leon, which is also very good. I read it a few years ago and really enjoyed it.
Let me start by saying that I am not really a fan of Gaiman. I find much of his work a bit on the dark side, which isn't usually what I go for in my reading material. However, I actually enjoyed this one. I was very creeped out by the beginning, but it grabbed my interest and kept me reading. The ghoul episode was a little weird, and probably my least favorite part. (Although it does come back at the end of the book, and you realize that the previous part was necessary.)
30.2 The Graveyard Book, 312 pages*scampers off to contribute to discussion*
Total: 75 points, 1304 pages
20.2 Flush by Carl Hiaasen (272 pages)I loved this book because it covered environmental issues in a very entertaining way, which is definitely one of Hiaasen's strengths. I think this is something all kids could benefit from reading. Everyone (both kids and adults) needs to know the effect environmental degradation has on the world.
Total: 45 pts, 992 pages
Well hello again Alexis! Fancy meeting you here! :O)Have you read all of her books at one point? I believe I've read them all but Solstice. I think my favorite was the Secret Circle Trilogy. I never got into the Vampire Diaries when I was younger. Something about vampires has always freaked me out a bit for some reason (why that as opposed to anything else, I have no idea).
What do you think of her recurring theme of soulmates? (And doesn't she write such wonderful male characters?)
Flush (Carl Hiaasen)"I understand you've been to visit your father," he said finally. "That must've been tough."
"Not really." I was trying to sound kind of cool and bored.
"Yes, well, this isn't the first time your dad's had a scrape with the law, is it?"
"No, sir."
"What do you remember about the other times?" He asked.
I just shrugged. It was amazing that Mom had left me alone in the room with this guy. I knew she was hovering somewhere nearby, but at least for now I was free to say what I wanted.
Alexis wrote: "Bird wrote: "25.4 The Secret Circle No.1 - The Initiation and the Captive Part 1. by: L J Smith (320 pg)
The Secret Circle No. 2 - The Captive Part 2 and The Power. by: L J Smith (400 pg)"
YES!..."
They've actually reissued the books recently into only 2 volumes, with the first containing book one and half of book two. The second volume then contains the last part of book 2 and all of book three. Weird, eh? And they have these "modern" covers that they apparently think will appeal to today's teen crowd. Give me back the old ones! Why do we need to update book covers?? (Ok, end of rant!)
I was looking at the NW books at the bookstore last night. (Also with reissued covers.) They have combined all of the NW series (9 of them?) into 3 volumes.
It's nice to meet someone who is reading her books! I adored them when I was younger, and I was pleasantly surprised that I still enjoy them.
25.4 The Secret Circle No.1 - The Initiation and the Captive Part 1. by: L J Smith (320 pg)
The Secret Circle No. 2 - The Captive Part 2 and The Power. by: L J Smith (400 pg)
