Although an interesting look into the role of women during the Civil War, it reads more as an overview or an introduction to the topic more than anyth...moreAlthough an interesting look into the role of women during the Civil War, it reads more as an overview or an introduction to the topic more than anything else. It is a short read, so don't expect anything too in-depth. This would be good for younger readers just starting to delve into the Civil War, but I wouldn't recommend this for seasoned veterans. (less)
Not my favorite novel of Steinbeck's, but wow, it sure packs a punch.
There are a lot of things going on here. For being so short, Of Mice and Men rea...moreNot my favorite novel of Steinbeck's, but wow, it sure packs a punch.
There are a lot of things going on here. For being so short, Of Mice and Men really makes you think. The way Steinbeck writes it, though, is not overwhelming. I'm sure Of Mice and Men will give me much to stew over for a while.
First is the obvious: Lennie, who wouldn't hurt a fly. I don't wanna talk about him too much though, for fearing of giving away the plot. All I'm going to say is that the final pages of this get me every time. Then, there's a lot of the "American Dream" and what it consists of, whether anyone can actually achieve it, and even how one's race plays into it. There's the simple fact of human nature: some people are "good" (Lennie, George, Slim), and some people are "bad" (Curley). Once again, Steinbeck writes about the "haves" and "have-nots" of this country. You really get a glimpse of the common working man here (at least during that day and age): where he works, where he lives, what he likes to do in his spare time, how he speaks. There's talk of friendship, what it means, and the sacrifices one must make for his friends.
As you can see, there's a lot jam-packed into this short novel. But it doesn't feel like there is. That, in essence, is my favorite part about Steinbeck. His writing style is so easy-to-read, so leisurely, but yet after every one of his works, I find myself putting seriously thought into it and really stewing things over. (less)
When reading book after book in a series, it's a little difficult to review each individual book without seeming too repetitive. If you're a fan of th...moreWhen reading book after book in a series, it's a little difficult to review each individual book without seeming too repetitive. If you're a fan of the series, you'll be sure to enjoy this installment, as well.
Even though my favorite is still the second one, Ann Brashares really shows her writing chops in this one. She reaches out and explores the use of language and emotions, instead of just "This happened. So-and-so reacted this way. So-and-so number two said this." This is not to say that I think this series is poorly written. I think this is one of the better YA series out there, and let's face it, these books are addicting.
These books are so addicting because of the girls. I don't know about any other readers out there, but I am so invested in these girls that they seem like real, live people. If I had to pick, I think Carmen's storyline was my favorite this time around. We see a lot of growth in Carmen this time around, which I loved. At first, I thought we were going to see the same whiny Carmen storyline. Don't get me wrong, I love Carmen, and besides Lena, she's the one I relate to the most. But the whole getting mad and jealous over your parents storyline was already done in the first two books. So it was great to see Carmen really grow up and accept just who she is. I also thought Tibby's storyline was great and for the same reason as Carmen. She comes to terms with her feelings about her siblings and Brian, and we really just see a lot of emotional growth. I liked to see Lena focusing on her career and on her future rather than a guy, since that's all we've really seen of her so far. And of course, Bridget. I loved it. It was great to see how the growth in the last book affect her interaction with her fellow coach (no spoilers!) and really just show how different she is from the Bridget in the first book.
Overall, this was a good addition to the series, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the series ends and what happens to my favorite girls. (less)
I read the Amber Brown books obsessively when I was younger. I found this one lurking on my bookshelf and thought I'd re-visit it.
There isn't much to...moreI read the Amber Brown books obsessively when I was younger. I found this one lurking on my bookshelf and thought I'd re-visit it.
There isn't much to say about this one besides the fact that I can see why I loved this. Amber Brown is a hilarious little girl. Paula Danziger really nails the mentality of a fourth-grade-girl.
I also enjoyed how real issues were discussed without being too heavy and without being too preachy. Because, let's face it, that stuff goes right over the heads of younger kids. In that sense, Paula Danziger gets her message across to her target audience in the appropriate manner.
Overall, an enjoyable book for younger audiences. I loved it then, and I still love it now. (less)
I can be an atmospheric reader. Certain books should be read in a certain setting. Thoreau should be read on a stump in the middle of the woods. Jane...moreI can be an atmospheric reader. Certain books should be read in a certain setting. Thoreau should be read on a stump in the middle of the woods. Jane Austen should be read curled up in bed with a cup of tea in the middle of winter. Twain should be read lazing under a tree in the grass in the middle of the summer. And Poe should be read in late fall, somewhere around Halloween.
Well, as I just found out, he makes for excellent campfire reading, as well.
For me, Poe is the ultimate of suspense. As a reader, it is evident just how haunted of a man Edgar Allan Poe really was. This makes his writing quite effective and allows the reader to become pleasantly creeped out. I love his writing and adore immersing myself in his words. An absolutely classic author, I dare say.
What's unique about this edition is that it goes to show that Poe writes more than just horror--namely suspense and science fiction (and don't forget poetry and romance, even though they don't appear here). I also enjoyed this little edition because even though it includes Poe classics like "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Pit and the Pendulum," it also includes less well-known stories.
Overall, not a must-have for Poe enthusiasts (as this is just a little snippet of his total works), but recommended for those who would like to become better read in Edgar Allan Poe or who would like to see what he is capable of. (less)
It is not uncommon for me to read a book now, as an adult, and know that it would have been something I would have loved as a kid.
However, it is pret...moreIt is not uncommon for me to read a book now, as an adult, and know that it would have been something I would have loved as a kid.
However, it is pretty rare for me to read and enjoy a book that I would have hated, and Dogsong is one of those for me. The thing is, I wouldn't have appreciated this style of writing, I know I wouldn't have liked how introspective this story is, and I know I wouldn't have enjoyed all of the blood and the guts and the hunting. Basically, it's a good thing that I'm reviewing this at 22 and not 12...
That being said, I can definitely see why this is a Newbery. First of all, Gary Paulsen's writing is beautiful. It is simple, which completely matches the purpose of the story, and yet it is almost lyrical. I was tempted many times to just start reading this out loud, and I'm honestly curious to see how this would translate into an audiobook, even though I usually stay away from those. Bordering at times on stream-of-consciousness, Louise Erdrich came to mind, and perhaps I enjoyed this so much because Paulsen's manner of storytelling reminded me of hers.
I also just really love the concept of this story--of a young boy, coming of age, and reaching back to his heritage and reaching out to nature. Anyone who knows me knows I'm an advocate for going back to such roots, and I loved that Russel was able to branch away from modern society and technology. Perhaps it isn't very realistic in today's day and age, but Russel's story carries an important message nonetheless. (less)
The Outsiders is one of the first books I remember reading in school and really loving. I mean, sure, I remember reading some fun ones in elementary s...moreThe Outsiders is one of the first books I remember reading in school and really loving. I mean, sure, I remember reading some fun ones in elementary school, but junior high is when they really start throwing the classics at you. This book is perfect for proving that not all classics have to be intimidating and can actually be (surprise!) quite enjoyable.
I think it's incredible that S. E. Hinton wrote this when she was 16. Not only that, but she absolutely nails the voice of Ponyboy. Ponyboy has to be one of the most convincing, authentic narrators I've ever read. The thing about Ponyboy is that he still has this simplicity and innocence to him, despite all that he's been through. He will, in my mind, have no problem "staying gold," like Johnny advises.
The other thing I really love about this book is that it really is so much more than it seems. S. E. Hinton's writing is simple and straightforward, but it is totally fitting to the story itself. It lends itself to her overarching message. This story is about so much more than Greasers versus Socs, poor versus rich. It's about more than Ponyboy, even. Her story goes to show that no matter your situation, your background, or your station in life, people are people. We all might face different problems, but at the end of the day, we are all just people. I love it. It's really beautiful to think about.
This is one of those classics that really stays with you for a while, once you've read it. It's one to put on the shelf for sure, as a reminder to stay gold and enjoy those sunsets. (less)
A quaint little book that describes how many of our myths and traditions surrounding Santa came to be. Children would probably get enjoyment out of th...moreA quaint little book that describes how many of our myths and traditions surrounding Santa came to be. Children would probably get enjoyment out of this, but it was just an okay read for me. (less)
This was one of my favorite Christmas books when I was growing up. I remember my fourth grade teacher reading this to my class, and I was taken with t...moreThis was one of my favorite Christmas books when I was growing up. I remember my fourth grade teacher reading this to my class, and I was taken with the story ever since. Addie not only makes one of my favorite narrators, but she also makes a great protagonist. She's truly one of those characters that you can't help but root for. Overall, this book is heartwarming and funny at the same time. As I finished re-reading this, I had the biggest, dopiest smile on my face, just because it has one of those "feel-good" endings that you just can't help but love. An easy read (this took me about an hour to read), and a great story for kids around this age, I'd recommend this to anyone. (less)
I loved this book growing up, and I still love it now. It's one of the best children's Christmas books out there. Besides the fact that it's hilarious...moreI loved this book growing up, and I still love it now. It's one of the best children's Christmas books out there. Besides the fact that it's hilarious, I love that it poses some interesting questions about the traditional Christmas story that we've always heard. I mean, if you think about it, the baby Jesus probably did need burped and why did they let a pregnant woman stay in a barn? I also loved the choice of narration--having a kid narrate was a wise choice because it just added to the humor of the story. It did have a nice, cozy moral at the end, reminding us that no matter how funny the story was, there's a reason for the season. Perfect for kids around the age of 8. Overall, I'd recommend this if you need a good laugh during the holiday season! (less)
A classic, what else is there to be said? Read by countless amounts of people every year, myself included, Dickens has written one of the greatest Chr...moreA classic, what else is there to be said? Read by countless amounts of people every year, myself included, Dickens has written one of the greatest Christmas stories to be told. Face it, whether we've read the original novel or seen whichever of the hundred movie renditions of this, this story sticks with people. Personally, I re-read this every year, and I love that each time I read this, I come away with something different. This year, I noted just how much humor Dickens weaves into this story. Yes, it is a dark story in many ways, but I found myself chuckling at some of Dickens' descriptions. One of the reasons that A Christmas Carol never gets old for me is Dickens' writing style--it's so beautiful and rich, it's like slipping into a warm bathtub full of bubbles or curling up in a cozy bed with a cup of hot tea. For anyone looking for an excellent Christmas read, I absolutely recommend this to those who have yet to read it...even if you've seen your favorite movie version of it a hundred times, I promise you, this read will be more than worth your time! (less)
I first read this during my senior year of high school in my A.P. English class. I realized I didn't really remember much from it, so I decided a re-r...moreI first read this during my senior year of high school in my A.P. English class. I realized I didn't really remember much from it, so I decided a re-read was in order.
I really enjoyed this book. I didn't love it, but I enjoyed it enough that I found myself feeling compelled to keep reading because I had to find out what was going to happen to these characters. This is a dark story, and I can see why some people don't enjoy it. I've seen some people describe this story as a trainwreck, and really, that's how I felt. I mean, there are all of these characters being just terrible to each other, but I couldn't look away, and I wanted to know how it was going to end. I never felt really attached to any of them, but I know I felt myself feeling sorry for or feeling frustrated with all of them at one point or another.
As far as the plot goes, I think Emily Bronte was very inventive for her time. I'm no expert on the era by any means but there's a creative flair present in this story that makes me feel a little sorry that this was her only published work. I found her writing surprisingly easy to read, as well, and there were a handful of times that I caught myself stopping to re-read a sentence or a passage just to appreciate the writing.
Overall, I can't say that it's my favorite book ever, but I did enjoy it and appreciate it for the classic that it is. (less)
Susan Beth Pfeffer really has a handle on the "little women." I remember I loved this book as a kid, and I absolutely ate it up. Jo has always been my...moreSusan Beth Pfeffer really has a handle on the "little women." I remember I loved this book as a kid, and I absolutely ate it up. Jo has always been my favorite little woman, so I always enjoyed this short jaunt with my favorite character. This is a short, easy read that young girls will enjoy. Reading this now, I focused mainly on whether I thought Pfeffer stayed true to the characters, and I really felt that she did. Jo's "sacrifice" for her family is something that is so typically Jo, and I think that's why I liked this so much. Even the other characters were accurately portrayed.
This would be an ideal read for younger girls. It's not very long, and therefore not as intimidating to a ten-year-old as maybe the original classic could be. It tells a charming story with a lesson at the end that doesn't come across as too preachy. It also has a cute little section at the end with an easy recipe to try as well as an "activity" for girls to do. In this one, the recipe was for apple pie, and the activity was to make your very own family tree.
While not absolutely riveting to me now, I can see why I was so obsessed with this book as a kid. (less)
Yesterday felt like a good day to visit a favorite childhood read, so I curled up with The Cricket in Times Square for the evening. I have vivid memor...moreYesterday felt like a good day to visit a favorite childhood read, so I curled up with The Cricket in Times Square for the evening. I have vivid memories of my third grade teacher reading this to us, but for the life of me, I couldn't remember what the plot was about. All I could remember was sitting on that circle rug during storytime being enthralled by the story.
Now that I've re-read it, I can totally see why I loved this so much growing up. Uhhh hello! Talking animals! When I was little (even now, really), I always loved stories with animal characters. I gobbled up everything by E.B. White and I loved books like The Rats of NIMH and Beverly Cleary's Ralph S. Mouse books. George Selden is definitely worthy of being ranked among the greats, like E.B. White, in this genre.
While being a children's book, this is definitely a more intellectual one, if you will. Certainly, all children's books are worth a read, but while some are aimed at helping children learn how to read, there are others that are aimed at creating readers. This is definitely one of those "creating readers" kind of books. While The Cricket in Times Square is an easy read, it also encourages readers to use their imagination. The prose is fantastic. This is also a fun read because Selden transports his readers to the streets and subway stations of New York City, which is another big plus for this children's book. I believe that while growing up, it is incredibly important to read about as many different places and cultures as you can, and this book certainly helps with that.
There isn't a whole lot of character development, per se, in this book, but the characters are a whole lot of fun, nonetheless. There's strict ole Mama, and optimistic Mario, not to mention, wise Harry Cat and hilarious Tucker Mouse. Chester Cricket was definitely my favorite though. There were so many times throughout the story that I wished it were possible to hug a cricket just because Chester was so innocent and genuine of a character.
Also, as a little sidenote--Garth Williams' illustrations are awesome. They perfectly fit the story and they have so much personality to them.
I loved this book as a kid and I love it now--I can't wait to pass it on some day! And I was excited to find out that there are at least 5 or 6 other books written about these characters, so looks like I'll be headed to my library here soon to check them out. (less)
This book and I sort of have a weird, but nonetheless wonderful, relationship. I read this book twice as a younger kid, but when I picked it back up t...moreThis book and I sort of have a weird, but nonetheless wonderful, relationship. I read this book twice as a younger kid, but when I picked it back up to read again recently, I could not, for the life of me, remember anything about it. That sounds like a bad thing, but I took it as a chance to reexperience a book for the "first" time, which is pretty rare in the reading world.
I think that what works best for this book is its appeal to both children and adults. Like I said, I loved it as a kid, but it is definitely not an "easy" or "mindless" read for adults. I particularly enjoyed putting my imagination to use after a semester-ful of textbooks and statistics. L'Engle is incredibly skilled at world building, and what with all of the different characters, like the Mrs. W's, and all of the different worlds Meg and crew travel to, I was ready to start time traveling myself!
Honestly, more than anything, it reminded me of a sci-fi version of C.S. Lewis. There were some religious overtones, but I don't think they were pushy or anything. Besides the imagination aspect, I also really liked the suspense...I always felt like I had to keep reading. And I loved the characters. Most of us have probably been able to relate to Meg at one point or another. We have all been that little girl/boy frustrated by being "different." I really liked Charles Wallace, but I loved Calvin. I want my own! He was so sweet!
Overall, this was a fun and entertaining read that was an absolute Godsend during finals week. I personally am going to keep reading with the series, but I feel like this is a book that could easily be read as a stand-alone. My love of the characters is definitely driving me to read the others, though! (less)
One of my favorite books as a kid, this is unfortunately often passed over for the more popular Silverstein titles. I read this to my little brother a...moreOne of my favorite books as a kid, this is unfortunately often passed over for the more popular Silverstein titles. I read this to my little brother and the neighbor's kids tonight. It is a ton of fun to read out loud and definitely as funny as I remember it being. They just thought it was great, and the marshmallow part, of course, was a favorite. They just could not stop giggling. Honestly, as I read I found it very reminiscent of Roald Dahl. A fun little story with a very important moral to boot. Definitely worth the quick read. (less)
It is no secret that I am a fan of Roald Dahl. As a kid, he was the author that really solidified my love of reading. I read everything of his that I...moreIt is no secret that I am a fan of Roald Dahl. As a kid, he was the author that really solidified my love of reading. I read everything of his that I could get my hands on. This was one of my favorites, and I read it over and over and over again. My copy is pretty ragged.
Reading it again, I still love it. One of the things that is so great about Roald Dahl is that his books lend themselves to being read out loud. They are absolutely perfect for story time. He has a lot of fun with words: "Mr. Twit wriggled and squirmed, and he squiggled and wormed, and he twisted and turned, and he choggled and churned..." Tell me you don't want to read that out loud, and I'll call you a liar. He also has this conversational style of narration that makes you feel like you're Roald Dahl's friend and he's telling you this great story. I love that. Not only that, but his outrageous and sometimes quite dark humor appeals to kids and adults alike.
This is one of his shorter books, and it lacks the depth of his other classics like James and the Giant Peach or Matilda, but this one is still a helluva lot of fun. It's perfect for beginning readers, and it remains one of my favorite childhood books. (less)
When I was younger, I absolutely ate up any book that the American Girls franchise published. And for good reason! Even after all of these years, when...moreWhen I was younger, I absolutely ate up any book that the American Girls franchise published. And for good reason! Even after all of these years, when I re-read this one yesterday, I was sucked into this story, and I couldn't really believe how good it was. And when I say good, I mean, if I ever have little girls, these are the kind of books I want them to read.
The mystery was intriguing, the history was enthralling, and the writing was good. It wasn't dumbed down, and it was surprisingly intelligent. As cheesy as it sounds, I owe a lot to these American Girl books, and they really made me the reader I am today.
Annie was a character that you just couldn't help but root for, and I was dying to find out what had happened to her horse! It was also really cool to read about a period of history that I don't remember learning much about in school. I think that's just another appeal of the American Girl books--they cover so many different periods of history that there is bound to be something to spark the interest of young readers.
And like I said about the writing--it was so excellent. It's challenging enough to work the minds of young readers, but easy and addicting enough to have them keep reading. One thing that I especially picked up on was that there was just the right amount of descriptive passages to really work the imagination of young girls, which I think is very important in establishing readers.
Overall, I was very pleased, even reading this again years after my first time reading it, and I know I'll be keeping these books to pass along someday! (less)
There is nothing like good old Stephen King to get me through the rest of this semester.
I love diving into his books because I love sinking into his...moreThere is nothing like good old Stephen King to get me through the rest of this semester.
I love diving into his books because I love sinking into his writing style. His style is my favorite out of any other author I have ever read. It just sucks me in, and the stories he tells are just so real. No matter how fantastical the subject is, he'll have you believing it's thoroughly possible by the time you're through. I also love how he writes his characters. They're so real. They're real people like you'd meet walking around the streets of your own town--no idealized heroes or over-cliched characters--just real people living real lives. Maybe that's what lends itself to making his stories so believable.
Anyway, I'm endeavoring to read SK's book in order (or rather, relative order), so in comparison to his first novel, Carrie, this is more like the Stephen King that I'm used to. I think he just really got into his groove with 'Salem's Lot. I read this back when I was 13 and when I picked it up this time, I remembered how much it scared me, but I was a little hesitant because I thought that maybe it wouldn't be as scary at 20. No, I was wrong. This was still terrifying. The battle against a seemingly invincible enemy was frustrating and just plain scary. There were times when I physically could not put down the book even though I knew if I kept reading, I wouldn't be able to sleep.
As I've already stated, Stephen King is my favorite author, so I may be a little biased, but I loved this book through and through. I especially enjoyed the ending and how he left the fate of 'Salem's Lot relatively up in the air. And I always love his characters. They always stick with me for a while afterward, and I think his talent for character development stems from the fact that in writing about the forces of good versus evil, he must have a good handle on human nature.
Overall, another excellent novel from good ole SK, and I'm already looking forward to diving into another one and continuing on my journey. Long days, pleasant nights! (less)
A short, but interesting read on the role of various women as spies during the Civil War. Not a comprehensive read, but more of an introduction to the...moreA short, but interesting read on the role of various women as spies during the Civil War. Not a comprehensive read, but more of an introduction to the subject. Some of these women were very crafty, and this was a pleasure to read. (less)
A nice, introductory sampling of O. Henry's stories. I've always been a fan of O. Henry, so I did enjoy this little book. It's a good way to check him...moreA nice, introductory sampling of O. Henry's stories. I've always been a fan of O. Henry, so I did enjoy this little book. It's a good way to check him out if you're not sure if you are a fan or not. Usually calling someone's writing "formulaic" isn't very promising, but O. Henry's signature "surprise twist at the end" always kept me on my feet and was quite comforting, actually.
My personal favorites were: "The Gift of the Magi," "The Last Leaf," "A Chaparral Prince," and "A Retrieved Reformation." (less)
I was obsessed with this book when I was in fourth grade. Our teacher read it to us and then we went to visit Johnstown and the Johnstown Flood Memori...moreI was obsessed with this book when I was in fourth grade. Our teacher read it to us and then we went to visit Johnstown and the Johnstown Flood Memorial Museum, and I was completely hooked. I read this countless times back then, but I couldn't really remember what happened, so I figured it was worth a re-read.
After re-reading it, I still stand behind my obsession. This book was good, which surprised me because I was expecting it to be worse than I had remembered. It was a gripping look at a local tragedy that I feel like every kid in my area hears about from the time they're 2-months-old. I felt a wide range of emotions while reading this, and I was pleasantly surprised about how much I was moved. Marden Dahlstedt really gets human emotion and tragic disasters, and she can write some pretty captivating stuff. Granted, this novel is probably aimed towards a younger crowd, but like I said earlier, I still felt a lot while reading this.
As far as the characters go, I really liked what she did with Megan. She wrote about a 15-year-old girl who...acted like a 15-year-old girl. Just as soon as you start to think that she's this sweet girl, she does something totally bratty and teenager-ish. I liked most of the supporting characters, as well. They were hashed out enough to keep me content.
Another big plus for me was just the fact that I think it was an awesome portrayal of a local tragedy. Well, I mean, not that the tragedy was awesome, but you get what I mean. For someone who doesn't know anything about the Johnstown Flood of 1889, you could pick up this book and find a well-informed, people's account of the flood. This is genuinely good middlegrade historical fiction. (less)
This was the perfect book for me to read during a busy fall semester. Poetry is perfect for reading when you're busy because not only can you put it d...moreThis was the perfect book for me to read during a busy fall semester. Poetry is perfect for reading when you're busy because not only can you put it down in between poems, but it also can be very soothing.
While Galway Kinnell is not my favorite poet, I find intense calmness in reading his words and enjoy immersing myself in his poetry for a while. And the man does certainly have a way with words. One of my favorite passages comes from a poem entitled "The River That Is East":
Buoys begin clanging like churches And peter out. Sunk to the gunwhales In their shapes, tugs push upstream. A carfloat booms down, sweeping past Illusory suns that blaze in puddles On the shores where it rained, past the Navy Yard, Under the Williamsburg Bridge That hangs facedown from its strings Over which the Jamaica Local crawls, Through white-winged gulls which shriek And flap from the water and sideslip in Over a chaos of illusions, dangling Limp red hands, and screaming as they touch.
Oh, I just love that.
Overall, I have a hard time reviewing poetry because I feel as if much of the power of poetry resides in how it resonates with the reader. With that being said, if you enjoy poetry, I suggest checking him out. He's perfect for this time of year and for curling up with some steaming cider. (less)
**spoiler alert** Stephen King is my favorite author, without a doubt. If I had to nail it down to one thing, it's his character development. He takes...more**spoiler alert** Stephen King is my favorite author, without a doubt. If I had to nail it down to one thing, it's his character development. He takes seemingly normal people and weaves them into his tale in a way that makes even the most fanatical plot seem realistic. By the end of this novel, we not only know why, but we understand why Carrie basically blew up her town, and yet we also understand the fear and terror coursing through the citizens of Chamberlain while it's all going on. There wasn't a character in this novel that I felt as if I didn't personally know. SK makes it easy to envision voices, mannerisms, quirks and more to have his readers feel as though they know his characters as well as he does and as if we've known them our entire lives.
I also love how Stephen King writes like an ordinary Joe. A very talented ordinary Joe. I know a lot of authors like to sugarcoat the rawness of life with regards to drug use, sex, alcohol, etc. But Stephen King doesn't shy away from it. He tells it like it is. With this novel in particular, he really hits the nail on the head with the high school bullying and with just how mean kids can be. He touches upon domestic abuse. On fanatic religiosity. On the picture perfect Suzy "Creamcheese" lifestyle that many fall into after high school graduation in a small town. He says the things that we all think but aren't quite confident enough to say.
Carrie is an excellent example to use to point out his writing "voice," if you will. I think Stephen King is an excellent writer. I mean, damn, this man can write. I think it's safe to say that in his novels subsequent to Carrie, he writes like he knows he's good at what he does. And not in a cocky way, but really just in a confident way. And it works. Carrie is a good example to notice this. This being his first novel, I'm sure there was some trepidation...will the world be ready for this? As as avid Stephen King reader, every time I go back and re-visit Chamberlain, Maine, I can feel SK testing the waters. It doesn't take away from Carrie, not at all. I can almost hear him thinking, "I know this is good...but can you tell just how good it is?"
Even though this isn't SK's scariest or goriest, it is definitely a spooky read. Perfect for October! Stephen King has a knack for making the most far-fetched, fanatical ideas seem as though they could actually happen. Case in point, throughout this novel, various news articles, interviews, etc. touched upon the thought that Carrie is not the only one with this power out there...and what happens if we find out a bunch of people have TK? I mean, it's not like you could throw them into jail...they'd break out. You see? Imagine the implications for our world as a whole. He really makes you think, and that's what makes this story spooky. This wasn't just an isolated event in a small town in Maine. It could happen in your town next.
Overall, a fun book to read and revisit time and again. The story never gets old--you'll still find yourself getting caught up in the accelerating plot, and you might even find yourself holding your breath waiting to find out what will happen. (less)
I first read this book way back in the eighth grade. I remember my teacher telling us that Christie was a master of the art of writing mysteries. I al...moreI first read this book way back in the eighth grade. I remember my teacher telling us that Christie was a master of the art of writing mysteries. I also remember this being one of the first books that I read for a class that I surprisingly ended up loving.
Re-reading this, I can totally see what my teacher was talking about. Christie is a master at what she does.
This was such a cool reading experience for me. This book is virtually impossible to put down. Last night, I decided to go to bed and to get up this morning to finish it. Well, it took me forever to fall asleep because I kept thinking about it, and I even woke up multiple times in the night, thinking that I should just wake back up and finish it. I think the reason why this book was impossible for me to put down was that I absolutely needed to know what happened. Usually when I read mysteries, I can have some guess as to what's happening, even if my guess ends up incorrect. With this, however, I didn't even have a guess. Oh, there were plenty of twists, but I legitimately could not even guess how this was going to end. It was so fun, even though it nearly drove me insane. I even paid extra attention to every detail as I read, knowing from previous experience that this was a mystery I wouldn't be able to figure out.
I also think her writing style lends itself to the mystery. She writes with short, succinct sentences, and they never come across as flowery. It adds to the whole adrenaline-rush, need-to-keep-reading fun of this book.
Overall, I think this was a fun, mystery romp that managed to keep from being overbearing or depressing despite all of the murders going on. I highly recommend this if you're looking for an excellent whodunit. I know I have two or three other Christie mysteries floating around on my bookshelf, and now I can't wait to dive into them. (less)
Re-reading this book always takes me back to my childhood. I can still remember the day I bought this from the bookstore with my saved-up allowance. T...moreRe-reading this book always takes me back to my childhood. I can still remember the day I bought this from the bookstore with my saved-up allowance. This was one of the first books, along with those of Shel Silverstein, that sparked an interest in poetry for me. Looking back now and reading it as an adult, it is easy to see why.
Piping Down the Valleys Wild is the perfect book for young readers beginning to read poetry. There are sixteen chapters in this, based roughly off themes such as weather, animals, and holidays, and each chapter contains a number of poems pertaining to those themes. The poems included here are from a range of authors, including lesser known poets as well as more famous ones such as Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson. I can't say I've ever used this word to describe a book before, but this was truly a whimsical collection of poetry. The poems are a lot of fun and easy to read out loud, perfect for beginning poets. It took me a while to read through this book, not because it wasn't good or because it was difficult to get through by any means, but mostly because I just enjoyed immersing myself in it for a little while each day. Most of the poems here are somewhat silly and rhyme-y, but there are also poems that are more introspective and quiet, although I will say that none of the poems included are all that deep or difficult to understand the meaning of.
This is somewhat of a short review for me, but I will say that if you are looking for a book to encourage young readers towards poetry, this is your book. Fans of Shel Silverstein will also want to check this book out. (less)
Even though I've only read the first two and a half books of this series, I think this one will stand as my favorite. I loved all of the story l...moreLOVE!
Even though I've only read the first two and a half books of this series, I think this one will stand as my favorite. I loved all of the story lines in this one, and they all seemed so real and so true to the characters. And woo-hoo for character development! I loved getting to know more about the Sisters and about what makes them tick.
While these books might not be the ones to read for language or style, Ann Brashares crafts her dialogues carefully so that they come out feeling as natural as can be. Not only that, but every so often, she adds a great kicker of a thought that makes you pause and leaves you reflecting. These books are easy to read and can easily be devoured within a couple of hours. They are feel good reads, and definitely provide a case of the warm and fuzzies.
Another great thing about these books is that they are definitely re-readable. It seems like no matter what stage of life I'm in when I read them, I can take something out of them, which is what literature is to me. While some things, such as references to Apple products or food brands, will eventually become dated, the overall themes are consistently relateable.
And of course, like I said before, my favorite part of the book was the character development! I still relate to Lena and Carmen the most, but I think Bridget's storyline in this book was the best out of all of them. The fact that she finds that she needs to go on a soul-searching journey through her past given what happened to her in the last book just screamed genuine to me. I also thought it was a beautiful depiction of the grieving process. However, I'm noticing a trend--it seems that I tend to find one of the girls rather annoying in each of the books. In the first book, I found Bridget kind of annoying, and in this one, Carmen really got on my nerves. I mean, I understood her reactions, and I also understand that her character is a teenager. Maybe I've just moved onto bigger and better things, but I thought she was a whiny brat. Never fear, though, Ann Brashares has Carmen redeem herself by the end. I adore feeling as though these girls have become friends of mine, so much so that I find myself wanting to offer advice or comfort or congratulate or shake the nonsense out of the girls as the story progresses.
Well, I'm dying to keep reading, so off I go to begin the third installment of the Sisterhood! (less)
Another charming addition to the American Girls' series. Anyone who enjoyed reading about Samantha's adventures will be very pleased with how her stor...moreAnother charming addition to the American Girls' series. Anyone who enjoyed reading about Samantha's adventures will be very pleased with how her story finally comes to an end. As a young girl, this was my very first American Girl book (don't ask why I chose the sixth book in one of the girls' series to start--long story), and as I re-read this, it was easy for me to see why I was so drawn to these girls, and especially Samantha. The creators of these books established historical role models for young girls to look up to and be empowered by. I remember reading these and getting the message that girls can do anything they put their mind to...and in the world that we live in today, where girls need all of the empowerment and self-confidence they can find to overcome the unrealistic expectations of the media, these books are just the thing young girls need. Besides all of that, these books are excellent for young readers, building reading skills slowly along the way. Recommended for young girls, parents of young girls, and even for nostalgic readers such as myself who like to dive into their favorite childhood books from time to time. (less)
This is truly a great series of books for young girls. Despite the appeal of the dolls, I remember this series more than satiated my thirst for books...moreThis is truly a great series of books for young girls. Despite the appeal of the dolls, I remember this series more than satiated my thirst for books when I was younger. Not only were the stories entertaining and not only did each of the different girls feel like my friends, but each of the girls taught about different eras in America's history without reading too much like a textbook.
With this book in particular, I liked the ultimate "lesson" that Samantha learns and I liked that despite Samantha's higher social status, she still considered Nellie and her family to be some of her closest friends. I could be wrong, but I feel as though in a world where money is becoming more and more important to people, this is a message more little girls need to hear--to not judge anyone based on social class or monetary well-being.
This is an easy chapter read that will help with reading skills in younger readers. I also particularly enjoyed the "historical section" at the end of the book, and I think it was a smart move on American Girl's part to not only tell the stories of these beloved characters but to also include bits of history at the end of each of the tales so that readers can walk away with a good story and also a bit of knowledge, as well. (less)
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